Iran warns Italy that bilateral ties at risk if it bows to ‘hostile’ US demands over drone suspect

The fate of an Italian journalist detained in Tehran and an Iranian engineer imprisoned in Italy on a U.S. warrant have grown even more intertwined. The Iranian says he’s praying for the journalist as he awaits possible extradition to the U.S. to face charges he provided drone technology to Iran’s Republican Guard.

Investigators meet in Brazil to extract data from black box of crashed Azerbaijani airliner

Azerbaijan claims that the Embraer 190 jet, made in Brazil, was unintentionally shot down by Russia. Brazil’s air force said in a statement that nine foreign investigators from three other countries, including Russia, have gathered with its own experts in the capital, Brasilia.

Trump’s strength and unpredictability can help end war in Ukraine, Zelenskyy says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also says it won’t be possible to end the almost three years of war in one day as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump claimed during his election campaign that he could do. 

DODEA schools to close in honor of Jimmy Carter on National Day of Mourning

All DODEA schools will be closed on Thursday in honor of former President Jimmy Carter.

Driver in Tesla Cybertruck explosion was Green Beret based in Germany who likely died by self-inflicted gunshot

The U.S. service member killed when an explosive-packed Tesla Cybertruck burst into flames outside President-elect Donald Trump’s Las Vegas hotel was a Green Beret based in Germany. He had suffered what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot to the head before the explosion.

‘Dinosaur highway’ tracks dating back 166 million years discovered in England

A worker digging up clay in a southern England limestone quarry noticed unusual bumps that led to the discovery of a “dinosaur highway” and nearly 200 tracks that date back 166 million years, researchers said Thursday.

Montenegro mourns after gunman kills at least 12 people before shooting himself

At least four others were wounded in the shooting rampage in Cetinje on Wednesday that followed a bar brawl, officials said. This was the second such incident in the town in the past three years.

FBI says driver in New Orleans rampage acted alone and was ‘100%’ inspired by Islamic State group

The Army veteran who drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s revelers in New Orleans acted alone, the FBI said Thursday, reversing its position from a day earlier that he likely worked with others in the deadly attack that officials said was inspired by the Islamic State group.

Ukraine halts transit of Russian gas to Europe after a prewar deal expired

Ukraine on Wednesday halted Russian gas supplies to European customers through its pipeline network after a prewar transit deal expired at the end of last year.

Ukraine says drone downed Russian military helicopter at sea

Ukraine’s intelligence service said a naval drone had struck down a Russian military helicopter for the first time and forced another one to return to an airfield after being hit.

Berlin police say they have detained a man who attacked 2 people with a knife

Police said Tuesday the attacker was a Syrian citizen with residency in Sweden. Police told The Associated Press that initial findings indicate the suspect may have signs of mental illness and that there is no indication of a terrorist motivation. 

Germany, France and Poland condemn violence in Georgia, stress support for pro-democracy movement

The foreign ministers of Germany, France and Poland on Tuesday expressed concern about “the political crisis” in Georgia, two days after Mikheil Kavelashvili was formally inaugurated as its president, cementing the ruling party’s grip in what the opposition calls a blow to the country’s EU aspirations and a victory for Russia.

Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine hits multiple targets, including Kyiv

The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces successfully struck a Ukrainian air base and a gunpowder factory, and that air defenses shot down 68 Ukrainian drones over several regions.

‘No heating, no light’: Moldovans fear looming energy shortage as Russia halts gas supplies

On Jan. 1, Russia’s state-owned energy giant Gazprom is set to halt gas supplies to the E.U. candidate country over an alleged $709 million debt for past supplies, a figure fiercely disputed by Moldova’s pro-Western government, which has accused Moscow of weaponizing energy.

Trio charged in Germany for pro-Russia plot targeting US bases in Bavaria

Three men have been charged with spying on U.S. military bases for Russia and plotting attacks on American personnel in retaliation for Western support of Ukraine, German prosecutors said.

Ukraine seeks to restore ties with Syria, Zelenskyy says

Ukraine’s president dispatched his top officials to Syria in a bid to restore ties after the collapse of the pro-Russian Assad regime.

Hundreds of prisoners freed in the latest exchange between Russia and Ukraine

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged prisoners of war in the latest such swap that saw the release of hundreds of captives and was brokered with the help of the United Arab Emirates.

Biden announces nearly $2.5 billion more in military aid for Ukraine

President Joe Biden said Monday that the United States will send nearly $2.5 billion more in weapons to Ukraine as his administration works quickly to spend all the money it has available to help Kyiv fight off Russia before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.