1. Winter Storm Batters Gaza as Fragile Ceasefire Frays A harsh winter storm has torn through Gaza, collapsing tents and makeshift shelters and killing over a dozen people, including children who succumbed to cold. At the same time, reports of ceasefire violations and new settlement approvals in the West Bank highlight how unstable the “truce” really is. The humanitarian crisis deepens as displaced families face both violence and exposure. 2. U.S. Plans UN-Backed ‘Stabilization Force’ for Gaz...

1. Winter Storm Batters Gaza as Fragile Ceasefire Frays A harsh winter storm has torn through Gaza, collapsing tents and makeshift shelters and killing over a dozen people, including children who succumbed to cold. At the same time, reports of ceasefire violations and new settlement approvals in the West Bank highlight how unstable the “truce” really is. The humanitarian crisis deepens as displaced families face both violence and exposure. 2. U.S. Plans UN-Backed ‘Stabilization Force’ for Gaz...

Russia Pounds Ukraine With Missiles and Drones on Eve of Trump–Zelensky MeetingMoscow launched a massive barrage of missiles and Shahed drones at Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, killing at least one person and injuring many while damaging parts of the power grid. Zelensky said the assault was Russia’s “answer to peace efforts” as he prepared to travel to Florida. The strikes underscore how the Kremlin is using pressure on civilians and infrastructure to shape upcoming peace talks. Thailand a...

Russia Pounds Ukraine With Missiles and Drones on Eve of Trump–Zelensky MeetingMoscow launched a massive barrage of missiles and Shahed drones at Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, killing at least one person and injuring many while damaging parts of the power grid. Zelensky said the assault was Russia’s “answer to peace efforts” as he prepared to travel to Florida. The strikes underscore how the Kremlin is using pressure on civilians and infrastructure to shape upcoming peace talks. Thailand a...

1. ECOWAS Declares Regional ‘State of Emergency’ Over West Africa Coup WaveWest African bloc ECOWAS says the region is in a de-facto emergency after a string of coups and coup attempts in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Benin and others. Leaders meeting in Abuja signaled they’re ready to use tougher sanctions and even military intervention to deter new putsches. The move underlines how political instability and armed groups are reshaping the Sahel’s security map. 2. UN Report: Food and Fos...

1. ECOWAS Declares Regional ‘State of Emergency’ Over West Africa Coup WaveWest African bloc ECOWAS says the region is in a de-facto emergency after a string of coups and coup attempts in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Benin and others. Leaders meeting in Abuja signaled they’re ready to use tougher sanctions and even military intervention to deter new putsches. The move underlines how political instability and armed groups are reshaping the Sahel’s security map. 2. UN Report: Food and Fos...

1. Proposed ‘Free Economic Zone’ in Donbas Tied to Ukrainian PullbackA new U.S.-backed peace draft reportedly asks Ukraine to withdraw from parts of Donbas in exchange for turning the area into a joint free economic zone. President Zelensky warns that without hard security guarantees this could simply open the door to further Russian advances. European leaders in a new “coalition of the willing” are trying to coordinate a common stance before any deal is signed. 2. EU Freezes €210 Billion in ...

1. Proposed ‘Free Economic Zone’ in Donbas Tied to Ukrainian PullbackA new U.S.-backed peace draft reportedly asks Ukraine to withdraw from parts of Donbas in exchange for turning the area into a joint free economic zone. President Zelensky warns that without hard security guarantees this could simply open the door to further Russian advances. European leaders in a new “coalition of the willing” are trying to coordinate a common stance before any deal is signed. 2. EU Freezes €210 Billion in ...

1. U.S. Imposes De Facto Oil Blockade on Venezuela, Raising Regional Tensions President Trump has ordered U.S. naval forces in the Caribbean to stop all sanctioned tankers heading to or from Venezuela, calling it a “total blockade.” The move has nudged global oil prices upward and could choke Caracas’s access to hard currency. Analysts warn it may destabilize the Venezuelan economy further and risk a wider crisis in the region. 2. Trump Designates Fentanyl a ‘Weapon of Mass Destruction’ A new...

1. U.S. Imposes De Facto Oil Blockade on Venezuela, Raising Regional Tensions President Trump has ordered U.S. naval forces in the Caribbean to stop all sanctioned tankers heading to or from Venezuela, calling it a “total blockade.” The move has nudged global oil prices upward and could choke Caracas’s access to hard currency. Analysts warn it may destabilize the Venezuelan economy further and risk a wider crisis in the region. 2. Trump Designates Fentanyl a ‘Weapon of Mass Destruction’ A new...

1. Berlin Ukraine Peace Talks Advance, but Territorial Deal Still Stalls At talks in Berlin, the U.S. has floated NATO-style security guarantees for Ukraine without formal membership. Officials say roughly 90% of issues are agreed, yet the fate of Russian-occupied territories remains unresolved. Trump insists peace is “closer than ever,” while Zelensky stays cautious about conceding land. 2. Thailand–Cambodia War Escalates as Fuel Route via Laos Is Cut Thailand has halted fuel shipments throu...

1. Berlin Ukraine Peace Talks Advance, but Territorial Deal Still Stalls At talks in Berlin, the U.S. has floated NATO-style security guarantees for Ukraine without formal membership. Officials say roughly 90% of issues are agreed, yet the fate of Russian-occupied territories remains unresolved. Trump insists peace is “closer than ever,” while Zelensky stays cautious about conceding land. 2. Thailand–Cambodia War Escalates as Fuel Route via Laos Is Cut Thailand has halted fuel shipments throu...

1. Gunmen Attack Hanukkah Celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach Armed attackers opened fire at a Hanukkah event near Bondi Beach, killing at least 15 people and injuring many more. Police shot one gunman dead and captured another, describing the assault as an antisemitic terrorist attack. It’s Australia’s deadliest mass shooting since 1996 and has shocked communities worldwide. 2. Cities Worldwide Tighten Security Around Hanukkah Events After Bondi Shooting In response to the Sydney attack, maj...

1. Gunmen Attack Hanukkah Celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach Armed attackers opened fire at a Hanukkah event near Bondi Beach, killing at least 15 people and injuring many more. Police shot one gunman dead and captured another, describing the assault as an antisemitic terrorist attack. It’s Australia’s deadliest mass shooting since 1996 and has shocked communities worldwide. 2. Cities Worldwide Tighten Security Around Hanukkah Events After Bondi Shooting In response to the Sydney attack, maj...

Ukraine War Spills Deeper Into Russia as Senior General Killed in Moscow Car BombUkrainian forces carried out strikes on targets inside Russia, including an oil terminal, an ammo depot and a drone-launch site in Krasnodar. The same day, a car bomb in Moscow killed Russian General Fanil Sarvarov, with Kyiv’s security service widely blamed. Together, the attacks underline how the conflict has moved far beyond the traditional front line and into Russia’s interior.Israeli Airstrike Near Sidon Esc...

Ukraine War Spills Deeper Into Russia as Senior General Killed in Moscow Car BombUkrainian forces carried out strikes on targets inside Russia, including an oil terminal, an ammo depot and a drone-launch site in Krasnodar. The same day, a car bomb in Moscow killed Russian General Fanil Sarvarov, with Kyiv’s security service widely blamed. Together, the attacks underline how the conflict has moved far beyond the traditional front line and into Russia’s interior.Israeli Airstrike Near Sidon Esc...

1. Kremlin Rejects Standalone ‘Christmas Truce’ Without Full Ukraine Peace Deal Zelensky has floated the idea of a Christmas ceasefire, at least to stop Russian strikes on Ukraine’s power grid. Moscow says it will only consider any pause in fighting as part of a comprehensive settlement that secures Russia’s “core interests.” The stance clashes with Western calls for a symbolic holiday truce and shows the war is still far from true de-escalation. 2. Europe Launches New Hague-Based Commission ...

1. Kremlin Rejects Standalone ‘Christmas Truce’ Without Full Ukraine Peace Deal Zelensky has floated the idea of a Christmas ceasefire, at least to stop Russian strikes on Ukraine’s power grid. Moscow says it will only consider any pause in fighting as part of a comprehensive settlement that secures Russia’s “core interests.” The stance clashes with Western calls for a symbolic holiday truce and shows the war is still far from true de-escalation. 2. Europe Launches New Hague-Based Commission ...

1. Powerful 7.5 Quake Strikes Northeastern Japan, Tsunami Warnings IssuedA magnitude-7.5 earthquake hit off the coast of Aomori in northern Japan, triggering tsunami warnings of up to three meters. Tens of thousands of residents were told to evacuate coastal areas and some train lines were temporarily halted. Early reports suggest only limited damage, but aftershocks and sea-level changes are still being monitored. 2. Coup Attempt in Benin Fails After Rapid ECOWAS–Nigeria InterventionA group ...

1. Powerful 7.5 Quake Strikes Northeastern Japan, Tsunami Warnings IssuedA magnitude-7.5 earthquake hit off the coast of Aomori in northern Japan, triggering tsunami warnings of up to three meters. Tens of thousands of residents were told to evacuate coastal areas and some train lines were temporarily halted. Early reports suggest only limited damage, but aftershocks and sea-level changes are still being monitored. 2. Coup Attempt in Benin Fails After Rapid ECOWAS–Nigeria InterventionA group ...