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Documents posted by Justice Department include flight records, FBI leads and a subpoena to Mar-a-Lago

Donald Trump flew at least eight times aboard convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet during the 1990s, including one occasion when he traveled alone with Epstein and a 20-year-old woman.

RELATED:

US Publishes Epstein Files Amid Extensive Redactions

The information appears in a new batch of thousands of previously unpublished files related to the Epstein case that the U.S. Department of Justice released on Monday afternoon but later appeared to remove. The Washington Post, however, was able to download the documents before they became unavailable.

Unlike the documents published on Dec. 21, the newly released files include several references to Trump, who has sought to distance himself as much as possible from Epstein and his crimes.

“I want you to know that the flight records we received yesterday reflect that Donald Trump traveled on Epstein’s private jet many more times than had been reported (or than we were aware of),” a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York wrote in an email in January 2020 that is included in the files.

Trump flew on the jet at least eight times between 1993 and 1996, the prosecutor wrote, noting that the period aligns with the time frame examined in the investigation into Epstein’s associate and former partner, Ghislaine Maxwell, who was on board with Trump on at least four of those flights.

In some cases, passengers on the plane could serve as witnesses in the case against Maxwell, who was sentenced in 2021 to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking of minors.

Trump with teenagers on Epstein’s plane. The flight logs corroborate the evidence. pic.twitter.com/7JKj1ryTCs

— Vegas Bob (@VegasBobBets) December 20, 2025

FBI Leads and a Subpoena to Mar-a-Lago

The documents also reveal that the FBI collected several leads regarding the relationship between Trump and Epstein during parties at their respective properties in the early 2000s, although they do not confirm whether any follow-up investigations took place.

In addition, the files show that investigators in the Maxwell case sent a subpoena in 2021 to Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s mansion and private club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The reason for the subpoena is not entirely clear, but the documents indicate that a federal prosecutor was seeking records related to individuals who worked at Trump’s club and who could have been relevant to the case against Maxwell.

“I have not been able to locate anyone who remembers [redacted] working at Mar-a-Lago in the year 2000,” that prosecutor wrote in an email included in the newly released documents.

The new batch of files also includes a 22-page letter from the U.S. Justice Department’s criminal division to U.K. authorities requesting a voluntary interview with “witness PA,” a reference to Prince Andrew.

In November, Britain’s King Charles III stripped his brother Andrew of the title of prince and other distinctions following his disgraced status stemming from his past ties to Epstein and his controversial business activities.

On Dec. 20, the Justice Department launched a website to allow the public to consult documents from the Epstein investigation. Epstein died by suicide in prison in 2019, after Congress approved a law requiring the government to disclose all nonclassified information related to the case.

Susie Wiles, Donald Trump's chief of staff, gave an interview to a famous magazine in which she revealed the erratic behavior of the #US president, the #PoliticalOpportunism of JD Vance, the #manipulation of information by Pam Bondi in the Epstein case, as well as the addictions… pic.twitter.com/bondv1T1XP

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 18, 2025

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Source: EFE – The Washington Post

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This is a unique initiative in the country, led by the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, to provide comprehensive care to these patients. This includes specialized medical evaluation, imaging studies, physical therapy, and pain relief interventions when necessary.

This was announced by the director of the institution, Dr. Orestes Lopez, in a statement published by the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP). He specified that, in cases where required, anesthetic interventions will be administered for pain management, as well as physical therapy treatments aimed at improving quality of life and functional recovery.

The health facility, located in Havana’s Vedado neighborhood, is prepared to treat those affected, although it is unknown how many people will seek care at this specialized clinic, he emphasized.

Cuba has been facing the transmission of the chikungunya virus since mid-year, initially as a localized outbreak in the western province of Matanzas, and later spreading to almost the entire country, becoming an epidemic.

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In a statement from the Service for Peace and Justice (Serpaj), which he directs, Perez Esquivel condemns that “Donald Trump’s constant threat to Venezuela to seize its oil, assets, and resources is based on lies and the complicit silence of European countries and international organizations such as the UN, the OAS, the European Parliament, and the United States Congress.”

With such a policy of fierce hostility, Washington is endangering all of Latin America.

Trump, acting like a “great dictator,” disregards international law, treaties, protocols, and the UN Declaration of Human Rights, which he systematically violates.

The statement from Serpaj, signed by Perez Esquivel, maintains that the United States government “has maintained a criminal blockade against Cuba for more than 60 years, threatens Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, and Nicaragua, and interferes in electoral processes, as in the fraudulent elections in Honduras.”

Washington showed “its bloodiest face by imposing military dictatorships throughout the continent, in a long history of interventions to maintain its hegemonic power in the world,” it recalls.

“Today, that power is in dispute with other powers, and therefore it seeks to secure its interests in the Latin American region,” Serpaj points out.

The blockade against Cuba, the attempts at invasion and destabilization, the arrogance of its militaries, and the threats to all the countries of the region are examples of this global dictatorship, Perez Esquivel emphasizes.

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The Sino Minister rejected a draft Pentagon report that attributes to the Asian nation the deployment of more than 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles in its three newest underground silos.

According to the spokesman, such claims are part of a common practice by Washington to justify accelerating the modernization of its nuclear arsenal.

He pointed out that these actions undermine global strategic stability and called on the international community to maintain a clear assessment of the situation.

He also stressed that the United States, as the country with the world’s largest nuclear arsenal, must fulfill its primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament through substantial and effective reductions.

Beijing recently published the white paper “China’s Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation in the New Era,” which comprehensively outlines its nuclear policy and position on arms control.

The spokesperson pointed out that China remains committed to not being the first to use nuclear weapons, pursues a defensive nuclear strategy, and maintains its nuclear force at the minimum level necessary for its security.

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According to local press, 37 such incidents occurred in November, primarily in the east of the country, representing a decrease compared to the 55 recorded in October of the same year.

North Kivu is the province with the highest incidence, followed by Ituri, Tanganyika, and South Kivu, according to the November figures.

However, in the overall figures for 2025, although North Kivu continues to have the highest representation with almost half of the incidents (48%), it is followed by South Kivu (27), Ituri (14), Tanganyika (8), and Maniema (3).

Thefts, robberies, and break-ins were the most frequently reported incidents, as were obstructions and restrictions on movement. Acts of intimidation, threats, or physical assaults occurred to a lesser extent.

Eastern Congo is experiencing violence and insecurity due to the presence and clashes between armed groups, leading to the forced displacement of people and increasing the need for humanitarian aid.

Despite these difficult conditions, humanitarian actors are working to access the affected areas and provide emergency medical care, food aid, and other essential assistance.

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The current administration is considering limiting the number of employees accepted into the program to 426,000 in the first two years under a new training system, which will replace the controversial Technical Internship Program.

The intention is to address the labor shortage in essential industries, while tightening measures against those who overstay their visas, following instructions from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

The new scheme aims to advance participants to the status of Specified Skilled Worker, which allows for longer stays.

Japan plans to admit 805,000 people to the program by March 2029, a reduction from the initial target of 820,000, in a country marked by an aging population and a chronic labor shortage. The system will cover 17 sectors, including agriculture and construction, up from the current 19, and includes two visa types: Type I, with up to five years of stay, and Type II, with unlimited renewals and the option for permanent residency.

As of June 2025, there were 333,000 Type I visa workers and 449,000 technical interns in Japan, according to the Immigration Services Agency.

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Previously, Trump’s special envoy said it was ‘an honour’ to serve in the role ‘to make Greenland part of the USA.’

On Monday, Sweden voiced strong support for Denmark amid Copenhagen’s disappointment over a U.S. public statement announcing that U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland.

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Denmark to Summon U.S. Ambassador Over Appointment of Special Envoy to Greenland

In a written statement to Swedish news agency TT, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said that “it is for Denmark and Greenland to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”

“Sweden stands wholeheartedly behind its neighbour on these issues and will always stand up for international law,” she said, adding that “the obligation to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states is a fundamental principle of international law.”

On Sunday, Trump appointed Landry as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland, a move that has triggered sharp reactions in Denmark and renewed diplomatic tensions between Washington and Copenhagen. Landry said it was “an honour” to serve in the role “to make Greenland part of the USA.”

Trump:
“We need Greenland for national security, not for its minerals. If you look up and down the coast of Greenland, you can see Russian and Chinese ships all over the place”

Trump, you are lying. There are no Russian ships and no Chinese ships anywhere around Greenland. Zero. pic.twitter.com/j7Qhw4Gica

— Orla Joelsen (@OJoelsen) December 22, 2025

On Monday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said they expect the United States to respect the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.

“We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again. You cannot annex other countries. Not even with an argument about international security. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders, and the USA should not take over Greenland. We expect respect for our common territorial integrity,” the two leaders said in a joint statement.

On Monday, however, Trump reiterated his interest in annexing Greenland, this time citing reasons of “national security.” He also said that Denmark “does not invest” in the island. “We need it for national protection. We need Greenland for national protection,” he said at a press conference.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Climate Change: An unprecedented heat wave in May caused temperatures in Iceland and Greenland to soar several degrees above normal, dangerously accelerating the melting of the Arctic ice sheet. pic.twitter.com/e0ul4Yn6xU

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) June 13, 2025

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: Xinhua – EFE

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Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated that Beijing firmly opposes the generalization of the concept of national security and the establishment of discriminatory lists against Chinese companies.

He also noted that the measure constitutes unjustified repression that violates the principles of fair competition and the market.

Lin urged the United States to correct its erroneous practices and provide Chinese companies with a fair, equitable, and non-discriminatory business environment.

DJI is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of civilian and commercial drones, with a broad international presence, while in recent years Washington has imposed restrictions on several Chinese technology companies under the pretext of national security.

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For the second time, Cuba dominated all three categories in the traditional poll, this time with triple jumper Leyanis Perez, pitcher Livan Moinelo, and the Cuban National Baseball 5 team taking center stage.

The triple jump champion was the clear favorite in the poll from its opening on November 21, leading with 73 votes in a category where 17 women received at least one nomination.

A champion in Japanese baseball, left-handed pitcher Moinelo is the first Cuban player to win the Latin American Male Athlete of the Year award. In this 61st edition, he garnered 42 votes, enough to surpass Argentine star Lionel Messi, his closest competitor with 19.

At the last minute, after several weeks of competition, the Cuban youth baseball 5 champions at the Nayarit World Championship rallied and, with the support of national media, won the award for best team with 37 votes, just four ahead of Argentina.

Cuba led the Prensa Latina poll only once before, in 1989, when high jumper Javier Sotomayor, runner Ana Fidelia Quirot, and the women’s volleyball team topped their respective categories.

This year’s edition received submissions from 70 foreign and 43 Cuban media outlets in a survey dedicated to the centenary of the birth of Commander Fidel Castro, architect of the sports movement on the island, and to the fifth anniversary of the death of Argentine star Diego Armando Maradona, winner of the Sports Survey in 1986.

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The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that soldiers this morning fired on a car with three people inside near the Awarta checkpoint, close to the northern city of Nablus.

One of the occupants was hit by bullets, and the other two suffered bruises after the vehicle overturned, the organization said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the military carried out numerous raids in West Bank towns and cities, resulting in numerous arrests.

The official news agency Wafa reported that soldiers arrested seven Palestinians in the villages of Deir al-Ghusun, Baqa al-Sharqiya, and Qaffin, located in Tulkarm Governorate.

Five more persons were captured in towns in Qalqiyya Governorate and 22 in the villages of Dura and Al-Tabaqa, as well as in the Al-Fawwar refugee camp in the Hebron territory.

According to official figures, more than 12,000 Palestinians have been arrested by Israeli security forces in the West Bank since the outbreak of the current cycle of violence on October 7, 2023.

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“I have no information on what is meant by ‘breakthrough,’ but it is unlikely that such a difficult problem can be resolved publicly; however, I suppose that in time we will get some clarification,” Peskov told Rossiya 1 television channel.

The spokesman also noted in statements to the newspaper Izvestia that it is necessary to determine to what extent the US agreements with Ukraine and the European Union “conform to the spirit of Anchorage.”

Last weekend, talks were held in Miami between the Russian presidential special envoy for economic cooperation with foreign countries, Kirill Dmitriev, the US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the US president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

A Ukrainian delegation, including Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, and Andriy Gnatov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, was also in Miami during that time.

On Monday, Vance declared that he considered the clarification of positions in the negotiation process “a major breakthrough.”

At the conclusion of the Russian-American meeting in Miami, Dmitriev described it as constructive.

Meanwhile, Russian presidential advisor Yuri Ushakov stated that there are currently no plans for a trilateral meeting between representatives of the United States, Russia, and Ukraine.

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An official statement from the entity warned of possible delays and the need for airlines to activate contingency plans.

The impact was noticeable in various terminals, with longer lines, slower processes, and passengers forced to adapt to new instructions.

Travelers can print boarding passes and baggage tags at self-service kiosks, but assisted check-in is limited.

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd urges passengers to check in online whenever possible and follow the instructions of staff in the terminals.

The failure was caused by a global problem in Microsoft systems, originating from a faulty antivirus update that caused widespread disruptions.

Airlines, airports, banks, hospitals, and media outlets in various countries reported disruptions as a result.

According to Microsoft, the cause has been identified and corrected, and the affected applications are gradually being restored.

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EC President Costa said the EU needs to ensure that ‘Ukraine is in the best condition to negotiate a peace agreement.’

On Monday, the Council of the European Union (EU) renewed its sweeping economic sanctions against Russia for another six months, even as Europe moves to seek direct contact with Moscow amid U.S.-led talks with Ukraine and Russia.

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Russia Voices Concern Over U.S. Actions Against Venezuela

The Russia-targeted sanctions, first imposed in 2014, were significantly expanded after February 2022. According to the Council, the measures cover trade, finance, energy, technology, and dual-use goods, as well as industry, transport, and luxury goods, among others.

Beyond the economic sanctions, now extended until July 31, 2026, the EU also adopted additional punitive measures recently.

Last week, the bloc approved sanctions against individuals and entities accused of supporting Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, as well as separate sanctions targeting alleged Russian hybrid operations. It also imposed bans on an additional 41 Russian vessels allegedly linked to the shadow fleet.

Meanwhile, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ukraine. At a summit last week, the European Council approved a 90 billion-euro (US$105.4 billion) loan package to support Ukraine’s military and economic needs over the next two years.

This week, the EU adopted sanctions on Russian individuals and entities that help avoid sanctions and destabilise Member States.

We will cut Kremlin off its cash and hold accountable those who act against us and our values.

Read more: https://t.co/X00vo9pHT4 pic.twitter.com/xqyydWUqGK

— European External Action Service – EEAS 🇪🇺 (@eu_eeas) December 18, 2025

European Council President Antonio Costa said the EU needs to ensure that “Ukraine is in the best condition to negotiate a peace agreement.” These moves highlight Europe’s emphasis on pressure, while also exposing anxiety about being sidelined in negotiations to end the conflict.

A U.S.-drafted peace plan for Russia and Ukraine that leaked to the media last month stoked concern in Europe and Ukraine, with critics saying it tilted heavily toward Russia and raised fears that U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration could pressure Ukraine into major concessions.

Since then, European and Ukrainian negotiators have held talks with Trump’s envoys to try to insert their own provisions into the draft, though the precise terms of the current version remain undisclosed.

On Sunday, three days of talks on the Ukraine crisis concluded, featuring separate meetings between the United States, Russia, Ukraine, and European representatives in Florida and Miami. U.S. presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff described the meetings as “productive and constructive.”

Russia, however, offered a more critical assessment. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Ukraine and its European partners were obstructing progress.

📈 EU Exports Surge to Potential “Connector” CIS Countries After Russia Sanctions

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the European Union imposed sweeping sanctions that sharply reduced its exports to Russia by 66%—from €89 billion in 2021 to €30… pic.twitter.com/9KjsJCOHXE

— Econovis (@econovisuals) December 23, 2025

“It’s a fact: every time our dialogue with the U.S. starts to take a positive turn, Kiev and its European curators take extraordinary emergency measures to hamper it, to deform it, to steer these efforts off track,” Ryabkov said.

Even so, Europe, or at least some European countries, is seeking a more direct channel to Russia rather than leaving negotiations solely in U.S. hands.

Following the EU summit in Brussels, French President Emmanuel Macron said the bloc must be prepared for dialogue with Russia if current efforts fail to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine.

Macron stated that he was ready to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin again. He had a phone call with Putin in July. Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said Putin is willing to engage in dialogue with Macron.

Welcoming the Kremlin’s response, the French presidency said, “We will decide in the coming days on the best way to proceed.” It added that any discussion with Russia would be conducted “in full transparency” with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European allies.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Russia: President Vladimir Putin denounced the European Union's attempts to seize the country's assets, calling them an outright robbery. pic.twitter.com/cQMmTZxkD5

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 22, 2025

teleSUR/ JF

Source: Xinhua

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Deputy foreign minister Ryabkov calls for caution and stability.

In an interview with the Interfax news agency on Tuesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov expressed his country’s concern over U.S. actions against Venezuela.

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Venezuela Honors Oil Contracts with Foreign Investors: President Maduro

He also said Russia is maintaining dialogue channels with the United States in multilateral forums, primarily at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Ryabkov said he regretted the escalation of tensions surrounding Venezuela, “which does not inspire confidence that the coming year will be more stable and calm than the previous one.”

“Contacts with the Americans cover various topics, aspects and issues. I cannot say that we have a specific dialogue on this matter, but it is also raised during relevant working-level contacts,” he said.

On Tuesday, Moscow denied that it had ordered the evacuation of its embassy in Caracas amid growing tensions between the Caribbean nation and the United States.

The Venezuelan government categorically denounces and rejects a new act of “theft and hijacking” of an oil tanker by the U.S. military in international waters, describing the incident as a “gross violation” of international law. For her part, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said… pic.twitter.com/aD8vvnyhEo

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 23, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump said this week it would be “smart” if Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro were to step down. In response to this veiled threat, the Bolivarian leader said “the world would be better off” if the U.S. president focused on issues in his own country.

Washington began increasing pressure on Venezuela in September with naval squadrons operating near Venezuelan waters and the sinking of boats allegedly used by drug traffickers. These actions later escalated into the blocking of oil tankers in the region.

Last week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that the situation surrounding the Latin American country is potentially very dangerous.

“President Vladimir Putin recently spoke by phone with President Nicolas Maduro. Of course, we call on all countries in the region to act with caution and avoid any unpredictable developments in the situation,” he said.

During a presidential event, the president of #Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, stated that the role of a president is to address the problems of their country and not to interfere in the affairs of other #nations. pic.twitter.com/kBelmkFPE1

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 23, 2025

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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Bolivarian officials report rising oil output despite U.S. pressure.

On Monday, President Nicolas Maduro confirmed that Venezuela always respects investors and honors its oil contracts, including those with the U.S. company Chevron.

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Speaking at the 2025 Expo Productive Machines, the Bolivarian leader said that “investors who operate in compliance with national regulations, the Constitution, the Hydrocarbons Law and under contract” will find Venezuela to be a reliable partner.

Maduro reiterated that the Bolivarian government fulfills its legal commitments despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s multifaceted aggression against Venezuela. So far, the U.S. pressure has included threats of a naval blockade and the seizure of two ships carrying Venezuelan oil.

“When we sign a contract in accordance with the Constitution and the law, it is fulfilled, rain or shine, thunder or lightning, as is happening with Chevron. Beyond the circumstantial, temporary conflicts we may have with the current U.S. administration, Chevron’s contract is honored to the letter,” Maduro said after a vessel owned by the U.S. company and loaded with Venezuelan crude departed.

The Venezuelan government categorically denounces and rejects a new act of “theft and hijacking” of an oil tanker by the U.S. military in international waters, describing the incident as a “gross violation” of international law. For her part, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said… pic.twitter.com/aD8vvnyhEo

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 23, 2025

On Sunday, Venezuelan Vice President and Hydrocarbons Minister Delcy Rodriguez informed the departure of the tanker Canopus Voyager, carrying Venezuelan oil bound for the United States.

She said the operation was carried out “in strict compliance with regulations and in fulfillment of the commitments assumed by the national oil industry, within the framework of the contracts in force with the company.”

In the same context, Hector Obregon, the president of Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), said the country’s 2025 oil planning has been successful, posting sustained month-by-month growth in production. He confirmed that oil output has reached 1.2 million barrels per day.

Obregon also said that 22 Productive Participation Contracts were consolidated thanks to the implementation of the Anti-Blockade Law. In addition, he informed a 22% increase in refining levels, ensuring the fuel supply needed for industrial development and for meeting the needs of the Venezuelan population.

During a presidential event, the president of #Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, stated that the role of a president is to address the problems of their country and not to interfere in the affairs of other #nations. pic.twitter.com/kBelmkFPE1

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 23, 2025

teleSUR/ JF

Source: VTV

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The decision was announced during the 12th Congress of the Union of Cinematographers of the Russian Federation, held in Moscow at the Gerasimov All-Russian State Film University.

Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova read a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to the minister, the president emphasized the high level of the forum and expressed his confidence that the participants would discuss a wide range of current issues in the field of cinema and contribute to the implementation of cultural policy.

In his message to the Congress participants, Putin congratulated Mikhalkov on his 80th birthday, highlighting his contribution to the development of Russian cinema and culture, and awarded him the country’s highest order: the Order of St. Andrew First Called.

During the event’s discussions, the need to strengthen film education was emphasized as a tool to counteract the ideological and commercial influence of Western cinema, especially that produced in Hollywood.

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Clashes between Syrian forces and Kurdish-led SDF fighters in Aleppo killed at least two civilians on Monday, amid tensions over a stalled military integration deal.

At least two civilians were killed and more than a dozen wounded during clashes in the Syrian city of Aleppo on Monday, December 23, between pro-government security forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The violence flared amid rising tensions over a stalled agreement to integrate the SDF into the Syrian state military.

RELATED: Syria One Year After Assad’s Fall: Sharaa’s Authority Amid Security Collapse

A medical source told Al Jazeera that the casualties occurred after SDF forces opened fire on positions of the Syrian security forces. Syria’s Civil Defense reported that two of its rescue workers were injured when their vehicle came under fire, and that two children were wounded in the crossfire, but SDF denied targeting civilian areas.

Dozens of families fled the violence, with state media and local correspondents describing scenes of chaos involving intense machine-gun fire and shelling.

Syria’s Interior Ministry denounced the SDF attack as “treacherous”, while the SDF blamed “government-affiliated factions” for instigating the fighting. A fragile ceasefire was brokered late Monday.

The clashes coincided with a visit to Damascus by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan for high-level talks on the SDF integration process—a major point of regional friction.

Damascus-affillated factions are using tanks and artillery against residential neighborhoods in Aleppo.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) categorically deny the allegations made by the security and military agencies affiliated with the Damascus government which claimed that…

— Syrian Democratic Forces (@SDF_Syria) December 22, 2025

The integration deal, agreed in principle last March between the Government of Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and the SDF, has been stalled by key disagreements. A central dispute is whether the SDF’s estimated 50,000 fighters will enter the army as a cohesive unit or be dispersed individually—a structure Türkiye vehemently opposes due to the SDF’s ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Ankara designates as a terrorist group.

With an initial implementation deadline already passed at the end of 2025, diplomatic pressure is mounting. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, standing alongside Fidan, accused the SDF of systematic procrastination and a lack of serious initiative. He stated that a Syrian proposal for military merger is currently “under review” after a response was received from Kurdish officials on Sunday.

While Kurdish sources suggest a preliminary agreement exists to integrate three SDF divisions, no formal confirmation has been made. The Aleppo violence underscores the dangerous fragility of Syria’s unresolved military and political landscape, where stalled negotiations continue to exact a civilian toll.

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A US boat strike kills another individual in the Pacific, as Washington escalates pressure on Venezuela.

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A Uruguayan court sentenced nine former soldiers to between 13 and 15 years in prison for the torture and unlawful imprisonment of civilians during the country’s 1973-1985 civic-military dictatorship, in a landmark ruling for the long-pursued Roslik case.

On Monday, December 22, more than 40 years after the crime, it was decided to maintain the precautionary measures against the soldiers, with the added requirement that the travel ban must be formally communicated to Immigration authorities.

RELATED: Operation Condor: How the U.S. Fueled Terrorism in Latin America 50 years ago

However, the request from the victims’ defense to change the defendants’ status from house arrest to preventive detention was not granted, as it was considered that “there is no special procedural risk to warrant it.”

🔴Justicia condenó en primera instancia a los nueve militares imputados por el asesinato de Vladimir Roslik. Las penas de entre 13 y 15 años de prisión es por delitos de tortura y privación de la libertad en San Javier en 1980.

El fallo fue dictado por el juez de Fray Bentos de… pic.twitter.com/Ie14BlSL0m

— Diego Martini Lemos (@cabezamartini) December 22, 2025

The Sentences

The nine convicted retired soldiers are Oscar Mario Roca, Ivo Morales, Abel Perez, Hector Caubarrere, Jorge Soloviy, Daniel Castella, Rodolfo Costas, Luis Estebenet, and Eduardo Saiz.

The longest sentences—15 years and six months—were handed to Roca, Morales, and Pérez, found guilty of repeated abuse of authority, serious injury, and unlawful deprivation of liberty.

Caubarrere and Soloviy each received 14 years and six months for multiple counts of unlawful detention, abuse of detainees, and serious injury.

Castella and Costas were sentenced to 13 years and six months, Estebenet to 11 years and six months, and Saiz to 13 years. Charges include unlawful imprisonment, abuse of authority, and infliction of grave bodily harm.

The Roslik Case

The case stems from a major military operation in San Javier on April 29, 1980, during which several men, including physician Vladimir Roslik, were abducted and tortured. Though released months later, Roslik remained under state surveillance and intimidation.

He was forcibly taken again in a pre-dawn raid on April 15, 1984, and transported with others to the 9th Infantry Battalion in Fray Bentos, where he was subjected to further torture.

Roslik died from his injuries the following day. His death is historically regarded as the last fatal atrocity carried out under Uruguay’s 1973–1985 civil-military dictatorship.

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Eight political parties have submitted applications to register their presidential tickets with the National Election Jury (JNE, in Spanish) for Peru’s 2026 elections ahead of the December 23 deadline.

This does not imply registration. Each ticket must still pass through the stages of qualification, observations, and corrections within the deadlines set by current regulations.

RELATED: Peruvian Congress Is the Most Corrupt Institution: PROETICA

¿Qué organizaciones políticas han suscrito el #PactoÉticoElectoral?

A lo largo de 20 años, el JNE ha promovido de manera sostenida este instrumento ético como una buena práctica en los distintos procesos electorales del país. Es un acto voluntario de las organizaciones… pic.twitter.com/0GxoApDJpS

— JNE Perú (@JNE_Peru) December 20, 2025

Current Presidential Tickets

• Avanza Pais (Country Moves Ahead) presented the ticket headed by Jose Williams, who assumes the presidential candidacy amid questions about his tenure as President of Congress. During that period, he was criticized for approving administrative changes that expanded the hiring of personnel and close associates, leading to accusations of nepotism and discretionary use of the budget.

Furthermore, Williams faces a criminal complaint for alleged collusion linked to the approval of a catering contract for congress members, which raised the cost of buffets to 80 soles and triggered alerts over possible excessive spending of public funds.

The ticket includes Adriana Tudela, a former congresswoman questioned for her support of reforms promoted from Congress that, according to experts and civil organizations, weakened the justice system and hindered the fight against corruption.

Fuerza Popular (Popular Force) registered the ticket led by Keiko Fujimori, with Luis Galarreta as First Vice President and Miguel Angel Torres as Second Vice President. The presidential ticket is linked to investigations related to the Lavamoto case.

According to the prosecution’s theory, the structure allegedly operating in the 2021 campaign executed a scheme of contributions of alleged illicit origin without bank traceability, involving cash or in-kind deliveries that do not match official records, raising doubts about the handling of funds and the transparency of those contributions. In that context, Galarreta admitted to the Public Ministry that he instructed close associates to make cash contributions under conditions that are now under investigation.

• Alianza para el Progreso (Alliance for Progress) formalized the presidential candidacy of Cesar Acuña, alongside Jessica Tumi as First Vice President and Alejandro Soto as Second Vice President. The APP leader is running again amid questions about the internal management of his party and family ties under fiscal investigation.

His brother, Oscar Acuña, has been included in proceedings for alleged corruption linked to the Qali Warma program, related to deposits and contracts with state suppliers. This adds to concerns over party debts, the handling of political financing, and criticism of the management of APP regional authorities, especially in La Libertad, for failing to respond to illegal mining and citizen insecurity.

• The National Union alliance, comprising the Christian People’s Party, Unity and Peace, and United Peruvians: ¡We’re Free!, presented its presidential ticket with congressman Roberto Chiabra as the presidential candidate, along with Javier Bedoya and Neldy Mendoza as vice presidents.

A former Minister of Defense and ex-military officer, Chiabra is a figure associated with security issues, though he carries baggage: in 2025 he was included in a constitutional complaint for a ruling that allegedly allowed the collection of a military pension alongside a public salary, and in 2023 he denied a complaint about the alleged management of party networks by individuals linked to a former military officer with a capture order.

• Renovacion Popular (Popular Renovation) presented the ticket headed by Rafael Lopez Aliaga, Mayor of Lima, whose municipal management has been questioned over the handling of public works, the use of municipal resources, and his confrontational style in political debate.

This is compounded by criticism over controversial statements and an administration flagged by the Comptroller’s Office in various projects. He is accompanied by Norma Yarrow, a former congresswoman questioned for promoting and supporting ultra-conservative initiatives, especially against the gender focus.

• Buen Gobierno (Good Government) registered the ticket headed by Jorge Nieto Montesinos, with Susana Matute Charun as First Vice President and Carlos Caballero Leon as Second Vice President.

• Un Camino Diferente (A Different Road) requested the registration of Rosario Fernandez as presidential candidate, with Arturo Fernandez as First Vice President and Carlos Pinillos as Second Vice President.

• The Green Democratic Party registered the ticket led by Alex Gonzalez, along with Maritza del Carmen Sanchez as First Vice President and Felix Medardo as Second Vice President.

• The Peru Patriotic Party presented Herbert Caller as presidential candidate, accompanied by Rosanna Montes as First Vice President and Jorge Carcovich as Second Vice President.

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Brazil’s Supreme Court on Monday granted house arrest for humanitarian reasons to Augusto Heleno Ribeiro Pereira, a military officer condemned for his role in the 2022 coup attempt, citing an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

The Brazilian Supreme Court approved house arrest for Augusto Heleno Ribeiro Pereira, who was previously sentenced to 21 years in prison for his involvement in the 2022 coup attempt alongside former President Jair Bolsonaro.

The decision, made by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, allows the former Minister of the Institutional Security Cabinet to serve his sentence from home due to a confirmed diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disease.

Justice de Moraes based his ruling on a medical report certifying Ribeiro’s Alzheimer’s disease, who served as Minister of the Institutional Security Cabinet during the Government of Bolsonaro (2019-2022). The medical report emphasized that a continued incarceration would “inevitably lead to progressive and irreversible cognitive deterioration”, aggravated in a prison environment “with the individual in relative isolation and lacking protective and removeding stimuli, especially family interaction and assisted autonomy.”

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The Prosecutor General’s Office also endorsed the measure, deeming it exceptional but consistent with the principles of elder protection, ensuring it does not imply a revision of his sentence.

This contrasts sharply with the Court’s repeated denials of similar requests from Bolsonaro, who was sentenced to 27 years and three months for attempting to prevent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s inauguration, particularly after violating his electronic ankle monitor.

Strict Conditions Imposed

The Court’s decision includes stringent conditions for Ribeiro’s home confinement:

• surrender his passport and firearm permits,
• use of an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet,
• agree to receive only his lawyers and doctors at his residence,
• prohibition of any kind of communication via telephone or social media.

The judicial order also stipulates that any movement for health reasons requires prior authorization from the Supreme Court, making exceptions only for urgent medical situations, which must be justified within a maximum period of 48 hours.

Justice de Moraes warned that if Ribeiro brokes one of these conditions he will result immediate returned to a non-domiciliary prison regime.

Aiding the Coup Plot

Augusto Heleno Ribeiro Pereira was found guilty of being part of the core group that supported the 2022 coup d’etat, which aimed to overturn the results of the presidential elections.

During Bolsonaro’s administration (2019-2022), Ribeiro leveraged his position within the government to endorse actions designed to delegitimize the electoral process, thereby contributing to the broader conspiracy.

The recent ruling highlights the complex intersection of justice, humanitarian concerns, and accountability within Brazil’s political landscape, especially concerning high-profile figures involved in attempts to subvert democratic institutions.

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Israeli authorities demolished a 13-apartment residential building in the neighborhood of Silwan’s Wadi Qaddum on Monday, displacing approximately 100 Palestinian residents, according to witnesses.

The operation, carried out by municipal crews under Israeli police protection, saw a security cordon imposed around the Wadi Qaddum area.

RELATED: Israel’s Finance Minister Unveils $837 Million Plan to Expand Settlements in Occupied West Bank

Witnesses reported that police officers physically assaulted several Palestinians who had gathered near the site in an attempt to disperse them.

Palestinian and international human rights groups have long accused Tel Aviv’s regime of systematically denying building permits to Palestinians in East Jerusalem while fast-tracking construction for Israeli settlers—a policy described as part of a deliberate effort to alter the city’s demographic makeup.

Israeli forces stormed parts of occupied Jerusalem and demolished a residential building in the eastern part of the occupied Jerusalem, firing stun grenades and tear gas during the military raid.

The demolition is part of a broader campaign of displacement and a systematic… pic.twitter.com/Mb3HzHpnjm

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) December 22, 2025

Settlement Expansion and Displacement

Monday’s demolition aligns with what critics describe as a sustained campaign of displacement and home destruction in the occupied West Bank, alongside accelerated settlement growth.

On December 21, Israel’s security cabinet approved the establishment of 19 new settlements in the territory—a move Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich admitted as intentionally obstructing the formation of a Palestinian state.

Settlement approvals in 2024–2025 reached record levels since the United Nations began monitoring in 2017.

Rising Victims

Since October 2023, Israeli military operations in the West Bank have left at least 1,000 Palestinians dead. Demolitions and raids have forcibly displaced between 29,000 and 40,000 residents.

Additionally, more than 8,600 Palestinians—including at least 50 children—are currently detained in the West Bank, according to data recorded through December 18.

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Bolivian President called an urgent meeting with the mayors of the country’s departmental capitals to address the escalating national crisis triggered by Supreme Decree 5503.

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz has called for a meeting with the mayors of the nine departmental capital cities and El Alto, in order to address Supreme Decree 5503, through which his government declared an estate of emergency, establishing a broad package of exceptional measures affecting the country’s monetary, fiscal, productive, energy, and social policies.

RELATED: Bolivians Mobilize in Rejection of Rodrigo Paz’s Fuel Price Hike

The meeting has been called amidst the dialogue that the Executive Branch has begun to undertake with various sectors regarding the adopted measure, as well as the mobilizations carried out by other groups opposing the austerity decree.

Prices increased by 86% for gasoline and 162% for diesel compared to the subsidized cost that was in effect for more than 20 years.

In response to the far-right administration’s move to eliminate longstanding fuel subsidies, members of Bolivia’s main labor union, the COB, staged a nationwide strike on Monday against the measure.

Bolivia’s Social Organizations Protest Fuel Subsidy Cut. Photo: EFE.

Supreme Decree 5503 Measures

• The Central Bank of Bolivia is now authorized to use previously restricted tools: external credit lines, currency swaps, issuance of international financial instruments, and Treasury-backed guarantees.
• The “Single Window for Strategic Investments” is created to centralize the evaluation and approval of projects.
• A special regime for promotion of both national and foreign investment is created. It also enables investment contracts with normative status, approved by supreme decree, and establishes dispute resolution through conciliation and arbitration.
• For projects deemed strategic (mining, hydrocarbons, energy, agribusiness, infrastructure, export manufacturing), a fast-track procedure is established with a maximum 30-day review period. “Positive administrative silence” (automatic approval) becomes the rule, and officials will face penalties for missing deadlines.
• General tax relief measures to reactivate the economy are introduced. Specifically, the decree reduces the tariff to 0% for importing key machinery, industrial equipment, and inputs until 2026, aiming to lower production costs and stimulate private investment.
• The Tax Administration is empowered to prescribe (cancel) interest and penalties on tax obligations from before October 2025.

Bolivia: los trabajadores van a huelga general indefinida contra el gobierno ultraderechista de Rodrigo Paz, títere de EEUU. Recortó subsidios y desató una inflación brutal: diésel +83%, luz +50%, comida +100%, buses +163%.
Otro #Milei: saqueo exprés y entrega del litio a #Trump pic.twitter.com/Ih4SjBmBm0

— Manel Márquez 🍉 (@manelmarquez) December 21, 2025

Text reads: “Bolivia: workers go on an indefinite general strike against the ultra-right government of Rodrigo Paz, a U.S. puppet. It cut subsidies and unleashed a brutal inflation: diesel +83%, light +50%, food +100%, buses +163%”.

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The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) announced plans on Monday for return to action in the spring of 2026, aiming to deploy 100 vessels carrying over 3,000 participants from more than 100 countries in an effort to break the Israeli criminal blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid.

Notably, the group signaled a strategic shift: while earlier efforts focused on delivering one-time aid, the new campaign seeks to establish a sustained, specialized civilian presence in Palestinian territories. Its primary objective will be to help rebuild civilian infrastructure devastated by two years of genocide.

RELATED: 62% of Primary Care Medicines and 70% of Oncology, Not Available in Gaza

A core component of the plan involves deploying teams of highly trained, unarmed civilian protection personnel. These teams would work within Palestinian communities to deter violence, document Human Rights violations, and strengthen local protection and accountability systems.

The mission will include over 1,000 health workers aboard vessels equipped with vital medicines and medical equipment, aiming to coordinate with local medical staff and reinforce emergency care and stabilize a healthcare system devastated by siege and bombardment. Food, infant formula, school supplies, and other essential items will also be transported.

Previous Attempts

The move comes in direct response to the Zionist interception of two GSF flotillas in 2025. The first, last October, saw more than 40 boats detained and 473 activists arrested.

A second flotilla was subsequently confiscated, with its 145 crew members deported after reported detention and mistreatment by Israeli naval and prison authorities.

When our vessels were seized, every flag they flew was violated. If states stay silent, they weaken the system that protects all civilian ships, humanitarian missions, and freedom of navigation worldwide.

Flag states now have a legal duty to act, demand… https://t.co/YrrCHqMLUZ

— Global Sumud Flotilla (@gbsumudflotilla) November 30, 2025

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Chile’s President-elect Jose Antonio Kast arrived in Ecuador this Monday to carry out a series of meetings on Tuesday with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, government ministers, and representatives from the business sector, according to a schedule released by his office.

The Ecuadorian Carondelet Palace will host the bilateral meeting with President Noboa at 11:00 local time (16:00 GMT), followed by a working lunch with Ecuadorian ministers from 12:00 to 13:30 (17:00 to 18:30 GMT).

RELATED: Chile: Pinochetism returns to power

The visit will conclude with a press conference at 3:30 P.M. Ecuador’s time (20:30 GMT) at the Swissôtel hotel.

Among the topics expected on the agenda are the fight against transnational organized crime, security, human mobility, and trade issues, Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld stated.

Since winning the election on December 14th, this marks Kast’s second international trip—a clear signal to his regional allies—following his visit to Argentina last Tuesday, where he met with President Javier Milei, and with a journey to Peru expected in January for a meeting with its interim leader, Jose Jeri.

Noboa was among the first to congratulate the Pinochetist far-right leader, stating in a message on the social network X that “a new stage is opening for Chile and for the region.”

#NoticiasTorreTagle | El canciller Hugo de Zela saludó al presidente electo de Chile, José Antonio Kast, durante su escala en Lima rumbo a Ecuador. En el encuentro de cortesía, el líder chileno confirmó que su primer viaje internacional en 2026 será al Perú. Asimismo, el… pic.twitter.com/6EThGztKHn

— Cancillería Perú🇵🇪 (@CancilleriaPeru) December 23, 2025

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