A suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque in Islamabad killed at least 31 people as Pakistan grapples with surging militant violence (AP). Senior Russian General Vladimir Alexeyev was shot and wounded in Moscow (Reuters). The 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony begins today in Milan-Cortina.

Iran's foreign minister reported a "good beginning" to nuclear talks with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in Oman, the first substantive update since negotiations commenced (Reuters). Congress passed a $50 billion foreign aid bill despite previous administration cuts, while a new rule expands President Trump's authority to fire federal workers.