Hezbollah calls on Lebanese government to refute Israeli threats amid fears of escalation

Hezbollah has urged the Lebanese government to reject Israel’s threats to disarm the group amid fears of Israeli escalation in Lebanon.

Hamas denies responsibility for Rafah explosion, calls for pressure on Israel to abide by ceasefire agreement

The Palestinian group Hamas has denied any responsibility for an explosion that hit an Israeli armored vehicle in Rafah in southern Gaza, urging pressure on Tel Aviv to abide by a ceasefire deal in the enclave.

Saudi Arabia calls on Yemen separatists to cede seized territory

Saudi Arabia, the main backer of Yemen's internationally recognised government, announced Thursday that Yemeni separatists should return territory seized recently, adding that it seeks to deescalate tensions within the government camp.

Turkey captures 115 IS members

Some 115 alleged members of the Islamic State group, suspected of planning attacks during the end of year holidays, have been arrested in Turkey, Istanbul's prosecutor general announced on Thursday.

Majority of Russians expect Ukraine war to end in 2026: Survey

A majority of Russians expect the war in Ukraine to end in 2026, a state-owned research centre announced, as Russian soldiers make advances on the battlefield and efforts intensify to reach a ceasefire deal between Kyiv and Moscow.

Poll finds most Ukrainians doubt elections would be fair

There is widespread skepticism over the prospect of online voting in Ukraine due to fears of electoral fraud, a recent survey has indicated.

Atomic chief says western powers aim to halt Iran’s scientific progress

Iran’s Vice President and head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Eslami, said on Thursday that Western opposition to Iran is fundamentally aimed at stopping the country’s scientific and technological progress, not concerns over nuclear weapons.

Report: Former Afghan police commander assassinated in Tehran

Media outlets in Afghanistan have reported the assassination of a former senior Afghan police commander in Tehran.

Many countries condemn Israel for 19 new West Bank settlements

Fourteen countries, including the UK, Canada and Germany, have condemned the Israeli security cabinet’s approval of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, warning that they violate international law and risk fuelling instability.

Zelensky wishes Putin death

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has used his Christmas Eve address to wish for a certain unnamed man, presumably Russian President Vladimir Putin, “to perish”, before urging Ukrainians to pray for a greater wish – peace for the country.

Syria says captured senior IS militant in Damascus

Syrian authorities have captured a senior Islamic State group militant in the Damascus region in a joint operation with a US-led international coalition, a security official claimed on Wednesday.

North Korea slams Washington-Seoul nuclear submarine deal as ‘offensive act’

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has hit out at a new nuclear submarine agreement between the United States and South Korea, describing it as a threat to the stability of the Korean Peninsula as he toured his country’s submarine production facility, according to North Korean state media.

Tanker carrying 4 million liters of smuggled fuel seized in Persian Gulf

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has confiscated a tanker carrying a large cargo of smuggled fuel in the Persian Gulf.

Diplomacy does not entail sending bombers: Iran tells US

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has rebuked the US gesture of diplomacy at the United Nations Security Council, stressing that openness to dialogue does not entail bombing the other side during negotiations.

Iran’s Esteghlal secure qualification after decisive away win in Manama, Bahrain

Esteghlal Tehran booked their place in the knockout stage of the AFC second-tier club competition with a convincing 3–0 victory over Bahrain’s Al-Muharraq in the second leg played in Manama.

Zelensky discloses US-Ukraine plan to end Russian war, key questions remain

Kyiv won some concessions in the latest version of a US-led draft plan to end the Russian invasion, revealed by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, though key questions remain over territory and whether Moscow could accept the new terms.

Ex-senior army officers call on UK to ‘cut all military collaboration with Israel’

Four senior former army officers have written to the UK prime minister urging a full arms embargo on Israel and a suspension of involvement with any Israel-linked defence firms.

Dozens of US lawmakers call on Trump to address Israeli Gaza ceasefire violations

Nearly 50 Democratic members of Congress have urged US President Donald Trump to address Israeli ceasefire violations in Gaza and to withhold US assistance if attacks continue.

Video showing Faezeh Hashemi Rafsanjani wearing American jacket goes viral in Iran

The recent appearance of Faezeh Hashemi Rafsanjani, a daughter of former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, on a city street has attracted public attention due to her distinctive outfit.

Iran reports decline in respiratory infections as influenza peak persists in 12 provinces

Iran’s Ministry of Health has reported a decline in the overall number of respiratory infections nationwide, while warning that influenza activity remains elevated in several provinces.

Iran thwarts multiple aviation security threats, commander says

The Commander of Iran’s Aviation Protection Corps, Brigadier General Mollanouri, says several serious security threats against civil aviation have been successfully neutralized in recent months due to the vigilance and preparedness of security personnel.

Syria ministers discuss military collaboration with Putin in Russia: SANA

Syria’s foreign and defence ministers met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and held discussions on expanding “strategic cooperation in the military industries sector”, Syrian state media reported.

Health official says Gaza patients facing death as Israel continues to block medical supplies

Health system in the Gaza Strip is on the brink of an unprecedented collapse, with thousands of patients facing death or disability amid a harsh Israeli siege on the enclave, a top health official has warned.

Deputy head of Israel’s Shin Bet quits

The deputy head of Israel’s Shin Bet security agency has resigned over a “crisis of trust” with the agency’s newly appointed chief from outside the service, David Zini, local media has reported.

Pope calls for Christmas Day ceasefire, laments Russia’s rejection

Pope Leo XIV has urged a global truce on Christmas Day, expressing “great sadness” that “apparently Russia refuted a request” for one.

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