A Ukrainian drone attack killed one person and injured three others in the Russian city of Voronezh, local officials said on Sunday. Governor Alexander Gusev reported that a young woman died overnight in hospital after debris from a drone fell on a house. More than ten apartment buildings, private homes, and a high school were damaged. Gusev added that air defences shot down 17 drones over the city, describing the incident as one of the heaviest drone attacks since the start of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. Ukraine did not immediately comment on the Voronezh attack but has previously said it targets sites inside Russia to disrupt Moscow’s war effort and respond to repeated missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. The assault followed Russia’s launch of a hypersonic Oreshnik missile on Friday at a site in Ukraine near NATO member Poland, which European allies viewed as an attempt to discourage continued support for Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said negotiations with the United States were ongoing. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s General Staff reported that Russia launched 154 drones overnight into Sunday, with 125 intercepted by Ukrainian defences.

Iran has warned that it will target US military bases and naval vessels if the United States launches a new military attack. The warning came from Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who said during a Sunday parliamentary session that any US military action would make American bases and transport centers legitimate targets. His remarks were broadcast on state television, where he also made indirect references to Israel. Ghalibaf’s statement comes amid ongoing anti-government protests in Iran and heightened regional tensions. Analysts cited in the report view his comments as a strong message to the United States and its allies, suggesting that the situation could escalate further if hostilities continue. The warning underscores the fragile state of regional security as domestic unrest and international friction converge, raising concerns about potential military escalation in the Middle East.

Jordan’s air force carried out airstrikes on Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria over the weekend as part of a US-led military campaign. The country’s army announced the operation on Sunday, according to a report by AFP. The strikes were conducted on Saturday in coordination with international coalition partners. According to the Jordanian military statement, the main objective of the operation was to weaken the capabilities of terrorist groups and prevent their efforts to reorganize. The statement emphasized that Jordan remains committed to cooperating in counterterrorism operations to ensure regional and international security. The announcement underscores Jordan’s ongoing participation in multinational efforts aimed at curbing extremist networks operating in the region, reflecting its continued alignment with coalition strategies against IS.

Israel has placed its security forces on the highest alert amid concerns over a possible United States strike on Iran, according to Israeli sources cited by Reuters. The heightened alert follows widespread anti-government protests in Iran, which have intensified since late December due to the sharp devaluation of the Iranian rial and worsening economic conditions. US President Donald Trump warned Iran against suppressing protesters, stating on his social media platform that the United States is ready to help. Sources present at Israel’s weekend security meeting did not specify what the heightened alert measures entail. In June, Israel carried out an attack on Iran, with the United States joining in the final days of a 12-day conflict. On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the possibility of US intervention in Iran during a phone call, though US officials declined to confirm the details of their conversation. The protests, which began near Tehran’s Grand Bazaar on December 28, have since spread to multiple cities across Iran, reflecting deepening public frustration over the country’s economic decline.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized a large consignment of illegal Indian cigarettes from the border area of Kulaura upazila in Moulvibazar on Saturday night. The operation took place near the Alinagar border outpost, where 2,550 packets of Indian cigarettes were recovered without an identified owner. The seized goods have an estimated market value of Tk 510,000. According to the BGB’s Srimangal Battalion (46 BGB), its border outposts in Kulaura, Kamalganj, and Srimangal upazilas conduct round-the-clock patrols and regular anti-smuggling drives along the district’s border areas. The battalion oversees about 115 kilometers of border, focusing on preventing illegal drugs and other contraband from entering the country. BGB officials stated that such operations will continue to ensure border security and curb smuggling activities. The seized cigarettes are being prepared for handover to the relevant authorities following legal procedures.

Several major international airlines have suspended operations to and from Iran as anti-government protests intensify across the country. On Saturday, January 10, Lufthansa, Flydubai, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Austrian Airlines announced the suspension of their services, citing safety risks. Dubai airport authorities confirmed that Flydubai alone canceled at least 17 flights to Tehran, Shiraz, and Mashhad, while Emirates and Oman Air also halted operations. Turkish Airlines suspended 17 flights to Tehran and Tabriz, with its subsidiary A-Jet following suit. The unrest began on December 28 over the devaluation of the Iranian rial and has since evolved into a broader movement demanding government change. Airlines said they are closely monitoring the situation and have taken these measures to ensure passenger safety. Human rights group Iran Human Rights reported that at least 50 protesters, including children, have been killed in security crackdowns, and hundreds have been detained. Due to ongoing violence, communication disruptions, and instability, international carriers have decided to keep their services to Iran suspended until further notice.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has announced a constituency-based campaign strategy to ensure victory for the 'Yes' side in the upcoming referendum on proposed reforms linked to the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The plan was detailed in a message issued on Sunday by Mahabub Alam, the party’s joint chief coordinator and head of its election media subcommittee. According to the announcement, NCP candidates will lead the campaign in constituencies where the party has its own nominees, directly engaging with supporters and voters to promote the 'Yes' vote. In the 270 constituencies where the NCP has no candidates, the party will appoint 'ambassadors' or representatives to conduct outreach. These representatives will connect with local communities to explain the party’s stance, the significance of the referendum, and the importance of supporting the 'Yes' option. The NCP stated that this approach aims to create a unified and nationwide campaign, ensuring that its message reaches voters in all constituencies and builds public support for the 'Yes' vote across the country.

Members of the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) from Dhaka successfully defused a powerful bomb recovered in Faridpur on Sunday morning. The operation took place around 10 a.m. at the bank of the Kumar River in the Goalachamot area, where the device was detonated in a controlled explosion after being surrounded with sandbags. ATU Inspector Shankar Kumar Ghosh confirmed that the bomb was a remote-controlled improvised explosive device (IED). The explosive had been discovered the previous morning, Saturday at around 10 a.m., inside a school bag near the southern side of Alipur Bridge in a slum area of the city. Following the recovery, local police increased surveillance across Faridpur to ensure public safety. Officer-in-Charge of Faridpur Kotwali Police Station, Shahidul Islam, stated that investigations are underway to identify those involved in the incident. Authorities have not yet disclosed any suspects or motives behind the placement of the device, and the investigation remains ongoing.

A severe winter storm in Gaza has destroyed or damaged thousands of tents housing Palestinians displaced by two years of conflict with Israel, according to Gaza’s Civil Defense Department. The department warned that the damage has deepened the humanitarian crisis, as strong winds reaching 60 kilometers per hour and heavy rain tore through coastal areas, leaving many families exposed to harsh weather conditions. Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said the storm’s impact extends beyond weather-related hardship, describing it as a direct result of restrictions on construction materials that have hindered reconstruction. He noted that many displaced families are forced to live in torn tents or unsafe, damaged homes without dignity or protection. Palestinian meteorologists reported that the storm began on Friday and is expected to continue for several more days. Basal cautioned that large urban areas remain uninhabitable after prolonged Israeli bombardment, forcing many families to set up tents along the coast due to the lack of safer alternatives.

Widespread anti-government protests in Iran have turned violent, leaving hospitals across the country overwhelmed with casualties. Doctors from several hospitals told the BBC that they are struggling to treat the large number of wounded and dead, many suffering from gunshot wounds to the head and chest. In Rasht, one hospital reportedly received 70 bodies in a single night, forcing staff to stack corpses due to lack of space. Most victims are young, aged between 20 and 25. Internet access has been largely cut off, making it difficult to verify information. The protests began two weeks ago as peaceful demonstrations against Iran’s economic crisis, currency devaluation, and rising prices but have since spread to all provinces and turned violent. Security forces have used live ammunition and rubber bullets, with reports of protesters losing their eyesight from shotgun fire. The Iranian government accuses the United States of inciting unrest, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed not to back down. The United States, European Union, and United Nations have condemned the violent crackdown and urged Iran to respect freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

A pedestrian named Kabir Ali, aged 57, was killed after being struck by an Indian truck at the Sonamasjid land port area in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj on Sunday morning. The accident occurred in the Madhyabazar area of the port while Kabir Ali, a resident of Baliadighi village, was crossing the road. He was severely injured and died on the way to Shibganj Upazila Health Complex. According to Shibganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Humayun Kabir, the Indian truck hit Kabir Ali from behind as he was crossing the road. Local residents rescued the injured man and took him for treatment, but he succumbed to his injuries en route. Police later recovered the body and confirmed that locals had detained the truck involved in the incident. Law enforcement authorities stated that legal action has been initiated regarding the accident.

A severe communal clash erupted in Unakoti district of India’s northeastern state of Tripura, reportedly triggered by a dispute over a donation demand for a local festival. The incident occurred in Kumarghat area under Fatikroy police station, where refusal to pay the donation allegedly led one community to set fire to several establishments, including a timber shop, and vandalize a place of worship. At least five to six people were injured, and several houses and shops were burned. Authorities imposed an internet shutdown and took strict measures to restore order. Security forces, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Tripura State Rifles (TSR), were deployed across Kumarghat subdivision and nearby areas. Mobile internet services were suspended for 48 hours, and police used mild baton charges and drone surveillance to maintain control. Eight people were detained in connection with the violence, and special monitoring continues under Section 163 to prevent further unrest. Officials said the situation is now calm and fully under control. The administration remains vigilant ahead of the upcoming Bhairab Mela to ensure communal peace and prevent renewed tensions.

The High Court has issued a rule asking why the nominations of Jatiya Party and National Democratic Front (NDF) candidates should not be declared illegal. The order was given on Sunday afternoon by a bench led by Justice Razik Al Jalil. The Election Commission has been directed to respond to the rule within two weeks. The rule followed a writ petition filed by Abdullah Al Mahmud, an organizer of the political alliance July Oikya, represented by Barrister A S M Shahriar Kabir. Earlier, on 7 January, the High Court had postponed until 11 January the hearing of a petition seeking to bar Jatiya Party and NDF from participating in the election. The court’s directive now requires the Election Commission to clarify its position on the legality of these candidates’ nominations, potentially influencing the upcoming electoral process depending on the response and subsequent judicial review.

At least six people, including a newlywed couple, were killed when a gas cylinder exploded during a wedding ceremony at a house in Islamabad, Pakistan. Ten others were injured in the blast, which caused the roof to collapse, trapping several people under the debris. The incident was confirmed by Additional Deputy Commissioner General Sahibzada Yusuf, according to The Express Tribune. The explosion also caused extensive damage to four nearby houses. Rescue teams recovered sixteen people from the rubble, six of whom later died. The injured were taken to a hospital for treatment. Officials stated that all trapped individuals have been rescued and that the operation has been completed. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion, while confirming that no one remains trapped under the debris.

The High Court of Bangladesh has ruled that a Muslim man no longer needs his wife's consent to enter into a second marriage. The decision came in response to a petition concerning the Muslim Family Law, with the court clarifying that approval from the Arbitration Council, not the first wife, is the determining factor for a lawful second marriage. Previously, it was widely practiced that a husband required his first wife's permission before remarrying. The court stated that no such direct obligation exists in the Muslim Family Law. The 24-page verdict explained that the authority to approve a second marriage lies with the Arbitration Council, making spousal consent non-mandatory. Historically, under Section 494 of the Penal Code of 1860, marrying again without spousal consent carried a seven-year prison term, later revised in 1961 to require council approval instead. Petitioners have announced plans to appeal, arguing that the ruling could weaken regulations on polygamy. Sociologists warned that misuse of multiple marriages could increase inequality and family instability, urging final resolution by the Supreme Court.