Israeli authorities have closed the Ibrahimi Mosque in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron to Muslim worshippers and imposed a curfew in the Old City to facilitate Jewish settlers’ religious celebrations. According to local sources, Israeli forces sealed off military checkpoints, restricted movement, and prevented many Palestinians from returning home. Hundreds of settlers, under heavy military protection, reportedly held provocative marches through the streets. Palestinian officials claim the move is part of Israel’s broader effort to take full control of the mosque and convert it into a synagogue. The Ibrahimi Mosque, already divided since a 1994 massacre, remains heavily guarded by Israeli troops, with most of its area allocated for Jewish worship. The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs said Israel has been increasingly restricting Muslim access since the Gaza war began in October 2023, closing gates and covering windows of the mosque.

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia following renewed border clashes between the two Southeast Asian neighbors. The conversation, held on Friday, came after both sides accused each other of violating a previously U.S.-brokered ceasefire arranged in Malaysia. The Thai government had suspended the truce last week after a landmine explosion near the border, which reignited hostilities. Cambodia reported that one civilian was killed in the latest exchange of gunfire. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump told reporters he had urged both nations to strengthen their peace commitments, claiming that his threat of tariffs helped halt further escalation. The century-old territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, rooted in colonial-era French maps, continues to fuel periodic violence along their shared frontier. Despite the renewed tension, Trump expressed optimism that both governments would de-escalate and return to dialogue.

Heavy rainfall on Saturday inundated refugee camps in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, intensifying the suffering of displaced Palestinians already facing dire conditions from ongoing conflict and cold weather. The downpour, triggered by a low-pressure system, submerged many tents in the Al-Mawasi area, prompting emergency responses from Gaza’s Civil Defense. According to Gaza authorities, 93% of the 135,000 tents sheltering displaced people are now uninhabitable due to weather damage and Israeli bombardments. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has urged Israel to allow the entry of essential shelter materials, warning that winter rains are worsening the humanitarian situation. Despite having supplies ready, UNRWA claims Israel is blocking the delivery of tents and mobile homes, violating ceasefire terms. The ceasefire plan, reportedly based on a 20-point proposal by former U.S. President Donald Trump, includes prisoner exchanges and reconstruction efforts. Since October 2023, Israeli strikes have killed over 69,000 people in Gaza, most of them women and children.

The Emirates Astronomical Society has forecast that Eid al-Fitr in 2026 will likely be observed on March 20, following a 30-day Ramadan. According to the society’s chairman, Ibrahim Al Jarwan, the crescent moon marking the start of Ramadan 1447 Hijri is expected to appear on the evening of February 17, though it may be difficult to see with the naked eye. Based on astronomical calculations, Ramadan is expected to begin on February 19. If the month completes 30 days, the UAE’s public holiday schedule suggests a four-day Eid break from March 19 to March 22, with regular work resuming on March 23. The official date of Eid will be confirmed later by the UAE Moon-Sighting Committee, but current projections indicate March 20 as the most probable date for the first day of Shawwal.

China has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan following heightened diplomatic tensions triggered by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan. Takaichi suggested that Japan’s Self-Defense Forces could respond if China attacks Taiwan, sparking a sharp exchange between Beijing and Tokyo. Both countries have lodged formal protests, and Chinese officials have issued strong verbal reactions, with some statements perceived as threatening. Despite mounting pressure, Takaichi refused to retract her comments, asserting they align with Japan’s long-standing policy, though she pledged to be cautious in future remarks. In response, China summoned Japan’s ambassador in Beijing and warned Japan to stop “playing with fire.” The Chinese foreign ministry reiterated its stance on social media, while Japan’s embassy in China urged Japanese citizens to avoid travel to Japan in the near future, reflecting the deepening strain in bilateral relations.

Powerful explosions rocked an industrial complex in Ezeiza, near Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Friday night, injuring at least 15 people and triggering a massive fire that firefighters struggled to contain. The blasts, which occurred across several factories including a chemical and a plastics plant, sent thick smoke billowing into the air, severely reducing visibility in the area. As a result, flights at Ministro Pistarini International Airport, Argentina’s main international gateway located nearby, were delayed or diverted. Local authorities deployed multiple fire engines and ambulances to the site, while hospitals in the Buenos Aires region activated emergency protocols to treat the injured. Most victims reportedly suffered burns and injuries from shattered glass caused by the shock wave. Officials have not yet determined the cause of the explosions, but the fire was described as complex and expected to take a long time to extinguish. Civil defense and health agencies continue to coordinate response efforts.

Major Chinese carriers—Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern—announced free refunds and itinerary changes for passengers with tickets to Japan purchased before noon on Saturday, following a travel advisory from Beijing. The Chinese foreign ministry issued the warning late Friday, urging citizens to avoid travel to Japan, citing worsening safety conditions and a series of targeted attacks against Chinese nationals. The ministry also accused Japan’s leadership of making provocative statements on Taiwan, which it said had damaged the environment for Sino-Japanese relations and increased risks for Chinese travelers. The airlines’ refund policies will remain in effect for flights scheduled between Saturday and December 31. The move underscores heightened diplomatic tensions between China and Japan amid ongoing disputes over Taiwan and regional security issues.

A senior Ukrainian intelligence official has claimed that Russia intends to manufacture up to 120,000 glide bombs in 2025, including 500 new long-range models capable of reaching targets up to 200 kilometers away. Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, said Russia is currently firing 200–250 glide bombs daily, a sharp increase from previous months. The weapons, cheaper and more abundant than missiles, have caused widespread destruction in Ukrainian cities such as Kharkiv and Kherson. Skibitskyi also estimated that Russia will produce about 70,000 long-range drones this year, including 30,000 Shahed models used to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. He warned that these developments pose a growing threat, allowing Russia to strike deep into Ukrainian territory without crossing front lines. Skibitskyi further noted that North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery shells since 2023 but that deliveries have recently declined as Pyongyang’s stockpiles dwindle. North Korea has also begun producing its own battlefield drones, reportedly learning from the conflict.

The US military has confirmed that four people were killed in a strike on a boat in international waters in the Caribbean, marking the 20th such attack on suspected drug-trafficking vessels in recent months. The strike, authorized by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, was part of what has been named 'Operation Southern Spear,' which now involves around 12,000 US sailors and Marines in the region. Human rights experts have condemned the attacks as extrajudicial killings. Meanwhile, reports indicate that senior Trump administration officials have held multiple White House meetings to discuss potential military action against Venezuela. The military buildup, including the deployment of F-35s, warships, and the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, has drawn criticism from Latin American leaders who argue it violates the 2014 'Zone of Peace' agreement. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found limited US public support for the strikes or intervention in Venezuela, with only 21 percent backing military involvement.

Russia has temporarily suspended around 2% of its global oil supply following a Ukrainian strike on the Sheskharis oil terminal in Novorossiysk, a key Black Sea port in Krasnodar Krai. The attack caused fires and damage to coastal facilities, leading to a halt in exports of approximately 2.2 million barrels per day, according to Reuters. Local authorities confirmed that a civilian vessel was also hit, injuring three crew members. Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Novorossiysk due to its strategic importance to Russia’s energy infrastructure. Kyiv considers Russian oil refineries and petrochemical plants legitimate military targets, arguing they fund Moscow’s war effort. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently stated that Russia’s oil production and refining have declined this year, with projected losses of at least US$37 billion in oil and gas revenues. The strike coincided with a large-scale Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv that killed six people and injured 14 others.

The United States has approved a $330 million military sale to Taiwan, marking the first such deal since President Donald Trump returned to office. The package includes spare parts and maintenance support for Taiwan’s F-16, C-130, and Indigenous Defense Fighter aircraft. Washington remains Taipei’s main arms supplier and a critical deterrent against potential Chinese aggression, though Trump’s mixed signals on Taiwan’s defense have raised uncertainty. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has pledged to boost defense spending and strengthen ties with the US, while facing opposition from the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang party, which controls parliament. The sale comes amid regional tensions, with Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting Tokyo could intervene militarily if Taiwan is attacked, a statement that drew sharp condemnation from Beijing.

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has returned 12 Bangladeshi nationals, including a child, through the Meherpur border following a flag meeting with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). The meeting took place about 100 yards inside Bangladeshi territory at the Kazipur border outpost in Gangni upazila. According to BGB officials, the individuals, hailing from Khulna, Rajbari, Sirajganj, Bagerhat, and Kushtia districts, had entered India illegally through brokers at different times and were later detained by Indian police. BSF company commander Sabvinder Singh formally handed them over to BGB company commander Subedar Shahabuddin. After the handover, the returnees were taken to Gangni police station. Officer-in-Charge Bani Israel stated that the returnees would be handed over to their families after completion of legal procedures.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has determined that a wall constructed by the Israeli military crosses the Blue Line, the de facto border between Israel and Lebanon. According to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, the concrete T-wall built by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has made over 4,000 square meters of Lebanese territory inaccessible to residents. Another section of the wall under construction near Yaroun also reportedly extends into Lebanese land. UNIFIL informed the Israeli military of its findings and requested the removal of the wall, calling the construction a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and Lebanon’s sovereignty. The Israeli military denied the allegation, stating the wall is part of a broader border reinforcement plan initiated in 2022 to strengthen defenses along the northern frontier. UNIFIL, which has operated in southern Lebanon since 1978, continues to monitor the situation with more than 10,000 troops from 50 countries.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has accused Israel of deliberately obstructing humanitarian aid to Gaza, warning that millions of Palestinians face worsening conditions as winter approaches. Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini told the UN General Assembly that Israel’s restrictions and funding shortfalls threaten essential services, including health care and education. The agency, employing 12,000 people in Gaza, is struggling to maintain operations after the United States suspended funding following Israeli allegations—without evidence—that some UNRWA staff were involved in the October 2023 Hamas attack. Despite a ceasefire stipulating 600 aid trucks daily, only about 150 are entering Gaza, leaving displaced families without adequate shelter or food. The UN has warned of catastrophic hunger, particularly in northern Gaza, where famine was declared earlier this year. Meanwhile, Israel has reopened the Zikim crossing for limited aid deliveries, and exchanges of captives and bodies between Israel and Hamas continue under the truce. Gaza health officials report receiving 15 more Palestinian bodies, many of which remain unidentified due to severe decomposition.

Israeli settlers allegedly set fire to the Hajjah Hamida Mosque in Deir Istiya village near Salfit in the occupied West Bank early Thursday, burning several copies of the Quran and damaging parts of the building. Graffiti with anti-Palestinian and racist slogans was found on the mosque walls. The attack comes amid escalating settler violence against Palestinians across the West Bank. The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs condemned the incident as a heinous crime, while the UN, Jordan, and Switzerland expressed deep concern and denounced the act. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reiterated that attacks on places of worship are unacceptable and urged Israel, as the occupying power, to protect civilians and hold perpetrators accountable. The incident adds to growing international criticism of Israel’s settlement policies and violence in occupied Palestinian territories.