A warm moment between Turkish President Erdogan and the family of a newly appointed African country ambassador to Ankara.

This is why Türkiye’s Africa policy has been more effective than that of any other power on the continent.

Türkiye’s Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler and Syria’s Minister of Defense, Major General Murhaf Abu Qasra, had a phone call today.

During the phone call, both ministers discussed the latest developments in Syria.

Senator Graham:

TO THE IRANIAN PEOPLE: your long nightmare is soon coming to a close.

Your bravery and determination to end your oppression has been noticed by Trump and all who love freedom.

Hegseth reposts Trump’s Iran post.

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

You have my commitment that we will not rest for a single minute until we bring Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores back.

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

We will not stop condemning the criminal aggression against the Venezuelan people that occurred in the early hours of January 3.

It will go down in history as a major stain on relations between the United States and Venezuela.

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez:

Anyone who comes here claiming that they rule and control things—no.

There is a government here, and a popular government, to defend this country and this territory.

Colombian President Petro:

This is Gran Colombia; it was Bolívar’s idea, and I propose—through a constituent vote of the population—that we rebuild it as a confederation of autonomous nations.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), working with partner forces, carried out large-scale airstrikes against ISIS targets across Syria around 12:30 p.m. ET.

U.S. Department of State:

The security situation in Venezuela remains fluid. As international flights have resumed, U.S. citizens in Venezuela should leave the country immediately.

Before departure, U.S. citizens should take precautions and be aware of their surroundings. There are reports of groups of armed militias, known as colectivos, setting up roadblocks and searching vehicles for evidence of U.S. citizenship or support for the United States.

Remain vigilant and exercise caution when traveling by road. Monitor airlines’ communications and websites for updated information.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Reuters the U.S. may lift additional Venezuela sanctions as soon as next week to facilitate oil sales, and will discuss re-engagement with the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, including access to nearly $5 billion in frozen IMF assets.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf:

If the United States launches a military attack, both the occupied territories and U.S. military and shipping centers will be legitimate targets for us.

Trump:

Venezuela has started the process, in a BIG WAY, of releasing their political prisoners.

Thank you! I hope those prisoners will remember how lucky they got that the USA came along and did what had to be done.

I HOPE THEY NEVER FORGET! If they do, it will not be good for them.

Israel is on high alert over the possibility of U.S. intervention in Iran.

Source: Reuters

UK Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey:

God forbid if Greenland is attacked, the UK should immediately sanction the Trump Organization and think twice about whether we want US forces on our soil at all.

In less than four years, the USSR went from defending Moscow to capturing Berlin, whereas Putin’s Russia has been unable to achieve victory in Ukraine over the same period.

Q: If you could kidnap one world leader, who would it be?

UK Defence Secretary John Healey: I would take Putin into custody.

Russia has for the first time used a new strike UAV Geran-5 during air attacks on Ukraine in early 2026.

— Jet-powered drone, ~6 m long, ~5.5 m wingspan.

— ~90 kg warhead, range up to ~1,000 km.

— Uses satellite navigation (“Kometa”), commercial electronics, and a more powerful jet engine than Geran-3.

— Not a fully Russian design: shows strong similarity to Iran’s Karrar UAV.

— Russia is testing air-launch options and even possible air-to-air missile integration.

A New York Post report cites a Venezuelan guard claiming U.S. forces used an unknown “sonic” or directed-energy weapon during the raid to capture Nicolás Maduro.

The weapon allegedly disabled radar and incapacitated soldiers.

“At one point, they launched something; I don’t know how to describe it,” he said.

“It was like a very intense sound wave. Suddenly I felt like my head was exploding from the inside.”

He claimed the effects were immediate and severe.

“We all started bleeding from the nose. Some were vomiting blood. We fell to the ground, unable to move,” he said, adding that troops “couldn’t even stand up after that sonic weapon — or whatever it was.”

The U.S. has not confirmed the claims.