BREAKING:

U.S. military forces are attempting to board Russia's shadow fleet tanker Marinera (formerly Bella 1) in the Atlantic

The New York Times says the tanker was previously named Bella 1 and sailed under the Panamanian flag.

After leaving Venezuela and coming under… pic.twitter.com/OFn7CdGjLi

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 7, 2026

Images published by Russian state media show helicopter hovering near Venezuela-linked tanker "Marinera" (hastily renamed from Bella 1), which had received Russian submarine escort. The pursuit has lasted over two weeks across the Atlantic involving the US Coast Guard.

The Marinera belongs to Venezuela's "shadow fleet" of vessels that transport oil in violation of US and international sanctions. Presently carrying no cargo, the ship quickly changed its name from Bella 1 and displayed a Russian flag on its hull in what appears to be an attempt to secure Russian protection.

The ship has tried to evade US authorities after managing to slip through the naval blockade on the Latin American country in December, imposed by President Donald Trump as a means of pressure the regime of Nicolas Maduro to cooperate with the US. Trump ultimately took military action against Maduro and had him captured and brought tot he US in early January.

Reuters noted that it could not immediately verify the report from the Russian outlet. Russian President Vladimir Putin had dispatched naval vessels to accompany the oil tanker on its Atlantic journey to Russia.

Earlier on Wednesday, a US official informed Reuters that American forces were trying to confiscate the US-sanctioned oil tanker following a chase across the Atlantic Ocean that has lasted more than two weeks.

RT quoted an anonymous source stating that a US Coast Guard ship had been trailing the tanker and that an effort to seize the vessel during a storm had already taken place.

State media cited the Russian Foreign Ministry as asserting that the ship – which is now flying the Russian flag – is located in international waters and is operating in accordance with international maritime law. The ministry called on Western nations to honor the vessel's right to freedom of navigation, Reuters reported.

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In his analysis, Bank of America analyst David Taranto set a price objective of 89.5 shekels for Hapoalim, which stands as one of the two dominant banks in the market, implying an 18% increase from present trading levels, according to Reuters. The agency reported that rival institution Leumi was given a target of 85.0 shekels, suggesting a 16% growth trajectory.

Reuters further detailed that Mizrahi-Tefahot received a valuation target of 265.0 shekels, while Israel Discount Bank was pegged at 40.3 shekels.

"Buy them all," Taranto wrote in a report obtained by Reuters.

The analyst noted that domestic lenders had existed in a void for years following the transition of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange from an emerging market to developed status. According to Reuters, this shift excluded them from emerging indexes while leaving them barely visible in global benchmarks.

"This disconnect kept them under the radar for many international investors," Taranto said, per the Reuters report. "After a strong rally, we see them shifting from overlooked to favored as fundamentals point to further gains."

He referenced factors such as excess capital, operational efficiencies, attractive valuations, and robust balance sheets – along with substantial dividend distributions – as key drivers.

The banks are also expected to navigate challenges including reduced interest rates, softer inflation, additional government-imposed levies, real estate risks, and geopolitical instability, Reuters added.

On Wednesday, the main banking index in Israel advanced by 0.7%. The sector has recorded a 6% gain in early 2026 following a massive 61% ascent in 2025, Reuters concluded.

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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang confirmed on Tuesday his intention to visit Israel soon, underlining the firm's objective to double its staff in the country from the current 5,000 employees. The company, which six years ago bought the Israeli networking firm Mellanox in what ultimately turned out to be a game-changer that propelled NVIDIA to become a history-making $5 trillion company, recently announced a mega campus in northern Israel in Kiryat Tivon.

While he refrained from commenting on reports from last month that Nvidia is negotiating to purchase the Israeli company AI21 Labs, Huang expressed readiness for additional acquisitions.

"We might invest in, partner with, and we might, of course, acquire some semiconductor companies," Huang said during the technology conference CES in Las Vegas, when taking questions from participants.

The CEO anticipates significant growth, pointing to broad demand for Nvidia's portfolio.

"I'm fully expecting a really giant year for our business with TSMC," Huang said, referencing Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, which produces the majority of Nvidia's hardware, Reuters reported.

On Monday, the firm unveiled a sextet of new processors that it stated are in mass production to create the next "Vera Rubin" generation of AI computing structures, which is largely dependent on Israeli employees.

While CFO Colette Kress refused to specify if the company faces particular production obstacles during this ramp-up, she asserted that "we feel very solid" concerning the condition of the supply network, Reuters reported.

Nvidia has aimed for $500 billion in revenue from its current "Blackwell" generation and the forthcoming Vera Rubin chips by year's end.

Kress noted that there have "already been discussions" with clients concerning data center construction for 2027, though she did not provide specific revenue forecasts, Reuters noted.

Earlier on Tuesday, Huang addressed the Chinese regulatory landscape, stating he does not expect a formal proclamation from Beijing allowing local firms to import the US company's H200 chips, but rather looks for proof in sales contracts, Reuters reported.

"My expectation is that we're not expecting any press releases or any large declarations," Huang said.

"It's just going to be purchase orders. If the purchase orders come, it's because they're able to place purchase orders," Huang told reporters at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, according to Reuters.

Last year, US President Donald Trump reversed a longstanding restriction on shipping advanced artificial intelligence chips to China, stating he would permit Nvidia to sell the H200, which preceded its current flagship "Blackwell" chips.

In an interview with a JPMorgan analyst earlier on Tuesday, Kress indicated that the US government is "working feverishly" on license applications for Nvidia to ship its H200 chips to China, though the company remains uncertain about the timeline, Reuters reported.

"We're going to wait and see what will happen," Kress said regarding the applications.

At the press conference, Huang stated that Nvidia is accelerating H200 production for Chinese clients, according to Reuters.

"The customer demand is high - quite high," Huang said. "We've fired up our supply chain, and H200s are flowing through the line."

Replying to a Reuters inquiry about whether his relationship with Trump influenced Nvidia's decisions concerning a deal for chip startup Groq – which received backing from 1789 Capital, a firm where Trump's son Donald Trump Jr is a partner – Huang stated he was unaware that 1789 Capital was a Groq investor.

"I didn't know that," Huang said. "I guess good for them, but I didn't know that at all."

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The establishment of this body – a virtual cloning of the Lebanese model (which even bears the same name, "The Mechanism") – is being marketed by the Americans as a genuine diplomatic breakthrough. Indeed, it provides a partial answer to a central demand from the Syrian side.

For over a year, the government of Ahmed al-Sharaa has demanded a halt to Israeli strikes. The new mechanism is designed to facilitate immediate coordination on intelligence and military matters to "prevent misunderstandings." While Israel has not committed to ending the strikes, it has agreed to submit itself to US supervision, granting the Syrian authorities a channel to lodge complaints before the Mechanism. The regime of Bashar Assad could have only dreamed of such a privilege.

From this point forward, every strike will effectively require an explanatory note to the manager from America. While this will not necessarily prevent operations, it may well limit and reduce them. In truth, the scope of activity has already narrowed. The last high-intensity incident – the IDF encounter with terrorists in Beit Jinn (a village in southern Syria) – took place in late November. In return, Israel received a vague promise of civil-economic discourse laced with the aroma of normalization.

However, the Syrian demand for a rigid timetable for an IDF withdrawal from southern Syria poses a far more complex challenge. Over the past year, Israel has conditioned any pullback on a form of demilitarization in the area. At most, Jerusalem has shown readiness to allow the operation of a policing and security force equipped only with small arms. Israel's commitment to the Druze – coupled with the desire to curb the threat from Jihadist elements within the al-Sharaa government – makes a withdrawal without this condition nearly impossible.

Yet from the perspective of al-Sharaa, such an arrangement handcuffs him, preventing him from acting with full force against the Druze in Sweida (a Druze-majority city in southern Syria). In this southern province, locals already conduct themselves as an independent state, with some Druze adopting the name Mount Bashan (a biblical name for the Golan and Hauran) for their territory. Needless to say, such assertions of autonomy provoke loathing and rage in the corridors of Damascus.

The big question is whether the Americans will accept the "demilitarization condition" or prefer to pressure Israel to fold in exchange for some nebulous promise to protect Druze safety. So far, it must be noted, the Americans do not appear particularly troubled by questions regarding the dubious character of the al-Sharaa regime.

The shocking massacres committed against the Druze and Alawites in 2025 did not sway US Ambassador Tom Barrack. On one occasion, he even put words in the mouths of these minorities, claiming they "prefer a central rule." In reality, their leaders advocate for a federal system – at the very least. The chants at a recent military parade in Damascus – which referred to Israel and the Jews as enemies – were met with a deafening silence. Moreover, according to al-Sharaa, US President Donald Trump has already expressed support for his position during their meeting at the White House in November.

Nevertheless, the Israeli leadership is acutely aware of the inherent instability of the regime in Damascus. Just in recent days, the al-Sharaa government alleged that three of its soldiers were wounded in a drone attack by Kurdish forces in the Aleppo (a major city in northern Syria) province. Subsequent exchanges of fire reportedly left eight dead in the city. The regional aviation authority announced a 24-hour shutdown of all flights at the Aleppo airport due to security circumstances.

Since last week, regime forces have been engaged in a brutal suppression of protesters from the Alawite community, a campaign that includes extensive arrest operations. This effort has been accompanied by a media blitz characterizing the chaos as an attempt by "remnants of the Assad regime" to rear their heads. This narrative persists despite the fact that protesters burned pictures of the ousted tyrant. Similarly in the south, in the Sweida province, the Druze continue to report violations of the "ceasefire" by forces identified with the regime.

Meanwhile, al-Sharaa is trying to project calm and self-confidence. This week he visited a food stall in Damascus to refute rumors of an assassination attempt against him at the palace. The Interior Ministry even issued a furious denial. The Syrian president used the opportunity to flaunt some of the new banknotes launched this week. The Syrian pound has finally shed the cursed image of Assad, with notes now featuring colorful prints of olives, grapes, oranges, and flowers.

The problem is that improving the actual value of the Syrian pound is far more complicated – and it remains stuck in the depths of approximately 12,000 pounds to the dollar. A Syrian journalist once wrote that if one wants to bet on the future of a regime in the Middle East, it is enough to inquire about the state of the local currency.

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The former counterintelligence official, who was serving a life term without parole, passed away on Monday at the Federal Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Maryland, according to CBS News, a partner of the BBC.

Authorities jailed Ames on April 28, 1994, after he confessed to vending classified data to the Soviet Union and later Russia, the BBC noted.

He jeopardized more than 100 covert operations and disclosed the names of over 30 agents spying for the West – a betrayal that led to the deaths of at least 10 intelligence assets, the report stated.

Motivated by debt, Ames said he began supplying the KGB with names of US spies in April 1985, accepting an initial payment of $50,000, according to the BBC.

Known to Moscow by the code name Kolokol, or The Bell, Ames identified virtually all CIA sources in the Soviet Union, reaping significant financial rewards, the outlet reported.

"To my enduring surprise, the KGB replied that it had set aside for me $2 million in gratitude for the information," he stated in court documents cited by the BBC.

Over nine years, Ames admitted collecting roughly $2.5 million from the Soviets for his treachery against the US, the report added.

This wealth fueled an opulent lifestyle, including a new Jaguar, foreign trips, and a $540,000 home, despite his government salary never topping $70,000, the BBC noted.

Ames' 31-year tenure at the agency began in 1962 after his father, a CIA analyst, helped him secure a job following his college dropout, the report stated.

He married fellow agent Nancy Segebarth in 1969 before deploying to Turkey to recruit foreign assets, according to the BBC. Three years later, he returned to the US, where his drinking problems worsened and his marriage collapsed, the outlet noted.

Despite security lapses, including leaving classified documents on a subway, Ames transferred to Mexico City in 1981, the BBC reported. There, he met his second wife, Maria del Rosario Casas Dupuy, a Colombian cultural attaché and agency asset later charged as his accomplice, the report added.

Returning to the US in 1983, Ames became head of the Soviet counterintelligence branch despite ongoing concerns about his alcohol use, the BBC noted.

While his career advanced, his personal life unraveled as he supported his ex-wife and funded Rosario's spending habits, the report stated. Escalating debts ultimately pushed him to sell the secrets he controlled, according to the BBC.

"It was about the money, and I don't think he ever really tried to lead anybody to believe it was anything more than that," FBI agent Leslie G. Wiser told BBC's Witness History in 2015.

His espionage began in 1985 when he sold the names of KGB officers working for the FBI for $50,000, the report noted. The spying continued until his arrest on February 21, 1994, following a year-long mole hunt, according to the BBC.

Ames cooperated to secure a lenient sentence for Rosario, who admitted knowledge of the scheme and served five years, the outlet reported.

R. James Woolsey, the director at the time, described Ames as "a malignant betrayer of his country", the BBC noted. Woolsey added that the agents died because a "murdering traitor wanted a bigger house and a Jaguar".

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Indicted by the US alongside ousted leader Nicolás Maduro, Cabello faces a binary choice: endorse the fledging administration of his rival, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, or risk a direct confrontation with American forces to seize power. "Cabello has a great deal to lose and is likely to recognize that among Washington's demands, his removal could surface sooner rather than later," analyst Daniel Lansberg-Rodriguez told The Wall Street Journal.

The 62-year-old is an unpredictable figure, known for brandishing a spiked club on his show "Bringing Down the Hammer." The Wall Street Journal notes that while he attended Rodríguez's swearing-in, he later armed himself with a rifle to rally security forces. "Doubting is treason!" Cabello shouted, according to the outlet, before commanding his troops: "Now, off to battle in the streets for victory."

A state of emergency has empowered security forces to hunt US sympathizers, with checkpoints established across the capital to inspect civilian phones. This repression contrasts with Trump's suggestion that the regime might be softening. "They have a torture chamber in the middle of Caracas that they're closing up," Trump said, according to The Wall Street Journal. Cabello, a former tank commander who participated in the 1992 coup attempt, has deep ties to the socialist movement's origins.

Five members of Cabello's family, including his brother and daughter, face US sanctions for alleged corruption. The Wall Street Journal reports that Cabello himself is one of only two sitting cabinet members charged with drug trafficking in the US. He denies the charges, which were unsealed just before Maduro's court appearance. His influence was cemented after the disputed July 2024 election, when he led crackdowns on dissent.

Locals in Venezuela remain terrified to speak his name. In Washington, lawmakers hope Rodríguez can manage the threat. "The next few days are going to be key," Senate Majority Leader John Thune told The Wall Street Journal. Regarding the acting president, he added: "I'm told that she's a practical person, a pragmatic person." However, skepticism persists. Ryan Berg of the Center for Strategic and International Studies told the outlet: "Diosdado is the hardest one to deal with. Nothing about him suggests he would be willing to negotiate."

Berg further noted to The Wall Street Journal: "I don't see a US-Delcy Rodriguez relationship being able to work long term," adding, "It has been 27 years of this regime using the US as an excuse for everything that's gone wrong." Atlantic Council expert Geoff Ramsey warned the publication: "Cabello has a reputation as a Machiavellian thug, and it's hard to imagine this [US] administration or any other cozying up to him." He concluded: "Delcy may have Donald Trump's ear, but she doesn't have the guns, and Cabello knows that."

The political tension unfolds against a backdrop of violence. The Washington Post reports that the US government assesses approximately 75 people died during the raid to capture Maduro. Sources indicated between 67 and 80 fatalities, including security forces and civilians. This toll clarifies Trump's description of the mission as "effective" but "very violent."

About six US troops suffered injuries, with the Pentagon confirming that "The fact that this extremely complex and grueling mission was successfully executed with so few injuries is a testament to the expertise of our joint warriors," according to The Washington Post. Trump acknowledged that soldiers "on the other side" were killed. The operation involved Delta Force and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.

Briefings revealed that while the mission was "an astonishing feat," the lack of American deaths was miraculous. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed confidence in working with Rodríguez, though Trump told NBC News elections would not occur until the country is "fixed," The Washington Post reported. Gen. Dan Caine described the operation as "meticulously planned," noting the "apprehension force descended into Maduro's compound" and used "overwhelming force in self-defense." One helicopter was struck but remained operational.

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Sa'ar arrived in Somaliland under heavy security and media embargo just weeks after Israel became the first country to formally recognize the breakawy region, to the chagrin of Somalia. His visit at the invitation of President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi. The foreign minister noted on X that the event marked a significant milestone.

Video: FM Gideon Sa'ar visits Somaliland / Credit: Yosi Funes/GPO

According to the post on X, the delegation engaged in substantive talks with the president and his top cabinet officials regarding the complete scope of bilateral ties. Sa'ar stated that Jerusalem is "determined to vigorously advance relations between Israel and Somaliland" following the discussions.

The establishment of official recognition and diplomatic channels is "not directed against anyone," the foreign minister wrote on X. He explained that the joint goal is to boost the welfare of both states.

During his stay in Hargeisa, Sa'ar issued a firm statement regarding external pressures not to embrace the African nation, which lies near the strategic entrance to the Red Sea. "Only Israel will decide whom it recognizes and with whom it maintains diplomatic relations," the statement on X read. The Israel-Somaliland mutual recognition has led to speculation that Israel wanted to use the area as a forward operating base against the Houthis in Yemen and possible establish a permanent strategic foothold, but Somaliland officials have stressed that no Israeli military bases will be there. 

Somaliland's leader notified Sa'ar that he had agreed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request and would travel to the Jewish state for a formal trip. According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the visit will take place in the near term.

"The diplomatic visit took place at the behest of President of Somaliland Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi. During the visit, Foreign Minister Sa'ar held high-level talks with President Abdullahi and senior administration officials, including Foreign Minister of Somaliland Abdirahman Dahir Adam, Minister of the Presidency Khadar Hussein Abdi, and Chief of Staff Nimsan Yusuf Osman. Sa'ar conducted the meetings at the official Presidential Palace in Hargeisa. Speaker of Parliament Yasin Haji Mohamoud and Chairman of the Senate Suleiman Mahmud Adan also participated in the discussions. The Somaliland foreign minister welcomed Sa'ar upon his arrival at the airport," the Foreign Ministry said.

Following the meetings, the President of Somaliland and Foreign Minister Sa'ar issued joint statements.

It's a great privilege to conduct the first official diplomatic visit to Somaliland, at the invitation of President @Abdirahmanirro.
The visit is also a message: We are determined to vigorously advance relations between Israel and Somaliland.
Today, we held substantive… pic.twitter.com/hsTUavkxwl

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) January 6, 2026

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar remarked: "On December 26, Israel and Somaliland signed a historic agreement for mutual recognition and the establishment of full diplomatic relations. We agreed on the mutual appointment of ambassadors and the opening of embassies, and we will do so soon. We agreed to work together to advance relations between the countries for the prosperity of both. We want to build a warm friendship not only between the governments – but also between the peoples: the Israeli people and the people in Somaliland. Since December 26, we have seen authentic joy in Somaliland, and also in Israel. We are excited to take part in the brave journey of the people in Somaliland from independence to recognition. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working under my directive to build relations in many fields: economy, water, agriculture, and more. We will pursue collaborations on security issues and develop a strategic partnership.

"Unlike 'Palestine' – Somaliland is not a virtual state. Somaliland is a functioning state in every respect, according to the principles of international law. Somaliland has been and remains a stable democracy for close to 35 years. It has democratic elections and orderly transfers of power. It is pro-Western and friendly to Israel. It is a badge of honor for us to be the first UN member state to recognize Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state. We hear the attacks, the criticism, and the condemnations against Israel. No one will determine for Israel whom to recognize and with whom to maintain diplomatic ties. We recognize the simple truth and the existing reality and hope to see additional countries follow suit soon. Somaliland deserves, and rightly so, a place among the nations. This is a natural bond between two democratic countries, both located in challenging regions.

"In our meeting, I reiterated the invitation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for you to conduct an official visit to Israel. We hope to host you in Jerusalem very soon. We are full of hope that these historic days and moments will constitute the start of a deep friendship between the peoples for many years to come."

"A high-level delegation headed by Israeli's Foreign Minister, Hon. Gideon Sa'ar has arrived in Hargeisa, Somaliland's capital on Tuesday amid heightened security in the capital," the Somaliland Standard reported. "Members of Somaliland cabinet ministers and other government officials greeted the delegation upon arrival at Egal Int'l Airport."

Abdirahman Mohamed said as follows: "Your visit holds historic importance and constitutes a significant milestone in the developing relations between Somaliland and the State of Israel. It reflects the political relationship – but also the shared commitment to turn this bond into a productive, forward-looking, and strategic partnership. Somaliland attributes great importance to this partnership and approaches it with clarity and purpose. We are committed to building a strategic relationship with Israel – which will be beneficial to both sides and will be based on cooperation in the fields of policy, security, economy, and development. We view this partnership not only as a political matter – but as a move of historic importance. We want our countries to advance stability, prosperity, and shared interests. Your presence here today demonstrates leadership and confidence in the future of relations between us. It conveys a strong message that Somaliland and Israel are ready to deepen engagement and act with determination to establish diplomatic infrastructure, including the opening of embassies. For our part, I wish to ensure our full readiness and the political will to open an embassy in Israel and to support a permanent and effective Israeli diplomatic presence in Somaliland. I declare that I accept the invitation of Prime Minister Netanyahu to visit Israel."

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