Cuba has issued a strong response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent warning that the country must immediately come under a deal or face unspecified consequences. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said no one has the right to speak on behalf of Cuba. In a post on social media platform X, he asserted that Cuba is an independent and sovereign nation and that no one can dictate its actions. He added that the Caribbean island is ready to defend its homeland to the last drop of blood.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez stated that Cuba has the right to import fuel from any country willing to export to it, noting that most of its energy imports come from Venezuela and Mexico. Rodríguez accused the United States of engaging in “criminal” acts that threaten global peace. The report also mentioned that Trump has recently issued threats to Colombia, Mexico, Iran, and Greenland.

The exchange underscores renewed tensions between Washington and Havana, with Cuba emphasizing its sovereignty and trade independence in the face of U.S. pressure.

The Australian government has advised its citizens currently in Iran to leave the country immediately due to fears that the situation could deteriorate rapidly amid ongoing protests. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) issued an updated travel advisory warning that while commercial flights out of Iran are still available, they are becoming increasingly limited. The advisory cautioned that airspace closures and flight cancellations could soon make departure impossible.

According to the DFAT notice, anyone choosing to remain in Iran despite the government’s advice will be responsible for their own safety. Citizens were urged to prepare for extended sheltering by securing adequate supplies of water, food, and essential medicine. The advisory was issued in response to the uncertainty surrounding the protests and the broader security environment in Iran.

Authorities emphasized that the warning reflects the unpredictable nature of the current unrest and the potential for further disruption to travel and safety conditions.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that the American military is considering tough measures against Iran, including the possibility of military intervention. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday night, Trump stated that the issue is being taken very seriously and that strong options are under review. He added that Iranian leaders have called for talks following the threat of military action, and a meeting is being arranged, though action could occur before any talks take place.

Trump’s latest warning comes as Iranian leaders have issued stern cautions against any foreign military intervention. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that if Iran is attacked, both Israeli-held territories and all U.S. bases and ships would become legitimate targets. The tensions follow widespread protests that began on December 28 when Tehran’s Grand Bazaar merchants shut their shops over the falling value of the rial.

According to Iranian state media, at least 109 security personnel have been killed in the unrest. Authorities have not confirmed the number of civilian casualties, but opposition activists abroad claim the death toll is much higher and includes hundreds of protesters.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced his intention to send Starlink equipment to Iran to help restore internet connectivity disrupted during ongoing anti-government protests. He said he would discuss the initiative with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, describing Musk as highly capable in implementing such technological measures. Trump made the remarks on Sunday, January 11, while speaking to reporters, following widespread internet shutdowns across Iran since Thursday, January 8.

The internet blackout has left Iran largely cut off from the outside world, making communication and access to reliable information extremely difficult. The shutdown came as protests that began on December 28 over rising commodity prices quickly escalated into a broader anti-government movement. Iranian authorities have accused the United States and Israel of inciting the unrest.

The proposed Starlink deployment, if realized, could provide alternative internet access to Iranians despite government restrictions, though no timeline or official plan has yet been confirmed.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague began the final hearing on Monday in Gambia’s genocide case against Myanmar. The three-week proceedings mark a critical stage in the international effort to hold Myanmar accountable for atrocities against the Rohingya. In Bangladesh’s refugee camps, displaced Rohingya expressed hope that the verdict will ensure justice and allow them to return home with dignity, citizenship, and security. Analysts noted that recent tensions along the Bangladesh–Myanmar border may be part of Myanmar’s attempt to divert global attention from the trial.

The case, filed by Gambia in 2019, accuses Myanmar of committing genocide against the Rohingya. Although Gambia sought Bangladesh’s cooperation, previous governments provided limited support. Experts and rights workers criticized Bangladesh’s earlier inaction, saying it missed the chance to strengthen the case. Current officials say Bangladesh is monitoring the hearings and that Gambia has presented substantial evidence. If the ruling favors Gambia, experts believe it could increase international pressure on Myanmar and accelerate Rohingya repatriation.

Meanwhile, border skirmishes have raised security concerns in Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban, prompting calls for stronger surveillance and border protection by Bangladesh.

US President Donald Trump has announced the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organizations, including 31 United Nations bodies such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The decision, formalized through a presidential memorandum, was justified by the White House as necessary because these institutions were deemed ineffective and no longer serving American interests. The move follows earlier US exits from UNESCO, the UN Human Rights Council, and the suspension of USAID operations in early 2025.

Analysts cited in the report warn that the withdrawal could weaken multilateral institutions that support global cooperation on climate, human rights, gender equality, and development. For Bangladesh, which has relied on international partnerships for climate adaptation, education, and humanitarian aid, the impact could be severe. Experts fear that reduced US participation may lead other wealthy nations to scale back funding, undermining global efforts on poverty reduction, climate resilience, and governance.

Economists and international relations scholars argue that the decision risks fragmenting global cooperation and could trigger new geopolitical blocs, leaving vulnerable nations like Bangladesh exposed to greater uncertainty.

A Venezuelan security guard has claimed that US forces used a powerful and mysterious weapon during a January 3 military operation in Venezuela aimed at arresting President Neulas Maduro. The witness described the weapon as a 'sonic' or sound-wave device that caused severe physical reactions among Venezuelan soldiers, including nosebleeds, vomiting, and loss of movement. The claim was shared on social media by the White House press secretary, according to a New York Post report.

The witness alleged that only a few US soldiers managed to overpower hundreds of Venezuelan security personnel due to the weapon’s effects. The Venezuelan Interior Ministry reported around 100 security force deaths in the operation but did not confirm whether the fatalities were linked to the alleged weapon. US officials have not commented on the use of such technology.

The operation’s stated objective was to capture Maduro, who faces accusations of drug trafficking and international crimes. Several Latin American countries have expressed concern over the use of advanced military technology in the incident.

Iran has issued a stern warning to the United States against any form of military intervention, threatening to attack all American bases across the Middle East. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that if the U.S. takes military action against the Islamic Republic, Tehran will immediately strike Israeli and American military and naval bases in the region. He emphasized that Iran would respond instantly to any perceived threat, identifying U.S. and Israeli installations as primary targets.

The warning followed reports that U.S. President Donald Trump was preparing to express support for ongoing protests in Iran. In response, Israel has reportedly placed its forces on high alert amid fears of a potential U.S. strike on Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian security forces have been accused of using harsh measures to suppress the protests, with reports of casualties over the past two days and widespread internet disruptions across the country.

The situation underscores escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington, with regional security on edge as both sides brace for possible confrontation.

The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has pardoned 25 Bangladeshi nationals who had been convicted in the UAE. The pardon was confirmed in a statement issued by the Emirati Embassy in Dhaka on Sunday. According to the embassy, the decision followed a formal request from the Government of Bangladesh.

The individuals were arrested and tried for violating UAE laws after participating in activities linked to protests in Bangladesh during July 2024. Following the pardon, all 25 Bangladeshis have been released and repatriated to Bangladesh. The embassy described the move as a reflection of the UAE leadership’s compassion, tolerance, and commitment to justice, as well as a sign of the deep and brotherly relations between the two nations.

Previous instances of similar pardons were also noted, highlighting the UAE’s humanitarian approach and the generosity of President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Somalia’s Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi has accused Israel of planning to relocate Palestinians to Somaliland, calling the alleged plan a serious violation of international law. He made the remarks in an interview with Al Jazeera, stating that Somalia had confirmed information about Israel’s intention to transfer Palestinians to the breakaway region. Israel recently recognized Somaliland as an independent state.

Both Israel and Somaliland have denied the accusation. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has not been recognized by the United Nations. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told Israel’s Channel 14 last week that the forced relocation of Palestinians to Somaliland was not part of any agreement between the two sides.

Sa’ar added that Israel and Somaliland have many areas of cooperation, including politics, security, and development, but insisted that population transfer was not among them.

A Ukrainian drone attack killed one person and injured three others in the Russian city of Voronezh, local officials said on Sunday. Governor Alexander Gusev reported that a young woman died overnight in hospital after debris from a drone fell on a house. More than ten apartment buildings, private homes, and a high school were damaged. Gusev added that air defences shot down 17 drones over the city, describing the incident as one of the heaviest drone attacks since the start of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.

Ukraine did not immediately comment on the Voronezh attack but has previously said it targets sites inside Russia to disrupt Moscow’s war effort and respond to repeated missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. The assault followed Russia’s launch of a hypersonic Oreshnik missile on Friday at a site in Ukraine near NATO member Poland, which European allies viewed as an attempt to discourage continued support for Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said negotiations with the United States were ongoing. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s General Staff reported that Russia launched 154 drones overnight into Sunday, with 125 intercepted by Ukrainian defences.

Iran has warned that it will target US military bases and naval vessels if the United States launches a new military attack. The warning came from Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who said during a Sunday parliamentary session that any US military action would make American bases and transport centers legitimate targets. His remarks were broadcast on state television, where he also made indirect references to Israel.

Ghalibaf’s statement comes amid ongoing anti-government protests in Iran and heightened regional tensions. Analysts cited in the report view his comments as a strong message to the United States and its allies, suggesting that the situation could escalate further if hostilities continue.

The warning underscores the fragile state of regional security as domestic unrest and international friction converge, raising concerns about potential military escalation in the Middle East.

Jordan’s air force carried out airstrikes on Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria over the weekend as part of a US-led military campaign. The country’s army announced the operation on Sunday, according to a report by AFP. The strikes were conducted on Saturday in coordination with international coalition partners.

According to the Jordanian military statement, the main objective of the operation was to weaken the capabilities of terrorist groups and prevent their efforts to reorganize. The statement emphasized that Jordan remains committed to cooperating in counterterrorism operations to ensure regional and international security.

The announcement underscores Jordan’s ongoing participation in multinational efforts aimed at curbing extremist networks operating in the region, reflecting its continued alignment with coalition strategies against IS.

Israel has placed its security forces on the highest alert amid concerns over a possible United States strike on Iran, according to Israeli sources cited by Reuters. The heightened alert follows widespread anti-government protests in Iran, which have intensified since late December due to the sharp devaluation of the Iranian rial and worsening economic conditions. US President Donald Trump warned Iran against suppressing protesters, stating on his social media platform that the United States is ready to help.

Sources present at Israel’s weekend security meeting did not specify what the heightened alert measures entail. In June, Israel carried out an attack on Iran, with the United States joining in the final days of a 12-day conflict. On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the possibility of US intervention in Iran during a phone call, though US officials declined to confirm the details of their conversation.

The protests, which began near Tehran’s Grand Bazaar on December 28, have since spread to multiple cities across Iran, reflecting deepening public frustration over the country’s economic decline.

Several major international airlines have suspended operations to and from Iran as anti-government protests intensify across the country. On Saturday, January 10, Lufthansa, Flydubai, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Austrian Airlines announced the suspension of their services, citing safety risks. Dubai airport authorities confirmed that Flydubai alone canceled at least 17 flights to Tehran, Shiraz, and Mashhad, while Emirates and Oman Air also halted operations. Turkish Airlines suspended 17 flights to Tehran and Tabriz, with its subsidiary A-Jet following suit.

The unrest began on December 28 over the devaluation of the Iranian rial and has since evolved into a broader movement demanding government change. Airlines said they are closely monitoring the situation and have taken these measures to ensure passenger safety. Human rights group Iran Human Rights reported that at least 50 protesters, including children, have been killed in security crackdowns, and hundreds have been detained.

Due to ongoing violence, communication disruptions, and instability, international carriers have decided to keep their services to Iran suspended until further notice.