Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 19th of December, covering the latest developments you need to know.
EU leaders agree €90bn loan for Ukraine, shelving Russian asset plan
European Union leaders have agreed to a joint borrowing scheme to raise €90 billion (£75bn) for Ukraine’s defence over the next two years, sidelining a controversial plan to utilise frozen Russian assets directly. The funding, intended for 2026 and 2027, aims to provide urgent financial stability for Kyiv amidst the ongoing conflict. While Belgium raised concerns over the legal risks of touching frozen funds, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic agreed not to obstruct the alternative borrowing plan, ensuring the aid package proceeds as a matter of urgency.
Suspect in Brown University shooting found dead in New Hampshire
The suspect linked to the fatal shooting at Brown University has been found dead in a storage unit in New Hampshire, with authorities indicating the individual likely committed suicide. Federal officials are now investigating a potential connection between this attack and the subsequent murder of an MIT professor in Massachusetts just days later. As the investigation continues, law enforcement agencies remain focused on establishing a full timeline of events following the violence that shook the Ivy League campus and prompted a multi-state manhunt.
Australia announces gun buyback following Bondi Beach massacre
In the wake of the Bondi Beach massacre that claimed 15 lives during Hanukkah celebrations, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a nationwide gun buyback scheme to remove surplus and prohibited firearms from circulation. Echoing the strict reforms introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur tragedy, the government aims to tighten public safety while simultaneously strengthening hate speech laws to combat rising antisemitism. Police have also stepped up security, detaining seven individuals in Sydney amid fears of further extremist violence inspired by the attack.
EU-Mercosur trade deal delayed until January amid farmer protests
The long-awaited free trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur bloc has been postponed until January after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen failed to secure the necessary backing from member states. Opposition from France and Italy, coupled with violent farmer protests in Brussels over agricultural safeguards, forced the delay just ahead of a planned summit in Brazil. While leaders like Italy’s Giorgia Meloni have requested more time to garner domestic support, proponents argue the deal is vital for reducing Europe’s economic reliance on China.
Azerbaijan and Armenia take historic step towards economic cooperation
Marking a significant shift in relations, Azerbaijan and Armenia have agreed on a trade deal involving the shipment of Azerbaijani petroleum products, signalling a new era of economic cooperation despite the absence of a final peace treaty. MP Qaya Mammadov described the move as a pragmatic step to rebuild trust and revive direct commercial ties that had been dormant for decades. Observers view this development as a vital milestone for stability in the South Caucasus, demonstrating that practical engagement can proceed alongside ongoing diplomatic negotiations.
Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed across Bangladesh after violent protests erupted overnight over the killing of a prominent youth lea...
Thousands of Bulgarians took to the streets on Thursday evening to protest against the outgoing government, demanding fair elections and judicial refo...
Australia has announced a nationwide gun buyback scheme following the mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on...
The suspect believed to be responsible for the mass shooting at Brown University last weekend has been found dead, U.S. federal officials have confirm...
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has offered to mediate between the U.S. and Venezuela, warning that urgent diplomatic intervention is n...
Thousands of Bulgarians took to the streets on Thursday evening to protest against the outgoing government, demanding fair elections and judicial reforms to address what they describe as widespread corruption.
Australia has announced a nationwide gun buyback scheme following the mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday, as hundreds of surfers and swimmers gathered there to pay tribute to the victims.
The suspect believed to be responsible for the mass shooting at Brown University last weekend has been found dead, U.S. federal officials have confirmed.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has offered to mediate between the U.S. and Venezuela, warning that urgent diplomatic intervention is needed to prevent a “fratricidal war” in Latin America.
The latest clashes between Thailand and Cambodia mark a dangerous escalation in one of Southeast Asia’s oldest and most sensitive disputes.
In the complex world of international diplomacy, the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan have raised significant questions about the role of third-party mediation.
In a ground-breaking development, artificial intelligence (AI) is taking on new forms in Japan, where it has extended to a more personal and intimate domain being romantic relationships.
European Union leaders have agreed to raise up to €90 billion through joint borrowing to support Ukraine’s defence in 2026 and 2027, opting not to use frozen Russian state assets amid legal and political concerns.
Petroleum products are being transported by rail from Azerbaijan to Armenia for the first time in decades. The move is hailed as a tangible breakthrough in efforts to normalise relations between the long-time rivals.
Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed across Bangladesh after violent protests erupted overnight over the killing of a prominent youth leader, raising concerns of further unrest ahead of national elections.
Thousands of Bulgarians took to the streets on Thursday evening to protest against the outgoing government, demanding fair elections and judicial reforms to address what they describe as widespread corruption.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has offered to mediate between the U.S. and Venezuela, warning that urgent diplomatic intervention is needed to prevent a “fratricidal war” in Latin America.
European Union leaders have agreed to raise up to €90 billion through joint borrowing to support Ukraine’s defence in 2026 and 2027, opting not to use frozen Russian state assets amid legal and political concerns.
Türkiye has enhanced its environmental and cultural conservation efforts, registering 10,503 monumental trees and 319 caves nationwide, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change confirmed.
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