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.

The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned a drone attack on a UN peacekeeping base in Sudan’s South Kordofan region that killed six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and injured nine others. The attack, which occurred on December 13 at the Kadugli logistics base of the UN mission, was reportedly carried out by a separatist armed group.

In a statement issued Friday, the Council expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Bangladesh. It emphasized that attacks on UN personnel and facilities pose a serious threat to international peace and security and may constitute war crimes under international law. The Council urged that those responsible be held accountable without delay.

The statement also called for enhanced cooperation between Sudan and South Sudan to ensure the safety of peacekeepers and the stability of the region. Bangladesh, one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, has lost several personnel in similar attacks in recent years.

The United States has imposed sanctions on 29 ships and their management companies allegedly involved in transporting Iranian crude oil and petroleum products. The US Treasury Department stated that these vessels, described as part of Iran’s 'ghost fleet,' used deceptive practices to move hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of oil in violation of existing sanctions. The ships are reportedly old, with opaque ownership structures and documentation that fails to meet international port standards.

Washington said the move aims to curb Tehran’s funding sources for its nuclear program and regional militant groups. Iran, however, insists its nuclear activities are for civilian purposes. The new sanctions come amid heightened tensions following five rounds of failed indirect nuclear talks and a 12-day air conflict in June, during which US and Israeli forces targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.

Analysts say the sanctions could further strain global energy markets and complicate diplomatic efforts to revive nuclear negotiations. The Iranian mission to the United Nations has not commented on the latest measures.

The bodies of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers killed in a terrorist drone strike in Sudan’s Abyei region have arrived in Dhaka. The aircraft carrying the remains landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday morning, where military officials received them with full honors. The soldiers were serving under the United Nations peacekeeping mission when their base at Kadugli Logistics was attacked on December 13 by an armed separatist group.

According to the Bangladesh Army, nine other peacekeepers were injured in the incident, though all are now out of danger and receiving medical care. One has already been discharged from hospital. The fallen soldiers include Corporal Masud Rana and five others from various districts across Bangladesh. The army expressed deep condolences to their families and reaffirmed its commitment to global peacekeeping efforts.

The attack highlights growing security risks for UN missions in conflict zones such as Sudan, where drone warfare has become increasingly common. Bangladesh, one of the largest troop contributors to UN peacekeeping, is expected to review safety protocols for its deployed personnel.

A recent article in the U.S. magazine *1945*, authored by defense analyst Brent Eastwood, warns that the United States could become entangled in armed conflicts with five nations—China, Russia, Iran, Venezuela, and North Korea—by 2026. The analysis suggests that despite President Donald Trump’s diplomatic efforts during his second term to reduce global tensions, escalating geopolitical frictions may still push Washington toward multiple confrontations.

Eastwood highlights several flashpoints: potential Chinese aggression toward Taiwan, ongoing Russian operations in Ukraine, and rising tensions in the Caribbean linked to U.S. anti-narcotics missions near Venezuela. The report also notes that U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and North Korea’s continued hostility toward South Korea could trigger proxy or direct wars. Experts caution that even limited military incidents could spiral into broader conflicts.

While the Trump administration emphasizes peace deals and ceasefire diplomacy, analysts warn that the global security environment remains volatile. The coming year may test Washington’s ability to balance deterrence with restraint across multiple theaters of potential conflict.

At least six people were killed when an Israeli airstrike hit a wedding ceremony in Gaza City on Wednesday. The attack targeted the second floor of a school that had been converted into a shelter, according to local media. The incident occurred as representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey were in the United States to discuss the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Gaza’s media office reported that Israel has violated the US-brokered truce more than 500 times since it took effect in October. The Israeli military said its forces identified several suspected individuals in the northern Gaza ‘Yellow Line’ area and opened fire to neutralize what it described as a threat. Meanwhile, US envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed ongoing talks in Miami with regional partners, including the UAE, to shape Gaza’s future governance.

Washington’s proposal reportedly includes forming a Palestinian technocratic committee, establishing a peace board, and deploying an international force in the territory. Analysts say the latest strike could complicate diplomatic efforts to sustain the fragile ceasefire.

At least seven people were killed and 15 others injured after a Russian missile strike hit the Odesa port area in southern Ukraine, according to regional officials. The attack triggered fires among parked trucks near the port, which serves as one of Ukraine’s key maritime trade hubs on the Black Sea. Governor Oleh Kiper confirmed the incident via Telegram, noting that ballistic missiles were used in the assault.

Odesa, home to three major ports, is vital for Ukraine’s grain and goods exports to Europe and beyond. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the city and its ports have been frequent targets of missile and drone attacks. The latest strike follows weeks of intensified air assaults across the Odesa region. Russian authorities have not commented on the incident.

The renewed attacks raise concerns about Ukraine’s export infrastructure and the safety of Black Sea shipping routes, which remain critical for global food supply chains.

The United States has launched a large-scale military operation in Syria targeting Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) positions. President Donald Trump announced the strikes on his Truth Social platform, describing them as a retaliatory response to the killing of two American soldiers and an interpreter in Palmyra last week. The campaign involves airstrikes, helicopter assaults, and artillery fire across central Syria.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), more than 70 targets were hit using over 100 precision-guided munitions, with aircraft from Jordan participating in the mission. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated that the US will continue its relentless fight against terrorists threatening American forces and allies. Syria’s foreign ministry reaffirmed its commitment to combating ISIS and invited international partners to support the effort.

Analysts suggest the renewed offensive signals Washington’s intent to reassert its counterterrorism presence in the region. The cooperation of Syria’s new government could mark a shift in regional dynamics, though risks of escalation remain high as ISIS cells persist in desert areas.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia will not engage in any new wars after Ukraine if Western nations respect Moscow’s interests. Speaking during a televised interview on Friday, Putin dismissed allegations that Russia intends to attack European countries, calling such claims baseless. He emphasized that mutual respect between Russia and the West could prevent further military conflicts.

Earlier this month, Putin reiterated that Russia has no plans to go to war with Europe, but warned that his country remains ready if provoked. He also conditioned peace on NATO refraining from what he described as deceptive eastern expansion. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials reported that a Russian missile strike in the southern Odesa region killed seven people and injured fifteen others, underscoring the ongoing toll of the conflict that began in February 2022.

Analysts suggest Putin’s remarks aim to project a defensive posture while maintaining pressure on NATO and Western governments. The statement comes amid continued international scrutiny of Russia’s military actions and diplomatic isolation.

Four Pakistani soldiers were killed in a terrorist attack on a security forces camp in North Waziristan’s Boa area, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed on Friday. Militants identified as members of the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), referred to locally as 'Fitna al-Khariji,' launched the assault using an explosives-laden vehicle after failing to breach the camp’s outer defenses.

The explosion caused the collapse of the camp’s wall, damaging a nearby mosque and civilian infrastructure. Fifteen civilians, including women and children, were seriously injured. The ISPR named the fallen soldiers and stated that the attackers were allegedly supported from across the Afghan border. Pakistan urged the Taliban-led Afghan government to prevent its territory from being used by anti-Pakistan militants.

The incident underscores ongoing cross-border security tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as Islamabad continues to face escalating militant violence in its northwestern tribal regions. Analysts warn that failure to curb such attacks could further strain bilateral relations and destabilize the border areas.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that the Russian-made Oreshnik missile system has been deployed and placed on full combat alert. Speaking at the 7th All-Belarusian People’s Assembly in Minsk, Lukashenko said the system’s initial position had been prepared and deployment completed the previous day. He described the move as a signal that Belarus is ready to respond if the security situation deteriorates.

The Oreshnik system, first used by Russia in a 2024 strike on Ukraine’s Dnipro region, marks a deepening of Belarus’s military cooperation with Moscow. Lukashenko noted that the deployment followed an earlier agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In his address, he also discussed a “constructive but difficult” dialogue with the United States, suggesting possible talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and indicating that Washington may consider lifting sanctions.

Discussions are reportedly underway to reopen the U.S. embassy in Minsk, though security concerns remain unresolved. Lukashenko also commented on the European Union’s internal instability, reflecting Belarus’s cautious stance toward Western engagement.

The European Union has designated seven countries—Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Kosovo, India, Morocco, and Tunisia—as 'safe countries of origin,' marking a major shift in its asylum policy. Under the new framework, asylum applications from these nations will no longer receive the same priority and will likely face higher rejection rates unless applicants can individually prove a credible threat to their safety. The decision, announced on International Migrants Day, follows the EU’s broader asylum system reform approved in 2024.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the move as an attempt to sidestep international legal obligations and endanger vulnerable migrants. Critics such as French MP Mélissa Camara and the Danish Refugee Council warned that the policy could lead to unmonitored deportation centers and increased risks of mistreatment. EU officials, however, argue that the classification will streamline migration management and strengthen border control.

The new asylum and migration pact is set to take effect in June 2026. The EU has indicated that the list may expand further, depending on future legislative reviews and geopolitical assessments.