Israel’s largest defense firm secures $130 million rocket supply deal
Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest defense company, has secured a $130 million contract to supply advanced rocket munitions to an undisclosed European country.
Thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv on December 14, demanding the release of hostages taken by Hamas and calling for a ceasefire, as the war in Gaza enters its second year with mounting casualties and devastation.
The war, now in its second year, has left Gaza devastated. Following the Hamas attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped more than 250 hostages, Israeli forces launched a massive offensive by air, sea, and land. According to Gaza authorities, the military campaign has killed nearly 45,000 people, mostly civilians, displaced almost the entire population, and reduced much of the enclave to rubble.
The protest marks 435 days since the hostages were taken. Among those demanding action was Omri Lifshitz, whose father, Oded Lifshitz, remains captive. "We hope for a deal this month. The hostages are waiting for us to save them," he said. Others criticized the government for handling negotiations poorly, arguing that partial deals leave many hostages behind and prolong the suffering.
Efforts to mediate a truce and secure a hostages-for-prisoners exchange have gained momentum. Talks led by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States are reportedly progressing, with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi holding discussions with U.S. officials about potential terms for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange.
As protesters continue to demand change, the pressure on Netanyahu’s government grows. The call is clear: an end to the war, a deal for the hostages, and a new direction for Israel’s leadership.
Aid groups in Myanmar’s worst-hit areas urgently need shelter, food, and water after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,700 people. Rescue efforts face challenges due to ongoing civil war, damaged infrastructure, and restricted aid access, with the toll expected to rise.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
The Armenian armed forces attempted three reconnaissance drone flights over Azerbaijan Army positions near Gerenzur, but all were successfully intercepted. Meanwhile, Armenian units repeatedly fired on Azerbaijani positions from multiple regions, escalating tensions in the area.
Apple marked its 49th anniversary by reaching a market capitalization of $3.3 trillion. Despite recent tech stock volatility, Apple's shares surged 28% in 2024.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s inner circle is advising him against speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin unless Russia commits to a full ceasefire in Ukraine, NBC News reported on Thursday, citing administration officials.
Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s investment envoy, is visiting Washington this week for talks with members of the Trump administration, sparking fresh speculation over behind-the-scenes diplomacy between Moscow and Washington.
A Russian drone strike hit residential buildings in Kharkiv late on Thursday, killing at least two people and injuring 32 others, Ukrainian officials said, as nightly attacks on the country's cities continue to mount.
In Sydney’s Bennelong, where Chinese Australians make up a large share of the electorate, the fight for votes is playing out on unexpected turf: Xiaohongshu.
The United States is relapsing into an old identity. In 2025, President Donald Trump revived the strategy that once defined the American economy — tariffs. For more than a century, from 1789 to 1913, tariffs powered U.S. government revenues and protected domestic industry.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment