A leaked document has alleged that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) provided military, intelligence, and logistical support to Israel during its ongoing military operation in Gaza. The document reportedly proposed opening UAE military bases in the Red Sea region for Israeli use. The investigative platform Emirateleaks published the secret document, dated October 2023, which was addressed to the UAE Armed Forces Joint Operations Command and authored by Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, representative of the Al-Dhafra region and chairman of the UAE Red Crescent Authority.

According to the report by Middle East-based outlet The Cradle, the document stated that following the October 7 attacks and under previous cooperation agreements with Israel, UAE bases in Yemen’s Al-Mokha, Eritrea’s Massawa and Assab, and Somalia were prepared to assist Israel. The bases were reportedly equipped with necessary resources to support Israeli operations against Palestinian resistance groups, with instructions for the UAE to play an active role until those groups were defeated.

Meanwhile, Gaza’s health authorities reported that 24 people, including 21 children, have died amid worsening humanitarian conditions and severe winter cold under the ongoing blockade.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has urged its citizens currently in Iran to leave the country immediately. The advisory follows reports from human rights organizations that thousands of people have been killed or arrested during a government crackdown on widespread protests. The Indian Embassy in Tehran announced on social media that Indian nationals, including students, pilgrims, businesspeople, and tourists, should depart using any available transportation.

According to the ministry’s estimates, around 10,000 Indian citizens are usually present in Iran. The embassy’s message, issued on Wednesday night, emphasized the need for all Indian nationals to prioritize their safety and make immediate travel arrangements.

The advisory reflects growing concern over the deteriorating security situation in Iran and signals India’s effort to ensure the safety of its nationals amid escalating unrest.

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, announced the start of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan on Wednesday through a post on social media platform X. According to Witkoff, this phase will focus on disarmament, technocratic governance, and reconstruction. He warned that Hamas must fully comply with its obligations under the agreement, including the handover of all Israeli hostages’ bodies, or face serious consequences.

The report stated that since October 2023, Israel has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians in Gaza over a two-year period. A fragile ceasefire has been in place in the enclave for the past three months. The first phase of the plan included the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages.

Witkoff thanked Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar for their mediation efforts, crediting them for the progress achieved so far. The US State Department welcomed Palestinian support for Trump’s 20-point plan, describing it as a positive step toward stability in the region.

Iran reopened its airspace after keeping it closed for nearly five hours due to concerns over possible military tensions with the United States. The temporary closure led several airlines to cancel, reroute, or delay flights. According to a notice published on the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) website, Iran announced the closure of its airspace to all flights at 5:15 p.m. local time on Wednesday, though government-authorized international flights were still allowed to enter and leave the country.

Flight tracking service Flightradar24 reported that the notice was withdrawn shortly before 10 p.m. Eastern Time, equivalent to 0300 GMT. Following the reopening, five flights operated by Iranian carriers Mahan Air, Yazd Airways, and Ava Airlines resumed operations through Iranian airspace.

The temporary closure and subsequent reopening occurred against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, raising renewed concerns about the safety and stability of international air travel in the region.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he has been assured that the killing of anti-government protesters in Iran has stopped. Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump stated that he learned executions of protesters had also been suspended. He did not specify the source of this information but described it as coming from 'very important sources.' Trump added that the situation in Iran would continue to be closely monitored and did not rule out possible U.S. military action, noting that a formal statement would be issued later.

In a separate interview with Fox News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there were no plans to execute anti-government protesters. The protests in Iran began over the country’s economic crisis, with years of currency devaluation making the Iranian rial one of the world’s weakest currencies. The report noted that one U.S. dollar currently equals 994,055 Iranian rials.

The statements from both sides suggest a temporary easing of tensions, though the situation remains under observation by the U.S. administration.

Iran has suspended the execution of 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, who was sentenced to death for participating in anti-government protests. His family and the Norway-based human rights organization Hengaw confirmed the suspension, according to CNN. Soltani, a small business owner from Karaj near Tehran, was arrested on January 8 for allegedly joining demonstrations. Within three days, he was tried and sentenced to death without the presence of family or friends in court. The Guardian reported that his sister, a registered lawyer, was not allowed to participate in the proceedings.

A relative named Somayeh said the family learned that the execution had not been carried out but had not yet been canceled, and they were awaiting further information. Hengaw later confirmed the suspension of the death sentence. On the same day, U.S. President Donald Trump stated in Washington that killings of protesters in Iran had stopped and planned executions of detainees were on hold, with Soltani’s suspension reported hours after his remarks.

The United Kingdom has temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran, Iran, citing security concerns. A government statement released on Wednesday confirmed the decision, noting that the embassy will now operate remotely. According to a British official, the ambassador and all consular staff have been withdrawn from Iran after a review of the security situation, emphasizing that the safety of personnel was the top priority.

Iran is currently facing one of the largest waves of violent protests in its history, triggered by economic deterioration and the sharp devaluation of the Iranian rial. The unrest began on December 28 at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar and has since spread to several cities. The situation has been further strained by threats of intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Several European countries, including Italy, Poland, Germany, and Spain, have also issued urgent advisories for their citizens to leave Iran due to the worsening security environment. The ongoing instability and fears of possible U.S. military action have heightened regional tensions.

A closed-door meeting was held at the White House on Wednesday between the United States, Denmark, and Greenland amid escalating tensions over control of Greenland. US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland. According to The Guardian, the meeting lasted less than an hour. Danish officials described the talks as positive, but Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen admitted that the two countries still differ on Greenland’s future.

Rasmussen said President Donald Trump clearly outlined his stance on Greenland, while Denmark maintained a different position and remained uncertain about reaching any agreement. Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt stated that Greenland seeks stronger cooperation as an ally, not subordination to the US. Denmark’s Prime Minister echoed that Greenland’s takeover is unnecessary and dismissed claims of immediate threats from Russia or China. Hours before the meeting, Trump reiterated that US control of Greenland is vital for missile defense and NATO strength.

Denmark and Greenland firmly opposed Trump’s plan, declaring Greenland is not for sale. Denmark announced increased Arctic military presence in 2026, with Germany, France, Sweden, and Norway joining joint NATO deployments. Sweden has already begun sending troops under Denmark’s “Operation Arctic Endurance.”

South Korea has pledged to identify and punish those responsible for a recent drone intrusion into North Korea, following Pyongyang’s demand for an official apology. North Korea claimed that a South Korean drone crossed the shared border into Kaesong earlier this month, was shot down, and its wreckage displayed publicly. Seoul denied any military or government involvement but acknowledged the possibility of civilian participation.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac stated during a press briefing in Nara, Japan, that authorities are investigating whether the incident originated from the civilian sector and promised legal consequences if guilt is proven. He also noted that North Korea had previously sent drones into South Korea, calling such actions violations of the armistice agreement that ended the 1950–53 Korean War.

President Lee Jae-myung has ordered a joint military and police investigation into the matter, warning that any civilian involvement would pose a serious threat to peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Iran has temporarily closed its airspace to nearly all flights except for international civilian arrivals and departures, according to an official aviation notice issued early Thursday. The notice stated that Tehran’s airspace would remain closed until January 15, with only limited operations allowed under approval from the Civil Aviation Authority.

The decision comes amid escalating anti-government protests, growing international scrutiny, and heightened security concerns across the country. Human rights groups claim that thousands have been killed or injured since demonstrations began in late December, though Iranian authorities have not released official casualty figures.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he was informed that executions of protesters in Iran had been halted, warning that Washington would take “very tough measures” if they resumed. G7 foreign ministers condemned the “deliberate use of violence” against demonstrators and urged Iran to show restraint and respect human rights. Iranian officials, meanwhile, accused the United States and Israel of supporting unrest and terrorism, allegations denied by Western nations.

The internationally recognized Yemeni government, known as the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), announced that its forces have regained control of two strategic southern provinces from the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) after a month of fighting. The UAE-backed STC had seized the oil-rich Hadramaut and Al-Mahra provinces near the Saudi border in early December 2025. Saudi Arabia, which supports the PLC, viewed the move as a national security threat and responded with airstrikes on STC positions, including the key port of Mukalla.

The PLC, led by Rashad al-Alimi since 2022, operates from Aden and aims to unify anti-Houthi factions. The STC seeks an independent southern Yemen and rejected reports of its dissolution after its leader was dismissed from the PLC in January 2026. Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthi rebels continue to control much of northern and western Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the Red Sea coast.

According to the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies, the Houthis hold northwestern Yemen, while the government claims most of the rest. The UN reports that 17 million Yemenis face severe food shortages, with millions displaced and dependent on humanitarian aid.

Several European countries have issued urgent travel advisories instructing their citizens to leave Iran immediately due to escalating anti-government protests and a deteriorating security environment. Italy, Poland, Germany, and Spain released warnings on Wednesday, citing growing instability. Italy’s foreign ministry reported that around 600 Italian nationals are currently in Iran, mostly in Tehran, and reiterated its call for them to depart swiftly. Poland also advised against travel to Iran, while Germany urged its citizens to avoid visits and for those already there to leave, warning of potential arbitrary arrests. Spain similarly discouraged travel and asked Spanish nationals to exit using available means.

The unrest began on December 28 at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, sparked by protests over the sharp devaluation of Iran’s currency, the rial, and worsening economic conditions. Demonstrations have since spread to multiple cities across the country. Recent fears of a possible U.S. military strike have further heightened tensions and uncertainty in the region.

The coordinated European advisories reflect growing international concern over Iran’s internal instability and the safety of foreign nationals.

Saudi Arabia has informed Iran that it will not allow its territory or airspace to be used for any military attack. Two sources close to the Saudi government told AFP on Wednesday that the message was delivered as the United States threatens possible military action against Tehran. Saudi media outlet Al Arabiya also reported the development.

According to the sources, Riyadh clarified its stance amid warnings that Washington might take military steps in response to Iran’s harsh crackdown on ongoing protests. In reaction, Tehran has warned that any new attack would prompt it to target US military bases and naval assets. A source close to the Saudi military said the kingdom directly told Tehran it would not participate in any military operation against Iran.

Analysts noted that the presence of significant US military assets across the Gulf region, including in Saudi Arabia, makes the situation more sensitive amid rising tensions.

The United Arab Emirates has granted royal pardons to 440 Bangladeshi prisoners as part of celebrations marking its 54th National Day, known as Eid Al Ittihad. The announcement was made through a press release from the UAE Embassy in Dhaka, noting that the pardon was part of the 2025 Eid Al Ittihad festivities. During this period, the UAE leadership extended clemency to thousands of prisoners from various countries across the nation.

According to officials, the royal pardon program, implemented toward the end of 2025, allowed many inmates, including Bangladeshis, to rebuild their lives and reunite with their families. The initiative is described as a reflection of the UAE’s longstanding humanitarian values and commitment to compassion.

Eid Al Ittihad, observed annually on December 2, commemorates the 1971 unification of the emirates under one flag, symbolizing national unity and solidarity.

The United States has announced the suspension of all types of visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Bangladesh, effective from January 21, 2026. According to reports from Reuters and Fox News, the U.S. Department of State has sent instructions to consular offices in these countries to halt visa issuance indefinitely while the department reviews its current vetting procedures.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that the ministry is reassessing visa processing based on long-standing experience, aiming to prevent entry of foreign nationals who might rely on U.S. public assistance or welfare programs. The suspension follows a November 2025 directive that required consular officers worldwide to strictly enforce the “public charge” provisions of immigration law.

That directive also instructed officers to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to depend on public aid, including those with poor health, limited English proficiency, or long-term medical needs. The suspension will remain in place until the review process is completed, with no specified end date.