Trump Says “Very Good Talks” Underway on Russia-Ukraine War as Peace Efforts Continue 
Ukraine-Russia Talks Yield Major POW Swap as U.S. Pushes for Path to Peace 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
Pentagon Ends Military Education Programs With Harvard University 
Marco Rubio Steps Down as Acting U.S. Archivist Amid Federal Law Limits 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Federal Judge Restores Funding for Gateway Rail Tunnel Project 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Norway Opens Corruption Probe Into Former PM and Nobel Committee Chair Thorbjoern Jagland Over Epstein Links 
TrumpRx Website Launches to Offer Discounted Prescription Drugs for Cash-Paying Americans 
China Warns US Arms Sales to Taiwan Could Disrupt Trump’s Planned Visit 
Trump Signs “America First Arms Transfer Strategy” to Prioritize U.S. Weapons Sales 
U.S. Sanctions on Russia Could Expand as Ukraine Peace Talks Continue, Says Treasury Secretary Bessent 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Nighttime Shelling Causes Serious Damage in Russia’s Belgorod Region Near Ukraine Border 
U.S. to Begin Paying UN Dues as Financial Crisis Spurs Push for Reforms 
New York Legalizes Medical Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Patients 
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, focusing on efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, Netanyahu’s office reported. Following their meeting, Netanyahu sent a high-level delegation, including the Mossad chief, to Qatar to advance talks on returning hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
Progress has reportedly been made in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. Efforts aim to finalize a deal to halt fighting and release hostages before Trump’s inauguration on January 20. The agreement may also involve releasing Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody.
Netanyahu’s move was welcomed by families of Israeli hostages, who called it a “historic opportunity.” Witkoff arrived in Doha on Friday, where he met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Egyptian and Qatari mediators said Witkoff assured them of continued U.S. support for achieving a fair resolution but withheld specific details.
Israel launched its Gaza offensive after an October 2023 Hamas attack killed 1,200 people and captured over 250 hostages. Since then, over 46,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials, with widespread destruction and a severe humanitarian crisis displacing most of the enclave’s population.
On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike on a former school in Jabalia, sheltering displaced families, killed eight people, including two women and two children. Israel stated the target was Hamas militants operating at the site. Later strikes in Gaza City killed five more civilians, the Gaza Civil Emergency Service reported. Israel confirmed targeting Hamas militants in those areas.
