Moscow reacts after Zelensky appoints granddaughter of Nazi collaborator as adviser

"Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has branded Kiev “a haven for

neo-Nazis” after Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky appointed Chrystia Freeland, a Canadian-born descendant of a documented Nazi collaborator, as his economic development adviser.
Freeland, a leading figure in Canadian politics for over a decade and a virulent Russia critic, has served as Canada’s special envoy for Ukraine’s reconstruction since September. On Monday, Zelensky announced her appointment on Telegram hailing her as an “expert” in economy and finance.
Freeland, however, has a controversial family history. Archival evidence and research show her maternal grandfather, Michael Chomiak, was editor-in-chief of Krakivski Visti, a Ukrainian-language newspaper in occupied Poland and Austria that published Nazi propaganda and anti-Semitic material during World War II. Freeland has long rejected knowledge of these facts." RT

5.7 Earthquake - Shimane, 232 km west of Osaka, Osaka, Japan

"A strong magnitude 5.7 earthquake hit 232 km (144 mi) away from Osaka, Osaka,  Japan, in

the morning at 10.18 am local time (GMT +9). 

The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow.

The earthquake was felt over a large region.. The shallow depth of the quake caused it to be felt more strongly near the epicenter than a deeper quake of similar magnitude would." VD

Trump Flips, Has More Info: Ukraine Didn't Target Putin Residence With Drones

"The US President explained American officials had determined that Ukraine did not do it.

According to his newest remarks:
Trump said that "something happened nearby" Putin’s residence but that Americans officials didn't find the Russian president’s residence was targeted.
"I don’t believe that strike happened," Trump told reporters as he traveled back to Washington on Sunday after spending two weeks at his home in Florida. "We don’t believe that happened, now that we’ve been able to check." ZH

Swiss Authorities Freeze Assets Linked To Venezuela's Maduro After US Capture

"Switzerland said on Jan. 5 that it has frozen all assets held in the country by deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his associates." ZH

Confusion As Sporadic Gunfire Erupts Near Venezuela's Presidential Palace Soon After Rodriguez Sworn In

"A mere hours after widespread American mainstream media reports named Maduro's staunchly 'loyal' Vice Presedent Delcy Rodríguez a CIA/US military informer who cooperated with the Trump-ordered invasion which ousted and kidnapped the country's sitting head of state to US soil, there are reports of heavy gunfire engulfing the Venezuelan capital, near the presidential palace. Though there are conflicting reports.

CNN is confirming that something - though we don't know exactly what - is going down (somewhat to be expected after an apparent coup supported by US military invasion):
Gunfire heard near Venezuelan presidential palace: Gunfire was heard in the Venezuelan capital Caracas on Monday night, near the Miraflores presidential palace.
Videos geolocated by CNN show what appear to be lights from drones and anti-aircraft fire across the night sky.
It’s unclear what the situation is related to. CNN has reached out to Venezuela’s ministries of communication and foreign affairs for more information.
Celebratory gunfire? The counter-revolution begins? False trigger of anti-air defenses? Or the storming of the presidential palace... BREAKING: Venezuelan Security Forces Open Fire on Unidentified Drones Over Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas.
There are competing reports that the mayhem was triggered by an inbound civilian or hobby drone mistaken for a threat." ZeroHedge

191 frontline clashes over past day

"Ukrainian Defense Forces recorded 191 combat engagements with Russian invaders along the frontline.
Ukrainian aviation, missile forces, and artillery struck seven clusters of enemy personnel, two command posts, one Tor surface-to-air missile system, two UAV control points, four artillery pieces, and two other key Russian targets.

In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, the enemy carried out five airstrikes dropping 15 aerial bombs and 94 shelling attacks, including three MLRS strikes.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, the Russians launched five attacks near Vovchansk, Prylipky, and toward Kutkivka.
In the Kupiansk sector, Russian forces conducted three attacks toward Petropavlivka, Kurylivka, and Kupiansk.
In the Lyman sector, Russian invaders carried out nine attacks attempting to penetrate Ukrainian defenses near Nadiia, Zarichne, and toward Drobysheve, Stavky, and Lyman.
In the Sloviansk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled seven enemy assaults near Sviato-Pokrovske, Pazene, and Zakitne.
In the Kramatorsk sector, no enemy offensive actions were reported.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, there were 21 clashes near Oleksandro-Shultyno, Pleshchiivka, Shcherbynivka, Rusyn Yar, and toward Stepanivka, Ivanopillia, Kostiantynivka, Berestok, and Sofiivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 43 Russian assaults near Chervonyi Lyman, Sukhetske, Zatyshok, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Dachne, Filiia, and toward Hryshyne and Ivanivka.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, there were 14 enemy attacks near Vyshneve, Zlahoda, Sichneve, Oleksandrohrad, Sosnivka, and toward Ivanivka.
In the Huliaipole sector, Ukrainian forces stopped 46 Russian attempts near Uspenivka, Solodke, Huliaipole, and toward Dobropillia, Varvarivka, Zelene, and Pryluky.
In the Orikhiv sector, two clashes occurred near Plavni and toward Prymorske.
In the Prydniprovske sector, the enemy conducted two unsuccessful attacks on Ukrainian positions.
In the Volyn and Polissia sectors, no signs of Russian offensive groupings were detected." Ukrin