Israel carried out airstrikes on four crossing points along the Syria-Lebanon border, claiming the sites were used by Hezbollah for arms smuggling. The attacks followed earlier Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon that killed at least two people and injured around 20, according to Al Jazeera. The operations took place on Wednesday, breaking an existing ceasefire agreement.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attacks in a statement, accusing Israel of systematically targeting populated villages and endangering civilians. He said the actions demonstrated Israel’s refusal to adhere to the terms of the ceasefire. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that at least 19 people were injured in the southern city of Kanarit, while state media said Israeli forces struck several towns including Al-Kharaib, Al-Ansar, Kanarit, Kfour, and Jarjouh.

The previous day, Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirmed two separate Israeli strikes on vehicles in the Zahrani and Bazourieh areas, each killing one person. The renewed hostilities have heightened concerns about escalating conflict along the border region.

Rescue teams in Karachi have recovered 30 additional bodies from a shop inside the Gul Plaza shopping mall following a devastating fire. The discovery, made on the mezzanine floor of a crockery shop, has raised the death toll to 60. The bodies were sent to Civil Hospital by a special team formed by DIG (South) Syed Asad Raza. Several people remain missing as search operations continue.

The fire broke out on January 17 at the Gul Plaza, one of Karachi’s largest shopping complexes. It reportedly started in the basement and spread rapidly throughout the building. Authorities suspect that an electrical short circuit triggered the blaze. Firefighters took 24 hours to bring the flames under control due to the intensity of the fire.

Rescue operations had been temporarily halted on the first and second floors before resuming on the mezzanine level, where the latest bodies were found. Officials continue to search for more victims amid reports of missing persons.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the world is entering a new era dominated by economic, military, and geopolitical power. Speaking before the World Economic Forum in Davos, she said the 27-member European Union must rapidly strengthen its economy and defense to maintain global influence. Von der Leyen cautioned the United States that disputes among allies over Greenland would only empower rivals of the Western world.

She described U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on European allies as a mistake and said escalating conflicts and retaliatory actions would harm both Europe and the United States strategically. Addressing the European Parliament, she emphasized that current global shifts are permanent, citing tensions over Greenland, Russia’s continued attacks in Ukraine, and instability from the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific.

Von der Leyen urged Europe to move beyond its traditionally cautious stance, asserting that the EU must act decisively to protect its interests. Her remarks came ahead of an EU leaders’ meeting in Brussels to form a unified response to Trump’s statements.

Recent statements and actions by U.S. President Donald Trump, including moves toward Venezuela, Colombia, and Greenland, have drawn global attention. Analysts describe these as part of a broader strategic revival of the 1823 Monroe Doctrine, now termed the 'Donroe Doctrine.' Trump declared that American dominance in the Western Hemisphere would never again be questioned, signaling a more assertive geopolitical stance.

The article links this renewed aggression to control over future energy and technology resources. Rare earth minerals such as lithium, copper, graphite, and gallium—vital for batteries, semiconductors, drones, and AI data centers—are concentrated in Latin America, where China has invested about $303 billion between 2000 and 2023. U.S. policymakers view this Chinese influence as a threat to their traditional dominance and seek to reclaim strategic leverage.

Beyond Latin America, Washington’s focus extends to Greenland, rich in oil, gas, and minerals. With Arctic ice expected to recede by 2050, the region’s trade routes and security value are rising. The 'Donroe Doctrine' thus reflects a long-term U.S. bid to preserve global hegemony against growing China-Russia influence.

At least five members of a Saudi-backed pro-government armed group were killed in a bomb attack targeting their convoy in the southern Yemeni city of Aden. Officials said Brigadier General Hamdi Shukri, commander of the unit, was injured in the explosion. The attack occurred in the Ja’aoula area north of Aden when a car bomb detonated as the convoy of the Second Giants Brigade passed by. According to medical sources, Shukri sustained shrapnel wounds to his leg and is receiving treatment.

The Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council confirmed the casualties in a statement published by Yemen’s Saba news agency, adding that three others were wounded. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. The incident comes amid ongoing tensions and clashes among rival pro-government factions in southern Yemen.

The Saudi-led military coalition condemned the bombing, pledging full support to Yemeni security forces in identifying and prosecuting those responsible. The U.S. Embassy in Yemen also denounced the attack as “provocative and unjustified.”

Eight countries from the Middle East and Asia have announced plans to join United States President Donald Trump’s “board of peace” in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the goal of achieving a permanent ceasefire in the war-torn enclave. The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar made the announcement in a joint statement on Wednesday, reaffirming support for Trump’s peace efforts. The board’s mission includes consolidating a lasting ceasefire, supporting Gaza’s reconstruction, and advancing a peace process based on Palestinian self-determination and statehood under international law.

The announcement follows the White House’s recent unveiling of the board’s composition, part of Trump’s 20-point plan to end Israel’s war in Gaza. The board includes senior Trump advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and will oversee a Palestinian technocratic committee managing daily affairs in Gaza. However, Palestinians and observers have expressed doubts about the mechanism’s effectiveness and criticized the inclusion of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged war crimes.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 466 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since a US-brokered ceasefire took effect in October.

At least 11 Palestinians, including two children and three journalists, were killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. Six others were injured in the strikes. The journalists—Anas Ghunaim, Abdul Ra’ouf Shaath, and Mohammad Qeshta—were working for the Egyptian Committee for Gaza Relief and were killed when their vehicle was hit in central Gaza near the Netzarim Corridor. The committee said they were filming a newly established displacement camp and that the vehicle was known to the Israeli military. Israeli Army Radio reported that the targeted vehicle’s occupants were allegedly using a drone to gather intelligence.

Separate attacks in central, southern, and northern Gaza killed additional civilians, including a father, his son, and another relative in Deir el-Balah, a 13-year-old boy in Bani Suheila, and a 32-year-old woman near Khan Younis. Two more Palestinians were killed in the north, according to Wafa news agency.

Palestinian officials accused Israel of repeatedly violating a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that began on October 10. Israel continues to restrict humanitarian aid into Gaza, where 2.2 million people face severe shortages of food, medicine, and shelter amid cold weather.

Spain’s largest train drivers’ union, SEMAF, has announced a nationwide strike following a series of train derailments that have shaken the country. The latest incident occurred near Barcelona on Tuesday when heavy rain caused a retaining wall to collapse onto the tracks, derailing a commuter train. The train’s driver was killed and four passengers were seriously injured, according to Reuters. Rail operator Adif reported a third derailment in the same regional network during the storm, though no casualties were reported.

Just two days earlier, a high-speed train derailed near Adamuz in Córdoba province, about 360 kilometers south of Madrid, colliding with another train and killing at least 42 people, including the driver. The back-to-back accidents have sparked nationwide concern over railway safety.

In a statement, SEMAF said it would seek criminal accountability for those responsible for ensuring railway infrastructure safety. The union had previously warned Adif in August about severe track deterioration, citing potholes, bumps, and power line imbalances causing frequent mechanical failures across several high-speed lines.

Former US President Donald Trump has unveiled details of a new international interim body, the “Board of Peace,” as part of his Gaza peace initiative, drawing both support and controversy. The board, reportedly backed by a UN resolution, will be chaired by Trump for life and aims to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction. Its executive members include former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, whose inclusion has been criticized due to his role in the Iraq war. Invitations have been sent to several world leaders, with some, including Vietnam’s To Lam and Belarus’s Alexander Lukashenko, accepting. Permanent membership requires a one-billion-dollar fee, intended to fund Gaza’s rebuilding.

Critics fear the initiative could undermine the UN Security Council’s authority in global peacekeeping. While the White House insists the plan aligns with UN Resolution 2803, French officials and analysts have questioned its legitimacy and scope. The board excludes Palestinian representatives but includes one Israeli member and politicians from Qatar and Turkey. Israel’s government says it was not consulted, calling the move inconsistent with its policies.

The plan’s success remains uncertain as Gaza faces massive destruction, humanitarian crises, and fragile ceasefire conditions. Observers note that the board’s ability to deliver lasting peace will be closely watched.

Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that his country will not participate in former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed “Peace Board.” Speaking to reporters in Davos, Kristersson said Sweden would not join under the current text or framework presented. The initiative, according to reports, was designed to oversee post-war reconstruction in Gaza.

Several European nations have expressed concern that the Peace Board could attempt to replace the United Nations. Norway and France have already declared they will not join. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that while France supports implementing the U.S. president’s peace plan, it cannot accept any body that would substitute the UN’s role.

The refusals come amid rising tensions between Washington and its NATO allies following Trump’s announcement about incorporating Greenland into the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted an invitation to join the board, which would include global leaders with Trump serving as lifetime chairman.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that Iran will respond with maximum force if attacked by the United States. The warning came in an opinion column published Tuesday in The Wall Street Journal, as reported by Al Jazeera. Araghchi emphasized that Iran’s armed forces would not hesitate to retaliate with all available means if faced with a new assault, referencing last June’s Israeli attack on Iran.

The statement followed remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he had already ordered Iran’s destruction if the country attempted to kill him. Araghchi clarified that his warning was not a threat but a statement of reality, adding that as a diplomat and veteran soldier, he despises war. He cautioned that a full-scale conflict would be devastating, lasting far longer than what Israel and its allies in the White House might imagine, and would harm the broader region and civilians worldwide.

Last week, Iran reportedly closed its airspace, possibly fearing a U.S. strike, while Gulf Arab diplomats urged Trump to refrain from attacking Iran.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stated that North Korea is producing enough nuclear materials each year to build 10 to 20 nuclear warheads. He made the remarks on Wednesday during a New Year press conference, according to AFP. Lee said Pyongyang is not only expanding its nuclear weapons program but also rapidly advancing long-range ballistic missile technology aimed at reaching the U.S. mainland.

Lee warned that North Korea could soon secure its nuclear arsenal completely, which it views as essential for regime survival. He added that the country’s intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capability poses a major threat not only to the United States but to the entire world. He cautioned that if this threat goes unchecked, it could escalate beyond borders and trigger a global crisis.

The South Korean leader called for a pragmatic and effective approach to address the nuclear issue, urging a halt to nuclear material production, ICBM development, and weapons exports. He said he had conveyed this position to U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Since taking office in June, Lee has sought unconditional dialogue with Pyongyang, though North Korea has yet to respond positively.

Seven civilians were killed in a drone attack carried out by the YPG militant group in Syria’s northeastern Hasakah province, according to TRT World. The strike targeted a horse farm in the Al-Nashwa neighborhood, injuring several others, including women and children. The incident occurred as the Syrian government announced a ceasefire agreement with the YPG.

The YPG is identified as the Syrian branch of the PKK, which Turkey, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union classify as a terrorist organization. Prior to the ceasefire, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had declared a four-day truce with the Syrian government after consolidating their positions in the region. The ceasefire took effect at 8 p.m. local time on Tuesday, according to the Syrian army.

The Syrian military further stated that, as part of efforts to integrate Kurdish forces into the state structure, the SDF was asked to nominate a candidate to serve as assistant defense minister in Damascus.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will join the proposed 'Peace Board' formed to oversee governance and reconstruction in Gaza. The announcement was made Wednesday by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office through social media. The invitation came from U.S. President Donald Trump, who initiated the board to monitor the ceasefire and post-war rebuilding process in the war-torn Gaza Strip.

According to the report, Trump announced the creation of the 'Peace Board' comprising world leaders to manage Gaza’s administration and reconstruction. He will serve as the board’s chairman indefinitely, continuing even after his presidential term ends. Permanent membership will be granted to countries contributing one billion dollars. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have already confirmed their participation, while invitations have also been extended to other global leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The initiative aims to coordinate international involvement in Gaza’s recovery and governance following the conflict, though specific operational details of the board remain undisclosed.

The United States has seized another oil tanker in the Caribbean region as part of sanctions aimed at restricting the movement of vessels linked to Venezuela. According to Washington, the action follows President Donald Trump’s blockade order. The U.S. Southern Command reported that the vessel, named Motor Vessel Sagitta, was detained without any confrontation for violating the quarantine rules declared under Trump’s sanctions policy.

In a post on social media platform X, the Southern Command stated that any oil leaving Venezuela must comply with legal and coordinated procedures. A video clip showing the operation at sea was also released. Since the blockade was announced in December, the United States has seized a total of seven ships, including a Russia-linked tanker intercepted earlier this month near Venezuela’s coast. The U.S. has deployed a large naval presence across the Caribbean.

President Trump has asserted that control of Venezuela’s oil will remain with Washington following the removal of President Nicolás Maduro. Venezuelan authorities, however, have rejected these claims, maintaining that Caracas still controls its oil sector and that the state oil company is in talks with the U.S. over potential sales.