SENATE REJECTS BIDEN'S $105B AID PACKAGE FOR UKRAINE AND ISRAEL

The $105 billion spending package, spearheaded by President Joe Biden and aimed at providing additional military aid to Ukraine and Israel, faced a setback in the Democratic-controlled Senate on Wednesday. Falling short of the required 60 votes for procedural approval, the supplemental spending package was defeated by a narrow margin of 49-51.

Senator Bernie Sanders, an Independent aligned with Democrats, broke ranks with the party and sided with Republicans in opposition. His dissent centered around the package's allocation of extra funds to Israel, particularly amidst its ongoing conflict in the besieged Gaza Strip. Sanders emphasized his objection to granting the Netanyahu government an additional $10.1 billion without specific conditions, expressing concerns about the continuation of what he described as an inhumane war against the Palestinian people.

Highlighting Israel's right to self-defense against Hamas attacks, Sanders asserted that it doesn't justify the killing of thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians. The funding for Israel, amounting to $14.3 billion on top of the annual $4 billion in military assistance, is part of a comprehensive proposal by Biden, encompassing over $61 billion for Ukraine and addressing other national security priorities.

The Senate vote aimed at initiating debates on the package revealed a Republican stance linking their support to overhauls in U.S. border policies. Biden accused "extreme Republicans" of jeopardizing national security by tying Ukraine's funding to their partisan border policy demands.

Having approved approximately $111 billion for Ukraine's war efforts since Russia's invasion in February 2022, Congress faces the urgent depletion of allocated funds. The White House has raised alarms, indicating that the remaining funds are expected to run out by the end of the year.

ITALY OFFICIALLY EXITS BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE, CITING FAILED DELIVERIES

Rome: Italy has formally communicated its withdrawal from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to China, marking the end of its participation in the ambitious project. Despite being the first major Western nation to join in 2019, concerns about China's influence led to the decision. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, expressing dissatisfaction with the project's outcomes, initiated the withdrawal process. The 2019 accord, set to expire in March 2024, will not be automatically renewed, as Italy provided the required three months' notice. While emphasizing the intent to maintain strong ties with China, Italy highlights that other G7 nations, despite not being part of the BRI, have close relations with China. Italy is set to assume the G7 presidency in 2024.

CIVILIANS IN GAZA STRUGGLE AMID ATROCITIES AND DISPLACEMENT

Israeli forces engaged in intense battles with Hamas in southern Gaza, particularly Khan Younis, leading to a surge in civilian displacement as safe areas diminish. The heavy fighting involved Israeli warplanes bombarding densely populated regions, exacerbating the crisis.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals from the north sought refuge in dwindling safe areas in the south, facing dire conditions with many forced to sleep in the streets. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk labeled the situation "apocalyptic," highlighting a heightened risk of atrocity crimes.

Simultaneously, a ground offensive in Khan Younis has halted vital aid distribution, further limiting safe zones for Palestinians. The focus on the southern Gaza Strip has pushed large numbers of displaced individuals towards the sealed-off border with Egypt, where makeshift shelters are overflowing.

The UN reports 1.87 million people have fled their homes, fearing they may not be allowed to return. With significant destruction in the north, Palestinians worry about the fate of the entire Gaza Strip as Israel aims to dismantle Hamas. Despite ongoing challenges, Israel remains resolute in its fight against a Hamas military presence, emphasizing the October 7 attack as a trigger for the conflict.

HOUTHIS SAYS LAUNCHED BALLISTIC MISSILES AT ISRAEL; US NAVY DOWNS DRONE FROM YEMEN

Yemen’s Houthi group launched several ballistic missiles at military posts in the southern Israeli city of Eilat, the group’s military spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday. Earlier Wednesday, the US navy shot down a drone that originated from a part of Yemen controlled by the Houthi group, a US defence official said. It is the sixth time the US navy has fired upon drones in the southern Red Sea since Israel-Hamas war broke out.

HORRIFYING ACCOUNTS OF HAMAS SEXUAL CRIMES COME TO FORE

Reports of sexual violence, including rape and mutilation, have surfaced following Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel. Witnesses, including volunteers and military personnel, described gruesome scenes of brutality, with victims having nails and objects inserted into their organs and facing mutilation. Israeli officials accuse Hamas of widespread sexual violence, particularly against women. Despite evidence, international attention has been limited. A UN presentation, attended by women's activists and diplomats from 40 countries, sought to bring the issue to light, asserting that silence is complicity. Hamas denies the allegations, citing violations of Islamic principles. PM Netanyahu criticized the UN for overlooking Israeli victims, while President Biden termed the reports "appalling," urging condemnation of the cruelty. UNICEF's executive-director, Catherine Russell, also condemned the acts as "horrific." Israel has not responded to the UN's request for access to gather information on the matter.

G7 BANS DIRECT IMPORT OF RUSSIAN DIAMONDS FROM JAN, CURBS ON INDIRECT IMPORT FROM MARCH

The Group of Seven countries (G7) announced a direct ban on Russian diamonds starting Jan. 1 followed by restrictions on indirect imports of Russian gems from around March 1, a statement said on Wednesday. The G7 has been weighing various proposals for how to restrict the import of Russian diamonds and the European Union has proposed a package that includes a diamond ban but was waiting for coordination from the G7 to move forward. The G7 will phase in restrictions on indirect imports from a targeted date of March and introduce a “robust traceability-based verification and certification” mechanism for rough diamonds within the G7 by Sept. 1, 2024. The ban excludes diamonds for industrial use.

U.S. SIGNS DEFENCE COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH SWEDEN

WASHINGTON: The U.S. and Sweden on Tuesday signed a first-ever defence cooperation agreement that will strengthen military ties and permit bilateral exercises as the Scandinavian nation awaits accession to NATO, authorities said. U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin signed the agreement with Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson.

TAIWAN PROBES FREE CHINA TRIPS USED TO ‘INFLUENCE’ ELECTION

TAIPEI: Taiwanese prosecutors said on Wednesday they were investigating five people over accusations they had arranged free trips to China for dozens of voters in a bid to “influence” next month’s elections. Taiwan goes to polls on January 13 to elect a new President and a new Parliament.

PUTIN HAILS SAUDI TIES AS HE MEETS THE CROWN PRINCE

Riyadh : Russian President Putin on Wednesday said ties with Saudi Arabia were at an “unprecedented level” as he began a hastily arranged meeting in Riyadh with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

In introductory remarks shown on Russian television, Putin thanked the crown prince for his invitation, saying he had originally expected Mohammed bin Salman to come to Moscow, “but there were changes to plans”. He said the next meeting should take place in Moscow. “Nothing can prevent the development of our friendly relations,” Putin told the crown prince. The talks are expected to include discussion of the Gaza conflict and cooperation between the two countries in the OPEC+ group of oil producers. “Of course for all of us it's very important now to exchange information and assessments of what is happening in the region,” Putin said.

TRUMP WON’T RULE OUT ABUSING POWER AS PREZ

New York : Former President Donald Trump declined to rule out abusing power if he returns to the White House after Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity asked him Tuesday to respond to growing Democratic criticism of his rhetoric. The GOP presidential front-runner has talked about targeting his rivals — referring to them as “vermin” — and vowed to seek retribution if he wins a second term for what he argues are politically motivated prosecutions against him. As Trump has dominated the Republican presidential primary, President Joe Biden has stepped up his own warnings, contending Trump is “determined to destroy American democracy.” “Under no circumstances, you are promising America tonight, you would never abuse power as retribution against anybody?” Hannity asked Trump in the interview taped in Davenport, Iowa. “Except for day one,” Trump responded. “I want to close the border and I want to drill, drill,drill.”

PREZ RE-RUN UNLIKELY IF NOT FOR TRUMP: BIDEN

President Joe Biden said on Tuesday he may have skipped mounting a 2024 re-election bid if he were not facing Donald Trump because the Republican poses a unique threat to the US. “If Trump wasn’t running, I’m not sure I’d be running,” Biden said at a fundraising event for his 2024 campaign outside of Boston. “We cannot let him win.” Biden’s striking self-assessment comes as even staunch Democratic voters express concerns about the president’s age.

MCCARTHY ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE FROM CONGRESS

Kevin McCarthy, Republican figure and former House Speaker, has declared his exit from the US Congress after a tumultuous year that saw him both gain and lose the Speaker role. Ending his 17-year congressional career, McCarthy cited a desire to "serve America in new ways." His departure raises concerns for the Republican Party's majority prospects in 2023, narrowing their slim majority as they navigate potential government shutdown negotiations.

MADURO ORDERS SWIFT EXPLOITATION OF GUYANA'S ESSEQUIBO RESOURCES

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has instructed state-owned companies to "immediately" explore and exploit oil, gas, and mines in Guyana's disputed Essequibo region. This directive follows Maduro's victory in a referendum seeking sovereignty over the area. Maduro plans to grant operating licenses for resource exploration and create local subsidiaries of Venezuelan public companies. The move raises tensions with Guyana, which denounces Venezuela's actions as an attempt to annex the land.

KIM JONG-UN URGES INCREASED BIRTHS FOR NATIONAL POWER

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un emphasized the duty of women to boost the country's birth rate, addressing the decline in births as a means to strengthen national power. North Korea's fertility rate dropped to 1.79 in 2022. Kim's call for more children was highlighted during the National Mothers Meeting, signaling a renewed focus on population growth.