Yemen's Houthi rebels announced limiting their Red Sea attacks to only Israeli-affiliated ships as a Gaza Strip ceasefire takes hold. The Houthis have targeted roughly 100 merchant vessels since November 2023, resulting in seizures and casualties. They have intercepted missiles and drones aimed at Western military vessels.
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Mediators have presented Israel and Hamas with a final draft in Doha to end the year-long conflict in Gaza. Talks attended by officials from both Joe Biden's and Donald Trump's teams are at a critical juncture. The proposed phased ceasefire includes initial hostage releases for a fighting halt, with a de facto deadline set for January 20.
Mussayev is not the first former KGB officer to make such a claim. Years ago, Yuri Shvets, a former KGB major now living in Washington, D.C., was a key source for Craig Unger’s book American Kompromat: How the KGB Cultivated Donald Trump, and Related Tales of Sex, Greed, Power, and Treachery. Shortly after Mussayev’s recent statement, another ex-KGB officer, Sergei Zhyrnov, who now resides in France, endorsed the claim in an interview with a Ukrainian journalist.
South Korea's impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol, denied ordering the military to remove lawmakers during his first appearance before the Constitutional Court. Yoon's martial law decree, which triggered political turmoil, is under investigation for possible rebellion and abuse of power. His actions have strained diplomatic relations, financial markets, and internal unity. Yoon's defiance has fueled opposition efforts to remove him, leading to violence from his supporters, injuring 17 police... Expand
An alarming video from Gaza shows young children handling oversized rifles in the absence of Hamas police. Despite Hamas's efforts to maintain order, children handling weapons instead of toys has become a common sight after 15 months of conflict. Recovery is challenging with extensive infrastructure damage, and Israeli authorities allege Hamas is arming and training youth.
Hamas returned the remains of four Israeli hostages, including members of the Bibas family, to Israeli authorities, amid a fragile ceasefire. The group indicated willingness to release all remaining hostages in a single swap to secure a permanent ceasefire with Israel.
President Trump has fired several board members from the Kennedy Centre and appointed himself as chairman. Citing previous drag shows as problematic, he promises a new board and programming aligned with his vision. This unprecedented move raises uncertainty about the centre’s future leadership.
After more than a year hiding in tunnels and dodging air strikes, uniformed Hamas fighters returned to the ruined streets of Gaza hours into a ceasefire, defying Israel's vow to crush them. - 'Game of whack-a-mole' - The ceasefire is in its infancy and many questions remain about the future of the Gaza Strip and Hamas.
South Sudan’s deputy president Riek Machar has threatened to withdraw from the 2018 peace agreement after President Salva Kiir dismissed multiple officials, including two vice presidents, the health minister, and the spy chief. Machar claims the move violates the power-sharing deal that ended years of civil war. With elections scheduled for 2026, ongoing political tensions and stalled reforms continue to threaten the country’s fragile stability.
China has appointed General Chen Hui as the new political commissar for its ground forces, signaling increased military discipline by President Xi Jinping. Chen replaces Qin Shutong and previously served in the Air Force and Aerospace Force. This move occurs amid ongoing corruption scandals and efforts by Xi to tighten his control over the military amidst heightened tensions around Taiwan.
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and transported to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity linked to his war on drugs. Duterte's legal team is challenging the move, arguing the Philippines is no longer an ICC member.