Sunday, December 21, 2025

World

American senators introduce bill to send frozen Russian funds to Ukraine

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced a bill that aims to send a portion of frozen Russian assets under Washington's control to Ukraine.

Security guarantees for Ukraine require readiness to fight Russia: Finland

Finland’s President, Alexander Stubb, has stated that security guarantees for Ukraine, which are being discussed by the so-called “coalition of the willing”, would compel the European countries that sign to fight Russia if Moscow launched military action against Ukraine again in future.

Lithuania calls for shooting down Russian warplanes

NATO should shoot down Russian fighter jets, Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene has stated. Her comments came after Estonia, Lithuania’s neighbor, accused Russia of violating its airspace – something that Moscow has denied.

Hamas releases ‘farewell photo’ of 47 Israeli hostages amid Gaza war

Palestinian group Hamas has released a photo showing 47 Israeli captives, announcing it was taken at the start of Israel’s latest military offensive in Gaza City.

Qatar files complaint to International Civil Aviation Organization over Israeli aerial attack

Qatar has submitted an official letter to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) condemning Israel’s air attack in Doha, which targeted the residential premises of Hamas political bureau members and resulted in casualties.

Trump warns Taliban of ‘bad things’ if Bagram Air Base not returned to US

US President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened the Taliban government of Afghanistan, stressing “bad things are going to happen” if it does not give Bagram Air Base back to the United States.

Israel forced displacement of over quarter-million Palestinians from Gaza City: Report

Israel has forcibly displaced 270,000 Palestinians from Gaza City toward the south under threat of bombardment and genocide, the Gaza Government Media Office announced Saturday.

US senators seek to sanction Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’: FT

A bipartisan group of American senators plans to introduce legislation to tighten sanctions on Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" of oil tankers, the Financial Times has reported.

EU says to target India and China over ‘breaching Russia sanctions’

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a new package of sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine war, targeting “refiners, oil traders, [and] petrochemical companies in third countries, including China,” accused of helping Moscow bypass earlier restrictions.

Trump confirms US ‘making money’ from Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump has stated that Washington is profiting from the Ukraine war, contrasting his approach with the unconditional military aid provided to Kiev by the previous administration.

Russia refutes violating Estonian airspace

The Russian Defense Ministry has issued a statement rejecting claims that its military aircraft violated Estonian airspace.

Criminal complaint filed against German Chancellor, FM for aiding Israel’s genocide in Gaza

A group of lawyers filed a criminal complaint against German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his key ministers on Friday, accusing them of aiding and abetting Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip.

US plans $6bn in new weapons sales to Israel: WSJ

The Donald Trump administration is seeking congressional approval to sell nearly $6 billion in arms to Israel, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

Portugal says to recognise a Palestinian state

Portugal has joined Australia, Canada, France and the United Kingdom in announcing plans to recognise a Palestinian state.

US ends deportation protections for Syrians

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced it would end protections from deportation for Syrians living in the U.S., paving the way to return citizens to a country recently ravaged by war.

US revokes sanctions waiver for Iran’s Chabahar port

The administration of President Donald Trump has revoked the sanctions waiver for Iran’s Chabahar port, threatening India’s multi-million-dollar investment in the strategic project amid straining ties between Washington and New Delhi.

US vetoes UN Security Council Gaza ceasefire demand for sixth time

The United States has vetoed a crucial United Nations Security Council resolution demanding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as Israel expanded its scorched-earth offensive on Gaza City.

Trump admin. wants key Afghan air base back

US President Donald Trump has stated that he wants to regain control of Bagram Air Base in northeastern Afghanistan.

Trump blocks arms deal with Taiwan: WaPo

US President Donald Trump has refused to approve a weapons package for Taiwan, the Washington Post has reported, citing five people familiar with the matter.

India ramping up Russian oil imports amid US trade negotiations: Bloomberg

Indian refiners intend to continue purchasing Russian crude to meet rising fuel demand, even as New Delhi restarts trade talks with the US for...

Trump says ‘not the right time’ to call for Russia-Ukraine ceasefire

US President Donald Trump has stated it is not the right time for him to call for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

Israeli army to flood Gaza City with explosive-laden robots: Report

The Israeli military is preparing to deploy an “unprecedented” number of explosive-laden, remote-controlled vehicles into Gaza City, according to a report by Walla news outlet.

79,000 Israelis left occupied territories in 2024, outnumbering newcomers: Official figures

Around 79,000 Israelis left the occupied territories last year, a figure significantly up from a year earlier, amid rising regional tensions over Tel Aviv’s ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.

Poll finds huge support for global cooperation, but failing grades for UN, others

A new survey of over 36,300 people worldwide showed huge support for more international cooperation on issues including trade, global health, climate and poverty, but gave largely failing grades to institutions like the United Nations, IMF and others.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan ink mutual defence pact

Saudi Arabia signed on Wednesday a mutual defence pact with nuclear-armed Pakistan, amid growing fears in the Persian Gulf over the US’s willingness to constrain Israeli belligerence.

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