Friday, December 19, 2025

World

Israeli air attack kills four in Lebanon, straining fragile ceasefire

An Israeli air raid has killed at least four people in southern Lebanon, according to the country’s Ministry of Public Health, in a strike that put more pressure on a nearly yearlong truce with Hezbollah.

Russia unveils new nuclear submarine

Russia held a ceremony to showcase its new nuclear submarine, the ‘Khabarovsk’ on Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry has announced. The vessel is designed to carry the massive torpedo-shaped nuclear-powered Poseidon drone.

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.

Ukraine claims has hit nearly 160 Russian oil facilities in 2025

Kyiv has carried out nearly 160 successful strikes against oil extraction and refining facilities across Russia in 2025, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Vasyl Maliuk, has claimed

Russian missile attacks on Ukraine hit 2.5-year high: AFP

Russia fired more missiles at Ukraine in October than in any month since at least the start of 2023 as it pounded the European country's energy grid in night-time attacks, an AFP analysis of Ukrainian data showed.

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.

Remains returned by Hamas from Gaza not those of Israeli hostages: Report

The remains of three people handed over by Hamas to Israel through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Friday night do not belong to Israeli hostages, according to a report.

‘Secret’ Ukraine meeting set for Spain: El Mundo

Ukraine’s European backers will secretly meet in Madrid next week to coordinate endeavours to increase support, Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported on Friday.

Turkish prosecutors hand several people life sentences over ski resort blaze

A Turkish court has sentenced 11 people to life in prison over a fire that killed nearly 80 people at a hotel in a ski resort in northwest Turkey’s Bolu mountains in January.

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.

Yemen’s Houthis say detained UN staff will be tried over Israeli links

Yemen’s Houthi-run government will put dozens of arrested United Nations staff on trial, alleging that they have spied for Tel Avov or had links to an Israeli air attack that killed the prime minister, according to officials.

EU parliament seeking to block Russian media: Politico

The European Parliament is considering banning MEPs and staff from accessing RT, Sputnik, and other Russian news outlets through its IT infrastructure, according to a report by Politico.

Hamas ruled out role in Gaza governance, but disarmament talks ongoing: Qatar

Qatar has announced that Hamas will not be part of the future governance of the Gaza Strip, but the Palestinian group has not yet committed to unconditional disarmament.

Reconstruction should rely on investment, not aid: Syria’s president

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has stated that his country’s reconstruction should be driven by investment rather than foreign aid, emphasizing Syria’s strategic role in regional stability and its growing economic ties with Saudi Arabia.

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. 

Overwhelming majority of Palestinians oppose Hamas disarmament: Survey

An overwhelming majority of Palestinians are opposed to Hamas's disarmament and are deeply sceptical that US President Donald Trump’s peace plan will lead to a permanent end to Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip.

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.

Israel kills more Palestinians in new Gaza attack despite ‘resuming’ ceasefire

Israel’s army has carried out another deadly attack in northern Gaza despite claiming to resume the fragile ceasefire, which was already teetering from a wave of deadly bombardment it waged the night before.

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.

Report: Almost 280 Israeli soldiers attempted suicide since onset of 2024

A new report shows that 279 Israeli soldiers attempted suicide between January 2024 and July 2025, amid Tel Aviv’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

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.

Report discloses rising heat kills one person a minute worldwide

Rising global heat is now killing one person a minute around the world, a report on the health impact of the climate crisis has revealed.

Trump says ‘timing’ didn’t work out To meet N. Korea’s leader

Donald Trump has stated that he was not able to arrange a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during the US president's visit to the South, ending fierce speculation over a possible summit.

US govt. shutdown could threaten American nuclear weapons production: CNN

US nuclear arms production could be delayed by months or even years due to the ongoing government shutdown, according to a report by CNN.

China: Xi, Trump to have ‘in depth’ negotiations on ‘major issues’

China has announced that leader Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump will have "in depth" talks on "major issues" Thursday, as expectations grew for their high-stakes talks in South Korea.

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