Friday, December 19, 2025

World

Ukraine will have to negotiate with Russia ‘sooner or later’: Kremlin

The Kremlin announced on Thursday that Ukraine would have to talk with Russia "sooner or later" and predicted that Kyiv's negotiating position would get worse by the day.

EU chief insists using Russian frozen assets best way to fund Ukraine

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has insisted that using frozen Russian assets to fund a new loan was the "most effective way" to finance Ukraine, as she laid out other options after opposition from Belgium.

US says ‘running out of things to sanction’ in Russia

Washington has nearly exhausted its list of viable targets for sanctions against Moscow, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated, following its latest move to blacklist two of Russia’s largest oil companies.

US knew Israeli officials discussed use of human shields in Gaza: Reuters

The United States had evidence last year that Israeli officials discussed how their soldiers sent Palestinians into tunnels in the Gaza Strip that the Israelis believed were potentially lined with explosives, two former American officials have told the Reuters news agency.

US issues Iran-related missile and drone sanctions

The United States on Wednesday sanctioned individuals and entities in several countries related to their support of Iran's ballistic missile and drone production, in the latest endeavour to pressure Tehran.

Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s coalition comes first in Iraqi parliamentary election

A coalition led by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has emerged as winner in the Arab country’s parliamentary election, according to electoral authorities.

Trump formally asks Israel’s president to pardon Netanyahu after Gaza ceasefire

United States President Donald Trump has sent a letter to Israel’s President Isaac Herzog asking him to pardon Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu, slamming the corruption charges against the PM as “political” and “unjustified”.

Israel-backed militia to oversee ‘rehabilitation’ of Rafah city in Gaza: Report

An Israel-backed armed group that has been accused of stealing aid in the Gaza Strip is set to oversee the “rehabilitation” of Rafah city, according to reports.

Afghanistan economic recovery buckles as 9 in 10 families go hungry or into debt: UNDP

Afghanistan's economic recovery is buckling as nine in 10 households are forced to skip meals, sell belongings or take on debt to survive, the United Nations announced on Wednesday, warning that mass returns are exacerbating the country's worst crisis since the Taliban returned to power.

India and Pakistan spar after explosion rocks Islamabad

India has denied Pakistani allegations of involvement in a suicide bomb attack outside a district court complex in Islamabad that killed at least 12 people. and injured dozens more.

Ukrainian soldiers pull back under fierce Russian pressure in Zaporizhia

Ukraine’s top military commander has conceded that the army’s situation has “significantly worsened” in parts of the southern Zaporizhia region, where the country's troops have withdrawn from five villages after intense fighting against Russian forces.

6,000 Gazans amputated since onset of Israeli war: Health Ministry

Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported 6,000 amputations in the besieged enclave since the start of Israel’s two-year war in October 2023.

Turkey confirms military plane crash in Georgia killed all 20 onboard

Turkey on Wednesday announced all 20 people onboard a military cargo plane that crashed in Georgia on its return from Azerbaijan had died.

Iraq vote turnout over 55%

Iraq's electoral commission on Wednesday reported a turnout of more than 55 percent -- an unexpectedly high figure -- in Tuesday's general election.

Syria’s national museum robbed: Report

Thieves have broken into Syria’s National Museum in Damascus and stolen several valuable Roman artifacts, according to multiple reports.

Top adviser to Israeli PM resigns

Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, a top adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, announced his resignation on Tuesday, according to reports.

US plans ‘temporary housing’ in Gaza behind Israeli lines: The Atlantic

Washington is weighing a plan to build housing for thousands of "screened" Palestinians behind the so-called yellow line in the Gaza Strip, which is occupied by Israeli troops, according to a report by The Atlantic.

Istanbul’s jailed mayor charged with 142 offences that could total 2,000 years in jail

Turkish prosecutors have charged Istanbul’s jailed mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, with 142 offences that could carry a penalty of hundreds of years in prison, in a move seen as a politically motivated attack on Ankara’s opposition.

Report accuses Israel of ‘systematic’ torture of Gazans

Israel is operating “an organised and systematic practice of sexual torture” against Palestinian prisoners from the Gaza Strip in its custody, according to a new report by a leading rights organisation.

Russia claims thwarted Ukrainian-UK plot to hijack missile-carrying jet

Russia claims it has foiled an Anglo-Ukrainian plot to hijack a military jet carrying a hypersonic missile which they planned to take to Romania in a "large-scale provocation".

Iranian commander highlights enhanced combat readiness in naval islands

The Commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Major General Ali Abdollahi, has confirmed that the combat capabilities of forces and equipment stationed on Iran’s naval islands have significantly increased.

Hamas: Israel has killed over 270 Palestinians since Gaza ceasefire

Palestinian group Hamas says Israel has killed 271 Palestinians since the Gaza ceasefire accord came into force last month.

Syrian president claims he ‘had nothing to do’ with 9/11 attacks

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has downplayed his past links to the terrorist group Al-Qaeda and distanced himself from the 9/11 attacks in the United States.

Israeli parliament approves first reading of bill on death penalty for Palestinian prisoners

The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, has approved in its first reading a bill allowing the execution of Palestinian prisoners.

Iraqis vote in parliamentary election

Iraqis began casting ballots on Tuesday in parliamentary elections to choose a new 329-member legislature, state television reported, with nationwide polling set to close at 6:00 p.m. (1500 GMT).

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