Day: January 2, 2026

A new world record for the longest fireworks show was set in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, on New Year’s Eve, Azernews reports.

Iran is offering foreign governments the option to purchase advanced weapons systems—including ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and military vessels—using cryptocurrency, in a bid to bypass Western financial restrictions.

According to Report, the proposal was outlined in an article published by The Financial Times.

The report notes that Iran’s Ministry of Defense Export Operations Center, known as “Mindex,” has declared its readiness to discuss military contracts that allow payments in digital currencies, as well as through barter arrangements and the Iranian rial. Advertising materials and payment terms reviewed by the newspaper appear to confirm this approach.

Emerging over the past year, the offer is believed to be one of the first known cases in which a state has openly declared its willingness to accept cryptocurrency as payment for the export of strategic military equipment.

Mindex, the state body responsible for Iran’s overseas defense sales, claims to cooperate with 35 countries. It promotes a weapons catalogue that includes Emad ballistic missiles, Shahed drones, Shahid Soleimani–class military vessels, and short-range air defense systems.

The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on Friday that Russia launched 116 airstrikes overnight using drones of different types from the directions of the Millerovo, Kursk, Shatalovo, Orel, Bryansk, and the Primorsko-Akhtarsk regions, as well as from the Gvardiyske and Chauda regions in the occupied Crimea, Azernews reports.

Hundreds of cars are stuck on the Russian-#Georgia|n border. The road through the Upper Lars checkpoint is the only land route connecting #Armenia with #Russia.
#SouthCaucasus pic.x.com/DVPHBYLmYf

— Karina Karapetyan (@KarinaKarapety8) Jan 2, 2026