08:30

Australia-Afghanistan

Australia targets Taliban officials over women's rights restrictions

Australia has moved to directly pressure the Taliban leadership, imposing financial sanctions and travel bans on four senior officials it says are responsible for the steady erosion of women’s rights in Afghanistan.

06:20

U.S.-Lebanon

U.S. approves potential sale of medium tactical vehicles to Lebanon

The U.S. State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of M1085A2 and M1078A2 Medium Tactical Vehicles (MTVs) and related equipment to Lebanon, with the total cost estimated at $90.5 million, the Pentagon’s Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said Friday.

05:40

Sudan

Drone strike in South Kordofan kills 79, including 43 children

At least 79 civilians, including 43 children, were reported killed and 38 injured after a drone strike by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) hit the city of Kalogi in South Kordofan on Thursday, Sudanese authorities said.

04:30

Luigi Mangione case

Luigi Mangione court hearing delayed due to illness

A fourth day of testimony in Luigi Mangione’s pretrial hearing was postponed on Friday after the murder suspect reported feeling unwell, prompting Judge Gregory Carro to adjourn proceedings.

04:04

EU fine on X

U.S. criticises EU fine on social media company X as attack on American tech

The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sharply condemned the European Commission’s decision to fine American social media company X €120 million (approximately $140 million), calling it an assault on U.S. technology companies and their users.

03:34

Pakistan-Afghanistan

Pakistan and Afghanistan exchange heavy fire along border

Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy fire along their shared border late on Friday, a reminder of how sensitive the frontier remains despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

03:31

Canada-Syria

Canada drops Syria from state sponsors of terrorism list

Canada has officially removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, the country’s Foreign Ministry announced Friday.

02:40

EU corruption allegation

‘EU is drowning in corruption,’ Orbán blasts Brussels

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has claimed that the European Union is “drowning in corruption,” criticising Brussels for failing to hold itself or Ukraine accountable amid recent scandals.

01:52

Doha forum

Syrian president arrives in Qatar ahead of 2025 Doha Forum

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa arrived in Qatar on Friday to take part in the 2025 Doha Forum, the annual global conference bringing together political leaders, business figures, and academics.

01:40

Sri Lanka aid

IMF reviews Sri Lanka’s $200M emergency aid request following Cyclone Ditwah

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is reviewing Sri Lanka’s request for approximately $200 million in emergency financing after Cyclone Ditwah caused widespread destruction across the island nation.

01:00

Putin’s visit to India

Putin concludes India visit with pledges to boost trade and defence ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin departed New Delhi on Friday after a two-day state visit, during which he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to deepen trade and defence cooperation, while Russia offered uninterrupted fuel supplies to India.

23:57

U.S.-Türkiye

U.S. special envoy says issues with Türkiye could be resolved in 4–6 months

Tom Barrack, U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria, expressed confidence on Friday that unresolved issues between Washington and Ankara could be resolved within four to six months, describing the relationship as strong and stable.

22:35

Peru explosion

Ten dead in Peru karaoke bar explosion

A gas explosion at a karaoke restaurant in the Andean town of Huancane left 10 people dead, including eight students, and seriously injured three others, local authorities said Friday, December 5.

21:51

Europe population decline

Shrinking Europe meets rising right-wing politics

Europe is entering a period of long-term population decline just as right-wing parties push to restrict migration. A widening gap now separates Europe’s demographic needs from its political choices.

21:10

Security Threats

French navy opens fire on drones over nuclear submarine base in Brittany

French naval forces opened fire on a swarm of unidentified drones that flew over one of the country’s most sensitive military installations, the Île Longue submarine base in western Brittany, officials confirmed on Friday.

20:54

Germany protests

Thousands of students protest Germany’s new military service law

Thousands of students across Germany walked out of classrooms on Friday to protest a newly approved military service law.