Here are some of the latest news from around the world today:
Israel ends Jenin operation and trades fire with Gaza.
The overnight exchange of rockets and air strikes follows Israel’s major operation in Jenin, where Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian militants and civilians. The operation reignited Palestinian anger and raised fears of a new escalation in violence.
Putin reassures pro-Russian world leaders his grip on power remains strong.
The Russian president hosted a summit of leaders from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a military alliance of former Soviet states, amid growing tensions with the West over Ukraine. Putin said Russia was ready to defend its allies and warned against foreign interference in their affairs.
Saturn’s rings shine in new Webb telescope photo.
The James Webb Space Telescope, which launched on Christmas Day, has sent back its first image of Saturn and its rings. The image was taken as part of a test of the telescope’s instruments and shows the planet’s complex ring system in infrared light.
First professional female athlete diagnosed with degenerative brain disease CTE.
Rachel Morris, a former Paralympic cyclist and rower from Britain, has been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition linked to repeated head injuries. Morris, who had several concussions during her career, said she hoped her diagnosis would raise awareness of the risks of head trauma in sport.
You can never become a Westerner:’ China’s top diplomat urges Japan and South Korea to align with Beijing and ‘revitalize Asia’.
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China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his counterparts from Japan and South Korea in Seoul, where he called for closer cooperation among the three countries and criticized the US-led Indo-Pacific strategy as a “Cold War mentality”. Wang said China, Japan and South Korea should “revitalize Asia” and “not be led by others”.
People find us easy targets’: Women politicians face a torrent of online abuse but say they won’t stop their work.
Women politicians around the world are facing increasing levels of online harassment, threats and violence, according to a report by UN Women and Inter-Parliamentary Union. The report found that 85% of women parliamentarians surveyed had experienced psychological violence online, while 13% had received death threats. The report also highlighted the impact of online abuse on women’s participation in politics and democracy.
Was the last battle of the American Revolution fought in India? A growing number of historians think so.
A naval battle that took place off the coast of India in 1783, between British and French forces allied with American revolutionaries, is being reconsidered as the final act of the American War of Independence. The Battle of Cuddalore, which ended in a stalemate, was fought after the Treaty of Paris had been signed but before it was ratified by all parties. Some historians argue that the battle had significant implications for the fate of India and the global balance of power.
Ukraine’s counteroffensive hasn’t met expectations. Here’s why progress has been slow.
Ukraine has launched a counteroffensive against Russian-backed separatists in the eastern Donbas region, aiming to recapture territory lost since 2014. But the operation has faced challenges, including fierce resistance from the rebels, harsh weather conditions, logistical difficulties and diplomatic pressure from Western allies. Ukraine says it is determined to continue its offensive until it restores its sovereignty over Donbas.
Hong Kong police condemned for issuing cash bounty for exiled democracy activists.
Hong Kong police have offered rewards of up to $1.3 million for information leading to the arrest of six exiled pro-democracy activists, who are wanted for alleged national security crimes. The move has been criticized by human rights groups and the activists themselves, who say it is a form of intimidation and a violation of international law. The activists have vowed to continue their fight for democracy and freedom in Hong Kong.
Ingenuity helicopter phones home from Mars after 63-day silence.
NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter, which made history as the first aircraft to fly on another planet, has reestablished contact with Earth after a long period of silence. The helicopter had been unable to communicate with its base station on the Perseverance rover since October 19, due to a software glitch. NASA engineers managed to fix the problem and received a status update from Ingenuity on December 21, confirming that it was healthy and ready for more flights.
