Zelensky has officially appointed Budanov as head of the Presidential Office.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani revoked several late-term executive orders signed by his predecessor Eric Adams on his first day in office, including measures expanding the definition of antisemitism and barring city agencies from boycotting or divesting from Israel.

The FBI said it stopped a planned terror attack set for New Year’s Eve in North Carolina, saying the suspect was inspired by ISIS.

Authorities identified the suspect as 18-year-old Christian Sturdivant of Mint Hill, who allegedly planned for about a year to attack a grocery store and a fast-food restaurant.

China has ended a long-standing tax exemption on contraceptives to encourage higher birth rates.

From January 1, condoms and birth control pills are subject to a 13% value-added tax.

The move comes as China’s population declined for a third straight year in 2024, prompting broader pro-birth policies such as tax-free childcare subsidies, financial support for families, and campaigns promoting marriage and childbearing.

Zelensky:

The current head of the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, will become the Minister of Defense.

NEW: UAE announces completion of the return of all armed forces personnel from Yemen.

NEW Saudi airstrikes hit UAE-backed forces near Al-Qatn, Hadramout, Yemen.

Israeli billionaire Shlomo Kramer:

It's time to limit America's First Amendment.

We need to control all the social platforms and take control of what they are saying.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to Denik:

From the Czech budget we can no longer give money to Ukraine, because we do not even have enough for our own school cooks or informal caregivers.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to Denik:

If someone claims that Russia can be defeated, experts say that is not possible.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to Denik:

I will look at our F-35 contract. We must evaluate it.

I haven’t read the contract yet. After I read it, I will inform our coalition partners whether we will try to modify it or change it.

Maduro met with Qiu Xiaoqi, special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping, in Caracas to review bilateral cooperation.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo:

Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets. Also to every Mossad agent walking beside them...