After a 14-year hiatus, direct air connectivity between Bangladesh and Pakistan resumed as Biman Bangladesh Airlines launched its first Dhaka-Karachi flight on Thursday night. Flight BG-341 departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8 p.m. and landed in Karachi at 11 p.m. local time, where it received a traditional water cannon salute. The inaugural flight carried 150 passengers, according to Geo News.

The Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka described the resumption as a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral ties, communication, and connectivity between the two nations. Bangladesh’s Adviser for Civil Aviation and Tourism said the new route would enhance regional connectivity, boost tourism, and improve people-to-people contact. He added that flight frequency would gradually increase and fares would be reduced to make travel more accessible.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner Imran Haider recalled that both governments agreed to restore direct flights during the visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to Dhaka in August last year, emphasizing that stronger connectivity was a shared leadership goal.

Israeli and Saudi defense and intelligence officials are visiting the United States this week to discuss issues related to Iran, amid growing concern over recent U.S. attacks on Iranian targets. According to Axios, citing two U.S. officials, Israel’s military intelligence chief, General Shlomi Binder, held several high-level meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday with senior leaders at the Pentagon, CIA, and White House. The main purpose of his visit was to provide information on potential Iranian attack targets at the request of the Trump administration.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman is also in Washington for meetings on Thursday and Friday with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Pentagon officials. The Saudi Defense Ministry said the delegation aims to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and resolving regional issues through diplomatic means. Saudi Arabia, which has been mediating messages between Washington and Tehran, reiterated that it would not allow the U.S. to use its airspace for attacks on Iran.

The visits come as tensions remain high following U.S. bombings of three Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day conflict between Israel and Tehran in June.

Bangladesh has been elected vice-chair of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) for 2026. The election took place on Thursday at the UN headquarters in New York during the first meeting of the commission’s 20th session. Morocco was chosen as chair, while Bangladesh, Germany, Brazil, and Croatia were elected as vice-chairs. Bangladesh formally assumed its new role in a brief ceremony attended by the UN General Assembly president’s chief of staff, who emphasized the importance of the PBC’s role.

The Peacebuilding Commission is an intergovernmental advisory body that supports peace efforts in conflict-affected countries. It consists of 31 member states selected from the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, and top troop- and financial-contributing nations. Bangladesh has been a member since the commission’s establishment in 2005 and previously served as chair in 2012 and 2022, and as vice-chair in 2013 and 2023.

In a statement, Bangladesh’s delegation thanked member states for their confidence and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the UN’s peacebuilding initiatives and future plans.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Russia will suspend attacks on Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine for one week. Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin made this decision after Trump personally requested him to do so. He made the remarks on Thursday during a cabinet meeting, expressing satisfaction with the outcome.

The day before, Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Honcharenko told the media that Kyiv and Moscow had reached an understanding to stop attacks on Ukraine’s power sector. Hours before Trump’s comments, journalists contacted Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, but he declined to comment on the matter.

The announcement suggests a temporary pause in hostilities, though no official confirmation from the Kremlin was available at the time of reporting.

The European Union’s 27 member states have designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, prompting strong condemnation from Tehran. Iran’s Foreign Ministry called the move illegal, politically motivated, and a violation of international law, describing it as interference in the country’s internal affairs. The announcement was made by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in a post on social media platform X.

According to the EU, the decision follows Iran’s violent suppression of recent anti-government protests, during which demonstrators were reportedly killed and subjected to widespread repression. The EU Council stated that targeted individuals include Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad.

Iran warned that it reserves the right to take appropriate measures within international law to protect its sovereignty and national interests, holding the EU and its member states responsible for any consequences of the decision.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth stated that the US military is prepared to implement any decision by President Donald Trump to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability. Speaking at a White House cabinet meeting on Thursday, Hegseth emphasized that it would be wrong for Iran to pursue nuclear power and that the Defense Department stands ready to fulfill the president’s expectations.

According to the report, the United States has already deployed significant military strength in the Middle East. US officials said Trump is reviewing his options but has not decided to launch an attack on Iran. The statement comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran following Iran’s recent crackdown on anti-government protests, which resulted in numerous casualties.

The developments underscore growing regional instability as both nations maintain a cautious stance. The Pentagon’s readiness signals that the situation could escalate further if diplomatic efforts fail to ease tensions.

The European Union’s 27 member states have unanimously designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. The decision was announced on Thursday by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas through a post on social media platform X, following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. The move serves as a punitive response to Tehran’s violent suppression of recent anti-government protests and the killing of demonstrators.

Kallas stated that the EU cannot tolerate any form of repression, adding that a government that kills its own citizens to maintain power is undermining itself. France and Italy had supported the proposal earlier, while Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel said the decision was taken in protest against the bloodshed in Iran. Israel, a long-time adversary of Iran, welcomed the EU’s move, with its Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar calling it historic.

According to an unnamed senior Israeli official, the EU’s sanctions will make it easier to bring IRGC members to justice.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Iran that time is running out to reach an agreement over its nuclear program. He threatened that if talks fail to progress, the United States could launch a more severe attack than before. Iran has rejected the threat outright. A BBC analysis outlined several possible outcomes if Trump orders a military strike on Iran.

The report suggests that U.S. forces could carry out limited, precise strikes targeting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Basij bases, and nuclear facilities, potentially leading to democratic transition. Another scenario envisions Iran’s current regime surviving but forced to alter its policies, including reducing support for regional armed groups and easing domestic repression. Other possibilities include the regime’s collapse leading to military rule, retaliatory Iranian attacks on U.S. bases and allies in the Gulf, or even the sinking of U.S. warships.

The analysis also warns of potential nationwide chaos in Iran, with risks of civil war and ethnic conflict that could destabilize neighboring countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour has called for Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza and an end to any attempts to control the enclave’s future. Speaking at the UN Security Council on Wednesday, he said that achieving a permanent ceasefire requires Israel’s full departure. Mansour emphasized that resolving the Palestinian issue is as urgent as addressing other global conflicts.

Welcoming the Gaza ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025, Mansour said the plan could end killings, famine, and the unprecedented humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians. He questioned the lack of accountability for victims, citing families still searching for loved ones killed or missing under rubble. Mansour also condemned Israeli actions against humanitarian organizations, including the UN agency for Palestinian refugees and NGOs, saying repeated attacks on UN facilities have weakened their operations.

He reiterated that Israel has no sovereignty over Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem, and described the occupation as illegal and without any legitimate right.

US Senator Marco Rubio commented on the uncertainty surrounding Iran’s leadership if Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were to lose power. Speaking in the Senate shortly after President Donald Trump issued a new warning to Tehran, Rubio said it was unclear who would lead Iran in such a scenario. He cautioned that any forced regime change in Iran would be far more complex than the situation in Venezuela and noted that the aftermath of a government collapse would not have simple answers.

Rubio also mentioned that the United States might take preemptive defensive measures to protect its troops and allied facilities in the region if necessary, though he expressed hope that such a situation could be avoided. Meanwhile, Trump announced on social media that a large naval fleet was moving toward Iran and urged Tehran to return to negotiations to halt nuclear weapons development.

Iran rejected the US warnings, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that no talks could occur under threats and warning of an immediate and strong response to any military action. Both sides have maintained their positions, with Washington seeking a nuclear deal and Tehran insisting on continuing peaceful nuclear activities.

Three people were killed and one injured in a Russian drone attack in southern Ukraine early Thursday, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov. The governor of Zaporizhzhia said in a Telegram post that two women and one man died, while another man was wounded. He added that several houses were destroyed and fires broke out in multiple locations.

The attack occurred as Ukraine faces a series of deadly strikes across the country during harsh winter conditions, disrupting electricity supplies. The conflict, now nearing four years, has prompted renewed diplomatic efforts to reach a resolution. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the next round of talks could take place on Sunday.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that another meeting may happen this week, possibly with U.S. participation. Ukrainian authorities reported that at least 16 people were killed nationwide between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in Russian attacks.

Protesters injured during Iran’s ongoing anti-government demonstrations are reportedly avoiding hospitals out of fear of arrest, instead seeking treatment secretly in private homes. Accounts from cities including Isfahan, Tehran, and Arak describe wounded demonstrators relying on sympathetic doctors, nurses, and volunteers for covert medical help. Health workers told the BBC that security forces are stationed in hospitals, prompting many to hide their injuries and avoid official medical records.

The Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) reported confirming 6,301 deaths linked to the unrest, including 5,925 protesters and 112 children, while Iranian authorities claim over 3,100 deaths, mostly among security personnel and bystanders. The semi-official Tasnim agency cited the Health Ministry saying 13,000 surgeries have been performed during the protests and that about 3,000 people who initially avoided hospitals later sought treatment.

Human rights groups said doctors treating injured protesters have themselves become targets, with Iran Human Rights reporting at least five doctors and one volunteer arrested. Reports from Tehran and smaller towns indicate worsening conditions, shortages of medical supplies, and growing fear among both patients and healthcare workers.

The United States has urged its citizens to reconsider travel plans to Pakistan due to heightened security concerns. On January 26, the US Department of State updated its travel advisory, placing Pakistan under Level 3, or “Reconsider Travel,” citing risks of crime, violence, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. The advisory was reported by Pakistani daily Dawn.

According to the statement, terrorist attacks in Pakistan may occur without warning, with potential targets including transport hubs, hotels, markets, shopping malls, military and security installations, airports, trains, educational institutions, hospitals, places of worship, tourist areas, and government buildings. Certain areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have been classified as Level 4, or “Do Not Travel,” due to frequent incidents of targeted killings and kidnappings affecting both officials and civilians.

The advisory also warned that participating in unauthorized demonstrations in Pakistan is a punishable offense, noting that some US citizens have previously been detained for such activities. The Level 3 alert indicates serious security risks, while Level 4 represents the highest level of caution, advising against all travel.

China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, has warned that Beijing will take measures to protect its companies’ interests if Australia forcibly reclaims control of the strategically important northern Darwin Port. The warning came after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reiterated his government’s intention to bring the port back under national control, calling the 2015 lease to China’s Landbridge Group a short-sighted decision in terms of economic and national security.

The Darwin Port was leased to Landbridge for 99 years in 2015, a move that sparked intense domestic debate in Australia and led to stricter oversight of foreign ownership of critical infrastructure. Xiao Qian told Australian media that if Landbridge is forced to relinquish the lease, Beijing will act to safeguard the legitimate interests of Chinese companies. He cautioned that such a move could harm Chinese investment, cooperation, and trade in the region, ultimately affecting Australia’s own interests.

Darwin is one of Australia’s closest cities to its Asian neighbors and hosts a U.S. Marine base. The port lease had previously drawn criticism from Washington for lack of prior consultation.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has called on the United Nations to ensure Palestine’s full membership and to take urgent measures to uphold international law and accountability amid ongoing ceasefire violations in Gaza. The appeal was made in a statement to the UN Security Council, as reported by TRT World.

Turkey’s UN envoy Ahmet Yildiz, speaking on behalf of the OIC, said the October 2025 ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian resistance group Hamas marked a significant step toward peace but warned that its implementation remains at risk. He noted that while the truce has reduced violence and increased humanitarian aid, repeated Israeli attacks and continued blockades are obstructing the delivery of life-saving supplies to Palestinians.

Yildiz praised international efforts to maintain the ceasefire, including those of U.S. President Trump, but stressed that Israeli actions continue to hinder peace progress in Gaza. He also drew attention to Israel’s ongoing aggression in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including violations of the historical and legal status of Jerusalem’s holy sites.