Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 22th of December, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. and Ukraine call Miami talks productive despite no breakthrough
In an effort to end the nearly four-year war, officials from the U.S., Europe and Ukraine met in Florida for discussions described by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff as "productive and constructive". While the talks focused on a 20-point plan and security guarantees, significant differences remain. The Kremlin insists on retaining seized territory, a condition Kyiv says it will not accept despite pressure from President Trump for a swift resolution.
Israel authorises 19 new West Bank settlements
Israel’s government has approved the construction of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, bringing the total to a record 69 under the current administration. Analysts warn the move further undermines the viability of a two-state solution and complicates U.S.-brokered diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, particularly amidst rising violence that saw two Palestinians killed during recent Israeli raids.
Remaining abducted schoolchildren released in Nigeria
The final group of 130 students kidnapped last month from a Catholic boarding school in Niger state has been freed, bringing the total number of rescued pupils to 230. The release follows a tense period after gunmen seized over 300 individuals in November, an incident that reignited public outrage over insecurity and ransom-driven kidnappings in northern Nigeria.
U.S. pursues oil tanker near Venezuela enforcing ‘blockade’
The U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing a sanctioned oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, marking the third such interception in less than two weeks. The action forms part of President Trump’s pressure campaign against the government of Nicolás Maduro , a move that has begun to affect global markets, with oil prices rising in early Asian trading amid supply concerns.
Strategic focus shifts to EU enlargement in the Balkans
As concerns grow over potential conflict with Russia, the European Union is reportedly prioritising the accession of Montenegro and Albania, reportedly by 2028, to strengthen its south-eastern flank. However, while these nations may fast-track their integration to bolster the bloc’s defence, other candidate countries, including Serbia, remain stalled due to unresolved geopolitical issues, particularly regarding the recognition of Kosovo.
Major power outage hits San Francisco
A large-scale power outage hit San Francisco on Saturday, leaving up to 130,000 customers without power and causing widespread traffic disruption across the city. While Pacific Gas and Electric crews restored power to many areas, about 40,000 homes and businesses were expected to remain without electricity overnight, prompting officials to issue safety warnings.
Israeli gunfire killed at least three Palestinians in two separate incidents across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, local health authorities reported, as te...
Azerbaijan has sent 979 tonnes of fuel to Armenia, as supplies of petroleum products between the two countries continue....
Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet and other top names will compete for top honours at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, a key event in the run-up to t...
More than 1,000 apartment buildings in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, remain without heating after a Russian missile strike earlier this week, local aut...
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order preventing Venezuelan oil revenues held by the United States from being used in judicial proceedi...
Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet and other top names will compete for top honours at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, a key event in the run-up to the Academy Awards. The ceremony is due to take place on Sunday in Beverly Hills, California, recognising achievements across film and television.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 11th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Despite facing challenges in chip manufacturing, Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) researchers are optimistic about narrowing the technological gap with the United States, driven by an increasing culture of risk-taking and innovation.
Elon Musk announced that the social media platform X will make its new algorithm publicly available, including all code related to organic and advertising post recommendations, in seven days.
U.S. President Donald Trump has ruled out ordering a mission to capture Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he is confident the war in Ukraine can be brought to an end.
Bob Weir, the rhythm guitarist, songwriter and co-founder of the Grateful Dead, has died at the age of 78, his family has said.
Türkiye has stepped back from mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan after repeated efforts failed to narrow deep differences between Islamabad and Kabul.
Türkiye is reportedly in discussions to join the defence alliance between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, a strategic move that could reshape security dynamics in the Middle East and South Asia.
China, Russia and Iran have begun a week-long joint naval exercise in South African waters, a move that comes amid strained relations between Washington and several members of the expanded BRICS bloc.
Israeli gunfire killed at least three Palestinians in two separate incidents across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, local health authorities reported, as tensions continue to simmer despite a ceasefire agreement reached in October between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
More than 1,000 apartment buildings in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, remain without heating after a Russian missile strike earlier this week, local authorities said on Sunday, as freezing temperatures grip the city.
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order preventing Venezuelan oil revenues held by the United States from being used in judicial proceedings, arguing that court action could threaten U.S. policy objectives in Venezuela.
A woman has been killed and three other people injured in a Ukrainian drone attack overnight into Sunday on the Russian city of Voronezh, which also damaged several buildings, local officials said.
The U.S. military said it carried out multiple airstrikes across Syria early on Saturday as part of an operation begun in December, after Islamic State militants killed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter in an attack on 13 December.
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