UN chief condemns Russian attacks against Ukrainian cities and towns

The UN Secretary-General on Friday condemned in the strongest terms a massive aerial attack by Russia on Ukrainian towns and cities, which left at least 30 civilians dead and over 160 injured, reads a press release of UN.

Protests in Serbia continue: Demonstrators set up tents on the street and blocked traffic

A group of university students on Friday launched a 24-hour blockade of a main street in Serbia’s capital during New Year’s holiday rush as protests continued in the troubled Balkan country after reports of irregularities that marred a recent election, AP reports.

Zelensky says Russia fired 110 missiles at Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that Russia launched around a hundred missiles over Ukraine in the biggest attack in recent months, which killed at least 10 people and wounded over 70, AFP reports.

Maine’s top election official removes Trump from 2024 primary ballot

Maine’s top election official has removed former President Donald Trump from the state’s 2024 primary ballot, in a shock decision based on the 14th Amendment’s “insurrectionist ban”, CNN reports.

Israeli army bombards southern Gaza as Hamas is to discuss draft ceasefire

The Israeli army bombards the south of the Gaza Strip on Friday, while a Hamas delegation is expected in Egypt to discuss a ceasefire project, reports Agerpres.ro.

ISS future secured: US & Russia extend cooperation until 2025

In a move reaffirming commitment to the International Space Station (ISS), Russia and the United States agreed to extend joint astronaut flights through 2025.

Israeli Army concentrates operations amidst Gaza crisis

In a critical development, the Israeli army is focusing its efforts in the central region of the Gaza Strip, despite increasing concerns for civilian well-being and mounting calls for a ceasefire.

Donbas strategy unclear: Mariinka capture offers limited value

Russian claims of capturing the Ukrainian town of Mariinka have been met with scepticism, with experts questioning its strategic significance and highlighting ongoing Ukrainian presence within the settlement.

Finland-NATO tensions: Russia modernises Arctic defences

Russia's state defence conglomerate Rostec plans to bolster its Northern Military District bordering Finland and Norway with the deployment of its newly tested Coalition-SV self-propelled howitzers, reported News.ro.

Strategic shift: Sullivan and Dermer discuss Israel's new phase against Hamas

In a high-level meeting on Tuesday, Jake Sullivan, the US National Security Advisor, and Ron Dermer, Israel's Minister of Strategic Affairs, discussed Israel's transition to a "different phase" in its conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, as reported by an American official, according to Agerpres.ro.

Reuters: Global 2024 staple food supplies to be strained by dry weather, export curbs

High food prices in recent years have prompted farmers worldwide to plant more cereals and oilseeds, but consumers are set to face tighter supplies well into 2024, amid adverse El Nino weather, export restrictions and higher biofuel mandates, Reuters reports.

Russia says one person was killed, a large landing ship damaged in Ukrainian attack on Crimea

One person was killed, two injured and a large landing ship called Novocherkassk was damaged in an overnight Ukrainian attack on the Crimean port city of Feodosia, Russia’s defense ministry and officials said, Reuters reports.