RUSSIA AND THE KINGS OF THE EAST

• Russia’s Putin discusses ‘multipolar global order’ with China’s Xi hours after Trump inauguration
• China saw record trade with Russia in 2024: customs data
• Philippines files protest over Beijing’s ‘escalatory actions’ in South China Sea
• Taiwan identifies 52 ‘suspicious’ Chinese ships for close monitoring
• North Korea warns of responding ‘more intensively’ to US drills with South Korea, Japan

THE NORTH KOREA MADMAN

• North Korea tells United Nations it is a ‘responsible nuclear state’
• North Korea says it tested hypersonic intermediate-range missile aimed at remote Pacific targets
• North Korea’s Kim says new hypersonic missile will deter ‘rivals’

A NUCLEAR WORLD

• Kremlin urges Trump to resume nuclear disarmament talks ‘as soon as possible’
• Report: Khamenei halts nuclear weapons program in olive branch to Trump

CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH

• Church of England Priests Told to Change ‘Problematic’ Christmas Hymns: Report
• ‘Christianity is Paganism’: Florida Imam Warns Muslims Against Wishing ‘Happy Holidays’ to ‘Pagan’ Christians
• Netanyahu to Christians: ‘You’ve stood by our side as Israel defends our civilization’

NEWS FROM RUSSIA

• Russia warns the United States of the risks of World War Three
• NATO chief calls for defence surge to avoid ‘big war’ with Russia
• Putin signs record Russian budget, one-third for defense
• Lavrov says Russia ready to defend itself through ‘any means’
• Russia could deploy hypersonic missiles in Belarus, Putin says
• Finland PM says Russia ‘permanent’ threat to EU
• Russia launches ‘inhuman’ Christmas Day attacks, Ukraine says

THE KINGS OF THE EAST

• Xi tells Russia’s Medvedev China ‘is willing’ to strengthen ties
• Defense Department report: China to have 1K nuclear weapons in arsenal by 2030
• Japan FM raises ‘serious concerns’ over China military activity
• China’s space journey continues apace
• Taiwan military on high alert as China warships sail near island
• U.S. ‘playing with fire’ funding Taiwan’s military, China says

A NUCLEAR IRAN?

• 2015 nuclear deal no longer relevant, Iran close to bomb, IAEA chief says
• Iran’s atomic organization claims it won’t impede IAEA access to nuclear sites
• UK, France, Germany: No ‘credible civilian’ basis for Iran’s growing uranium stash
• Britain, France and Germany urge Iran to halt ‘nuclear escalation’

NEWS FROM ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST

• UN passes resolution for conference on ‘two-state solution’, 8 countries vote against
• Netanyahu Warns Houthis as He Lights First Candle of Hanukkah
• Israel to open ‘new front’ in Golan Heights, Netanyahu says
• Hamas calls for ‘mobilization’ to repel PA security forces amid West Bank ops.
• Hamas threatens to ‘neutralize’ hostages if Israel launches rescue attempt
• Massive Israeli airstrikes on Syria reportedly causes earthquake
• Ayatollah Khamenei Claims Iran’s Axis Made ‘Stronger’ by Fall of Syria’s Assad

THE RELIGION OF PEACE?

• ‘Wrath of Allah’: US indicts man who planned attack on Israeli Consulate in New York
• Shocking: Canadian video game allows players to take part in massacre

KNOWLEDGE INCREASED

• RTX’s laser weapon system tested successfully by British Army

Overstay Migrant Explains Islamic Motivation for Attacking Americans

Breitbart.com reports: “Media outlets and local police are downplaying the power of the Islamic religion in motivating a Muslim migrant’s firebomb attack on Americans in Colorado. ‘Allah is greater than the Zionists,’ attacker Mohamed Sabry […]

Iron Beam laser’s speed could mute sirens, end most runs to bomb shelters

The Jerusalem Post reports: “Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ new family of lasers, which started to be rolled out last week and will continue to be presented to the public by the end of 2025, could […]