Thursday, December 18, 2025

World

Europe warns against ‘carving up’ of Ukraine amid crunch US-led negotiations

The European Commission president has warned against “the unilateral carving up of a sovereign European nation” as Europe scrambles to assert influence over the US’s push to end the war in Ukraine.

US representatives call for Trump envoy to be fired after leaked Kremlin call

A handful of US representatives have reacted furiously to a leaked recording in which the special envoy to Ukraine reportedly coached Moscow on how to handle President Donald Trump, but most have so far remained mute on the revelation that American officials were advising a US adversary.

Americans sympathy for Israel hits historic low: Survey

Sympathy for Israel over Palestine among US voters has plummeted to a record low, according to a recent poll by Big Data Poll (BDP).

Trump urges Japan’s PM to avoid further escalations in dispute with China: Reuters

US President Donald Trump has asked the Japanese prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, to avoid further escalation in a dispute with China during a call this week, according to two Japanese government sources who spoke to the Reuters news agency.

Europe bid to be involved in Ukraine negotiations ‘unnecessary’: Russia

The Kremlin on Wednesday slammed Europe for getting involved in talks to end the Ukraine war, as Kyiv and its European allies worry Washington and Moscow will reach accords over their heads.

Israeli military launches new operation in West Bank

Israel's army on Wednesday conducted a new military operation in the occupied West Bank. A local governor told AFP that Israeli soldiers had raided several towns.

Syrian president meets US congressional delegation to discuss bilateral relations

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met with a US congressional delegation to discuss ways to strengthen ties between Damascus and Washington.

Knesset committee approves bill allowing Israelis to own property in occupied West Bank

A Knesset committee has approved a draft law that would allow settlers to own property in the occupied West Bank.

Russia confirms upcoming visit by US negotiators

American special envoy Steve Witkoff and other officials involved in negotiations on resolving the Ukraine conflict will visit Moscow next week, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov has confirmed.

Hamas hands over remains of another Israeli captive under Gaza ceasefire agreement

The Palestinian group Hamas on Tuesday returned the remains of another Israeli hostage under the Gaza ceasefire deal, the army announced.

Israel’s war and restrictions drive Palestinian economy to record collapse: UN

The economy of the occupied Palestinian territory is facing its most severe collapse on record, driven by the scale of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza and continued restrictions on movement and trade, according to a new report by the United Nations.

Russia claims Britain planning smear campaign against Trump

Britain is preparing a smear campaign aimed at damaging US President Donald Trump’s reputation in order to derail his efforts to end the Ukraine conflict, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has claimed.

Moscow says not received any texts from Washington over Ukraine war

The leak of a US proposal for ending the Ukraine conflict was designed to derail President Donald Trump’s peace efforts, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated. He added that Moscow never received any texts from Washington through official channels, but obtained it unofficially.

Academic boycott of Israel doubles even after Gaza war ends: Report

An Israeli report says there has been a sharp rise in academic boycotts targeting Israeli researchers and institutions, even after the end of the Gaza conflict.

More than 100,000 people died in Gaza war: Report

The number of Palestinians killed in the Gaza war could be significantly higher than previously thought, the weekly German paper ZEIT reported.

Iranian scholar Vahid Abedini released after brief ICE detention in US

Iranian academic Dr. Vahid Abedini, an assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma, has been released after being detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to colleagues and friends who announced the news on social media.

Gaza Humanitarian Foundation officially ends ‘mission’: Report

The Israeli and US-backed aid distribution organisation that has caused death and injury to over 2,600 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip announced the end of its "mission" in Gaza, according to a statement by its executive director on Monday.

German arms industry investors in panic over Ukraine peace talks

The prospect of a possible peace in Ukraine has caused “panic” among investors in the German defense industry, sending stocks of weapons manufacturers such as Rheinmetall tumbling.

US signals ‘progress’ in Ukraine peace push

US President Donald Trump has expressed cautious optimism about the result of talks in Geneva on the American peace plan to end the Ukraine war, saying that “something good” may be happening.

Macron poised to reintroduce voluntary military service in France: Le Figaro

French President Emmanuel Macron is preparing to roll out a new voluntary military service scheme this week, according to Le Figaro daily. The proposal was first floated by the French leader in July in response to what he described as a “lasting threat” from Russia – something Moscow has denied as nonsense.

Zelensky hails ‘important steps’ in peace negotiations but stresses more work needed

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenky on Monday lauded "important steps" after talks in Geneva with the US, but stressed that more work is needed to negotiate an end to the war with Russia.

Israeli military chief dismisses senior officers over failures leading to Hamas attack

Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has issued a series of disciplinary measures and dismissals against several senior officers over the military’s failure to prevent the Oct. 7, 2023 events, local media reported.

US claims EU sanctions against Russia ‘failed’

The restrictions Brussels has imposed against Moscow over the Ukraine conflict are ineffective, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told NBC News on Sunday. He also criticized the bloc for pursuing the same strategy for 19 rounds in a row and claimed the EU officials were essentially “funding the war on themselves".

Hamas meet Egypt’s spy chief, says Israel’s attacks on Gaza threaten ceasefire deal

A senior delegation from Hamas has met Egypt’s intelligence chief in Cairo to discuss Israel’s breaches of the Gaza ceasefire agreement in, the group announced.

US, Ukrainian laud ‘good progress’ in Geneva talks

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and head of Ukraine's delegation Andriy Yermak have hailed "good progress" in talks underway in Geneva Sunday to discuss a proposal to halt the Ukraine war.

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