Thursday, December 18, 2025

World

Israel says agreement with Syria possible but demands buffer zone

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated a deal with Damascus is achievable, outlining expectations that Syrian authorities establish a demilitarised buffer zone stretching from Damascus to Jabal al-Sheikh, which Tel Aviv currently occupies.

Some US proposals unacceptable: Russian presidential aide

The conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff was constructive, very useful, and substantive, Russian Presidential aide, Yuri Ushakov, has stated. But he added that some American proposals aren't acceptable to Moscow.

Iraqi president calls for strengthening ties with Iran

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, in a meeting with Iran’s Ambassador to Baghdad Mohammad-Kazem Al Sadegh, has stressed the importance of strengthening relations between the two countries.

Putin slams EU ‘fantasy’ of Russian defeat

The EU is still clinging to the “fantasy” of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia, President Vladimir Putin has stated. He warned that while Moscow has no intention of warring with the bloc, the consequences would be dire if it attacked Russia.

Middle East needs ‘new attitudes’ to reject violence: Pope

Pope Leo XIV told a crowd in Lebanon on Tuesday that the Middle East needed new approaches to refuting violence and overcoming divisions, while urging Christians in the region to "have courage".

Ukraine will have to make ‘painful concessions’ to achieve peace: Germanغ

An end to the Ukraine war will most likely require “painful concessions” from Kiev, including on territorial issues, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has stated. Its chance to stop the hostilities has “never been greater” than now, he told Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung (NOZ) on Tuesday.

France wants direct role in Ukraine war: Russia

France is still exploring ways to directly involve itself in the Ukraine war, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has announced, citing a new government decree that authorizes the use of private military companies to assist foreign states engaged in armed conflict.

US objects to using Russia’s immobilized assets for Ukraine loan: Politico

The administration of US President Donald Trump has opposed the European Union’s initiative to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine via a reparations loan, Politico Europe has reported, citing two senior European diplomats.

Turkey says Russian-flagged tanker attacked in Black Sea

A Russian-flagged tanker en route to Georgia has been attacked in the Black Sea, Ankara has confirmed. Last week, Russian authorities accused Kiev of carrying out drone attacks on commercial vessels in the area.

ECB balks at €140bn Ukraine payout backed by Russian frozen assets: FT

The European Central Bank has refused to support a proposed €140 billion payout to Ukraine backed by frozen Russian assets held at Belgium’s Euroclear, the Financial Times has reported, citing officials familiar with the discussions.

Fifteen EU states to dispatch weapons worth billions of euros to Kiev under SAFE plan: EC

Fifteen EU countries will send arms and military equipment worth billions of euros from the EU's SAFE militarization program (formerly ReArm EU) to Kiev, European Commission representative Thomas Regnier has stated.

Trump says he’s ‘very satisfied’ with Syrian president

US President Donald Trump has stated that he is “very satisfied” with Syria’s new government since it took over.

Russia claims captured key logistics hub in eastern Ukraine

Russia has claimed that it has captured the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub that has been under siege for almost two years.

Russia responds to NATO pre-emptive attack threat

A recent statement by a NATO general that the bloc could consider a “pre-emptive strike” against Moscow shows that it is seeking escalation and wants to derail the Ukraine peace process, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has stated.

British special forces committed war crimes in Afghanistan: Report

UK special forces in Afghanistan executed suspects without facing repercussions despite widespread knowledge of their behavior in the army chain of command, a former senior British officer told a public inquiry.

World’s biggest arms producers increased revenue by 5.9% last year to record level: Report

The world’s biggest weapons-producing companies saw a 5.9% increase in revenue from sales of arms and military services in 2024 as demand was fed by the wars in Ukraine and Gaza as well as countries’ rising military spending, according to a report released Monday.

NATO member states begging US to U-turn on troop numbers: Bloomberg

NATO member states in Europe are pressing Washington to maintain its troop presence in the region, stressing that November drills in Romania highlighted European countries’ dependence on US support, Bloomberg has reported.

Sons of Pakistan’s Imran Khan voice fears for his safety

The sons of Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan fear that authorities may be hiding “something irreversible” about his condition, after more than three weeks without any evidence that he is still alive.

Asia floods death toll surges past 1,000 as military aids survivors

The death toll in the flooding and landslides across parts of Asia climbed past 1,000 on Monday, as the hardest-hit countries — Sri Lanka and Indonesia — deployed military personnel to assist survivors.

Afghan suspect in Washington shooting likely radicalized in US: American security official

The Afghan suspect in the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington may have been radicalized after entering the US, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has stated when questioned about his motive on Sunday talk shows.

Coming week could be ‘pivotal’ for Ukraine: EU

EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas has stated that this week could be crucial for the push to end the Ukraine war, as US representatives head to Moscow after talks with Kyiv's negotiators.

AP releases 2025 Photos of the Year, highlighting global conflict and political unrest

The Associated Press has released its annual selection of 100 top photographs, capturing defining moments from major global events throughout 2025. This year’s collection places particular focus on the Israeli military aggression in the Gaza Strip, which continues to dominate international headlines.

At least 357 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since ceasefire: Report

At least 357 Palestinians have been killed and 903 others injured in Israeli attacks since a ceasefire accord took effect on Oct. 10, local authorities have announced.

Florida talks aimed at ‘creating a pathway’ for sovereign Ukraine: Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday stated that negotiations with a Ukrainian delegation in Florida were aimed at "creating a pathway" for a sovereign Ukraine, as the United States pushes to end Russia's war against its neighbor.

Israelis protest outside Herzog’s home to demand rejection of Netanyahu pardon request

Scores of Israelis protested near President Isaac Herzog’s home in Tel Aviv on Sunday night to oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request for a presidential pardon from corruption charges.

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