Italy has joined Belgium in opposing the EU plan to use €210 billion in frozen Russian state assets to finance Ukraine, weakening the European Commission’s push for a deal at next week’s EU summit.

Source: POLITICO

Ukrainian Navy:

Russians deliberately attacked the Turkish vessel VIVA in the Black Sea.

A UAV strike was carried out. The vessel was heading to Egypt carrying sunflower oil. Its passage through the sea was conducted via the grain corridor. There were 11 Turkish citizens on board.

BREAKING: CENTCOM:

On Dec. 13, two U.S. service members and one U.S. civilian were killed, and three service members were injured, as a result of an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman in Syria. The gunman was engaged and killed.

As a matter of respect for the families and in accordance with Department of War policy, the identities of the service members will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified.

Pete Hegseth:

The savage who perpetrated this attack was killed by partner forces.

Let it be known, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you.

Pentagon:

The attack occurred as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement. Their mission was in support of on-going counter-ISIS / counter-terrorism operations in the region.

US Envoy Tom Barrack:

I strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist ambush targeting a joint U.S.–Syrian government patrol in central Syria.

We mourn the loss of three brave U.S. service members and civilian personnel and wish a speedy recovery to the Syrian troops wounded in the attack.

We remain committed to defeating terrorism with our Syrian partners.

Joe Biden has raised only a small share of the money needed for a presidential library.

His foundation reported no new donations in 2024, relying instead on $4 million left over from his inauguration.

It now expects to raise just $11.3 million by the end of 2027—far short of the roughly $200 million aides say a traditional library would require.

Source: NYT

Reform UK has overtaken Labour as Britain’s largest party by membership, with around 270,000 members, according to reported figures.

BREAKING: Trump:

We mourn the loss of three Great American Patriots in Syria, two soldiers, and one Civilian Interpreter. Likewise, we pray for the three injured soldiers who, it has just been confirmed, are doing well.

This was an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by them. The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack.

There will be very serious retaliation. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Sudan: UAE-backed RSF drone strike on UN camp in Kadugli, South Kordofan kills 6 Bangladeshi peacekeepers.

German Chancellor Merz:

We are falling behind, and this has accelerated in recent years — partly due to U.S. trade and tariff policy.

Politics is not a wish concert. This course is not temporary.

Trump did not appear overnight, and this policy will not disappear overnight either. We are witnessing a fundamental change in the transatlantic relationship.

German Chancellor Merz:

The decades of Pax Americana are largely over for us in Europe — and for us in Germany as well. It no longer exists in the way we once knew it.

The Americans are now firmly pursuing their own interests.

German Chancellor Merz:

This is a Russian war of aggression against Ukraine — and against Europe. And if Ukraine falls, it will not stop.

Just as in 1938, the Sudetenland was not enough. Putin will not stop.

German Chancellor Merz:

If the number of soldiers does not increase quickly enough, we will still in this legislative period have to discuss mandatory elements of military service — at least for young men.

Women cannot yet be included, because the constitution does not allow it.

Trump:

This was an ISIS attack on us and Syria.

We will retaliate.

Ukrainian military units reported the destruction of a pipeline that was allegedly being used by Russian forces to enter Kupiansk.

Merz's ally CSU leader Markus Söder:

If anyone from Europe is heard in Washington today, it is Friedrich Merz.

US warplanes are flying at very low altitude over the town of Palmyra tonight, deploying flares after today’s attack that killed two US soldiers and an interpreter.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani:

Syria strongly condemns the terrorist attack targeting a joint Syrian–American counterterrorism patrol near Palmyra.

We extend our condolences to the families of the victims and to the U.S. government and people, and wish the wounded a swift recovery.

US Envoy Tom Barrack:

We will not waver until ISIS is utterly destroyed, and any attack on Americans will be met with swift and unrelenting justice.

Alongside the Syrian Government, we will relentlessly pursue every individual, facilitator, financier, and enabler involved in this heinous act.

We welcome the strong commitment of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who shares our ironclad resolve to identify, pursue, and hold accountable the perpetrators of this attack.

Together we will eradicate terrorism in Syria.

So-called “protesters,” led by pardoned January 6 rioter Jake Lang, carried out a blatantly Islamophobic stunt outside the Epic Mosque in Plano, Texas, using a Quran and a pig’s head.