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Amendment targets UN agency’s facilities in East Jerusalem and bans utilities, telecommunications, and financial services.

On Monday, the Israeli Parliament approved an amendment to a 2024 law that declared the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) illegal in Israel.

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The decision violates international law, strips UNRWA of its immunity, orders the expropriation of its premises in East Jerusalem and cuts off its supplies.

The amendment, which merges three proposals introduced by lawmakers from the far-right Jewish Power party and Israel Beiteinu party, has sparked outrage from UNRWA. Currently, this UN agency provides services to 5.9 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem.

Israel strips UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) of diplomatic immunity. Ashraf Shannon reports from Gaza City on the implications of the move pic.twitter.com/6p3a5MyhvI

— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) December 30, 2025

Stripped of immunity

Article 6 of the amendment states that “the provisions of the United Nations Ordinance on Privileges and Immunities of Dec. 14, 1947, shall not apply to UNRWA.”

That ordinance implemented the United Nations convention of the same name, adopted a year earlier, which guarantees the inviolability of UN premises against “entry, requisition, confiscation and expropriation,” as well as immunity for its officials from arrest or prosecution for acts carried out in the performance of their duties.

The convention also exempts United Nations bodies from all direct taxation and from customs restrictions on the import or export of goods for official use or publications, and obliges UN member states to grant them communications facilities equivalent to those accorded to any other government.

UNRWA spokesperson Jonathan Fowler said that neither Israel nor any UN member state can unilaterally exclude from a convention it has signed — and that is binding — one of the organization’s agencies.

“You cannot simply decide to withdraw from it and say that it does not apply to part of the United Nations,” he said. “They have chosen to take unilateral measures, and that is completely illegal under international law.” He added that the decision is unprecedented and therefore “shocking at the global level.”

Israel is carrying out a systematic campaign against UNRWA to tarnish its image and halt its operations. The occupation claims that UNRWA is involved in military activities, despite all investigations disproving this allegation.

Recently, the Israeli government closed the UNRWA… pic.twitter.com/jBAQqqq71f

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) December 30, 2025

Expropriation of UNRWA premises

The law authorizes the Zionist state to seize real estate owned or used by UNRWA or by representatives acting on its behalf in territories Israel considers under its jurisdiction, whether state or municipal.

The Israeli army and police must carry out the expropriations within a maximum of 30 days from the law’s entry into force.

Specifically affected are the agency’s headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem, which was already closed in January 2025, as well as the Qalandia Training Center, which trains young people and is located near the military checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem.

On Dec. 8, Israeli police and municipal officials had already forcibly entered the East Jerusalem headquarters and replaced the U.N. flag with an Israeli flag.

Under the approved amendment, Israel’s justice minister may modify the list of properties and areas subject to seizure with the approval of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

Cutoff of Essential Supplies

One of the approved amendments expands Article 2 of the original law and requires state authorities and bodies exercising public functions to revoke any license, permit, authorization, or benefit granted directly or indirectly to UNRWA, unless it can be shown that they are not intended for the agency.

This will result in the cutoff of electricity, water and gas to the agency’s premises located in what the law defines as “Israeli territory,” meaning areas not under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority.

If the UNRWA’s name appears in official records, the supplier must disconnect the service within 15 days.

Telecommunications and Financial Services

The new law explicitly prohibits the provision of telecommunications services to UNRWA, applying a regime similar to that for basic utilities.

Israeli banking, financial and payment institutions may not “provide banking, financial or payment services to UNRWA,” including accounts, transfers or payment systems.

The ban extends to individuals or companies acting on behalf of, or for the account of, UNRWA, even on a temporary or ad hoc basis. Providers, according to the law, may turn to local authorities, police or security forces to verify compliance.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Middle East: Israel accelerated expansionist projects in the occupied West Bank. pic.twitter.com/t2Ng1INjGX

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 29, 2025

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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The release indicates that, to further develop international cooperation among young people, the Russian president decided to convene the World Youth Festival in September 2026 in the city of Yekaterinburg.

The 2024 World Youth Festival was held in the Russian Federal Territory of Sirius, in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. At that meeting, participants agreed that the next event would be held in 2030.

The Russian presidency release stated that the 2026 Festival will be smaller in scale, with an expected attendance of 10,000 people.

Thematic meetings with 2,000 participants were also announced to be held in 2027, 2028, and 2029 between the two future events.

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Without providing further details of the operation, the General Staff of the military also announced in a statement that on December 27, units of the Fuga Kene group bombed refugee sites used by the aforementioned extremist elements.

At the same time, on the same day, air assets also destroyed armed bases belonging to irregular groups in an area of ​​the northern region of Timbuktu, a territory that includes emblematic sites that constitute a World Heritage Site, the document stated.

Following these operations, the Malian Armed Forces indicated that their armed units remain vigilant in the theaters of operations, prepared to strike against any enemy incursion.

Authorities in Mali, a Sahel country that suffered coups in August 2020 and May 2021, along with other countries in the region, including Burkina Faso and Niger, are demonstrating their determination to eradicate terrorist groups, such as the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, an Al-Qaeda affiliate.

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Somaliland is legally incapable of entering into any agreement with another country, they stated.

On Monday, the three African members of the Security Council — Algeria, Sierra Leone, and Somalia — along with Guyana, collectively known as A3+, strongly condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state.

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“A3+ strongly condemns the flagrant assault by Israel on the unity and the territorial integrity of Somalia by recognizing as an independent entity the northwestern region of Somalia, the so-called Somaliland,” said A3+ in a joint statement at an emergency meeting of the Security Council.

Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, “is legally incapable of entering into any agreement or arrangement or recognition with another country,” said the statement read by Somali UN ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman on behalf of A3+. “Any such purported arrangements are, therefore, null and void.”

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland represents a direct violation of the United Nations Charter, the African Union’s fundamental principles, and a breach of the cornerstone of international law, said the statement.

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland undermines Somalia’s sovereignty, escalates tensions in the Horn of Africa, and opens the door to using African land for war and for the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
This is illegal. It’s destabilizing. And the world must… pic.twitter.com/OPCes5nDOq

— Medea Benjamin (@medeabenjamin) December 29, 2025

“This act of aggression is aimed at encouraging fragmentation of the territory of Somalia … and is destabilizing the Horn of Africa, entire Horn of Africa, and the Red Sea region. It should be firmly rejected and condemned unequivocally by all (UN) member states. A3+, therefore, rejects this announcement by Israel and calls for it to be rescinded,” said the statement.

A3+ further calls on all UN member states to take a unified and principled stand against this illegal action. A3+ unequivocally rejects any steps aimed at advancing the forced, involuntary relocation of Palestinians from their homeland to other countries, including any attempt by Israel to relocate the Palestinian population from Gaza to Somaliland.

“This action is not only unlawful, but is morally reprehensible… A3+ will neither accept nor condone the illegal use of any territory, let alone that of a sovereign state, which is a member of the United Nations.”

Israel recognizes Somaliland as an independent state.

Why?

Here's one of the reasons.

(Via @sov_media) pic.twitter.com/ytdmFbrjWp

— Carlos Latuff (@LatuffCartoons) December 29, 2025

Neither the future of the Palestinian people nor the territorial sovereignty of Somalia can be used as a bargaining chip. Israel’s actions not only have set a dangerous precedent but also pose a serious threat to regional and international peace and security, the statement said.

A3+ calls on the international community to uphold its responsibility under the UN Charter and to reject any act that undermines the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia or the rights of the Palestinian people through manipulative and immoral actions, it added.

The A3+ is a coalition of three elected African members of the Security Council, known as A3, plus an additional like-minded country from Latin America and the Caribbean region. Over the years, they have steadily enhanced their coordination in pursuit of a common African position.

Thousands of Sahrawi residents participated in the fourth call for mobilization, rejecting the United States' initiative to grant the territory of Western Sahara to #Morocco pic.twitter.com/RQgP6zleXt

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 31, 2025

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Source: Xinhua

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Al-Yamahi condemned “the dangerous and systematic escalation of incursions by extremist settlers” on the Esplanade of the Mosques, or Temple Mount, a site known to Jews as the Haram al-Sharif.

The official asserted that such provocative actions are an act of organized terrorism and a flagrant violation of the historical and legal status quo of the area, occupied by Israel during the 1967 war.

He also criticized settler attacks against Palestinians and their property in the West Bank, stating that they are carried out under the official sponsorship of the Israeli Army and Government.

The AP speaker urged regional legislatures, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to take urgent steps to classify extremist settler groups as terrorist organizations.

Official figures state that more than 750,000 Israeli settlers currently live in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, distributed among some 200 settlements and several outposts.

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During the year, ENEL carried out major maintenance on strategic hydroelectric plants, which allowed it to supply approximately 13 percent of the national electricity demand through this means and contribute to Nicaragua exceeding 80 percent of its energy matrix based on renewable sources, according to the Pastrán Report bulletin.

According to the publication, the company also strengthened its Geochemical Laboratory, key to the exploitation of the country’s vast geothermal potential, estimated at between 1,500 and 2,500 megawatts.

This progress directly impacts sustainable development projections and the consolidation of a reliable and clean energy supply, it stated.

He added that as part of that process, the company made progress in the accreditation of said laboratory through the implementation of a Quality Management System, with validation of testing methods, assurance of results and continuous updating of its specialists.

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The head of MICI, Julio Molto, said that, in addition to continuing to promote traditional products, the government is working on diversifying sales, with a greater emphasis on the services sector, as part of the strategy to broaden the export base and strengthen the country’s competitiveness.

The official specified that through last October, accumulated exports reached $835 million, representing a 3.1 percent increase, equivalent to an additional $24.8 million, compared to the same period in 2024.

For Molto, this is a record figure, the highest accumulated value between 2010 and 2025.

Among the leading export products are shrimp, bananas, watermelon, and sugar, sectors that continue to be pillars of Panamanian foreign trade.

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Addressing the opening of the Seminar on the International Situation and China’s Diplomacy 2025, the top diplomat stated that the Taiwan issue is an internal matter and the core of the country’s fundamental interests.

Wang noted that China firmly opposes the provocations of Taiwanese separatist forces and the massive sale of US weaponry to the island.

He underscored that achieving the complete reunification of the country is an inalienable historical mission, within the framework of the legal defense of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He also indicated that more and more countries are reiterating their adherence to the One China principle, recognizing Taiwan as part of Chinese territory, and opposing any attempt at secession.

Wang pointed out that any action aimed at blocking this historical trend is doomed to failure.

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In a post on X, the Indian head of government stressed that ongoing diplomatic efforts remain the most viable path to ending hostilities and achieving lasting peace.

He urged all parties involved to remain focused on these efforts and avoid any actions that could undermine them.

Yesterday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reported that, during the night of December 28-29, Ukrainian authorities carried out a terrorist attack using 91 long-range attack drones against Vladimir Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod region.

The Russian Foreign Minister emphasized that all the drones were destroyed by Russian Armed Forces air defense systems and noted that no injuries or damage from falling debris were reported.

He also stressed that the attack took place “during the intense negotiations between Russia and the United States to resolve the Ukrainian conflict.”

During an interview this Tuesday on the Rossiya 1 television channel, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova asserted that Kyiv will face a response for its acts of terrorism.

The high-ranking diplomat stated that “the latest actions of the Ukrainian authorities demonstrate that this is a genuine, bloodthirsty terrorist regime with a neo-Nazi base, but they will receive a response for it.”

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Etsegenet Mengistu, Chairperson of Legal and Justice Affairs Standing Committee of the House of People’s Representatives (Parliament), commented in a briefing that these agreements signify Addis Ababa’s growing diplomatic influence and its commitment to international regulations. The meeting provided a platform for experts and legislators to analyze the frameworks and ensure their alignment with the nation’s sovereign interests and legal integrity.

The analysis included the two agreements with China, focusing on the transfer of convicted persons and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

Meanwhile, with Brazil, the Committee examined a bilateral treaty on the repatriation of convicted persons, along with a formal extradition agreement with South Africa for citizens sought for criminal prosecution.

The Committee underscored that these measures are intended to create a solid legal framework for addressing transnational crimes and managing the exchange of detainees with greater transparency.

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The second most populous city in Andalusia, in southern Spain, with around 600,000 inhabitants, is one of the country’s cultural hubs, with other branch museums, such as the Georges Pompidou and the Thyssen-Bornemisza, whose main locations are in Paris and Madrid, respectively.

The Picasso Museum Malaga had a banner year in 2025 with 792,366 visitors, a figure that confirms the stabilization of visitor numbers and the strength of the institution’s cultural project, the institution noted.

The year began and ended with two exhibitions of the artist’s work, each with a different starting point: Picasso: The Royan Notebooks, and Picasso: Memory and Desire.

The year began and ended with two exhibitions of the artist’s work, each with a different focus: Picasso: The Royan Notebooks, and Picasso: Memory and Desire.

In the contemporary artists section, the Museum hosted William Kentridge’s installation More Sweetly Play the Dance as a guest work, and the exhibition Genius Loci by Belgian painter Farah Atassi.

Educational and cultural activities were a cornerstone of the museum, with nearly 30,000 participants in conferences, seminars, courses, screenings, and concerts, reinforcing its commitment to art education and dissemination.

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Dieudonne Kasereka, communications officer for the 34th Military Region, stated that armed men abducted 42 women from the central area of Bukombo, in the Rutshuru territory.

According to residents, the women were first tortured.

Their exact destination or whereabouts is difficult to determine, the officer told Radio Okapi station, and added that this is not the first such act attributed to the AFC/M23 rebels.

Kasereka commented that other acts of violence against civilians have been committed in Mushoro (Bwito Chiefdom), Pitango and Musinde (Batangi Chiefdom), and Kahongole (Katsiru village, also in Bwito).

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Currently, everyone is receiving free care and medication.

On Monday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a second financial aid package of US$1,670 for each of the people affected by the derailment of the Interoceanic Train. This amount that is intended to cover immediate and funeral expenses.

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Derailment on Mexico’s Key Trans-Isthmian Line Leaves 13 Dead

She explained that the second round of financial aid will be provided once the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) clarifies the causes of the accident. The president visited hospitals of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) and the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE).

Some patients were transferred to Oaxaca, and others may be sent to Mexico City for specialized medical care as needed. Sheinbaum lamented the deaths of thirteen people.

In response to complaints from family members regarding alleged medical negligence, Sheinbaum assured that everyone is receiving free care and medication. Personnel from the National Commission for Victims and the Servants of the Nation are also assisting the affected families.

Navy Secretary Raymundo Morales informed that 250 people were on board, 108 of whom were hospitalized, and 44 remain hospitalized. There are scheduled surgeries for at least four people, and one has already been carried out on a minor.

#MañaneraDelPueblo | La presidenta @Claudiashein informa prioridades del Gobierno de México tras accidente del Tren Interoceánico: atender a víctimas y familias de manera directa, esclarecer los hechos, así como garantizar la seguridad de vías e infraestructura. Sigue el trabajo… pic.twitter.com/7lu5ipQsUR

— Gobierno de México (@GobiernoMX) December 29, 2025

The text reads, “President Claudia Sheinbaum informs of the Mexican government’s priorities following the Interoceanic Train accident: providing direct assistance to victims and their families, clarifying the facts, and ensuring the safety of tracks and infrastructure. Coordinated efforts continue.”

A Hi-Rail type scout vehicle had previously inspected the route and reported that the tracks were in normal condition. Human Rights Undersecretary Felix Medina announced a telephone hotline and public servants for affected family members.

IMSS-Bienestar Director Alejandro Svarch also indicated that care protocols had been activated at various hospitals. The Mexican president attended the funeral of a victim in Asuncion Ixtaltepec and reiterated that the government’s priority is to attend to the injured and their families.

Sheinbaum clarified that she prioritized hospitals and families and did not visit the accident site because it was part of the investigation. She confirmed that the train driver was not injured and that his statement will be taken by the FGR.

The president emphasized that the Trans-Isthmus Railway tracks meet technical requirements and safety certifications. She reiterated that these reviews are ongoing for railway projects and will not be initiated solely because of this accident.

In #Mexico, at least 13 people died and 98 were injured after the Transistmico train derailed on Sunday, December 28, on Line Z, which connects Salina Cruz, #Oaxaca, with Coatzacoalcos, #Veracruz, within the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. pic.twitter.com/ysIdYyKNQs

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 30, 2025

teleSUR: JP

Source: EFE

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The Republican leader is ‘not concerned’ about Israel’s actions under the ceasefire.

On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump issued warnings to Hamas and Iran, as the second phase of the Gaza peace plan and concerns over Tehran’s missile program dominated his closed-door talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida.

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Analysts said Trump’s remarks were aimed at projecting leverage on both Gaza and Iran, but cautioned that rhetoric alone is unlikely to resolve the underlying challenges.

HAMAS DISARMAMENT

Trump said Hamas would be given only a “very short period of time to disarm” and warned there would be “hell to pay” if it failed to comply.

“They’re going to be given a very short period of time to disarm,” Trump told reporters after meeting with Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago residence, adding that his special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner would oversee the disarmament process.

“If they don’t disarm as they agreed to do … then there will be hell to pay for them,” Trump said. “But we don’t want that. We’re not looking for that.”

Trump said earlier that he would try to launch the second phase of the Gaza peace plan “as quickly as we can,” stressing that Hamas’ disarmament would be a central condition.

Trump also said he was “not concerned” about Israel’s actions under the ceasefire, claiming Israel had “lived up to the plan 100 percent,” while acknowledging differences with Netanyahu over how to address settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

Netanyahu has reportedly indicated he will not rush the transition to the next phase of the peace plan while the remains of Ran Gvili — believed to be the last unrecovered Israeli hostage — remain in Gaza.

The ceasefire remains in the first of three phases outlined in the plan, with details of the second phase yet to be finalized. The second phase is expected to include Hamas’ disarmament, the start of reconstruction, and new governance arrangements for Gaza, potentially overseen by an international “Board of Peace” led by Trump.

On Saturday, Gaza health authorities said that 414 Palestinians have been killed and 1,142 wounded since the latest ceasefire began on Oct. 10. Analysts said that even if a phase-two agreement is announced, core issues, including who governs Gaza, security arrangements, and the absence of a clear path toward Palestinian statehood, would remain unresolved.

🚨BREAKING: Trump announces he has lobbied the president of Israel to give a full pardon to Benjamin Netanyahu and a “pardon is on its way.”

You’re looking at two disgusting criminals obsessed with evading accountability.
pic.twitter.com/5Q8qw8Yq79

— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) December 29, 2025

IRAN MISSILE PROGRAM

Trump said that Iran may be attempting to expand its weapons capabilities at new sites, warning of “very powerful” consequences if Tehran proceeds. “I hope Iran is not trying to build up, as I’ve been reading, that they’re building up weapons,” Trump said at a joint appearance with Netanyahu.

“If they are, they’re not using the sites that we obliterated, but they’re using possibly different sites. If it’s confirmed, there will be consequences. Maybe more powerful than last time,” he said, warning that his administration would support another swift military strike if Iran attempts to redevelop its ballistic missile program.

“I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we’re going to have to knock them down,” Trump said, urging Iran to pursue a “deal” with Washington, saying it would be “smarter.”

In response, Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, said any aggression would receive a strong, immediate response that goes beyond what the attacker expects, Iran’s state-run Nour News agency reported.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said last week that Iran’s missile program is defensive and “non-negotiable,” criticizing what he called Western “hypocrisy.”

On June 13, Israel launched surprise airstrikes on multiple targets in Iran, killing senior commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians. On June 22, U.S. forces bombed Iranian nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan –an operation Trump has since described as a major military success.

Censorship at one of the United States' most prominent news programs, as President Donald Trump's allies further consolidate their control of U.S. media. pic.twitter.com/u29ryKtoOK

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 24, 2025

teleSUR/ JF

Source: Xinhua

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In neighborhoods of the coastal city of Latakia, pro-government youth groups launched simultaneous attacks against businesses and civilian vehicles in areas inhabited by Alawites.

The incidents included shots fired into the air, the throwing of stun grenades, acts of vandalism, and the burning of public and private property, accompanied by sectarian slogans and insults.

Local sources confirmed that at least three people were injured, one of them seriously, raising fears of a possible escalation of violence.

According to the official SANA news agency, security forces were deployed in the affected areas to prevent further clashes and maintain order.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported similar incidents in the Jabal al-Ward area, north of Damascus, where groups of young men rode motorcycles and behaved provocatively, creating tension among residents. In this context, one man was stabbed and taken to a hospital.

The Observatory also reported the deaths of three young men: two from the town of Tayr Jamla, west of Hama province, and one from the village of Saboura, after being attacked by armed groups for sectarian reasons.

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“Vladimir Putin sent Christmas and New Year 2026 greetings to foreign heads of state and government.

Among them are the President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel, and the President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro,” the statement published on the Kremlin’s official website reads.

The statement also highlights Putin’s Christmas and New Year greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian President Droupadi Murmu, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Growing numbers of Americans blame Trump for their financial difficulties.

A poll conducted for Britain’s Guardian newspaper shows that nearly half of Americans believe their financial security is getting worse, while a majority say the United States is experiencing an economic recession.

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The survey, carried out by the Harris Poll between Dec. 11 and 13 among 2,180 nationally representative U.S. adults, found that economic pessimism has deepened over the past year, with growing numbers of Americans blaming the White House for their financial difficulties.

According to the poll, 45 percent of respondents said their financial security is deteriorating, compared with just 20 percent who said it is improving. Meanwhile, 57 percent said the U.S. economy is undergoing a recession, up 11 percentage points from a similar poll conducted in February.

The results underscore an “economically tumultuous year.” Many Americans reported feeling “shaken” by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, mass government layoffs and a crackdown on immigration, even as official data recently showed stronger-than-expected economic growth. Consumer confidence, as measured by the Conference Board, has declined for five consecutive months.

‘Deadly New Disease’: 1998 Poll of Americans’ Predictions for Future Were ‘Surprisingly Prescient’ https://t.co/jUkSOIdXYO

— Mediaite (@Mediaite) December 30, 2025

The poll highlighted sharp political divisions in perceptions of economic conditions. Democrats were almost twice as likely as Republicans to say their financial security is getting worse, at 52 percent versus 27 percent.

Concerns were also pronounced among independent voters, with 54 percent saying their finances are deteriorating, up nine percentage points from February. A majority of independents, 58 percent, also believe the country is in recession.

At the same time, more of the blame is being placed on the White House than ever before. When asked who is most responsible for increasing prices, 76 percent of Democrats and 72 percent of independents pointed to government management of the economy. Republicans were more divided, though a majority of 55 percent also blamed the government rather than corporate practices.

Differences in economic sentiment were also evident across gender, race and income groups. Women expressed significantly greater pessimism than men, with half saying their financial security is worsening, compared with 39 percent of men.

About two-thirds of Black and Hispanic respondents said the U.S. economy is in recession, compared with just over half of white respondents.

Income disparities further reflected what some economists describe as a “K-shaped” economy. Among respondents earning less than US$50,000 a year, 59 percent said their financial security is getting worse, up 13 percentage points from February. By contrast, 37 percent of those earning more than 100,000 dollars said things are getting worse.

Censorship at one of the United States' most prominent news programs, as President Donald Trump's allies further consolidate their control of U.S. media. pic.twitter.com/u29ryKtoOK

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 24, 2025

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Source: Xinhua

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Addressing the Seminar on the International Situation and China’s Diplomacy 2025, Wang noted that this year marked the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, in a context of deep changes on the international arena.

The diplomat said that China will act under the leadership of the Communist Party Central Committee, with President Xi Jinping at its core, and will maintain the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity as its central focus.

The foreign minister affirmed that Chinese diplomacy will seek to unite the world’s progressive forces and concentrate efforts on preserving peace and promoting common development.

Upon summarizing the diplomatic year, he underscored that Beijing acted as a stabilizing factor in the face of conflicts affecting world peace.

Wang pointed out that the nation played a central role in its regional environment, strengthening ties with neighboring countries and advancing the construction of communities with a shared future.

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“Such actions represent a threat to stability and security, particularly in the context of efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace,” Mirziyoev stated, as quoted by his press office.

According to the Kremlin, “the President of Uzbekistan expressed his outrage at the attack” and “condemned the reckless terrorist actions of the Kyiv regime.”

On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Ukraine of launching an attack on the presidential residence in the Novgorod region using 91 drones. He claimed that all the drones involved in the attack were intercepted by air defenses.

Lavrov pointed out that Russia does not intend to abandon the negotiation process with the United States following the Ukrainian attack, but will review its position in those talks.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the failed Ukrainian drone attack against Putin’s residence was “an act of terrorism” intended to derail the peace negotiations.

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The report on combat operations, broadcast on the military’s official Telegram channel, specifies that “units of the Dnieper Troop Group occupied, through forceful actions, the village of Lukyanovskoe in the Zaporizhzhe Oblast.”

The Ministry also estimated that Ukrainian Armed Forces suffered approximately 1,330 casualties in the last 24 hours in the area of ​​the Russian special military operation.

According to the report, the Central Troop Group inflicted the highest number of enemy casualties, more than 470, followed by the Southern Troop Group, with up to 220 casualties.

The Eastern Troop Group inflicted more than 210 casualties. In the Northern Group’s area of ​​operations, Ukraine lost up to 200 soldiers; in the Western Group, more than 190; and in the Dnieper Group, up to 40.

The Ukrainian Army also lost 21 armored fighting vehicles, 79 cars, eight artillery pieces, two electronic warfare stations, and 10 ammunition depots.

In addition, Russian air defenses intercepted three projectiles from the Himars multiple rocket launcher system and 18 unmanned aerial vehicles.

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But Easy is not the only one affected by the collapse in consumption that has decimated sales and bankrupted hundreds of businesses across the country.

Other long-established chains are also closing their doors and leaving employees jobless, such as Vea, Yaguar, Ecomar, and Fravega.

The marked drop in sales is compounded by increased operating costs and a forced reconfiguration of the business throughout the country.

The news outlet Urgente24 notes that for three decades, Easy La Tablada was much more than just a store. Located at a strategic point in La Matanza, on Camino de Cintura and the iconic roundabout, it served as a landmark for families, business owners, and construction workers.

According to data provided by the Union of Commercial Employees and Workers of the Western Zone, the supermarket registered a sustained drop in sales of 30 to 50 percent during the last two years of Javier Milei’s neoliberal government.

These numbers show a clear trend: The year is ending, and mass consumption has failed to recover, with the austerity measures being felt by both households and businesses. Added to this is the sustained increase in commercial rents, one of the costs that most pressures the profitability of businesses.

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“Behind these numbers is the effort of millions of Venezuelan workers, business owners, entrepreneurs, farmers, fishermen, and community members,” the Vice President wrote on her Telegram account.

Rodriguez emphasized that, united as one, they are determined with unwavering resolve not to succumb to the brutal economic blockade imposed by the United States and its allies.

“In 2026 we will continue to be victorious!!” she affirmed.

The Bolivarian Government foresees a 9 percent growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the end of the year.

According to ECLAC, the Bolivarian Republic will close this year with a GDP of 6.5 percent and projects 3.0 percent for 2026.

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The leftist leader supports the constitutional right of citizens to protest.

On Monday, LIBRE party presidential candidate Rixi Moncada sharply criticized Honduras’ Nov. 30 elections, calling them illegitimate and tainted by fraudulent practices and manipulation of results.

RELATED:

Moncada Calls Asfura’s Proclamation Fraudulent

Her remarks came amid a mobilization called by LIBRE Party coordinator Manuel Zelaya in support of Central District Mayor Jorge Aldana, who remains at the electoral warehouses of the National Institute for Professional Training in protest over authorities’ refusal to recognize his electoral victory.

Moncada voiced support for the protest and said Hondurans must not yield to what she described as external impositions or internal decisions that betray the popular will.

She directly criticized the National Electoral Council (CNE), accusing it of acting in favor of the country’s traditional two-party system and of violating constitutional and legal principles.

The political leader warned that those responsible for alleged irregularities will have to face justice, regardless of how much time passes or what power they seek to shelter behind.

#Honduras | Former President Manuel Zelaya calls for protests over electoral fraud committed during the November 30 presidential elections. pic.twitter.com/5hzp8JtE0J

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 29, 2025

Moncada said that in response to electoral fraud and the imposition of a president, civic struggle is a duty, not an option, because giving up citizen mobilization would amount to surrendering popular sovereignty.

“We do not recognize the president of fraud. The elections are null because not all the votes, biometric devices and voter booklets were counted. The CNE violated popular sovereignty,” Moncada said, stressing that the Honduran Constitution upholds citizens’ right to defend the democratic order when it is violated.

“Honduran laws provide for criminal, civil and administrative liability” in cases of electoral fraud, Moncada stated, addressing the Organization of American States, the European Union and countries that have recognized the alleged winner of the presidential elections.

“We will remain firm and strong against organized crime and against those who, through fraud, coercion and threats, have imposed an electoral result that does not reflect the popular will,” she concluded.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Honduras: Several social organizations declared themselves on alert due to the potential return of the National Party to power, which they accuse of serious human rights violations. pic.twitter.com/ESjOksCNzh

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 29, 2025

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: teleSUR – LatitudDHN

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The company, declared a Cultural Heritage of the Nation in 2018, performs the classic Don Quixote, a season dedicated to Cuban prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso on her 105th birthday.

Nunez and Reve captivated the audience on December 28 at the Teatro Nacional de Cuba with charm, vibrant chemistry, and supreme technical mastery.

Nunez is a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet in London, and Reve is a guest artist with that renowned British company and a principal dancer with the Queensland Ballet in Australia, who has never lost the habit of returning to his roots and honoring them with respect and affection.

The BNC will open 2026 with another performance of Don Quixote on January 1 at the Teatro Nacional de Cuba, with first dancers Anette Delgado and Anyelo Montero in the leading roles.

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Founded on February 10, 1980, by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the political organization, the largest left-wing party in Latin America, has maintained its leadership continuously since late 1990s and has retained stability under the current administration.

The second position is held by the conservative Liberal Party (PL), led by former President Jair Bolsonaro, which reached its historical high with 12 percent approval.

Its growth intensified as of December 2021, reaching double digits in October 2022.

Before the PL’s rise, the second position was contested by the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) and the Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB), which were overtaken by the Social Liberal Party (PSL) in 2018 following the attack against Bolsonaro.

The PT, throughout its existence, has left a profound print on the national political scene, symbolizing the struggle for social inclusion, redistributive justice, and the active participation of the popular sectors.

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