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.
Armenia could face soaring gas prices, a sharp drop in remittances and tighter restrictions on migrant workers if its membership of the Eurasian Ec...
Pakistan’s military chief is heading to Iran for talks as Islamabad pushes for dialogue between Tehran and Washington, while reaffirming its ...
The European Union has warned that Georgia's bid to ban five major opposition parties threatens political freedoms and fair competition, as the...
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for continuing to target Russia's energy infrastructure, while Russian strikes on Kyiv overnight killed at least one person and damaged a metro station.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Norway for talks about the Russia-Ukraine war. He is expected to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who arrived in Oslo earlier. Witkoff will also meet European officials.
The day after waiving sanctions and tariffs related to Russian exports, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he has yet to announce a final decision on the matter as Secretary of State Marco Rubio said officials want more time to evaluate the situation.
French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned the violence, looting and vandalism that erupted during cost-of-living protests across France. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu held crisis talks on Monday, calling for partial curfews and raising the possibility of a state of emergency.
An oil tanker caught fire after striking a naval mine in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said late Sunday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Norway for talks about the Russia-Ukraine war. He is expected to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who arrived in Oslo earlier. Witkoff will also meet European officials.
Beijing says it deployed naval forces to monitor a U.S. warship near Sabina Shoal, while Taiwan reports a separate confrontation with a Chinese coast guard vessel near the Pratas Islands.
Tensions are mounting across Asia, with North Korea warning of war, China clashing with the U.S. and the Philippines, and protests gathering pace in Indonesia and India. Military threats, diplomatic disputes and political unrest are fuelling uncertainty across the region.
Canada’s oil-rich province of Alberta voted to remain part of the country in a non-binding referendum on Monday, 19 October, CBC News reports, delivering a much-needed victory for Prime Minister Mark Carney amid an ongoing trade war with the United States.
A Kenyan court has convicted cult leader Paul Mackenzie and 28 co-defendants of murder over the deaths of 191 people, including 190 children, in a case that shocked the world and exposed one of the deadliest cult-related tragedies in recent memory.
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