Explosions heard after sirens activated in two locations in Israeli occupied Golan Heights.

Two rockets were fired from Syria and fell in an open area.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

Israel's genocidal policies cause it to lose its legitimacy.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer:

I agree with Elon Musk… Republicans should listen to him. He’s right.

IDF is working to identify the party behind the rocket fire on Israel from Syria.

Source: Israeli Army Radio

Andriy Yermak, head of Zelensky’s office:

During the meeting with Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, we discussed the track of negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul. Russia’s position remains unconstructive.

I emphasized that Russia is stalling and manipulating the negotiation process in an attempt to avoid American sanctions, and has no genuine intention of ceasing hostilities. Only strong sanctions can compel Russia to engage in serious negotiations.

I also briefed him on the real situation on the battlefield and invited him to visit Ukraine to witness the situation firsthand.

We need a ceasefire — we have fully supported the U.S. proposal on this since March. We are also ready for a leaders’ meeting, which Russia continues to avoid.

Israeli artillery started shelling southern Syria after the rocket launch from Syria.

Elon Musk:

In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people.

Israeli Defense Minister Katz:

We consider the Syrian president directly responsible for every threat and firing towards the State of Israel and the full response will come as soon as possible.

We will not allow a return to the reality of October 7th.

A group named "Martyr Mohammad al-Deif Brigades" claimed responsibility for launching rockets at the Israeli forces in the occupied Golan Heights.

Ukrainian drones are currently attacking Russia.

NEW: Freedom Flotilla vessel en route to Gaza has issued a distress signal after spotting drones overhead.

Activists including Greta Thunberg, Rima Hassan, and Thiago Ávila shared videos showing the ship being tracked.

The Madleen reported its position 80 km off the Greek coast, moving at 5.6 knots.

Organizers urge urgent international attention as the mission to deliver aid to Gaza continues.

A boy from Gaza:

They killed my mother — and before that, my brother.

Don’t go to the American aid points soaked in blood.

This bag has 2 empty flour sacks — nothing else — yet they shot my mother as she tried to get us food today.

Syrian Foreign Ministry:

No confirmation yet of any strikes toward Israel. Various parties are destabilizing the region for their own interests.

Syria does not and will not pose a threat to any side in the region. Priority in southern Syria is restoring state authority and ending unauthorized weapons.

Israeli escalation is a clear violation of Syrian sovereignty and raises tensions. We call on the international community to take responsibility and stop Israeli aggression.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will not attend the meeting to organize military aid to Ukraine, for the first time since the US created an international group to coordinate military aid to Ukraine three years ago.

Source: AP

The British Government pledged to supply 100,000 drones to Ukraine by the end of the current financial year in April 2026, marking a tenfold increase.

Source: Reuters

IDF confirms the death of a soldier Alon Farkas, 27, in the Gaza Strip.

FBI Director Kash Patel:

I can confirm that the FBI arrested a Chinese national within the United States who allegedly smuggled a dangerous biological pathogen into the country.

The individual, Yunqing Jian, is alleged to have smuggled a dangerous fungus called "Fusarium graminearum," which is an agroterrorism agent, into the U.S. to research at the University of Michigan, where she works.

Evidence also indicates Jian had expressed loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party and had received funding from the Chinese government for similar work on this pathogen in China.

Iran’s Khamenei:

Who are you to tell Tehran whether we should have a nuclear programme or not?

The US nuclear proposal is 100% against the principle of our power.

U.S. will not be able to weaken our nuclear programme.

Tehran will not abandon its uranium enrichment work.

Record-Low Births Shake Japan

Japan recorded fewer than 700,000 births in 2024 for the first time since records began in 1899, with 686,061 babies born—a drop of over 41,000 from 2023 and the ninth straight year of decline.

The fertility rate fell to a record low of 1.15, while deaths hit a record high of 1.6 million, resulting in a population drop of 919,237—Japan’s largest ever.

Source: NHK

Trump has spoken with Japanese PM Ishiba about working together on his proposed Golden Dome missile defence system.

Japan’s involvement in the project could strengthen its position in ongoing trade negotiations with Washington.

Source: Nikkei

Sudanese warplanes and drones are targeting Rapid Support Forces (RSF) gathering sites and positions in the city of Nyala, located in South Darfur state.