Reuters World News: Iran Protests, Ukraine Drone Strike, Cuba's Economy, and Golden Globes

Iran's Escalating Unrest and Retaliation Warnings

• ⚠️ Iran is warning the US and Israel of retaliation if the US launches strikes, with parliamentary speaker identifying US bases and Israeli territory as legitimate targets.
• ⚡ The threat follows President Trump's pledge to support demonstrators, leading to Israel being on high alert and discussions between Netanyahu and Rubio.
• 📈 Anti-government protests have escalated across Iran, with at least 116 people reported dead since late December.

Ukraine's Heavy Drone Strike on Russia

• 💥 Ukraine launched one of its heaviest drone strikes into southern Russia, hitting the city of Voronezh.
• 🏘️ The attack resulted in at least one death, three injuries, and damage to over 10 apartment buildings, a school, and government offices.
• 🚀 This follows a Russian hypersonic missile launch near the Ukraine and Polish border.

Cuba's Economic Crisis and CIA Assessment

• 📉 A CIA report highlights Cuba's dire economic situation, with blackouts lasting up to 20 hours and key sectors like energy and tourism collapsing.
• 🤔 However, the report is inconclusive on whether the worsening economy will lead to the government's collapse, despite suggestions that cutting Venezuelan oil could be a tipping point.
• ⛽ Cuba faces challenges in securing fresh oil supplies following the loss of Venezuelan support, with Mexico unwilling to increase shipments.

Hollywood Kicks Off Awards Season at the Golden Globes

• ✨ Hollywood's awards season officially begins with the Golden Globes, serving as the first major indicator for the Oscars race.
• 🏆 Early winners and nominees, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothy Chalamet for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy, could influence the broader awards season.
• 🎤 Host Nikki Glaser is set to present, with indications that certain topics will be off-limits to ensure a smooth evening for attendees.

Other Global and Financial News

• 🇯🇵 Japan's Prime Minister signals a potential snap election, which could impact markets and a budget aimed at shielding families from inflation.
• 🏦 The fourth quarter earnings season begins with major banks like JP Morgan, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and Citigroup expected to report strong results due to robust deal-making in 2025.
• 🇦🇺 Human remains have been found in southeast Australia amidst severe bush fires, described as the region's worst fire emergency since 2019-2020.
• 🇻🇪 President Trump signed an emergency order to block creditors from seizing Venezuelan oil revenue held in US Treasury accounts, aiming to keep funds under Venezuelan control for stabilization.