Trump:

We are sending every soldier $1,776.

Trump:

The new Fed Chair will be someone who believes in lower interest rates by a lot.

Trump’s speech has ended.

No mention of Venezuela.

NEW: Taiwan said the United States is moving ahead with an $11.1 billion arms package, the largest ever for the island, including HIMARS rocket systems, howitzers, drones and anti-tank weapons.

The sale, now under U.S. congressional review, is the second approved under Trump’s current term.

READ MORE

Sudan: Early this morning, drones operated by UAE-backed RSF militias targeted the main electricity substation in Atbara, River Nile State.

Nigeria: At least 12 people were killed and three abducted after gunmen attacked a mining site in Atoso village, Plateau State.

📸 Poland prepares its eastern border.

63% of U.S. Voters Reject Venezuela Intervention

Only 25% support it.

Majority also oppose U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats.

Support is concentrated among Republicans.

READ MORE

German Youth Resist Germany’s New Military Connoscription Model

It starts voluntary but allows conditional connoscription for men.

Opposition is highest among 18–29-year-olds.

Many fear a return to mandatory service and militarization.

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Ursula von der Leyen:

We will not leave the European Council today without a solution for the funding for Ukraine for the next two years.

Zelensky:

Putin will abandon diplomacy if Ukraine does not receive a reparations loan from the EU.

Then he will decide to continue the war.

Somalia: Puntland warns Somali pirates now use GPS tracking—allegedly sourced via Yemen—linking them to Houthi-aligned networks and raising risks to Indian Ocean shipping.

Türkiye Details Intercepted Uncontrolled UAV Incident

Türkiye detected and shot down an uncontrolled UAV on December 15.

F-16s conducted a controlled interception after multi-sensor tracking. Detection relied on radar, electro-optical, electronic warfare, and early warning data.

UAV debris scattered widely, complicating recovery.

Türkiye urged both Russia and Ukraine to act more cautiously.

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Three Russian border guards entered Estonian territory for about 20 minutes on Dec. 17, Estonia said.

Estonia said the incident was recorded on video and it remains unclear whether it was accidental or deliberate.

Source: Bloomberg

Zelensky:

My address from Kupiansk had a significant impact on both the United States and Europe.

It proved that Putin is once again lying about the “occupied territories.”

Zelensky:

A withdrawal of Ukraine’s Armed Forces from Donbas is unacceptable for Ukraine, so the United States is looking for a compromise.

Steve Witkoff presented Trump with a crate of red caviar from Russia’s Khabarovsk region, according to the region’s Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Source: TASS

Kremlin:

Putin and Erdogan did not discuss the issue of the S-400 systems in Ashgabat.

Newsmax: What is Xi like?

Lukashenko: He is Chinese.

Newsmax: What does that mean?

Lukashenko: It means he is smart...

Belarusian President Lukashenko:

If Ukraine believes it can defeat Russia and is prepared to continue the war, then let it fight.

If the fighting continues on its current path, Ukraine will disappear from the map.