TrumpRx Website Launches to Offer Discounted Prescription Drugs for Cash-Paying Americans 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Nighttime Shelling Causes Serious Damage in Russia’s Belgorod Region Near Ukraine Border 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
TrumpRx.gov Highlights GLP-1 Drug Discounts but Offers Limited Savings for Most Americans 
China Warns US Arms Sales to Taiwan Could Disrupt Trump’s Planned Visit 
Federal Judge Restores Funding for Gateway Rail Tunnel Project 
Trump Backs Nexstar–Tegna Merger Amid Shifting U.S. Media Landscape 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
New York Legalizes Medical Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Patients 
Iran–U.S. Nuclear Talks in Oman Face Major Hurdles Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
U.S. Lawmakers to Review Unredacted Jeffrey Epstein DOJ Files Starting Monday 
US Pushes Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Before Summer Amid Escalating Attacks 
Trump Signs “America First Arms Transfer Strategy” to Prioritize U.S. Weapons Sales 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
U.S. Announces Additional $6 Million in Humanitarian Aid to Cuba Amid Oil Sanctions and Fuel Shortages 
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has sharply criticized the crackdown by the Islamic Republic on the demonstrators in the ongoing protests. Meloni warned that more action could be taken by Italy and its allies to exert pressure on Tehran to end the crackdown.
During an end-of-the-year press conference on Thursday, Meloni criticized Iranian authorities for their crackdown on protesters. Meloni also warned that Italy and its allies would have to take more action against the Islamic Republic should the crackdown continue.
“What is happening today in Iran is unacceptable for us, Italy can no longer tolerate it,” said Meloni, adding that unless Tehran changes its stance, Italy will be consulting with its allies to discuss more effective action to be taken against the Islamic Republic.
Meloni’s criticism follows that of foreign minister Antonio Tajani, who summoned the Iranian ambassador on Wednesday, telling them to stop the executions of those convicted on protest-related charges and instead start a dialogue with protesters.
The condemnation by Rome comes as protests in Iran have continued to take place since erupting in September following the death of Kurdish-Iranian woman Mahsa Amini. Amini died in the custody of the morality police, which detained her for allegedly flouting the Islamic Republic’s imposed dress code on women. The ongoing protests mark the biggest show of opposition to the clerical regime since the 1979 Revolution.
Tehran has also sought to blame its foreign adversaries, such as the United States and Israel, for fomenting the protests. Two people have already been executed on protest-related charges.
Tajani said the death sentences against people who take part in protests and against women who refuse to wear headscarves were a very disproportionate and unacceptable form of punishment.
“Taking off a veil or participating in a protest is not a crime that can lead to the death penalty anywhere in the world,” said Tajani.
Human rights group HRANA said around 18,500 people have been arrested during the protests. Iranian government officials said most of the people arrested have been released so far. The rights group also said that as of December 25, 507 protesters have been killed in the crackdown. Among them are 69 minors and 66 members of the security forces.
