Iranians and Persian-speaking communities across the region celebrated Yalda Night on Sunday, the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, with time-honored traditions centered on togetherness, poetry and hope.

A video showing the football skills of two teenage boys from a rural area in Iran has gone viral on social media.

More than half a million Palestinians have lost their source of livelihood in the West Bank and Gaza since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza in October 2023, according to a report by a trade union.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's top foreign policy aide has stated that he was sure the chances of peace in Ukraine were not improved by changes to U.S. proposals made by the Europeans and Ukraine, Interfax reported.

Two Iranian photographers have been recognized among the honorees of the 2025 UNICEF Photo of the Year awards, with their works focusing on the lives and experiences of children.

The head of Iraq's highest judicial body has stated that the leaders of armed factions have agreed to cooperate on the sensitive issue of the state's monopoly on weapons.

Irans Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi has described US actions undermining maritime security in the Caribbean and threats to use force against Venezuela as a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.

North Korea has announced that Japan's nuclear ambitions "must be prevented at any cost", after a Japanese official reportedly suggested the country should possess atomic weapons.

Iranians across the country are preparing to mark Yalda Night on Sunday with lively gatherings, bustling markets, and a strong sense of tradition, as families and friends came together to celebrate the longest night of the year despite ongoing economic pressures.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has said that negotiations with the US will only resume if Washington demonstrates readiness for a fair and balanced agreement rather than imposing terms.

The United States, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey have urged the parties to the Gaza ceasefire to honour their commitments and show restraint, the chief US envoy has stated after talks in the US city of Miami.

Lebanon is close to completing the disarmament of Hezbollah in the south of the Litani River before a year-end deadline as part of a ceasefire accord with Israel, according to Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

Ukraine's Special Operations Forces (SSO) carried out kamikaze drone strikes on a Russian patrol ship and an oil platform in the Caspian Sea on Friday, the SSO has reported on Saturday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday stated that Moscow had no say in the organisation of elections in the country, after Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested halting strikes for Kyiv to hold a presidential ballot.

U.S. intelligence reports continue to warn that Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to capture all of Ukraine and reclaim parts of Europe that belonged to the former Soviet empire, six sources familiar with U.S. intelligence have claimed, even as negotiators seek an end to the war that would leave Russia with far less territory.

The United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team evaluated the security situation in Afghanistan in its 16th report, warning that the ISIS threat persists in Afghanistan despite improved security.

EU taxpayers will have to pay 3 billion a year in borrowing costs to finance Kievs collapsing economy and military under a newly approved loan scheme, Politico has reported, citing senior bloc officials.

The head of Irans Department of Environment in Sistan and Baluchestan Province has warned residents to remain cautious following above-normal rainfall and flooding of seasonal rivers, which may increase wildlife movement, particularly the short-snouted crocodile known locally as the Gando.

The EU will eventually have to return Russias sovereign assets frozen under Ukraine-related sanctions, President Vladimir Putin has stated. He warned the bloc against tapping the funds, saying the move would cause reputational damage and risk undermining the foundations of the modern financial system.

The Pentagon has released combat footage showing US and allied forces carrying out large-scale strikes against purported Daesh terrorist targets in Syria, as part of Washingtons retaliation for the recent killing of American personnel.

A Pakistani court on Saturday sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison each in a corruption case involving the under-priced purchase of luxury state gifts, the court and Khan's lawyers have confirmed.

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Tumps son-in-law, businessman Jared Kushner, have designed a project of rebuilding the Gaza Strip, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has reported, citing sources.

Ashraf Boroujerdi, a well-known reformist political activist, advocate for womens and civil rights, and sister of MP Alaeddin Boroujerdi, has passed away.

Japan needs to consider developing its own nuclear weapons, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has told journalists.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the detention of 10 more UN staff members by the Houthis in Yemen, accused of espionage for Israel and the US.