South Korea Prosecutor Alleges Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee Abused Power for Bribes 
Zelenskiy and Trump Meet in Florida as Ukraine Peace Talks Face Major Hurdles 
FBI to Permanently Close Hoover Building, Relocate Headquarters to Reagan Building 
Israel Recognizes Somaliland as Independent State, Sparking Regional and Global Reactions 
Argentina Congress Approves 2026 Budget Under Milei, Marking First Legislative Passage Since 2023 
Bolsonaro Undergoes Phrenic Nerve Block Procedure After Surgery-Related Complications 
Australia Orders Independent Review After Bondi Mass Shooting, Albanese Resists Royal Commission Calls 
Japan Approves Record ¥122.3 Trillion Budget as Takaichi Seeks Fiscal Balance 
White House East Wing Ballroom Plans Face Scrutiny Ahead of January Hearing 
Zelenskiy to Meet Trump to Advance Ukraine Peace Talks and Security Guarantees 
South Korean President Apologizes to Families of Jeju Air Crash Victims, Pledges Full Investigation 
Trump Administration Probes Corporate DEI Programs, Raising Questions for Google Stock 
Zelenskiy to Meet Trump in Florida as Ukraine-U.S. Peace Framework Nears Completion 
U.S. Judge Blocks Deportation of British Anti-Disinformation Campaigner Imran Ahmed Amid Free Speech Dispute 
Lebanon Cabinet Approves Financial Gap Law to Tackle Ongoing Economic Crisis 
Mark Carney Reaffirms Canada’s Support for Ukraine as Peace Talks With Russia Gain Momentum 
FBI Surges Resources to Minnesota Amid Fraud Investigations Linked to Somali Community 
The European Union hit back against Russia’s move to cut gas deliveries to Europe amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine. The bloc’s energy policy chief called the move politically motivated.
The European Union’s energy policy head Kadri Simson said Tuesday that Russian gas firm Gazprom’s announcement that it will cut down deliveries to Europe was politically motivated. Simson’s comments came as the gas firm claimed it was slashing deliveries to Europe due to halting the operation of a turbine.
“We know that there is no technical reason to do so. This is a politically motivated step and we have to be ready for that. And exactly for that reason, the pre-emptive reduction of our gas demand is a wise strategy,” said Simson, who was attending a meeting of EU energy ministers in Brussels.
Simson also said she expected the ministers to reach a deal on emergency EU rules that would require countries to curb their gas demand.
Meanwhile, a petition was launched on Ukraine’s official petitions site Tuesday, calling to give outgoing UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson Ukrainian citizenship and make him the country’s prime minister.
Johnson resigned this month over growing calls to step down by members of his Conservative Party as well as scandals that plagued his administration. The petition has so far received 2,500 signatures.
Despite losing popularity domestically, Johnson is seen as a favorite in Kyiv for his support of Ukraine. There are paintings, murals, as well as cakes in Kyiv, that have Johnson’s likeness. Some Ukrainians have also called the outgoing British prime minister “Johnsoniuk.”
The petition, addressed to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, lists “worldwide support for Boris Johnson, a clear position against the military invasion of Ukraine, wisdom in the political, financial, and legal spheres” as Johnson’s strengths.
However, the petition also acknowledged one negative aspect of appointing Johnson to be a Ukrainian official, which is non-compliance with the country’s constitution.
Coincidentally, Johnson also presented Zelenskyy with the Sir Winston Churchill Leadership Award for the Ukrainian leader’s “incredible courage, defiance, and dignity” in the midst of Russia’s invasion. While Zelenskyy has not mentioned the new petition, he will be required to respond if the petition reaches 25,000 signatures.
