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.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised Ahmed Al Ahmed, a Muslim man injured while stopping a gunman during the Bondi Beach shooting, calling him a “national hero.” Visiting Al Ahmed at St. George Hospital in Sydney, the prime minister thanked the 43-year-old father of two for his bravery and self-sacrifice, saying his actions symbolized national unity in the face of terror.

Police said Al Ahmed tackled one of the attackers, disarmed him, and forced his surrender despite being shot multiple times. The assault, carried out by a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son, left 15 people dead and 42 injured. Authorities have declared the incident a terrorist attack and are investigating possible motives and links.

Albanese urged Australians to reject fear and division, emphasizing solidarity against extremism. Vigils and candlelight gatherings were held across Sydney to honor the victims, as the nation mourns one of its deadliest public attacks in recent years.

Turkey’s Defense Ministry announced that its air force shot down an unidentified unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) approaching Turkish airspace over the Black Sea. The ministry said the action followed standard security procedures to ensure airspace safety. NATO-assigned and nationally controlled F-16 fighter jets were dispatched on an alert mission after the suspicious aircraft was detected, confirming it was an uncontrolled drone. It was destroyed in a safe area away from residential zones to avoid potential risks.

The incident occurred as regional tensions around the Black Sea have intensified, driven by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Ankara has repeatedly warned that the war should not spill over into maritime trade or regional commerce. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently called for limited agreements to protect energy infrastructure and ensure safe commercial navigation, citing the 2022 UN- and Turkey-brokered grain deal as a model.

Analysts view the drone incident as a reminder of the fragile security environment in the Black Sea, where overlapping military operations and surveillance activities continue to raise the risk of miscalculation.

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed sorrow over the sentencing of Hong Kong media entrepreneur and pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai, urging Chinese President Xi Jinping to consider his release. Speaking to reporters, Trump said he had discussed the matter with Xi, citing humanitarian grounds due to Lai’s age and health condition. Lai, the 78-year-old founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, was convicted under Hong Kong’s national security law and faces a potential life sentence.

Following Trump’s remarks, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the verdict, calling it evidence of China’s suppression of free speech and democratic rights. Rubio reminded that China had pledged to maintain Hong Kong’s separate judicial system after the 1997 handover. Rights groups and Christian activists, many of whom support Trump, have also demanded Lai’s immediate release, citing his deteriorating health after more than 1,800 days in detention.

Analysts view Lai’s conviction as part of Beijing’s broader crackdown on dissent following the 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, deepening concerns over the erosion of the city’s autonomy and press freedom.

On December 16, 1971, as Pakistani forces formally surrendered in Dhaka, the city’s residents were largely unaware of the historic moment unfolding inside the cantonment. While Indian troops entered the capital around 10:40 a.m., and the unconditional surrender was signed at the Racecourse Ground at 5 p.m., most civilians learned of Bangladesh’s liberation only later through radio broadcasts. Outside, freedom fighters emerged from hiding, and crowds shouted slogans of victory, even as sporadic gunfire echoed across the city.

Researchers and eyewitnesses describe a day marked by confusion and anticipation. Meetings between Indian Major General Gandharv Singh Nagra and Pakistan’s Major General Jamshed finalized the surrender terms, while inside the cantonment, tension persisted. Historian Mofidul Hoque and journalist Afsan Chowdhury recall that many Dhaka residents could not grasp the full scale of events until evening.

The surrender, signed by Lt. Gen. A.A.K. Niazi and Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora, ended nine months of brutal conflict and marked the birth of Bangladesh. Yet, fear and disbelief lingered in the streets, reflecting the trauma of a nation emerging from war.

Bangladesh has achieved a new world record as 54 paratroopers performed a synchronized free-fall jump carrying national flags over Tejgaon Old Airport in Dhaka on Tuesday. The event, marking the 54th anniversary of the country’s independence, was organized by the Armed Forces and attended by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus as the chief guest. The jump from nearly 12,000 feet symbolized each year of independence, creating the world’s largest flag-bearing parachuting display.

The team, named “Team Bangladesh,” included 46 army, 5 navy, and 2 air force personnel, along with BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun. The final six paratroopers honored Bangladeshi peacekeepers killed in Sudan by carrying their names. Thousands of spectators gathered from early morning to witness the historic moment amid tight security. The event also featured a joint fly-past by the three services and a Victory Day band show.

Officials said the record highlights Bangladesh’s growing stature in international peacekeeping and military professionalism. Similar celebrations took place nationwide, with naval ships and military museums opened to the public.

A private aircraft traveling from Acapulco to Toluca crashed on Monday, December 15, killing at least seven people and injuring four others, according to ABC News. The crash occurred in San Mateo Atenco, just five kilometers from Toluca International Airport. Officials said the plane carried eight passengers and two crew members.

Adrián Hernández, coordinator of the Mexico State Civil Protection, reported that the aircraft appeared to attempt an emergency landing on a football field but struck the roof of a nearby factory, igniting a fire. Local mayor Ana Muñiz confirmed that around 130 residents were evacuated from the area as a precaution. Emergency services quickly responded to contain the blaze and assist survivors.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash, while urging the public to avoid the surrounding area. Preliminary findings suggest mechanical failure or pilot error could be factors, though no official cause has yet been confirmed.

A major road accident occurred on the Delhi-Agra Expressway near Mathura, India, on Tuesday morning due to dense fog that severely reduced visibility. According to local reports, seven buses and three cars collided in a chain reaction, leaving at least four people dead and 25 others injured. Several vehicles caught fire following the collision, causing panic among passengers and complicating rescue operations.

Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar confirmed that emergency teams were deployed immediately to clear the expressway and transport the injured to nearby hospitals. Authorities cited poor visibility as the primary cause of the accident, which occurred during early morning hours when fog was at its thickest. Traffic movement on the expressway was temporarily halted as rescue and cleanup efforts continued.

Officials have urged motorists to exercise caution amid worsening winter fog conditions across northern India. The incident highlights recurring safety challenges on major highways during the fog season, prompting renewed calls for improved road safety measures and better fog-warning systems.