Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 18th of December, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. strikes another boat in eastern Pacific, killing 4 people
The United States military has continued its anti-narcotics campaign in the eastern Pacific, conducting a lethal strike on an alleged drug-trafficking vessel that killed four people. This operation is part of the broader ‘Southern Spear’ initiative authorised by the Trump administration and marks the second such attack in a week. It comes amid heightened tensions with Venezuela, including a newly ordered naval blockade. While Washington frames these actions as essential for national security, the growing use of military force has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and U.S. lawmakers regarding transparency and the potential for civilian casualties.
Zelenskyy tells EU: Use frozen assets to end Russia's appetite for war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged European Union leaders to utilise approximately $250 billion in frozen Russian state assets to fund Ukraine’s defence, arguing that such a move is vital to demonstrate the futility of continued aggression to Moscow. Speaking ahead of a crucial EU summit, Zelenskyy dismissed suggestions that Russia is seeking a negotiated settlement, citing recent military orders as evidence of the Kremlin’s intent to prolong the war. While EU governments have agreed to keep the assets frozen indefinitely, significant legal concerns remain among member states regarding the direct utilisation of these funds for military loans.
U.S. President Donald Trump boasts success in national address
In a nationwide address from the White House, President Donald Trump touted his administration’s achievements, claiming to be rectifying the "mess" inherited from his predecessor while announcing ‘warrior dividend’ cheques of $1,776 for U.S. service members. The speech, which leaned heavily on campaign-style rhetoric regarding immigration and tariffs, sought to reassert control over the national narrative despite polls indicating low approval ratings for his economic management. Although Trump boasted of falling energy costs and a resurgence in global strength, official data reveals inflation has crept up to 3%, casting doubt on his assertions of immediate economic recovery.
Warner Bros. rejects Paramount takeover bid and opts for Netflix
The board of Warner Bros Discovery has formally rejected a hostile $108.4 billion takeover bid from Paramount Skydance, citing concerns over "insufficient financing guarantees" and with the risks that are associated with the offer. Instead, the media giant reaffirmed its commitment to a binding merger agreement with Netflix, arguing that the partnership offers superior long-term value and regulatory feasibility by excluding Warner’s legacy cable networks. The decision sets the stage for a high-stakes corporate battle, with Paramount appealing directly to shareholders while regulators in Washington and Brussels prepare to scrutinise the potential antitrust implications of a Netflix-Warner union.
Azerbaijan and UAE push renewable energy shift beyond hydrocarbons
Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates are accelerating their economic cooperation to look beyond traditional hydrocarbon ties, placing a renewed emphasis on renewable energy and strategic diversification. Building on a foundation of long-standing diplomatic relations, the partnership has seen substantial commitment from UAE-based firm Masdar, which has invested over $1.2 billion in Azerbaijani projects, including the utility-scale Garadagh solar plant. Experts highlight that this collaboration is reinforced by the nations’ shared climate leadership as consecutive COP hosts and Azerbaijan’s pivotal role as a transport hub connecting Asia and Europe, signalling a long-term shift towards sustainable technology and non-oil growth.
China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway secures funding for major project
A landmark $4.7 billion financing agreement has been signed to construct the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, a massive infrastructure project set to transform trade connectivity across Central Asia. Under the deal, Beijing will provide a $2.3 billion loan and hold a 51% controlling stake in the joint venture, solidifying its influence over a strategic route that bypasses traditional logistics corridors. The engineering feat, which involves extensive tunnelling through mountainous Kyrgyz terrain, is viewed by the participating nations as a crucial step towards economic integration and opening new overland markets between China and the West.
A drone strike hit a power station in northern Sudan early Sunday (1 November), sparking a fire and triggering loud explosions, witnesses said....
Saudi Aramco's acquisition of a 49 per cent stake in artificial intelligence (AI) company HUMAIN is putting a spotlight on a wider investment q...
Gen Z protests swept 34 German cities on Saturday (31 October) over education, living costs and military service proposals. Violence erupted in Fra...
The U.S. has approved the sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine in a deal worth an estimated $2.1 billion, but Kyiv could face years of delays before receiving the weapons it urgently needs to defend against intensifying Russian attacks.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has ordered Iran's armed forces to respond to any threat immediately and without geographical limits in statements posted to social media platforms on Saturday (31 October).
Demonstrators carrying Iranian flags and placards supporting the hijab gathered outside the Azerbaijani Embassy in London.
A Chinese-made AI chip has matched Nvidia’s H200 in tests conducted by its developer, marking a potential breakthrough in China’s efforts to reduce its dependence on foreign technology.
A hacking group linked to North Korea is widely believed to be behind the theft of $6.3 billion from cryptocurrency giant Binance, a cyberattack that experts describe as the largest cryptocurrency heist on record.
A drone strike hit a power station in northern Sudan early Sunday (1 November), sparking a fire and triggering loud explosions, witnesses said.
Gen Z protests swept 34 German cities on Saturday (31 October) over education, living costs and military service proposals. Violence erupted in Frankfurt, where shops were looted and police reported Molotov cocktail attacks.
Iran designated Britain's Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organisations on Sunday, (1 November), and classified the country's foreign intelligence agency, MI6, as a hostile group, according to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Thousands protested in Albania's capital, Tirana, on Saturday (31 October), demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation over perceived corruption allegations and dissatisfaction with the government over a lack of jobs and poor education standards.
Russia has agreed to work with Ghana on developing a 2,000-megawatt nuclear power plant following talks at the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said on Saturday.
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