Reuters World News Summary

A dramatic spike in violence this week - including the on-air storming of a TV station, unexplained explosions in multiple cities, and the kidnapping of police officers - appears to be a response by gangs to Noboa's plans to tackle the country's dire security situation, including with the new jails. UK, US expected to launch strikes against Houthis 'within hours' -Times Britain is expected to join the United States in conducting air strikes on military positions belonging to the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen "within hours", the political editor for the Times newspaper reported on Thursday.

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Iran seizes oil tanker involved in U.S.-Iran dispute in Gulf of Oman

Iran seized a tanker with Iraqi crude destined for Turkey on Thursday in retaliation for the confiscation last year of the same vessel and its oil by the U.S., Iranian state media reported, a move likely to stoke regional tensions. The seizure of the Marshall Islands-flagged St Nikolas coincides with weeks of attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militias targeting Red Sea shipping routes.

Families of Ecuador hostages demand action as Noboa details plans for new prisons

Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa laid out plans for two new high-security prisons on Thursday, part of his pledge to wage war on drug gangs, as the families of nearly 180 prison staff being held hostage by inmates demanded action to rescue them. A dramatic spike in violence this week - including the on-air storming of a TV station, unexplained explosions in multiple cities, and the kidnapping of police officers - appears to be a response by gangs to Noboa's plans to tackle the country's dire security situation, including with the new jails.

UK, US expected to launch strikes against Houthis 'within hours' -Times

Britain is expected to join the United States in conducting air strikes on military positions belonging to the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen "within hours", the political editor for the Times newspaper reported on Thursday. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Downing Street office did not respond to a request from Reuters for comment, while the Pentagon and the White House each declined to comment on the report.

Tens of thousands protest in Poland against ex-ministers' imprisonment

Tens of thousands of opposition supporters massed outside Poland's parliament on Thursday to protest against the new government's changes to state media and the imprisonment of two former ministers convicted of abuse of power. The march reflects mounting tensions in the country as the new pro-European Union coalition government led by Donald Tusk tries to undo the policies of the previous nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party administration.

US imposes sanctions over transfer of North Korean ballistic missiles to Russia

The U.S. State Department on Thursday imposed sanctions on three Russian entities and one individual involved in the transfer and testing of North Korea's ballistic missiles for Russia's use against Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. WHY IT IS IMPORTANT

Trump tangles with judge as New York civil fraud trial wraps up

Donald Trump on Thursday accused the New York judge in his civil fraud trial of "having your own agenda" - and the judge told his lawyer to control his client - as a months-long case that could hobble the former U.S. president's business empire came to an end. During a contentious final day of the trial in Manhattan, Trump once again tangled with Justice Arthur Engoron, who is considering what penalties to impose after earlier finding that Trump's company inflated his net worth to win better financing terms. The judge, deciding the case without a jury, said he hoped to issue a ruling by Jan. 31.

France's Macron poaches conservative veteran in coup ahead of EU elections

French President Emmanuel Macron poached former Nicolas Sarkozy minister Rachida Dati to join his new government, a surprise move that will further weaken his conservative opponents and signals his desire to bring political experience to his cabinet. Dati, a vocal former justice minister who enjoys strong name recognition in France, was named culture minister in Macron's new government, which also confirmed heavyweights Bruno Le Maire and Gerald Darmanin for the finance and interior portfolios.

Netanyahu condemns ICJ genocide case; Gazans return to wasteland in north

Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday condemned South Africa's genocide case against Israel in Gaza as "hypocrisy and lies", as some Gazans returned to scenes of total devastation in the north of the enclave where Israeli forces have begun withdrawing. Three months of Israeli bombardment have laid much of the coastal enclave to waste, killing more than 23,000 people and driving nearly the entire population of 2.3 million Palestinians from their homes. An Israeli blockade has sharply restricted supplies of food, fuel and medicine, creating what the United Nations describes as a humanitarian catastrophe.

Some US aid to Ukraine poorly tracked -Pentagon inspector general

The Pentagon's inspector general released a report on Thursday that said the United States military had not properly tracked about $1 billion in weapons sent to Ukraine. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Who are Denmark's royal power couple, about to be throned king and queen?

Denmark's soon-to-be king and queen have sought to balance their royal jobs with a modern family life and an engagement in progressive causes, helping keep the monarchy relevant and popular in the Nordic country. Crown Prince Frederik, 55, will take the throne on Sunday, following his mother Queen Margrethe II's surprise announcement on live TV on New Year's Eve that she would abdicate in favour of her oldest son.

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