NATO has asked Türkiye to deploy F-16 fighter jets earlier than planned for the alliance’s air policing mission over the Baltic region. If Ankara agrees, Turkish aircraft would be stationed in Estonia from August to December 2026, several months ahead of the original schedule.

Iran is experiencing its largest wave of protests since 2022. For the third consecutive day, the country has remained largely cut off from communications, as authorities have restricted internet and mobile network access, making it difficult to assess the situation in the regions.

Qatar has confirmed damage to its embassy in Kyiv following overnight shelling of the city on January 9. In a statement, the embassy said no staff members were injured and expressed deep regret over the incident, without naming those responsible.

US President Donald Trump has announced the start of military actions on Mexican territory targeting drug cartels.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has ordered the state’s National Guard to be placed on heightened readiness following the death of a woman during protests against a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Minneapolis.

According to the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), protesters have taken full control of Abdanan and partial control of Malekshahi in western Iran. Ali Safavi, a member of NCRI’s Foreign Affairs Committee, told Fox News that residents celebrated on the streets, chanting: “Death to Khamenei!”

Head of Ukraine’s Security Service Vasyl Malyuk has announced his resignation, saying he will remain within the agency and focus on asymmetric special operations.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro issued a sharp response to threats from the United States, saying he could resort to armed resistance if necessary.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has sharply criticized the European Union’s approach toward Russia, warning that Brussels is ready to go “to the edge of the cliff” with its current policies.

The Munich Prosecutor’s Office has dropped criminal proceedings against Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov over alleged violations of EU sanctions.

In the constellation Unicorn, astronomers have discovered an unusual star cluster shaped like a Christmas tree. The object, named the Cosmic Christmas Tree, is located in the NGC 2264 nebula, where new stars are actively forming.

Former South Korean President Yun Suk-yeol could face a 10-year prison sentence in the first of four criminal cases related to the declaration of martial law in December 2024. The court’s decision is expected on January 16.

US authorities have announced an unprecedented increase in the cash reward for undocumented migrants who agree to voluntary deportation. Until the end of 2025, anyone who leaves the country through a special application will receive $3,000 and a free ticket home.

Special envoys of U.S. President Donald Trump have presented an ambitious ten-year plan for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip called "Project Sunrise." The project is estimated to cost $112 billion, and its goal is to turn the war-torn enclave into a thriving metropolis.

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) has made a major strategic acquisition in Turkey, strengthening its status as a key energy player in the region. The company has acquired the Gama Enerji İç Anadolu power plant with a capacity of 870 MW for $225 million.

Following the resignation of the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, advisers who worked under him were dismissed from the administration of Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Among them are well-known public figures Mykhailo Podolyak and Serhiy Leshchenko.

The United States launched massive airstrikes against Islamic State positions in central Syria. The operation was a response to the deaths of two American servicemen and a civilian interpreter. The Pentagon emphasized that this is only the beginning of the response measures.

As part of the official visit to Tokyo, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with Japan's Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Yohei Matsumoto, the head of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Tsuyoshi Sugino, and leaders of prominent Japanese universities such as the University of Tsukuba, Nagoya University, Tottori University, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, as well as Nagoya University of Economics.

The business program of the official visit to Tokyo continued with negotiations between the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Akihiko Tanaka.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that U.S. actions toward Venezuela are undermining prospects for international dialogue and increasing regional tensions.