Monday, January 19, 2026

World

Moscow says US and Russia ‘actively discussing’ settlement of Ukraine war

Moscow and Washington are continuing their dialogue on resolving the Ukraine conflict in line with the understanding reached during the Alaska meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump in August, Putin’s aide Yury Ushakov has stated.

UN peacekeepers say Israel fired on them in Lebanon

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has announced that Israeli soldiers have shot at its peacekeepers in their latest targeting of UNIFIL as Israel continues to attack Lebanon on a near-daily basis in violation of a yearlong ceasefire with Hezbollah.

Ukraine renews calls for more air defence after deadly attack on Kyiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has renewed his plea for more air-defence systems a day after Russian aerial attacks on Kyiv killed seven people.

7,000 tons of unexploded Israeli ordnance in Gaza pose great danger to civilians: The Economist

The Gaza Strip may now contain the highest concentration of unexploded ordnance of any conflict zone in the world, posing a significant and enduring threat to civilians even after Israel's bombardment campaign against the besieged coastal area has ended, according to a report.

NATO member states to pay over €400mn for Ukraine’s US weapons

Several NATO members will jointly provide a €430 million ($500 million) military package for Ukraine, Secretary General Mark Rutte has stated.

Washington working to corner EU energy market: FT

The United States is moving to push Russian energy out of the European Union market and position itself to fill the gap, the Financial Times has reported.

Gaza Municipal Union warns of disaster as 700,000 tons of waste pile up in enclave

The Union of Gaza Strip Municipalities has warned of the consequences of 700,000 tons of accumulated waste in random dumping sites, as municipalities are unable to provide even the minimum level of essential services due to severe shortages of fuel and equipment.

Israel wants broader security accord with US: Axios

Israel wants to strike a 20-year security accord with the US, doubling the duration of the previous one and emphasizing “cooperation” between the two sides rather than one-sided reception of military aid, Axios has reported, citing officials familiar with the matter.

Direct negotiations with Putin are part of ‘Trump Doctrine’: US VP

US Vice President J.D. Vance has defended President Donald Trump’s decision to open direct talks with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, as an important step toward peace in Ukraine.

Iran’s UN envoy slams ‘systemic double standards’ in nuclear arena

Iran’s permanent ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani has delivered a vociferous rebuke of politicization of nuclear oversight and the international community’s failure to address the unprecedented attacks of June on Tehran’s safeguarded nuclear facilities.

Displaced Gazans suffer as heavy rains flood tent camps

Displaced Palestinians are reeling after heavy rains flooded their tents in makeshift displacement camps in Gaza City, as the United Nations warns that Israeli restrictions on aid have left hundreds of thousands of families without adequate shelter in the enclave.

Iran dismisses Canada’s latest allegations as unfounded

Zahra Ershadi, Iran’s Assistant Foreign Minister and Director General for the Americas, strongly repudiated the claim issued by the chief of Canada’s internal security service, stressing that the accusations directed at the Islamic Republic are completely unfounded and wholly manufactured.

Congresswoman introduces US Congress resolution to recognise Gaza genocide

Democratic lawmaker Rashida Tlaib has introduced a resolution in the United States Congress to recognise Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip as a genocide.

Rocket attack in Syria’s Damascus injures one

A woman has been injured in an explosion caused by rocket attacks in the Mezzeh district of the Syrian capital Damascus, according to Syrian state media.

Syrian flag hoisted at Britain embassy after 12-year closure

The flag of Syria has been raised once more over its embassy building in London, marking the first time the mission has been active since its closure in 2013.

Ukraine will have to negotiate with Russia ‘sooner or later’: Kremlin

The Kremlin announced on Thursday that Ukraine would have to talk with Russia "sooner or later" and predicted that Kyiv's negotiating position would get worse by the day.

EU chief insists using Russian frozen assets best way to fund Ukraine

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has insisted that using frozen Russian assets to fund a new loan was the "most effective way" to finance Ukraine, as she laid out other options after opposition from Belgium.

US says ‘running out of things to sanction’ in Russia

Washington has nearly exhausted its list of viable targets for sanctions against Moscow, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated, following its latest move to blacklist two of Russia’s largest oil companies.

US knew Israeli officials discussed use of human shields in Gaza: Reuters

The United States had evidence last year that Israeli officials discussed how their soldiers sent Palestinians into tunnels in the Gaza Strip that the Israelis believed were potentially lined with explosives, two former American officials have told the Reuters news agency.

US issues Iran-related missile and drone sanctions

The United States on Wednesday sanctioned individuals and entities in several countries related to their support of Iran's ballistic missile and drone production, in the latest endeavour to pressure Tehran.

Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s coalition comes first in Iraqi parliamentary election

A coalition led by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has emerged as winner in the Arab country’s parliamentary election, according to electoral authorities.

Trump formally asks Israel’s president to pardon Netanyahu after Gaza ceasefire

United States President Donald Trump has sent a letter to Israel’s President Isaac Herzog asking him to pardon Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu, slamming the corruption charges against the PM as “political” and “unjustified”.

Israel-backed militia to oversee ‘rehabilitation’ of Rafah city in Gaza: Report

An Israel-backed armed group that has been accused of stealing aid in the Gaza Strip is set to oversee the “rehabilitation” of Rafah city, according to reports.

Afghanistan economic recovery buckles as 9 in 10 families go hungry or into debt: UNDP

Afghanistan's economic recovery is buckling as nine in 10 households are forced to skip meals, sell belongings or take on debt to survive, the United Nations announced on Wednesday, warning that mass returns are exacerbating the country's worst crisis since the Taliban returned to power.

India and Pakistan spar after explosion rocks Islamabad

India has denied Pakistani allegations of involvement in a suicide bomb attack outside a district court complex in Islamabad that killed at least 12 people. and injured dozens more.

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