Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a plan to intensify attacks against Russian forces, aiming to ensure that Russian losses each month exceed the number of reinforcements Moscow can deploy. In a January 26 address to military personnel, Zelensky said Ukrainian units must reach a level of destruction where Russia’s monthly casualties surpass its troop replacements, targeting around 50,000 Russian losses per month. He cited video analyses indicating that 35,000 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in December 2025, up from 30,000 in November and 26,000 in October.

Ukraine’s top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, confirmed that more than 33,000 Russian soldiers were killed in December. Ukrainian authorities claim that since the war began, about 1.2 million Russian troops have been killed or injured, while Ukraine has suffered 600,000 casualties, including 140,000 deaths. The Center for Strategic and International Studies reported similar Russian losses but noted that Al Jazeera could not independently verify any figures.

The conflict remains at a stalemate, with Russia continuing efforts to seize new territories despite heavy losses.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed a strong interest in strengthening relations with China, disregarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning that such engagement could be “very dangerous” for Britain. During his visit to China, the first by a British leader in eight years, Starmer met President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, emphasizing mutual cooperation and progress. The two countries signed several agreements, including visa-free travel for short-term British visitors, trade expansion, and collaboration against human trafficking.

The visit comes amid growing uncertainty over U.S. policies, prompting several Western leaders, including those from France, Canada, and Finland, to engage with Beijing. China’s foreign ministry reiterated its commitment to “win-win cooperation” with all nations. Starmer noted that sanctions imposed on British lawmakers in 2021 had been lifted, signaling a reset in bilateral relations.

According to Downing Street, British companies secured export deals worth £2.2 billion, with an additional £2.3 billion in market opportunities expected over the next five years, alongside significant new investments.

South Africa has expelled Israeli diplomat Ariel Sidman, declaring him persona non grata for alleged violations of diplomatic norms. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation announced on Friday that Sidman, the chargé d’affaires at the Israeli embassy, was given 72 hours to leave the country. Authorities accused him of actions that challenged South Africa’s sovereignty and breached acceptable diplomatic conduct.

According to the department’s statement, Sidman allegedly launched insulting attacks on President Cyril Ramaphosa through social media and deliberately failed to inform the ministry about a purported visit by senior Israeli officials. The statement described his behavior as a severe abuse of diplomatic privileges and a fundamental violation of the Vienna Convention, undermining trust and protocol essential to bilateral relations.

The department urged the Israeli government to ensure that its future diplomatic activities respect the principles of the Republic of South Africa and established norms of international engagement.

More than 200 people were killed when a coltan mine collapsed in Rubaya, eastern Congo’s North Kivu province. The mine, located about 60 kilometers northwest of the provincial capital Goma, caved in on Wednesday. Reuters reported that the exact number of casualties has not yet been confirmed.

Lumumba Kambere Muisa, spokesperson for the M23 rebel-appointed governor of North Kivu, said some people were rescued in time after the collapse, while others were seriously injured. Around 20 injured individuals are receiving treatment at a local health center. Iraston Bahati Musanga, the M23-appointed governor, told AFP on Friday that several bodies had been recovered but did not specify the total number of victims.

A provincial adviser, speaking anonymously to Reuters, estimated the death toll at over 200. Miner Frank Bolingo said many people were still believed to be trapped inside the mine, indicating that rescue operations were continuing.

The United Nations has reported that at least 170 civilians were killed in more than 400 airstrikes conducted by Myanmar’s military during a two-month voting period. The information was released from Geneva on Friday, citing data verified by the UN human rights office. According to the report, the attacks occurred between December 2025 and January 2026, coinciding with the country’s election process.

The UN human rights office stated that the figures were based on credible sources and confirmed that approximately 408 airstrikes took place during the election period. The organization also warned that the actual death toll could be higher than the confirmed number of 170.

The report underscores growing international concern over civilian safety in Myanmar amid ongoing military operations during politically sensitive periods.

The United States has approved major arms sales worth several billion dollars to both Israel and Saudi Arabia, citing heightened tensions surrounding Iran in the Middle East. Washington announced the decision on Friday. According to the US State Department, the deal with Israel includes 30 Apache attack helicopters valued at $3.8 billion, along with $1.8 billion in joint light tactical vehicles. The approval came shortly after a fragile ceasefire in Gaza. The State Department reaffirmed that ensuring Israel’s security remains closely tied to US national interests.

In a separate agreement, the US also authorized the sale of about $9 billion in weapons to Saudi Arabia, including 730 Patriot missiles designed to intercept aerial attacks. The move follows last year’s Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites and widespread protests in Iran that led to heavy casualties. While Saudi Arabia is not a close ally of Iran, it has maintained a cautious stance to avoid direct conflict. Gulf nations fear that escalating instability could harm their business-friendly image.

Efforts by Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel have stalled amid Israel’s ongoing military operations in Palestinian territories.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a new military strategy aimed at inflicting heavier losses on Russian forces as the war enters its fourth year. In a January 26 address to military personnel, he said Ukrainian units must ensure that Russian casualties each month exceed the number of reinforcements Moscow can deploy. Zelensky mentioned a target of around 50,000 Russian losses per month, calling it the optimal level to weaken the invading forces.

Citing video analyses, Zelensky claimed that 35,000 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in December 2025, up from 30,000 in November and 26,000 in October. Ukraine’s top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, separately stated that more than 33,000 Russian troops were confirmed killed in December. Ukraine estimates that since the war began, 1.2 million Russian soldiers have been killed or disabled, while the Center for Strategic and International Studies reported similar figures. Al Jazeera noted that none of these casualty numbers could be independently verified.

The conflict remains at a stalemate, with Russia continuing efforts to seize additional territory despite heavy losses.

A US military ship is preparing to anchor in the Gulf of Aqaba, south of Israel’s port city of Eilat, as part of enhanced military readiness amid growing regional tensions and the possibility of an attack on Iran, Israel’s state broadcaster KAN reported on Thursday, citing Anadolu Agency. According to unnamed security sources, the move is part of US-Israel military and security coordination, which includes naval deployment and increased defensive and offensive preparedness.

The report said Israeli security agencies are closely monitoring US movements, anticipating potential actions related to Iran. Concerns have also been raised about possible regional reactions if the situation worsens. During Israel’s weekly military security review on Thursday, the Iran issue was discussed in detail.

Meanwhile, Israeli and Saudi defense and intelligence officials are visiting the United States this week to discuss Iran. Axios reported that Israel’s military intelligence chief, General Shlomi Binder, held several high-level meetings with Pentagon, CIA, and White House leaders, while Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman is expected to emphasize diplomatic solutions in his meetings with US officials.

Azerbaijan has declared that it will never permit its territory or airspace to be used for any attack against neighboring Iran. The statement came from Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on Thursday during a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to a release from Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry. Bayramov expressed concern over the recent rise in regional tensions and emphasized the need for all parties to refrain from actions that could destabilize Iran or its surrounding areas.

He highlighted that Azerbaijan consistently advocates for resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomatic means in accordance with international law and principles. The statement reflects Baku’s cautious stance amid growing geopolitical strains in the region.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran that time was running out to reach a deal over its nuclear program, threatening that any future attack would be even more severe than the previous one on Iranian nuclear facilities in June of the previous year.

US President Donald Trump has warned that strengthening relations or signing agreements with China would be 'very dangerous' for the United Kingdom. His remarks came in response to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s ongoing four-day visit to China. Trump made the comments on Thursday during the premiere of a documentary about his wife Melania, when asked whether Britain was expanding its business relations with China.

Trump did not elaborate on his concerns about the UK-China relationship but also cautioned Canada, saying that any deal with China would be even more dangerous for that country. Earlier in the week, he had threatened to impose additional tariffs on Canada if it proceeded with an economic agreement with China.

During his visit, Prime Minister Starmer said the UK aims to take bilateral relations with China to an unprecedented level. On the first day of his trip, he held an 80-minute meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, emphasizing the importance of improving ties with the world’s second-largest economy.

After a 14-year hiatus, direct air connectivity between Bangladesh and Pakistan resumed as Biman Bangladesh Airlines launched its first Dhaka-Karachi flight on Thursday night. Flight BG-341 departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8 p.m. and landed in Karachi at 11 p.m. local time, where it received a traditional water cannon salute. The inaugural flight carried 150 passengers, according to Geo News.

The Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka described the resumption as a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral ties, communication, and connectivity between the two nations. Bangladesh’s Adviser for Civil Aviation and Tourism said the new route would enhance regional connectivity, boost tourism, and improve people-to-people contact. He added that flight frequency would gradually increase and fares would be reduced to make travel more accessible.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner Imran Haider recalled that both governments agreed to restore direct flights during the visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to Dhaka in August last year, emphasizing that stronger connectivity was a shared leadership goal.

Israeli and Saudi defense and intelligence officials are visiting the United States this week to discuss issues related to Iran, amid growing concern over recent U.S. attacks on Iranian targets. According to Axios, citing two U.S. officials, Israel’s military intelligence chief, General Shlomi Binder, held several high-level meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday with senior leaders at the Pentagon, CIA, and White House. The main purpose of his visit was to provide information on potential Iranian attack targets at the request of the Trump administration.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman is also in Washington for meetings on Thursday and Friday with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Pentagon officials. The Saudi Defense Ministry said the delegation aims to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and resolving regional issues through diplomatic means. Saudi Arabia, which has been mediating messages between Washington and Tehran, reiterated that it would not allow the U.S. to use its airspace for attacks on Iran.

The visits come as tensions remain high following U.S. bombings of three Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day conflict between Israel and Tehran in June.

Bangladesh has been elected vice-chair of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) for 2026. The election took place on Thursday at the UN headquarters in New York during the first meeting of the commission’s 20th session. Morocco was chosen as chair, while Bangladesh, Germany, Brazil, and Croatia were elected as vice-chairs. Bangladesh formally assumed its new role in a brief ceremony attended by the UN General Assembly president’s chief of staff, who emphasized the importance of the PBC’s role.

The Peacebuilding Commission is an intergovernmental advisory body that supports peace efforts in conflict-affected countries. It consists of 31 member states selected from the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, and top troop- and financial-contributing nations. Bangladesh has been a member since the commission’s establishment in 2005 and previously served as chair in 2012 and 2022, and as vice-chair in 2013 and 2023.

In a statement, Bangladesh’s delegation thanked member states for their confidence and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the UN’s peacebuilding initiatives and future plans.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Russia will suspend attacks on Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine for one week. Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin made this decision after Trump personally requested him to do so. He made the remarks on Thursday during a cabinet meeting, expressing satisfaction with the outcome.

The day before, Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Honcharenko told the media that Kyiv and Moscow had reached an understanding to stop attacks on Ukraine’s power sector. Hours before Trump’s comments, journalists contacted Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, but he declined to comment on the matter.

The announcement suggests a temporary pause in hostilities, though no official confirmation from the Kremlin was available at the time of reporting.

The European Union’s 27 member states have designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, prompting strong condemnation from Tehran. Iran’s Foreign Ministry called the move illegal, politically motivated, and a violation of international law, describing it as interference in the country’s internal affairs. The announcement was made by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in a post on social media platform X.

According to the EU, the decision follows Iran’s violent suppression of recent anti-government protests, during which demonstrators were reportedly killed and subjected to widespread repression. The EU Council stated that targeted individuals include Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad.

Iran warned that it reserves the right to take appropriate measures within international law to protect its sovereignty and national interests, holding the EU and its member states responsible for any consequences of the decision.