Israeli strikes continue across Gaza

Israeli forces have carried out fresh strikes across multiple areas of the Gaza Strip, with local sources reporting civilian casualties, including children.

A Kremlin spokesperson has said Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to dialogue with French President Emmanuel Macron, if there is mutual political will.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says the United States has seized another oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. This is the second time in recent weeks that the U.S. has seized a tanker near Venezuela.

A U.S. envoy says representatives of the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye have expressed support for establishing the Board of Peace as a transitional administration in Gaza.

The UN Security Council has condemned an offensive by the M23 group in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It also renewed the mandate for UN peacekeepers in the country.

The top Ukrainian negotiator says Kyiv has agreed to further pursue joint peace efforts with the U.S. and Europe. Rustem Umerov says Ukraine's aim is to secure long-term security.

A set of supercritical carbon dioxide power generation units has begun commercial operation in southwest China. It marks the first time this groundbreaking technology has moved from the lab to commercial use.

The UN Secretary-General says about 1.6 million people in the Gaza Strip are projected to face extreme levels of acute food insecurity and critical malnutrition risks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has described Russia-China relations as a crucial factor for global stability. In his year-end media address, Putin said the two countries have engaged in cooperation across various fields.

China has once again voiced opposition to a U.S. arms package of around 11 billion U.S. dollars for the Taiwan region. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson described the U.S. move as blatant interference in China's internal affairs.