According to a report by the Wall Street Journal citing US intelligence sources, American officials have stated that there is no evidence Ukraine attempted to attack Russian President Vladimir Putin or his residence. The CIA’s assessment indicates that Ukraine did not target Putin or any of his residences in the recent drone incident. Officials clarified that Ukraine’s intended target was a military site located in the same region as Putin’s residence but not near it.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Russia has failed to provide credible evidence supporting its claim of a Ukrainian drone strike on the president’s residence in the Novgorod region. Former US President Donald Trump also dismissed the Russian claim in a social media post linking to a New York Post editorial that criticized Putin’s reaction to the alleged attack. Trump later said he believed the attack might not have occurred after speaking with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Zelensky denied the allegation, arguing that such claims undermine Ukraine’s diplomatic progress with Trump’s team and could be used to justify further Russian aggression.

Turkey has announced that Chinese citizens will be allowed to enter the country without a visa for tourism and transit purposes starting January 2, 2026. The decision, published in the Official Gazette through a presidential decree, was reported by Turkey-based Hurriyet Daily News. Under the new rule, holders of passports from the People's Republic of China can stay in Turkey for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa.

The move is expected to boost bilateral tourism and strengthen economic ties between Turkey and China. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1971 and elevated to a strategic cooperation level in 2010. In recent years, trade and investment relations have expanded significantly, with bilateral trade rising from 1 billion dollars in 2001 to 48 billion dollars in 2024.

According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, Turkey exported goods worth 3.4 billion dollars to China in 2024, while imports reached 44.9 billion dollars. The two nations have also been exploring cooperation in electric vehicle production and raw material processing, with Chinese automaker BYD already signing a deal to establish a production facility in Turkey.

Two people were killed on Thursday in clashes between protesters and security forces in southwestern Iran amid ongoing demonstrations against high inflation and economic hardship. According to state media, these were the first fatalities reported after several days of unrest. The incident occurred in Lordegan city of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, where protesters reportedly threw stones at government and public buildings, prompting police to use tear gas. An unspecified number of people were injured.

State sources said one of the dead was a 21-year-old member of the Basij militia, though Reuters could not independently verify the claim. The Basij, linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that 13 of its members were injured and accused some groups of exploiting the protests. The unrest began after shopkeepers’ demonstrations in Kuhdasht, Lorestan province, and later spread to several other regions including Fars, Kermanshah, Khuzestan, and Hamedan.

Iran’s economy has been under prolonged strain from Western sanctions, with inflation exceeding 40 percent. Tehran has proposed dialogue with trade unions and business representatives to address the crisis, while reports indicate heavy security presence, arrests, and continued clashes in multiple cities.

Throughout 2025, armed conflicts and military operations erupted across several regions, marking the year as one of widespread warfare. In April, a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir triggered Indian air and missile strikes on Pakistan under 'Operation Sindur,' followed by Pakistan’s counteroffensive 'Operation Buniyanum Marsus.' The four-day conflict ended on May 10 after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire agreement between the two countries. On June 13, Israel launched 'Operation Rising Sun,' a surprise assault on Iran that killed top Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists. Iran retaliated with 'Wadae Sadeq-3,' before a U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect on October 24.

The year also saw continued fighting in Eastern Europe, where the Russia-Ukraine war entered its third year without resolution despite U.S. mediation. Southeast Asia experienced renewed border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia in July and December. Civil war persisted in Sudan, while Israel carried out strikes in Lebanon and Syria. Border tensions flared between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the United States appeared to be preparing actions around Venezuela.

The report warned that new conflicts could emerge in various regions as 2026 begins.

At least 40 people were killed and 100 others injured after a powerful explosion and fire ripped through a bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana early Wednesday. The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. during a New Year’s Eve celebration, according to Swiss police cited by Italy’s foreign ministry. The bar, popular among tourists, was crowded with people welcoming the new year when the blast occurred.

Authorities said the explosion is not being treated as an act of terrorism, though the exact cause remains unclear. Emergency services, including police, firefighters, and medical teams, rushed to the scene, supported by several helicopters in the rescue operation. Booths were set up to assist relatives of the victims.

Police have completely sealed off the area and declared a no-fly zone over Crans-Montana to facilitate rescue efforts.

On January 1, 2026, around 520,000 people gathered on Istanbul’s Galata Bridge to express solidarity with Palestine. The rally and march were organized by Turkey’s Humanitarian Alliance and National Will Platform under the slogan “We will not be silent, we will not forget Palestine.” More than 400 civic and social organizations joined the event, which began with morning prayers at major mosques including Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Sultanahmet, Fatih, Suleymaniye, and Eminonu Yeni Cami. Participants carried Turkish and Palestinian flags, wore keffiyehs, and chanted slogans supporting Palestinian resistance and freedom.

Bilal Erdoğan, chairman of the Ilim Yayma Foundation, addressed the crowd, emphasizing growing solidarity among Turkish citizens with Palestinians and calling for prayers for the freedom of Palestine and Jerusalem. Other political and religious leaders, including AK Party Istanbul branch head Abdullah Ozdemir and Onder Imam Hatipliler Association president Abdullah Cilan, also joined the march. Participants carried banners calling for justice for Palestine and condemned Israeli actions. Police maintained tight security, and organizers described the event as a peaceful demonstration of public support.

Many participants expressed hope that 2026 would bring justice, peace, and relief to Gaza, calling the rally a powerful message of solidarity from Istanbul to the world.

Israel has recognized Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, reportedly in exchange for establishing a military base there. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud made the allegation, warning that the move could heighten the risk of conflict in the region. He stated that Somalia would not accept any Israeli presence in its territory, according to TRT World.

In interviews with TRT World and Al Jazeera, Mohamud described Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as unexpected and strange. Citing intelligence reports, he claimed Somaliland agreed to host Israeli military facilities and to resettle Palestinians. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, operates autonomously but lacks international recognition. Mogadishu continues to regard Somaliland as part of Somalia and views any direct foreign engagement with it as a violation of national sovereignty.

Mohamud also said Somaliland had accepted participation in the 2020 Abraham Accords involving Israel and several Arab states. Reports suggest Israel seeks to strengthen its strategic position along key waterways such as the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House late last month to discuss the possibility of launching another military strike on Iran. Reports from international media said the talks focused on Iran’s nuclear program, missile capabilities, and regional security concerns, which have intensified in recent weeks.

According to Anadolu Agency, Netanyahu raised Israel’s concerns over Iran’s nuclear and missile development and mentioned Hezbollah’s efforts to rebuild its long-range missile stockpile in Lebanon. Axios reported, citing a U.S. official, that a potential second round of attacks on Iran in 2026 was discussed. The previous June saw a 12-day conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran, targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure. Trump had then warned that any renewed Iranian nuclear activity would be met with destruction.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned of a strong response to any aggression, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged Trump to return to dialogue under a “respectful environment.”

Israeli forces on Wednesday demolished at least 25 buildings in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the northern occupied West Bank. The buildings had housed around 100 families. The Israeli military said the operation was part of an effort to eliminate armed groups operating in the area.

Nur Shams camp has long been a flashpoint for clashes between Palestinian fighters and Israeli forces. According to reports, bulldozers and cranes were used in the early morning to destroy the structures, filling the air with thick dust as residents watched from a distance. Resident Mutaz Mahr described the destruction as deeply painful, saying the occupying forces were trying to exhaust and pressure them.

Nihaya al-Jundi, a member of the camp’s popular committee, said hundreds of families had already been displaced earlier in the year before the latest military operations began. She added that more than 1,500 families still cannot return to their homes, calling the situation a major disaster and a severe humanitarian crisis for Palestinian refugees.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a New Year’s Eve address, declared his belief that Russia will win the war in Ukraine. He urged support for the soldiers fighting in Ukraine, calling them heroes, and stated that the outcome of the conflict remains undecided amid ongoing peace talks and intense fighting. Putin’s remarks came as Europe voiced concern that the war could expand beyond Ukraine’s borders if it continues.

In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv seeks peace but will not sign any “weak” agreement. He emphasized that Ukraine wants the war to end but not at the cost of its sovereignty. Zelensky acknowledged the exhaustion of his nation but affirmed that surrender is not an option.

Zelensky also revealed that a peace agreement mediated by the United States was about 90 percent complete, though unresolved issues remain. He said the remaining 10 percent would determine the fate of peace and significantly affect the future of Ukraine, Europe, and people’s daily lives.

The year 2025 witnessed widespread armed conflicts across multiple regions, with major wars breaking out between India and Pakistan, and Israel and Iran. The report highlights that Israeli attacks on Gaza continued throughout the year, while the Russia-Ukraine conflict remained unresolved. In South Asia, India launched air and missile strikes on Pakistan on May 6 following a deadly shooting in Kashmir, prompting a four-day war that ended on May 10 after U.S. President Donald Trump mediated a ceasefire.

In the Middle East, Israel launched a surprise assault on Iran on June 13 under “Operation Rising Sun,” killing top Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists. Iran retaliated with “Operation Wadae Sadeq-3,” before both sides agreed to a ceasefire announced by Trump on June 23, which took effect on October 24. Meanwhile, the Russia-Ukraine war entered its third year without resolution despite U.S. mediation efforts.

Elsewhere, Thailand and Cambodia clashed twice over border disputes, Sudan’s civil war persisted, and Israel carried out strikes in Lebanon and Syria. The report warns that new conflicts may emerge in various regions in the coming year.

The United States has carried out another strike on a vessel accused of drug trafficking, resulting in at least five deaths. The attack was announced in a statement by the US military’s Southern Command on Wednesday, though the location of the operation was not specified. Previous similar strikes had taken place in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean, according to Al Jazeera. The US Coast Guard has been directed to conduct search and rescue operations at the site, but no evidence supporting the attack has been presented.

The statement detailed that three alleged traffickers were killed in the first operation, while others from two additional boats jumped into the water to escape. Those boats were later sunk in a subsequent strike, which killed two more people. The military said the Coast Guard was instructed to activate its search and rescue system. A similar incident in September had drawn heavy criticism after reports that survivors were targeted, with some Democratic lawmakers and legal experts calling it a crime, while the Trump administration and some Republican lawmakers defended it as lawful.

Israel has decided to revoke the licenses of 37 organizations providing humanitarian assistance in Palestine, citing their failure to meet new registration requirements. According to Israeli authorities, the groups did not submit complete personal data of their staff as required under the updated regulations. The suspension, affecting well-known international NGOs such as ActionAid, the International Rescue Committee, and the Norwegian Refugee Council, will take effect on January 1, with operations to cease within 60 days.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from ten countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Japan, which described the new rules as excessively strict and unacceptable. In a joint statement, their foreign ministers warned that forced closures of international NGOs would severely disrupt access to essential services such as healthcare in Gaza, where humanitarian conditions remain catastrophic. They urged Israel to allow NGOs to continue sustainable operations.

The UN-supported Humanitarian Country Team previously warned that Israel’s new registration policy poses fundamental risks to NGO activities in Gaza and the West Bank, calling the system arbitrary and politically driven, with conditions that could undermine humanitarian principles.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a strong message to global leaders ahead of 2026, calling for unity and a shift away from divisive politics and warfare. In a New Year video address, he urged leaders to focus on protecting people and the planet amid growing global instability, conflict, and uncertainty.

According to UN sources cited by AFP, Guterres said the world stands at a critical crossroads marked by division, violence, climate disasters, and widespread violations of international law. Referring to ongoing wars, including in Ukraine, he emphasized that reducing human suffering and taking effective action against climate change should be the top priorities for 2026.

Guterres criticized excessive military spending, noting that global defense expenditure rose by about 10 percent this year to 2.7 trillion dollars—13 times higher than global development spending and equal to Africa’s total GDP. He warned that the current scale of warfare has not been seen since World War II and argued that investing in poverty reduction would make the world safer. The year 2026 will mark his final year as UN Secretary-General.

As 2025 draws to a close, countries worldwide are preparing to welcome the new year with celebrations despite a backdrop of turmoil. The year was defined by Donald Trump’s tariff policies, a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, failed peace efforts in Ukraine, and the intensifying effects of climate change. Sydney, known as the “New Year capital,” observed a minute of silence before midnight to honor victims of a recent shooting, while millions gathered globally for festivities from New York to Rio de Janeiro.

The year 2025 was among the hottest on record, with wildfires in Europe, severe droughts in Africa, and deadly rains in Southeast Asia. Global events included the return of K-pop group BTS, the election of a new Pope, and the death of primatologist Jane Goodall. Trump’s tariffs unsettled markets, and economists warned of continued instability into 2026.

Looking ahead, NASA plans to send humans around the Moon in 2026 under the Artemis-2 mission, while investors show caution toward artificial intelligence. The world enters 2026 seeking peace, stability, and renewed hope after a year of heat, conflict, and uncertainty.