Israel carried out a new series of airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Monday, targeting several areas including Mount Safi, Jbaa, and the Zefta Valley, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. The Israeli military said the attacks struck Hezbollah-linked sites, including a training compound used by the group’s elite Radwan Force and a rocket-launching site. No casualties were immediately reported, but the strikes caused damage to multiple homes and reignited anger over repeated Israeli violations of the 2024 US-brokered ceasefire.

The escalation comes just days after Israel and Lebanon agreed to send civilian envoys to a military committee overseeing the truce, a move encouraged by Washington. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed his country’s commitment to negotiations, while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called for a stronger ceasefire monitoring mechanism, even suggesting openness to US and French participation. UN officials have warned that Israel’s ongoing strikes, which have killed at least 127 civilians since the ceasefire began, may constitute war crimes.

The renewed hostilities follow Israel’s recent assassination of Hezbollah commander Haytham Ali Tabtabai in Beirut. Analysts warn that continued air raids risk collapsing the fragile truce and could draw both nations into another prolonged conflict.

Israel carried out a series of heavy airstrikes in southern Lebanon late on Monday, December 8, targeting infrastructure linked to Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force. According to the Israeli military, the strikes focused on the group’s training and qualification grounds, which were allegedly used to plan and execute attacks against Israel. The operation marks one of the most significant escalations since the recent ceasefire.

Since the truce took effect on November 27, 2024, Israel has conducted multiple air raids across Lebanon, particularly in the southern and eastern border regions. Local reports suggest near-daily bombardments, raising fears of renewed large-scale conflict. Israel has justified the strikes as a defensive measure to neutralize Hezbollah threats and continues to maintain troop deployments at five key positions along the border.

Analysts warn that the ongoing hostilities risk undermining the fragile ceasefire and could draw regional actors, including Iran, deeper into confrontation. Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate remain limited, with both sides signaling readiness for further military action.

At least seven people have been killed in renewed border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, officials confirmed on Tuesday. Cambodian authorities reported that two civilians were killed overnight in Banteay Meanchey province after Thai forces shelled the area, bringing the total death toll to seven. Earlier, four Cambodian civilians were killed and ten injured in artillery fire along the Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey border zones.

The Thai military said one of its soldiers was killed and 18 others wounded since the fighting began on Sunday. Both sides have accused each other of initiating the latest round of hostilities, which included airstrikes and the use of tanks by Thai forces. The violence marks one of the deadliest flare-ups in recent years along the disputed frontier.

The conflict stems from a century-old border disagreement dating back to the French colonial era, with both nations claiming sovereignty over several temple areas. Regional observers warn that continued escalation could undermine ASEAN stability and call for urgent diplomatic intervention.

Israel carried out extensive airstrikes across southern Lebanon early Monday, targeting sites allegedly used by Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force. According to the Israeli military, the attacks struck training and qualification grounds that the group used to plan and execute operations against Israel. The strikes occurred around midnight local time, marking one of the most intense bombardments in recent weeks.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the operation aimed to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure near the border. Since the ceasefire took effect on November 27, Israel has conducted multiple air raids in Beirut and near the southern and eastern border regions, citing ongoing threats from Hezbollah. Lebanese sources reported significant damage, though casualty figures remain unclear.

Analysts warn that the renewed escalation could undermine the fragile truce and risk drawing the conflict deeper into Lebanese territory. Israel continues to maintain troop deployments at five key positions along the Lebanon border, signaling potential for further confrontations.

Nigerian security forces have rescued 100 students abducted last month from St. Mary’s Catholic Boarding School in Papiri village, Niger State. The joint military-police operation freed the hostages on December 7, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The attack, carried out on November 21 by armed assailants, initially saw 227 students and 12 teachers taken hostage.

Authorities launched an immediate rescue mission that lasted 15 days, resulting in the safe recovery of 100 students. However, 127 students and teachers remain missing, and their whereabouts are still unknown. CAN’s Niger branch leader, Daniel Atori, said the organization has received no updates from the government and continues to pray for the safe return of those still held.

The incident underscores Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, particularly in the country’s northern and central regions, where armed groups influenced by al-Qaeda and Islamic State have intensified attacks on Christian institutions. Similar mass abductions have occurred in Kaduna and other states, highlighting the persistent threat to education and religious communities.

The Italian Embassy in Dhaka has released an urgent notice outlining the procedure for Bangladeshi citizens applying for Italian work visas. According to the announcement issued on Monday, December 8, applicants holding a 2025-issued or reconfirmed work nulla osta must register through a specific VFS Global web portal. They are required to upload a copy of the employer-provided nulla osta, after which the embassy will verify its validity and assign an appointment within a few days.

The embassy further clarified that applicants with nulla osta documents issued in 2023 or 2024 must wait until the Italian immigration office completes its review. Once the review is finalized, VFS Global will contact them directly for further processing. The embassy emphasized that following the official registration process is essential to avoid misinformation or delays.

This directive aims to streamline the visa application process amid growing demand from Bangladeshi workers seeking employment in Italy. The embassy’s structured approach is expected to reduce confusion and ensure timely scheduling for eligible applicants.

Russia has claimed control over two additional strategically important settlements in Ukraine’s Kharkiv and Donetsk regions, even as US-mediated peace talks continue. According to a report by Anadolu Agency on Sunday, the Russian Defense Ministry stated that its forces used guided bombs, drones, and Kinzhal missiles to destroy Ukrainian communication lines, military infrastructure, and fuel depots. The ministry also asserted that Ukrainian troops were encircled in the Dimitrov area of Donetsk.

Ukraine, however, has denied losing new territory, saying its defense lines remain intact. Kyiv’s eastern command reported launching a major counterattack on Russian positions in Pokrovsk, forcing Russian troops to retreat from Myrnohrad. Ukrainian officials also claimed that Russian forces were trapped near a dam in Kharkiv. The conflicting reports highlight the ongoing intensity of the war despite diplomatic efforts.

Analysts warn that Russia’s latest territorial claims could complicate peace negotiations and further strain relations between Moscow and Western allies supporting Kyiv.

The United Kingdom and Qatar have jointly announced a humanitarian assistance package worth $11.2 million to support more than 647,000 Rohingya refugees and local host communities in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar district. The funding aims to strengthen humanitarian relief and environmental protection efforts in one of the world’s largest refugee settlements.

According to a statement from the British High Commission in Dhaka, the partnership reflects both countries’ commitment to building safer, healthier, and more sustainable communities. The assistance will focus on improving living conditions for vulnerable Rohingya families and reducing environmental degradation by providing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to replace firewood as a cooking fuel.

Officials expressed optimism that the initiative will reduce deforestation caused by high demand for firewood since the mass influx of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar in 2017. The joint effort underscores continued international engagement in addressing the protracted refugee crisis and supporting Bangladesh’s humanitarian response.

U.S. President Donald Trump has voiced disappointment with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for not yet reviewing Washington’s draft peace proposal aimed at resolving the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Speaking to reporters at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Trump said he was 'a bit disappointed' that Zelensky had not read the document, though he noted that some of Zelensky’s close aides had responded positively to it.

The peace plan, initially a 28-point proposal introduced last November, faced criticism from Kyiv and European partners, prompting revisions that reduced it to 22 points. Trump said the updated version considers both Moscow’s and Kyiv’s positions, leaving only a few unresolved issues. Recent discussions in Florida between U.S. and Ukrainian officials concluded with follow-up calls to Zelensky by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner. The U.S. is reportedly exploring new approaches to territorial disputes as part of ongoing negotiations.

Analysts suggest Zelensky’s hesitation may reflect domestic political pressures and skepticism over U.S.-Russia compromises, potentially delaying progress toward a ceasefire framework.

Hamas has declared it will not accept any foreign force exercising authority inside Gaza, even as Israel and the United States prepare to advance to the second phase of Washington’s ceasefire and stabilization plan. Senior Hamas official Basem Naim said the group is open to UN monitoring forces along Gaza’s borders to oversee truce compliance but rejects any disarmament role for international troops within Palestinian territory.

The statement follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement that he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss implementing the next stage of the plan, which aims to dismantle Hamas’s military capacity. The U.S. proposal envisions an international stabilization force and a transitional Palestinian administration, though key details—such as command structure, deployment timeline, and mandate—remain undefined. Indonesia has reportedly agreed to contribute troops, but the overall framework is still unclear.

Analysts warn that the plan’s ambiguity and continued Israeli airstrikes during the truce risk undermining fragile progress. Qatar has cautioned that without full Israeli withdrawal and restored Palestinian mobility, the ceasefire could collapse at a critical juncture.

Ukraine’s armed forces now include more than 70,000 women, marking a 20% increase since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Over 5,500 of them are deployed directly on the front lines, while many others serve in technical and operational roles supported by modern warfare technologies, particularly drones.

Officials and soldiers say the rise in female participation reflects how technology has reshaped combat. Drones allow women to contribute effectively without traditional front-line exposure. Female drone pilots and technicians, such as those in the 9th Brigade and Khartia Corps, describe their missions as both challenging and transformative. President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier disclosed that around 45,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and nearly 390,000 injured since the invasion began.

Military recruiters have launched new campaigns targeting women, with female membership in some units up 20% since early 2024. As drone warfare evolves, it is redefining gender roles in Ukraine’s defense forces and signaling a broader shift toward technology-driven participation in modern conflict.

Thailand’s defense forces conducted airstrikes on Cambodian territory early Monday, December 8, following renewed border clashes. The strikes targeted Cambodian military depots in the Chong En Ma Pass area, which Thai officials claimed stored artillery and mortars used against Thai troops and civilians. Major General Winthai Suvari, head of the Thai military’s public affairs office, confirmed the operation, describing it as a response to a Cambodian attack that killed one Thai soldier and injured two others the previous day.

Cambodia’s military confirmed the airstrikes, stating they occurred around 5:04 a.m. local time and hit army installations. Cambodian officials accused Thailand of ongoing provocations along the border. No immediate reports of casualties or damage were released. The clashes prompted Thailand to evacuate thousands of residents from four border provinces—Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani—with CNN reporting that up to 70% of border communities have been relocated.

The renewed hostilities raise fears of a wider conflict between the two Southeast Asian neighbors, who have a long history of territorial disputes near ancient temple zones.

Thailand and Cambodia have once again clashed along their shared border, breaking months of uneasy calm. On Sunday, troops from both sides exchanged gunfire in Thailand’s Si Sa Ket province, leaving at least two Thai soldiers injured. The Thai military reported that Cambodian forces opened fire around 2:15 p.m. local time, prompting a retaliatory response that lasted roughly 35 minutes. Thousands of residents from four Thai border provinces were evacuated to safety following the incident.

The skirmish occurred shortly after Thailand lodged a formal complaint at the United Nations, accusing Cambodia of secretly planting landmines inside Thai territory. Bangkok claimed that several Thai and Chinese nationals had been injured by the explosions and urged the UN to investigate. Phnom Penh has not yet issued an official response.

This latest confrontation threatens to unravel the fragile ceasefire brokered last July after a five-day conflict that killed 32 people. Regional observers warn that renewed hostilities could destabilize the broader Southeast Asian border region unless diplomatic channels reopen quickly.

At least 23 Afghan Taliban soldiers were killed in cross-border attacks by Pakistani forces over the past two days, according to a report by Pakistan’s The News on Sunday, December 7. The clashes occurred near the Chaman border in Balochistan, where Pakistani troops reportedly responded to gunfire from Afghan forces who allegedly violated a ceasefire late Friday night in the Zaman sector.

Sources cited by the report said the exchange began with small arms fire and escalated to heavy weaponry, including rockets and artillery, lasting around 45 minutes. Three Afghan border posts were reportedly destroyed. Pakistani sources claimed precision weapons were used to avoid civilian casualties, though Afghan troops later moved into populated areas, prompting further retaliatory fire.

The incident underscores the fragile security situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier, where tensions have grown since the Taliban’s return to power. Both sides have accused each other of ceasefire violations, raising concerns about potential escalation and civilian safety in border communities.

Japan and Australia have announced a new 'Strategic Defense Coordination Framework' following a high-level meeting in Tokyo, aiming to deepen defense and security cooperation in response to China's growing military activities in the region. The initiative comes just a day after Japan accused Chinese fighter jets of targeting its aircraft with fire-control radar near Okinawa, prompting an official protest from Tokyo.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles said the framework will institutionalize annual meetings among defense, military, and intelligence officials. Cooperation will extend across cyber defense, space, logistics, and supply-chain management. Both ministers emphasized a 'firm but restrained' approach to maintaining regional stability amid China's assertive posture.

Relations between Japan and China have deteriorated sharply, particularly after remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan’s security implications. Analysts say the new Japan-Australia alignment signals a broader regional effort to counterbalance Beijing’s influence and ensure freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.