Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House late last month to discuss the possibility of launching another military strike on Iran. Reports from international media said the talks focused on Iran’s nuclear program, missile capabilities, and regional security concerns, which have intensified in recent weeks. According to Anadolu Agency, Netanyahu raised Israel’s concerns over Iran’s nuclear and missile development and mentioned Hezbollah’s efforts to rebuild its long-range missile stockpile in Lebanon. Axios reported, citing a U.S. official, that a potential second round of attacks on Iran in 2026 was discussed. The previous June saw a 12-day conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran, targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure. Trump had then warned that any renewed Iranian nuclear activity would be met with destruction. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned of a strong response to any aggression, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged Trump to return to dialogue under a “respectful environment.”

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss various bilateral matters. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to further strengthen the long-standing fraternal ties between the two nations, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. The call was described as warm and cordial. During the discussion, Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of maintaining unity and harmony within the Muslim Ummah amid current challenges. He highlighted that dialogue and diplomacy are essential for ensuring regional peace and stability. The conversation reflected mutual goodwill and a shared vision for cooperation. Crown Prince Mohammed thanked the Pakistani Prime Minister for the call and expressed interest in expanding cooperation across all areas of mutual interest. He also conveyed his intention to undertake an official visit to Pakistan in 2026, signaling continued engagement between the two countries.

Israel has approved the construction of 126 illegal housing units in Sa-Nur, located in the occupied West Bank. The plan was sanctioned by the Higher Planning Council under the Civil Administration, allowing settlers to return to the Sa-Nur outpost. The area had been unilaterally separated from Palestinian territory by Tel Aviv in 2005. According to Israeli media reports, the approval follows the repeal of the 2005 Disengagement Law by the Israeli parliament in March 2024. The law had previously restricted settlement activity in certain evacuated areas. On December 23, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich convened a meeting of the Higher Planning Council to consider the 126-unit proposal. Channel 7 reported that the plan is expected to take effect within two months. The Palestinian Authority has repeatedly urged the international community to pressure Israel to halt settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, which the United Nations and international law consider illegal.

Widespread protests and strikes in Iran over inflation and the sharp fall of the national currency have expanded to several cities, including Tehran, Karaj, Hamedan, Qeshm, Malard, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Shiraz, and Yazd. On Wednesday, the fourth day of demonstrations, police used tear gas to disperse protesters. The unrest began on Sunday after the Iranian rial hit a record low against the US dollar in Tehran’s open market, prompting shopkeepers to join the movement. The Iranian government has expressed sympathy toward the protesters’ demands, stating that their concerns will be heard patiently despite the difficult circumstances. University students have also joined the demonstrations, chanting slogans against the government, which observers view as a significant challenge for the authorities. According to BBC reports cited in the source, the country’s worsening economic situation and currency devaluation have caused deep public anxiety, fueling the ongoing protests.

Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar announced that all primary school students have received their textbooks on the first day of the new year. He made the statement on Thursday, January 1, after inaugurating the book distribution program at Abul Basar Government Primary School in Agargaon, Dhaka. The adviser also noted that the quality of this year’s books is better than before. According to Poddar, the government has printed a total of 300 million free textbooks for both primary and secondary levels this year. Due to the ongoing state mourning following the death of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, the usual book distribution festival was not held. Instead, the books were handed over to students in a simple, informal manner. The adviser’s remarks highlight the government’s continued effort to ensure timely textbook distribution and maintain educational continuity despite national mourning.

Israeli forces on Wednesday demolished at least 25 buildings in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the northern occupied West Bank. The buildings had housed around 100 families. The Israeli military said the operation was part of an effort to eliminate armed groups operating in the area. Nur Shams camp has long been a flashpoint for clashes between Palestinian fighters and Israeli forces. According to reports, bulldozers and cranes were used in the early morning to destroy the structures, filling the air with thick dust as residents watched from a distance. Resident Mutaz Mahr described the destruction as deeply painful, saying the occupying forces were trying to exhaust and pressure them. Nihaya al-Jundi, a member of the camp’s popular committee, said hundreds of families had already been displaced earlier in the year before the latest military operations began. She added that more than 1,500 families still cannot return to their homes, calling the situation a major disaster and a severe humanitarian crisis for Palestinian refugees.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara is taking transformative steps in the defense sector to ensure regional and global stability. He made the remarks during a phone call with soldiers gathered at the Artillery and Missile School Command in Polatlı, Ankara, on New Year’s Eve. Erdogan stated that Turkey is engaged in a strong struggle to establish stability in the world. He emphasized that Turkey’s actions align with the foreign policy principle of the Republic’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, of “peace at home, peace in the world.” Highlighting efforts to strengthen internal unity, Erdogan said the country is striving to ensure stability both within its region and beyond. He detailed Turkey’s growing military capabilities, including tanks, howitzers, helicopters, drones, missiles, air defense systems, warships, submarines, and unmanned sea vehicles. Erdogan added that despite serious challenges, Turkey has seized a “historic opportunity” to turn recent achievements into lasting success. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to building a stronger and greater Turkey for future generations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a New Year’s Eve address, declared his belief that Russia will win the war in Ukraine. He urged support for the soldiers fighting in Ukraine, calling them heroes, and stated that the outcome of the conflict remains undecided amid ongoing peace talks and intense fighting. Putin’s remarks came as Europe voiced concern that the war could expand beyond Ukraine’s borders if it continues. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv seeks peace but will not sign any “weak” agreement. He emphasized that Ukraine wants the war to end but not at the cost of its sovereignty. Zelensky acknowledged the exhaustion of his nation but affirmed that surrender is not an option. Zelensky also revealed that a peace agreement mediated by the United States was about 90 percent complete, though unresolved issues remain. He said the remaining 10 percent would determine the fate of peace and significantly affect the future of Ukraine, Europe, and people’s daily lives.

Chinese President Xi Jinping declared in his New Year’s Eve address that China remains unwaveringly committed to reunifying Taiwan with the mainland. His remarks came shortly after China concluded an unprecedented military exercise around Taiwan. Speaking from Beijing, Xi described national reunification as both essential and inevitable, reaffirming that integrating Taiwan as part of China remains a central goal for Beijing. The large-scale exercise, named “Justice Mission 2025,” involved at least 89 warplanes and simulated blockades of Taiwan’s major ports, marking the most extensive drill in a year. Meanwhile, the United States recently approved a record $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan, prompting concerns among U.S. intelligence officials that Xi could consider military action if deemed necessary. In his speech, Xi also referenced the Shanghai Cooperation Summit attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and highlighted China’s economic progress toward a 5% growth target and advances in technology and space exploration. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te rejected China’s claims, comparing Taiwan’s current situation to Europe under threat from Nazi Germany in the 1930s.

Zohraan Mamdani was sworn in as the mayor of New York City, becoming the first in the city’s history to take the oath of office on the Holy Quran. The ceremony took place in an abandoned subway station, where Mamdani used a 200-year-old copy of the Quran borrowed from the New York Public Library. The event was conducted by New York Attorney General and political ally Letitia James. Mamdani’s swearing-in marks several firsts for the city: he is the first Muslim, the first of South Asian descent, and one of the youngest mayors in generations. He described the moment as the greatest honor and privilege of his life. Later, he is scheduled to take a more formal oath at City Hall, administered by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. The subway station, built during America’s “Golden Age,” was chosen to symbolize the beginning of a new era. Mamdani previously stated that the location reflects the city’s legacy of ambition and transformation for working people. He won the mayoral election on November 4, defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa by a wide margin.

Protests have spread across Iran as citizens demonstrate against the worsening economic crisis, currency collapse, and rising cost of living. In response, President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on the public to remain united in the face of sanctions and external threats. Speaking at a business forum in Tehran, he blamed foreign interference for the economic instability and said the country was engaged in a 'full-scale war' driven by economic pressure rather than military force. Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran’s adversaries were attempting to bring the nation down through economic means, but insisted that unity and determination would prevent the country from being subdued. Iran’s economy has faced severe challenges since the reimposition of U.S. sanctions in 2018, following Washington’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal. In September, European nations also moved to restore UN sanctions, accusing Tehran of violating the 2015 agreement, a move that came months after Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. By the end of 2025, Iran’s currency, the rial, had lost about half its value against the dollar, with inflation reaching nearly 50 percent in December.

The French government has announced plans to prohibit social media access for children under the age of 15. According to a new draft law, the measure aims to protect minors from excessive screen time and improve online safety. The proposal could take effect by September if approved. President Emmanuel Macron has endorsed the initiative and called for parliamentary debate on the issue in January. The draft law also includes a ban on mobile phone use in schools, citing risks of cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content. The government argues that unrestricted online access can lead to harassment, exposure to harmful material, and sleep problems among children. The report notes that Australia became the first country to impose a similar restriction, banning social media use for children under 16, providing a comparative context for France’s proposed policy.

Widespread protests have erupted across Iran since Sunday in response to the country’s worsening economic crisis and surging cost of living. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets after a sharp fall in the national currency, with unrest spreading from Tehran to several provinces. In Fars province, protesters attempted to enter a local government building, while clashes were reported in multiple cities. Authorities in Tehran declared a bank holiday on Wednesday to control the situation, but tensions persisted. In Lorestan province, one paramilitary officer was reported killed, and in Fasa city, three police officers were injured and four people arrested. Verified videos shared on social media showed protesters breaking the gate of the governor’s office in Fasa and security forces firing shots. The government announced the closure of schools, universities, and public offices nationwide, officially citing energy-saving measures during winter, though many Iranians viewed it as a tactic to suppress protests. The demonstrations began after a sharp depreciation of the Iranian currency against the dollar in Tehran’s market, initially led by shopkeepers and later joined by university students, spreading to several cities against the country’s religious leadership.

Authorities have reopened the Lake Road adjacent to Zia Udyan to the public after a 24-hour closure. The road, which provides access to the graves of former President Ziaur Rahman and late BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, had been closed for security measures surrounding Khaleda Zia’s resting place. The reopening took place on January 1, 2026, following the temporary restriction. Although the main road is now open, entry into Zia Udyan itself remains restricted. Security personnel, including police and army members, continue to be stationed at the entrance to the park. The closure and subsequent reopening were part of efforts to ensure the safety of the area surrounding the gravesites. The continued presence of security forces indicates that access to the park may remain limited until further notice, while normal traffic along Lake Road resumes.

The year 2025 witnessed widespread armed conflicts across multiple regions, with major wars breaking out between India and Pakistan, and Israel and Iran. The report highlights that Israeli attacks on Gaza continued throughout the year, while the Russia-Ukraine conflict remained unresolved. In South Asia, India launched air and missile strikes on Pakistan on May 6 following a deadly shooting in Kashmir, prompting a four-day war that ended on May 10 after U.S. President Donald Trump mediated a ceasefire. In the Middle East, Israel launched a surprise assault on Iran on June 13 under “Operation Rising Sun,” killing top Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists. Iran retaliated with “Operation Wadae Sadeq-3,” before both sides agreed to a ceasefire announced by Trump on June 23, which took effect on October 24. Meanwhile, the Russia-Ukraine war entered its third year without resolution despite U.S. mediation efforts. Elsewhere, Thailand and Cambodia clashed twice over border disputes, Sudan’s civil war persisted, and Israel carried out strikes in Lebanon and Syria. The report warns that new conflicts may emerge in various regions in the coming year.