Thursday, December 25, 2025

World

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.

US and Ukraine ink minerals deal

The United States and Ukraine have signed an “economic partnership agreement” that will give Washington access to Kyiv’s rare earth minerals in exchange for establishing an investment fund in the European state.

Wildfires rage near Jerusalem, forcing evacuations and road closures

Wildfires raging near Jerusalem forced evacuations in several areas and led to several major road closures on Wednesday. Firefighters struggle to contain the flames amid dry conditions and high winds.

Europe unlikely to gather 25,000 troops for Ukraine: Times

Europe would struggle to collectively muster 25,000 soldiers to be part of a "deterrence" force in Ukraine because its armies are undermanned and underfunded, The Times reported quoting sources.

Muslim groups urge UK PM to recognise Palestine, cease arms exports to Israel

Hundreds of prominent Muslim organisations and individuals have signed a letter, urging UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to recognise a Palestinian state and cease all military support to Israel.

Poll shows most Ukrainians don’t trust Trump

Nearly 90% of Ukrainians don’t trust Donald Trump, according to a new poll released to mark the US president’s first 100 days back in office.

Iran observes Persian Gulf Day amid sovereignty reaffirmation

Iran commemorated National Persian Gulf Day on Wednesday with ceremonies emphasizing the historical and legal name of the strategic waterway.

Pakistan warns of possible Indian military attack in 24-36 hours

Pakistan’s minister for information and broadcasting has stated Islamabad has “credible intelligence” that India intends to launch a military strike against Pakistan within the next 24 to 36 hours, as tensions between the two countries escalate following a deadly raid in Indian-administered Kashmir.

US jet rolls off aircraft carrier as ship reportedly swerves Houthi fire: Report

US sailors had to leap for their lives when a warplane fell off a navy aircraft carrier that was reportedly making evasive maneuvers to avoid Houthi militant fire in the Red Sea.

Gaza siege silent killer of children, elderly: UN

Juliette Touma, communications director for the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), has stated that "the siege on the Gaza Strip is the silent killer of children, of older people."

600 N. Korean soldiers killed in Ukraine war: Seoul

Around 600 North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia against Ukraine have been killed and thousands more wounded, a South Korean lawmaker has stated, after Pyongyang officially confirmed deploying troops to aid Moscow.

Israel abusing detained staff, using some as human shields: UNRWA

The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, says Israel is abusing dozens of its staff in military detention and using some as human shields.

Syria’s FM meets US officials in New York: Reuters

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani met with senior U.S. State Department officials on Tuesday in New York, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Damascus seeks a clear roadmap from Washington on how to secure permanent sanctions relief.

US targets China, Iran-based companies in fresh sanctions

The United States has imposed sanctions on a network based in Iran and China that it accused of procuring ballistic missile propellant ingredients on behalf of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps as President Donald Trump's administration seeks to increase pressure on Tehran.

Several killed in sectarian clashes near Syria’s Damascus

More than a dozen people were killed in a predominantly Druze town near the Syrian capital on Tuesday in clashes sparked by a purported recording of a Druze man cursing the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) which angered Sunni gunmen, rescuers and security sources have confirmed.

IRGC navy chief warns against foreign presence in Persian Gulf

Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, Commander of the IRGC Navy, has warned that the presence of foreign forces in the Persian Gulf threatens regional security and serves foreign agendas.

US senator calls on Princeton to take action over professor accused of pro-Iran allegiances

Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz has urged his alma mater, Princeton University, to dismiss a former high-level Iranian government official because he is allegedly making students feel unsafe amid recent outbreaks of antisemitism at the New Jersey university.

EU fears Trump will abandon Ukraine: FT

EU officials are worried that US President Donald Trump could be on the verge of abandoning his endeavours to find a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine war, the Financial Times has reported.

Over 65k Gaza children hospitalized for severe malnutrition: Report

The Gaza Government Media Office says Israel is exacerbating Palestinian children's suffering through its ongoing genocide and blockade, which has led to widespread acute malnutrition affecting more than 65,000 hospitalized children out of 1.1 million facing daily hunger.

Saudi Arabia reviewing Neom projects over ‘limited resources’: FT

The CEO of Saudi Arabia’s futuristic city Neom has launched a “comprehensive review” of Riyadh's mega-project, signifying more belt-tightening to come with falling energy prices.

Euro-Med: over 90% of those killed in Gaza are civilians

An international human rights organization has dismissed Israel’s claim that its army is fighting Hamas fighters in Gaza. The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor has announced that at least 94 percent of the victims of Tel Aviv’s fatal attacks are civilians.

Russian aircraft assist in containing fire at Iran’s Shahid Rajaee port

Russian emergency aircraft have joined firefighting efforts at Iran's Shahid Rajaee port, where a major blaze has been brought under control after days of intense operations.

Ukraine, Europe’s ceasefire proposal includes US security guarantees, no territorial concessions: Reuters

A copy of the peace proposal given to the U.S. by Ukrainian and European officials earlier this week includes "robust security guarantees" including from Washington, and no talks on territorial concessions until a "full and unconditional ceasefire in the sky, on land and at sea" has been implemented, Reuters has reported.

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