U.S. Targets More Venezuela Tankers, Gaza Floods, Eurovision Protest

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🗞️ FRONT PAGE​​

“Two villains, one goal,” titles German weekly magazine Der Spiegel, dedicating a dossier to “how Trump and Putin are attacking Europe.” The U.S. president said on Thursday he had exchanged “pretty strong words” with European leaders over the war in Ukraine, signaling that his patience was running thin. Trump’s increasingly sharp rhetoric toward Ukraine and Europe, which he recently called “weak” and “decaying,” follows the release of a new U.S. national security document that was welcomed by Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that the U.S. and Russia had now “resolved all misunderstandings” on Ukraine.

🌎 7 THINGS TO KNOW RIGHT NOW

• U.S. moves to seize more Venezuela-linked oil tankers amid rising pressure on Maduro. Reuters reports that Washington is getting ready to intercept more Venezuelan-linked ships transporting oil, following the seizure of a tanker earlier this week. The first confiscation disrupted millions of barrels of crude bound for Asia, as Washington targets a shadow fleet moving sanctioned Venezuelan, Iranian and Russian oil. Meanwhile, the U.S. has issued fresh sanctions on six other tankers, related firms as well as three nephews of Venezuela’s first lady, intensifying financial pressure on President Nicolas Maduro. Read more on what’s behind Washington’s focus on Latin America from French geopolitical analyst Pierre Haski.

• “Coalition of the Willing” calls for more transatlantic unity. Gathered virtually, 34 leaders — mostly from European countries — pushed for tighter security guarantees for Ukraine, urging transatlantic unity as the U.S. presses for a rapid peace deal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also held talks with senior American officials, which he called “constructive.” Meanwhile, the EU moved to indefinitely freeze €210 billion in Russian central-bank assets, invoking an emergency clause to block any release before Moscow pays reparations to Ukraine.

• Thai Prime Minister dissolves parliament. Thai voters will be heading back to the polls within 45-60 days after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul dissolved parliament. The move, sparked by deadly border clashes with neighboring Cambodia comes amid criticism over the government’s flood mismanagement and follows months of instability. Border clashes have entered a fifth day, with Cambodia accusing Thai forces of renewed shelling. At least 20 people have been killed and some 600,000 displaced since the October ceasefire collapsed. The leaders of the two Southeast Asian neighbors are expected to be on a phone call today with U.S. President Donald Trump, who had brokered a ceasefire between the two nations earlier this year.

• Bulgaria’s government quits amid turmoil, a month ahead of EU entry. Tens of thousands rallied across major cities, accusing the ruling coalition and powerbroker Delyan Peevski of entrenched corruption. The demonstrations, which began over tax hikes but escalated into demands for Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov’s exit, prompted his resignation ahead of a no-confidence vote. The collapse raises the prospect of another snap election and fears of prolonged political deadlock. This comes as Bulgaria is set to become the 21st member of the eurozone on Jan. 1, 2026.

• Reddit sues Australia over under-16 social-media ban. The social media platform asked Australia’s High Court to review the law, arguing it restricts political communication, misclassifies Reddit as youth-targeted, and forces intrusive age-verification. Canberra insists the sweeping ban, which came into effect this week, is essential to shield children from online harms.

• Ski great Lindsey Vonn wins World Cup race in historic comeback. The 41-year-old American claimed victory in St. Moritz, Switzerland — her first World Cup win since 2018 and a record-extending 83rd career triumph. Back on the slopes six years after her injury-driven retirement, Vonn thus became the oldest World Cup race winner, surpassing Swiss legend Didier Cuche’s win at age 37.

• News Quiz! French indie video game Clair Obscur won a record nine prizes at the prestigious Game Awards in Los Angeles. What typical French item did the founders bring on stage when collecting their awards?

A. Berets
B. Baguettes
C. Accordions
D. A mime troupe
[Answer below]

📣 VERBATIM

“I no longer feel this trophy belongs on my shelf.”

— Swiss singer Nemo, who won last year’s Eurovision Song Contest, announced in a statement posted on Instagram on Thursday that they are returning their trophy in protest over Israel’s continued participation in the event. The 26-year-old, who became the first non-binary performer to lift the Eurovision trophy with their song “The Code,” said they felt the European Broadcasting Union’s decision to allow Israel to still take part in the contest no longer aligned with its core values. Nemo’s announcement comes after five countries — Iceland, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands — said they will boycott next year’s event because Israel has been allowed to compete.

📰 IN OTHER NEWS

💥 Ukrainian sea drones have been attacking Russian tankers in the open sea for the first time in recent weeks. The risky tactic is proving effective and has angered Putin. But even allies are issuing warnings.
— DIE ZEIT

🏝️ Cavallo, a 120-hectare islet with a notorious reputation located between Bonifacio and Sardinia, is virtually off-limits to visitors by order of its private owners. While public authorities are seeking to regain control, the courts are now moving to put an end to the situation.
— LE FIGARO

🧒 For several years now, experts from various fields of medicine and psychology have expressed concern about the possibility that children are starting puberty at an earlier age than previous generations. What evidence supports this claim and what are the consequences?
— ETHIC