🛢 Biden plans to ban some offshore drilling in bid to trip up Trump’s energy policy

Outgoing President Joe Biden is reportedly planning to take advantage of provisions in the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to permanently ban his successor from achieving his energy policy goal of dramatically ramping up domestic energy production.

Sources told Bloomberg Biden is getting ready to announce an executive order prohibiting portions of America’s outer continental shelf deemed critical to coastal environmental resilience from being sold off to energy companies for exploration. The affected waters could include areas of the Pacific coast, and waters near Florida in the Gulf of Mexico.

Reversing the order may be difficult, even if appealed in court. A Trump attempt to reverse Obama-era protections of Arctic and Atlantic Ocean waters failed in 2019.

Biden’s move could ultimately hamper the Trump administration’s 3-3-3 economic plan, which includes a 3 million barrel-per-day jump in domestic oil output, 3% annual GDP growth, and a push to cut the deficit to 3% of GDP.

The outgoing president is looking to trip up Trump an array of areas, commuting sentences of a majority of death row inmates, issuing a string of pardons, including for his troubled son Hunter, forgiving school loan debts of 55,000 public service workers, and trying to ‘Trump-proof’ the conflict with Moscow over Ukraine by ramping up arms deliveries and greenlighting Ukrainian missile attacks deep inside Russia.

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❗️Hamas has confirmed that indirect Gaza truce negotiations will resume later today, Friday, in Doha, the capital of Qatar

In a statement, Hamas indicated that the discussions would focus on ensuring the full implementation of an agreement, which includes a complete cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip.

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Yemeni’s Houthis mobilize to fight US, Israel, welcome enemies to ‘great hell’

Yemenis are “eager” to engage the US and Israeli aggressor, and “have prepared ourselves for all possible scenarios,” Zaid al-Gharsi, director of the Houthi-led National Salvation Government’s Media and Cultural Affairs Department, said in a statement Friday amid the militia’s ongoing mobilization.

“The Yemeni people are eager to engage in conflict with the nation’s enemies, and have been shouting the ‘death to Israel’ slogan for the past 20 years, besides confronting the [military] equipment that would be deployed by the US and the [Israeli] regime against it,” al-Gharsi said.

Yemenis have “entered direct confrontation against its adversaries today, and we tell them this: that they are welcome to [their] great hell,” the official said, assuring his countrymen would turn their enemies “into ashes” even if forced to fight with their bare hands.

Al-Gharsi’s comments come against the backdrop of a dramatic escalation in US, British and Israeli bombing attacks on military and civilian infrastructure targets across Houthi-controlled areas as the militia ramps up the targeting of Israeli cities with missiles.

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Japan's Nippon Steel to sue US government over blocked US Steel deal - report

Japan's Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC) will take legal action against the US government over US President Biden's decision to block its purchase of the US's leading steel producer, US Steel Corporation, Japanese media reported.

Earlier in the day, Biden prohibited the $14.9 billion deal, citing national security concerns.

NSC and US Steel issued a joint statement, condemning the ban. The companies argued that no credible evidence of a national security issue had been provided and that the process was "manipulated" to promote Biden’s "political agenda."

The two companies agreed in late 2023 that NSC would acquire US Steel in an all-cash transaction at $55.00 per share. This represents an equity value of approximately $14.1 billion plus the assumption of debt, for a total enterprise value of $14.9 billion.

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🔸 How is Tesla Cybertruck explosion suspect connected to Ukraine?

🔸 What is this New Year’s Day violence in the US all about?

🔸 2024 a turning point in Russia’s favor in its special military op in Ukraine – philosopher Dugin

🔸 What’s in store for Syria in 2025?

🔸 Bitcoin turns 16: how did it go from quirky novelty to geopolitical tool?

🔸 Could Russia become the world’s crypto capital?

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🇬🇱 Greenland’s PM declares independence push amid Trump’s proposals to buy Danish dependency

The time has come for Greenlanders to “take a step and reshape our future” regarding who to cooperate closely with “and who our trading partners will be,” Prime Minister Mute Egede said in a pro-independence New Year’s address.

💬 “The history and current conditions have shown that our cooperation with the Kingdom of Denmark has not succeeded in creating full equality” Egede said, characterizing the relationship as weighed by the “shackles of colonialism” and hinting at the need for a referendum on the island’s future.

Greenlanders are expected to go to the polls for parliamentary elections in April, with a plebiscite on the island’s status made possible in 2008 after a 2008 referendum on self-government.

Egede’s comments come less than two weeks after a Trump social media post in which the president-elect declared the “absolute necessity” of owning and controlling Greenland “for the purposes of national security and freedom throughout the world.” Egede responded at the time that the island is not for sale “and will never be for sale.”

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Zakharova responds to Baerbock’s remarks on Russian bases in Syria

💬 "Isn't it time, from the point of view of the German Foreign Minister, for her to say something similar to Washington?" Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova reminded German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock of the presence of US bases in Germany.

Earlier, Baerbock had claimed that it was "time for Russia to give up its military bases in Syria," Zakharova quoted.

💬 "This is coming from the foreign minister of a country where US military bases are located," Zakharova noted.

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⚡️ New York judge rules there is no basis to dismiss Trump 'hush money' case, orders him to appear for sentencing on January 10 – document

US President-elect Donald Trump, who was earlier convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a “hush money” payment made to former porn star Stormy Daniels, asserts that his prosecution was politically motivated.

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😭 Palestinian Permanent Observer to the UN Riyad Mansour fought back tears during a Security Council meeting on the Gaza Strip, recounting the story of a Palestinian doctor reportedly killed in an Israeli strike

💬 “Whoever stays until the end will tell the story. We did what we could. Remember us,” Mansour quoted Dr. Mahmoud Abu Nujaila’s message.

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🗣 Trump Communications Director calls New York Judge’s order 'a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s Immunity decision' – statement

💬 “This lawless case should have never been brought and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed... There should be no sentencing," said Steven Cheung, Communications Director for US President-elect Donald Trump, in a statement.

Earlier on Friday, a New York judge ruled that there is no basis to dismiss Trump’s “hush money” case and ordered him to appear for sentencing on January 10.

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❌ White House refuses to call out Israel over Kamal Adwan Hospital staff detainment

💬 “Human rights and upholding international law has been a priority for this administration. We’re not disputing that, right?” a reporter asked White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, laying what seemed like a rhetorical trap.

🗣 “No, not disputing that, you're correct,” Jean-Pierre responded, blissfully unaware of what was coming.

The reporter then asked about the detention of Kamal Adwan Hospital staff, including its director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, who was arrested after the IDF stormed the facility, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Amnesty International has expressed fears for his life, and his whereabouts remain unknown.

💬 “What is the White House doing to ensure his safety?” the reporter pressed.

🗣“So on that particular matter, I don't have anything to share,” Jean-Pierre said, dodging the question.

💬 “But wouldn’t arresting doctors violate human rights and international law?” the reporter followed up.

🗣“I’m just going to be super mindful and leave it there,” Jean-Pierre deflected.

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❗️ Las Vegas Police release excerpts from two notes found on suspect's phone in Cybertruck explosion outside Trump Hotel

📑 “Fellow servicemembers, veterans, and all Americans, time to wake up. We are being led by weak and feckless leadership who only serve to enrich themselves,” a police officer quoted from the first note believed to have been written by Matthew Livelsberger.

📑 “This was not a terrorist attack. It was a wake-up call. Americans only pay attention to spectacles and violence. What better way to get my point across than a stunt with fireworks and explosives?" the officer read from the second note.

📑 "Why did I personally do it now? I need to cleanse my mind of the brothers I've lost and relieve myself of the burden of the lives I took,” stated the second note reportedly written by Livelsberger, an active-duty United States Army Green Beret.

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🇮🇷☢️ Iran ready to immediately start talks with West on nuclear program – Foreign Minister

💬 "We are still ready to enter into constructive negotiations without delay regarding our nuclear program—negotiations aimed at reaching an agreement," IRNA quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as saying in an interview with China's CCTV.

Earlier, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that a new round of consultations between Iran and Europe on concluding a nuclear deal is set to take place on January 13.

Negotiations on the nuclear program between Iran and the UK, France and Germany took place on November 29, 2024 in Geneva after a two-year break.

A week prior, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution, initiated by the UK, Germany, France and the US and slammed by Tehran as anti-Iranian, without taking into account the results of IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi's visit to Iran.

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🥴 Harris fails to say Pledge of Allegiance to the US Flag

Vice President Kamala Harris flubbed the opening words of the Pledge of Allegiance during Senate opening day.

💬 “I pledge allegiance to the United, United States of America,” the vice president stumbled, struggling with the first line of the pledge. Meanwhile, Representatives in attendance seemed to have no difficulty remembering the name of the country.

FYI: The correct phrasing of the pledge is: “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.”

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💰 US State Department allegedly informs Congress of $8 billion proposed arms deal with Israel – reports

The US Department of State has "informally" briefed Congress on a potential $8 billion arms deal with Israel, which includes a significant batch of munitions for fighter jets and attack helicopters, Axios reported, citing sources.

According to the report, the proposed deal, which requires approval from the House and Senate foreign relations committees, includes:

🔶 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles for fighter jets

🔶 155mm artillery shells

🔶 Hellfire AGM-114 missiles for attack helicopters

🔶 Small bombs

🔶 JDAM tail kits

🔶 Warheads

🔶 Bomb fuzes

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📊 Majority of French citizens lose trust in president's pledges, want him to resign – poll

Key findings from an Odoxa-Backbone Consulting poll commissioned by Le Figaro, published on Friday:

➖ 61% of respondents believe the political crisis in France should be resolved immediately through Macron's resignation. This reflects a 7-percentage point increase since September.
🟠 This view is shared by supporters of all major French political parties, except Macron's liberal Renaissance party.

➖ 72% of respondents do not trust Macron's pledges.

➖ 86% said the president must appoint a new prime minister in 2025.

➖ Only 28% of respondents expressed belief in Macron's promises.

The poll was conducted online among 1,005 French citizens between January 2-3.

Macron has previously acknowledged the possibility of dissolving the French parliament again in July 2025, as permitted by the French constitution.

Meanwhile, Florian Philippot, leader of the French political party The Patriots, criticized Macron for spending "a ton of money" training Ukrainian soldiers in France, specifically those from the 155th brigade, many of whom reportedly deserted shortly after returning to Ukraine.

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🔊'Germany has not seen any real growth since 2018' - German Vice-Cancellor

"The [German] economy is currently experiencing a deep structural crisis rooted in issues that have gone unaddressed for years: a shortage of skilled workers, excessive bureaucracy, and low investment," the Vice-Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck stated, according to German media.

Habeck warned that if the German authorities do not change their approach, the country could lose its prominent position in the "highly competitive global arena". He concluded that Germany has already "fallen too far behind."

Habeck added Germany should increase defense spending to 3.5%.

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🪖Over 2,600 UK troops to take part in exercises on NATO's eastern flank

More than 2,600 UK troops and 730 vehicles will take part in exercises on NATO's eastern flank, the country's Defense Ministry said in a statement.

According to the ministry, the UK’s 1st Division will command all of NATO’s land forces during Exercise Steadfast Dart 25 in Bulgaria and Romania to practice the deployment of the new Allied Reaction Force, which can "rapidly reinforce" NATO’s eastern flank.

Russia has pointed to NATO's unprecedented activity near its western borders. The alliance is expanding its initiatives and says this is being done to contain "Russian aggression." The Kremlin has noted that Moscow is not threatening anyone, but will not ignore actions that are potentially dangerous to its interests.

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⚔️US Steel CEO calls Biden's Nippon Steel deal decision 'shameful, corrupt'

Joe Biden's decision to block the acquisition of the US's leading steel producer, US Steel Corporation, by Japanese corporation Nippon Steel is "shameful and corrupt", US Steel CEO David Burritt said.

"[Biden] gave a political payback to a union boss out of touch with his members while harming our company’s future, our workers, and our national security. He insulted Japan, a vital economic and national security ally, and put American competitiveness at risk," Burritt said in a statement.

Biden on Friday prohibited the $14.9 billion deal, citing national security concerns.

Japanese media reported on Friday that Japan's Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC) will take legal action against the US government over Biden's decision.

NSC and US Steel issued a joint statement, condemning the ban. The companies argued that no credible evidence of a national security issue had been provided and that the process was "manipulated" to promote Biden’s "political agenda."

The two companies agreed in late 2023 that NSC would acquire US Steel in an all-cash transaction at $55.00 per share. This represents an equity value of approximately $14.1 billion plus the assumption of debt, for a total enterprise value of $14.9 billion.

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