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Press Release 01# The Current GOP Strife is an embarrassment. Washington, D.C.: Senator Barak Mofaz harshly criticized the current state of the Republican Party as profoundly troubling. The ongoing infighting among GOP leaders is damaging not only to the party itself but also to the democratic process as a whole. The senator called on Republican leaders to set aside their differences and focus on the greater good of the party and the country. "The recent spate of public disagreements, personal attacks, and backbiting among prominent Republicans is not only unproductive but also detrimental to the party's image and credibility. Instead of presenting a united front and working towards common goals, GOP leaders are engaging in petty squabbles that only serve to divide the party further. The GOP is at a crossroads. The party can either continue down the path of self-destruction, allowing personal vendettas and egos to dictate its future, or it can come together, find common ground, and chart a course that will lead to a brighter future for all Americans. I call on Republican leaders to put aside their differences, stop the infighting, and focus on the issues that matter most to the American people. It is time for them to show true leadership and get their shit together for the good of the party and the country."

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Name: Barak Mofaz State: Georgia Party: Republican DOB: December 20, 1959 POB: Atlanta, Georgia POR: Savannah, Georgia Religion: Jewish Faction: Mainstreet Partnership Avatar: Benny Gantz Family: Father: Michael Mofaz (b. December 19, 1922- d. April 7, 2014.) Mother: Miriam Mofaz nee. Amsalem (March 19, 1926-?) Sister: Adina Mofaz (m.Rabin) (b. July 4, 1950-?) Brother: David Mofaz (b. December 20, 1959-) Wife: Dr. Rebecca Shapiro b. 1960 m.1980 = Cpt. Aaron Mofaz b.1986, married, three children. =Dr. Elizabeth Mofaz-Alberga b.1989, married, two children. = Rabbi Benjamin Mofaz b.1990, married, four children. Education: B.A. in History from the University of Georgia (1978-1982) M.A. in Arab Studies from Georgetown University (1983-1985) National War College (1994-1996) Commendations: =Bronze Star Medal Occupation: U.S. Army 1977-2013 = General U.S. Senator for Georgia (2016-) Operations/Wars Operation Just Cause 1st Gulf War Operation Uphold Democracy Iraq War War in Afghanistan Bio Facts: -Strong supporter of the Second Amendment and opposes most gun control legislation, which he deems ineffective. Barak, however, does support banning those charged with domestic violence from gun ownership. -Consistently has urged for bipartisan solutions in the Senate. -Barak is strongly pro-union and supports $18 for American workers. -Opposes total amnesty but supports a process to help illegal immigrants go through the process for citizenship without fear of deportation. -Believes in climate change and argues that it poses a significant danger to America's national security & agriculture industry. -Opposes abortion but believes it's settled law. -Strongly supports a voucher system for education in the U.S. to help low-income Americans send their children to better schools. -Believes the United States should cut off aid to Pakistan. -Barak has argued that capitalism is a better weapon to bring democracy to Cuba than an "ineffective, stupid embargo." -Extremely supportive of the American-Israeli alliance. -Extremely opinionated, blunt, chain-smoker, and open about his heavy drinking. - His father's family is from Iran, and his mother's family is from Iraq. The Mofaz family is extremely wealthy, with an estimated fortune of $112 billion. The wealth comes from Mofaz Industries, primarily a pharmaceutical family that Barak's father, Michael, started. It also invests in real estate, agriculture, telemedicine, and cyberinfrastructure. -The Mofaz family were physicians to the Shahs of Persia/Iran. They were later physicians and drug manufacturers before the Islamic Revolution stripped them of their resources in Iran. Michael Mofaz left Iran in 1949 for the United States. - His mother was born in the United States. -His twin brother David is the President & CEO of Mofaz Industries. -Barak has immediate family still in Iran (father's family) and Israel (mother's family) - Barak is an active sailor and has a pilot's license. His yacht is called S.S. General Sherman. - Awarded the Bronze Star for his actions in the Gulf War when his unit was pinned down under sniper enemy fire and led a charge to destroy the sniper nest. -His son, Aaron, is a captain in the 82nd Airborne Division. -A profoundly religious Orthodox Jew attends daily services at the National Synagogue in Washington, D.C. -A rare book collector, Barak has one of the largest antique Jewish manuscript collections globally. -He owns a condo in Washington, a ranch in Macron, Georgia, a colonial mansion in Atlanta, and the family home in Savannah. -Author: The Strategic Failures of the Sassanid Empire against the Caliphate (2012) & Mr. President Don't Recognize Israel: The Battle of David Ben-Gurion to Win American Recognition Against A Hostile U.S State Department (2014) -Speaks Hebrew, Arabic, French, and Farsi. Points: Male: 0 Jewish: 5 Mizrahi: 10 Straight, married with < 3 children: 0 Points College Degree at a Public University: 0 points Master's Degree: 10 Super-Rich (Top 1%): 5 points General/Flag Officer (O-7+): 40 points Published: 20 Military Award: 10 = 100

Ten Most Significant World Events in 2015 10. Saudis Intervene in Yemen. Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes in late March against its neighbour Yemen with the help of nine other, mainly Arab, countries. The move came after Houthi rebels captured Yemen's capital, Sana'a, and drove Yemeni President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi into exile in Saudi Arabia. The Houthis, who belong to a minority Shiite sect, receive support from Iran, Saudi Arabia's mortal enemy. The Houthis also have the support of forces loyal to former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was ousted during the Arab Spring and who once had good relations with Riyadh. The Saudi-led intervention put the United States in a bind. Washington feared that the intervention could become a quagmire and worried that Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), an enemy of the Houthis as well as the United States, would benefit from the ensuing chaos. But the desire to prevent a rift with Riyadh prevailed, and Washington provided intelligence information, weapons, and aerial refuelling capabilities while urging the Saudi-led coalition to minimize civilian casualties. The civilian toll in Yemen has nonetheless been substantial, as airstrikes and a maritime blockade have intensified Yemen's many existing problems. As predicted, AQAP has used the fighting to its advantage, as has ISIS. In a potentially positive development, a seven-day ceasefire went into effect today so that peace talks could begin. 9. China Builds Islands in the South China Sea. China claims much of the South China Sea—the bulk of which lies far from the Chinese mainland—through its nine-dash line. Beijing is trying to give substance to its claims, which the five countries with coastlines on the sea vigorously dispute, by creating artificial islands around reefs and submerged rocks. It is, in turn, building airstrips and military installations on the newly formed islands. The United States takes no position on the merits of China's claims in the South China Sea. But it insists that China's claim that the twelve-mile zone around these new islands are its territorial waters has no basis in international law. Washington—and most governments in Southeast Asia—worry that Beijing will eventually use the new islands to choke off freedom of navigation in the area. In October, after repeated official statements about how "the United States will fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows," a U.S. Navy destroyer sailed through waters China claims as its own in a freedom-of-naval-operations (FONOPS) mission. China protested the maneuver as "a grave provocation politically and militarily." The stakes in the dispute are enormous. More than $5 trillion in trade passes through the South China Sea each year, and its waters contain rich fisheries and potentially vast oil and mineral deposits. Then, there is the question of whether China will supplant the United States as the dominant power in the region. 8. China Devalues the Renminbi Amidst an Economic Slowdown. In August, Beijing sent shock waves through global financial markets when it devalued its currency, variously called the yuan or renminbi, against the dollar. Chinese officials said the move was intended to bring the yuan in line with its market value, something Western governments had been urging for years. Many investors took the devaluation as a sign that the Chinese economy was slowing down faster than reported and that Beijing was using its currency to reignite growth. The Shanghai stock market plunged in late August, further unsettling global markets and shaking confidence in China's handling of economic policy. In October, China reported that third-quarter growth hit 6.9 percent, higher than expected but well below the 10 percent growth China has averaged over the past three decades. And doubts exist about the accuracy of the numbers that Beijing reported. Despite the bad economic news coming out of China, the IMF designated the renminbi as a primary world currency in December, which opened the door to its greater use in global financial transactions. But investors and governments remain nervous that China's economy, which has been a significant driver of global growth in recent years, will continue to slow, and as a result, so will economic growth worldwide. 7. The World Strikes a Deal on Climate Change. The world's climate is changing, in good part because of human activity. But governments worldwide have been slow to address the potentially catastrophic threat. The landmark 1992 Kyoto Treaty failed to deliver its promised emissions cuts, and not just because the U.S. Senate declined to provide its consent. The 2009 Copenhagen Climate Summit opened to much fanfare but was laced with anger and produced little. The 195 countries in Paris in late November for a new climate change summit avoided that fate. After two weeks of intense talks, they had the Paris Climate Accord, the first to commit nearly every country to reduce its emissions of heat-trapping gases. However, the thirty-one-page document hardly solves the climate change challenge, so some climate change activists criticized it for being too little or too late. To get the deal, negotiators left many details to be worked out later. Even if agreement is reached on those details, the success of the Paris Climate Accord ultimately depends on national governments taking and enforcing steps to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels. Domestic politics could be a significant hurdle on that front. 6. Russia Intervenes in Syria. The four-year-long Syrian civil war, which has killed more than 200,000 people and forced as many as nine million to flee their homes, took a turn in September when Russia, without warning, began conducting airstrikes from bases in Syria. Moscow insisted it intervened to join the fight against the self-proclaimed Islamic State. Still, in practice, its planes targeted Syrian rebel groups looking to topple Russia's long-time ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Russia's military operations were not coordinated with those the United States and its allies were conducting against the Islamic State, raising concerns about an unintended confrontation between the two sides. A version of those fears materialized in late November when Turkish F-16s shot down a Russian fighter jet, killing one of the pilots. Turkish officials insisted that the Russian plane had ignored repeated warnings not to enter Turkish airspace. Russian officials disputed those claims and accused Ankara of a "planned provocation." On the diplomatic side, Russia's intervention prompted an effort to find a negotiated settlement to the Syrian conflict. Despite significant fanfare and high-level participation on all sides, the talks stumbled over a core disagreement: Moscow wants Assad to stay, and Washington and its allies want him to go. 5. The Trans-Pacific Partnership Finally Gets Done. After seven years of negotiations, the United States and eleven other countries finally agreed on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the world's largest regional trade deal, in October. The agreement, a critical part of the Obama administration's rebalance to Asia, would set trade rules governing roughly 40 percent of the global economy. The deal was made possible when the U.S. Congress voted in June to give President Barack Obama Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which restricts Congress to a simple up-down vote on trade deals. U.S. negotiating partners refused to make significant concessions in the TPP negotiations until they knew that Congress could not revise their agreement with the president. In a sign of how controversial trade deals can be on Capitol Hill, just forty-one Democrats voted for TPA. Now that Obama has TPP, he has to persuade Congress to pass the bill to put it into effect. Critics are already marshalling their arguments for why Congress should vote down the implementing legislation. A vote on TPP likely won't happen until after the 2016 elections, if it happens at all. 4. The EU Rebuffs Greece's Demand for Austerity Relief. "I fought the law, and the law won." Alexis Tsipras learned the hard way what the Bobby Fuller Four only sang about. Tsipras became Greek prime minister in January 2015 by pledging to get Greece better repayment terms on its massive debt. Despite appealing to other debt-burdened European countries for solidarity and trying to isolate EU power Germany by dredging up memories of Nazi atrocities, the EU refused to give Tsipras what he wanted. He then tried to strengthen his hand by calling a July referendum in which 61 percent of Greeks voted against accepting the EU's offer. Nonetheless, the EU held firm, insisting that Greece would get help only if it agreed to significant and painful economic reforms. Tsipras blinked. A week after the no vote, and faced with the imminent collapse of the Greek economy, he accepted the EU's offer. Despite not delivering the promised relief, Tsipras and his Syriza Party won new elections in September. But Greece's economy remains troubled. It has shrunk by 25 percent over the past five years, official unemployment is nearly 25 percent, and doubts remain over whether Greece can repay its debts as long as it remains in the Eurozone. So "Grexit," and its possible shock to the global financial system, could soon be back in the news. 3. Negotiations on Iran's Nuclear Program Produce a Deal. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. That old saying could be the motto of the Iran nuclear negotiations. Conducted off and on since 2002, they finally produced a deal in July. Formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), it wasn't sealed until September when forty-two Democratic senators voted to block a resolution to stop it. Neither the P5+1 nor Iran got all it wanted in the JCPOA. Iran got sanctions relief, but it had to agree to give up 97 percent of its stockpile of enriched uranium, slash its number of centrifuges by two-thirds, and shut down a heavy water reactor. Iran also had to agree to on-site inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency. If Iran violates the JCPOA, sanctions can be re-imposed. To extract these concessions from Iran, the P5+1 agreed to let the deal's critical provisions expire after ten or fifteen years. The White House says the agreement will prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon for more than a decade and increase the "breakout time" should Tehran decide to acquire nuclear weapons. The deal's critics, and there are many, both at home and abroad, say the deal failed to deliver the only acceptable outcome: dismantlement of Iran's nuclear program. 2. ISIS Terrorists Strike on Three Continents. When President Obama told an interviewer on November 12 that "we have contained" the Islamic State, he had in mind its geographical ambitions in the Middle East. A day later, the world discovered that the Islamic State was taking its fight beyond its home territory. Three teams of ISIS terrorists struck at four locations in Paris, killing 130 people. But ISIS's efforts to take the fight to its enemies had begun even earlier. In July, a suicide bomber loyal to the Islamic State killed thirty-three people in Suruc, Turkey, not far from the border with Syria. Three months later, two suicide bombers, one the brother of the Suruc bomber, killed 102 people at a peace rally in Ankara. On October 31, a bomb brought down a Russian passenger airliner over the Sinai, killing all 224 people on board. And then, on December 2, a husband and wife who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State's caliph, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, killed fourteen people in a mass shooting in San Bernardino, California. The attacks prompted renewed Western airstrikes against the Islamic State, redirected domestic politics in France and the United States, and raised ominous questions about what 2016 might bring. 1. Refugee Crisis Roils Europe. A decade ago, experts were writing books with titles like Why Europe Will Run the 21st Century. In 2015, Europe could hardly handle its problems, let alone run the world. Still struggling to emerge from a deep economic recession, it was hit by a wave of nearly a million refugees. Most were seeking to escape the horrors of the Syrian civil war or instability and violence elsewhere. Others, however, were economic migrants seeking better job opportunities. The influx of refugees provided heart-wrenching images of people desperate to reach Europe, sometimes failing with deadly consequences but more often succeeding. The influx exposed Europe's porous borders, highlighted differences within Europe over how to handle immigrants, and gave new life to Europe's many nationalist and anti-immigrant parties. The refugee crisis also created political problems across the Atlantic. The Obama administration announced in September that it would take in "at least 10,000" Syrian refugees in 2016. But in the aftermath of the Paris and San Bernardino attacks, compassion quickly swung to concern and federal, state, and local politicians moved to block Muslim refugees from entering the United States or relocating to their communities. As long as Syria's civil war persists and the European economy attracts job-seekers, the refugee and migrant pressure on Europe will continue. Source

Meanwhile, sources have claimed that units of the Wagner Group have been deployed to aid the Somalian government against both. Mogadishu, Somalia: Reports have confirmed that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Somalia and the al-Shabaab militant group have joined forces in an alliance aimed at establishing a joint Islamic state in Somalia. The collaboration between these two notorious extremist organizations has posed serious security concerns and the security of Somalia. Intelligence sources suggest this strategic partnership is an attempt by both groups to consolidate their power and extend their influence in the Horn of Africa. The move comes amidst ongoing efforts by the Somali government and its international allies to combat terrorism and stabilize the country. ISIS, known for its brutal tactics and attempts to establish a global caliphate, has faced setbacks in recent years, losing territorial control in Iraq and Syria. Meanwhile, al-Shabaab, an affiliate of al-Qaeda, has been active in Somalia for over a decade, attempting to impose its strict interpretation of Islamic law. The collaboration between the two extremist organizations is seen as a response to each group's challenges. By pooling their resources and expertise, ISIS and al-Shabaab aim to strengthen their position and establish an Islamic state that adheres to their extremist ideologies. According to Kenyan officials, the diplomatic overture was led by Abukar Ali Adan, deputy leader of al-Shabaab and Abdul Qadir Mumin, leader of ISIL in Somalia. Cooperation between the groups has led to an uptick in violence across the country; in a joint attack, one in the town of Xuddur and the other in the city of Beledweyne, over 400 people were beheaded in one of the worst terrorist attacks the country has seen recently. Somali officials have indicated that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has struggled to transform the Somali armed forces into a well-trained and established military force capable of fighting both groups, even with the final removal of the arms embargo put in place in 1992.

While the Ukrainian Army has seen devastating casualty rates, foreign aid has dramatically improved the Army's fighting capabilities. Kyiv, Ukraine: Ukrainian soldiers remain holding Kherson this morning after nearly two weeks of heavy fighting in and around the city between the Russian Army and the Ukrainian Army. Ukrainian forces had inconsistent results in various battles against Russian formations. Some Ukrainian units fought well and held positions, but others broke under heavy armour and artillery barrages. Zaporizhia, south of Dnipro, was one of the first areas to come under concentrated Russian attack during the most recent offensive. Preceding the Russian advance on the town, heavy artillery and MLRS bombardment destroyed hundreds of buildings, and it is estimated that upwards of 300 civilians may have been killed in the barrage. However, CNN is unable to confirm those numbers independently. What we can guarantee is that the Ukrainian 21st Infantry destroyed the two main bridges leading into town and was able to force the Russians to build pontoon bridges across the river while under fire. Some Russian units, however, crossed using amphibious vehicles and were able to set up two beachheads until the bridges could be completed. Fresh Russian troops pushed into Pavlohrad and Dnipro in the north, causing both towns to fight heavily. Once again, artillery, rockets, and aircraft played a significant role in pounding Ukrainian positions. While it had the desired effect, it also had disturbing results against local civilian populations. However, the attacks were met with fierce Ukrainian resistance, pushing Russian forces back to the line of control near Donetsk. In total, the cost to civilian populations was terrible: over 1,200 being estimated killed in Zaporizhia, Pavlohrad, and Dnipro alone. The attempted taking of Kharkiv was much less costly to the civilians, with an entire Russian Army Group being forced to surrender by the brave but highly outnumbered 119th Motor Rifle Regiment after a fight lasting around four hours. In the air, Russian warplanes continue to fly somewhat unopposed. However, sources on the ground have confirmed that American-made MANPAD systems have begun posing a significant threat to low-flying helicopters and attack aircraft. At least one Su-24 and two Mi-17s have been reported shot down by Ukrainian forces using FIM-92 Stinger missiles. Additionally, the 34th Separate Motorized Brigade reported the loss of three T-72B's to what they believed, after finding a launcher after a skirmish, were American-made Javelin missiles. But a lack of significant air defence systems has allowed Russian warplanes, notably Su-34 fighter-bombers, to launch long-range attacks against Kyiv. An air raid warning sounded early last night as a flight of the Russian warplanes launched a series of guided munitions against the Ministry of Defense, Presidential offices and residences, and other military targets in the city. Ukraine claims that no important persons were killed in the attacks and that the General Staff and government had long since gone underground.

Ramallah, Palestinian Territories: Former Fatah strongman Mohammed Dahlan has announced the formation of a new unity government in Ramallah and the dissolution of the Palestinian Authority, comprising former Fatah members, technocrats, and members of his Palestinian Freedom Movement. Simultaneously, Dahlan's forces have reportedly taken control of the Gaza Strip from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), marking a significant shift in the dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The announcement of the new unity government and the takeover of Gaza came during a press conference in Ramallah's presidential compound, where leaders from various factions joined Dahlan. Dahlan, a controversial figure with a long history in Palestinian politics, framed the move as a necessary step towards unifying Palestinian factions and reclaiming control of Gaza from Israeli forces. "Today marks a new chapter in our struggle for freedom and independence," Dahlan proclaimed. "We have united in our commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace for our people." The composition of the new unity government reflects Dahlan's efforts to build a broad-based coalition that includes voices from across the political spectrum. The takeover of Gaza by Dahlan's forces reportedly occurred swiftly. Eyewitnesses in Gaza reported seeing Dahlan's supporters and Palestinian Freedom Movement fighters patrolling the streets, raising flags and banners in celebration of what they described as a "liberation" of the territory. Israeli Prime Minister Miri Regev, while not congratulating Dahlan in her weekly press briefing, made it clear that the PFM was here to stay and would be a more vital partner "Than the Palestinian Authority ever was." Dahlan himself remained silent concerning Israel but, as one of his first official acts, signed an order banning Hamas as a political entity and from running in the upcoming Palestinian parliamentary and presidential elections.

While most of the military build-up has departed, the GDF claims there is still a Venezuelan presence on the border. Caracas, Venezuela: In a surprising turn of events, Venezuela has announced the withdrawal of its soldiers from the Venezuelan-Guyanese border, igniting genuine calls for a referendum on the disputed Essequibo region. The decision comes amidst escalating tensions between the two neighbouring nations over the long-disputed territory. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro declared the withdrawal in a televised address late last night, citing a desire for diplomatic dialogue with Guyana and a commitment to resolving territorial disputes peacefully. Yet the embattled president demanded a referendum on the status of the Essequibo region and threatened that he would again resort to military force. The surprising move comes as reports indicate that the US-led coalition quarantine effectively prevented goods from leaving or entering the country by sea, particularly Venezuela's oil exports. Chinese President Xi Jinping supposedly intervened and demanded that Maduro either release the hostages or remove forces from the border for the time being. At the same time, Beijing has remained mum to all reports; unnamed Pentagon officials confirm that the Chinese government was growing concerned over Washington's increasing aggression towards Venezuela. Meanwhile, minor protests nationwide have broken out, and the government swiftly moved security forces to quell the demonstrations. Reports of clashes between protesters and security forces have emerged, with Chinese security advisors reportedly advising Venezuelan forces on crackdowns; ten protestors have died so far. Meanwhile, neighbouring Guyana has reacted cautiously to Venezuela's withdrawal of troops, expressing hope for a peaceful resolution through diplomatic channels while reaffirming its sovereignty over the disputed territory. The news comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced in the House of Commons today that a battalion of British troops would be deployed to Guyana to reassure and assist the Guyanese Defence Force (GDF) amid concerns that the violence from Venezuela could continue on the border. The news also comes after a successful visit to Guyana by the U.S. Secretary of State Abel Burke, where an American naval base was to be constructed, and U.S. military advisors were to be sent to Guyana. Mr. Starmer said that the deployment came after consultations with the Guyanese government and would revolve around training and assisting the GDF in patrolling the country's border and ensuring that the country's territorial integrity would not be threatened. Guyanese President Irfaan Ali said in a press conference in response to Maduro that he would not allow a referendum on Essequibo and that any military force would be met with stiff GDF resistance. Former Pentagon official Col. William Peterson, in an interview with the New York Times, labelled the actions of the Ross administration a short-term success to the crisis, "There is criticism that can be levelled at the president, launching airstrikes while giving advanced notice in a speech resulting in our two captured pilots, especially airstrikes in daylight. However, the quarantine succeeded in getting the desired effect: pressure China to act before the coalition used overwhelming military force. Yet there is no cause of celebration, Maduro doesn't seem to think this is a defeat or a retreat. It seems he is regrouping to act further on the issue, which means the current foreign aid bill must be passed to deter his continuing aggression." In Stabroek News, one of Guyana's largest newspapers, an article titled "Why Doesn't Guyana's Territorial Integrity Count?" was published, where it hammered the slow response of the foreign aid bill to Guyana. "While American politicians rushed aid through to help Ukraine, Guyana, a nation of people of colour, aid was met with delays and questions, is our territorial integrity any different than Ukraine's?" As tensions continue to simmer within Venezuela and between Venezuela and Guyana, the path to resolving the longstanding dispute over the Essequibo region remains uncertain.

There is growing talk that Mohammed Dahlan will use force to secure his rule in the West Bank. New York City, New York: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has approved a resolution backed by the United States, addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the West Bank and Gaza. The resolution, which received widespread support, calls for immediate action to alleviate the suffering of the affected populations and restore stability to the region. The critical points of the resolution include an urgent demand for an immediate observance of a ceasefire by all Palestinian parties involved in the growing civil strife in the West Bank. It was reported today that at least 60 more Palestinians had been killed in continued clashes between Fatah and PFM factions. At the same time, Mohammed Dahlan returned to Ramallah for over a decade this morning. As part of the comprehensive approach, the UNSC has authorized the immediate dispatch of humanitarian supplies to Gaza and the West Bank. The distribution of these supplies will be overseen by the appropriate organs of the United Nations, ensuring that aid reaches those in need promptly and efficiently. The resolution established a UN commission investigating the humanitarian situation to address the root causes and pave the way for long-term solutions. The UNSC also committed to working closely with relevant Palestinian authorities to restore order and stability. To ensure continuity and a smooth transition, the UNSC called for perpetuating the current Palestinian government's mandate until mandated elections in 2025. This provision aligns with the international community's commitment to supporting a democratic State of Palestine after nearly two decades of Mahmoud Abbas's autocratic governance and refusal to allow elections to take place. Critics have called the resolution severely weakened due to the removal of UN peacekeepers that were supposed to be included; insiders claim that the United States bowed to Israeli pressure, while Israel allegedly refused even to consider it, calling it "a disaster waiting to happen." However, UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised the United States for decisive action in getting the resolution passed, "Getting more aid to Palestinians is a priority of the United Nations, ending the factional violence is a priority, and ensuring Palestinians have a secure democratic future is a top priority. I want to thank the United States for taking decisive action with Resolution 2723 and hope to see progress on resolving the ongoing current violence plaguing Palestinian society."

The inspection occurred this morning at 6 am after coalition naval forces forced the cargo ship to stop. Caribbean Sea: U.S. naval forces intercepted a Russian cargo ship suspected of attempting to breach the established quarantine zone and deliver a clandestine cargo of weapons and air defence system components to Venezuela. The U.S. Department of Defense released a statement confirming that the interception occurred during routine maritime security operations. The Russian cargo ship, identified as the "Chavez," was flagged for suspicious behaviour and diverted for inspection by U.S. naval vessels patrolling the region. A US Department of Defense statement confirmed that US-led coalition Navy personnel intercepted and boarded the Russian vessel. Preliminary reports suggest that the cargo ship was carrying a concealed shipment of weapons and air defence system parts; the U.S.-led coalition has not disclosed the specific details of the intercepted cargo. Still, it has confirmed that it includes items prohibited under international sanctions. The discovery has prompted an investigation into the origin of the weapons and the intended recipient in Venezuela. Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro has remained silent, but sources indicated that he was aware of the weapons delivery and the Venezuelan army was preparing for the shipment. Russian officials have denounced the U.S. interception as an unwarranted act of aggression and a violation of international maritime law. In response, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement demanding an immediate release of the cargo ship and an apology from the United States. Guyanese President Irfaan Ali has confirmed that he urged the Ross administration for military and humanitarian aid, calling it paramount for foreign assistance to be delivered. "We are fighting for the independence of our nation. The United States has been a strong ally, but I urge the White House and the US Congress to pass the U.S. Military Aid and Support for Guyana Act without delay." The other Russian ship, the Krasnodar, has turned around and avoided the quarantine zone.

Maduro has used the airstrikes as a rallying cry to resist the United States. Georgetown, Guyana: AN international crisis that has caused more headaches than none has taken hold of Washington. Venezuela is on the mouths of politicians and diplomats, but not for success but for the apparent blunders that have turned this regional dispute into something nearing a war between the United States and Venezuela. In an unprecedented turn of events, two United States Air Force pilots, Captain Luis Ricardo and Lieutenant Adam Humphries, were shot down over Venezuelan airspace during a series of airstrikes on the Venezuelan-Guyanese border. The results saw the destruction of most of Venezuela's advanced Russian-made air defence systems. Still, the cost now has two American pilots held hostage by a regime that claims the United States has increased tensions. In her speech to the nation for the first time, President Leah Ross addressed the crisis, using the deaths of five American oil field workers as a casus belli; the president laid out the strategy that "further escalation by Venezuela will be met with a barrage of fire and fury from the United States and its allies." For his part, President Nicolás Maduro pledged that Venezuela would continue to resist American imperialism by any means necessary and has called on help from Russia and China to prevent a "Latin America Iraq." Vladimir Putin released a statement warning the United States that Russia was prepared to break the quarantine and provide aid to Venezuela unless de-escalation was accorded. At the same time, Beijing has applied pressure to allow the Bolivian Red Cross to visit the two American hostages. Meanwhile, a meeting between acting Secretary of State Robert Zoellick and the coalition foreign ministers of Jamaica, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Uruguay, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and the UK was held in Kingston, Jamaica, where they reaffirmed their commitment to "defend the integrity of the territory of Guyana and the innocent people of Essequibo. Policy officials have indicated that the show of force was premature, some calling it amateur hour when the coalition was not prepared yet for military action. Jim Snow, a former Pentagon official, called it an embarrassment, "The United States decided to announce airstrikes during a prime-time address during the day, not allowing the element of surprise and thinking that Venezuela wouldn't be prepared to counter is foolish and shows a lack of understanding, senate Democrats were right to criticize the president who spent time on a podcast instead of addressing the nation and laying out the overall strategy and until now, in which it ends in a disaster." However, supporters of the president made clear she showed strong decision-making in launching airstrikes and destroying advanced Russian air defence systems that would have posed a threat to coalition forces in the long run. Yet, it is seen how a diplomatic situation comes about.

Officials claim that morale is high within the ranks of the Venezuelan military as the risk of direct U.S. military confrontation continues. Caracas, Venezuela: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has demanded the immediate withdrawal of a United States aircraft carrier positioned off the coast of Guyana, accusing the U.S. of interfering in the long-standing territorial dispute over the Essequibo region. The demand comes in the wake of reports confirming artillery attacks by the Venezuelan army in the disputed territory, further intensifying concerns about the potential for a full-blown military conflict. In a televised address to the nation, President Maduro accused the United States of exacerbating the already volatile situation by deploying military assets near the contested Essequibo region. "We demand the immediate withdrawal of the U.S. carrier from the region. This provocative action affronts our sovereignty and only escalates tensions further, something the United States intended from the beginning." Maduro's speech also included a veiled threat to launch additional artillery attacks on the disputed territory if the United States does not comply with his demand for withdrawal. "We will not allow foreign powers to dictate our actions in our backyard. The Essequibo is ours, and we will defend it at any cost," Maduro declared. International reactions to Maduro's demands have been swift. Chinese President Xi Jinping has officially warned the United States that any military aggression against Venezuela would be seen as "unbridled aggression" and urged Washington to use diplomatic solutions, something Beijing claims they would be willing to offer. Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Peru, and Uruguay have reiterated their commitment to regional stability and called for restraint on all sides. The United Nations and the Organization of American States (OAS) have called for an emergency meeting to address the escalating crisis. Several countries, including other neighbouring nations and European allies, have expressed deep concern over the potential for a military conflict in the region and have warned Venezuela that its continued aggression may be met with military force.

Georgetown, Guyana: In a dramatic turn of events, reports have emerged confirming that the Venezuelan army has launched artillery attacks on the disputed Essequibo region, raising alarm bells internationally and heightening concerns over the longstanding border dispute between Venezuela and Guyana. The Essequibo region, a vast territory on the northeastern coast of South America, has been a historical point of contention between the two nations. The latest military actions by Venezuela have intensified an already strained situation. Eyewitnesses in the affected areas reported hearing gunfire and witnessing the aftermath of shelling, heightening fears of civilian casualties and property damage. The Venezuelan and Guyanese governments have issued statements expressing their respective positions. Maintaining its historical claims to the Essequibo region, Venezuela asserts that the military actions aim to protect its territorial integrity. Venezuelan officials argue that the area was unfairly awarded to British Guyana in the 19th century and that their recent military maneuvers respond to perceived threats to their national sovereignty. Guyana, on the other hand, has strongly condemned the Venezuelan military's incursion into the disputed territory. The Guyanese government, in an official statement, called the shelling a blatant violation of international law and an unjustifiable act of aggression. In further response, the Guyana Defence Force has called its reserve personnel into active service as growing concerns that this escalation could result in a war. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the shelling against a Commonwealth member, calling it a "severe surprise act of aggression and escalation that the United Kingdom will not stand by." While the shelling has caught the international community by surprise, the real surprise that most policy officials are wondering about is the American response to the news as an American carrier continues to remain off the coast of Guyana.

PA President Killed in Hamas Ambush Insiders say without international support, the PA will collapse within days. Jenin, Palestinian Authority: Mahmoud Abbas, the longtime Palestinian Authority president, was killed in a Hamas ambush near Ramallah this morning. For decades, the 88-year-old, central to Palestinian politics, has served multiple unelected terms since 2005. Hamas claimed responsibility, citing Abbas's perceived collaboration with the "Zionist enemy." International reactions were swift, with Jordan's King Abdullah II condemning it as "unbridled murder," while Israeli PM Miri Regev called it an "unsurprising" revelation of Hamas's true nature. Mohammed Dahlan of the PFM remained silent amid escalating tension with the Palestinian Authority. Islamic Jihad Ambush Targets Israeli Soldiers Near Gaza Border PIJ has made clear that the alliance between them and Hamas is over, promising that they will continue the armed struggle against Israel. Jerusalem, Israel: In a bold and coordinated attack this afternoon, Islamic Jihad militants ambushed Israeli soldiers near the Gaza border, escalating tensions in the region. The ambush took place during a routine patrol near the security fence separating Israel and the Gaza Strip. PIJ operatives, armed with heavy weaponry, launched a surprise assault on the unsuspecting Israeli forces, catching them off guard. 13 soldiers were reported killed. In a statement, a PIJ spokesperson vowed to continue resisting what they termed as the "Zionist occupation of Gaza." Israeli Prime Minister Miri Regev condemned the attack, labelling it a "cowardly act of terror" and vowed to respond forcefully to " once and for all destroy the terrorist entity." Palestinian Authority in chaos as Dahlan moves in for control. Observers fear a second Palestinian war is about to erupt and are urging world powers to intervene quickly. Ramallah, Palestinian Authority: The political landscape in the Palestinian Authority (PA) is witnessing unprecedented turmoil as former Fatah strongman Mohammed Dahlan makes a bold move to assert control. Chaos erupted when Dahlan's supporters clashed with loyalists of the deceased Mahmoud Abbas in the streets of Ramallah. Reports suggest that the clashes resulted in several deaths estimated to be in the hundreds, adding to the tension that has been simmering beneath the surface for months. Dahlan is reportedly still in Jerusalem but is expected to enter Ramallah soon. At least 54% of Palestinians have indicated support for the PFM as the Palestinian Authority continues to remain leaderless and is nearly about to collapse with no immediate successor taking the place of Abbas.