Day News Recap: Ukraine power cuts deepen as Middle East tensions and US politics shift

Russia intensified pressure on Ukraine with overnight strikes that left more than 850,000 people without power, while separate attacks damaged energy facilities, a major bridge in the Kyiv region and a kindergarten, as repair crews worked through the cold. A ceasefire also allowed some residents to leave Russian controlled Oleshky in southern Ukraine amid forced starvation claims.  🔗  🔗  🔗

Diplomatic efforts around the war moved forward as France said European representatives will join upcoming US mediated talks in Abu Dhabi, and Ukraine is watching the new US congressional balance closely after Democrats won control of both houses, a result Kyiv hopes will strengthen its hand against Moscow.  🔗  🔗

In the Middle East, tensions around Iran and the Gulf rose further after explosions were heard on Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz and tankers in the waterway caught fire after hitting mines. Washington also announced Task Force Iron Gate to disrupt routes used to move advanced weapons, while US Central Command said it disabled a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman after repeated warnings to the crew.  🔗  🔗  🔗

Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh and the Eastern Province, with debris damaging Aramco Tower in the capital's financial district, and separate Houthi attacks were reported to have reached the city. In Yemen, Houthi authorities said strikes on Al Shariya village in Sanaa province killed 33 people and injured 39.  🔗  🔗  🔗

Israel's political deadlock continued after President Isaac Herzog gave former military chief Gadi Eisenkot 28 days to try to form a new government following an inconclusive election. In Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appeared together at Victory Day commemorations in Karabakh.  🔗  🔗

Europe faced a separate security scare as bomb threats and cyberattacks disrupted civilian infrastructure across several countries, adding to concern about suspected hybrid activity. Poland also opened a terrorism investigation after a mass shooting in Krakow killed six people, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sent condolences to Poland over what she called a cowardly and unacceptable act of violence.  🔗  🔗  🔗

Elsewhere, Japan was hit by a strong earthquake in central regions, with at least 22 injured and warnings of aftershocks after a magnitude 5.7 quake in Shizuoka. In New Zealand, a knife edge election has left coalition talks unresolved, while Paraguay's former president Santiago Pena has been charged after questioning over an alleged banking scandal linked to the collapse of Ueno Bank.  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗

On the policy and economic front, the FAO forecast cereal output of about 126.5 million tonnes in Low Income Food Deficit Countries in 2026, the EU Council backed a one year delay to methane import monitoring rules, and EU and Western Balkans ministers met in Budva to discuss cybercrime, migration, corruption and sanctions. In the United States, Donald Trump signalled a more aggressive agenda ahead of a 60 Minutes interview and a renewed push for Senate support, while Republicans began an internal reckoning after their 2026 midterm defeat exposed fault lines in the party.  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗

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