At least six people, including a newlywed couple, were killed when a gas cylinder exploded during a wedding ceremony at a house in Islamabad, Pakistan. Ten others were injured in the blast, which caused the roof to collapse, trapping several people under the debris. The incident was confirmed by Additional Deputy Commissioner General Sahibzada Yusuf, according to The Express Tribune.

The explosion also caused extensive damage to four nearby houses. Rescue teams recovered sixteen people from the rubble, six of whom later died. The injured were taken to a hospital for treatment. Officials stated that all trapped individuals have been rescued and that the operation has been completed.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion, while confirming that no one remains trapped under the debris.

Intense fighting erupted along the Teknaf border in Cox’s Bazar as clashes between Myanmar’s Arakan Army (AA) and Rohingya rebels continued for four consecutive days. The exchange of gunfire, which lasted until 6 a.m. Sunday, shook the border area. The Arakan Army reportedly carried out several drone strikes targeting Rohingya rebels, forcing them to retreat. Pursuing them, AA fighters crossed into Bangladeshi territory and opened random fire, injuring a nine-year-old girl named Huzayfa Sultana Afnan, who was later hospitalized in critical condition.

According to the latest reports, 53 members of Myanmar’s rebel group were detained by Bangladeshi law enforcement while attempting to flee across the border, with three to four of them suffering gunshot wounds. Security personnel have been deployed at the scene, and the situation is currently calm. Local residents lifted a road blockade following army intervention.

Authorities have not reported further casualties, and the condition of the injured child remains under medical observation.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has declared Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state illegal and strongly condemned the move. The decision was announced during the 22nd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers held on Saturday at the organization’s headquarters in Jeddah. The OIC described Israel’s action as a clear violation of the sovereignty, national unity, territorial integrity, and internationally recognized borders of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Following Israel’s December 26 declaration, the OIC convened an emergency meeting to discuss the issue. In his opening address, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha warned that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland set a dangerous precedent, breached international law, and posed a direct threat to regional security and stability in Africa. The meeting also passed two resolutions—one condemning Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and another opposing plans to displace Palestinians from their land.

The OIC reaffirmed its unwavering support for Somalia’s sovereignty and unity, emphasizing that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia. It rejected any attempt to separate or recognize Somaliland, calling such actions interference in Somalia’s internal affairs and a direct affront to its sovereignty.

The United States Department of State on Saturday advised its citizens to leave Venezuela immediately, citing the presence of armed militias and the risk of roadside checkpoints targeting individuals suspected of supporting the US. The advisory stated that the security situation in Venezuela remains unstable and unpredictable. It was issued one week after the arrest of Maduro and follows the resumption of international flights, which the department said should be used by Americans to depart the country.

According to the State Department, armed groups have been stopping vehicles at checkpoints to search for US citizens, and routine consular services in Venezuela remain limited. The advisory urged Americans to exercise heightened caution for their personal safety. In contrast, Venezuelan authorities dismissed the warning, asserting that the country’s security situation is stable and calm.

Despite the official rejection, the presence of armed groups and checkpoint activity continues to raise concern about the overall safety environment for foreign nationals in Venezuela.

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council chief Rashad al-Alimi announced on Saturday that all military and security forces in southern Yemen will now operate under the direct command of the Saudi-led coalition. The decision follows a failed offensive by UAE-backed separatist forces. Al-Alimi said in a televised address that a Supreme Military Committee will be formed under the coalition’s command to oversee the training, arming, and management of all southern forces and armed groups.

The announcement comes after Saudi-backed Yemeni troops regained control of large southern areas from the UAE-supported Southern Transitional Council (STC), which had seized two key provinces in December. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have long been allies in the coalition against Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who still control much of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. However, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi now back different factions within the internationally recognized Presidential Council, complicating Yemen’s southern political and military landscape.

The STC’s future remains uncertain after reports of its leader’s departure and conflicting claims over its dissolution. Thousands rallied in Aden in support of the STC despite a ban on gatherings, demanding independence for southern Yemen.

Syrian Kurdish fighters have agreed to withdraw from Aleppo city under a ceasefire following several days of fighting with government forces, according to an AFP report on Sunday. The Syrian military said it had completed operations in the Sheikh Maqsoud district, while state television reported that surrendering Kurdish fighters were being transported by bus to northeastern Syria. The government also announced control over the Ashrafiyah neighborhood, previously held by Kurdish forces.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) confirmed that an agreement had been reached to implement a ceasefire and evacuate wounded fighters, civilians, and others from the affected districts. However, the SDF initially claimed that its fighters had not been relocated and accused the government of forcibly displacing civilians. The ceasefire was reportedly mediated by international parties to halt attacks on Aleppo’s population.

The clashes, which erupted after talks on Kurdish integration into the new government stalled, have been the most intense since the ouster of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. At least 21 civilians were killed, and about 155,000 people fled their homes, according to Aleppo’s governor.

North Korea has demanded a detailed explanation from South Korea over an alleged drone intrusion into its territory. According to North Korean state media cited by AFP, Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of leader Kim Jong Un, said a drone launched from South Korea’s Ganghwa County entered the North’s Kaesong city earlier in January. Pyongyang claimed it shot down the drone and released photos of the wreckage.

Seoul has rejected the allegation, with its Defense Ministry stating that the drone described by North Korea does not match any model used by its military. The South Korean military said its investigation found no record of operating any unmanned aircraft at the time in question. President Lee Jae Myung has ordered a joint military and police probe to ensure a swift and impartial investigation, warning that if a civilian was responsible, it would be a serious crime threatening peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.

The dispute comes as former president Yoon Suk Yeol faces trial over allegations of ordering illegal drone operations to provoke Pyongyang and justify emergency military measures.

The United States has carried out a large-scale attack on ISIS bases across Syria, according to a statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM). The operation took place from 12:30 a.m. to dawn on Saturday, following the killing of two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra last month. CENTCOM said the strikes were aimed at ISIS positions throughout Syria but did not confirm any casualties.

Al Jazeera reported that the operation, named “Operation Hawkeye Strike,” was launched in response to the December 13 ambush in Palmyra. Syria’s Interior Ministry said the gunman involved was a member of the country’s security forces who was being dismissed for extremist views. The US military began the operation on December 19, targeting 70 ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites in central Syria.

By December 30, US forces announced that about 25 ISIS fighters had been killed or captured since the start of Operation Hawkeye Strike. The latest strikes mark an escalation in Washington’s campaign against ISIS in Syria.

US President Donald Trump is seriously considering the possibility of a military operation against Iran as the country faces a violent crackdown on ongoing anti-government protests. According to multiple US officials, Trump has already been briefed on potential strategies and targets for a possible strike. The New York Times reported that while no final decision has been made, Trump is weighing the option of ordering military action. An unnamed US official said several plans have been presented, including scenarios that could involve civilian sites. The Wall Street Journal earlier noted that large-scale airstrikes could target Iran’s military infrastructure if the president gives the order.

Meanwhile, Iranian security forces continue to suppress the protests with increasing force. After violence peaked on Thursday night, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets again on Friday and Saturday. Reports allege indiscriminate gunfire against protesters. Hospital staff told the BBC that facilities are overwhelmed with casualties, with one Tehran doctor describing targeted shootings at young people’s heads and chests. At least 14 members of the security forces have also been reported killed.

The escalating unrest and potential US response have raised regional tensions, with Israel reportedly on high alert over possible developments.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is confronting mounting diplomatic pressure at the start of 2026 as U.S. President Donald Trump issued two major warnings to India. The first came amid Washington’s aggressive actions in Venezuela, which many nations, including Denmark, viewed with alarm. The second was a direct demand that India stop importing crude oil from Russia or face higher U.S. tariffs. Despite India reducing Russian oil purchases to a three-year low, Trump remained dissatisfied, maintaining steep duties on Indian exports.

Analysts cited in the report described Trump’s approach as part of a broader imperial-style strategy to expand U.S. control and influence. For India, the challenge lies in balancing its economic dependence on the U.S.—its largest export market—with its longstanding ties to Russia and cautious engagement with China. The situation underscores a shifting global order in which Washington’s assertive policies are reshaping international alignments.

At the same time, India’s domestic landscape is transforming rapidly, with a surge in new billionaires driven by a booming stock market and record IPO activity. This dual reality of external pressure and internal wealth creation will shape India’s economic and geopolitical trajectory in the coming years.

Iran has been gripped by continuous protests that began in late December, sparked by the sharp devaluation of the Iranian rial and worsening economic conditions. Demonstrations first erupted near Tehran’s Grand Bazaar on December 28 and later spread to multiple cities. Security forces have taken a hardline stance to suppress the unrest.

Amid the turmoil, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform Truth Social that the United States is ready to help Iranian protesters, describing Iran as being on the verge of unprecedented freedom. Earlier, Trump warned that Iran was in serious trouble due to growing instability and urged Iranian authorities not to use lethal force against demonstrators. Washington, he said, is closely monitoring the situation.

In response, the Iranian government accused the United States and Israel of fueling the unrest. Officials warned that the security forces and judiciary would show no tolerance toward those involved in sabotage or violence.

Israeli forces carried out artillery and air strikes across the Gaza Strip, killing at least three Palestinians, in what has been described as the latest violation of a ceasefire agreement that took effect three months ago. The attacks occurred in several areas, including Khan Younis, Gaza City, and the Maghazi refugee camp, where multiple injuries were also reported.

According to reports, one person was killed and another injured in a drone strike near the Bani Suhaila roundabout in central Khan Younis, while two others were shot dead in eastern Gaza City. The New Arab reported that Israeli forces also targeted the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza, injuring several people. The incident followed an earlier Israeli assault on Thursday that killed at least 14 Palestinians, including displaced civilians in tents and shelters.

Hamas accused the United States of providing cover for Israeli military actions. Meanwhile, Gazans continue to suffer from harsh weather conditions, with heavy rain and strong winds damaging numerous tents, worsening the humanitarian situation.

The Pakistan Navy has successfully conducted a live test of a surface-to-air missile during a military exercise in the North Arabian Sea, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) released on Saturday. The test involved the long-range LY-80(H) missile launched from a modern vertical launch system, observed by the Commander of the Pakistan Fleet. The missile hit and destroyed a designated aerial target, demonstrating the navy’s air defense capabilities.

The ISPR statement said the exercise showcased both conventional and unmanned operational capabilities aligned with modern naval warfare requirements. It also included the use of loitering munitions to strike surface targets, highlighting the navy’s precision strike capacity. The exercise further demonstrated advanced tactical maneuvers, accurate navigation, and operational effectiveness under adverse weather conditions.

The successful test validated the Pakistan Navy’s readiness and technological competence in air defense and precision engagement, as emphasized in the ISPR’s briefing.

North Korea has claimed that it shot down a South Korean drone that entered about eight kilometers into its airspace, describing the incident as a violation of its sovereignty. The state news agency KCNA reported on Saturday, January 4, that the drone took off from an island near Incheon, South Korea, and was destroyed by North Korean forces. KCNA said the drone carried surveillance cameras intended to photograph ‘important’ facilities inside North Korea, and released images showing wreckage and aerial photos allegedly taken by the drone.

The report comes as North Korea prepares for a key party congress to set its five-year policy direction. According to an analyst cited in the report, the timing reinforces leader Kim Jong Un’s narrative portraying South Korea as a foreign and hostile state. KCNA also recalled a similar incident in September when another South Korean drone was shot down.

KCNA, as cited by Reuters, accused South Korea of continuing ‘provocative acts’ near the border despite a change in government, labeling it the country’s ‘most hostile enemy.’ Since taking office last June, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s attempts to reopen dialogue with Pyongyang have been rejected.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed support for anti-government protesters in Iran on Saturday through a post on the microblogging platform X, stating that the United States stands with the Iranian people. His statement followed a warning from President Donald Trump on Friday directed at Iran’s leaders, cautioning them against initiating violence.

The ongoing anti-government demonstrations in Iran have intensified tensions across the country. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) indicated that it may take strict measures if necessary to restore order, asserting that the current instability would not be allowed to persist. Earlier, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had said that the government would not hesitate to act against those involved in destructive activities, a remark that sparked renewed debate over the role of security forces.

The combination of US statements and Iran’s internal warnings underscores a deepening standoff, with both domestic and international attention focused on how Tehran will respond to the protests.