* Israel kills 17 more Palestinians in overnight strikes in Gaza

Overnight air strikes by Israel in Gaza have claimed at least 17 Palestinian lives, intensifying the conflict.

Strikes in Bureij camp, Shujaiya neighbourhood, and Khan Younis left dozens wounded, according to medical sources.

Paramedics recovered bodies amidst ongoing devastation in Nuseirat and Gaza City.

Israel's new wave of lethal attacks adds to the staggering toll of over 46,000 Palestinians killed during the 463-day war.

* Israel, US, UK launch first joint attack on Houthis

Israel, the US and the UK conducted their first joint air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

Coordinated strikes targeted military infrastructure in Sanaa and Hudaida, including a key power station.

The joint offensive was in response to Houthi attacks on Israeli and US targets in solidarity with Palestinians.

Israeli military confirmed its involvement, stating that the strikes aimed to disrupt Houthi military capabilities.

* Stampede at Damascus mosque kills four, injures many

A stampede at the historic Umayyad Mosque in Damascus left four dead and 16 wounded, including five children with severe injuries, according to Syrian state news agency SANA.

Authorities are investigating the cause, with Governor Maher Marwan pledging accountability and swift action to prevent future incidents in public spaces.

The civil defence described the scene as chaotic, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced safety measures in high-traffic areas.

* Trump readies shock-and-awe start with sweeping executive orders

In a private Capitol Hill meeting, US president-elect Donald Trump promised a “shock-and-awe” start to his presidency, with over 100 executive orders targeting border security, deportations and energy policy.

Set to roll out on January 20, the sweeping measures include completing the border wall and deporting over a million migrants deemed ineligible.

Top adviser Stephen Miller emphasised immediate enforcement, signaling a dramatic pivot.

Republican senators brace for an unprecedented surge of executive power, bypassing Congress to reshape key policies.

* Musk says all human knowledge for AI training already 'exhausted'

Elon Musk warns we’ve hit “peak data” for AI.

Speaking in a livestream, Musk claimed humanity's knowledge has been nearly exhausted in AI training, pushing tech firms toward "synthetic" data for self-learning models.

However he noted that the challenge lies in AI’s tendency for “hallucinations” – producing unreliable outputs.

Experts like Andrew Duncan caution against overreliance on synthetic data, citing risks of "model collapse" and diminishing returns.

Real 'progress' made in Gaza truce talks — Biden

"United States President Joe Biden said there has been ""real progress"" toward a Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis deepens as the death toll surpasses 46,000 due to Israel's ongoing genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza since October 7, 2023, with the majority of casualties being women and children and 109,378 others reported wounded."

US passes bill targeting ICC sanctions over Netanyahu warrants

"The US House of Representatives passed a bill, with 243 votes to 140 in favour, sanctioning the International Criminal Court in response to arrest warrants issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant.

The bill, dubbed the ""Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act,"" backed by both Republicans and some Democrats, aims to protect US citizens and allies from ICC investigations.

The Senate is expected to swiftly pass the legislation, allowing President-elect Donald Trump to sign it into law.

The ICC issued the warrants in November 2024 for war crimes committed during Israel's Gaza invasion."

Protests in Mozambique turn deadly as opposition leader Mondlane returns

"At least three people were killed by police in Mozambique as they gathered to welcome opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, who returned from exile following controversial election results.

Mondlane, who claims to have won the election, rejects the official results.

His return sparked protests, leading to clashes with police.

Nearly 300 people have killed since post-election protests erupted in October.

Mondlane called for accountability and justice, but his return could further escalate tensions."

Lebanese parliament elects army chief Joseph Aoun as president

"Lebanese lawmakers have elected Army Chief Joseph Aoun as the country's new president.

Aoun secured 99 out of 128 votes in the second round of voting.

The presidency has been vacant since October 2022, creating political instability.

It comes amidst international pressure to fill the position, particularly due to an impending deadline for a ceasefire agreement in south Lebanon."

Wildfires in California may become the costliest disaster in US history

"Wildfires in Los Angeles are on track to become the most expensive disaster in US history, with economic losses expected to approach 50 billion dollars, nearly doubling earlier estimates.

Insured losses could exceed 20 billion dollars, with figures rising if fires remain uncontrolled.

The death toll has climbed to seven while President Joe Biden called the-fires the worst in California’s history and pledged additional federal support. Early reports indicate the event could rival past catastrophic fires like the 2018 Camp Fire, which saw insured losses of 12.5 billion dollars."

Israel kills nine Palestinians in Gaza air strikes

"Israel’s air strikes on Gaza have killed at least nine Palestinians, with several others wounded.

Civil defence teams recovered five bodies near Gaza Municipality Park, while four more victims were found following a strike in Deir al-Balah, according to medical sources.

A house in western Deir al-Balah was leveled, leaving destruction and casualties as rescue teams search for the missing.

Israel's genocidal war in Gaza, now in its four-hundred sixty-first-day, has resulted in over forty-five-thousand-nine-hundred-thirty-six-fatalities and one-hundred-nine-thousand-two-hundred-seventy-four-wounded among Palestinians."

Fighting at Chad presidency leaves 19 killed, several injured

"Gunfire echoed in Chad's capital N'Djamena as gunmen attacked the presidential complex. At least nineteen-people, including-eighteen attackers have been killed and nine others wounded.

Tanks rolled through the streets as civilians fled in panic.

The violence comes after the Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi visited the country amid regional instability, including terrorist attacks and Chad's strained ties with France.

President Mahamat Idriss Deby is facing challenges as Chad seeks new global alliances amidst its oil wealth and humanitarian struggles."

Russia-Ukraine war kills 650 children among 12,300 civilian fatalities

"Over twelve-thousand-three-hundred-civilians, including six-hundred-fifty-children, have died in the Ukraine war since twenty twenty-two, says the United Nations.

A surge in drone, missile and glide bomb attacks has driven a thirty-percent spike in casualties, with five-hundred-seventy-four civilians killed between September and November twenty-twenty-four.

The UN has warned that these actions may constitute to war crimes."

Number of 'ghost guns' recovered in US surged 1,600% since 2017

"The United States' Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives study reveals one-thousand-six-hundred-percent surge in so-called ghost gun recoveries at crime scenes from twenty-seventeen to twenty-twenty-three.

These untraceable firearms, built without serial numbers and bypassing background checks, were linked to over twenty-seven-thousand-crimes, including one-thousand-seven-hundred-homicides.

The study underlines the urgent need for stricter gun regulations, as sixty-percent of trafficked firearms end up in the hands of convicted felons.

The Biden administration is awaiting a Supreme Court decision on regulations aimed at curbing ghost gun proliferation."

Archaeologists uncover Queen Hatshepsut's temple in Egypt

"Archaeologists in Egyptian city of Luxor have made significant discoveries, including intact portions of Queen Hatshepsut's valley temple and the tomb of Queen Teti Sheri, grandmother of the first pharaoh of the New Kingdom.

The team, led by renowned archaeologist Zahi Hawass, unearthed over 1,500 decorated stone blocks from Hatshepsut's temple, which was intentionally destroyed centuries ago.

The findings offer invaluable glimpses into the lives and legacies of these powerful women who shaped ancient Egyptian history."

Israel kills nine Palestinians in Gaza air strikes

"Israel’s air strikes on Gaza have killed at least nine Palestinians, with several others wounded.

Civil defence teams recovered five bodies near Gaza Municipality Park, while four more victims were found following a strike in Deir al-Balah, according to medical sources.

A house in western Deir al-Balah was leveled, leaving destruction and casualties as rescue teams search for the missing.

Israel's genocidal war in Gaza, now in its four-hundred sixty-first-day, has resulted in over forty-five-thousand-nine-hundred-thirty-six-fatalities and one-hundred-nine-thousand-two-hundred-seventy-four-wounded among Palestinians."

Fighting at Chad presidency leaves 19 killed, several injured

"Gunfire echoed in Chad's capital N'Djamena as gunmen attacked the presidential complex. At least nineteen-people, including-eighteen attackers have been killed and nine others wounded.

Tanks rolled through the streets as civilians fled in panic.

The violence comes after the Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi visited the country amid regional instability, including terrorist attacks and Chad's strained ties with France.

President Mahamat Idriss Deby is facing challenges as Chad seeks new global alliances amidst its oil wealth and humanitarian struggles."

Russia-Ukraine war kills 650 children among 12,300 civilian fatalities

"Over twelve-thousand-three-hundred-civilians, including six-hundred-fifty-children, have died in the Ukraine war since twenty twenty-two, says the United Nations.

A surge in drone, missile and glide bomb attacks has driven a thirty-percent spike in casualties, with five-hundred-seventy-four civilians killed between September and November twenty-twenty-four.

The UN has warned that these actions may constitute to war crimes."

Number of 'ghost guns' recovered in US surged 1,600% since 2017

"The United States' Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives study reveals one-thousand-six-hundred-percent surge in so-called ghost gun recoveries at crime scenes from twenty-seventeen to twenty-twenty-three.

These untraceable firearms, built without serial numbers and bypassing background checks, were linked to over twenty-seven-thousand-crimes, including one-thousand-seven-hundred-homicides.

The study underlines the urgent need for stricter gun regulations, as sixty-percent of trafficked firearms end up in the hands of convicted felons.

The Biden administration is awaiting a Supreme Court decision on regulations aimed at curbing ghost gun proliferation."

Archaeologists uncover Queen Hatshepsut's temple in Egypt

"Archaeologists in Egyptian city of Luxor have made significant discoveries, including intact portions of Queen Hatshepsut's valley temple and the tomb of Queen Teti Sheri, grandmother of the first pharaoh of the New Kingdom.

The team, led by renowned archaeologist Zahi Hawass, unearthed over 1,500 decorated stone blocks from Hatshepsut's temple, which was intentionally destroyed centuries ago.

The findings offer invaluable glimpses into the lives and legacies of these powerful women who shaped ancient Egyptian history."

Israeli shelter attack kills four children, wounding many others

"Israel is continuing its relentless attacks on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza.

In southern Gaza's Khan Younis, an Israeli drone strike on a ""safe zone"" killed at least four Palestinian children and wounded ten others, mostly minors, according to medical sources.

Witnesses reported that the victims were transported to Nasser Medical Hospital using animal-drawn carts.

Another Israeli attack targeted displaced families in the Wijdan Camp."

US declares genocide in Sudan but silent on Israel's genocide in Gaza

"The United States has declared Sudan's Rapid Support Forces and allied militias guilty of genocide, imposing sanctions on their leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned systematic ethnic killings, mass sexual violence and attacks on fleeing civilians.

The war between the Sudanese army and RSF, ongoing since 2023, has devastated the country, leaving millions displaced and half the population facing famine.

Meanwhile, criticism mounts as activists draw parallels to US support for Israel's genocide in Gaza, fueling global debates on accountability and justice."

France's Macron faces backlash over Sahel comments

"President Emmanuel Macron faces criticism after suggesting African nations ""forgot to say thank you"" for France's military efforts against insurgencies in the Sahel.

His remarks, delivered to French ambassadors, sparked accusations of neo-colonialism amid strained ties in West Africa.

France withdrew troops after coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

Once seen as allies, Senegal and Chad now also demand French military departures, marking a stark shift in France's regional presence."

Raging wildfire prompts evacuations in Los Angeles

"A raging wildfire tore through Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades, scorching 1,262 acres and forcing mass evacuations.

Fierce winds fueled the flames, which engulfed homes and sent panicked residents fleeing on foot as gridlocked roads stalled escapes.

Firefighters battled the inferno with water drops from planes, while bulldozers cleared abandoned cars.

Witnesses described harrowing scenes of flames ""this close to the cars."

Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion suspect used ChatGPT to plan blast

"US authorities have said that Matthew Livelsberger, the suspected driver of the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the Trump Hotel on New Year's Day, used the AI chatbot ChatGPT to gather information for the attack.  

Investigators found evidence that Livelsberger utilised ChatGPT to research explosives and their potential use in the attack.

A six-page ""manifesto"" containing grievances and outlining the attack plan was also discovered on his phone.  

Livelsberger died by suicide before the explosion, which wounded seven other people."

UN 'deeply concerned' over babies freezing to death in Gaza

"The United Nations has raised alarms after a one-month-old baby in Gaza froze to death.

It is Gaza’s eighth such tragedy in less than three weeks amid Israel’s genocidal war.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric condemned the preventable deaths and urged for the protection of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Over the weekend, 37 UN-led missions faced hurdles, with only 12 completed and 15 denied outright."

Strong earthquake kills dozens in Tibet

"A powerful earthquake struck the Tibet region of China near the Nepalese border, killing at least fifty-three-people, wounding sixty-two and causing significant damage.

The quake, reported at magnitude 7.1 by the US Geological Survey, was felt in Nepal and parts of India.

Local authorities are assessing the damage and providing assistance to affected areas."

US transfers 11 Yemeni Guantanamo detainees to Oman

"The United States has transferred 11 Yemeni detainees from the Guantanamo Bay detention center to Oman, reducing the prison population to 15.

The Pentagon stated that all detainees were deemed eligible for transfer following a thorough review process.

It marks a significant step towards the US government's goal of closing the infamous US prison in Guantanamo."

Canada's Trudeau resigns as Liberal Party leader, prime minister

"Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his plan to step down, staying on until the Liberal Party selects a new leader.

Trudeau, in power since 2015, cited “internal battles” and a loss of support as reasons for his decision.

The party’s leadership race will coincide with Parliament's suspension until March 24, postponed from January 27.

Trudeau’s announcement follows a period of political unrest, including the finance minister's abrupt resignation last year."

Elon Musk under fire from European leaders for meddling in politics

"European leaders are increasingly critical of Elon Musk's political interventions.

French President Macron accused Musk of ""directly intervening in elections,"

while German Chancellor Scholz condemned his ""erratic"" comments.

In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer slammed Musk for spreading ""lies and misinformation"" regarding a historical child sex abuse scandal.

Musk responded with harsh accusations against Starmer.

Musk announced his support for the far-right AfD in Germany and Brexit cheerleader Nigel Farage's Reform party."

Latest Israeli strikes kill at least 12 Palestinians across Gaza

"At least 12 Palestinians were killed, and several others wounded, in Israel's latest air strikes on Gaza.

A medical source reported that three were killed when a drone targeted a motorcycle near Rafah in southern Gaza. Four more lives were lost in an air strike on the Asdaa police station in Khan Younis, the source added.

In Abasan Al-Kabira, east of Khan Younis, two Palestinians were killed, and others injured when civilians were hit by another air strike. Meanwhile, Al Awda Hospital confirmed that a strike on a house in Nuseirat camp, central Gaza, claimed two more lives.

In Gaza City's Shujaiya neighbourhood, one Palestinian was killed, and several others were injured in an attack on a civilian gathering. "

S Korea anti-corruption agency asks police to execute Yoon's arrest warrant

"South Korea's anti-corruption agency has asked the police to take over enforcing the arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol. This comes after a standoff with Yoon's presidential security service prevented his detention last week.

Officials confirmed the discussions last week, just hours before the one-week warrant for Yoon's detention was set to expire.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials is likely to seek a new warrant to extend the detention window, police said, adding that they are currently reviewing the agency's request. "

Winter storm won't delay Trump election certification process — Johnson

"House Speaker Mike Johnson says the massive winter storm sweeping across the US won't stop Congress from certifying Donald Trump's presidential election win on Monday.

Under the Electoral Count Act, the task must be completed at 1 p.m. on January 6, regardless of conditions, Johnson told Fox News.

He added that he has encouraged lawmakers to remain in Washington to ensure full attendance despite the storm. "

Trudeau to announce resignation as early as Monday — Canadian media

"Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly preparing to announce his resignation as Liberal Party leader as early as Monday, according to The Globe and Mail.

Three sources told the outlet they expect the announcement before a key national caucus meeting on Wednesday.

However, it's unclear if Trudeau plans to step down immediately or stay on as prime minister until a new leader is selected. "

Musk does a U-turn on support for UK's anti-immigration party leader

"Elon Musk seems to have reversed his stance on Nigel Farage, leader of the anti-immigration Reform UK party, after a public disagreement with the former Brexit figurehead.

On Sunday, Musk posted on X that the Reform Party needs a new leader because Farage lacks what it takes.

Farage had recently claimed he was in talks with Musk about a significant donation to his party, which had split the right-wing vote and helped Labour win July's general election.

But things soured after Musk voiced support for jailed British extremist agitator Tommy Robinson, a move Farage publicly criticised."

*) Gaza truce talks resume as Israel kills 30 in fresh strikes

Talks for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release are back on, Israel confirmed, with Qatar mediating the high-stakes negotiations.

Meanwhile, Gaza's civil defence reports over thirty killed in fresh air strikes, including 11 members of the al Ghoula family—seven of them children.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued "detailed instructions" for the ongoing efforts, according to Israeli officials.

*) UN condemn Israel over violations of peace agreements

The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon-UNIFIL has condemned Israel for destroying a Lebanese army observation tower and a Blue Line marker.

Calling it a "flagrant violation" of UN Resolution 1701, UNIFIL urged restraint to preserve peace.

Since October, Israel’s military actions have resulted in over 4,000 Lebanese deaths, with

16,600 wounded.

With 383 ceasefire violations reported, tensions remain high as calls grow for adherence to international agreements.

*) Suspect in Germany market attack was involved in seven prior cases: report

A suspect in the Magdeburg Christmas market attack, Taleb-Al-Abdulmohsen, had prior run-ins with German authorities, media reveal.

Linked to seven investigations since 2023, the 50-year-old Saudi-born psychiatrist allegedly issued threats online and targeted a lawyer and staff.

Despite a risk assessment, no alert reached his employer.

The December 20 attack left five dead and over 200 injured. Detained days later, Abdulmohsen, described as anti-Muslim and far-right-leaning, remains under arrest.

*) Serbia records hottest year on record

Serbia experienced its hottest year on record in 2024, with average temperatures exceeding previous records by a significant margin.

The country faced a series of heatwaves throughout the summer, contributing to a sharp rise in temperatures.

The extreme heat aligns with global trends, as 2024 is set to be the warmest year on record globally, according to the United Nations.

Climate scientists attribute this unprecedented heat to human-induced global warming, which has fueled a rise in extreme weather events worldwide.

*) Austria's chancellor steps down after failed coalition negotiations

Austria faces a political shakeup as Chancellor Karl Nehammer announces his resignation after coalition talks with the Social Democrats collapsed.

Nehammer cited irreconcilable differences in a video message and pledged an "orderly transition."

It follows a failed attempt to form a centrist government excluding the far-right Freedom Party or FPO which won 28.8 percent of the vote.

Critics warn of potential risks to democracy if the FPO joins forces with Nehammer's conservative People's Party.

*) US plans '$8B arms deal' with Israel amid Gaza genocide

The Biden administration has informally notified the US Congress of a proposed 8 billion dollars arms deal with Israel that includes munitions for fighter jets and attack helicopters alongside artillery shells,

According to Axios, the US military backing to Israel has totalled more than 200 billion dollars since the creation of the country on the historic Palestinian lands.

Washington provides 3.8 billion dollars annually to Israel which has killed over 45,000 Palestinians since October 2023.

*) US says no plans for army base in Ayn al Arab as Syria FM tours region

The US military has denied plans to build a new base in Syria's Ayn al Arab near the Turkish border.

Videos showing trucks carrying construction materials sparked the rumours, but officials dismissed them. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said, "There are no plans to build a US base in Kobani."

Türkiye has repeatedly criticised US cooperation with the YPG, an extension of the PKK terror group.

*) Mike Johnson re-elected as US House speaker

Republican Mike Johnson was re-elected US House Speaker on the first ballot in a 218-215 vote.

The newly-elected 119th US Congress began, with Republicans in full control of both chambers for the first time since 2019.

Johnson was unanimously nominated by his party to retain the gavel shortly after the November 5 elections.

*) German airports hit by IT outage, long queues at border control

A nationwide IT outage has disrupted border control systems at German airports, causing long queues for passengers from outside the Schengen zone.

Federal police manually processed travellers, with no immediate explanation for the issue.

Airports like Frankfurt and Berlin reported significant delays for non-Schengen arrivals.

*) Chinese BYD tops Tesla in fourth quarter, delivers record EV vehicles

Chinese automaker BYD outpaced Tesla in the fourth quarter, delivering about 600,000 EVs compared to Tesla which delivered less than 495,000.

For 2024, BYD delivered 1.76 million EVs, narrowly trailing Tesla’s 1.79 million.

Both companies reported record-breaking sales for the year.

*) UN condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza hospitals, demands safe zones

The UN has strongly condemned Israeli attacks on Gaza hospitals, demanding they remain "off limits."

UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq says over twelve-thousand-people require urgent medical evacuation, adding that the impact of Israel's evacuation orders have affected over eighty-percent of Gaza.

Haq called for media freedoms to be upheld and urged the removal of barriers against journalists.

*) Suicides rise among Israeli soldiers amid Gaza war

Twenty-eight soldiers have committed suicide since the start of the Gaza war in October twenty-twenty-three, surpassing last year’s toll, according to the Israeli military.

A total of eight-hundred-ninety-one soldiers have died and five-thousand-five-hundred-sixty-nine injured during the conflict, with three-hundred-sixty-three deaths in twenty-twenty-four alone.

In response, the army has bolstered mental health support, including a twenty-four-seven helpline and expanded staff.

*) 'Security service' blocks South Korea officials from arresting Yoon

South Korean investigators seeking to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol are being confronted by "security service" members at his residence after an earlier stand-off with a military unit.

Corruption Investigation Office investigators and police officials entered his residence earlier on Friday in an attempt to execute their warrant to detain Yoon.

Investigators began executing a warrant for Yoon arrest over his failed martial law bid, the first time the country has ever sought to arrest a sitting leader.

Yoon’s legal team slammed the warrant as "illegal," pledging to fight back.

*) US probes Tesla truck explosion outside Trump Hotel

Las Vegas authorities are investigating an explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel.

Initial findings suggest the driver, suspected to be Matthew Livelsberger, may have died by suicide before the vehicle exploded.

Livelsberger served in the Army since two-thousand-six and was deployed to Afghanistan twice and served in other countries like Ukraine and Georgia.

Meanwhile, the FBI has stated there is no definitive link between this incident and a separate vehicular attack that occurred in New Orleans on New Year's Day.

*) Türkiye to protect all 'aggrieved groups' in Syria

Türkiye remains committed to protecting all "aggrieved groups" in Syria, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said.

Addressing a joint press conference in Ankara, Fidan declared Türkiye’s role as a guardian for minorities, including Nusayris, Alevis, Yazidis, and Christians.

Underlining Türkiye's support for over three-million Syrian refugees since two-thousand-eleven, Fidan stressed efforts to ensure their safety and promote Syria's future peace.

He also called for international backing in Syria’s reconstruction and reaffirmed Türkiye's readiness to aid in securing the country's borders and handling Daesh detainees.