Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the United States for what it described as threatening behavior and potential naval blockade measures against Venezuela. In a statement reported by Mehr News Agency, Tehran accused Washington of breaching international law and United Nations principles by attempting to obstruct Venezuela’s legitimate oil exports or detain commercial vessels.

The ministry characterized such actions as state piracy and armed robbery at sea, rejecting any justification under unilateral U.S. sanctions. It reaffirmed Venezuela’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as protected under international law, warning that interference in its internal affairs was unacceptable. Iran urged the international community and the United Nations to denounce what it called illegal U.S. actions and hold Washington accountable for violating global norms.

Diplomatic observers note that Tehran’s statement underscores its alignment with Caracas amid rising tensions with Washington. Analysts warn that continued unilateral measures could heighten geopolitical friction and threaten global maritime stability.

European members of the UN Security Council have sharply condemned escalating violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, calling it a record level of aggression. In a joint statement delivered by UK Ambassador James Kariuki on behalf of Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom, the group cited over 260 attacks against Palestinians in October alone, according to UN humanitarian data.

Kariuki emphasized that the Council will revisit Resolution 2334, which explicitly denounces settlement activities and urges Israel to comply with international law. He warned that current Israeli policies contradict the resolution, heightening instability in the West Bank and jeopardizing both Gaza’s 20-point recovery plan and prospects for a two-state solution.

The European bloc reiterated opposition to illegal settlement expansion, forced evictions in East Jerusalem, and new housing projects. They urged Israel to protect Palestinian civilians and preserve the status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites, underscoring that continued violence undermines peace efforts and regional stability.

A one-month-old Palestinian infant has died in Gaza due to severe cold, bringing the winter-related death toll to 13, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Aid agencies warn that the lack of blankets, heaters, and warm clothing is worsening the humanitarian crisis among displaced families living in makeshift shelters. Israeli restrictions on the entry of relief materials have further limited access to essential winter supplies.

Civil Defense officials have cautioned that children are at particular risk as millions remain without adequate shelter or heating. Most housing in Gaza has been destroyed, forcing families to live in tents that offer little protection from rain and freezing temperatures. The Government Media Office in Gaza accused Israel of failing to uphold ceasefire and humanitarian commitments made in October.

Since October 2023, more than 70,700 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have been killed and over 171,000 injured in the ongoing conflict, leaving Gaza in ruins and heightening the risk of further humanitarian catastrophe as winter intensifies.

The United Nations has warned that heavy rainfall has severely worsened living conditions for hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in Gaza. UNICEF spokesperson Jonathan Cricks described the weather as 'horrific,' noting that flooding reached up to 15 centimeters near his office. The Hamas-run health ministry reported that one child died from hypothermia and at least 11 others were killed when buildings collapsed due to the storm.

Despite a ceasefire in place for nine weeks, UN agencies say aid remains insufficient. Around 55,000 families have been affected by the flooding, losing their shelters and belongings, while more than 40 emergency centers have been inundated. Cricks said many families are trying to remove water with buckets, and children in wet clothes face severe health risks.

The UN estimates that roughly one million people are living in tents or makeshift shelters, many of which are at risk of collapse in strong winds. Aid agencies are calling for urgent international assistance to prevent further humanitarian deterioration as winter intensifies.

At least three people were killed early Thursday in a Ukrainian drone strike targeting Russia’s Rostov region, according to regional governor Yuri Slyusar. The attack hit a cargo ship docked at the regional capital’s port, igniting a fire that killed two sailors and injured three others. Another civilian was killed and six wounded in nearby Bataysk city. Authorities said damage assessments are underway.

The assault marks another escalation in Ukraine’s campaign to strike deep inside Russian territory, focusing on energy and logistics infrastructure that sustain Moscow’s war effort. Russian officials claim to intercept dozens of drones nightly, while Kyiv has recently acknowledged attacks on oil tankers and ports in the Black Sea, including Novorossiysk, a key oil terminal temporarily shut down after a previous strike.

Despite renewed U.S.-led diplomatic initiatives for a ceasefire, neither side has shown willingness to halt hostilities. Turkey has warned that continued attacks on Black Sea shipping could dangerously heighten regional tensions.

Lieutenant Colonel Rashed Kamal Rony, commanding officer of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Battalion-47, stated that the Bangladeshi youth Shanto, who was shot dead by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) on December 5, was killed inside Indian territory, not at the border. Speaking at a winter clothing distribution event in Kushtia, he said Shanto had illegally entered India and allegedly attempted to attack BSF personnel, prompting them to fire in self-defense.

The BGB officer emphasized that the incident should not be termed a ‘border killing,’ arguing that it occurred beyond the zero line. He added that BGB has been working to prevent illegal crossings and smuggling through increased patrols and checkpoints. According to Rony, 99 percent of border crossing attempts are successfully prevented.

The incident has reignited debate over border security and accountability between Bangladesh and India. Shanto’s body was returned eight days later following a flag meeting between the two forces. BGB maintains that it remains vigilant to prevent similar incidents and ensure civilian safety along the Kushtia-Meherpur frontier.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has called for any proposed stabilization force in Gaza to remain neutral and avoid favoring one side over another. Speaking in Washington after meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and members of Congress, he expressed concern over repeated ceasefire violations and warned that such breaches undermine mediators’ credibility and the fragile truce.

The Qatari leader said he and the U.S. Secretary of State agreed to intensify efforts to advance the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Preparations are underway for a meeting among mediators to establish a clear framework for the transition. Sheikh Mohammed also emphasized the worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza and urged for unrestricted humanitarian aid access.

He cautioned that the current situation in Gaza threatens to derail the ceasefire entirely if violations persist, underscoring the urgency of balanced international engagement and sustained diplomatic coordination.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has warned that escalating hostilities between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea are posing serious threats to maritime security. In an interview with TRT World, he said both sides have targeted commercial vessels and that drones have entered Turkish airspace, directly affecting Ankara. Neighboring countries such as Romania and Bulgaria have also faced similar incidents, he noted.

Fidan explained that the current risks trace back to floating naval mines that once reached the strategic Bosporus Strait, threatening to halt shipping entirely. Turkey’s military is now coordinating closely with Romania and Bulgaria to manage navigation and security challenges. However, he emphasized that military measures alone cannot resolve the situation and called for an immediate cessation of aggression.

Fidan cautioned that if tensions persist, the instability could extend beyond the Black Sea into Europe. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan earlier reiterated that attacks on civilian and commercial vessels benefit no one and confirmed Turkey’s strict enforcement of the Montreux Convention to prevent further escalation.

Israel has released 11 Palestinian detainees after holding them for several months, according to a statement from the Palestinian Prisoners Information Office. The release took place through a southern Gaza border crossing, though no details were provided about the prisoners’ physical condition. The International Committee of the Red Cross transported them to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah for medical evaluation.

Previous groups of released detainees had reported signs of torture, malnutrition, and serious injuries, alleging mistreatment during detention. Human rights organizations in both Israel and Palestine estimate that more than 10,000 Palestinians, including women and minors, remain imprisoned in Israel. Many face poor conditions, inadequate medical care, and reports of abuse.

The latest release follows earlier prisoner exchanges linked to ceasefire arrangements between Hamas and Israel. Observers say the move may signal limited progress in humanitarian negotiations, though concerns persist over the treatment of detainees and the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

NATO member states have approved the alliance’s 2026 civil and military budgets, allocating €528.2 million (about $623 million) for civilian operations and €2.42 billion (around $3 billion) for military expenditures. The decision was finalized during a meeting of the North Atlantic Council, the organization’s principal political decision-making body.

According to a NATO statement, the 2026 budget aims to strengthen the alliance’s readiness, interoperability, and crisis management capabilities. It will also fund NATO’s command structure, training programs, joint exercises, and capacity-building initiatives for partner nations. Officials emphasized that the budget reflects a fairer distribution of financial responsibilities among member states.

The funding increase comes amid heightened global security concerns and continued efforts to modernize NATO’s defense posture. Analysts note that the budget underscores the alliance’s commitment to collective defense and strategic adaptation as geopolitical tensions persist across Europe and beyond.

The Indian Visa Application Center at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka has resumed regular operations after a temporary suspension due to security concerns. The Indian High Commission confirmed that services restarted on Thursday morning following a one-day closure prompted by planned demonstrations near the mission premises.

The closure was initiated on Wednesday afternoon after several groups under the banner of ‘July Unity’ announced a ‘March to Indian High Commission’ protest linked to the July uprising movement. In response to the deteriorating security environment, India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in New Delhi to express concern over the situation.

The reopening signals a return to normal consular activity but highlights ongoing sensitivities in India–Bangladesh diplomatic relations. Both governments are expected to maintain heightened security coordination around foreign missions in Dhaka as political tensions continue to evolve.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with the family and relatives of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl killed during Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, the presidential office confirmed on Wednesday. The meeting took place at Ankara’s Presidential Complex, where Erdogan expressed sympathy and paid special attention to the children in the family. According to Turkish media, he also spoke via video call with relatives who could not attend in person.

Cultural and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy was also present at the meeting. Earlier, the Rajab family attended a special screening of the film “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” which portrays the young girl’s life and honors her memory. Hind Rajab’s death has drawn international attention as civilian casualties continue to mount during Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza.

Erdogan’s outreach underscores Turkey’s continued criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and its efforts to highlight the humanitarian toll of the conflict. The meeting may further strengthen Ankara’s diplomatic positioning on the Palestinian issue.

The United States has approved a record $11.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan, marking the largest defense package ever offered to the island. The deal, authorized under President Donald Trump’s administration, includes rocket systems, howitzers, Javelin anti-tank missiles, Altius combat drones, and various equipment parts. Washington described the sale as essential for strengthening Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities and maintaining regional stability.

The announcement comes as Beijing intensifies military and diplomatic pressure on Taipei, conducting frequent air and naval maneuvers near the island. Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense welcomed the decision, emphasizing that the new weapons will enhance its deterrence capacity. The Pentagon stated that the sale supports US national, economic, and security interests by modernizing Taiwan’s armed forces.

Analysts view the move as a signal of continued US commitment to Taiwan’s defense under the Taiwan Relations Act. However, the sale is expected to draw sharp criticism from China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province and opposes foreign military support.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared that his country delivered a lasting lesson to India during the brief May 2025 conflict, which followed escalating tensions in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking at an event in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sharif asserted that India’s government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi would never forget the defeat it suffered in the 87-hour war.

According to Sharif, Pakistan’s armed forces achieved victory in what he described as a ‘battle for truth,’ supported by national unity and prayers. Pakistani officials claim to have downed six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, and several drones before a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on May 10 ended hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Analysts note that Sharif’s remarks reflect Islamabad’s attempt to reinforce domestic confidence and regional deterrence. However, New Delhi has not publicly acknowledged such losses, and independent verification remains limited. The comments may further strain bilateral relations as both sides continue to rebuild diplomatic channels after the brief but intense confrontation.

Cambodia is preparing to declare a unilateral ceasefire following 11 days of intense border clashes with Thailand that have left at least 52 people dead. The conflict, which began on December 7, has seen artillery, drone, and rocket exchanges along the disputed frontier, displacing more than 800,000 civilians from both sides. Cambodia’s Defense Ministry accused Thai forces of continuing bombardments, while Thailand insisted that Phnom Penh, as the alleged aggressor, must initiate a credible ceasefire.

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Marati Nalita Andamo stated that any truce must meet specific conditions and include cooperation on landmine clearance. Cambodia has not officially responded to Thailand’s demand. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said both nations had agreed to halt fighting, though shelling reportedly continued. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul denied any external pressure to end hostilities.

The proposed ceasefire could mark a turning point in one of Southeast Asia’s most serious border escalations in recent years. Regional observers warn that without mutual trust and international mediation, renewed violence remains a significant risk.