International Affairs

Israel and Syria set up a US-supervised communication mechanism for military de-escalation

Israel and Syria agreed to create a US-supervised “dedicated communication cell” to share intelligence and coordinate military de-escalation, with the mechanism also intended to support diplomatic engagement and commercial opportunities.

US raises military option for acquiring Greenland as European and Canadian leaders back Greenland’s self-determination

The White House said the US military is “always an option” for acquiring Greenland, while European and Canadian leaders publicly backed Greenland’s right to decide its own future and rejected threats against Denmark.

Tarique Rahman takes over as BNP chairman in Bangladesh

Tarique Rahman was appointed chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, filling the vacancy left by the death of his mother and party chairperson Khaleda Zia.

India and the European Union intensify talks to conclude a free trade agreement

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is scheduled to visit Brussels on January 8-9, 2026 to hold high-level talks aimed at resolving pending issues and expediting the conclusion of India-EU free trade agreement negotiations.

EU moves toward free trade deal with Mercosur as farmers protest and France leads opposition

EU member-state ambassadors gave a provisional nod to a free trade agreement with Mercosur, while farmers protested across Europe and France led opposition to the deal.

US Senate advances bid to limit Trump military action in Venezuela

The US Senate advanced a war powers resolution that would bar President Donald Trump from further military action against Venezuela without congressional authorisation.

India and Iran plan year-long events for 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations

India and Iran are planning year-long events to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations, starting with an expected visit to India later this month by Iranian Foreign Minister Syed Abbas Araghchi.

Russian drone and missile attack hits Kyiv and Lviv, killing three in the capital

Russia attacked Ukraine with drones and missiles, killing three people and injuring at least 16 in Kyiv, and also struck critical infrastructure in Lviv with an unidentified ballistic missile.

NCB drug seizures, arrests, and anti-trafficking operations in 2025

The Narcotics Control Bureau said it seized 1.33 lakh kg of drugs worth about ₹2,000 crore in 2025 and carried out multiple operations that led to arrests, convictions, lab busts, asset freezes, and international coordination.

Lebanese army takes over security in southern Lebanon as Hezbollah disarmament pressure continues

The Lebanese army said it has taken over security in southern Lebanon and met its initial goal of clearing non-state weapons south of the Litani river, while Israel continues strikes and disputes persist over Hezbollah’s disarmament.

Russian strikes cut heat, water, and power for large parts of Ukraine

Russian strikes overnight left more than one million people in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region without water supplies or heating, and a large-scale drone attack also knocked out power in the Zaporizhzhia region.

US military expansion and operations in Greenland during the Second World War

The United States established and expanded military installations in Greenland during the Second World War, driven by Western Hemisphere defense policy, German weather-station activity, and the strategic value of cryolite for aluminium production.

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