🔍 US sanctions 4 companies, 4 tankers in Venezuela oil crackdown

The US Treasury has sanctioned four companies and blocked four associated oil tankers for operating in Venezuela's oil sector, targeting the "shadow fleet" financing Maduro's regime.

OFAC warned that those involved in the Venezuelan oil trade continue to face "significant sanctions risks."

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🔍 Israel may reopen Rafah crossing in coming days — Report

A US official tells The Times of Israel that Israel is expected to reopen the Rafah crossing for both entry and exit of Gazans soon, following pressure from the Trump administration during Netanyahu’s visit.

The move faced pushback from far-right ministers, but Israel reportedly plans to proceed to avoid being seen as blocking Trump’s Gaza peace plan.

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📑 Bulgaria becomes 21st eurozone member, leapfrogging richer EU states

Bulgaria, the EU's poorest country, has adopted the euro ahead of wealthier candidates like Poland and Hungary, amid widespread public mistrust and protests that recently toppled its pro-EU government.

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🗣 Macron vows to remain French president 'until last second' of term

Amid ongoing political instability, President Emmanuel Macron declared in a New Year's address that he will work "until the very last second" of his mandate, which ends in 2027.

The statement comes after 2024 snap elections triggered a governance crisis, with opponents repeatedly calling for his resignation.

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🚢 UAE ship carrying 7,300 tonnes of humanitarian aid for Gaza arrives in El Arish

"The ship is carrying various humanitarian supplies totaling over 7,300 tonnes, including essential food, temporary shelter, winter clothing, and nutritional supplements for women and children in response to urgent humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip," the UAE Defense Ministry said.

The vessel departed from Khalifa port in Abu Dhabi on December 19. The cargo was jointly prepared by several Emirati humanitarian and charity organizations, the statement said.

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🇰🇵 🪖 Kim Jong-un salutes North Korea troops serving in Russia as ‘invincible alliance’ grows firmer

North Korea’s leader has sent a congratulatory message to officers and soldiers of overseas operations units on the occasion of the New Year, per KCNA.

🔊 Kim Jong-un commended North Korea’s “proud sons, fighting bravely on the battlefields in the alien lands.”
He expressed the certainty that the year 2026 would allow them to perform new “remarkable feats in the overseas battlefields.”

While stressing that it was his greatest wish to see all the troops return home safely, Kim Jong-un urged them:

“For the fraternal Russian people, for the mettle and characteristics of our people, for the spirit and dignity of the Korean people and for the immortal honor of our state, and for the undying fame of our army, be brave. Behind you are Pyongyang and Moscow.”

👉 The North Korean leader emphasized that thanks to their “self-sacrificing and devoted struggle,” the “militant fraternity and friendship, and invincible alliance between our country and Russia grow firmer.”

🚨 Ukraine conducts a deadly strike on civilians in Kherson region

Three drones struck a cafe and hotel in the Kherson Region, with preliminary data showing 24 people killed and over 50 injured, Governor Vladimir Saldo said.

💬 "Tonight, the enemy carried out a targeted drone strike on a place where civilians were celebrating New Year. Three drones hit a cafe and hotel on the Black Sea coast in Khorly. Preliminary data: over 50 injured, 24 killed. We clarify the numbers. Many were burned alive. A child was killed," Saldo stated.

The strike occurred almost at the stroke of midnight, he said, adding that the the fire has been extinguished, and medics fight for the lives of the injured.

💬 "The particular cynicism lies in the fact that the strike was carried out after a reconnaissance drone had completed its work—almost in time with the chiming of the clock. Due to an extremely powerful fire, it was not possible to save more people. The fire was only extinguished toward morning," Saldo stressed.

👉A terrorism case has been initiated, the Russian Investigative Committee said.

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🚨 Five сhildren injured in Ukrainian strike on Kherson hotel – EMERCOM

The Ukrainian drone strike on New Year's Eve on a hotel in the Kherson Region killed 24 people and injured 29, including five children, the regional branch of the Russian Emergencies Ministry (EMERCOM) said.

"In the night strike by Ukrainian UAVs on a hotel in the Kherson Region, 24 people were killed, 29 injured, including five children," the EMERCOM said.

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🚨'Not just war criminals, they are sadists' - Simonyan on Ukraine's deadly attack on Kherson hotel

"They are not just war criminals, they are sadists, worthy of their spiritual fathers — the Gestapo," said Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of Sputnik's parent media group Rossiya Segodnya.

Simonyan emphasized that none of them will escape punishment.

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🚨 UK, European intel might be involved in Ukraine's deadly strike in Kherson region - governor

🔊 "The cynical and criminal strike was obviously executed to disrupt all attempts by Russia and the US to reach a diplomatic settlement," Governor Vladimir Saldo told Sputnik.

"Given the particular cynicism of the act, Kiev believes in its own impunity, which may indicate the direct involvement of British and European intelligence services in organizing this crime," he said.

Other statements:

➖ All those responsible will be found and brought before an international tribunal modeled on the Nuremberg Trials

➖ The attack underscores the terrorist nature of the Kiev regime

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🚨 Russia blames everyone who sponsors 'terrorist bastards' in Ukraine - MFA Spox on Ukrainian attack in Kherson region

"This morning, alongside their croissants and poached eggs, the presidents and prime ministers of the collective West should have reports on their breakfast tables detailing how billions of their taxpayers' money have been spent, how many New Year's gifts — purchased with those funds — were used to kill civilians, and how they have been complicit in the destruction of children," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

🔊 "We accuse all those who sponsor terrorist bastards in Ukraine! We accuse them of murdering children and destroying civilians! We accuse them of corrupting Ukrainian statehood, which has turned into a killing machine!" she stressed.

👉 Three Ukrainian drones attacked a hotel and cafe in the Kherson region, with one drone carrying an incendiary device. Regional governor Vladimir Saldo stated the strike intentionally targeted civilians leaving 24 dead, 29 injured, including 5 children.

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🔹 Ukraine conducts a deadly strike on civilians in Kherson region , UK & European intel might be involved

🔹 US strikes sink 3 vessels in international waters

🔹 US sanctions 4 companies, 4 tankers in Venezuela oil crackdown

🔹 Israel may reopen Rafah crossing in coming days

🔹 Putin’s 2026 New Year address: Russia’s future is determined by the strength of its people

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🚨Russian top officials condemn Ukraine's deadly attack on Kherson hotel

Russia expects condemnation from international community, world leaders regarding the attack on civilians in Kherson region, Upper House Speaker Valentina Matvienko said.

🔊“ We are dealing with absolute moral ugliness, they should have no political future," she stressed.

Matvienko said she would do everything necessary to support those affected by the strike.

Matvienko was echoed by Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador Rodion Miroshnik, who said that killing dozens of civilians by Ukrainian militants couldn't go unpunished.

🔊"This inhumane act must receive world's harshest legal, political assessment," he emphasized.

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