Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 21st of December, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. seizes oil tanker linked to Venezuela sanctions violations
The seizure was carried out before dawn in international waters in the Caribbean, with the U.S. Coast Guard acting alongside the Pentagon, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Washington says the vessel was part of an illicit network moving sanctioned Venezuelan crude used to fund what it described as narco-terrorism, while Venezuelan authorities have condemned the operation as a violation of international law. The tanker is expected to be taken to a U.S. port for legal and investigative proceedings in the coming days.
U.S., Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye assess Gaza ceasefire progress
Senior representatives from the U.S., Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye met in Miami to review the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire and prepare the groundwork for the next stage, according to a statement from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. Officials said the initial phase had delivered concrete results, including increased humanitarian aid, the return of the bodies of hostages, partial troop withdrawals and reduced hostilities in Gaza. Talks then focused on phase two, with an emphasis on creating a unified Gazan governing authority, regional integration measures for recovery, and the possible establishment of a transitional board of peace.
Japan and Central Asian states deepen cooperation on critical minerals
Japan and five Central Asian nations have agreed on new initiatives to strengthen critical minerals supply chains and expand regional cooperation following their first summit in Tokyo. The talks, held under the Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue, brought together Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the leaders of five Central Asian states. They agreed to expand cooperation on energy transition, climate resilience and regional connectivity, and set a target of 3 trillion yen in joint business projects over five years.
World Bank extends fresh financial support to Pakistan
The World Bank has approved $700 million in new financing to support Pakistan as it works to stabilise its economy and strengthen public service delivery. The funding will be channelled through a nationwide reform programme targeting fiscal governance and revenue mobilisation, with $600 million allocated at the federal level and $100 million directed to Sindh. World Bank country director Bolormaa Amgaabazar said stronger domestic resource management was key to delivering sustainable growth and long-term economic resilience.
Netanyahu to discuss military options on Iran with Trump
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida on 29 December to present military options related to Iran, according to Israel’s public broadcaster KAN. The briefing is expected to include updated intelligence on Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, with scenarios ranging from unilateral Israeli action to joint operations with U.S. backing, as well as broader regional security considerations linked to the Gaza ceasefire.
Peru’s electoral authority has declared right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori the winner of the country’s presidential election, weeks after a close...
Singapore has reported a data exposure affecting 70,000 people after unauthorised access to a dataset in an IBM-managed cloud environment, according t...
Humanity’s return to the Moon is about far more than planting flags and collecting samples. Under NASA’s Artemis programme, the goal is to establi...
Another human rights catastrophe is unfolding around the besieged Sudanese city of al-Obeid, the United Nations human rights chief warned on Friday, r...
International politicians and religious leaders have paid respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei throughout the day, ahead of his six day...
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A Russian couple climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and unfurled a banner urging world peace before, in an apparent elaborate marriage proposal that ended with their arrests.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
International politicians and religious leaders have paid respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei throughout the day, ahead of his six day funeral ceremony which begins on Saturday. His casket is currently on display at the Iman Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran.
Eight Buddhist monks were killed and more than 20 others injured after an 11-year-old boy driving his parents' pickup truck ploughed into a religious procession in north-eastern Thailand, police said.
Israeli lawmakers have approved a bill that would ban the Muslim call to prayer (adhan) from being broadcast through mosque loudspeakers, according to local media.
Peru’s electoral authority has declared right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori the winner of the country’s presidential election, weeks after a closely contested run-off vote against left-wing rival Roberto Sanchez.
Singapore has reported a data exposure affecting 70,000 people after unauthorised access to a dataset in an IBM-managed cloud environment, according to the Singapore Land Authority (SLA). The authority said operational systems and property records remain secure.
Another human rights catastrophe is unfolding around the besieged Sudanese city of al-Obeid, the United Nations human rights chief warned on Friday, raising alarm over mounting atrocities and the risk of a worsening humanitarian disaster.
Germany has requested urgent talks with China's ambassador following reports that Chinese authorities trained Russian soldiers, adding fresh strain to relations between Beijing and Europe amid the war in Ukraine.
A “vanishingly rare” copy of the Declaration of Independence has been discovered in London, found in British archives holding records linked to the capture of an American privateer vessel in 1776.
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