A Russian military cargo aircraft crashed near Moscow on Tuesday, killing all seven people on board, including the pilot. The incident occurred in the Ivanovo region, about 200 kilometers from the capital, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry. The aircraft, identified as an AN-22 military transport plane, went down shortly after takeoff during a test flight following engine repairs.

The Defense Ministry stated that the plane crashed in an uninhabited area, preventing further casualties or damage on the ground. Preliminary reports suggest the aircraft experienced technical difficulties before the crash. A special commission has been formed to investigate the cause of the accident, and recovery operations are underway at the crash site.

The AN-22 model, one of the largest turboprop transport aircraft in the Russian military fleet, has been in service for decades. The incident raises renewed concerns about the aging condition of Russia’s military transport fleet and the safety of its maintenance procedures.

Bangladesh has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Italian defense manufacturer Leonardo S.p.A. to procure Eurofighter Typhoon multirole combat aircraft for the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF). The signing took place on December 9 at the Air Force Headquarters in Dhaka, marking a major step toward modernizing the country’s aerial defense capabilities.

The ceremony was attended by Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro, and senior military and civilian officials from both nations. According to the BAF, the Eurofighter Typhoons will eventually join the force’s frontline fleet, enhancing its operational range and combat readiness. The initiative aligns with Bangladesh’s long-term defense modernization plan.

Earlier this year, the government had formed an 11-member committee led by the Air Chief to evaluate fighter jet options, including China’s J-10 aircraft. The Typhoon deal signals Dhaka’s strategic diversification in defense procurement and could strengthen bilateral defense ties with Italy and the European Union.

A 99-member contingent of the Bangladesh Navy has departed Dhaka to join the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) as part of the Bangladesh Force Marine Unit-11. The team left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on December 9, replacing Marine Unit-10. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR), another group of 39 naval personnel will follow on December 19 to complete the deployment.

Under UN directives, Bangladesh’s naval peacekeepers are tasked with ensuring the safe movement of barges carrying fuel, food, medicine, and humanitarian aid in remote areas of South Sudan. They also monitor and control river piracy, assist local communities in firefighting, and provide rescue and logistical support to both military and civilian operations.

For over three decades, the Bangladesh Navy has played an active role in global peacekeeping, contributing to missions in conflict zones worldwide. Its continued participation in UNMISS and other maritime operations, such as in Lebanon’s Mediterranean Task Force, has significantly enhanced Bangladesh’s international reputation for professionalism and humanitarian commitment.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly ruled out any territorial concessions to Russia, as Kyiv prepares to submit a revised peace proposal to the United States. Speaking at a joint press conference with European and NATO leaders, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine’s constitution, national laws, and international norms do not allow the surrender of any part of its territory. He added that any border changes would require a national referendum.

The move follows reports that Kyiv rejected a proposal discussed during a recent secret meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian officials. Zelensky met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at Downing Street, where leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine and called for a “just and lasting peace.”

Zelensky’s ongoing European tour includes meetings with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Meanwhile, Moscow described its talks with Washington as “constructive,” though no policy shift was evident. Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Zelensky, claiming he is the main obstacle to a peace deal.

A new investigation by the Sudan Witness Project has found that at least 1,700 civilians were killed in airstrikes carried out by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since the civil conflict began in April 2023. The report, based on analysis of 384 verified air attacks through July 2025, documents bombings in residential areas, markets, hospitals, and schools, with more than 1,120 others injured. The SAF denies deliberately targeting civilians, claiming its operations focus only on legitimate military objectives.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), accused by the United States of genocide in Darfur, lack air power but have increasingly used drones. Project director Mark Snoeck said evidence suggests SAF failed to take adequate measures to avoid civilian casualties. The British Foreign Office condemned the attacks as showing “unacceptable disregard for civilian safety.”

Analysts warn that both sides face growing allegations of war crimes as air and drone strikes intensify. Despite heavy civilian losses, neither faction has achieved significant military gains, raising fears of a prolonged humanitarian disaster.

Turkey and Hungary on Monday signed 16 agreements covering aviation, security, technology, culture, and education, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen bilateral relations. The signing took place in Istanbul during the seventh Turkey-Hungary High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting, attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Erdoğan stated that the two nations are on track to reach their $6 billion trade target and are considering raising it to $10 billion. The leaders also agreed to form a joint planning group, led by their foreign ministries, to coordinate responses to bilateral and global challenges. Erdoğan highlighted ongoing defense industry cooperation and joint production projects amid Europe’s shifting security landscape.

Both leaders discussed regional issues, including the Russia-Ukraine war and Middle East tensions. Erdoğan expressed confidence that Hungary would continue supporting Turkey’s goal of full European Union membership. The agreements are expected to enhance economic and strategic collaboration between Ankara and Budapest in the coming years.

On December 9, the Russia-Ukraine war entered its 1,384th day with renewed hostilities across multiple regions. Russian attacks killed four civilians in Donetsk and left 12 wounded in Sumy, where drone strikes caused widespread power outages. Ukrainian forces retaliated with drone operations in Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia, disrupting electricity for thousands. Both sides reported territorial gains, while Russian authorities temporarily closed several southern airports amid drone warnings.

Diplomatic efforts continued as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met leaders from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom in London to discuss a revised 20-point peace proposal. He later held talks in Brussels with EU and NATO leaders, emphasizing coordinated support for Ukraine’s security. European leaders reiterated that Ukraine’s sovereignty must be upheld and its defence strengthened as part of Europe’s long-term stability.

Meanwhile, Kyiv faces a funding shortfall of about $800 million for planned U.S. weapons purchases. The Netherlands pledged an additional €700 million in military aid for early 2026, while the UK announced £17 million for green energy projects in Ukraine. The International Court of Justice ruled that Russia’s counterclaims in the genocide case are admissible, marking a new phase in the legal battle.

Latvia is witnessing a striking gender imbalance, with women outnumbering men by more than 15 percent—three times the European average. The shortage of men has led many Latvian women to seek temporary male companionship or assistance through 'husband-for-hire' services. These services provide men for household repairs, companionship, or even short-term social engagements, reflecting a growing social adaptation to demographic realities.

Experts attribute the imbalance to lower male life expectancy, driven by high smoking rates and lifestyle-related health issues. Studies show that 31 percent of Latvian men smoke excessively, compared to just 10 percent of women, contributing to higher mortality and fewer men in the workforce. The imbalance is particularly pronounced among older populations, where women outnumber men nearly three to one.

The rise of such services highlights both economic opportunity and social concern. While some see it as a pragmatic solution, demographers warn that Latvia’s gender gap could deepen labor shortages and reshape family structures in the coming decades.

European allies of Ukraine have agreed to step up military and economic support for Kyiv, describing the war against Russia as being at a “critical moment,” according to a statement from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The announcement came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepared to present a 20-point peace proposal, building on a 28-point plan introduced by US President Donald Trump last month. Zelenskyy met with leaders from France, Germany, and the UK in London before continuing to Brussels and Rome for further talks with EU, NATO, and Italian officials.

The diplomatic push comes amid growing friction between Kyiv and Washington, with Trump publicly criticizing Zelenskyy for allegedly ignoring US-backed proposals. Meanwhile, the Kremlin welcomed aspects of the new US national security strategy, which it said aligns with Russia’s views on NATO and European politics. On the ground, Russian forces continued their offensive, claiming new territorial gains in Donetsk and Zaporizhia while Ukrainian officials reported civilian casualties in multiple regions.

Analysts say the intensified diplomacy underscores both the urgency and complexity of ending the conflict, as Western nations balance pressure on Moscow with calls for a negotiated settlement.

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.