U.S. hits over 70 IS-linked targets in Syria in massive retaliatory strikes

The U.S. military struck more than 70 suspected Islamic State-linked targets across central Syria on Friday in retaliation for a recent attack that killed two U.S. soldiers, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

"This operation is critical to preventing ISIS from inspiring terrorist plots and attacks against the U.S. homeland," Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, said in a statement. "We will continue to relentlessly pursue terrorists who seek to harm Americans and our partners across the region."

The operation, supported by fighter aircraft from Jordanian Armed Forces, employed more than 100 precision munitions targeting known IS infrastructure and weapons sites, the statement said.

U.S. forces seize 2nd oil tanker off coast of Venezuela

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said Saturday that the U.S. forces seized another oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela earlier in the day.

"In a pre-dawn action early this morning on Dec. 20, the US Coast Guard with the support of the Department of War apprehended an oil tanker that was last docked in Venezuela," Noem said on X.

The U.S. military seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela on Dec. 10, a move the Venezuelan government condemned as "a blatant theft and an act of international piracy."

Cuba refutes U.S. designation of Venezuela as "foreign terrorist organization"

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla said Saturday that the U.S. government's designation of the legitimate government of Venezuela as a "foreign terrorist organization" is a politically motivated act.

"It is a new arbitrary, fraudulent, unilateral and politically motivated act. It shows, once again, the lack of credibility of these decisions and the manipulation of terrorism as a political weapon, which also weaken international efforts against that scourge," Rodriguez said on X.

Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the designation of Venezuela as a "foreign terrorist organization."

Russia opposes Japan's nuclear weapon discussions: deputy FM

Russia has expressed opposition to discussions in Japan about the possible acquisition of nuclear weapons, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said Saturday.

Rudenko told the TASS news agency that Moscow is aware of ongoing discussions in Japan concerning potential changes to constitutional provisions related to its non-nuclear principles.

"Our position is unequivocally negative," Rudenko said. "We believe that the militarization of Japan will only worsen the situation in Northeast Asia."

Israel kills 2 Palestinians in West Bank, 2 others in Gaza: officials

Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in separate incidents in the northern West Bank on Saturday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said.

According to the ministry in Ramallah, a 16-year-old, Rayan Mohammed Abdel Qader Abu Mualla, was killed in Qabatiya. His body is being withheld by Israeli forces, the statement added. Earlier, a 22-year-old man, Ahmed Said Zayoud, was shot dead in Silat al-Harithiya, northwest of Jenin.

The Israel Defense Forces said both incidents involved attacks on troops. In Qabatiya, a Palestinian hurled a brick at soldiers from the Paratroopers Brigade's reconnaissance unit during a raid. The troops returned fire, killing the attacker, the IDF said.

2 soldiers killed, 3 wounded in landmine blasts in the Philippines

Two soldiers were killed while three others were wounded after landmines allegedly planted by rebels exploded during military operations in Camarines Sur province on Luzon island, the Philippine military said on Saturday.

According to a Facebook reel by the Philippine Army's 9th Infantry Division, the incident occurred on Friday in a mountainous village of Balatan municipality.

The army said the soldiers were hit by explosions from anti-personnel landmines.