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Russian President Vladimir Putin noted on Friday that the nation's "troops are advancing" and expressed confidence that Russia will accomplish its objectives through military means if Ukraine does not assent to Russia's terms during peace talks, according to The Associated Press.

"Our troops are advancing all across the line of contact, faster in some areas or slower in some others, but the enemy is retreating in all sectors," Putin declared during his annual news conference, according to the outlet.

As the war drags on, the European Union has just agreed to provide Ukraine with a more than $105 billion loan.

PUTIN DERIDES EUROPEAN LEADERS AS HE INSISTS RUSSIA'S WAR GOALS IN UKRAINE WILL BE MET BY FORCE OR DIPLOMACY

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has conveyed his gratitude.

"I am grateful to all leaders of the European Union for the European Council’s decision on €90 billion in financial support for Ukraine in 2026–2027. This is significant support that truly strengthens our resilience. It is important that Russian assets remain immobilized and that Ukraine has received a financial security guarantee for the coming years. Thank you for the result and for unity. Together, we are defending the future of our continent," he declared in a post on X.

ZELENSKYY CALLS FOR US TO RESPOND TO ‘SIGNALS’ RUSSIA IS ‘PREPARING TO MAKE NEXT YEAR A YEAR OF WAR’

Putin has asserted that Russia will accomplish its objectives one way or the other.

"The goals of the special military operation will undoubtedly be achieved. We would prefer to accomplish this and address the root causes of the conflict through diplomatic means," he said, according to a Kremlin release about a Defense Ministry Board meeting earlier this week.

"However, if the opposing side and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive dialogue, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands by military means," Putin declared.

UKRAINE SAYS IT CARRIED OUT FIRST-EVER UNDERWATER DRONE STRIKE ON RUSSIAN SUBMARINE IN NOVOROSSIYSK

President Donald Trump's administration has been striving to help broker an end to the war between the two nations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday called for the U.S. and other allies to respond to bellicose "signals" from Russia.

"Today, we again heard signals from Moscow that they are preparing to make next year a year of war. These signals are not only for us. It is crucial that our partners see them, and not only see them but also respond — especially partners in the United States, who often say that Russia wants to end the war," Zelenskyy asserted in a post on X.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment.

UKRAINE SAYS IT CARRIED OUT FIRST-EVER UNDERWATER DRONE STRIKE ON RUSSIAN SUBMARINE IN NOVOROSSIYSK

"Yet the signals coming from Russia are the exact opposite, taking the form of official orders to their army. This Russian mindset must be recognized — and acted upon. When Russia is in this mindset, it will also undermine diplomacy — seeking, through diplomatic language and pressure over specific points in documents — to merely mask its desire to destroy Ukraine and Ukrainians, and the desire to legitimize Russia’s theft of our land. And then come other countries in Europe, which someone in Russia might one day label their so‑called 'historical lands,'" he asserted in the post.

"Real protection is needed against this Russian case history of madness, and we will continue working with all partners to ensure that protection is in place. Security measures are needed, financial measures are needed — including actions on Russian assets — political measures are needed. And the courage of all partners is required: to see the truth, acknowledge the truth, and act accordingly. I want to thank everyone who supports Ukraine," his post concluded.

Zelenskyy also conveyed the message in a Ukrainian-language video.

US OFFICIALS TOUT PROGRESS IN TALKS TO REACH ‘LASTING AND DURABLE PEACE’ BETWEEN UKRAINE, RUSSIA

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared during a Defense Ministry board meeting on Wednesday that Russia will accomplish its goals, either through diplomacy or military force.

"The goals of the special military operation will undoubtedly be achieved. We would prefer to accomplish this and address the root causes of the conflict through diplomatic means. However, if the opposing side and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive dialogue, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands by military means. The task of creating and expanding a security buffer zone will also be carried out consistently," Putin said, according to a Kremlin transcript.

HEADED FOR THE EXITS: WHY 3 DOZEN HOUSE MEMBERS AREN'T RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., a staunch proponent of U.S. support for Ukraine, asserted in a post on X, "Again… the U.S. should send 200 long-range and extremely accurate cruise missiles to Ukraine. Maybe then, Putin will get serious and seek peace. Putin started this war, and he’ll stop this war once he realizes he cannot win and that the cost of war is too high."

President Donald Trump's administration has been attempting to help broker peace between Russia and Ukraine.

Australian police have detained seven men during anti-terror raids in Sydney on Thursday as the country lays to rest the youngest victim of the deadly Bondi Beach attack. 

New South Wales police said that "an operation at George Street, Liverpool, in Sydney’s southwest has concluded."

"Tactical Operations police responded to information received that a violent act was possibly being planned," the department said in a statement. "Police subsequently intercepted two cars as part of the investigation."

"As investigations continue, seven men are assisting police with their inquiries," the statement added.

Some reports indicate that the detainees were believed to be heading to Bondi. Authorities say there are no known connections to the deadly attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach.

On Thursday, the youngest and oldest victims of the Bondi Beach attack were laid to rest.

The funeral for 10-year-old Matilda, whose family has requested that her last name not be shared, was held in Sydney on Thursday. Her funeral was attended by family, friends and mourners looking to pay their respects.

"Matilda was a bright and loving soul who taught us that true goodness is in the love and compassion we share," her teacher, Irina Goodhew, said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. "Her memory reminds us to carry kindness in our hearts and spread it to the world."

Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, whose son-in-law Rabbi Eli Schlanger was also killed in the attack, spoke at Matilda's funeral. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Ulman said Matilda's parents took the time to check on him as well.

"They had enough in their heart to go and think about another person going through the same thing as them," Ulman said. "You gave me strength at the time when you needed strength yourselves."

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Opposition lawmakers scuffled with police inside Albania’s parliament on Thursday after weeks of escalating tensions over corruption allegations against Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku and other senior officials, Reuters reported.

Lawmakers from the opposition Democratic Party lit black flares, threw water at the speaker and occupied seats reserved for government ministers in an attempt to disrupt the session as the country’s new ombudsperson was preparing to take the oath. Police intervened, pushing lawmakers away from the podium and allowing the confirmation to proceed.

STATE DEPARTMENT STAYS QUIET AS ALBANIA REINSTATES DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ACCUSED OF CORRUPTION

The unrest comes as Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure, known as SPAK, has requested that parliament lift Balluku’s immunity so she can be arrested on corruption charges. Parliament is expected to vote on the request on Friday.

Opposition lawmakers demanded to see the formal allegations submitted to parliament after prosecutors moved to lift Balluku’s immunity. SPAK alleges that Balluku participated in corrupt practices intended to favor companies involved in major infrastructure projects, including a tunnel and the ring road in the capital, Tirana. The projects are valued at hundreds of millions of euros.

Balluku, who also serves as minister of Infrastructure and Energy, is considered the closest ally of Prime Minister Edi Rama. His Socialist party secured a fourth consecutive term earlier this year.

‘GOLDEN TOILET’ SCANDAL: ZELENSKYY FACES DEEPEST CRISIS YET AS ALLIES ACCUSED IN $100M WARTIME SCHEME

According to Reuters, SPAK issued a criminal indictment against Balluku on Oct. 31, alleging she improperly favored a company in a tender for a 3.7-mile tunnel in southern Albania. Prosecutors later added a charge on Nov. 21 related to alleged violations in a Tirana road construction project, the same day a court initially removed her from office.

Balluku has denied the accusations. Addressing parliament ahead of a court appearance in November, she described the allegations as "mudslinging, insinuations half-truths and lies."

The crisis has drawn criticism from Rama’s opponents and international scrutiny. In a Fox News Digital interview published Dec. 13, former Albanian ambassador to the U.S. and the United Nations Agim Nesho said the government appeared intent on shielding Balluku rather than allowing justice to act independently, describing the situation as "state capture."

The U.S. State Department declined to comment on the case, telling Fox News Digital it has "no comment on ongoing legal matters."

Albania is a NATO member and a key U.S. ally in the Balkans, with Washington funding judicial reforms aimed at curbing corruption as part of the country’s bid to join the European Union.

Fox News Digital's Beth Bailey and Reuters contributed to this report.

Israel reportedly carried out a series of airstrikes across southern and northeastern Lebanon just ahead of the Dec. 31 deadline for the terrorist organization Hezbollah to disarm.

The strikes hit Hezbollah infrastructure sites and launching sites in a military compound that the terror organization uses to train and hold courses for its members, according to The Associated Press, which cited the Israeli military. Israel also said it had struck Hezbollah military structures that stored weapons.

The strikes were launched just ahead of a meeting of the committee monitoring the enforcement of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that ended the war between Israel and Hezbollah one year ago. The cohort also includes the U.S., France and United Nations peacekeepers deployed along the Israel-Lebanon border.

ISRAEL WARNS HEZBOLLAH ‘PLAYING WITH FIRE,’ PRESSES LEBANON TO ACT ON WEAPONS PLEDGE

Meanwhile, U.S., Saudi and French officials are set to participate in a meeting with Lebanon’s army commander, Gen. Rodolph Haikal. The group is expected to discuss ways to assist the Lebanese army in boosting its presence in the border area, according to the AP.

US CHAMPIONS LEBANON'S RESPONSE TO HEZBOLLAH DISARMAMENT, HINTS AT ABRAHAM ACCORDS OPPORTUNITY

The meeting in Paris is also meant to dissuade Israel from escalation, according to Reuters, which cited European and Lebanese diplomats and officials. The officials also said that there are concerns of political paralysis and party politics playing a role in the situation, and even possibly slowing Lebanese President Joseph Aoun from pressing for Hezbollah's disarmament, as the country prepares for legislative elections in 2026.

The Lebanese government has said it anticipates that the army will have the border area south of the Litani River cleared of Hezbollah's armed presence by the end of the year.

Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon Nabih Berri said that the strikes were "an Israeli message to the Paris meeting," according to the AP.

"The fire belt of Israeli airstrikes is to honor the mechanism’s meeting tomorrow," Berri said during a parliament meeting in Beirut.

On Wednesday, Israel said it killed a Hezbollah terrorist operating in southern Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the terrorist was collecting intelligence on the Israeli military's activity in the area and "took part in Hezbollah’s attempts to reestablish its infrastructure."

Fox News Digital reached out to the IDF for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The Vatican on Thursday accepted the resignation of Cardinal Timothy Dolan and announced that Bishop Ronald Hicks of Joliet, Illinois, will become the next archbishop of New York.

This is a breaking news story; check back for updates.

For years, Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro has defied predictions of collapse. Sanctions, diplomatic isolation and internal unrest have failed to unseat him. But the latest escalation by the Trump administration — including the seizure of a Venezuelan crude tanker and the enforcement of a blockade on sanctioned vessels — has hit the regime where it is most vulnerable: its oil trade.

Melissa Ford Maldonado, director of the Western Hemisphere Initiative at the America First Policy Institute, told Fox News Digital that while the timeline and outcome remain uncertain, the regime’s dependence on oil leaves it uniquely vulnerable. "One thing is clear: the Maduro regime can’t sustain itself without oil revenue," she said.

While the U.S. move has raised concerns among European allies, who warned that the escalation could undermine regional stability and complicate efforts toward a political resolution in Venezuela, Ford Maldonado says the administration’s approach is striking at the core of Maduro’s power.

"What we’re seeing now with President Trump’s order for a total blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela is a direct hit against Maduro’s revenue streams," she said. "He needs the oil money from these tankers to buy loyalty and pay off generals, cartel partners and political enforcers to stay in power. That pipeline is finally being cut."

MADURO SINGS, DANCES AND THREATENS TO 'SMASH THE TEETH' OF THE 'NORTH AMERICAN EMPIRE'

According to Reuters, up to 11 million barrels of Venezuelan crude are currently stranded aboard 39 tankers anchored offshore. 

Jorge Jraissati, president of the Economic Inclusion Group, said the recent U.S. actions "fundamentally change the economics of Venezuela’s oil exports.

"That oil is neither sold nor paid for," Jraissati said. "Until those cargoes move, they generate no cash flow for PDVSA and deepen Maduro’s liquidity strain." PDVSA is Venezuela's state-run oil company.

Venezuela is one of the most oil-dependent countries on earth. Oil accounts for more than 80% of exports and roughly 90% of government revenue, leaving the nation extraordinarily exposed when crude shipments falter.

"After years of economic collapse as a result of Venezuela’s socialist policies, virtually all other sectors of the economy are bankrupted," Jraissati noted.

U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan oil have been in place since 2019, but enforcement often lagged, and PDVSA continued to move crude through intermediaries and opaque trading networks, mainly toward Asia. The recent tanker seizure appears to have changed that dynamic.

The Trump administration said the seized vessel was headed for Cuba, but Jraissati argued China was the more likely destination. "Tankers of that size are typically deployed on long-haul routes, and China accounts for roughly 60% percent of Venezuela’s oil exports," he said.

Not only has crude become harder to sell, it has become cheaper. Venezuelan heavy crude is trading at discounts of up to $21 per barrel below Brent, according to sources cited by Jraissati and confirmed by Reuters reporting.

US AND UKRAINE TARGET 1,000-VESSEL 'DARK FLEET' SMUGGLING SANCTIONED OIL WORLDWIDE

"The seizure is already reshaping Venezuela’s oil trade," he said. "PDVSA is facing stuck cargoes, rising price discounts and new demands from buyers to renegotiate spot contracts."

Oil tankers, with cargoes worth tens of millions of dollars, now face heightened risk if they enter Venezuelan waters. This has sent buyers and shipowners scrambling for insurance and new terms.

"In general terms, this is a game-changing policy because it fundamentally alters the economics of exporting oil from Venezuela," Jraissati said. "Exports will not stop, but the conditions under which they are sold will deteriorate sharply. It will weaken Maduro’s cash flow."

EXPERT REVEALS WHAT IT WOULD TAKE FOR TRUMP TO DEPLOY TROOPS TO VENEZUELA: ‘POSSIBILITY OF ESCALATION’

For years, Venezuela has used a "shadow" or "dark" fleet — vessels that turn off tracking systems, swap names and switch flags — to move crude around sanctions. Jraissati said this network of ships tries to obscure ownership through shell companies and frequent reflagging.

Even these workarounds are under strain as insurers and ports become wary of vessels linked to Venezuelan crude.

MADURO TRAPPED WITH FEW RETALIATION OPTIONS AFTER TRUMP ADMIN SEIZES VENEZUELAN OIL TANKER

Jraissati painted a grim picture of Venezuelan society already unraveling under economic collapse.

"80% of people in Venezuela are in poverty," he said. "50% are in extreme poverty, meaning they don’t make even $3 a day."

He added that more than 30% of the population — around 8 million people — have left the country amid the ongoing crisis.

Jraissati cautioned that oil pressure alone will not topple Maduro, but described the current combination of sanctions, seizures and diplomatic isolation as unprecedented.

"This needs to be seen as a combination of actions. Oil pressure alone is not enough. Diplomatic pressure alone is not enough. But when all of these are combined, there is a much greater possibility of Maduro actually falling," he said.

Cale Brown, chair of Polaris National Security and a former State Department principal deputy spokesperson, said authoritarian regimes often endure sanctions by shifting into illicit revenue streams.

US SET TO SEIZE TENS OF MILLIONS IN VENEZUELAN OIL AFTER TANKER INTERCEPTION, WHITE HOUSE SAYS

"Regimes like Maduro’s display little concern about the impact of sanctions on their own people, and when traditional sources of income dry up, they seek other lifelines, as Maduro has with narcotics and other forms of illicit finance," Brown said.

Still, Brown said Washington’s strategy reflects broader security concerns, drug and human trafficking and hostile foreign influence in the Western Hemisphere.

"President Trump is right to identify Venezuela as ground zero for many of the problems we are concerned with in the Western Hemisphere," Brown said.

Maduro has survived sanctions, protests and isolation before. But analysts say the current oil crackdown directly threatens the regime’s ability to pay security forces, maintain patronage networks and keep the state functioning.

"It’s very important that we continue to emphasize that Venezuela’s oil does not belong to Maduro or his cronies," Ford Maldonado said, "It belongs to the Venezuelan people who made their choices clear at the ballot box last year and have been robbed blind by the regime which continues to enrich itself and hijack the country’s primary economic lifeline to stay in power. Cutting off that cash is the fastest way to weaken the regime, and weakening the regime helps the Venezuelan people!"

The families of seven victims of Sunday’s fatal Bondi Beach shooting released heartbreaking statements about their loved ones on Thursday, expressing profound grief and sharing touching memories.

The deadly terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, left at least 15 dead. Authorities have identified the assailants as a father-son duo, and believe the attack was inspired by ISIS.

The father was killed on the scene, while the son was shot by police and taken for medical care. He has been slapped with dozens of charges, including 15 counts of murder.

Marika Pogany, 82, was a member of COA Sydney, a volunteer service for Jewish seniors.

"Marika, known lovingly to all as Omi, was a beautiful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and steadfast friend, whose warmth and energy touched countless lives," her family wrote. "Vibrant and full of life, she brought joy and energy into every room and found her greatest happiness surrounded by her adoring family. Her darling son Romy was her greatest achievement and her world."

Pogany came to Australia in 1968 from Czechoslovakia with her son and brother, her family said, and she became a "proud" Australian citizen in 1972.

‘WE WARNED THEM’ JEWISH LEADER SAYS AFTER BONDI BEACH TERROR ATTACK THAT KILLS 15

"She had an extraordinary gift for connecting with people," her family stated. "Her kindness, laughter, and generosity left a lasting mark on everyone she met, and her incredible network of friends was a true reflection of the love and loyalty she inspired.

"Deeply devoted to her community, she gave her time and heart in service to others, delivering meals and helping people in need, embodying love in action."

Pogany's family added, "Though she is gone, her light will continue to shine brightly through the family and friends who were so blessed to have her in their lives. Forever our gorgeous Darlink."

Adam Smyth, 50, was a father of four children and husband to Katrina. His family said the couple was walking on Bondi Beach Sunday evening when they found themselves in the middle of the attack.

"No words can describe the pain of our loss," Smyth's family wrote. "Adam and Katrina were living their best lives together. Their shared love of family and friends, travel and sport — if not always the same team — made their time together truly special."

Smyth loved many sports clubs, including the English Premier League football team Liverpool.

"We will forever cherish the time we have had with him. Adam was a generous and kind person who will be dearly missed and is forever irreplaceable," his family wrote, adding, "You’ll never walk alone."

Boris Gurman, 69, and Sofia Gurman, 61, were a Russian-Jewish couple who confronted one of the gunmen before the attack began, momentarily disarming the assailant before he grabbed another rifle and killed them.

The couple was going to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary in January and were going to mark Sophia's birthday just days after the attack, "a moment that now feels incredibly hard to comprehend," the Gurman family wrote.

"Boris and Sofia were deeply devoted to their family and were well known in their community for their kindness, warmth and willingness to help others," they wrote. "Boris was a retired mechanic, and Sofia was working at Australia Post for the past five years. They lived honest, hardworking lives and treated everyone with care and respect."

They added, "We are deeply grateful for the love and support shown to our family during this unimaginable time."

Dan Elkayam, a 27-year-old French national, was playing football at Bondi Beach and celebrating the lighting of the Hannukah Candles.

"During a mass shooting, Dan was shot in the back while trying to run away," Elkayam's family wrote. "He was murdered because he was Jewish."

Elkayam played football at the 2022 Maccabiah Games and for several teams in both France and Australia.

SURVIVING AUSTRALIA TERROR SUSPECT SLAPPED WITH CHARGES IN WAKE OF DEADLY ATTACK

"Dan loved life - fully and intensely," his family stated. "He traveled the world and was known for his gentle, kind, fun and loving nature, making friends wherever he went. Alongside football, he had a deep connection with nature. He was a certified scuba diver and an explorer at heart, always eager to discover new places, cultures, and experiences."

Elkayam's family said his smile "could light up any room" and was someone "who truly wanted to do good in the world."

"It is now our responsibility to carry forward the light that Dan spread," his family stated. "He was surrounded by loved ones from all walks of life and all communities, and in times as dark as these, we all have a duty to continue spreading kindness, compassion, and joy — in his name."

Boris Tetleroyd "was loved by everyone he met," his family said.

"He was profoundly loved and adored by his sons Yaakov and Roman and by his wife Svetlana," they continued. "He is also deeply loved by his brother, aunt, nieces, nephews, cousins and all who had the privilege of knowing him."

Tetleroyd's family added that he was a "gentle man" and "gifted musician."

Alex Kleytman, 87, was a Holocaust survivor from Ukraine. He was celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach with his wife of 57 years, Larisa Kleytman, who is also a Holocaust survivor, when the shooting began.

"He was a fascinating person of many talents and an unwavering spirit," his family wrote, adding that he was also "very stubborn."

Kleytman "survived the hardships of World War II in frozen Siberia, carrying with him a lifetime of extraordinary stories of resilience, survival, and unexpected luck" and worked as a civil engineer and estimator, first in the former Soviet Union and then in Australia.

His family said he died "doing what he loved most: protecting Larisa, standing proudly as a Jew, and celebrating the Festival of Lights."

"The two gunmen killed him, but his memories, his legacy, and his books will bring light for generations to come," his family added.

Fox News Digital's Alex Nitzberg and Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia’s goals in Ukraine are unchanged and will be accomplished either through negotiations or by further military advances if diplomatic efforts fail.

Putin, speaking at an annual board meeting of the country's Defense Ministry, touted Russia's military progress on the battlefield and technological advancements as his war in Ukraine grinds on into a fourth year.

"The goals of the special military operation will undoubtedly be achieved," he said, using the Kremlin's term to refer to Moscow's 2022 full-scale invasion.

"We would prefer to accomplish this and address the root causes of the conflict through diplomatic means. However, if the opposing side and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive dialogue, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands by military means," the Russian leader told military officials, according to a transcript of the speech released by the government.

PUTIN CALLS TRUMP’S PEACE PLAN A ‘STARTING POINT’ AS HE WARNS UKRAINE TO PULL BACK OR FACE 'FORCE'

Putin also took aim at Kyiv and its European allies for "whipping up hysteria" about Moscow as the Trump administration works to end the war. 

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned allies last week that Russia could be ready to use military force against the alliance within five years and urged members to boost defense spending and production, so their armed forces have the resources to protect their homelands.

Putin referred to European leaders as "piglets" during the Defense Ministry meeting, according to a translated video of the remarks posted by Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev.

TRUMP TOUTS 'TREMENDOUS PROGRESS' BUT SAYS HE'LL MEET PUTIN AND ZELENSKYY 'ONLY WHEN' PEACE DEAL IS FINAL

The comment was part of a broader tirade against the West, with Putin accusing European governments of helping Washington try to weaken and divide Russia.

"They were hoping to profit from the collapse of our country. To get back something that was lost in previous historical periods and try to take revenge," said Putin. "As it has now become obvious to everyone, all these attempts and all these destructive plans towards Russia completely failed."

The remarks come as U.S., European, Russian and Ukrainian officials engage in a flurry of diplomacy over potential paths to ending the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his negotiating team met in Berlin Sunday with Jared Kushner and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine.

Witkoff and Kushner previously held a five-hour meeting in Moscow with Putin and top foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov in early December to hash out elements of a revised peace proposal after the original leaked 28-point draft drew criticism for being too favorable to the Kremlin.

Ushakov said the Russian side received four documents from the U.S. envoys during the meeting, including one that consisted of 27 points, but he declined to go into detail of what they contained.

Authorities in the Philippines gave an update on their investigation of the accused Bondi Beach gunmen's movements during their weeks-long trip to the country.

The father-son duo – who are now accused of carrying out a deadly attack at a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, this week — allegedly previously traveled to Davao City for their four-week visit to the Philippines, according to reports. This comes after a recent confirmation by Philippine authorities that the father and son spent nearly the entire month of November in the country.

Philippine police and hotel staff said the father and son rarely left their hotel room except for an hour or so at a time, according to The Guardian. The outlet added that both police and hotel staff noted that the accused gunmen never talked to other guests or had visitors.

There was speculation that the father and son traveled to the Philippines to receive training from Islamist groups believed to be operating in the country, but authorities have pushed back against the assertion.

SURVIVING AUSTRALIA TERROR SUSPECT SLAPPED WITH CHARGES IN WAKE OF DEADLY ATTACK

On Tuesday, the Philippines Bureau of Investigation said the two accused gunmen traveled to the Philippines on Nov. 1 aboard Philippine Airlines Flight PR212 from Sydney to Manila before making their way to Davao, according to Reuters. The two left the Philippines on Nov. 28, just weeks before they allegedly carried out the Bondi Beach attack.

Davao City is located on the island of Mindanao, which has been under a "Level 3: Reconsider Travel" advisory since May. However, the State Department said Davao City, in addition to a few other locations, is an exception to the advisory.

"Terrorist and armed groups in Mindanao have historically engaged in kidnappings for ransom, in addition to bombings and other attacks. These incidents often target foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, as well as civilians, local government entities, and security forces," the State Department's advisory reads.

POLICE: BONDI BEACH SHOOTING SUSPECTS HAD BOMBS, ISIS FLAGS AND RECENTLY TRAVELED TO PHILIPPINES

In 2017, Islamic State-inspired militants stormed Marawi, the capital of Lanao del Sur province in the Muslim-majority Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Mindanao. Reuters reported that the siege of Marawi displaced approximately 350,000 residents and left more than 1,100 dead, most of whom were militants.

The city is currently under a "Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisory, with the State Department warning that "civilians face risk of death or injury from ongoing clashes between terrorist group remnants and Philippine security forces in Marawi."

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) noted that while the influence and strength of Islamic State-aligned groups has declined in recent years, the Philippines military has had infrequent clashes with remnants of the groups.

The Bondi Beach attack unfolded on Sunday as gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration, killing at least 15 and leaving dozens injured. The older gunman, who was the younger gunman's father, died at the scene.

On Wednesday, New South Wales Police announced the 59 charges against the 24-year-old surviving suspected gunman, including "commit terrorist act," 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of "cause wounding/grievous bodily harm to person with intent to murder," "discharge firearm etc intend cause grievous bodily harm," "cause public display of prohibited terrorist org symbol" and "place explosive in/near building with intent to cause harm."

NSW Police said the alleged gunman is still hospitalized and under police guard.

EXCLUSIVE: Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC) claims its forces now control all eight southern governorates and are prepared to serve as Washington’s frontline partner against Iran-backed Houthis, al-Qaeda affiliates and Muslim Brotherhood factions.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Ahmed Atef, the STC’s representative to the United States and United Nations, said STC hopes for expanded cooperation with Washington — militarily, diplomatically and economically — with the administration. "All kinds of support are welcome," he said. "President Trump is very courageous and very strong, and we are really looking forward to his support."

The STC has emerged as the dominant power in southern Yemen, and is reportedly backed by significant Emirati funding and military support. Formed in April 2017, it unites factions seeking to reestablish an independent South Yemen — reviving the state that existed from 1967 until unification in 1990. Last week, the head of Yemen’s internationally recognized government called on STC to withdraw from territories they have recently captured in the southeastern parts of the country, the Associated Press reported.

US MILITARY CONDUCTS SUCCESSFUL AIRSTRIKES ON HOUTHI REBEL FORCES IN YEMEN

On Wednesday, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres warned that Yemen was facing a dangerous new escalation following recent advances by forces affiliated with the STC in the eastern governorates of Hadramawt and al-Mahra. Guterres said such unilateral actions risk deepening divisions, hardening positions and accelerating fragmentation, with potential spillover effects on regional security, including the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa. 

Bridget Toomey, a researcher at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), told Fox News Digital that for the U.S. to support southern secession would be "at odds with the stated policy of the internationally recognized government of Yemen, which currently exists for one Yemen." She said the United States supports that government, but added that backing the STC as a partner in counterterrorism missions and in the fight against the Houthis "would not necessarily be at odds with the government," particularly because the STC and its leadership are part of the current governing framework.

Yemen’s war has long divided the nation. In the north, the Houthis rule Sanaa and much of western Yemen with support from Iran and ties to Hezbollah. In the south, STC-aligned forces dominate Aden, the temporary capital, and a belt of inland and coastal regions that include Lahj, Abyan, Shabwa, Hadramout and al-Mahra.

The internationally recognized Yemeni government, which the United States continues to support, is formally based in Aden but remains fragmented. The Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council serves as the recognized authority and has relied heavily on a coalition of competing factions, including the STC, to govern and confront the Houthis and to maintain control on the ground.

Toommey said, "The government has faced serious economic, oversight and capacity challenges and has struggled to deliver basic services, a situation compounded by the ongoing fight against the Houthis and Yemen’s broader humanitarian crisis."

That reliance has drawn criticism. Yemen’s internationally recognized government has accused STC-affiliated forces of carrying out deadly attacks in Hadramout and warned that the group’s recent expansion risks sparking conflict between rival factions within the anti-Houthi camp. The Associated Press reported that Yemeni officials urged the STC to withdraw from areas seized in the east, cautioning that unilateral moves could undermine the political process and destabilize a fragile balance in the south.

Atef rejected that characterization, describing the Hadramout operation as a major success that demonstrated the STC’s ability to fight what he called hostile forces operating in coordination with the Houthis. He accused those forces of collaborating with "Houthi terrorists" and said the STC’s actions strengthened security rather than undermined it.

YEMEN'S CHILD SOLDIERS FACE LONG ROAD AFTER SEXUAL, PHYSICAL ABUSE

Atef described the Houthis as a destabilizing force well beyond Yemen’s borders.

"They have this slogan of ‘death to America, death to Israel,’ which is really very unacceptable," he said. As long as the Houthis maintain control of Sanaa, he warned, they will "continue threatening maritime traffic in the Red Sea, continue threatening us in the South and Saudi Arabia, and continue threatening the UAE and the Gulf region."

He also accused Houthi factions of cooperation with outside extremist groups, including Somalia’s al-Shabab, and of receiving training and support from Iran and Hezbollah.

STC President Aidarous al-Zubaidi has pledged assistance to northern Yemeni forces seeking to "re-liberate Sanaa," Atef said, dismissing prospects for a negotiated political settlement. "It is impossible," he said. "We will talk the language that the Houthis understand."

ISRAEL CONFIRMS STRIKE ON HOUTHIS IN YEMEN, MARKS SECOND TIME THIS WEEK

Atef repeatedly framed the STC as a natural U.S. partner on counterterrorism and regional stability. He praised President Donald Trump for designating the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization and for efforts targeting branches of the Muslim Brotherhood.

"In Yemen, we have Muslim Brotherhood. We believe that they are terrorists. We believe that they sponsor terrorism," Atef said, adding that he supported a recent bill to classify certain Muslim Brotherhood chapters abroad as terrorist entities, but he argued the organization is "extremist everywhere, even in the United States. Not only in these chapters."

Atef also said the STC intends to open southern Yemen’s oil, agriculture, fisheries and tourism industries to American companies as a path toward long-term self-sufficiency. "We invite U.S. companies to come and explore the oil fields and help us in getting revenues to develop our people," he said.

The STC’s ultimate objective, Atef emphasized, is an independent, pro-Western South Yemen that can secure its territory while helping counter Iran’s regional influence.

"Once we have got this front against the Houthis strengthened and emboldened with the support of the international community and the United States," he said, "that is going to help us very much on the ground to continue our fight and bring stability and peace to the region."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded that Western countries immediately take action to battle antisemitism and ensure the safety of Jews around the globe.

"I demand that Western governments do what is necessary to fight antisemitism and provide the required safety and security for Jewish communities worldwide," he said, according to the prime minister's office, which issued the English translation of the remarks that Netanyahu delivered in Hebrew in a video posted on Tuesday.

"They would be well-advised to heed our warnings. I demand action from them — now," he added.

POLICY GROUP PRAISES TRUMP'S 100 GLOBAL WINS SINCE TAKING OFFICE, FROM CARTEL CRACKDOWNS TO PEACE DEALS

Netanyahu's demand came in the wake of the heinous Sunday terror attack in Australia.

That attack was "deliberately targeted at the Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has noted.

ISRAELI KNESSET MEMBER SAYS AUSTRALIAN OFFICIALS ‘DID NOTHING' AMID RISE OF ANTISEMITISM BEFORE SYDNEY ATTACK

During remarks Tuesday at a White House Hanukkah reception, President Donald Trump claimed that Congress "is becoming antisemitic."

TRUMP ENCOURAGES JEWISH AMERICANS TO ‘CELEBRATE PROUDLY’ DURING HANUKKAH AFTER DEADLY BONDI BEACH SHOOTING

"You have AOC plus three. You have those people," he said, referring to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and the progressive "Squad."

"Ilhan Omar: She hates Jewish people," he added, referring to the Minnesota congresswoman.

Ukraine said Monday it carried out an underwater drone strike that critically damaged a Russian Kilo-class submarine docked in the port of Novorossiysk, marking the first known attack of its kind. 

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said its "Sub Sea Baby" underwater drones struck a Russian submarine equipped with four launchers for Kalibr cruise missiles used to target Kyiv and other parts of the country.

The operation was carried out by the Ukrainian Navy and the SBU's 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence.

Video released by the SBU showed several ships docked at the Novorossiysk naval base in Russia’s Krasnodar region before a large explosion occurred.

EX-CIA STATION CHIEF WARNS PUTIN USING TALKS TO GAIN LEVERAGE AS UKRAINE DELEGATION MEETS TOP TRUMP OFFICIALS

The base has become a key refuge for Russia’s fleet as Ukraine intensifies strikes on Sevastopol and other occupied Crimean ports.

The SBU said the submarine had been forced to remain in Novorossiysk because of other Ukrainian operations, including the use of Sea Baby surface drones that drove Russia’s Black Sea Fleet out of Sevastopol Bay.

A spokesperson for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet denied the strike caused any damage, writing on Telegram that no submarines or crews were harmed.

PUTIN CALLS TRUMP’S PEACE PLAN A ‘STARTING POINT’ AS HE WARNS UKRAINE TO PULL BACK OR FACE 'FORCE'

"[Ukraine] once again proved that minnows can swallow sharks using innovation," drone expert Brett Velicovich told Fox News Digital. "Underwater drones are the next evolution in drone warfare."

The submarine strike comes as Russia continues to launch large-scale drone and missile attacks on Ukraine and as the United States works to end Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his negotiating team met in Berlin on Sunday with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy also held talks with European leaders earlier in the week on a broader political framework to end the war, secure long-term protections for Ukraine and support the country’s postwar recovery.

The Trump administration has moved its hemispheric security doctrine into full force in Venezuela, ordering a sweeping naval blockade on sanctioned oil tankers and labeling Nicolás Maduro’s government a Foreign Terrorist Organization — a dramatic escalation aimed at choking off the regime’s primary source of revenue and confronting what the White House calls a growing threat of cartel-driven "drug terrorism" and foreign influence in the region.

Announcing the move on social media, Trump said Venezuela was now "completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the history of South America," a strike at an oil sector that accounts for roughly 88% of the country’s export earnings.

The administration’s new National Security Strategy (NSS) places the Western Hemisphere at the center of U.S. national security planning, elevating regional instability, mass migration, cartels and foreign influence as direct challenges to American security. While the document does not single out Venezuela by name, its framework positions crises like Venezuela’s collapse as central to protecting what the strategy calls America’s "immediate security perimeter."

MADURO’S FORCES FACE RENEWED SCRUTINY AS US TENSIONS RISE: ‘A FORTRESS BUILT ON SAND’ 

According to the NSS, U.S. policy toward the hemisphere now focuses on preventing large-scale migration, countering "narco-terrorists, cartels, and other transnational criminal organizations," and ensuring the region remains "reasonably stable and well-governed enough to prevent and discourage mass migration." It also pledges to assert a "Trump Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine, aimed at blocking "hostile foreign incursion or ownership of key assets" by strategic competitors.

A senior White House official said the Western Hemisphere chapter is designed to "reassert American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere" by strengthening regional security partnerships, curbing drug flows and preventing pressures that fuel mass migration. The official said the strategy situates the hemisphere as a foundational element of U.S. defense and prosperity.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said the NSS reflects what the administration sees as a historic realignment of U.S. foreign policy. "President Trump’s National Security Strategy builds upon the historic achievements of his first year back in office, which has seen his Administration move with historic speed to restore American strength at home and abroad and bring peace to the world," Kelly told Fox News Digital.

"In less than a year, President Trump has ended eight wars, persuaded Europe to take greater responsibility for its own defense, facilitated U.S.-made weapons sales to NATO allies, negotiated fairer trade deals, obliterated Iran’s nuclear facilities, and more." The strategy, she added, is designed to ensure "America remains the greatest and most successful nation in human history."

Melissa Ford Maldonado, director of the Western Hemisphere Initiative at the America First Policy Institute, said Venezuela illustrates why the hemisphere is now treated as America’s "first line of defense."

"The Maduro regime functions as a narco-dictatorship closely tied to criminal cartels, which are now considered foreign terror organizations, and supported by China, Iran and Russia," she said. "Confronting this criminal regime is about keeping poison off our streets and chaos off our shores."

MADURO’S FORCES FACE RENEWED SCRUTINY AS US TENSIONS RISE: ‘A FORTRESS BUILT ON SAND’ 

She called the NSS "the most radical and long-overdue change in U.S. foreign policy in a generation," arguing that instability in Latin America now reaches the United States "in real time" through migration surges, narcotics trafficking and foreign intelligence networks.

Some analysts caution that the strategy’s sharper posture could become destabilizing if pressure escalates into a confrontation.

Roxanna Vigil, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said the path ahead depends heavily on how forceful the administration’s approach becomes. "If it goes in the direction of escalation and conflict, that means there’s going to be very little control," she said. "If there is a power vacuum, who fills it?"

HEGSETH HINTS MAJOR DEFENSE SPENDING INCREASE, REVEALS NEW DETAILS ON TRUMP’S ANTI-NARCOTERRORISM OPERATIONS

Vigil warned that without a negotiated transition, a sudden collapse could produce outcomes "potentially worse than Maduro." She said armed groups, hardline regime actors and cartel-linked networks would all compete for power, with potential spillover effects across a region already strained by mass displacement.

Jason Marczak, vice president of the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, said the NSS underscores why the administration views Maduro’s continued rule as incompatible with its regional priorities.

"All of those goals cannot be accomplished as long as Nicolás Maduro or anybody close to him remains in power," he said, pointing to the strategy’s focus on migration, regional security and countering foreign influence. "Venezuela is a conduit for foreign influence in the hemisphere."

US SET TO SEIZE TENS OF MILLIONS IN VENEZUELAN OIL AFTER TANKER INTERCEPTION, WHITE HOUSE SAYS

Marczak said Venezuelans "were ready for change" in the 2024 election, but warned that replacing Maduro with another insider "doesn’t really accomplish anything." He argued that only a democratic transition would allow Venezuela to re-enter global markets and stabilize the region.

Both Marczak and Vigil noted that the danger extends beyond Maduro to the criminal ecosystem and foreign partnerships that sustain his rule. Without a negotiated transition, Vigil said, the forces most likely to prevail are those already controlling territory: militias, cartel-linked groups and pro-Chavista power brokers.

Ford-Maldonado said that reality is precisely why the administration’s strategy elevates Venezuela’s crisis within its broader Western Hemisphere doctrine.

"Confronting a narco-regime tied to foreign adversaries is not a distraction from America First — it’s the clearest expression of it," she said. "What’s ultimately being defended are American lives, American children, and American communities."

The administration’s adoption of a "Trump Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine indicates a more assertive U.S. stance toward the hemisphere, framing Venezuela not only as a humanitarian or political crisis but as a critical test of the strategy’s core principles: migration control, counter-cartel operations and limiting foreign adversaries’ reach. Within this framework, experts say the consequences of inaction could create security risks that extend well beyond Venezuela’s borders.

EXCLUSIVE: A new report released Wednesday from Polaris National Security details what the group says are 100 foreign policy achievements from President Donald Trump’s second term. The document is organized chronologically, starting with his return to office in January and tracking each major foreign policy move through the present day.

The report, titled "100 Trump Foreign Policy Wins From 2025 the Media Wants You to Miss," is an advocacy and policy analysis document that reflects the authors’ evaluation of U.S. foreign policy developments over the past year. 

"Since January, the Trump administration has moved with historic pace to restore America’s strength and security," the report states, arguing that the administration has emphasized deterrence, alliance burden-sharing and direct engagement with adversaries.

TRUMP’S AMERICA FIRST STRATEGY BUILDS DETERRENCE THROUGH STRONG US-ISRAEL ALLIANCE, EXPERTS SAY

The report groups several Venezuela-related actions into what it describes as a broader U.S. policy shift in the Western Hemisphere. It highlights expanded counter-narcotics operations off Venezuela’s coast, including airstrikes on maritime vessels linked to organizations such as Tren de Aragua and the National Liberation Army. The campaign, called Operation Southern Spear, is described as underscoring a commitment to "defending the homeland from the influx of fentanyl and other illicit drugs ravaging American communities."

The administration also raised the U.S. reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million, citing a public announcement from Attorney General Pam Bondi accusing Maduro of central involvement in narcotics trafficking. Venezuela has rejected the allegations. Polaris links these actions to the 2025 National Security Strategy, calling it "the most significant hemispheric reorientation of U.S. foreign policy in decades." 

Cale Brown, chair of Polaris National Security and former State Department principal deputy spokesperson, said the administration’s posture marks a reset on the global stage. "President Trump has taken the world stage by storm, reasserting American strength after four years of weakness," he said.

TRUMP NATIONAL SECURITY BLUEPRINT DECLARES ‘ERA OF MASS MIGRATION IS OVER,' TARGETS CHINA’S RISE

A substantial section of the Polaris report focuses on the October Gaza ceasefire, which it calls a central diplomatic breakthrough involving the United States, Israel and Hamas. According to the document, the agreement "secured an immediate ceasefire and the return of all surviving hostages," including Americans, with one hostage still unaccounted for. It also outlines plans for prisoner exchanges, Gaza’s demilitarization, an international stabilization force, transitional governance and large-scale reconstruction.

The report also highlights a November U.N. Security Council vote in which a U.S.-led Gaza resolution passed 13–0, with Russia and China abstaining. The resolution is described as providing "an international legal framework for the next phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire."

Additionally, the administration’s prohibition on U.S. taxpayer funding for UNRWA is noted, citing U.S. concerns over alleged ties between some personnel and Hamas. UNRWA denies institutional involvement in terrorism, while U.S. officials say the move was based on national security considerations.

TRUMP ADMIN RAMPS UP SUDAN PEACE EFFORT AS CIVIL WAR LEAVES TENS OF THOUSANDS DEAD

The report cites U.S. military strikes carried out in June against Iranian nuclear facilities using B-2 bombers and bunker-buster munitions, framing the mission as proof that the United States "will not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran." Iran denies pursuing a military nuclear program.

Nathan Sales, a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council and former State Department counterterrorism coordinator, said the administration views regional diplomacy primarily through the lens of countering Tehran. "The Trump administration gets that the Iranian regime is the fundamental source of violence and instability across the Middle East," Sales said.

However, some analysts say the administration’s record presents sharp contrasts. Foreign policy analyst and editor-in-chief of the Foreign Desk Lisa Daftari said that while Trump has delivered on several strategic priorities — including strong support for Israel, terrorist redesignations, aggressive action against drug cartels and renewed momentum behind the Abraham Accords — other moves warrant closer scrutiny.

"This record is tempered by concerning diplomatic overtures that urge caution. The characterization of Syria's president as ‘young, attractive tough guy’ appears premature given unverified claims about severing ties with terrorist organizations—particularly troubling in light of recent attacks on U.S. servicemen. Similarly, the administration's approach to Turkey and Saudi Arabia suggests a willingness to extend trust and strategic concessions that may exceed what these relationships warrant, potentially squandering leverage on critical issues like the Abraham Accords. Whether these calculated diplomatic gambles yield strategic gains or prove costly remains an open question. The true measure of this foreign policy doctrine will ultimately depend on how these relationships and decisions unfold in 2026."

The report also points to commitments made at the NATO summit in The Hague, where alliance members pledged to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, far above the longstanding 2% benchmark. The document says the pledge followed sustained U.S. pressure for "fairer burden-sharing among allied nations."

The report highlights an August agreement signed at the White House by the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan aimed at ending the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The declaration includes commitments on border security, regional transit routes and economic cooperation involving the United States.

The 24-year-old man who allegedly perpetrated the terror attack in Australia on Sunday with his 50-year-old father was slapped with charges on Wednesday, according to news releases.

In addition to "15 counts of murder" and "40 counts of cause wounding/grievous bodily harm to person with intent to murder," other offenses he has been charged with include "Commit terrorist act," "Discharge firearm etc intend cause grievous bodily harm," "Cause public display of prohibited terrorist org symbol" and "Place explosive in/near building with intent cause harm," according to the announcements.

10-YEAR-OLD GIRL, HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR AMONG VICTIMS OF DEADLY AUSTRALIA HANUKKAH ATTACK

Police shot the father, who "died at the scene," while the son, who sustained "critical injuries," remains hospitalized, the releases note.

The deadly shooting resulted in 15 fatalities, while others were injured, including two officers who were shot during the episode. 

SENATORS TED CRUZ AND JOHN FETTERMAN AGREE ON HATING ONE ‘EVIL’ DURING BIPARTISAN INTERVIEW

Of those who have passed away, "police believe their ages range between 10 and 87," the releases state.

AUSTRALIA MOVES TO TIGHTEN GUN LAWS AFTER HANUKKAH MASS SHOOTING LEAVES 15 DEAD AT BONDI BEACH

The attack "was an act of pure evil," "antisemitism," and "terrorism" that was "deliberately targeted at the Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said.

FIRST ON FOX: The leader of an international pro-life organization lauded the Nativity scene set up by the Vatican that highlighted the more than 25,000 babies who were not aborted this year thanks to the group's outreach initiatives.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, 40 Days for Life CEO and founder Shawn Carney said the Vatican reached out to his organization about creating a Nativity scene representing the babies he says were saved by the group's pro-life activism, which includes prayer and vigils outside abortion clinics.

"It's really beautiful," Carney said.

"The artist made the straw in the manger where Baby Jesus is and Mary, and Joseph," he continued. "The straw is made up of 25,000 ribbons. Each ribbon represents a baby boy or baby girl that was saved from abortion during a 40 Days for Life campaign."

POPE LEO XIV CONDEMNS 'ANTI-SEMITIC VIOLENCE' AFTER MASSACRE IN SYDNEY: 'WE MUST ELIMINATE HATRED'

Crafted by Costa Rican artist Paula Sáenz Soto and donated by the Central American country, it features a pregnant Virgin Mary, Joseph and  thousands of colored ribbons dedicated to the babies who were not aborted.

Pope Leo XIV said at a recent audience with the donors of the Vatican's Christmas decorations that a sign of life was reflected in the Nativity scene in the Vatican’s audience hall, which he described as a sign of "faith and hope."

Each of the ribbons that decorate the scene "represent a life saved from abortion thanks to the prayer and support provided by Catholic organizations to many mothers in need," said the pontiff, who personally blessed the display.

Leo also thanked the artist for the message affirming that "life is protected from conception."

Carney said the Nativity was "inspiring" and "beautiful news," particularly amid a series of recent bad news in the U.S. and around the world.

"It's so inspiring, and frankly, we've had a lot of bad news lately in America and around the world, and this display represents good news," he told Fox News Digital.

"It represents babies that have been saved from abortion, and the artist who is a participant in 40 Days for Life who is from Costa Rica, did a wonderful job. She did a fantastic job making this beautiful display that really shows the dedication of so many pro-life volunteers around the world who take time out in the hopes of saving a baby. And now those saved babies are represented in the most important place in the world, which is the Nativity, which is what we pin our hope to, that Jesus came through the womb, that he came through a family to save us from our sins," he continued.

"So it’s beautiful news, it’s good news, and I think it's news that's being well received as we've had so much bad news the last few weeks," Carney added.

Carney went on to explain that the Nativity is "at the heart of Catholicism and all Christians, and certainly at the heart of the pro-life movement."

"This is why we do what we do," he said. "Our Lord could have popped out of an acorn and saved us from our sins. He didn't do that. God chose a family, a holy family, a 14-year-old virgin, to bring his son into the world through the womb, which is statistically now the most dangerous place in the world. He chose the womb, he chose a family, and the family is under attack. So this is a beautiful nativity display, but I think it speaks to the heart of every Christian that looks for hope in the world, that looks for hope for us to overcome our own sins, and certainly hope that we can end the tragedy and the barbaric nature of abortion in our world. America is leading the way through that." "We just had a historic year for the pro-life movement in 2025, and I think 2026 is going to be even better," he added. "This display certainly inspires so much hope and confidence that if we pray, if we fast, if we're faithful and we get to work, we can end abortion anywhere."

Carney also stressed that the Nativity of a pregnant Mary with an unborn Jesus "speaks to the scientific reality of the unborn child and the Biblical reality that Our Lord came through the womb."

PRO-LIFE PREGNANCY CENTERS SEE CLIENT INCREASE AFTER SUPREME COURT DECISION: STUDY

"The Nativity is one of the most depicted scenes in the history of the world, and it represents that great meeting between Heaven and earth, Christ coming into the world through a child nine months after the Annunciation," he said. "So it's absolutely beautiful. It puts emphasis on how we treat our unborn children with 72 million abortions around the world every year. It is by far the greatest moral crisis of our time, and we have to respond to that. We have to respond with great hope, and you don't find a greater hope than Jesus coming into the world and being with us on Christmas Day."

The pro-life leader also stated that the pope "is going to be a stronger voice than most people think" on the issue of abortion.

"I think he's righting the ship," Carney said. "I think he's speaking with a little bit more clarity than what we saw from Pope Francis. Pope Leo has been very supportive of the pro-life movement. He's certainly been very supportive of 40 Days for Life with this beautiful Nativity at the Vatican, so I'm very encouraged."

A debate in Mexico City’s congress descended into a brawl Monday as lawmakers yanked hair, traded blows and shoved one another across the dais after an opposition protest over the city’s transparency institute erupted into chaos.

Video from inside the chamber showed the dispute turning violent within seconds, with lawmakers lunging at each other as others stood back and filmed the melee.

Reuters reported the fight broke out during a debate over dissolving Mexico City’s transparency institute.

The clash began when one woman grabbed another’s hand, prompting the second woman to yank her hand back and jab her in the stomach with an elbow.

CONGRESS MELTS DOWN: MEMBERS UNLEASH PERSONAL ATTACKS AFTER WEEKS OF SHUTDOWN DRAMA

The first woman retaliated by striking her in the back, then seized the other woman’s hair as the scuffle escalated.

A man stepped in and tried to pry her hand loose, but more lawmakers rushed forward as shoving spread across the dais.

HOUSE DEM CRASHES MIKE JOHNSON PRESS EVENT AS TENSIONS ERUPT OVER SHUTDOWN

Several women were seen pushing and grappling while bystanders lifted phones to record the chaos.

Lawmakers from the opposition National Action Party had taken over the congressional podium to protest the measure at the center of the debate.

TRUMP TELLS MEXICO TO FIX CROSS-BORDER SEWAGE PROBLEM FLOWING INTO US COMMUNITIES ‘IMMEDIATELY’

The opposition accused Morena – the ruling party – of breaking an agreement to create a new transparency body, sparking the podium occupation.

The session unraveled as shouting escalated, and rival groups clashed across the chamber.

The meeting was ultimately suspended and relocated to another venue, so lawmakers could resume deliberations, local media reported.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Polish authorities have foiled a suspected ISIS-inspired plot to attack a Christmas market, charging a student accused of preparing a mass casualty bombing, according to officials.

The case comes as Germany and the U.K. also raised security measures around religious and cultural events after the Sydney shooting Sunday in which 16 people were shot dead at a Jewish Hanukkah party on Bondi Beach.

Polish authorities say the suspect, identified as Mateusz W., 19, was detained in late November at an apartment in Lublin by officers from the Internal Security Agency (ABW).

According to Jacek Dobrzyński, a spokesperson for the Minister's Coordinator of Special Services, investigators believe the teen had been studying how to make explosives and intended to join a terrorist organization to help carry out the attack.

EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS FORTIFY SECURITY MEASURES AS TERROR THREATS FORCE MAJOR OPERATIONAL CHANGES

"The purpose of the crime was to intimidate many people, as well as to support the Islamic State," Dobrzyński said in a statement shared on X.

Items linked to Islam and digital storage devices were seized, and the suspect has been remanded for three months as the Szczecin branch of ABW continues its investigation.

At a news conference, Dobrzyński also referenced a June case in which three 19-year-olds were charged over alleged extremist plots, including a reported plan to attack a school in Olsztyn.

MOSSAD–EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE OPERATION LAUNCHES SWEEPING CRACKDOWN ON HAMAS GLOBAL TERROR NETWORK

"You are familiar with this issue from Olsztyn; now we have another example of preparing an attack before Christmas," he told reporters, according to GB News.

In Germany, police in Lower Bavaria also arrested five men on Dec. 12 on suspicion of preparing an attack on a Christmas market, according to reports.

Authorities said an Egyptian national described as an Islamic preacher had allegedly called for an assault during gatherings at a mosque in the Dingolfing-Landau area, per Euronews.

CANADIAN SPY CHIEF WARNS OF ALARMING RISE IN TEEN TERROR SUSPECTS, 'POTENTIALLY LETHAL' THREATS BY IRAN

Special operations forces carried out the arrests, and investigators believe the group had begun early-stage preparations.

In the U.K., counterterrorism officials stepped up armed patrols and public alert messaging across London and other major cities on Tuesday.

"Sadly, as shown by the appalling attack on Sydney’s Jewish community during a Hanukkah event, we know they can also be a target for terrorist activity," Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell said in a press release.

He cited large festive gatherings, religious services and Christmas markets as potential targets.

In the release posted Tuesday, he urged the British public to report anything that "doesn’t feel right" as part of the annual winter vigilance campaign.

Meanwhile, U.S. authorities say they separately disrupted a New Year’s Eve plot in Southern California.

Four alleged members of an extremist anti-capitalist, anti-government group suspected of rehearsing coordinated bombings against sites linked to two U.S. companies were arrested on Monday.

The deadly terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, left at least 15 dead, including a 10-year-old girl, a Holocaust survivor and an elderly couple.

Australian authorities identified the assailants as a father-son duo and said the attack was inspired by ISIS. The father was killed on the scene, while the son was shot by police and taken for medical care.

The youngest victim of the deadly rampage was 10-year-old Matilda Britvan.

GAL GADOT, ASHTON KUTCHER CONDEMN ANTISEMITIC TERROR ATTACK AT BONDI BEACH HANUKKAH EVENT

Lina Chernykh, Britvan's aunt, told Australia's 9News that her niece was "a happy kid" and "open-hearted."

"Everywhere she goes, she was like a sun," Chernykh told the outlet.

Britvan and her six-year-old sister were enjoying the Hanukkah celebrations when the gunmen opened fire, according to 9News. The 10-year-old was shot in front of her sister and was rushed to the hospital, but she could not be saved, 9News reported.

A GoFundMe set up by Britvan's teacher, Irina Goodhew, describes her as "a bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her."

"Matilda was a bright and loving soul who taught us that true goodness is in the love and compassion we share. Her memory reminds us to carry kindness in our hearts and spread it to the world," the GoFundMe page reads.

Alex Kleytman, 87, was a Holocaust survivor from Ukraine. He and his wife of 57 years, Larisa Kleytman, who is also a Holocaust survivor, were celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach when the attack began.

Chabad, an international Jewish organization, said that Alex died while shielding Larisa from the gunmen's bullets. The organization noted that in addition to his wife, Alex leaves behind 11 grandchildren.

"I have no husband. I don't know where is his body. Nobody can give me any answer," Larisa told reporters outside a Sydney hospital on Sunday, according to the BBC.

"We were standing and suddenly came the 'boom boom', and everybody fell down. At this moment, he was behind me and at one moment he decided to go close to me. He pushed his body up because he wanted to stay near me," Larisa told Australian media, according to the BBC.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger was the assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and a key organizer of the "Chanukah by the Sea" event, according to Chabad. The organization said that Schlanger had served as a rabbi and chaplain for the Bondi community for 18 years.

In September, Schlanger wrote a letter to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, urging him "not to betray the Jewish people." The letter, which has garnered renewed attention since the deadly attack, was posted on Schlanger's Facebook page. Schlanger told Albanese that he had "the opportunity to stand on the side of truth and righteousness."

The letter was written shortly after Australia voted at the United Nations to recognize Palestinian statehood.

Boris and Sofia Gurman, a Russian-Jewish couple, confronted one of the gunmen before the attack at Bondi Beach began. While they were able to momentarily disarm him, the assailant grabbed another rifle and killed the couple.

The Gurmans would have celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary in January, according to a GoFundMe set up for the family. They were also about to celebrate Sofia's 62nd birthday on Dec. 17, just days after she was killed.

"They were people of deep kindness, quiet strength, and unwavering care for others. Devoted to their family and to each other, their absence has left a void that cannot be filled," the GoFundMe reads. "In the moments before their passing, Boris — with Sofia courageously beside him — attempted to intervene to protect others. This act of bravery and selflessness reflects exactly who they were: people who instinctively chose to help, even at great personal risk."

Edith Brutman served as vice president of an anti-prejudice and anti-discrimination committee at B’nai B’rith New South Wales (NSW), according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Ernie Friedlander, the president of the Alfred Dreyfus committee, who worked closely with Brutman, told the Sydney Morning Herald that she was "a very clever lady" who was "passionate about dealing with prejudice and discrimination."

"She was always there, and she had very strong opinions," Friedlander added.

The Brutman family gave a statement on Edith's death to ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), remembering her as "a woman of integrity."

"Our beloved Edith was a woman of integrity who chose humanity, every day. She met prejudice with principle, and division with service," the statement read.

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan served as secretary of the Sydney Beth Din (a rabbinic court) and was "deeply involved in Chabad operations in Sydney," Chabad said. The organization also stated that Levitan worked at the BINA, a center for Jewish learning.

Chabad described Levitan as a "popular coordinator" of the organization's activities in Sydney, Australia.

"​Yaakov Levitan was a profoundly beloved and active member of the Sydney Jewish community," a crowdfunding page endorsed by Chabad read. "He was a man of quiet devotion, known for his kindness and tireless work in assisting others, including his commitment to distributing tefillin as a sacred act of service."

"His senseless murder has left an irreplaceable void," the page added. "Yaakov was the cornerstone of his family: a devoted husband and father."

POPE LEO XIV CONDEMNS 'ANTISEMITIC VIOLENCE' AFTER MASSACRE IN SYDNEY: 'WE MUST ELIMINATE HATRED'

Dan Elkayam, a 27-year-old French national, was a soccer player for the Rockdale Ilinden Football Club. His death was confirmed by French President Emmanuel Macron and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.

"It's with immense sadness that we have learned that our compatriot Dan Elkayam was among the victims of the terrorist attack that hit Jewish families gathered on the beach at Bondi in Sydney," Barrot wrote on X, according to a BBC translation. "We mourn with his family and loved ones, with the Jewish community and the Australian people."

Rockdale Ilinden Football Club released a statement mourning Elkayam, saying that he "loved the Australian way of life."

"Football was his passion — together with spending time on the beach and socializing with friends. His smiling face and respectful nature will be sorely missed by his teammates and everyone that knew him. We pray for him and for his family," the football club wrote.

Elkayam lived with his girlfriend, Krystal Troyano, according to a GoFundMe page set up in his honor.

"Dan was taken far too soon, and Krystal is now navigating profound grief while suddenly having to face life on her own," the page reads.

Peter Meagher was a retired detective sergeant with the NSW Police and a member of the Randwick Rugby Club.

"Peter was working as a freelance photographer at the ill-fated Hanukkah event, and, like all victims, it was simply a catastrophic case of being in the wrong place and at the wrong time," the club said in a statement. "’Marzo,’ as he was universally known, was a much loved figure and absolute legend in our club, with decades of voluntary involvement, he was one of the heart and soul figures of Randwick Rugby."

Randwick Rugby general manager Mark Harrison told ABC that Meagher was "one of the heart and soul figures" of the club.

Meagher's family also gave a statement to ABC, saying: "Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved Peter. He was a cherished brother, husband and uncle whose kindness, generosity and love touched everyone who knew him. Our lives have been changed forever."

Reuven Morrison, who migrated from the USSR to Australia, was attempting to protect his community from the gunmen, despite being unarmed and alone, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. The outlet said that Morrison, 62, charged towards the gunmen and appeared to hurl an object towards them.

Though Morrison lived in Melbourne, he was "deeply connected to Sydney," according to Chabad, which described Morrison as a "beloved member" of the community.

"A successful businessman whose main goal was to give away his earnings to charities dear to his heart, notably Chabad of Bondi, which organized the event," Chabad wrote on X.

Tibor Weitzen, 78, was remembered in a Chabad post on X as "the congregation's beloved 'candyman,' who brought joy and smiles to everyone." The organization said that he was killed while trying to shield his loved ones.

"My grandfather was truly the best you could ask for… He was so proud of us… and loved us more than life itself. He only saw the best in people and will be dearly missed," Weitzen's granddaughter, Leor Amzalak, told ABC.

Chabad said that Weitzen was identified by his first responder grandson at the scene.

Marika Pogany, 82, was a member of COA Sydney, a volunteer service for Jewish seniors.

"She was not just a long-serving volunteer. She was part of the beating heart of COA and a source of warmth for thousands of people over nearly 3 decades," COA Sydney wrote on Facebook. "For 29 years she arrived at COA with her quiet smile and her steady kindness. She lifted the room simply by being in it. She asked for nothing and gave everything. She showed us what true service looks like and she did it without fanfare and without ever wanting attention."

Chabad noted that in 2022 Pogany was recognized for delivering 12,000 kosher Meals on Wheels over the course of more than two decades.