Tight security as EU leaders gather in Brussels
Ahead of the European Union leaders' two-day summit in Brussels, focusing on Ukraine, defence, and the economy, security is tight outside the EU headquarters.
The European Union has taken its first step toward direct engagement with Syria's new government. EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas announced that the bloc’s top diplomat for Syria will travel to Damascus for talks with the new leadership.
The European Union has taken its first step toward direct engagement with Syria's new government. EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas announced that the bloc’s top diplomat for Syria will travel to Damascus for talks with the new leadership.
Kaja Kallas emphasized that discussions on how to engage with Syria’s new leadership are underway, with the EU evaluating potential next steps based on Syria’s direction.
Kaja said, "I've also tasked a European top diplomat in Syria to go to Damascus to make the contacts with the new government and people there. So we will also discuss today in the Foreign Affairs Council how we engage with the new leadership of Syria and on what level we engage with the new leadership. And of course, what more steps are we willing to take if we see that Syria goes to the right direction."
Over the weekend, representatives from the EU, US, UK, UN, and Arab nations gathered in Aqaba, Jordan, where they signed a joint declaration on Syria. The declaration calls for the protection of human rights, including the rights of women and minorities, while expressing full support for Syria's unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty.
EU heads of state and government will discuss the situation in Syria further at the upcoming European Council meeting on December 19.
Aid groups in Myanmar’s worst-hit areas urgently need shelter, food, and water after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,700 people. Rescue efforts face challenges due to ongoing civil war, damaged infrastructure, and restricted aid access, with the toll expected to rise.
Russian forces carried out a drone attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, late Wednesday, injuring at least twenty one people and causing structural damage, according to Ukrainian officials.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
Apple marked its 49th anniversary by reaching a market capitalization of $3.3 trillion. Despite recent tech stock volatility, Apple's shares surged 28% in 2024.
The Armenian armed forces attempted three reconnaissance drone flights over Azerbaijan Army positions near Gerenzur, but all were successfully intercepted. Meanwhile, Armenian units repeatedly fired on Azerbaijani positions from multiple regions, escalating tensions in the area.
Russian billionaire Vadim Moshkovich, founder of Rusagro, faces charges of embezzling 30 billion roubles ($357 million). His arrest is among the most high-profile in Russia’s business world in recent years.
India's government has introduced a bill proposing sweeping reforms in the management of waqf properties, allowing non-Muslim members on waqf boards and enabling the state to determine disputed land ownership, sparking concerns among Muslim groups and opposition lawmakers.
Greece plans to invest €25 billion in a sweeping multi-year defence strategy, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told parliament on Wednesday, marking a major step in modernising the country’s armed forces and reinforcing its strategic posture amid regional tensions and global uncertainty.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son in Hanoi on Wednesday, as both nations looked to deepen their strategic partnership and navigate rising global tensions through renewed diplomatic and economic cooperation.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is set to appear in court on Wednesday over allegations of failing to pay €1 million in taxes on image rights earnings during his first tenure at the club. Prosecutors seek a prison sentence of nearly five years and a €3.2 million fine.
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