🇺🇸🇮🇱🇮🇷 In Israel, a survey published this week by Walla and Maariv found that 46% of respondents believed neither the United States nor Israel had won the war. Just 22% said that a victory had been achieved.
The remainder saw no clear winner. Overall dissatisfaction was widespread: 63% of Israelis said they were unhappy with the outcome of the war, and 43% expressed disapproval of the actions of Donald Trump during the conflict.
Public opinion in the United States appeared more divided. A poll conducted by YouGov found that 34% of Americans believed the United States had won the war, while 14% said Iran was the victor. Another 34% said neither side had secured a clear victory, and 16% were unsure.
In France, sentiment leaned more decisively in the opposite direction. According to a survey by Le Figaro, 58% of respondents said they believed Iran had won the conflict.
The remainder saw no clear winner. Overall dissatisfaction was widespread: 63% of Israelis said they were unhappy with the outcome of the war, and 43% expressed disapproval of the actions of Donald Trump during the conflict.
Public opinion in the United States appeared more divided. A poll conducted by YouGov found that 34% of Americans believed the United States had won the war, while 14% said Iran was the victor. Another 34% said neither side had secured a clear victory, and 16% were unsure.
In France, sentiment leaned more decisively in the opposite direction. According to a survey by Le Figaro, 58% of respondents said they believed Iran had won the conflict.
🇩🇪 In the Southwestern German city of Heidelberg, authorities are investigating the vandalism of at least 13 memorial sites commemorating Jewish victims of Nazism.
According to local officials, the sites - part of the decentralized network of commemorative stones known as Stolpersteine - were defaced with drawings of hearts and the word “Liebe,” the German term for “love,” written beneath them.
A prosecutor has offered a reward of €2,000 for information leading to the identification of those responsible.
A spokesman for the city administration said that all 13 of the affected memorial stones have since been cleaned.
According to local officials, the sites - part of the decentralized network of commemorative stones known as Stolpersteine - were defaced with drawings of hearts and the word “Liebe,” the German term for “love,” written beneath them.
A prosecutor has offered a reward of €2,000 for information leading to the identification of those responsible.
A spokesman for the city administration said that all 13 of the affected memorial stones have since been cleaned.
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🇫🇷 A 9-year-old boy has been rescued after living locked in his father’s utility van in eastern France since 2024.
After forcing the van open, officers found the child “lying in a fetal position, naked, covered by a blanket on top of a mound of trash and near excrement.″
The boy was clearly malnourished and could no longer walk after being in a seated position for so long. Hasn't showered for years.
The boy’s father told investigators that he put the child in the truck in November 2024 “to protect him” because his partner wanted to send the boy to a psychiatric institution.
Prosecutors said there was no medical record that the boy had any psychiatric problem, his grades were always good.
The boy told investigators that he had “big difficulties” with his father’s partner, thought his father “had no choice” but to lock him up.
The father was handed preliminary kidnapping and other charges and kept in custody. The father's partner denied knowing anything. She was handed preliminary charges and released.
After forcing the van open, officers found the child “lying in a fetal position, naked, covered by a blanket on top of a mound of trash and near excrement.″
The boy was clearly malnourished and could no longer walk after being in a seated position for so long. Hasn't showered for years.
The boy’s father told investigators that he put the child in the truck in November 2024 “to protect him” because his partner wanted to send the boy to a psychiatric institution.
Prosecutors said there was no medical record that the boy had any psychiatric problem, his grades were always good.
The boy told investigators that he had “big difficulties” with his father’s partner, thought his father “had no choice” but to lock him up.
The father was handed preliminary kidnapping and other charges and kept in custody. The father's partner denied knowing anything. She was handed preliminary charges and released.
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🇷🇺🇺🇦 Orthodox Easter truce in Ukraine has effectively collapsed amid thousands of cross-accusations. Kyiv alleges over 2,200 ceasefire violations by Russian forces, while Moscow counters with claims of nearly 2,000 Ukrainian breaches.
Despite the declared pause, active combat persists on the ground. Reports confirm ongoing artillery shelling along the frontline north of Kharkiv, demonstrating the truce's failure to halt hostilities.
Despite the declared pause, active combat persists on the ground. Reports confirm ongoing artillery shelling along the frontline north of Kharkiv, demonstrating the truce's failure to halt hostilities.
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🇺🇸 President Donald Trump attended a UFC event in Miami while America was holding critical peace negotiations with Iran in Islamabad, according to The New York Times.
The report said Trump watched the fights alongside a small circle that included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, his children, the USSR-born US ambassador to India Sergio Gor, rapper Vanilla Ice, and a former deputy director of the FBI.
Despite being surrounded by allies and aides, the president appeared largely isolated, the newspaper reported, portraying him as a solitary figure nearly no one tried to distract from watching the fighting show.
The report said Trump watched the fights alongside a small circle that included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, his children, the USSR-born US ambassador to India Sergio Gor, rapper Vanilla Ice, and a former deputy director of the FBI.
Despite being surrounded by allies and aides, the president appeared largely isolated, the newspaper reported, portraying him as a solitary figure nearly no one tried to distract from watching the fighting show.
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🇺🇸🇮🇷 Trump announced maritime blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by the United States.
USA will intercept all ships entering or leaving the Strait. Will take measures against Iranian ships or ships of Iranian proxies.
Additionally, ships, which managed to cross, because owners or operators paid the toll to Iran, will be stopped, investigated and face penal measures too.
USA will intercept all ships entering or leaving the Strait. Will take measures against Iranian ships or ships of Iranian proxies.
Additionally, ships, which managed to cross, because owners or operators paid the toll to Iran, will be stopped, investigated and face penal measures too.
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🇪🇸🇮🇱 Residents of the Spanish city of Malaga burnt giant puppet of Israeli prime-minister Netanyahu by launching fireworks at it.
The performance was supposed to represent protest caused by the politician's recent threats against Spain for what Netanyahu described as 'a diplomatic war on Israel'.
Tel Aviv summoned Spain's charge d'affaires in order to request clarification and demand apology for the incident.
The performance was supposed to represent protest caused by the politician's recent threats against Spain for what Netanyahu described as 'a diplomatic war on Israel'.
Tel Aviv summoned Spain's charge d'affaires in order to request clarification and demand apology for the incident.
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🇫🇷🇷🇺🇱🇹 A former banking executive at the center of Lithuania’s most prominent financial crime was detained in France under a European arrest warrant. Now France finally agreed to extradite him to Lithuania.
Russian national Vladimir Antonov, a former owner of Snoras Bankas (Lithuania) and Krajbanka (Latvia), was arrested on December 9 in Baden as part of the effort to enforce warrant issued by Lithuania’s prosecutor-general many years ago.
Antonov was previously sentenced to 10 years and 6 months in prison in connection with the collapse of the Snoras bank in Lithuanian and its Latvian affiliate Krajbanka. A court also ordered him and other former senior executives to jointly forfeit €105 million to the state.
Once his banks collapsed, Antonov fled to Russia. Then, years later, he vanished from own elite house near Moscow and, after months of legal proceedings, the banker's dad succeeded to have him ruled dead. It is unclear how Antonov emerged in Baden, where he was discovered very much alive.
Russian national Vladimir Antonov, a former owner of Snoras Bankas (Lithuania) and Krajbanka (Latvia), was arrested on December 9 in Baden as part of the effort to enforce warrant issued by Lithuania’s prosecutor-general many years ago.
Antonov was previously sentenced to 10 years and 6 months in prison in connection with the collapse of the Snoras bank in Lithuanian and its Latvian affiliate Krajbanka. A court also ordered him and other former senior executives to jointly forfeit €105 million to the state.
Once his banks collapsed, Antonov fled to Russia. Then, years later, he vanished from own elite house near Moscow and, after months of legal proceedings, the banker's dad succeeded to have him ruled dead. It is unclear how Antonov emerged in Baden, where he was discovered very much alive.
🇳🇬 Nearly 400 people have been sentenced in Nigeria for links with militant Islamic groups following mass trials.
More than 500 suspects were put on trial in the federal high court in the capital, Abuja, on charges of either taking part in attacks or supporting the militants through funding, supplying arms, or giving logistical support.
On Friday, judges convicted 386 of them, while two were acquitted, eight were discharged, and the cases of 112 suspects were adjourned
The convicts were given sentences ranging from five years to life imprisonment after linked to Boko Haram or a rival splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province.
The trials came at a time when the government is under intense pressure to curb rising insecurity in Africa's most-populous state. Security forces are battling multiple armed groups, from militant Islamists to separatists, and kidnapping-for-ransom gangs.
The US urged its citizens to reconsider travelling to the country because of the deteriorating security situation.
More than 500 suspects were put on trial in the federal high court in the capital, Abuja, on charges of either taking part in attacks or supporting the militants through funding, supplying arms, or giving logistical support.
On Friday, judges convicted 386 of them, while two were acquitted, eight were discharged, and the cases of 112 suspects were adjourned
The convicts were given sentences ranging from five years to life imprisonment after linked to Boko Haram or a rival splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province.
The trials came at a time when the government is under intense pressure to curb rising insecurity in Africa's most-populous state. Security forces are battling multiple armed groups, from militant Islamists to separatists, and kidnapping-for-ransom gangs.
The US urged its citizens to reconsider travelling to the country because of the deteriorating security situation.
🇦🇫 At least 11 people are known to have died after gunmen targeted civilians at a picnic spot in western Afghanistan.
Provincial officials originally said four people had been killed in the attack in the Enjil district of Herat province on Friday, but later said that seven more people who were critically injured had also died.
No group has claimed responsibility so far.
"Unidentified armed men" riding motorcycles opened fire near the village of Deh Mehri, an interior ministry spokesperson said. The recreational area is usually crowded on Fridays.
The victims - who were Shia Muslims - had gone to a local shrine for a picnic. Shia Muslims are a minority group in Afghanistan and have been targeted in the past.
Provincial officials originally said four people had been killed in the attack in the Enjil district of Herat province on Friday, but later said that seven more people who were critically injured had also died.
No group has claimed responsibility so far.
"Unidentified armed men" riding motorcycles opened fire near the village of Deh Mehri, an interior ministry spokesperson said. The recreational area is usually crowded on Fridays.
The victims - who were Shia Muslims - had gone to a local shrine for a picnic. Shia Muslims are a minority group in Afghanistan and have been targeted in the past.
🇬🇧🇪🇺 British prime-minister Keir Starmer is planning a law which will mean that the UK government can adopt EU single market rules, without a normal parliamentary vote.
The measure is part of a bill aiming to align the UK with new European regulations in areas such as food standards.
A senior Labour MP is quoted: "It will lower costs for businesses and get rid of the Brexit paperwork tax that adds to the cost of the weekly shop."
The plans provoked strong opposition from the Conservatives and Reform UK.
The EU single market is an agreement which enables goods, services and people to move freely between member states, with countries applying many common rules and standards.
The Starmer plan means that whenever Brussels approves a new rule MPs would only have limited opportunities to scrutinise it.
The measure is part of a bill aiming to align the UK with new European regulations in areas such as food standards.
A senior Labour MP is quoted: "It will lower costs for businesses and get rid of the Brexit paperwork tax that adds to the cost of the weekly shop."
The plans provoked strong opposition from the Conservatives and Reform UK.
The EU single market is an agreement which enables goods, services and people to move freely between member states, with countries applying many common rules and standards.
The Starmer plan means that whenever Brussels approves a new rule MPs would only have limited opportunities to scrutinise it.
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🇭🇺🇷🇺 In Budapest, crowds of pro-European youth were celebrating the opposition's victory over national conservative prime-minister Orban.
From time to time, happy young people yelled 'Ruszkik haza!', a popular anti-Russian slogan from the 1956 Hungarian uprising against the USSR, which translates as 'Russians, go home!'
Despite Orban's infamous close ties to the leadership of the Russian Federation, Hungary features virtually no residents holding Russian passports. Instead, vast majority of Russian-speaking migrants in Hungary are people who fled from the ongoing war in Ukraine.
From time to time, happy young people yelled 'Ruszkik haza!', a popular anti-Russian slogan from the 1956 Hungarian uprising against the USSR, which translates as 'Russians, go home!'
Despite Orban's infamous close ties to the leadership of the Russian Federation, Hungary features virtually no residents holding Russian passports. Instead, vast majority of Russian-speaking migrants in Hungary are people who fled from the ongoing war in Ukraine.
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🇺🇸 Hunter Biden said he would be willing to challenge President Trump’s eldest sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, to a “cage match.”
Hunter Biden, son of former President Biden, said he received a call from YouTube personality Andrew Callaghan, who the younger Biden said was trying to organize the match as part of his upcoming “Carnival” tour.
“I told him I’d do it, 100 percent in, if he can pull it off,” Biden said.
Callaghan in an email to USA Today said he thought Hunter Biden made the remark “in jest,” but added he’d be “more than happy to facilitate” the match if the older Trump brothers are “willing to engage Hunter in mutual combat.”
Hunter Biden is a 56 years old lifelong drug addict, while Donald Jr is only 48 and known for practicing weightlifting. Eric Trump is just 42 years old and whole 11 cm taller than Hunter.
Hunter Biden, son of former President Biden, said he received a call from YouTube personality Andrew Callaghan, who the younger Biden said was trying to organize the match as part of his upcoming “Carnival” tour.
“I told him I’d do it, 100 percent in, if he can pull it off,” Biden said.
Callaghan in an email to USA Today said he thought Hunter Biden made the remark “in jest,” but added he’d be “more than happy to facilitate” the match if the older Trump brothers are “willing to engage Hunter in mutual combat.”
Hunter Biden is a 56 years old lifelong drug addict, while Donald Jr is only 48 and known for practicing weightlifting. Eric Trump is just 42 years old and whole 11 cm taller than Hunter.
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🇭🇺 After the Hungarian opposition won the legislative election, and its politicians started to celebrate, footage of a dance performed by the incoming healthcare minister went viral.
🇩🇪 Union Berlin, a team competing in the highest division of German male football, appointed Marie-Louise Eta (34) as the first female head coach in the men's top five European leagues.
She made history in 2023 as the first woman to be assistant coach in the Bundesliga and across the top divisions of Europe's big five leagues.
As a player with Turbine Potsdam, Eta won the Champions League in 2010, along with three Bundesliga titles. She has already committed to taking over Union Berlin’s women’s Bundesliga team from the summer.
She made history in 2023 as the first woman to be assistant coach in the Bundesliga and across the top divisions of Europe's big five leagues.
As a player with Turbine Potsdam, Eta won the Champions League in 2010, along with three Bundesliga titles. She has already committed to taking over Union Berlin’s women’s Bundesliga team from the summer.
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🇳🇬 A Nigerian Air Force strike targeting jihadist rebels hit a local market in the northeast instead, killing as many as 200 civilians, a local chief reported on Monday.
Officials confirmed a misfire but provided no further details.
Additionally, Amnesty International cited survivors as saying that at least 100 people were killed in the air strike on Saturday on a village in Yobe state, near the border with Borno state, which is the epicentre of the insurgency that has ravaged the region for over a decade.
“We have their pictures and they include children,” Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International's Nigeria director, said, referring to the casualties.
Officials confirmed a misfire but provided no further details.
Additionally, Amnesty International cited survivors as saying that at least 100 people were killed in the air strike on Saturday on a village in Yobe state, near the border with Borno state, which is the epicentre of the insurgency that has ravaged the region for over a decade.
“We have their pictures and they include children,” Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International's Nigeria director, said, referring to the casualties.
🇫🇷 French cement maker Lafarge has been found guilty of paying millions of dollars in protection money to jihadist groups, including ISIS, to keep its business running in Syria during the civil war.
Eight ex-Lafarge employees were also found guilty of financing terrorism, including former CEO Bruno Lafont who was jailed for six years on Monday.
The court in Paris found that Lafarge paid terrorist groups $6.5 million between 2013 and 2014 to keep its plant operating.
The factory in Jalabiya, northern Syria, was bought by Lafarge in 2008 for $680 million and began operations in 2010, months before civil war began in 2011.
Payments were made between 2013 and September 2014, prosecutors said, and included €800,000 to secure safe passage to work for the company's employees and €1.6 million to purchase source materials from quarries under Islamic State control.
Nusra Front, which was affiliated to al-Qaeda and proscribed by the EU and others, was also among the groups Lafarge paid money to, judges said.
Eight ex-Lafarge employees were also found guilty of financing terrorism, including former CEO Bruno Lafont who was jailed for six years on Monday.
The court in Paris found that Lafarge paid terrorist groups $6.5 million between 2013 and 2014 to keep its plant operating.
The factory in Jalabiya, northern Syria, was bought by Lafarge in 2008 for $680 million and began operations in 2010, months before civil war began in 2011.
Payments were made between 2013 and September 2014, prosecutors said, and included €800,000 to secure safe passage to work for the company's employees and €1.6 million to purchase source materials from quarries under Islamic State control.
Nusra Front, which was affiliated to al-Qaeda and proscribed by the EU and others, was also among the groups Lafarge paid money to, judges said.
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🇦🇺 After the country virtually ran out of fuel, the biggest Australian state of Western Australia has flagged plans to develop its exclusive strategic fuel supply - the state’s agriculture sector was rocked by diesel shortages stemming from the conflict in the Middle East.
The state's Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the government was developing a plan for the future storage of millions of litres of fuel, which would be controlled by the state and available only to West Australians.
Western Australia accounts for about 25% of Australia’s diesel consumption, with agriculture and mining taking up a bulk of this.
The state's Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the government was developing a plan for the future storage of millions of litres of fuel, which would be controlled by the state and available only to West Australians.
Western Australia accounts for about 25% of Australia’s diesel consumption, with agriculture and mining taking up a bulk of this.