Russia carried out a major overnight missile and drone assault on Ukraine’s Kyiv and Kharkiv, targeting energy and infrastructure, causing widespread power and heating outages amid freezing temperatures. Ukrainian officials reported at least one death and dozens injured. The attacks coincided with the second day of peace talks in Abu Dhabi involving Kyiv, Moscow, and the United States. Kyiv condemned the strikes as undermining diplomacy. The assault raised doubts about Moscow’s willingness to negotiate, as disagreements over territorial control and security guarantees continue, prolonging the nearly four-year conflict. (PC: AFP)

Iran’s Consul General in Mumbai, Saeid Reza Mosayeb Motlagh, said Iran is “not afraid” amid rising U.S. pressure and sanctions, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei is not hiding in a bunker but conducting required meetings securely. He dismissed media speculation suggesting a leadership crisis and claimed foreign intelligence fueled unrest in Iran, resulting in over 3,100 deaths during protests. Motlagh reaffirmed Iran’s readiness to defend itself against aggression and emphasized ongoing ties with India despite sanctions. He also assured that no foreign nationals, including Indians in Iran, have been harmed, and said internet services are improving after outages. (PC: NDTV)

Russia carried out overnight drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, killing one person and injuring at least 23, officials said, even as talks with the United States continued. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said a “massive enemy attack” damaged critical infrastructure, leaving about 6,000 buildings without heating in sub-zero weather. Four people were wounded in the capital, three of them hospitalised. In Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said 19 people were injured, with a maternity hospital and a shelter for displaced people damaged. Delegations from Russia, Ukraine and the US met in Abu Dhabi. A source said progress was limited, with territorial issues unresolved. (PC: BBC)

Several international airlines have suspended flights to parts of the Middle East due to growing safety concerns linked to US-Iran tensions. Airlines including KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, United Airlines and Air Canada have halted or limited services to destinations such as Dubai and Tel Aviv. Some carriers said they are avoiding airspace over Iran, Iraq, Israel and parts of the Gulf. Lufthansa has restricted flights to daytime operations in Israel. The move follows increased US military deployments in the region after unrest in Iran. US President Donald Trump confirmed that American warships, including an aircraft carrier, are moving toward the region as a precaution. Iran recently closed its airspace briefly, disrupting global flights. (PC: X)

Prince Harry has said the sacrifices made by NATO troops in Afghanistan must be spoken about “truthfully and with respect” after comments by US President Donald Trump. Trump said allied forces stayed “a little back” from the front lines during the war. Prince Harry, who served two tours in Afghanistan, said he lost friends in the conflict and paid tribute to those killed, including 457 British personnel. He noted NATO invoked Article 5 after the 9/11 attacks and allies fought alongside the US. His remarks followed criticism from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and leaders from several NATO countries. (PC: X)

Israel’s Economy Minister Nir Barkat has warned Iran of a strong military response if it attacks Israel again. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Barkat said Israel would retaliate “seven times harder.” He accused Iran of backing armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah to destabilise the region.   Barkat also ruled out Pakistan from any peacekeeping role in Gaza, saying countries that supported terror were not welcome. He said Israel’s focus remains defence, not regime change, and hoped for peace if Iran changes its path.

Iran has warned US President Donald Trump that any attack on Tehran would be treated as an “all-out war,” after he said American warships were heading toward the region. A senior Iranian official said Iran would use “everything at its disposal” to respond to what it sees as a constant military threat from the US. Trump described the deployment as a large naval force moving toward Iran. Reports said the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, three destroyers armed with missiles, and US fighter jets have been sent to the Middle East. Iranian officials said the country is on high alert but did not detail any planned response. (PC: India Today)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticised US President Donald Trump over comments suggesting British and NATO troops were not on the front lines in Afghanistan. Starmer said the remarks were “insulting and frankly appalling” and caused pain to veterans and families of the fallen. He said he would apologise if he had made such comments. Trump repeated his view in an interview, saying NATO troops stayed “a little off the frontlines.” Downing Street said Trump was wrong to downplay the role of UK forces. Officials noted British troops served in sustained combat operations alongside allies. The UK lost 457 soldiers in Afghanistan, with many more wounded. (PC: Sky News)

US President Donald Trump has claimed that NATO forces stayed away from the front lines during the Afghanistan war. Official data and military records contradict this. After the 9/11 attacks, NATO invoked Article 5 and deployed troops alongside the US from 2001. NATO troop numbers peaked at about 140,000 in 2011. While the US lost the most soldiers overall, several European nations suffered heavy losses relative to their population size. The UK lost 457 troops, Canada 159, France 90 and Germany 62. NATO forces operated in high-conflict regions such as Kandahar and Helmand, where British, Canadian and Danish troops faced intense combat. (PC: India Today)

Prince Harry has spoken out after US President Donald Trump said Nato allies stayed away from front-line fighting in Afghanistan. Trump’s remarks triggered strong reactions in the UK, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling them insulting and unacceptable. Harry, who served two tours in Afghanistan with the British Army, said the sacrifices made by Nato troops deserve to be discussed truthfully and with respect. Britain joined the US-led mission in 2001 after Nato invoked its collective defence clause following the 9/11 attacks. The conflict claimed the lives of 457 British service personnel. The White House later defended US support for Nato and Europe’s security role. (PC: BBC)