Conflict and Controversy: Strikes, Accusations, and Geopolitical Shifts

Good Afternoon,

Israel launches strikes the Houthis after facing attack by the armed group, Human Rights Watch accuse Israel of human rights violations regarding access to water in Gaza, Russia moves military equipment from Syria to Libya, and two Malaysians are the most recent releases from Guantanamo Bay.

Top Stories

• Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen’s rebel-held capital and port city after Houthi attack targets Israel (AP)

• Human Rights Watch says Israel's deprivation of water in Gaza is act of genocide (RT)

• Gaetz recalls 'embarrassing' actions but denies wrongdoing ahead of ethics report release (MSNBC)

• Fed meeting recap: Powell says central bank to be ‘cautious’ on rate cuts, rocking market (CNBC)

• French president arrives in Mayotte to survey Cyclone Chido damage (AP)

• Shutdown Grows Closer as Trump Tells G.O.P. to Kill Spending Deal (NYT)

• Supreme Court to Consider TikTok Ban (WSJ)

• UN Security Council told of North Korean missiles used by Russia in Ukraine (AJ)

• Congress passes Paris Hilton-backed bill aimed at protecting institutionalized youth (CNN)

• Russia detains suspect over murder of chemical weapons chief Igor Kirillov (RT)

• What a merger between Nissan and Honda could mean for the automakers and the industry (AP)

• Russia Withdraws Air-Defense Systems, Other Advanced Weaponry From Syria to Libya (WSJ)

• Pelicot rape trial shifts France's practices around drug-facilitated assaults (RT)

• Two Guantanamo Bay detainees back in Malaysia, will undergo rehabilitation, Bernama reports (RT)

United States and Canada

• US requests USMCA dispute settlement talks with Mexico on labor issues (RT)

• Teamsters say Amazon workers will strike at multiple facilities as union seeks labor contract (AP)

• F.B.I. Searches Home of L.A. Deputy Mayor Suspected of Bomb Threat Against City Hall (NYT)

• Canada pledges beefed-up border, immigration restrictions to appease Trump (RT)

• California Declares State of Emergency on Spread of Bird Flu in Dairy Herds (WSJ)

• Victims of Wisconsin school shooting identified as details emerge about the home life of teen who opened fire (CNN)

• Blinken says Iran had bad year, but nuclear negotiations possible (AJ)

• Education Dept. Reverses Itself and Reopens Two Loan Repayment Plans (NYT)

• Pardon Trump? New York governor says president-elect would have to show ‘remorse’ (AP)

Africa

• Court orders South Africa police to end standoff with illegal miners (CNN)

• UN peacekeepers guard Congolese farmers working their fields (RT)

• Ghana's top court dismisses challenge to anti-LGBT bill (AN)

• Blinken to announce more funding for Sudan at UN on Thursday, official says (RT)

• Campaign in DRC to say 'no' to planned constitutional amendment (AN)

• In Nigeria’s crude capital, a plan to win the war against oil theft (AJ)

• Burkina Faso frees four French nationals after Moroccan mediation (RT)

Middle East

• As wars rage around them, Armenian Christians in Jerusalem’s Old City feel the walls closing in (AP)

• No ceasefire deal between Turkey and U.S. backed SDF in northern Syria, Turkish official says (RT)

• As Gaza war rages, Deutsche Welle insiders accuse outlet of pro-Israel bias (AJ)

• The Assad regime has fallen. Why are foreign powers still targeting Syria? (CNN)

• White House Pushes to Find American Journalist Abducted in Syria (NYT)

• Israel Signals Plans to Control Security in Syria Buffer Zone and Gaza (WSJ)

• France to host Syria meeting, cautious on aid, sanctions lifting (RT)

Indo-Pacific

• South Korea’s acting leader vetoes opposition-sponsored bills, deepening political strife (AP)

• Bangladesh’s New Dawn Is Darkened by Settling of Old Scores (WSJ)

• Chinese Spacewalk Apparently Breaks a Record (Barely) (NYT)

• Divers, helicopters hunt survivors of Mumbai boat accident that killed 13 (RT)

• China is building the world’s largest artificial island airport (CNN)

• 5 suspected militants killed in Kashmir fighting, Indian military says (AP)

• Indonesia president pledges to pardon 'corrupters' who return what they stole (RT)

Europe

• France’s highest court upholds corruption conviction of former President Nicolas Sarkozy (AP)

• Andrew Tate, brother to have $3.4 mln seized for unpaid tax, UK court rules (RT)

• German Consumers Shake off a Little Winter Gloom (WSJ)

• Poland is selling its frozen butter reserves to curb soaring prices (CNN)

• Data on animal movements help Hungarian researchers create a swarm of autonomous drones (AP)

• Volkswagen nears deal with unions to keep car plants open, Bloomberg says (RT)

• Ukraine says it has a laser that can shoot down aircraft a mile away. It’s called ‘Tryzub’ (CNN)

Latin America

• Mexico asks US to hand over 'mastermind' in journalist's killing (BBC)

• New charges target ex-Miami congressman for lobbying on behalf of sanctioned Venezuelan tycoon (AP)

• Latin America, Caribbean economies expected to grow 2.4% in 2025, UN says (RT)

• La exconsejera para las Regiones, Sandra Ortiz, salpicada en el saqueo a la UNGRD, será detenida en una guarnición militar (SM)

• Brazil’s currency drops to weakest level yet as Lula’s fiscal measures debated (AP)

• La guerra entre Máximo Kirchner y Kicillof ya golpea en el GBA y el gobierno K de Morón estalló por la interna (CA)

• Foro Penal contabiliza 1.877 presos políticos tras cientos de liberaciones (LN)