Friday, December 19, 2025

Americas

US president praises Syria’s ‘tough-guy’ leader after White House visit

US President Donald Trump has praised his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa as a strong leader after hosting him in the White House on Monday.

Trump administration extends pause on Syria sanctions

The United States has prolonged the suspension of a broad package of sanctions on Syria for another 180 days as President Donald Trump met with the Syrian interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, at the White House on Monday.

Biden admin received intelligence on illegality of Israeli actions in Gaza, refused to reduce US support: HuffPost

Former American President Joe Biden reviewed intelligence indicating that Israeli officials were aware their actions in the Gaza Strip might violate US and international law, yet he denied recommendations from his advisers to reduce US involvement, HuffPost has reported, citing former US officials.

US govt. shutdown stalls arms deliveries to Ukraine: Axios

The US government shutdown has delayed more than $5 billion in arms exports to European NATO members and subsequent transfers to Ukraine, Axios has reported.

Syrian president arrives in US for landmark visit

Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa has arrived in the United States for a landmark official visit. It comes a day after Washington removed him from a terrorism blacklist.

Türkiye rejects US pressure to give up S-400s: Bloomberg

Ankara continues to resist Washington's demands to abandon its Russian-made S-400 air defense systems, but is eager to make some concessions to the Americans on the issue, Bloomberg has reported.

Washington lifts terrorist label on Syria’s leader ahead of US visit

The United States on Friday removed sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, after the United Nations Security Council lifted similar sanctions ahead of his meeting with President Donald Trump.

US sees ‘progress’ in resolving Ukraine conflict

US President Donald Trump and his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, have both noted “progress” in finding a negotiated solution to the Ukraine war.

Trump reiterates nuclear threat

US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to restart nuclear testing, following Washington’s launch of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile.

US to share draft UN resolution on Gaza with most of Security Council

Washington is sharing a draft resolution on US President Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza with the 10 elected members of the United Nations Security Council later on Wednesday, an American official has stated.

Russia to take ‘reciprocal measures’ if US resumes nuclear tests: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has told top Kremlin officials to draft proposals for the possible resumption of nuclear weapons testing, as Moscow responds to United States President Donald Trump’s order that Washington “immediately” resume its own testing after a decades-long hiatus.

IAEA condemns Trump’s nuclear test plan

US President Donald Trump’s decision to resume nuclear weapon testing is indicative of a deepening global crisis and weakens the international system of security and peace, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has stated.

Saudi Arabia’s request to purchase F-35s clears key Pentagon hurdle: Reuters

The Donald Trump administration is considering a Saudi Arabian request to buy as many as 48 F-35 fighter jets, a potential multi-billion-dollar deal that has cleared a key Pentagon hurdle ahead of a visit by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters news agency.

Iraq war architect Dick Cheney dies

Former US Vice President Dick Cheney has died from complications of pneumonia and heart and vascular disease, his family announced in a statement on Tuesday.

Saudi Crown Prince to meet Trump on Nov 18: White House

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will be at the White House on November 18 for an official working visit with U.S. President Donald Trump, a White House official has stated.

Kremlin says ‘no need’ for Trump-Putin summit

There is "no need" for a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has stated.

Transfer of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine not considered: US

The possibility of supplying Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine is not considered, US President Donald Trump has told reporters.

US warns of ‘consequences’ if China invades Taiwan

US President Donald Trump warned in a Sunday interview that Chinese officials “know the consequences” of taking military action against Taiwan while he’s in office.

Syrian president to visit Washington in November: US Envoy

The United States envoy for Syria has stated that Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa is to travel to Washington to sign an accord to join an international US-led alliance against Daesh.

US backs repeal of Caesar Act sanctions on Syria

The administration of US President Donald Trump has announced it supports repealing the Caesar Act sanctions on Syria, urging the US lawmakers to include it in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which is currently under discussion in Congress.

Venezuela pursuing military aid from Iran, Russia, China: WaPo

Caracas has requested assistance from Tehran, Moscow and Beijing to strengthen its defenses amid the ongoing standoff with the US, the Washington Post claimed on Friday, citing US government documents.

Trump directs Pentagon to start testing nuclear arms on equal basis to China and Russia

President Donald Trump says that he has instructed the Defense Department (DOD) to immediately begin testing U.S. nuclear weapons on an equal basis to China and Russia. 

Trump says US and China to ‘work together’ on Ukraine settlement

US President Donald has stated that he and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, have agreed that Washington and Beijing will “work together” on a settlement to the Ukraine war.

Trump aims for ‘fantastic relationship’ during meeting with Xi

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday local time. The summit comes amid an ongoing tariff dispute between the two countries.

Romania says US to cut some military forces on NATO’s eastern flank

Bucharest and other NATO members were informed about U.S. plans to reduce troop deployments on Europe's eastern flank, the Romanian Defense Ministry has announced.

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