Thursday, December 25, 2025

Americas

Dozens of US lawmakers call on Trump to address Israeli Gaza ceasefire violations

Nearly 50 Democratic members of Congress have urged US President Donald Trump to address Israeli ceasefire violations in Gaza and to withhold US assistance if attacks continue.

US slashed Ukraine aid by factor of 77 since 2024: Report

Over the past year, the amount of US aid to Ukraine has dropped by a whopping $45 billion, with Kiev’s European supporters so far unable to make up for the difference, ZN.UA media outlet has reported.

US allies dissatisfied with WH’s foreign policy shift: Survey

Public opinions in countries which are closely allied with Washington have shifted sharply against the US amid President Donald Trump’s ongoing foreign policy overhaul, according to a poll published by Politico.

Two Americans killed fighting for Ukraine: Newsweek

Two American mercenaries have been killed while fighting for Ukraine against Russian soldiers in December, Newsweek has reported.

US warns Maduro not to ‘play tough’ as Russia, China back Venezuela

United States President Donald Trump has issued a new warning to Nicolas Maduro, saying “it would be smart” for the Venezuelan president to step down, as Washington escalates a pressure campaign that has drawn sharp rebukes from Russia and China.

China likely loaded more than 100 ICBMs in silo fields: US

China is likely to have loaded over 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles across three silo fields and has no desire for arms control talks, according to a draft Pentagon report which highlighted Beijing's growing military ambitions.

Global nuclear arms control under pressure in 2026: Report

The fragile global legal framework for nuclear weapons control faces further setbacks in 2026, eroding guardrails to avoid a nuclear crisis, according to a report by AFP.

Ukraine remains ‘fully committed to achieving a just and sustainable peace’: US

US special envoy Steve Witkoff has stated that Russia and Ukraine are committed to achieving peace amid negotiations on ending the ongoing war between the two countries.

Pentagon declassifies Syria ‘vengeance’ attack against Daesh

The Pentagon has released combat footage showing US and allied forces carrying out large-scale strikes against purported Daesh terrorist targets in Syria, as part of Washington’s retaliation for the recent killing of American personnel.

China threatens ‘forceful measures’ over US weapons sales package to Taiwan

China's military will step up training and "take forceful measures" to safeguard the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the defence ministry announced on Friday in response to a planned $11.1 billion US arms sales package to Taiwan.

US Congress ends sanctions on Syria

The US Congress has permanently ended sanctions imposed on Syria under ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, paving the way for the return of investment to the war-ravaged nation.

US approves $11bn in weapons sales to Taiwan in deal likely to anger China

The United States has approved $11.1bn in arms sales to Taiwan, one of Washington’s largest-ever military packages for the self-ruled island, which Beijing has promised to unify with mainland China.

US readies new Russia sanctions if Kremlin rejects peace accord: Bloomberg

The United States is preparing a further round of sanctions on Russia's energy sector to increase the pressure on Moscow should President Vladimir Putin reject a peace accord with Ukraine, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

American senators introduce bipartisan sanctions bill targeting Russian oil profits

A bipartisan group of four American senators introduced the Decreasing Russia Oil Profits (DROP) Act of 2025, a bill that would impose targeted sanctions on anyone dealing in Russian oil.

Trump expands travel ban, targets Syria, Palestine

US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation expanding the scope of his administration’s ban on travel into the United States from various countries, targeting Syria and Palestine.

Ukraine ‘already lost territory’: US

US President Donald Trump stated he had a “very good conversation” with European leaders and also spoke directly with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in recent days, as part of efforts to get all sides of the Ukraine conflict “on the same page.”

Trump pressuring Zelensky to cede land to Russia: Bild

US President Donald Trump is pressuring his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky to cede territory to Russia in an effort to end the conflict between Kiev and Moscow, Bild has claimed, citing anonymous sources.

US stormed cargo ship travelling from China to Iran: Wall Street Journal

United States raided a cargo ship travelling from China to Iran last month, according to the Wall Street Journal, in the latest reported instance of increasingly aggressive maritime tactics by the administration of American President Donald Trump.

Trump’s envoy to meet Zelensky, European leaders over US peace plan: WSJ

U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and European leaders in Brussels over the weekend as discussions on Washington-proposed peace framework aimed at ending Russia's war continue, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has reported.

US withheld intelligence from Israel during Biden era: Reuters

US intelligence officials temporarily suspended sharing some key information with Israel during the Joe Biden administration over concerns about its conduct of the war in the Gaza Strip, six people familiar with the matter told Reuters news agency.

Trump claims everyone in Ukraine except Zelensky ‘loved’ US peace plan

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the Ukrainian people supported his peace proposal, which was rejected by Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

US secretly planning five-nation club including Russia to sideline G7: Report

The US is secretly planning to create a five-nation power bloc with Russia, China, India and Japan to sideline the Western-dominated G7, according to reports.

US House passes $800mn aid package for Ukraine through 2027

The US House of Representatives has passed a defense spending bill that would provide $800 million in military assistance to Kiev through 2027.

US Congress advances bill to repeal Caesar Act sanctions on Syria

The United States House of Representatives has voted forward a bill that would nix the restrictive Caesar Act sanctions on Syria, originally imposed during the rule of former leader Bashar al-Assad.

Gaza ‘Board of Peace’ to be announced in early 2026: Trump

US President Donald Trump has stated that the members of his Gaza "Board of Peace" will be announced early next year, adding that they will be comprised of global leaders.

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