Some aid to Gaza suspended

By OC Tribune Staff on December 31, 2025 • ( Leave a comment )

More than two dozen humanitarian organizations have been suspended from operating in the Gaza Strip for allegedly not complying with new registration rules.

According to the Associated Press, among those relief organizations were Doctors Without Borders and CARE. Israel claims the new regulations are intended to prevent Hamas and other militant organizations from infiltrating the groups. But the aid organizations reply that the new rules will slow the flow of help of desperately needed assistance.

The new rules require all its workers be registered and provide details about the organizations and their funding and operations.

According to Israel, about 15 percent of the relief groups operating in Gaza have failed to comply and will be required to cease operations.

U.S. Coast Guard still chasing tanker

An oiler tanker being pursued by force of the U.S. Coast Guard is continuing to speed toward a Venezuelan port.
The tanker, which is claiming Russian status, is reportedly an example of American efforts to put pressure on Venezuela, which the U.S. claims is using such ships to transport illegal drugs as part of the international narcotics trade.

According to The New York Times, the crew of the ship running from American naval forces in the Atlantic Ocean, have painted a Russian flag on the side of the ship.

The ship – Bella 1– began its journey from Iran on Aug. 19. Its cargo was transported across Africa and then across the Mediterranean Sea into the Atlantic.

Drone attack on Putin’s home?

Ukraine and Russia have exchanged drone attacks this week, with each side blaming the other in an effort to derail an American-brokered cease-fire deal.

United Press International is reporting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has denied his nations’ role in a claimed drone attack on the state residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky claimed the claimed attack provided an excuse for a Russian attack on Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv.

“It’s obvious that yesterday we had a meeting with President Trump, and it’s clear that when there is no scandal for the Russians, when there is progress, it is a failure for them. They do not want to end this war and are only capable of doing so under pressure. So they are looking for a pretext,” said Zelensky.
Weather:

Wet and wild times

The new year will likely call for umbrellas, boots and ponchos. The forecast for our West Orange County cities is for rain, thunderstorms and clouds. The prediction for Wednesday is for rain with a daytime high of 65 and an overnight low of 56. Thunderstorms could be moving in on New Year’s Day (Thursday) with temps of 64 (56). The weather should moderate on Friday to clouds and a high of 66 (low of 57). Rain will likely resume on Saturday and will turn after that to four days of showers with temps ranging from the mid-60s during the day and low-50s and high-40s at night through Wednesday, Jan. 7.