Russian billionaires fuel the war machine.

Reuters investigation reveals that companies linked to Russian billionaires like Roman Abramovich and Vagit Alekperov supplied over 75% of chemicals for explosives used by Russia’s military from 2022 to 2024.

Despite Western sanctions, these firms, producing civilian goods like fertilizers, indirectly support military production, exposing gaps in sanctions enforcement.

Sources of weapons for terrorist organizations in Africa by Clash Report

Arms trafficking in Africa is a complex and multi-faceted challenge, fuelling violence, instability and growing terrorism across the continent.

The diverse and interconnected sources of weapons perpetuate armed conflict and terrorism in Africa, undermining efforts to establish peace and stability.

US CENTCOM:

We conducted multiple precision strikes against Iran-backed Houthi targets in Sana’a and coastal locations within Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen, Dec. 30 and 31.

We targeted a Houthi command and control facility and advanced conventional weapon (ACW) production and storage facilities that included missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV).

The Israeli army will work on closing Kamal Adwan Hospital to prevent its use in any way.

Source: Al Jazeera

Xi Jinping's New Year address:

People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family. No one can break our blood ties, and no one can stop the historical trend of national reunification.

NEW: Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa met top SDF officials in Damascus Monday, according to AFP report.

French President Macron:

Europe can no longer delegate its security to other powers, War in Ukraine and developments in the Middle East call for European awakening.

Happy New Year!

NEW: Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara announced that French forces will withdraw from his country.

Ouattara said in his address to the nation that the modernisation of the army had achieved positive results.

"In this context, we have decided to withdraw French forces in a coordinated and organised manner," he said.

Ukraine’s Budanov hints at GUR’s involvement in the fall of Assad’s regime in Syria:

“Everyone contributed. The Turks played their part, and maybe we were nearby as well.”

“How did it happen? Well, it just happened, what more can I say?”

Russia has officially stopped gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine with the beginning of the new year.

Syrians celebrated the New Year without the Assad regime for the first time in 54 years.

Yemen's Houthis claim to have shot down another American MQ-9 Reaper UAV over Yemen.

This is the 14th Reaper downed over Yemen, each Reaper UAV costs about 32 million dollars.

NEW: Gaza ceasefire agreement deadlocked

Ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel have stalled and an agreement is not expected to be reached before Biden's term ends. Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire while Israel rejects it.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Israel will continue its military operations in Gaza after the ceasefire agreement. Hamas, on the other hand, maintains its position on a permanent ceasefire.

Nearly 46 thousand civilians lost their lives in Israel's attacks on Gaza. 110,000 civilians were injured. The destruction in Gaza is massive. 73.9% of the houses in central Gaza, 49.1% in Deir el-Balah, 54.5% in Khan Younis and 46.3% in Rafah were destroyed. 1.2B USD is needed for rubble clearance alone.