Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 17th of December, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Trump orders blockade of Venezuelan oil tankers
U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a "total and complete blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, designating the Maduro regime a "Foreign Terrorist Organization" in a major escalation of pressure. While the specifics of enforcement remain unclear, the move targets the government's primary revenue source and has already pushed crude oil prices higher, drawing fierce condemnation from Caracas which views the action as a "grotesque threat" aimed at destabilising the country.
Australia charges alleged Bondi Beach gunman with 59 offences
Australian police have charged a man with 59 offences, including a terror charge, following the deadliest mass shooting in more than 30 years at a Jewish Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach on Sunday. The attack, believed to be inspired by Islamic State, resulted in the deaths of 15 people, the suspect's father, and left the alleged gunman hospitalised. The incident has sparked national outrage, prompting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to pledge stricter gun laws and a crackdown on rising antisemitism.
Trump expands travel ban to seven more nations
President Trump has expanded the U.S. travel ban to include citizens from seven additional countries, including Syria and holders of Palestinian Authority travel documents, bringing the total number of restricted nations to 39. The White House cited severe deficiencies in security screening and information-sharing as justification for the measure, which is set to take effect on 1 January and has drawn sharp criticism despite the administration's insistence that it is necessary for national security.
Eurovision host Austria will not block Palestinian flags
Austria’s public broadcaster ORF, host of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, has announced it will not suppress Palestinian flags or audience dissent during Israel’s performance, breaking with previous practices of masking negative crowd reactions. Broadcaster executives emphasised a commitment to presenting events authentically, even as the contest faces a significant boycott from five nations protesting Israel’s participation amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
International Claims Commission launched for Ukraine reparations
European Union and Ukrainian leaders have officially launched an International Claims Commission in The Hague, endorsed by 35 nations, to process compensation claims for the hundreds of billions of dollars in damage caused by Russia’s invasion. While the mechanism aims to hold Moscow accountable—potentially using frozen Russian assets—legal debates over financing continue, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserting that every war crime must carry financial consequences.
Kremlin rejects Christmas ceasefire proposal
The Kremlin has firmly rejected proposals for a Christmas ceasefire in Ukraine, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov staying that Moscow is uninterested in a ceasefire that might allow Kyiv to regroup. Although Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Western allies supported the holiday pause, Russia insists that any cessation of hostilities must be contingent upon reaching a broader, comprehensive peace agreement rather than a short-term measure.
Finland and Sweden deployed fighter aircraft on Thursday after a group of Russian military planes was detected over the Gulf of Finland, the Finnis...
Twelve Kazakh military personnel died after being swept out to sea during a naval training exercise in the western Mangistau region, authorities sa...
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ...
As the Ukraine war is highlighted by some leaders during the United Nations' 81st General Assembly meeting in New York, Russian forces attacked the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Thursday with ballistic missiles, killing two people and injuring six, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained low on Thursday, as Iran reiterated that it will neither enter into new negotiations with the United States nor re-open the Strait as long as its conditions are not met, despite recent indirect talks in New York mediated by Qatar.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in New York on Wednesday, as Washington pushes for an end to the war in Ukraine and Kyiv and Moscow continue to strike energy infrastructure.
The 81st UN General Assembly continues in New York on Wednesday, with another day of high-level speeches and diplomatic meetings. The wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, global security and international cooperation remain at the centre of discussions.
The 81st UN General Assembly has wrapped up its third day in New York on Thursday, with world leaders delivering high-level speeches and holding diplomatic meetings.
Finland and Sweden deployed fighter aircraft on Thursday after a group of Russian military planes was detected over the Gulf of Finland, the Finnish Air Force reported on Friday (25 September).
Here’s your AnewZ Daily Brief for 25 September 2026, with five key developments from the third day of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Xi Jinping touched down at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Wednesday evening to a welcome that was fairly unprecedented. President Donald Trump was there on the tarmac to greet him personally, which is something no sitting U.S. president had done for a visiting foreign leader in six decades.
The U.S. Senate narrowly rejected a resolution on Thursday that would have required President Donald Trump to end the war in Iran or seek congressional authorisation, as Democrats sought to put Republicans on the record over the increasingly unpopular conflict ahead of November's midterm elections.
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House on Thursday, 24 September, for talks focused on trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan and the war with Iran.
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