Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss various bilateral matters. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to further strengthen the long-standing fraternal ties between the two nations, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. The call was described as warm and cordial.

During the discussion, Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of maintaining unity and harmony within the Muslim Ummah amid current challenges. He highlighted that dialogue and diplomacy are essential for ensuring regional peace and stability. The conversation reflected mutual goodwill and a shared vision for cooperation.

Crown Prince Mohammed thanked the Pakistani Prime Minister for the call and expressed interest in expanding cooperation across all areas of mutual interest. He also conveyed his intention to undertake an official visit to Pakistan in 2026, signaling continued engagement between the two countries.

Israel has approved the construction of 126 illegal housing units in Sa-Nur, located in the occupied West Bank. The plan was sanctioned by the Higher Planning Council under the Civil Administration, allowing settlers to return to the Sa-Nur outpost. The area had been unilaterally separated from Palestinian territory by Tel Aviv in 2005.

According to Israeli media reports, the approval follows the repeal of the 2005 Disengagement Law by the Israeli parliament in March 2024. The law had previously restricted settlement activity in certain evacuated areas. On December 23, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich convened a meeting of the Higher Planning Council to consider the 126-unit proposal. Channel 7 reported that the plan is expected to take effect within two months.

The Palestinian Authority has repeatedly urged the international community to pressure Israel to halt settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, which the United Nations and international law consider illegal.

Widespread protests and strikes in Iran over inflation and the sharp fall of the national currency have expanded to several cities, including Tehran, Karaj, Hamedan, Qeshm, Malard, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Shiraz, and Yazd. On Wednesday, the fourth day of demonstrations, police used tear gas to disperse protesters. The unrest began on Sunday after the Iranian rial hit a record low against the US dollar in Tehran’s open market, prompting shopkeepers to join the movement.

The Iranian government has expressed sympathy toward the protesters’ demands, stating that their concerns will be heard patiently despite the difficult circumstances. University students have also joined the demonstrations, chanting slogans against the government, which observers view as a significant challenge for the authorities.

According to BBC reports cited in the source, the country’s worsening economic situation and currency devaluation have caused deep public anxiety, fueling the ongoing protests.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara is taking transformative steps in the defense sector to ensure regional and global stability. He made the remarks during a phone call with soldiers gathered at the Artillery and Missile School Command in Polatlı, Ankara, on New Year’s Eve. Erdogan stated that Turkey is engaged in a strong struggle to establish stability in the world.

He emphasized that Turkey’s actions align with the foreign policy principle of the Republic’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, of “peace at home, peace in the world.” Highlighting efforts to strengthen internal unity, Erdogan said the country is striving to ensure stability both within its region and beyond. He detailed Turkey’s growing military capabilities, including tanks, howitzers, helicopters, drones, missiles, air defense systems, warships, submarines, and unmanned sea vehicles.

Erdogan added that despite serious challenges, Turkey has seized a “historic opportunity” to turn recent achievements into lasting success. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to building a stronger and greater Turkey for future generations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping declared in his New Year’s Eve address that China remains unwaveringly committed to reunifying Taiwan with the mainland. His remarks came shortly after China concluded an unprecedented military exercise around Taiwan. Speaking from Beijing, Xi described national reunification as both essential and inevitable, reaffirming that integrating Taiwan as part of China remains a central goal for Beijing.

The large-scale exercise, named “Justice Mission 2025,” involved at least 89 warplanes and simulated blockades of Taiwan’s major ports, marking the most extensive drill in a year. Meanwhile, the United States recently approved a record $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan, prompting concerns among U.S. intelligence officials that Xi could consider military action if deemed necessary. In his speech, Xi also referenced the Shanghai Cooperation Summit attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and highlighted China’s economic progress toward a 5% growth target and advances in technology and space exploration.

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te rejected China’s claims, comparing Taiwan’s current situation to Europe under threat from Nazi Germany in the 1930s.

Zohraan Mamdani was sworn in as the mayor of New York City, becoming the first in the city’s history to take the oath of office on the Holy Quran. The ceremony took place in an abandoned subway station, where Mamdani used a 200-year-old copy of the Quran borrowed from the New York Public Library. The event was conducted by New York Attorney General and political ally Letitia James.

Mamdani’s swearing-in marks several firsts for the city: he is the first Muslim, the first of South Asian descent, and one of the youngest mayors in generations. He described the moment as the greatest honor and privilege of his life. Later, he is scheduled to take a more formal oath at City Hall, administered by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders.

The subway station, built during America’s “Golden Age,” was chosen to symbolize the beginning of a new era. Mamdani previously stated that the location reflects the city’s legacy of ambition and transformation for working people. He won the mayoral election on November 4, defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa by a wide margin.

Protests have spread across Iran as citizens demonstrate against the worsening economic crisis, currency collapse, and rising cost of living. In response, President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on the public to remain united in the face of sanctions and external threats. Speaking at a business forum in Tehran, he blamed foreign interference for the economic instability and said the country was engaged in a 'full-scale war' driven by economic pressure rather than military force.

Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran’s adversaries were attempting to bring the nation down through economic means, but insisted that unity and determination would prevent the country from being subdued. Iran’s economy has faced severe challenges since the reimposition of U.S. sanctions in 2018, following Washington’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal. In September, European nations also moved to restore UN sanctions, accusing Tehran of violating the 2015 agreement, a move that came months after Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

By the end of 2025, Iran’s currency, the rial, had lost about half its value against the dollar, with inflation reaching nearly 50 percent in December.

The French government has announced plans to prohibit social media access for children under the age of 15. According to a new draft law, the measure aims to protect minors from excessive screen time and improve online safety. The proposal could take effect by September if approved. President Emmanuel Macron has endorsed the initiative and called for parliamentary debate on the issue in January.

The draft law also includes a ban on mobile phone use in schools, citing risks of cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content. The government argues that unrestricted online access can lead to harassment, exposure to harmful material, and sleep problems among children.

The report notes that Australia became the first country to impose a similar restriction, banning social media use for children under 16, providing a comparative context for France’s proposed policy.

Widespread protests have erupted across Iran since Sunday in response to the country’s worsening economic crisis and surging cost of living. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets after a sharp fall in the national currency, with unrest spreading from Tehran to several provinces. In Fars province, protesters attempted to enter a local government building, while clashes were reported in multiple cities. Authorities in Tehran declared a bank holiday on Wednesday to control the situation, but tensions persisted.

In Lorestan province, one paramilitary officer was reported killed, and in Fasa city, three police officers were injured and four people arrested. Verified videos shared on social media showed protesters breaking the gate of the governor’s office in Fasa and security forces firing shots. The government announced the closure of schools, universities, and public offices nationwide, officially citing energy-saving measures during winter, though many Iranians viewed it as a tactic to suppress protests.

The demonstrations began after a sharp depreciation of the Iranian currency against the dollar in Tehran’s market, initially led by shopkeepers and later joined by university students, spreading to several cities against the country’s religious leadership.

Authorities have reopened the Lake Road adjacent to Zia Udyan to the public after a 24-hour closure. The road, which provides access to the graves of former President Ziaur Rahman and late BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, had been closed for security measures surrounding Khaleda Zia’s resting place. The reopening took place on January 1, 2026, following the temporary restriction.

Although the main road is now open, entry into Zia Udyan itself remains restricted. Security personnel, including police and army members, continue to be stationed at the entrance to the park. The closure and subsequent reopening were part of efforts to ensure the safety of the area surrounding the gravesites.

The continued presence of security forces indicates that access to the park may remain limited until further notice, while normal traffic along Lake Road resumes.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has pledged to carry forward the legacy of his late mother, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. In a Facebook post published on Thursday morning, he expressed his commitment to continue from where his mother’s journey ended. He wrote that he had laid her to rest beside his father, late President Ziaur Rahman, and described the nation’s overwhelming presence during this difficult time as a source of strength and solace.

Rahman said he was deeply moved by the love and respect shown by countless supporters, well-wishers, and citizens. He noted that the massive turnout reminded him that Khaleda Zia was not only his mother but also a mother figure to the nation. He also expressed gratitude to South Asian leaders, global diplomats, and development partners who paid their respects in person, as well as to countries that sent condolences.

He concluded by praying for his mother’s peace and urged the nation to draw inspiration from her lifelong dedication, sacrifice, and compassion, which he described as guiding examples for unity and patriotism.

Zohraan Mamdani will be sworn in as the mayor of New York City at midnight on December 31, 2025, in an abandoned subway station built during America’s ‘Golden Age’. The location was chosen to symbolize the beginning of a ‘new era’. The station currently serves as a turnaround point for the local No. 5 train. Thousands of New Yorkers will be gathered in Times Square for the New Year countdown as the ceremony takes place underground.

In a statement, Mamdani described the site as a monument to a city that once dared to build beautifully and transform the lives of working people. He said the ambition represented by the station should not remain confined to the past or the tunnels beneath City Hall. He expressed honor at the opportunity to lead millions of New Yorkers.

Progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will introduce Mamdani at the ceremony, which will also feature Senator Bernie Sanders. New York Attorney General Letitia James will administer the oath. Mamdani, 34, won the November 4 election by defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, becoming the first Muslim and South Asian–descended mayor in U.S. history.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has strongly rejected media reports citing Reuters that claimed he held a secret meeting with Indian diplomats. In a post on his verified Facebook account on Thursday, he clarified the circumstances and urged journalists to avoid publishing misleading information without verifying facts.

Dr. Rahman explained that during a recent interview with Reuters, he was asked whether his party maintained any communication with India. He said that after returning home from medical treatment last year, many visitors, including diplomats from various countries, came to see him. Among them were two Indian diplomats who visited his residence. He stated that the meeting was not secret and that his team had offered to make it public, but the diplomats requested otherwise.

Expressing surprise at local media reports describing the meeting as secret, Dr. Rahman condemned such reporting and called on the media to act responsibly in the future.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a boycott of the influential daily newspaper Haaretz, accusing it of supporting Israel’s enemies during the Gaza war. According to a report by Middle East Monitor, the decision includes cutting all advertising and editorial ties with the paper. A government directive instructs all ministries, state-funded companies, and public advertising agencies to avoid any relationship with Haaretz. The boycott was implemented based on a government decision made in November 2024.

The Israeli government claims that Haaretz published editorials during the Gaza conflict that undermined Israel’s legitimacy and right to self-defense. Officials stated that they would not tolerate a domestic newspaper supporting enemies or calling for international sanctions against Israel.

Israel’s Attorney General has warned that the new restrictions could negatively affect press freedom, increasing the risk of commercial and political interference in media operations.

U.S. President Donald Trump this week vetoed two major bipartisan bills, marking his first use of veto power in his second term. According to reports from Washington, the vetoes targeted the 'Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act' and the 'Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act'. The White House confirmed that Trump issued the vetoes on Monday. To override them, both chambers of Congress would need a two-thirds majority vote.

The Arkansas Valley Conduit Act aimed to implement a long-standing clean water supply project in Colorado’s Eastern Plains. Trump argued the project was too costly and described it as an unreliable policy for American taxpayers. The second bill sought to expand the Miccosukee tribe’s control in Florida’s Everglades National Park. Trump stated he would not allow the tribe residential rights in that area and criticized spending taxpayer money on projects inconsistent with his administration’s immigration policies.

The move marks a significant political moment, as presidential vetoes are relatively rare. Trump had vetoed ten bills during his first term, while his predecessor Joe Biden vetoed thirteen over four years.