Greens leader Larissa Waters is stepping down due to ill health and will take medical leave. Waters plans to return as a Queensland senator after treatment for her pre-existing kidney disease.

Seoul demanded an apology after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed a transfer involving North Korean prisoners of war. The disclosure created diplomatic concern for South Korea.

Supporters of Maria Corina Machado rallied in Caracas and other capitals, demanding her safe return and new presidential elections. Machado has spent nine months in exile, while her party says seven return attempts by sea and air failed this year.

Five men were arrested near RAF Fairford on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. The arrests concern an alleged threat near a military airbase.

Trump plans a private White House dinner Sunday with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, their first one-on-one meeting. The meeting signals improving relations after Amodei was excluded from a state dinner amid debate over AI safety.

Bloomberg reports the US-China trade truce was extended through Jan. 10, while major trade and AI issues remain unresolved. The extension comes as political and cost-of-living pressures rise before US midterm elections, alongside stalled US-Iran negotiations.

Russia’s foreign minister said the country will continue its war in Ukraine. The statement confirms Russia’s declared intention to sustain the conflict.

Italian researchers linked insomnia to higher risks of stroke, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and hospitalisation in data from over 1.3 million people. Insomnia was associated with a 26 per cent higher stroke risk and 28 per cent greater likelihood of hospitalisation.

Congo has reported 8,067 Ebola cases and 3,901 deaths across 63 health zones in seven provinces. The Bundibugyo virus has no known treatment or vaccine, while WHO cites high fatality and delayed detection and care.