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.
A Russian general has been killed in a car bomb attack in southern Moscow, with investigators saying Ukrainian special services may have been involved...
Director James Cameron has shared the key reasons behind the global success of Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third installment in one of the highest-gross...
Japan is moving to revive nuclear power nearly 15 years after the Fukushima disaster, with a regional assembly clearing the way for the restart of one...
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...
South East Asian foreign ministers meeting in Malaysia are seeking to revive a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia after two weeks of deadly borde...
The European Union stands at a crossroads: to receive new members and accelerate the enlargement process in order to strengthen its role in the international arena, or to risk strategic stagnation by delaying expansion in favor of internal reform.
The remaining 130 Nigerian schoolchildren abducted in November from a Catholic school in Niger state have been released, President Bola Tinubu's spokesperson said on Sunday, following one of the country's biggest mass kidnappings of recent years.
Israel’s government has approved the creation of 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move that analysts say further undermines the prospects for a viable Palestinian state.
Senior representatives from the U.S., Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye have held talks in Miami to assess progress on the Gaza ceasefire and lay the groundwork for its next phase, according to a statement issued by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
The death toll from Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades has risen to 161, after forensic analysis confirmed one more victim among the charred remains at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, more than three weeks after the blaze began, authorities said on Saturday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet President Donald Trump on 29 December in Florida, where he is expected to present a package of military options regarding Iran, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported on Saturday.
The U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, officials told on Sunday, in what would be the second such operation this weekend and the third in less than two weeks if successful.
The United States has proposed a potential new format for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, which could include American and European representatives, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday, December 20.
A major power outage swept across San Francisco on Saturday, leaving up to 130,000 customers without electricity, disrupting traffic and forcing some businesses to close temporarily, officials said.
A Russian general has been killed in a car bomb attack in southern Moscow, with investigators saying Ukrainian special services may have been involved.
Japan is moving to revive nuclear power nearly 15 years after the Fukushima disaster, with a regional assembly clearing the way for the restart of one of the world’s largest nuclear power plants.
South East Asian foreign ministers meeting in Malaysia are seeking to revive a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia after two weeks of deadly border clashes that have killed at least 60 people and forced more than half a million from their homes.
The remaining 130 Nigerian schoolchildren abducted in November from a Catholic school in Niger state have been released, President Bola Tinubu's spokesperson said on Sunday, following one of the country's biggest mass kidnappings of recent years.
As pollution levels in New Delhi reached dangerously high levels over the weekend, residents of the Indian capital sought refuge in the cooler, cleaner air of northern India's hill towns.
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