Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander General Mohammad Pakpour has warned the United States and Israel against taking any action against Iran. In a statement broadcast on state television during Iran’s National Day, Pakpour said Iranian forces have their “finger on the trigger” and are fully prepared to follow the orders of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. He urged Washington and Tel Aviv to learn from the experience of a 12-day imposed war against Iran.

Pakpour emphasized that lessons from past conflicts should deter the US and Israel from making what he called “wrong moves” that could lead to painful consequences. His remarks came amid heightened tensions following last June’s Israeli attack on Tehran, which targeted Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The United States later joined Israel in that operation, and US President Trump has since kept open the option of further military action against Iran.

The warning underscores Iran’s continued military readiness and signals its intent to respond strongly to any renewed aggression by the US or Israel.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has agreed to participate in trilateral talks with the United States and Russia aimed at ending the ongoing war. The meeting will take place in the United Arab Emirates. Zelensky made the announcement after meeting US President Donald Trump in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, according to BBC reports. Trump said his meeting with Zelensky was excellent and confirmed that US Ambassador Steve Witkoff had traveled to Moscow to discuss the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky stated that the unresolved issue of land in eastern Ukraine remains the main obstacle to peace. Under a US proposal, Ukraine’s industrial Donbas region could become a demilitarized and free economic zone in exchange for security guarantees for Kyiv. Ukraine has offered to withdraw troops up to 40 kilometers from about 25 percent of the Donetsk region it controls, provided Russia takes similar steps. However, Russia’s reported desire to control the entire Donbas region remains a major challenge.

Zelensky emphasized that US involvement is essential to ensure Ukraine’s security after any peace agreement. He added that any deal would require approval from both the US Congress and Ukraine’s parliament.

US President Donald Trump announced that a large American naval fleet is moving toward the Gulf region to monitor Iran. He made the remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Trump said the deployment is intended to keep a close watch on Iran, adding that the fleet might not necessarily be used but will remain ready if needed.

According to senior Trump administration officials who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, the fleet includes the aircraft carrier USS Abraham and several guided missile destroyers. These warships are reportedly heading toward Iran and are expected to position themselves near the Iranian coast within the next few days.

The move underscores Washington’s continued military vigilance in the Gulf amid tensions with Tehran, though Trump emphasized that no immediate confrontation is planned.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said U.S. President Donald Trump 'will not change' following their one-hour meeting. Zelensky described the meeting as good and very important, thanking Trump for taking the time to speak. After the meeting, held in Davos, Zelensky addressed world leaders, noting that America’s position is changing but no one is certain how. He questioned how Europe would keep pace with such rapid changes.

Zelensky criticized European leaders for avoiding decisive action on Ukraine, saying some leaders, though European, are not acting in Europe’s interest. He added that some powerful leaders still seek direction from others and question how long they must remain firm. According to Zelensky, no great power can function this way, and Europe must learn to defend itself.

He warned that the current challenges facing the continent pose serious threats to the European way of life, emphasizing the need for unity and self-reliance among European nations.

At a regular press briefing on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the United Nations reiterated its emphasis on ensuring accountability for those responsible for the mass casualties during Bangladesh’s July 2024 uprising. The issue arose when a journalist asked whether the UN Secretary-General would urge the Indian government to return Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh, following her conviction by a Bangladeshi court for allegedly ordering killings during the uprising that left at least 1,400 people dead.

In response, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq avoided naming any country but underscored the need for accountability based on objective facts. He stated that those identified as responsible must face justice in accordance with international law. Haq added that the UN itself had provided information on the killings and reaffirmed that accountability must be pursued with fundamental respect for international legal standards.

The UN has maintained its focus on justice for the victims of the July uprising since the beginning of the crisis, emphasizing that due process and adherence to international law are essential in addressing such grave human rights violations.

Since October 2023, nearly 300 journalists have been killed in Gaza amid Israeli military operations. The latest Israeli airstrike in central Gaza killed three more journalists—Anas Gunayem, Abdul Rauf Shath, and Mohammad Keshta—while they were documenting events on the ground. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the same attack also killed at least 11 Palestinians, including two children.

Munir al-Bursh, director general of Gaza’s Health Ministry, said the vehicle carrying the photographers was deliberately targeted. The victims were reportedly working with the Egyptian Committee for Gaza Relief, which oversees Egyptian aid operations in the enclave. Al Jazeera reported that the strike occurred near Gaza’s so-called Netzarim Corridor, and videos circulating online showed a burned, bomb-damaged car emitting smoke.

Israeli army radio, citing a security source, claimed the car’s occupants were using a drone to gather intelligence on military forces, though this assertion could not be independently verified. Human rights organizations stated that repeated attacks on journalists constitute a direct violation of international law and press freedom.

At least ten Indian Army personnel were killed and ten others injured on Thursday in a road accident in Doda district of India-administered Kashmir. Officials said the soldiers were traveling in a bulletproof Casspir vehicle that plunged into a deep gorge while moving along the Bhaderwah–Chamba interstate road. The accident occurred near Khanni Top in a mountainous area, and rescue operations began immediately after the crash.

According to reports, the soldiers were en route to an operation when the vehicle lost control on the difficult terrain. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed condolences over the deaths and said the injured were airlifted to a hospital for treatment. The Indian Army’s White Knight Corps confirmed the incident, citing bad weather and treacherous terrain as contributing factors.

India’s Home Minister and Defence Minister issued separate statements expressing sympathy for the families of the deceased and wishing the injured a speedy recovery. Authorities have launched an investigation into the accident.

Israel has gradually advanced efforts to close the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees in occupied East Jerusalem, according to Al Jazeera. Since mid-2024, the process has involved a series of legal, administrative, and military actions aimed at removing the agency from the city. On May 9, 2024, the UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem was set on fire, forcing a temporary suspension of operations. Later, on October 28, Israel’s parliament passed a law banning UNRWA activities within what it calls its sovereign territory, including East Jerusalem.

Following the law’s enforcement on January 30, 2025, UNRWA vacated its headquarters for staff safety. Israeli authorities then ordered the closure of six UNRWA-run schools in April, affecting about 800 Palestinian children. In December, police entered the headquarters, removed the UN flag, and seized property, while new legislation allowed cutting utilities and seizing land. On January 12, 2026, police shut a health center for 30 days, and on January 20, Israeli forces began demolishing UNRWA structures.

Analysts cited in the report said the campaign to remove UNRWA undermines Palestinian refugees’ access to education and healthcare and represents a move to entrench occupation in violation of international law.

The Rafah border crossing, closed for a long period due to Israel’s offensive and the war with Hamas, is set to reopen next week. The announcement came from a leader of the Palestinian technocrat administration in Washington, following discussions at the Peace Board. Palestinian technocrat leader Ali Shath stated via video link from Davos, Switzerland, that the crossing will open in both directions, describing it as Gaza’s lifeline and a symbol of hope and opportunity for its people.

Shath added that reopening Rafah signals a shift away from the policy of keeping Gaza completely sealed off. The decision follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s initiative to establish a Peace Board aimed at ensuring a lasting ceasefire in Gaza. One of the key conditions of the ceasefire, brokered by Trump in October, was the reopening of Gaza’s main entry points.

Since 2024, Israel has controlled the Rafah crossing, but no immediate comment was available from Israeli authorities. More than half of Gaza remains under Israeli control, including the area around the crossing, while the rest is under Hamas control.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday formally launched his proposed 'Peace Board' in Washington, aimed at sustaining the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Although initially focused on Gaza, Trump suggested the board could expand its mandate to address broader global conflicts. He will chair the board himself, which includes figures such as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The initiative has drawn mixed reactions in the international arena. Regional powers like Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Indonesia have joined, while major global powers and traditional Western allies remain cautious. Russia is reviewing the proposal, France has declined to join, Britain is holding off, and China has not stated its position. Each permanent member is expected to contribute $1 billion, though no major power or representatives from Israel or the Palestinian Authority attended the launch.

The board was approved under a UN Security Council resolution tied to Trump’s Gaza peace plan. A UN spokesperson clarified that the organization’s involvement will remain limited to that resolution’s scope.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has warned that directly confiscating Russian assets would be tantamount to an act of war and could trigger a severe crisis in Europe’s financial system. Speaking on Thursday at the ‘Ukrainian Breakfast 2026’ event on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, he said Europe is not at war with Russia, and any unilateral seizure of Russian assets would violate international law and set a dangerous precedent.

De Wever explained that Europe has already immobilized a large portion of the Russian central bank’s assets, most of which are held through the Belgian financial institution Euroclear, but these assets have not been confiscated. He noted that even during World War II, frozen assets were not seized, and doing so now could severely undermine confidence in the eurozone’s financial system. He also cautioned that if sanctions were lifted in the future, Europe might face legal obligations to return seized assets, complicating the process.

Acknowledging Europe’s responsibility to support Ukraine, De Wever said the EU has pledged around 90 billion euros in aid for this year and next. He added that the frozen Russian assets would remain immobilized until the war ends and could later be used for Ukraine’s reconstruction and debt repayment.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that the ownership dispute between the United States and Denmark over Greenland is not a matter of concern for Russia. Speaking at a meeting of Russia’s Security Council, he stated that the issue should be resolved bilaterally between the two nations. Referring to historical land transfers, Putin estimated Greenland’s potential sale value at around $1 billion.

Putin criticized Denmark’s historical governance of Greenland, describing it as colonial and harsh toward local residents. He also noted that Russia would not object to US pressure regarding Greenland, citing past examples of territorial sales such as Russia’s sale of Alaska to the US in 1867 and Denmark’s sale of the Virgin Islands in 1917. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland has strained transatlantic relations, though he ruled out tariffs or military action during a speech in Davos.

Residents of Greenland reportedly welcomed Trump’s assurance against military use, while Russia remains displeased with Denmark’s military and financial support for Ukraine since 2022. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov added that Greenland is not naturally or historically an inseparable part of Denmark.

The United States has started transferring thousands of ISIS detainees from northeast Syria to Iraq, according to a statement released Wednesday by the US Central Command (CENTCOM). The process began with the relocation of 150 detainees from a detention facility in Syria’s Hasakah province to Iraq. CENTCOM indicated that up to 7,000 ISIS (Daesh) prisoners could eventually be moved under this initiative.

CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated that the United States is working closely with Iraq and other regional partners, praising their role in ensuring the defeat of Daesh. The statement emphasized coordination and cooperation among allied forces in managing the detainee transfer and maintaining regional security.

US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack added that Washington’s current priority in Syria is to promote national unity and stability, clarifying that the United States does not support separatism in the region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed donating $1 billion to U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly formed ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza reconstruction. The proposal suggests using Russian assets frozen in U.S. banks during the previous Biden administration. Putin made the remarks during a meeting of Russia’s Security Council, where he also confirmed receiving Trump’s invitation to join the Gaza Peace Board but said Moscow has not yet made a decision.

Putin expressed gratitude to Trump for the invitation and emphasized that Russia’s relationship with the Palestinian people has always been special. He stated that Moscow would decide on joining the board only after reviewing the invitation and consulting with strategic allies. Putin added that the donation proposal should proceed even before Russia finalizes its decision on participation.

The proposal links humanitarian assistance for Gaza with the issue of frozen Russian funds in the United States, highlighting Moscow’s interest in leveraging seized assets for international cooperation under Trump’s peace initiative.

The United Nations reported that water production in Gaza City has dropped by about 70 percent because of Israel’s blockade. UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said at a press conference on Wednesday that restrictions on the entry of so-called dual-use materials have prevented the repair of damaged water supply lines, severely disrupting the city’s water output.

According to Haq, the main supply line runs from Israel into Gaza and lies before the so-called “yellow line,” where Israeli forces are deployed. He explained that a steel pipe needed to fix the damaged line is unavailable in Gaza because Israel bans its entry as a dual-use item. Israel has also rejected a UN partner request to repair one of Gaza’s key water wells.

Haq added that UN partners are now seeking alternative water sources and increasing water transport to maintain safe water supplies for residents amid the ongoing blockade.