At least eight people were killed and 27 injured after a Russian missile strike hit the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa late Friday, according to Ukraine’s emergency services. The attack targeted port infrastructure, igniting fires in nearby vehicles and damaging facilities. Odesa regional governor Oleh Kiper said ballistic missiles were used in the strike, which caused extensive destruction in the port area.

In a parallel development, Ukraine claimed responsibility for drone attacks on a Lukoil-operated oil rig and a Russian patrol vessel named ‘Okhotnik’ in the Caspian Sea. The Ukrainian General Staff described the operation as part of an ongoing campaign against Russian energy infrastructure, marking the first official acknowledgment of such strikes in the region. Damage was also reported to a radar system in Crimea’s Krasnosilske area, occupied by Russia since 2014.

Kyiv maintains that Russian oil facilities are legitimate military targets, arguing that energy revenues directly fund Moscow’s war effort. The escalation underscores the widening geographic scope of the conflict and the growing use of long-range strikes by both sides.

The crescent moon marking the beginning of the Islamic month of Rajab was sighted in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, signaling the start of the seventh month in the Hijri calendar. With this sighting, the formal countdown to the holy month of Ramadan has begun for Muslims worldwide, according to Gulf News. Rajab is one of the four sacred months in Islam, traditionally observed as a time for spiritual reflection and preparation before Ramadan.

Religious authorities noted that if both Rajab and Sha'ban months complete 29 or 30 days each, Ramadan is expected to begin in about 60 to 61 days. The exact start date will be confirmed by official moon-sighting committees in each country. In Bangladesh, the National Moon Sighting Committee, led by Religious Affairs Adviser A.F.M. Khalid Hossain, is scheduled to meet on Sunday to confirm local sightings. Based on current calculations, Ramadan in South Asia is likely to begin on February 19, unless the moon sighting is delayed by a day.

The sighting of Rajab’s moon marks the beginning of spiritual preparations across the Muslim world, as communities gear up for the fasting month ahead.

A large digital billboard campaign in central London has drawn attention for accusing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of supporting Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group accused of atrocities during the Sudanese civil war. The campaign, organized by U.S.-based nonprofit Avaaz, uses AI-generated imagery showing a woman taking a selfie in Dubai, juxtaposed with war-torn Sudan in the reflection, carrying the caption: “Your selfie won’t look so good if you knew what they’re doing in Sudan.”

The billboard, projected on a moving van and looping every 80 seconds, includes a QR code linking to investigative reports from outlets such as *Middle East Eye*, *The Guardian*, and *The New York Times*. Passersby in London expressed surprise at the UAE’s alleged involvement, with some saying the campaign changed their perception of Dubai. The UAE has denied arming the RSF, calling related media reports fabricated, but analysts cite flight data, weapons serial numbers, and diplomatic sources suggesting ongoing Emirati support.

The campaign underscores growing international scrutiny of the UAE’s regional military activities and its potential implications for diplomatic relations with Western allies.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has announced that hearings in the genocide case filed by Gambia against Myanmar will begin from January 12 to 29, 2026. The case accuses Myanmar of committing genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority during a 2017 military crackdown that forced more than 730,000 people to flee to Bangladesh. Gambia, backed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, initiated the case in 2019, arguing that Myanmar violated the 1948 Genocide Convention.

During the first week of hearings, Gambia will present its arguments from January 12 to 15, followed by Myanmar’s defense from January 16 to 20. The court has also allocated three days for witness testimonies. Myanmar continues to deny the genocide allegations, claiming its operations targeted Rohingya insurgents responsible for attacks on security forces.

The proceedings mark a critical phase in a case closely watched by human rights advocates and international observers. A final judgment could take years, but the hearings are expected to shape global accountability discussions regarding mass atrocities and minority protection.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet former U.S. President Donald Trump later this month to discuss Iran’s expanding ballistic missile program and potential military responses, according to an NBC News report citing Israeli officials. The meeting is likely to take place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where Netanyahu plans to outline Israel’s assessment of Iran’s growing threat.

Israeli sources told NBC that Tehran has been rebuilding its uranium enrichment facilities following U.S. airstrikes in June, raising fears of renewed escalation. Officials in Jerusalem reportedly intend to alert Trump to possible preemptive action against Iran. The meeting comes only months after a brief two-week conflict between Israel and Iran earlier this year, during which Israel claimed to have damaged Iran’s missile infrastructure.

Neither the Israeli government nor Iran’s mission to the United Nations commented on the report. Analysts suggest the talks could signal Israel’s effort to secure U.S. political backing for future operations, as regional tensions remain high.

The United States has made halting Sudan’s ongoing war its top foreign policy priority, citing an escalating humanitarian catastrophe. At a year-end press briefing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Washington’s goal to establish a humanitarian ceasefire at the start of the new year, enabling aid agencies to reach millions trapped by fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Rubio acknowledged that delivering aid has become nearly impossible amid reports of attacks on relief convoys and worsening insecurity. He accused external actors of fueling the conflict and confirmed that the US is coordinating with regional governments to pressure both sides into talks. Despite repeated mediation attempts, ceasefire efforts have so far failed.

The war, which erupted in April 2023 after Sudan’s failed transition to civilian rule, has displaced hundreds of thousands and intensified food shortages, particularly after the RSF seized El Fasher in North Darfur in October. Washington’s renewed push signals growing concern that Sudan’s crisis could destabilize the wider region.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Washington is preparing to establish a new governance structure for Gaza, followed by the deployment of an international security force to stabilize the region. The plan aims to reinforce the fragile ceasefire brokered in October under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has been undermined by continued Israeli strikes.

Rubio said the proposal includes forming an international governing board and a Palestinian technocratic authority to manage Gaza’s civil affairs. He confirmed progress in identifying potential Palestinian members but noted that key issues remain unresolved, including how to disarm Hamas. Several countries, including Pakistan, have expressed interest in participating, though concerns persist about potential involvement in active conflict.

The US diplomat emphasized that clear mandates and funding mechanisms must be defined before troop commitments are made. He also linked effective governance and security to unlocking international reconstruction funds, warning that donors will hesitate to invest without assurances of long-term stability.

Venezuela’s ambassador to the United Nations, Samuel Moncada, has sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments describing Venezuelan territory and oil resources as effectively belonging to the United States. Speaking at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly on the International Day for the Elimination of Colonialism, Moncada called the remarks a severe breach of international law and the UN Charter.

Moncada accused Washington of reviving 19th-century imperialist attitudes and undermining the principles of state sovereignty. He described the U.S. stance as a “crime against civilized conduct” and urged respect for the UN Charter. The Venezuelan diplomat further argued that the Trump administration’s policies were fostering global instability and transforming modern forms of control into acts of aggression.

Expressing solidarity with Palestine and Puerto Rico, Moncada said foreign domination contradicts the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. His statement underscores growing tensions between Caracas and Washington, as Venezuela continues to resist external pressure and defend its sovereignty on the global stage.

The bodies of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers killed in a terrorist drone attack on a UN peacekeeping base in Sudan’s Abyei region have returned to Dhaka. The flight carrying the remains landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday morning, where senior military and civilian officials received them. A funeral prayer will be held on Sunday at the Dhaka Cantonment Central Mosque before the bodies are flown to their respective hometowns for burial with full military honors.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the soldiers were martyred in the December 13 attack targeting the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). Nine other Bangladeshi peacekeepers were injured, eight of whom are being treated at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi and are reportedly out of danger. The Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Mizanur Rahman Shamim, led the reception ceremony, joined by UN and government representatives.

Bangladesh, one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, has expressed deep sorrow over the loss while reaffirming its commitment to global peace operations.

Turkey’s Interior Ministry confirmed that a Russian-made unmanned aerial vehicle, believed to be an Orlan-10 model, was found crashed in the northwestern province of Kocaeli. The ministry said the drone, typically used for reconnaissance missions, was discovered in the Kyubuklubala area, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident.

Local media reported that the drone showed visible damage, though authorities have not confirmed whether it was shot down or suffered a technical malfunction. The crash occurred just days after Turkish forces downed another drone that had entered its airspace from the Black Sea. The incidents come as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned against the Black Sea becoming a “zone of conflict” between Russia and Ukraine.

The discovery follows a recent Russian airstrike near Ukraine’s Odesa that damaged a Turkish vessel, underscoring the region’s growing volatility. Analysts say Ankara is likely to raise the issue with Moscow as it seeks to balance ties with both Russia and Ukraine.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that while famine in Gaza has been averted following the recent ceasefire, the humanitarian situation remains dire. Speaking at UN headquarters in New York, Guterres said over 75% of Gaza’s population—around 1.6 million people—are suffering from severe food insecurity and face heightened risks of malnutrition.

Guterres urged all parties to ensure a sustainable ceasefire and called for the removal of restrictions on border crossings, the entry of essential supplies, and bureaucratic barriers that hinder aid delivery. He emphasized the need for safe routes within Gaza, consistent donor funding, and uninterrupted access for humanitarian agencies. The UN chief also highlighted worsening conditions in the West Bank, where Palestinians face escalating settler violence, land seizures, and home demolitions.

Guterres stressed that advancing to the second phase of the peace plan is essential, warning that continued inaction would deepen the crisis and prolong civilian suffering across the occupied territories.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow is ready to consider halting attacks on Ukraine during its election days if Ukrainians living in Russia are granted voting rights. Speaking at a year-end press conference in Moscow, Putin linked a potential ceasefire to the participation of Ukrainian citizens residing in Russia, estimated between five and ten million people, in Ukraine’s national elections.

Putin stated that Russia could ensure security during the Ukrainian elections by refraining from deep strikes into Ukrainian territory, provided that Kyiv allows its citizens in Russia to vote. The proposal, reported by Turkey-based Anadolu Agency, marks a rare public linkage between Russia’s military actions and Ukraine’s electoral process.

Analysts view the statement as a strategic move to influence Ukraine’s domestic politics and international negotiations. Kyiv has not yet responded officially, but Western observers are likely to interpret the offer as an attempt to exert political pressure under the guise of humanitarian concern.

Iran has executed a man identified as Aghil Keshavarz after convicting him of espionage on behalf of Israel, according to the country’s judiciary. Officials stated that all legal procedures were completed before the execution, which was carried out following a court verdict that found Keshavarz guilty of collaborating with Israeli intelligence and conducting surveillance on Iranian military and security sites.

Judicial documents revealed that Keshavarz had allegedly established contact with Israel’s intelligence and security services through cyberspace, maintaining communication with the Israeli military and the Mossad. He was arrested earlier this year in the northwestern city of Urmia during April and May.

The execution comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel following a series of confrontations in mid-2025. Human rights organizations have criticized Iran’s increasing use of the death penalty in espionage-related cases, warning that such actions could further escalate regional hostilities and complicate diplomatic efforts.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed gratitude to Pakistan for showing interest in joining a proposed international stability force for Gaza. Speaking at a press conference in Washington on Friday, Rubio said the US appreciates Pakistan’s willingness to contribute to peacekeeping efforts, though Islamabad has not yet made a final decision on troop deployment.

Rubio noted that several countries have expressed readiness to send forces, and if Pakistan confirms participation, it would become a key partner in the mission. He added that certain operational and political issues must be clarified before the force can be deployed. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi confirmed that no final decision has been made regarding participation in the International Stability Force (ISF).

The move follows earlier remarks by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in November, indicating readiness to send troops to Gaza. Analysts suggest Pakistan’s involvement could strengthen its diplomatic standing but may also draw scrutiny from regional actors. Further announcements on the ISF’s structure and leadership are expected soon.

Amnesty International has called on governments worldwide to prevent a German-owned cargo vessel from delivering a large consignment of military equipment to Israel. The ship, sailing under the Portuguese flag, is reportedly carrying around 440 tons of mortar bomb components, projectiles, and military-grade steel. Amnesty claims the shipment poses a serious risk of being used in potential war crimes or genocide in Gaza.

According to Amnesty’s verification, the vessel, named *Holger Z*, departed India on November 16 and is en route to the Israeli port of Haifa. The organization’s senior director for research and advocacy, Erika Guevara-Rosas, stated that allowing the cargo to reach Israel could contribute to ongoing atrocities against Palestinians. She warned that countries continuing normal trade with Israel risk complicity in genocide and crimes against humanity.

The appeal comes amid heightened scrutiny of arms transfers to Israel during the Gaza conflict. Observers expect renewed debate over international arms control and accountability mechanisms in the coming weeks.