Saturday, December 20, 2025

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Taliban: US national guard shooting ‘does not concern’ Afghanistan

The Taliban announced Wednesday that the shooting of two National Guard members, one fatally, by an Afghan suspect in Washington last month had nothing to do with Afghanistan.

Ukraine’s NATO membership ‘key question’ in talks with US: Russia

Ukraine’s desire to join NATO was a “key question” discussed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and senior American officials during talks in Moscow, the Kremlin has announced.

UN General Assembly adopts resolution demanding Israel withdraw from Syrian Golan to 1967 line

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution that declares Israel’s continued occupation and de facto annexation of the Syrian Golan "illegal" and demands its withdrawal to the June 4, 1967 line.

Iranian lawmakers approve 14-coin cap for enforcing marriage portion, triggering strong reactions

Iran’s parliament on Wednesday approved a proposal to cap the enforceable portion of mahrieh, the mandatory marriage gift, to 14 gold coins, a decision that quickly sparked widespread public and political debate. 

US does not seek real talks: Iran Parliament speaker

The Iranian Parliament speaker has stated that the United States is not genuinely seeking negotiations with Iran, but instead pursuing a strategy of “pressure, deception, and imposition” to force the country into surrender.

EU agrees to ban Russian gas imports by autumn 2027

EU lawmakers and member states announced early Wednesday that they had reached an agreement to ban all imports of Russian gas into the European Union by autumn 2027.

Israel says agreement with Syria possible but demands buffer zone

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated a deal with Damascus is achievable, outlining expectations that Syrian authorities establish a demilitarised buffer zone stretching from Damascus to Jabal al-Sheikh, which Tel Aviv currently occupies.

Iran health official warns of unprecedented decline in fertility, rapid shift toward aging society

A senior Iranian health official has warned that Iran is experiencing one of the fastest fertility declines in the world, placing the country on track for a rapid demographic transition toward an aging population.

Some US proposals unacceptable: Russian presidential aide

The conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff was constructive, very useful, and substantive, Russian Presidential aide, Yuri Ushakov, has stated. But he added that some American proposals aren't acceptable to Moscow.

Iraqi president calls for strengthening ties with Iran

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, in a meeting with Iran’s Ambassador to Baghdad Mohammad-Kazem Al Sadegh, has stressed the importance of strengthening relations between the two countries.

Putin slams EU ‘fantasy’ of Russian defeat

The EU is still clinging to the “fantasy” of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia, President Vladimir Putin has stated. He warned that while Moscow has no intention of warring with the bloc, the consequences would be dire if it attacked Russia.

Middle East needs ‘new attitudes’ to reject violence: Pope

Pope Leo XIV told a crowd in Lebanon on Tuesday that the Middle East needed new approaches to refuting violence and overcoming divisions, while urging Christians in the region to "have courage".

Autumn colors draw visitors to Alishtar in Iran’s Lorestan

Autumn has brought a wave of color to Lorestan Province, turning the region into one of Iran’s most scenic seasonal landscapes.

President Pezeshkian: military pressure cannot force Iranian nation to surrender

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that foreign adversaries should understand they cannot force the Iranian nation into submission through military pressure. The president emphasized the resilience and determination of the Iranian people in the face of recent crises.

Ukraine will have to make ‘painful concessions’ to achieve peace: Germanغ

An end to the Ukraine war will most likely require “painful concessions” from Kiev, including on territorial issues, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has stated. Its chance to stop the hostilities has “never been greater” than now, he told Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung (NOZ) on Tuesday.

France wants direct role in Ukraine war: Russia

France is still exploring ways to directly involve itself in the Ukraine war, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has announced, citing a new government decree that authorizes the use of private military companies to assist foreign states engaged in armed conflict.

Iran Actors Guild criticizes treatment of detained performers in publicized arrest case

The Iranian Actors Guild has issued a statement expressing “deep regret and concern” over the recent arrest of several well-known actors during a private gathering and the subsequent media coverage of the incident.

Fajr International Film Festival continues into sixth day in Shiraz

The 43rd Fajr International Film Festival entered its sixth day on Tuesday in southern Iranian city of Shiraz, featuring a full schedule of screenings, panel discussions and critical review sessions at the Honar-e Shahr-e Aftab cultural complex.

Iran’s interaction with IAEA in accordance with law: Govt. spokeswoman

Iranian Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani has reiterated that Tehran’s interaction with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is based on the law enacted by the parliament.

US objects to using Russia’s immobilized assets for Ukraine loan: Politico

The administration of US President Donald Trump has opposed the European Union’s initiative to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine via a reparations loan, Politico Europe has reported, citing two senior European diplomats.

Turkey says Russian-flagged tanker attacked in Black Sea

A Russian-flagged tanker en route to Georgia has been attacked in the Black Sea, Ankara has confirmed. Last week, Russian authorities accused Kiev of carrying out drone attacks on commercial vessels in the area.

ECB balks at €140bn Ukraine payout backed by Russian frozen assets: FT

The European Central Bank has refused to support a proposed €140 billion payout to Ukraine backed by frozen Russian assets held at Belgium’s Euroclear, the Financial Times has reported, citing officials familiar with the discussions.

Iranian court orders US to pay over $22 billion for role in 2022 unrest

Iran’s Judiciary announced on Tuesday that a Tehran civil court has issued a wide-ranging verdict ordering the US government, senior American officials, affiliated institutions and individuals to pay more than $22 billion in damages over Washington’s support for the 2022 unrest in Iran.

Fifteen EU states to dispatch weapons worth billions of euros to Kiev under SAFE plan: EC

Fifteen EU countries will send arms and military equipment worth billions of euros from the EU's SAFE militarization program (formerly ReArm EU) to Kiev, European Commission representative Thomas Regnier has stated.

Iranian film director Asghar Nasiri dies at 63

Iranian film director and producer Asghar Nasiri has died due to severe respiratory complications, Iranian media reported on Tuesday.

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