Chinese oil tankers challenge United States blockade near Venezuela
Two Chinese flagged supertankers are continuing operations close to Venezuelan waters despite a blockade announced in mid December by President Donald Trump and an expanding campaign of tanker seizures, according to maritime tracking data. The situation is shaping into a key test of United States enforcement power as tensions between Beijing......
Putin orders expansion of buffer zone in northeastern Ukraine through 2026
Russian president Vladimir Putin has instructed military commanders to continue expanding a buffer zone in northeastern Ukraine throughout 2026, according to an official Kremlin transcript released on December 28. The directive focuses on the Sumy and Kharkiv regions and comes at a sensitive moment as peace talks involving Russia, Ukraine,......
Russia ramps up disinformation ahead of Bulgaria's euro switch
Bulgarian intelligence agencies and Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation have exposed a broad Russian propaganda push targeting the country's shift to the euro, set for January 1, 2026. This makes Bulgaria the eurozone's 21st member amid heightened tensions. The campaign deploys a network of social media accounts tied......
U.S. drone strike inside Venezuela marks first confirmed attack on land
Earlier this month, a U.S. intelligence drone struck a port facility inside Venezuela. The operation marked the first acknowledged American attack on land since the Trump administration began an intensified military campaign in the Caribbean four months ago. President Donald Trump publicly confirmed the strike on December 29. He described......
Air China seals multibillion dollar Airbus deal as Chinese carriers expand fleets
Air China said it and a subsidiary have signed an agreement with Airbus to purchase 60 A320neo aircraft, a deal valued at about 9.5 billion dollars at catalogue prices. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery in batches between 2028 and 2032, according to a filing with the Shanghai Stock Exchange, marking another major order in a week of significant......
Italian cable car accident injures four and evacuates 100 from mountain
A cable car accident in Italy has left four people injured while prompting the safe evacuation of around 100 others from a mountain area. Emergency services responded swiftly to the incident, which occurred when the cable car encountered issues during operation, leading to the injuries among passengers on board. Rescue teams coordinated an......
Japan remarks on Taiwan spur China drills
China has launched large scale military exercises around Taiwan after comments by Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi signaled a sharp shift in Tokyo’s stance on the island. Speaking to a parliamentary budget committee on November 7, Takaichi said any Chinese military action against Taiwan would amount to a situation threatening Japan’s......
Ukrainian drones destroy Russian base at Donetsk airport
Ukrainian forces launched a precise strike on a key Russian drone hub at Donetsk Airport overnight from December 29 to 30, obliterating storage and preparation sites for Shahed, Geran, and Gerbera drones deployed in assaults across Ukraine. The operation targeted logistics centers, warhead depots, and facilities housing Russian personnel responsible......
European leaders hold emergency talks on Ukraine peace efforts
European leaders convened a virtual emergency meeting Tuesday morning to coordinate their response to intensifying U.S.-led peace initiatives, amid unverified Russian claims of a Ukrainian drone attack that threatened to derail diplomatic momentum toward ending the nearly four-year conflict. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the Berlin......
China conducts largest military drills near Taiwan
China carried out its largest military exercises to date around Taiwan on December 30, launching rockets and deploying warships, bombers, and amphibious assault vessels in maneuvers simulating a blockade of the island. The two-day operation, called “Mission Justice 2025,” involved 130 military aircraft and 22 naval and coast guard......
Russia urges restraint after Trump warns of strike on Iran
The Kremlin called for dialogue and de-escalation on Tuesday following President Donald Trump's warning to Tehran about rebuilding its nuclear and missile programs. Trump stated that Washington would support another strike against Iran if necessary, highlighting rising tensions over the country's military capabilities six months after......
Poland’s prime minister says Ukraine peace deal could be weeks away
Poland’s prime minister said a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine could be achieved within weeks, offering the most optimistic assessment yet from a European leader as diplomatic efforts intensify to halt a conflict nearing its fourth year. Speaking after a government meeting in Warsaw following video consultations with European leaders,......
Barcelona shines at Globe Soccer Awards
In the context of the 16th edition of the Globe Soccer Awards, held Sunday night in Dubai at Atlantis The Royal hotel, FC Barcelona excelled in women's football categories with multiple trophies, complemented by standout individual achievements that cap an exceptional year for the club. Aitana Bonmatí claimed Best Female Player......
Ukrainians rethink NATO amid shifting security options
Ukrainian support for NATO membership has plunged dramatically, dropping from 55% in December 2024 to 38% this month. A nationwide poll by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, carried out with the Razumkov Centre from December 5 to 16, surveyed 2,000 adults and captures a pivotal change in sentiment during peace talks with......
Multiple triggers behind China's Taiwan drills
China's military exercises around Taiwan stem from several key provocations, including a massive US arms package and pointed remarks from regional leaders. The drills followed Washington's approval of an unprecedented $11 billion weapons deal to Taiwan, featuring $4.05 billion in High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, $4 billion......