Russia unleashed a large-scale aerial bombardment on Ukraine early Friday, targeting critical energy and transportation infrastructure in what Moscow described as retaliation for Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles on a Russian air base earlier this week. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the assault one of the heaviest since the war began nearly three years ago.
The Kremlin commended President-elect Donald Trump for opposing Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied weapons to strike Russian targets, hours after Russia launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The attack, one of the largest of the war, underscores escalating tensions as both sides vie for advantage ahead of potential ceasefire talks.
Hamas has agreed to meet two major Israeli demands in ongoing ceasefire talks, including allowing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to remain in Gaza during a pause in fighting, according to The Wall Street Journal. The terrorist group also provided a list of hostages, including American citizens, marking a significant development toward a potential ceasefire agreement.
The Pentagon announced that it is establishing the Artificial Intelligence Rapid Capabilities Cell (AI RCC) to accelerate the deployment of newer AI tools.
Democrat Todd Gloria has officially begun his second term as mayor of San Diego this week. Gloria, who was voted as the city's first person of color and first LGBTQ+ mayor, was sworn in during the City of San Diego’s 75th Inauguration Ceremony at the Jacobs Music Center at Copley Symphony Hall.
With just over 40 days left as Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg is generating buzz as a potential candidate for Michigan's governorship. Though his tenure in President Joe Biden’s administration is winding down, Buttigieg’s political trajectory remains a topic of speculation, particularly after his move to Michigan following his 2020 presidential campaign.
A report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reveals that China may be operating multiple espionage facilities in Cuba to spy on the United States. The report, based on satellite imagery and open-source analysis, identifies four key locations—Bejucal, El Salao, Wajay, and Calabazar—as sites supporting China’s signals intelligence (SIGINT) efforts.
Turkish-backed militias, operating under the Syrian National Army (SNA), have advanced into northern Syria, displacing tens of thousands of Kurdish civilians. The SNA captured Manbij, a Kurdish-controlled city, on Tuesday. This followed last week’s seizure of Shahba, where Kurdish officials reported over 120,000 people were forced to flee. The SNA’s offensive is part of “Operation Dawn of Freedom,” aimed at removing Kurdish forces from northern Syria.
Israel is conducting its most extensive air campaign in decades, targeting remnants of the Syrian military following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad's regime. According to Army Radio, these attacks represent the largest military actions against Syria since the Six-Day War in 1967. Israeli Air Force (IAF) strikes are aimed at completely dismantling Syria's military infrastructure to prevent it from threatening Israel or being seized by rebel forces.
