U.S. Soldiers Killed in ISIS Attack in Palmyra, Syria During Counterterrorism Mission 
Judge Orders Return of Seized Evidence in Comey-Related Case, DOJ May Seek New Warrant 
Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Targets Senior Hamas Commander Amid Ceasefire Tensions 
Belarus Frees 123 Political Prisoners in U.S.-Brokered Deal Over Sanctions 
Trump Signals Two Final Candidates for Fed Chair, Calls for Presidential Input on Interest Rates 
Brazil Arrests Former Peruvian Foreign Minister Augusto Blacker Miller in International Fraud Case 
Bolivia Orders Pre-Trial Detention of Former President Luis Arce Over Embezzlement Probe 
Preservation Group Sues Trump Administration to Halt $300 Million White House Ballroom Project 
Thousands Protest in Brazil Against Efforts to Reduce Jair Bolsonaro’s Prison Sentence 
International Stabilization Force for Gaza Nears Deployment as U.S.-Led Planning Advances 
Zelenskiy Signals Willingness to Drop NATO Bid as Ukraine, U.S. Hold Crucial Peace Talks in Berlin 
Hong Kong Democratic Party Disbands After Member Vote Amid Security Crackdown 
Global Leaders Condemn Deadly Antisemitic Shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach During Hanukkah 
Thailand Vows Continued Military Action Amid Cambodia Border Clash Despite Trump Ceasefire Claim 
Air Force One Delivery Delayed to 2028 as Boeing Faces Rising Costs 
U.S. Special Forces Intercept Ship Carrying Military Components Bound for Iran 
New Epstein Photos Surface Showing Trump as Lawmakers Near Document Release Deadline 
Russia continues to wage war on Ukraine for the fourth month since the invasion in February, creating blockades in the Black Sea to disrupt exports. This week, in a victory for Ukraine, Russian forces withdrew from the outpost of Snake Island in the Black Sea.
Kyiv secured a major victory this week when Russian forces left the Black Sea outpost of Snake Island Thursday. Moscow claimed that the withdrawal was a gesture of goodwill to show that it does not intend to obstruct the attempts of the United Nations to open a humanitarian corridor that would allow Ukrainian grains to be shipped.
Ukraine said it drove Russian forces out after an artillery and missile assault overnight.
“KABOOM! No Russian troops on the Snake Island anymore. Our Armed Forces did a great job,” tweeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak.
Despite gains on Snake Island and the Black Sea, the Ukrainian city of Lysychansk in the eastern province of Luhansk is facing challenges from the offensive of Russian forces in the area.
Russian artillery continued to attack Ukrainian forces from different directions as the Russian military was also approaching from different sides, according to regional governor Serhiy Gaidai on Ukrainian television.
Gaidai said residents in the area are advised to stay in underground shelters for safety.
Zelenskyy mentioned the progress on Snake Island and the situation in the Donbas region that make up Luhansk and Donetsk and is occupied by pro-Russian separatists in his nightly address.
Zelenskyy said that while retaking control of Snake Island in the Black Sea was significant. It does not mean that security is ensured, suggesting that Russian forces may still return.
Zelenskyy said that in the fighting in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, Moscow had brought all of its reserves to attack.
Despite withdrawing from Snake Island, Russian forces bombarded the port city of Odesa Friday. 17 were killed when a rocket hit an apartment building while injuring dozens, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Russia has doubled down on its missile strikes in recent weeks, making use of Soviet-era missiles for more than half of its attacks as the forces on the ground are focused on Donbas in eastern Ukraine.
