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  China Launches Live-Fire Drills Near Taiwan... War Games Escalate + China Simulates Blockade of Taiwan: Drills Enter Day Two + Bangladesh in Chaos: First Female PM Khaleda Zia Dead at 80

CIA Carries Out Drone Strike on Venezuelan Port - First Known U.S. Land Operation

U.S. officials say CIA operatives conducted a drone strike on a Venezuelan coastal port facility tied to narcotics operations, marking the first publicly reported U.S. land strike inside Venezuela and escalating Washington's pressure on Maduro

Number

98 - Total arrests announced in Minnesota fraud probe

Quote

"If they don't disarm as they agreed to do, then there'll be hell to pay for them" — President Donald Trump


SPX 6,906 ↓ 0.35% Dow 48,462 ↓ 0.51% Nasdaq 23,474 ↓ 0.50% Gold 4,375 ↑ 0.72% BTC 87,730 ↑ 0.69%


24 Hours

CIA Carries Out Drone Strike on Venezuelan Port

U.S. intelligence and White House confirm a strike on Venezuelan maritime infrastructure linked to narcotics trafficking. Reports identify a CIA drone operation and White House acknowledgement, marking a rare U.S. land strike tied to the Venezuela pressure campaign.

U.S. Military Says It Killed Two in Pacific Strike

U.S. military operations in the eastern Pacific have targeted alleged drug traffickers, with multiple lethal strikes reported. Pentagon releases and task force statements detail deadly actions against suspected narco vessels.

Trump Meets Netanyahu in Florida to Discuss Middle East

President Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar‑a‑Lago in a high‑profile meeting focused on Gaza, Iran and broader regional coordination. The summit produced public praise and an unusual Israeli pledge of honors to Trump.

Zelensky Says U.S. Agreed to 15 Year Security Guarantee for Ukraine

Diplomacy around Ukraine advanced in talks with President Trump as Kyiv seeks long term security; Zelensky said progress was made though territorial issues remain. U.S. statements framed new guarantees as part of a prospective peace arrangement.

Russia Threatens Retaliation After Alleged Attack on Putin Residence

Claims of an attack on a Russian presidential residence have escalated the Russia Ukraine conflict, prompting strong rhetoric and threats of retaliation from Moscow while Kyiv denies involvement and the situation remains fluid.

China Launches Biggest Live Fire Drills Around Taiwan

Beijing launched major live‑fire exercises around Taiwan, deploying air, sea and missile assets. The drills mark a significant escalation in pressure and have raised alarms across the region about the risk of miscalculation.

China Flies Bombers and Fires Artillery in Taiwan Blockade Practice

China rehearsed blockade and seizure scenarios with combined bomber, artillery and amphibious exercises aimed at Taiwan. Beijing issued stern warnings to Washington as regional flight and shipping patterns were disrupted.

U.S. Grants Annual Licenses for Chip Tool Shipments to China

U.S. regulators have begun an annual approval process allowing some chipmaking tool shipments to China in 2026, easing restrictions for Samsung and SK Hynix while balancing export controls and national security concerns.

Meta Agrees to Acquire AI Agent Firm Manus

Meta moved to acquire Manus to bolster its AI agent capabilities, a deal with implications for global AI competition and Chinese investor ties. Meta says Manus will sever Chinese ownership and operations post‑acquisition.

China's Arctic Push Looms as New High North Security Threat

Chinese Arctic ambitions are drawing strategic concern from Western officials as Beijing expands polar capabilities. Reports also surfaced alleging a sunken Russian vessel carried nuclear components, underscoring geopolitical risks in maritime corridors.

Saudi Arabia Bombs Mukalla Port Over Weapons Shipped from UAE

Saudi Arabia carried out strikes on Yemeni port targets it says held weapons shipped from the UAE for southern separatists, escalating tensions between Gulf powers and complicating U.S. regional diplomacy.

DHS Launches Massive Investigation into Minnesota Childcare Fraud

Federal agencies surged into Minnesota after viral video allegations of massive childcare and social services fraud. DHS, SBA and the DOJ have taken concrete steps including field operations, funding freezes and dozens of arrests.

Viral Video Sparks Federal Probe Into Minnesota Daycare Fraud

A series of viral videos and independent reporting spurred federal scrutiny of alleged abuse of Minnesota social aid programs. Independent journalists argue the fraud was obvious and question why mainstream outlets missed early signs.

Artists Cancel Kennedy Center Shows After Trump Name Change

Performers and organizations are canceling shows at the renamed Trump‑Kennedy Center, sparking cultural and financial fallout. The wave of pullouts underscores friction between the administration and parts of the arts community.

Autopsy Reports for Rob and Michele Reiner Sealed by Court

Autopsy reports and medical examiner files related to the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner have been sealed at LAPD request, and investigators say new announcements are imminent as the homicide probe continues.

Bondi Attack Suspects Did Not Belong to Broader Terror Cell, Police Say

Australian authorities continue probing the Bondi Beach massacre; police say the accused acted alone and did not belong to a wider cell. The incident and its aftermath have generated demands for national inquiries into antisemitism.

Khaleda Zia Dies at 80 Former Bangladesh Prime Minister

Bangladesh's political landscape is reshaped by the death of Khaleda Zia, a three‑term former prime minister whose rivalry with Sheikh Hasina defined generations. Global leaders and local factions are responding to her passing.

Intensifying Winter Storm Snarls U.S. Holiday Travel

A violent winter storm and bomb cyclone produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions across the Midwest and Northeast, causing travel chaos, pileups and life‑threatening weather alerts as the holiday travel surge continued.

Utah Judge Approves Release of Closed Hearing Transcript in Kirk Case

Courts ordered the release of transcripts and audio from the closed hearing in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, widening public access to material in the high profile Tyler Robinson murder case.

Chipmakers Post $400B in Sales as AI Boom Drives 2025 Revenue

AI demand propped up chipmaker revenue in 2025 while markets swung on tech volatility; futures and Asian markets reacted to a sector sell off amid broader holiday trading thinness.

CMS Announces $50 Billion in Rural Health Grants

The Trump administration rolled out a $50 billion rural health program and began distributing first awards to states, framing it as a major domestic health initiative with conditions attached to funding.

National Guard Deploying to New Orleans for New Year Security

Authorities are planning heavy security in New Orleans for New Year's events, deploying the National Guard and other assets a year after a deadly street attack to reassure the public and deter threats.

Search Expands for Missing Texas Teen Camila Mendoza Olmos

A high priority missing person case in Texas has mobilized volunteers and law enforcement as the family and authorities warn the teen may be in imminent danger; new footage and leads are being examined.

Anthony Joshua Reported Awake After Fatal Nigeria Crash

Boxing star Anthony Joshua was involved in a serious car crash in Nigeria that killed two passengers; officials say he is alive and receiving care as investigations continue into the fatal wreck.

POTUS LATEST

"I just had a good and very productive telephone call with President Putin of Russia prior to my meeting, at 1:00 P.M. today, with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. The meeting will take place in the main dining room of Mar-a-Lago. Press is invited. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT"