Thursday, December 25, 2025

World

57 Palestinians in Gaza dead from starvation amid Israeli blockade

At least 57 Palestinians have died from starvation since October 2023 due to Israel’s ongoing siege of the Gaza Strip, the Government Media Office in the enclave announced.

UN calls for independent probe into Gaza aid ship attack

The United Nations human rights office has urged an independent investigation into the drone attack on a Gaza-bound aid ship in international waters off Malta and renewed its call for Israel to lift its blockade on Gaza, which it says constitutes "collective punishment."

Israeli military calls up tens of thousands of reservists to expand Gaza war

The Israel army has announced that it was sending call-up orders to tens of thousands of reservists to expand its offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Trump could skip NATO upcoming summit over tensions with Europe: Spiegel

United States President Donald Trump could snub NATO’s upcoming summit unless European member states commit to significantly higher defense spending, Der Spiegel has reported.

India blocks Pakistani exports, transit amid tensions

New Delhi has imposed a ban on imports and transit of Pakistan-produced goods, the Indian Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) announced in an order.

Ukraine refutes Russia’s Victory Day truce proposal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected Russia's proposal for a three-day ceasefire on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in World War II.

Pakistan says successfully test-fired ballistic missile as tensions with India rise

Pakistan’s military announced it has successfully test-fired a ballistic missile as tensions with New Delhi over a deadly shooting attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last month remain high.

Israeli military prepares mass reserve call-up to expand Gaza offensive amid shortage of soldiers: Report

The Israeli army is preparing for a large-scale mobilization of reserve forces in anticipation of expanding its ongoing onslaught on the Gaza Strip amid a growing crisis in troop numbers and escalating public tensions over the fate of Israeli captives held in the besieged enclave, according to a report.

US approves $3.5 billion missile sale to Saudi Arabia

The U.S. State Department has approved a possible foreign military sale to Saudi Arabia of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles and related support for $3.5 billion, the Pentagon announced in a statement on Friday.

US approves possible sale of F-16 training, sustainment for Ukraine

The U.S. State Department approved the potential sale of F-16 training and sustainment, along with related equipment, to Ukraine for $310 million, the Pentagon has announced.

US, Israel near agreement on aid delivery to Gaza: Axios

The United States, Israel and representatives of a new international foundation are close to a deal on how to resume the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip without it being controlled by Hamas, Axios reported on Friday, citing two Israeli officials and one U.S. source.

Gaza Children ‘face growing risk of starvation, illness, death’ as Israeli aid blockade continues: UNICEF

The head of United Nations children's fund UNICEF has raised alarm over the deteriorating conditions for children in the besieged Gaza Strip.

US prepares economic options against Russia: Bloomberg

American officials prepared a number of options for U.S. President Donald Trump to increase economic pressure on Moscow in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin continued reluctance to end the war against Ukraine, Bloomberg has reported, citing undisclosed sources.

Red Cross warns Gaza aid endeavour on ‘verge of collapse’ amid Israel blockade

The humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip is on the verge of “total collapse”, with Palestinians facing a “daily struggle to survive” amid Israel’s war and blockade of the Palestinian enclave, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Palestine world’s most dangerous place for journalists amid Gaza war: Report

Palestine has become the world’s most dangerous state for journalists amid Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip, with dozens of reporters likely killed specifically due to their work, a media freedom watchdog has announced.

US threatens sanctions against buyers of Iranian oil

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated all purchases of Iranian oil or petrochemical products must stop and any country or person buying any from the country would be immediately subject to secondary sanctions.

EU says will not recognize Crimea as part of Russia

The European Union will not recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea under any circumstances, EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas has stated in an interview with the Financial Times.

Jerusalem wildfires flare for a second day

Israeli firefighting teams have been tackling wildfires near Jerusalem for a second day. Police have also reported the reopening of several major roads that had been closed.

Saudi Arabia signals can live with lower oil prices: Reuters

Riyadh briefing allies and industry experts to say the kingdom is unwilling to prop up the oil market with further supply cuts and can handle a prolonged period of low prices, five sources with knowledge of the talks told Reuters news agency.

US claims Ukraine willing to ‘de facto give up’ land to Russia

Kiev has agreed to acknowledge Russia’s control over Crimea and four other regions – without formally recognizing Moscow’s sovereignty over them – US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg, has claimed.

Iranian official calls for ‘serious dialogue’ with Persian Gulf states amid regional tensions

Kamal Kharrazi, head of Iran's Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, has emphasized the urgent need for substantive dialogue between Iran and Persian Gulf Arab states, citing shifting geopolitical dynamics and shared regional challenges.

Syria rejects ‘foreign intervention’ after Israeli aerial attack

Syrian authorities have decried “foreign intervention” in the country's affairs after Israel launched air attacks on a town near Damascus where government forces and several other groups had taken part in deadly clashes.

India closes airspace to Pakistan airlines as tensions between nuclear-armed neighbours rise

New Delhi shut its airspace to Pakistani airlines, the government has announced, days after its nuclear-armed neighbour banned Indian airlines from flying over its territory following the killing of 26 men in an attack on tourists in Kashmir.

Pentagon chief warns Iran of “consequences” over Houthis support

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has threatened Iran over its support for Yemen’s Houthi fighters, saying it “will pay the consequence.” Tehran says the Houthis act independently.

US seeking to eliminate security office coordinating with Palestinian Authority: Report

The administration of President Donald Trump plans to eliminate the position of US security coordinator for the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, according to several media reports.

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