At least three people were killed on Sunday when security forces opened fire during Alawite community protests in western Syria, according to the country’s health authorities. The demonstrations erupted after a deadly bombing at a mosque in Homs city, which killed eight people on Friday. The protests spread across coastal and central provinces, raising renewed concerns over minority safety under the new Islamist-led government.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that two people were shot dead in Latakia province as security forces dispersed demonstrators, while state news agency SANA cited local health officials saying three were killed and about 60 injured in attacks blamed on remnants of the former regime. The Interior Ministry later confirmed one of the dead was a member of the General Security police. Clashes also broke out between protesters and government supporters in Latakia and Jableh, prompting security intervention and aerial gunfire.

Alawite religious leader Ghazal Ghazal, who called for the protests, urged political decentralization and protection of minority rights. The Alawite Council condemned attacks on unarmed civilians and asked supporters to return home.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir came under attack from angry Palestinians during a visit to the Bedouin village of Tarabin in the occupied Negev region of southern Palestine. The incident occurred on Sunday after Israeli forces had raided the village and arrested several Palestinians. As Ben-Gvir arrived to oversee a police operation, villagers reportedly threw stones at him, forcing him to flee the area under heavy police protection.

According to Channel 14, the confrontation escalated when residents clashed with police during the minister’s visit. Social media videos showed Palestinians throwing stones at Ben-Gvir as he left the area surrounded by security forces. Israeli police responded by firing tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The report, citing Middle East Eye, highlights ongoing tensions in the occupied Negev region, where Israeli security operations and Palestinian resistance frequently lead to violent confrontations.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war are in their final stage. He made the remarks after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, according to Anadolu Agency. Trump said the discussions could either conclude soon or continue for a long time with heavy casualties if unresolved.

Trump reiterated his claim of having ended eight wars during his presidency and described the Russia-Ukraine conflict as the most difficult one yet. He emphasized that both presidents are willing to reach an agreement and that his goal is to end the war rather than set a specific timeline. Following his meeting with Zelensky, Trump plans to call Russian President Vladimir Putin to continue the dialogue.

He added that a strong security agreement is being considered, with European countries expected to play a key role in the security framework.

Residents of war-torn Gaza are facing extreme hardship amid cold and hostile weather, according to Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). In a post on social media platform X, Lazzarini described worsening conditions with more rainfall, despair, and death, saying Palestinians are living in flooded tents and ruins while essential aid deliveries remain blocked. He added that UNRWA could greatly expand its relief efforts if restrictions on aid supplies were lifted.

Gaza authorities reported that nearly 200,000 prefabricated housing units are urgently needed to meet the humanitarian needs of displaced people affected by the severe weather. Winter storms have flooded thousands of tents across the region, with some blown away, further worsening the crisis. Recent months have seen Gazans struggling against harsh weather, building collapses, and flooding.

According to the report, since October 2023, Israeli military actions in Gaza have killed more than 71,200 people, mostly women and children, and injured over 171,200 others.

A midair collision between two helicopters near Hammonton Municipal Airport in New Jersey, United States, left one person dead and another critically injured, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration. The incident occurred around 11:25 a.m. local time, when the aircraft collided and caught fire. Police confirmed that both helicopters had only their pilots onboard.

Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said the helicopters were flying very close to each other, which may have caused the collision. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the crash. A nearby café owner, Sal Silipino, said both pilots were regular customers at his café and often had breakfast together. He and other witnesses saw the helicopters take off before one began spiraling downward, followed by the other losing control.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the collision, with initial reports suggesting proximity during flight as a possible factor.

North Korea has conducted a test of long-range cruise missiles under the direct supervision of its leader Kim Jong Un. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the missiles flew over the sea west of Pyongyang along designated trajectories and accurately hit their targets. Kim expressed satisfaction with the results and announced that the country would continue sustainable development of its nuclear capabilities.

KCNA did not specify the exact launch site. However, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that its military detected multiple missile launches from the Sunan area near Pyongyang on Sunday morning. The report also suggested that North Korea might conduct additional missile tests before the end of the year.

Kim stated that regular testing of nuclear capabilities is necessary due to ongoing security threats. He emphasized that Pyongyang will persist in its efforts toward unlimited and sustainable advancement of nuclear strength.

At least 16 people were killed in a fire that broke out at a nursing home in Manado, the capital of Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province, on Sunday night at 8:36 p.m. local time, according to Xinhua. Police spokesperson Almsiah P. Hasibuan said identification of the victims’ bodies was underway at the North Sulawesi Regional Police Hospital.

Police reported that three fire department units were dispatched immediately after the blaze began, and the fire was brought under control by around 9:30 p.m. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but an investigation has been launched. Manado Fire Service Chief Jimmy Ratinsulu stated that most of the residents were physically weak due to old age and became trapped inside the building when the fire erupted.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the source of the fire and to identify all victims.

China has announced plans to conduct large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, including live-fire drills in five maritime and air zones near the island on Tuesday. Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Chinese military, said the exercises, code-named “Justice Mission 2025,” will involve the army, navy, air force, and rocket force under the PLA Eastern Theater Command. The state news agency Xinhua confirmed that the drills will begin on December 29.

In response, Taiwan has deployed what it described as “appropriate forces” around the island. Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo condemned China’s actions as “military intimidation.” The announcement follows Japan’s recent plan to deploy missiles near Taiwan, which prompted China to warn that any foreign interference in Taiwan would be thwarted. Beijing reiterated its determination to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The exercises mark another escalation in the region, reflecting ongoing military and political friction between China and neighboring countries over Taiwan’s security and foreign involvement.

A major fire broke out on the Tatanagar–Ernakulam Express in Andhra Pradesh early Sunday, resulting in one death. The incident occurred at 1:45 a.m. near Yelamanchili, about 66 kilometers from Visakhapatnam. Two coaches of the train caught fire while carrying 158 passengers. After the blaze was extinguished, one body was recovered from the affected coaches.

Following the incident, railway authorities detached the two damaged coaches from the train and arranged replacement compartments for the affected passengers at another station. Two forensic teams have been deployed to determine the cause of the fire, according to police officials.

Train movement on the Vijayawada–Visakhapatnam route was temporarily disrupted due to the accident, though railway staff were working to restore normal service as quickly as possible.

A ceasefire has taken effect along the Thailand–Cambodia border after several weeks of deadly clashes, but many displaced residents remain too fearful to return home. In Thailand’s Surin city, 21-year-old Kanlaya Somjettana said she would not go back until authorities confirm the area is safe, citing past ceasefire breakdowns. In Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey province, 35-year-old So Cheun, who is expecting a child, also plans to wait several days to ensure peace holds before returning.

Officials from both countries confirmed the ceasefire was in force on Sunday, though normal conditions have not yet been declared in most areas. The recent three-week conflict killed at least 47 people and displaced over one million across both nations. A previous truce in July collapsed after five days. Under the current agreement, both sides pledged to halt shelling, suspend troop movements, and facilitate civilian return, while Thailand promised to repatriate 18 detained Cambodian soldiers.

Some residents, such as Thai farmer Saichon Wongpitak, have decided to return home for agricultural reasons despite doubts about the ceasefire’s durability.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has returned 14 Indian nationals who were pushed into Bangladesh through the Darshana border in Chuadanga by India’s Border Security Force (BSF). The repatriation took place early Sunday through the Madonenghat border point in Ramkrishnapur Union of Daulatpur upazila, Kushtia. According to BGB and local sources, the individuals were handed back to India and later detained by the BSF.

A BGB-47 battalion statement said the BSF attempted to push the 14 Indian citizens into Bangladesh twice, first around 2 a.m. on Wednesday and again at 10 a.m. on Thursday. BGB increased vigilance along the zero line after detecting the attempts. Following a flag meeting between company commanders of BGB and BSF at India’s Chaidoba, the BSF agreed to take back the individuals after BGB’s protest.

BGB officials said the group claimed to be residents of Odisha, India, and spoke Hindi. Local police stated they had been evicted from government land in India, jailed for a short period, and later pushed toward Bangladesh by BSF.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a written message to the annual Muslim American Society conference held in Chicago on December 26–27. In his message, he emphasized the importance of global Muslim unity and praised the role of the Muslim American community. Erdogan expressed hope that the conference would yield positive outcomes for the Islamic world and thanked the organizers for their invitation.

The conference’s theme, “Faith Under Trial: Standing Firm in Turbulent Times,” reflected the challenges facing the Muslim world, particularly Palestinians. Organizers said the event aimed to raise voices against international silence and support for Israel amid ongoing violence in Gaza since 2023. Erdogan highlighted that unity and mutual trust were essential to overcoming crises and conflicts affecting Muslim regions.

From Turkey, Tugba Isik Ercan, head of the ruling Justice and Development Party’s women’s branch, attended the conference. She outlined Turkey’s humanitarian diplomacy, including calls for ceasefire, enforcement of international law, and the opening of aid corridors. She also noted Turkey’s suspension of trade with Israel as part of Erdogan’s “justice-based foreign policy.”

Representatives from 21 Arab, Islamic, and African countries have condemned Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, as an independent state. In a joint statement released through Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the foreign ministers of these countries rejected the move, warning that it violates international law and poses a serious threat to regional stability.

The statement described Israel’s action as setting a dangerous precedent that could endanger international peace and security. It further asserted that the decision contradicts the principles of the United Nations Charter, which emphasizes respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity. The countries reaffirmed their full support for Somalia’s sovereignty and unity, rejecting any actions that undermine its territorial integrity.

Somaliland has operated with its own administrative, political, and security structures since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, but it has not received international recognition. Somalia’s central government continues to regard Somaliland as an integral part of its territory and opposes any direct engagement with the region as a violation of national sovereignty.

A United Nations peacekeeper was lightly injured during a patrol in southern Lebanon when gunfire and an explosion occurred near the team, according to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The incident took place near the village of Bastara, where heavy machine-gun fire from an Israeli military position south of the Blue Line struck close to a UNIFIL patrol inspecting a roadblock. Shortly afterward, a grenade explosion was reported nearby. UNIFIL said the peacekeeper sustained a mild ear concussion but no infrastructure damage was reported.

UNIFIL stated that, in accordance with standard procedures, the Israeli army had been informed in advance about the patrol activities in the sensitive area along the Blue Line. The mission’s statement was released on Friday, as reported by Anadolu Agency.

The report noted that a ceasefire has been in effect in Lebanon since November 2024, following over a year of conflict linked to the war in Gaza, which left more than 4,000 people dead and about 17,000 injured.

A Palestinian woman was killed and several of her family members were injured when a building collapsed during a severe storm in Gaza City on Sunday, according to medical sources cited by Anadolu Agency. The wall of a damaged house in the Al-Rimal area fell onto the woman’s tent. The house had previously been damaged in an Israeli airstrike.

Heavy rain and strong winds overnight flooded or destroyed thousands of tents sheltering displaced people across Gaza, eyewitnesses and reporters said. In southern Gaza’s Khan Younis coastal area, hundreds of tents were inundated by high waves caused by a low-pressure system. The harsh weather has created serious danger for displaced Palestinians living in fragile tents or damaged buildings, many of which were hit repeatedly since October 2023.

International organizations have accused Israel of blocking aid and essential supplies from entering Gaza since the start of its military operations. The report said more than 71,200 people have been killed and over 171,200 injured in Gaza since October 2023, most of them women and children.