Eight flights scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka were diverted to alternative airports on Saturday due to dense fog. According to an official notice, three flights landed at Chattogram Airport, four at Kolkata Airport, and one at Bangkok Airport. The diversions were made for safety reasons as visibility at Dhaka airport dropped significantly.

The notice stated that all flight operations will resume normally once weather conditions improve. Airlines have arranged food and hotel accommodations for passengers affected by the delays. The airport authority emphasized that the diversions were precautionary measures to ensure passenger safety amid the foggy conditions.

Normal flight operations are expected to restart as soon as the weather clears, though no specific timeline was provided in the notice.

China’s Foreign Ministry announced sanctions on 20 US defense companies and 10 executives on Friday, following the Trump administration’s approval of a record arms sale to Taiwan. The sanctions include freezing assets held in China and banning Chinese entities and individuals from conducting business with the targeted firms and persons.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration approved eight new arms packages for Taiwan worth more than 11 billion dollars. Beijing condemned the move, calling Taiwan a core interest and the first red line in China-US relations that should not be crossed. The ministry stated that any provocative actions crossing this line would face a strong response from China.

Beijing urged Washington to adhere to the One-China policy and the three joint communiqués, halt arms sales to Taiwan, and avoid undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

China announced sanctions on 20 US defense companies and 10 executives following the Trump administration’s approval of a record arms sale to Taiwan. The Chinese Foreign Ministry made the announcement on Friday, citing the sale of eight new weapons packages worth over 11 billion dollars. The sanctions include freezing assets of the targeted firms and individuals in China and prohibiting domestic entities from conducting business with them.

Beijing condemned Washington’s decision, reiterating that the Taiwan issue lies at the core of China’s national interests and marks the first red line in China-US relations. The ministry emphasized that crossing this line would not be tolerated and warned of strong countermeasures against any provocative actions related to Taiwan.

China also urged the United States to adhere to the One-China policy and the three joint communiqués, halt arms sales to Taiwan, and avoid undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Thailand and Cambodia have signed a ceasefire agreement following 19 days of border clashes that left 96 people dead. In a joint statement released on Saturday, the defense ministers of both countries announced an immediate ceasefire, effective from noon local time. Both sides agreed to maintain their current troop positions without movement and to allow civilians living in border areas to return home. The statement also said that Thailand would release 18 detained Cambodian soldiers within 72 hours of the ceasefire taking effect.

The conflict between the two Southeast Asian neighbors had intensified in recent weeks. Cambodia’s state news agency reported that Thai forces shelled a village in Banteay Meanchey province on Thursday morning, killing one Cambodian civilian. Cambodia’s National Assembly condemned the attack as “brutal and inhumane.” Meanwhile, the Thai military accused Cambodia of firing BM-21 rockets into a village in Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province, causing extensive damage to civilian infrastructure.

Thai authorities confirmed that 23 Thai soldiers, one civilian, and 41 other civilians were killed during the fighting, underscoring the heavy toll of the border violence.

More than 150 migrants are feared dead after a boat sank off the coast of Senegal while heading toward Spain’s Canary Islands. The incident occurred on Wednesday, according to Helena Maleno Garzón, head of the NGO Caminando Fronteras, who shared the news on social media on Friday. Senegalese newspaper Le Soleil reported that the vessel carried about 200 passengers, of whom 30 were rescued alive. Twelve deaths have been confirmed so far, with several victims identified by relatives.

The boat reportedly departed from the Diamniadio area of the Saloum Islands on December 22. Le Soleil said both engines failed, prompting the captain to attempt reaching a nearby beach and instructing passengers to fetch a smaller boat. Some passengers entered the water, leading to chaos and multiple drownings. Senegalese authorities have launched an investigation into the tragedy.

The route to the Canary Islands is known as one of the world’s most dangerous migration paths. Caminando Fronteras estimated that around 9,757 people died on this route in 2024. Spain’s Interior Ministry said sea arrivals to the Canary Islands have significantly decreased this year compared to last year.

At least eight people were killed and eighteen others injured in an explosion at a mosque in the central Syrian city of Homs during Friday prayers, according to the country’s health ministry. The blast occurred at the Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib Mosque on Al-Khodari Street in the Wadi Al-Dahab neighborhood. Emergency and ambulance services responded immediately, and officials warned that the death toll could rise.

The Syrian Interior Ministry confirmed that security units were dispatched to the scene and that an investigation had begun. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. The Syrian Foreign Ministry described the bombing as an attempt to destabilize the country and vowed to hold those responsible accountable.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, the ministry condemned the act as a cowardly assault on human and moral values, asserting that its purpose was to undermine Syria’s security and stability.

An Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldier drove a vehicle over a Palestinian man who was praying in the West Bank on Thursday, December 25, 2025. Video footage of the incident spread widely on social media, sparking global condemnation. The video showed a man in civilian clothes carrying a gun and driving an ATV, suddenly ramming into the praying Palestinian before shouting at him to leave the area. The IDF confirmed that the driver was a reserve soldier and later suspended him from duty.

The victim, identified as Majdi Abu Mukho, was taken to a hospital after the attack. His father said that although he is now home, he continues to suffer severe pain in both legs and alleged that the soldier also sprayed pepper spray into his son’s eyes. According to United Nations data, 2025 has seen record levels of violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, marking it as a particularly violent year.

The report also noted that since October 7, 2023, Israeli aggression in Gaza has killed more than 71,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

Tensions between Israel and Turkey have intensified following reports that Turkey is deploying radar systems inside Syria. According to Western intelligence sources cited by i24News, the deployment aims to enhance Turkey’s monitoring capabilities in the region. The move is expected to significantly restrict Israel’s freedom of movement in Syrian airspace and could also affect its ability to conduct operations in Iran and other nearby areas using Syrian routes.

Reports from Middle East Monitor indicate that the new Turkish radar installations will allow Ankara to track Israeli aircraft operating over Syria, as well as those en route to missions in Iraq or Iran. Israeli security sources described the potential establishment of Turkish military bases in Syria as a “possible threat,” warning that such developments could further limit Israel’s operational freedom in the region.

The situation underscores growing regional friction as both countries expand their strategic presence in and around Syria, with implications for future military coordination and airspace control.

A total of 170 doctors have completed their graduation in war-torn Gaza, holding a ceremony on Thursday in front of the destroyed Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Once the largest hospital in the Palestinian territory, Al-Shifa suffered extensive damage during Israeli attacks that left most of its buildings and equipment destroyed or unusable.

The graduates continued their studies and hospital work during two years of famine, displacement, and mass violence. Some were injured or arrested during this period. Gaza’s Health Ministry official Yusuf Abu al-Reish described the event as earning degrees “through bombardment, rubble, and rivers of blood.” One graduate, Dr. Ahmed Basil, said achieving an advanced degree amid destruction sent a message that Palestinians cherish life and remain committed to scientific progress.

Empty chairs displaying photos of healthcare workers killed during the war were placed at the ceremony, symbolizing the loss suffered by Gaza’s medical community.

The second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement is expected to begin in early January, according to Israeli media citing a senior Israeli official. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly informed Israel and mediators that the next stage of the Gaza deal would start at the beginning of the new year. Israeli officials have expressed concern that U.S. President Donald Trump may proceed with the next phase without ensuring the disarmament of Hamas.

The ceasefire was originally agreed on October 9 under Trump’s peace plan, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. However, Gaza’s Health Ministry stated that Israeli violations of the agreement and delays in implementing the second phase have resulted in the deaths of more than 400 Palestinians. Since October 2023, Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed over 71,000 people, most of them women and children, and injured more than 171,000 others.

The report, citing TRT World, suggests that the coming phase will test the durability of the ceasefire and the effectiveness of international mediation efforts.

The nonprofit organization Open Doors reported that more than 60 attacks on Christians occurred across India during the Christmas period. Incidents included vandalism of churches, destruction of decorations, and threats against people celebrating the holiday. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India condemned the assaults, attributing them to extremist Hindu nationalist groups and urging the Home Minister to ensure legal protection for Christians.

Among the most criticized incidents was one in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, where a local BJP leader, Anju Varghava, was seen harassing and assaulting a visually impaired Christian woman during a Christmas event. The viral video drew widespread criticism, prompting the local BJP unit to issue a show-cause notice. Varghava denied wrongdoing, and police said no complaint had been filed. Videos from Odisha and Delhi also showed extremist youths harassing Christmas vendors and women in festive attire.

The United Christian Forum reported that at least 600 attacks on Christians occurred across India this year, raising concerns about the safety and religious freedom of minority communities.

Ukraine has carried out a missile strike on a Russian oil refinery using British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles, according to the country’s armed forces. The attack targeted the Novoshakhtinsk refinery in Russia’s southern Rostov region, where multiple explosions were reported. Ukraine’s General Staff said its air force units successfully hit the target with air-launched missiles.

The military described the Novoshakhtinsk refinery as a key energy facility supplying diesel and aviation fuel to Russian forces. Ukrainian authorities stated that the strike was part of an intensified campaign against energy and infrastructure sites inside Russia, in response to ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks.

The report noted that Ukraine has previously used Storm Shadow missiles against targets within Russia, signaling a continued escalation in cross-border strikes amid the conflict.

At least three people were killed in an armed clash along the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border, according to Tajik officials. The incident occurred on Tuesday in Kavo village of Shamsiddin Shohin district when three individuals allegedly crossed the border from Afghanistan. The confrontation began after the group reportedly refused to surrender to Tajik border guards.

Tajik authorities described the infiltrators as terrorists who resisted arrest and planned an armed attack on a border post. The border guards launched an operation in which all three were killed. Officials said the group had crossed into Tajik territory before the clash erupted.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the site, including three M-16 rifles, one Kalashnikov assault rifle, three foreign pistols with silencers, ten hand grenades, a night-vision scope, explosives, and other military equipment, according to the officials.

The Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture reported that Israeli military operations and attacks by illegal settlers destroyed more than 8,000 olive trees across the West Bank within a week, resulting in an estimated loss of about $7 million. The most severe damage occurred in the northern and central regions, including the uprooting of 5,000 trees in Silat al-Harithiya (Jenin) and 3,000 in Turmus Ayya (Ramallah). Additional destruction was recorded in Tulkarem, Qalqilya, Salfit, Bethlehem, and East Jerusalem.

The ministry said agricultural infrastructure also suffered extensive damage, with 13 wells and farmhouses destroyed, irrigation systems harmed, water pumps stolen, 82 beehives ruined, and livestock poisoned. It described the attacks as part of a “systematic policy” aimed at seizing Palestinian land and displacing residents.

According to the report, violence in the West Bank typically intensifies during planting and harvest seasons. Since October 2023, Israeli forces and settlers have killed at least 1,100 Palestinians, injured around 11,000, and detained 21,000. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Israel will never withdraw from Gaza and announced plans to establish a wide security perimeter around the enclave as well as authorize settlements in its northern region. Katz made the remarks on Thursday during a public event, according to Anadolu Agency. Earlier in the week, he had made similar comments regarding settlement construction in northern Gaza.

The report states that Israel, with U.S. support, launched a major war in Gaza in October 2023, resulting in over 71,000 Palestinian deaths and injuries, most of them women and children. A ceasefire proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump took effect on October 10, but Israel has allegedly violated it daily, causing 411 additional Palestinian deaths.

Katz further said that Israel would eventually establish the Nahal outpost in northern Gaza and exercise what he described as “de facto sovereignty” similar to its control in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Authority accused Israel of intensifying annexation efforts in the West Bank through demolitions, forced displacement, and settlement expansion, warning that such actions undermine the UN-backed two-state solution.