Saturday, January 3, 2026

News

US terminates support of Ukraine energy grid restoration

The State Department has terminated a US Agency for International Development (USAID) initiative that has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to help restore Ukraine's energy grid following attacks by the Russian military, according to two USAID officials working on the agency’s Ukraine mission.

UK’s intl. development minister quits over aid cuts

Anneliese Dodds, the UK’s International Development Minister, has resigned after London announced a massive cut to the international aid budget, warning that it would likely impact programs in the Gaza Strip and Sudan.

Bodies of four more missing Iranian climbers recovered after avalanche in Kordestan, rising death toll to six

The bodies of four more climbers who went missing following a series of avalanches in Iran’s western Kordestan province have been recovered, officials confirmed on Saturday, updating the death toll to six.

UN head warns coming days are ‘critical’ for Gaza ceasefire agreement

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that "the coming days are critical" for maintaining the ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip and has urged all parties to uphold their commitments.

Iran: PKK leader’s call on group to drop arms ‘important step’ to curb violence

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei has welcomed Turkey’s jailed militant leader’s call on his Kurdish group to lay down weapons and dissolve.

Zelensky ordered to leave White House without signing minerals agreement after Oval Office clash with Trump

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky left the White House early without signing a mineral deal with the United States following a heated exchange with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Trump extends Russia sanctions over Ukraine war for another year

United States President Donald Trump has signed an executive order extending for another year certain sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine war, according to documents released by the White House.

Israeli military admits ‘colossal failure’ in its Oct. 7 attack probe

The Israeli army has released its findings after months of investigations into the Hamas attack in Oct. 2023, admitting to a "colossal failure" in anticipating the "Al-Aqsa Flood Operation​​​​​​​" launched by the Palestinian group.

Iranian skiers end Asian Alpine Ski Championship with more medals

On the second and last day of the 33rd Asian Alpine Ski Championship (under 27 years old) held in China, Iranian skier Zahra Alizadeh Saveh snatched the gold medal and the championship title in the small spiral category in the women's section.

Iran to teach AI at schools from next academic year

Iranian Vice President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-based Economy, Hossein Afshin, says one million students will be taught AI across Iran from the next school year.

Iran’s IRGC commander asserts Operation True Promise III to be carry out ‘in right time’

The Deputy Coordinator of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Ali Fazli, announced that the third phase of the operations against the Israeli regime, known as Operation True Promise, will definitely be carried out “on schedule.”

Persepolis triumphs over Esteghlal in Tehran derby

Persepolis secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Esteghlal in the 105th Tehran Derby, maintaining their pursuit of the Iran Pro League title.

Iran’s natl. oil company wins key victory in Crescent arbitration case

According to the Legal Affairs Department of the Iranian President’s Office, the tribunal in the Crescent arbitration case has dismissed the UEA-based company’s claim that the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) is liable for damages incurred by third parties (companies contracted by Crescent).

North Korea deploys additional forces to Russia’s Kursk Oblast: South Korean intelligence

North Korea has deployed additional troops to Russia, an official for South Korea's National Intelligence Agency (NIS) has claimed.

President Pezeshkian advocates stronger relations among Muslim states

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that the promotion of convergence and relations among Muslim countries is among the necessities in the current global situation.

Trump says US generals involved in Afghanistan withdrawal should be fired

US President Donald Trump said “every single one” of the military generals involved in the US withdrawal from Afghanistan must be fired, seated next to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a Cabinet meeting.

US abstains from WTO statement condemning Russia assault against Ukraine: Reuters

The United States has opted not to support a joint World Trade Organization (WTO) statement, decrying Russia’s “aggression against Ukraine”, according to a diplomatic source and a Geneva trade official, cited by Reuters.

Palestinian prisoners released by Israel show signs of torture, starvation

Hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli jails and released in the Gaza Strip as part of the ceasefire agreement, once again showed signs of emaciation and abuse.

West Bank becoming ‘battlefield’, dozens killed in recent weeks: UNRWA chief

The West Bank is facing an "alarming spillover" of the Gaza war, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees announced, adding dozens have been killed since Israel expanded its military operations there last month.

Iranian official says Tehran likely to hold meeting with E3 in coming weeks

A senior Iranian diplomat has stated that Tehran and the European troika – France, Germany and Britain – will likely hold meetings in the coming weeks. Kazem Gharibabadi stressed that Iran’s talks with any country are solely based preserving its national interests and security.

No sanctions relief for Russia pre-agreement, Ukraine ‘can forget about’ NATO: Trump

United States President Donald Trump has stressed that Ukraine will not be allowed to join NATO as part of a future peace accord with Russia and ruled out lifting sanctions on Moscow before a deal is reached.

Lebanon’s government wins confidence vote in parliament

Lebanon’s new government has won a confidence vote in parliament, following a speech by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam promising to push for economic reforms and to start negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

US puts sanctions on network behind ‘Iran’s drone program’

The United States Department of the Treasury has announced fresh sanctions targeting a procurement network behind Iran's drone production program.

The Greek Ship in Persian Gulf on verge of collapse

Built in 1943, the Greek Ship is 136 meters long and weighs 7.061 tons. Initially named Empire Trumpet, the ship changed hands several times before being taken over by its final owner, a Greek national.

Leader’s advisor: Iran open to talks only based on mutual respect, equal footing

Kamal Kharrazi, an advisor to Iran’s leader, says Tehran does not escape from genuine talks but Iranians, by nature, are not the type to give in to bullying by other countries.

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