French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed centrist François Bayrou as the country’s new prime minister, marking the fourth person to hold the role in just one year. This appointment comes after Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government collapsed following a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly due to deadlock over France’s 2025 budget.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has reportedly turned down President-elect Donald Trump’s invitation to attend his inauguration on January 20, 2025. Trump’s outreach to Xi was part of an effort to establish dialogue with not only allied nations but also with competitors and adversaries.
Dutch populist leader Geert Wilders was awarded the Jabotinsky Prize for Liberty during his visit to Israel, where he affirmed his unwavering support for the Jewish state. Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana presented the award, commending Wilders for his decades-long advocacy against radical Islam and support for Israel’s sovereignty. Wilders met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and other senior officials during his diplomatic visit.
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.
A shocking arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne is now being investigated as a potential terror incident, underscoring a troubling surge in antisemitism in Australia.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testified in court Tuesday, recounting how former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry boasted about the strength of U.S.-trained Afghan forces during the Obama administration. Netanyahu said Kerry used Afghanistan as an example to advocate for U.S. training and arming of Palestinian police forces, part of an effort to pressure Israel into concessions in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with outgoing White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday in Jerusalem, emphasizing the importance of protecting vulnerable minorities in Syria. These groups include Christians, Druze, Kurds, and others who face significant threats amidst ongoing conflict.
President-elect Donald Trump will ring the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Thursday as TIME Magazine names him “Person of the Year.” This marks Trump’s second time receiving the honor, having first been named in 2016 following his initial election to the presidency.
In a dramatic turn of events following South Korea's brief imposition of martial law, former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun attempted suicide while in detention but was stopped by officials.
