Two Rohingya men were seriously injured in a landmine explosion on Totar Island in Myanmar’s Arakan State, near the Naf River bordering Bangladesh. The victims reportedly crossed into Bangladesh through the Hwaikong border in Teknaf after the blast and were initially treated at the Kutupalong MSF hospital before being transferred to Chittagong Medical College Hospital due to worsening conditions.

Local sources said the explosion occurred during a routine patrol by the Arakan Rohingya Army (ARA), which has been active in the conflict zone. The area has long been suspected of being mined by Myanmar’s military junta, though no clear warnings were in place. Witnesses confirmed that several injured individuals were seen crossing the border by boat with the help of local intermediaries.

The incident follows recent heavy clashes between the Arakan Army and the ARA over control of several islands along the Naf River. The fighting has heightened security concerns on both sides of the border, with stray bullets previously landing inside Bangladeshi territory.

Pakistan has accused India of sponsoring terrorist attacks within its territory, claiming to possess credible evidence of New Delhi’s involvement. Speaking before the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, Gul Kaisar Sarwani, Counselor and Political Coordinator of Pakistan’s UN Mission, alleged that India supports groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and others operating against Islamabad.

Sarwani argued that India uses unfounded terrorism allegations to divert global attention from its own record of cross-border aggression and state-backed violence in Jammu and Kashmir. He further criticized India for rejecting Pakistan’s proposal for an independent investigation into the Pahalgam attack, calling New Delhi’s actions a violation of international law.

The Pakistani diplomat also warned that India’s unilateral actions, including threats to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, amount to weaponizing water resources for political gain. The remarks underscore deepening diplomatic tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with no immediate sign of de-escalation.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new advisory for civilian aircraft operating in or near Venezuelan airspace, citing heightened military activity and deteriorating security conditions. The warning urges airlines and pilots to exercise extreme caution when flying in the region. The move follows a recent near-miss incident involving a JetBlue aircraft and a US Air Force refueling plane near Venezuelan territory.

According to AFP, this is the second such warning in a month, reflecting growing instability in the Caribbean region. Several international carriers have already rerouted flights to avoid Venezuelan airspace. Panama’s Copa Airlines announced an extension of its suspension of flights to Caracas until January 15. The advisory comes as Washington intensifies pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, deploying warships in the Caribbean and accusing him of leading a narcotics-linked criminal network.

Analysts warn that the renewed airspace restrictions could further isolate Venezuela and complicate regional air travel. The situation underscores escalating geopolitical and security tensions between the United States and the Maduro government.

Saudi Arabia has officially launched its newest multi-mission warship, ‘His Majesty King Saud,’ in Wisconsin, United States, marking the first vessel completed under the Kingdom’s Tuwaiq Project. The ship, built for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), represents a major step in Riyadh’s broader initiative to modernize its naval fleet and strengthen maritime defense capabilities.

The launch ceremony was attended by senior Saudi and U.S. military officials, including RSNF Commander Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Ghuraibi, as well as representatives from Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri, the firms involved in construction. Al-Ghuraibi highlighted the Saudi leadership’s “unlimited support” for the navy, emphasizing that the Tuwaiq Project will enhance operational readiness and safeguard strategic sea routes. The warship is designed to counter threats from air, surface, and underwater domains.

Following the ceremony, Al-Ghuraibi met with U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle to discuss expanding bilateral naval cooperation. The Tuwaiq Project underscores Saudi Arabia’s intent to build a faster, more capable maritime force amid evolving regional security challenges.

An Israeli soldier has died by suicide inside a northern military base, marking the 61st such case since Israel’s Gaza offensive began in October 2023. According to TRT World, the soldier, serving under mandatory military service, shot himself and later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital on Tuesday evening. Israeli police have launched an investigation into the incident.

The rise in suicides among returning soldiers has drawn attention to the psychological toll of prolonged conflict. Data from the Knesset Research and Information Center show that between early 2024 and July 2025, 279 Israeli soldiers attempted suicide. Analysts and mental health advocates have urged the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to expand counseling and rehabilitation programs for troops exposed to combat trauma.

Observers warn that without systemic mental health reforms, the IDF could face a growing crisis of morale and readiness. The government is expected to review existing support mechanisms for soldiers in the coming months.

Pakistan has informed the United Nations Security Council that Jammu and Kashmir was never part of India and will not be in the future. Speaking at the Council, Pakistan’s mission counsellor and political coordinator Gul Qaiser Sarwani described the region as an internationally recognized disputed territory, asserting that this position aligns with the UN’s own stance.

Sarwani reminded the Council that India had originally brought the issue to the UN and accepted the obligation to allow a plebiscite under UN supervision to determine the region’s future. He accused India of failing to fulfill that commitment for nearly eight decades while maintaining a heavy military presence and suppressing fundamental freedoms in Kashmir.

Addressing terrorism allegations, Sarwani said India uses such claims to divert attention from its own human rights record. He alleged that India engages in state-sponsored violence in occupied Kashmir and against minorities. Pakistan, he added, continues to show restraint and responsibility in the face of provocations.

The Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) located at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka announced an early closure on Wednesday due to unspecified security concerns. According to a notice published on IVAC Bangladesh’s official website, all operations were suspended from 2 p.m. onward, with no further processing of visa applications until a new schedule is announced.

The decision comes amid heightened tensions in the capital, where various political and social groups have planned demonstrations near diplomatic zones. While the Indian High Commission has not issued an official statement, the precautionary measure reflects growing worries about potential disruptions or safety risks for staff and applicants. Applicants with pending appointments have been advised to monitor official channels for updates.

The temporary closure may delay visa processing for travelers to India, including business and medical visitors. Authorities are expected to reassess the situation before resuming services, with further announcements likely in the coming days.

Mossad Director David Barnea declared that Israel bears the responsibility to ensure Iran cannot revive its nuclear program, speaking at a Jerusalem ceremony honoring agency operatives. His remarks came six months after Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during a 12-day conflict that also saw U.S. involvement. Barnea emphasized continued cooperation with Washington to prevent Tehran from rebuilding its damaged nuclear infrastructure.

Barnea, whose term ends in June 2026, praised Israel’s surprise attacks for exposing deep intelligence penetration inside Iran. He warned that Iran still harbors ambitions for nuclear weapons and criticized diplomatic efforts, claiming Tehran seeks to deceive the international community into accepting another flawed nuclear deal. Western nations have long accused Iran of pursuing nuclear arms, though Tehran denies the allegations.

The comments follow the collapse of U.S.-Iran negotiations mediated by Oman after June’s Israeli strikes. While former U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that the attacks destroyed Iran’s nuclear program, Pentagon assessments suggest only a temporary setback of one to two years, leaving uncertainty over Iran’s future nuclear capabilities.

Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have persisted across Gaza despite the October 10 ceasefire agreement brokered under U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan. Nearly 400 Palestinians have been killed since the truce began, as winter storms and flooding worsen the humanitarian crisis. Hundreds of temporary shelters have been submerged, and aid deliveries remain blocked by Israeli forces, leaving displaced families to rebuild makeshift camps from debris.

In the occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian family near Jericho, injuring five, including a child. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities plan to demolish 25 residential buildings in the Nur Shams refugee camp. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected Israel’s latest appeal to halt investigations into alleged war crimes in Gaza, reaffirming that incidents following the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack fall within its jurisdiction.

The ruling clears the way for continued ICC scrutiny of Israeli actions, including prior arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Analysts warn that renewed violence and the killing of Hamas official Raad Saad could further complicate ceasefire efforts.

The conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues to devastate the country, with no sign of resolution. Reports indicate that as violence intensifies, Britain’s arms exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—a key RSF backer—have increased. Observers and rights groups allege that British-made components are being used in RSF vehicles, indirectly supporting atrocities in Darfur and Khartoum. The UK government has denied any direct role, while refusing to condemn the UAE’s involvement.

Sudanese officials, including Lieutenant General Yasser al-Atta, have accused the RSF of ethnic cleansing and mass killings, calling the UAE’s financial influence a factor behind global silence. The United Nations has labeled Sudan’s crisis one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters, with over 150,000 killed and 12 million displaced. Activists argue that Britain’s reluctance to act stems from its deep economic ties with the UAE, one of its largest Middle Eastern trade partners.

Analysts warn that continued arms flows and diplomatic inaction could entrench Sudan’s proxy war, undermining international accountability and prolonging civilian suffering.

India’s Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed Parliament that between 2014 and 2024, Indian security forces arrested 23,926 individuals for illegal border crossings along India’s borders with Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bhutan. Of these, more than 21,000 were detained along the Bangladesh-India frontier, making it the most active route for cross-border infiltration.

The data, presented in response to questions from two Trinamool Congress MPs, showed that 18,851 arrests occurred on the Bangladesh border, followed by 1,165 on the Myanmar border, 556 on the Pakistan border, and 234 along the Nepal-Bhutan border. No infiltration incidents were reported along the India-China border during the same period. Additionally, 3,120 more individuals were detained between January and November 2025.

The figures highlight persistent challenges in managing India’s eastern border security and migration control. Analysts note that economic disparities and porous terrain continue to drive unauthorized movement, prompting calls for enhanced surveillance and bilateral cooperation between India and Bangladesh.

European leaders have announced their readiness to lead a U.S.-backed multinational force in Ukraine as part of a proposed peace framework aimed at ending the ongoing war with Russia. The coalition, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and eight other European nations, would assist in rebuilding Ukraine’s military and securing its air and sea routes. The initiative forms part of a new U.S. security guarantee package designed to bring Moscow and Kyiv closer to a peace agreement.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he has held extensive discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, NATO leaders, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming the parties are now “closer than ever” to a deal. However, the fate of Russian-occupied territories in eastern Ukraine remains a key sticking point. Trump suggested Ukraine might need to concede parts of the Donbas region in exchange for lasting security assurances, though Zelensky has previously rejected such terms.

Analysts view the European-led force as a potential turning point, but warn that any territorial concessions could spark domestic and regional backlash, complicating the fragile peace process.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the end of the Ukraine war is nearer than at any previous point, following two days of discussions in Berlin with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders. Speaking later at the White House, Trump described the talks as highly positive and said the current situation offers the most promising opportunity yet for a ceasefire agreement.

According to a senior U.S. official, around 90 percent of issues between Russia and Ukraine have been agreed upon, though territorial concessions remain unresolved. Washington has reportedly offered Kyiv a NATO-style security guarantee under an Article 5-like framework, which Russia may not oppose. However, the guarantee would not be permanent, officials cautioned.

Zelensky welcomed the U.S. proposal but reiterated his refusal to cede territory to Russia. Observers say the coming weeks will be crucial as Washington seeks to broker a compromise that could finally bring an end to the nearly three-year conflict.

Gaza’s Civil Defense teams have recovered the bodies of 30 members of the same family from the rubble of a destroyed home in western Gaza City. Officials said all the victims belonged to the Salem family, who were killed during an Israeli airstrike on their house in the Al-Rimal neighborhood on December 19, 2023. Authorities believe that as many as 60 family members may have died in that single strike.

The recovery marks the first operation under a broader effort by Gaza’s Civil Defense to locate thousands of Palestinians still trapped beneath collapsed buildings across the enclave. Despite operating with limited equipment, including only one excavator, rescue teams have vowed to continue their search.

Palestinian officials stated that Israeli forces still control more than half of Gaza’s territory despite a declared ceasefire, with continued attacks reported in several areas. The discovery highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the immense challenges facing recovery operations amid widespread destruction.

A 110-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty collapsed in Guaíba, southern Brazil, during a powerful storm on Monday afternoon. The statue, located in the parking lot of a Havan retail store near a fast-food restaurant, was severely damaged as strong winds caused it to sway and eventually break apart. Authorities confirmed that no injuries or fatalities occurred.

According to NDTV, the replica was one of several similar installations across Brazil, symbolizing the retail chain’s brand identity. The upper 24 meters of the structure were destroyed, while the 11-meter base remained intact. Havan stated that the statue, installed in 2020, had all required technical certifications. Following the collapse, the area was cordoned off to ensure public safety, and cleanup operations began within hours.

Local officials are assessing the extent of the damage and reviewing safety standards for similar structures nationwide. The incident highlights growing concerns about infrastructure resilience amid increasingly severe weather patterns in southern Brazil.