Khamenei meeting with women today:

I urge everyone, especially women, to beware of the enemy’s subtle methods and not be deceived by slogans and temptations.

Germany economy in free fall: Germany’s business sentiment dropped sharply in December, with the Ifo business climate index falling to 84.7 from 85.6 in November, missing expectations.

Ifo President Clemens Fuest called it “chronic weakness,” reflecting industrial stagnation and uncertainty.

Qatar reopens its Damascus embassy after 13 years.

Israeli Defense Minister Katz:

Fortifications and defensive measures must be completed on Mount Hermon for the possibility of a prolonged stay there.

Public services in Syria have restarted, with garbage trucks removing portraits of former dictators from the streets.

Germany’s Special Envoy to Syria Stefan Schneck announced that plans are underway to reopen the German Embassy in Syria.

Iran is facing a severe winter energy crisis which prompted President Pezeshkian to order widespread closures of schools, universities, and government offices.

Despite possessing vast natural gas reserves, Iran faces a critical energy shortage at home while having diverted tens of billions to support the Assad regime in Syria in the past.

HTS rejects the dividing of Syria and the principle of federalism and areas under Kurdish forces control will be added to new administration, Al Arabiya reported.

Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg will visit Kyiv and key European capitals like Paris and Rome in early January.

The meetings are expected to focus on "fact-finding", rather than on active negotiations.

Source: Reuters

The ceasefire between Türkiye and the US-backed PKK/YPG forces in Northern Syria has been extended to the end of this week, US State Department announced.

Netanyahu on Israeli occupied Syria’s Mount Hermon:

“We will remain in this important position until an alternative arrangement ensures Israel’s security.”

Putin reportedly paid Kim Jong Un up to $6 billion for weapons and North Korean soldiers, according to The New York Times.

The Hankuk Institute in Seoul estimates Pyongyang’s arms shipments were worth $1.72–$5.5 billion, partially paid in cash and the rest in oil and food.

For deploying 5,000–20,000 troops, North Korea could have earned $143–$572 million.

With 11,000 soldiers reportedly in Russia’s Kursk region, Pyongyang may have received about $315 million.

The name of the Khomeini Mosque in Sayyida Zaynab, Damascus, has been changed to Sayyida Aisha Mosque.

Sudan’s Army advances against RSF, capturing Al-Sharif Mukhtar village and moving within 35 km of Wad Madani, while RSF pushes through Gezira.