Wednesday, December 24, 2025

World

Putin ‘playing with fire’: Trump

US President Donald Trump has suggested that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin is “playing with fire”, without elaborating on what exactly he means. In recent days, the American leader has increasingly criticized the Kremlin over what he perceives as a lack of progress in peace negotiations between Moscow and Kiev.

Israel, Syria holding direct meetings: Reuters

Israel and Syria are in direct contact and have, in recent weeks, held face-to-face meetings after Syria's self-proclaimed president Abu Mohammed al-Jolani voiced a desire to eventually normalize ties with Tel Aviv.

NATO chief fears Trump-Zelensky conflict could derail Hague summit: NYT

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte fears that tensions between US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky could undermine the bloc’s upcoming summit in the Netherlands, The New York Times reported has reported

Gaza death toll tops 54,000 as Israel’s war approaches 600 days

At least 54,056 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s war against the Gaza Strip since October 2023, the Health Ministry announced on Tuesday.

Over 800 lawyers, judges call for UK sanctions on Israel over Gaza war

Britain must impose sanctions on the Israeli government and its ministers and take steps to “prevent and punish genocide” in the Gaza Strip, according to a letter signed by more than 800 lawyers, academics and former judges.

US considers imposing sanctions on Russia in coming days: WSJ

U.S. President Donald Trump is considering imposing sanctions on Russia this week as it continues its war against Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has reported.

EU, US divided on enforcing sanctions on Russia over Ukraine war: Report

The European Union and the United States have failed to reach an agreement on efforts to combat Russia's evasion of sanctions, Süddeutsche Zeitung has reported, citing an internal document from Germany’s Foreign Office.

WHO warns of ‘zero-stock’ levels of essential medical supplies, equipment in Gaza amid war, blockade

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that most medical supplies have been depleted in the Gaza Strip, and nearly half of essential medicines, including painkillers and antibiotics, are no longer available as 51 agency trucks await approval to enter the enclave.

Syrian DM vows to build army with ‘national doctrine’ under unified command

Syrian Defense Chief Maj. Gen. Murhaf Abu Qasra has stated that Damascus will build an army with “national military doctrine,” emphasizing that no one will be allowed to operate outside the authority of the ministry.

Russia reacts to West lifting limits on long-range weapons for Ukraine

The reported decision by Ukraine’s Western backers to lift restrictions on Kiev’s use of long-range weapons runs counter to Russia’s efforts to find a peaceful settlement to the conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated.

Trump wants Netanyahu to be on same page on Iran: American official

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has stated she delivered a message from President Donald Trump to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the two sides should be aligned on how to approach Tehran.

Hamas agrees to a Gaza ceasefire; US and Israel refute offer: Al Jazeera

Hamas has agreed to a ceasefire proposal put forth by the United States for the Gaza Strip, according to Al-Jazeera’s sources, but an American official rejected the claim and stated the accord being discussed was “unacceptable” and “disappointing”.

Azerbaijan proposes strategic upgrade in ties with Iran

The assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan says Baku is exploring new avenues with Tehran to further enhance bilateral cooperation, proposing a strategic upgrade in relations.

West no longer imposing range restrictions on weapons for Ukraine: Germany

Western partners are not imposing any range restrictions on arms delivered to Ukraine for use against Russian military targets, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated.

Less than 5% of Gaza’s cropland useable: UN

Less than 5% of cropland in the Gaza Strip can be cultivated due to damage and access restrictions, "exacerbating the risk of famine in the area", according to a U.N. assessment published on Monday.

Israelis storm Al-Aqsa Mosque, UN compound amid Jerusalem Day march

Right-wing Israelis in Jerusalem have stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and a United Nations facility for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) as an annual march took place marking Israel’s conquest of the eastern part of the city.

Palestinians to raise flag at WHO for first time after symbolic victory in vote

The Palestinian delegation has won the right to fly their flag at the World Health Organization after a symbolic victory in a vote on Monday that its envoy hopes will lead to greater recognition within the United Nations and beyond.

Ukrainian warns Russia can attack Europe 2-4 years after war’s end

Moscow will be able to restore its combat capabilities and launch an attack against Europe between two and four years after hostilities in Ukraine end, Ukrainian foreign intelligence (SZRU) chief Oleh Ivashchenko has stated.

Pakistani PM praises Iran’s regional peace diplomacy during Tehran visit

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has lauded Iran’s diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace, calling them "commendable" during an official visit to Tehran on Monday.

Shin Bet officials threaten to resign over Israeli PM’s appointment of new chief

Senior field officers in Israel's internal security service, Shin Bet, have threatened to resign if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appoints Maj. Gen. David Zini as the agency's next head, Israel's public broadcaster KAN reported has reported.

China supplying Russian military factories with chemicals, gunpowder, components: Ukraine

Beijing is supplying "special chemicals, gunpowder, and components" to 20 Russian military-industrial manufacturing facilities, head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service Oleh Ivashchenko has claimed.

Ukraine enacts new sanctions targeting propagandists, criminal networks, Russian financiers

President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that three new sanction packages have officially taken effect, following their approval by Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council.

US president hints at ‘good news’ on Gaza war

The US president, Donald Trump, has stated that there could be positive developments on the Gaza Strip.

Nearly 50 killed in Israeli attacks on shelter, home in Gaza

At least 49 Palestinians were killed in two Israeli air attacks targeting a school sheltering displaced people and a home in Gaza City and Jabalia, on Monday morning.

US negotiators had good talks with Iran: Trump

President Donald Trump has stated that U.S. negotiators had "very good" talks with an Iranian delegation over the weekend over Tehran's nuclear program.

Latest news