Monday, January 19, 2026

World

At least 12 killed in shooting targeting Australia’s Jewish community

At least 12 people have been killed in a shooting on Australia’s Bondi Beach which targeted the Jewish community, police say. The attack, which took place as hundreds gathered to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, has been declared a terrorist incident.

Russia ready to ‘test’ Europe in real conflict in next 4 years: Defense commissioner

EU Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius has warned that Russia could be ready to "test" Europe in a conflict within the next three to four years, stressing the need for the European Union to strengthen its defense capabilities.

Moscow says EU’s tampering with Russian assets is ‘theft’ no matter how it’s framed

Any endeavours by the EU to tap into the frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank would be illegal under international law, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has stated.

Israel claims to have killed senior Hamas commander in Gaza

The Israeli military claimed it has killed senior Hamas commander Raed Saad in an attack in Gaza City.

Trump vows retaliation after three Americans killed in Daesh attack in Syria 

United States President Donald Trump has pledged to pursue “serious retaliation” against the terror group Daesh after an ambush in central Syria killed two American service members and one civilian interpreter.

US sets out condition for Ukraine security guarantees: Axios

The administration of US President Donald Trump is willing to offer Kiev NATO-style and Congress-approved security guarantees if it agrees on territorial concessions to Russia, Axios reported on Saturday, citing sources. Ukraine has denied any concessions and has called instead for a ceasefire – a proposal Moscow has dismissed as a ploy to win time and prolong the conflict.

Trump pressuring Zelensky to cede land to Russia: Bild

US President Donald Trump is pressuring his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky to cede territory to Russia in an effort to end the conflict between Kiev and Moscow, Bild has claimed, citing anonymous sources.

EU foreign policy chief warns lack of Russian concessions could fuel future wars beyond Ukraine

Even if Ukraine were to receive security guarantees, the absence of real concessions from Russia would risk triggering new wars elsewhere, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned.

Lebanese newspaper claims Beirut has halted acceptance of new Iranian ambassador

The Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar has claimed that Lebanon’s foreign minister has effectively suspended the exchange of ambassadors between Beirut and Tehran by refusing to complete the legal procedures required to accept Iran’s new ambassador.

Israel approves several new West Bank settlements in major annexation push

Israel’s security cabinet has signed off on plans to formalise 19 illegal settlements across the occupied West Bank—a move that Palestinian officials say deepens a decades-long project of land theft and demographic engineering.

US stormed cargo ship travelling from China to Iran: Wall Street Journal

United States raided a cargo ship travelling from China to Iran last month, according to the Wall Street Journal, in the latest reported instance of increasingly aggressive maritime tactics by the administration of American President Donald Trump.

Trump’s envoy to meet Zelensky, European leaders over US peace plan: WSJ

U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and European leaders in Brussels over the weekend as discussions on Washington-proposed peace framework aimed at ending Russia's war continue, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has reported.

US withheld intelligence from Israel during Biden era: Reuters

US intelligence officials temporarily suspended sharing some key information with Israel during the Joe Biden administration over concerns about its conduct of the war in the Gaza Strip, six people familiar with the matter told Reuters news agency.

EU indefinitely freezes Russian funds, moves closer to financial lifeline for Ukraine

The European Union has agreed to indefinitely freeze Russian central bank reserves, moving the bloc a step closer to securing a financial lifeline to Ukraine as the war heads into its fourth year.

UN General Assembly adopts resolution asking Israel to allow aid into Gaza Strip

The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly supported a resolution demanding that Israel open unrestricted humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, stop attacking UN facilities, and comply with international law in line with its obligations as an occupying power.

Turkish-owned vessels damaged in Russian attack on Ukrainian ports

Russia has attacked two Ukrainian ports, damaging three Turkish-owned vessels, including a ship carrying food supplies, according to Ukrainian officials and a shipowner.

European states step up opposition to seizing Russian funds: Politico

Italy, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Malta have urged the EU to explore alternatives to seizing frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine, Politico Europe has reported, citing an internal document.

British banks oppose EU push to steal frozen Russian funds: FT

British bankers have pushed back against plans to use the frozen Russian assets they hold to fund a loan for Ukraine, the Financial Times has reported.

Trump claims everyone in Ukraine except Zelensky ‘loved’ US peace plan

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the Ukrainian people supported his peace proposal, which was rejected by Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine says referendum on territorial concessions necessary

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated the country may hold a referendum on territorial concessions ahead of any peace deal with Moscow. Kiev has previously ruled out any recognition of former Ukrainian regions as part of Russia.

US secretly planning five-nation club including Russia to sideline G7: Report

The US is secretly planning to create a five-nation power bloc with Russia, China, India and Japan to sideline the Western-dominated G7, according to reports.

US House passes $800mn aid package for Ukraine through 2027

The US House of Representatives has passed a defense spending bill that would provide $800 million in military assistance to Kiev through 2027.

Iceland becomes fifth state to boycott Eurovision 2026 over Israel participation

Iceland has become the fifth country to boycott next year’s Eurovision song contest after Israel was given the go-ahead to compete, deepening the crisis facing the competition.

Repatriation of undocumented Afghans aligns with international law: Iran’s envoy

The Iranian ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations has stated that Tehran’s return of undocumented Afghan nationals to their home country is in compliance with international law, a move that respects global legal standards and humanitarian norms.

US Congress advances bill to repeal Caesar Act sanctions on Syria

The United States House of Representatives has voted forward a bill that would nix the restrictive Caesar Act sanctions on Syria, originally imposed during the rule of former leader Bashar al-Assad.

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