Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 23rd of December, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Trump confirms seizure of Venezuelan oil and vessels
President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the U.S. will retain control of oil tankers and ships recently seized off the Venezuelan coast, suggesting the confiscated crude may be added to the Strategic Reserves. The move follows Trump’s declaration of a "total blockade" on sanctioned tankers last week, with American forces currently pursuing a third vessel in the region as part of heightened efforts to enforce sanctions and prevent Venezuelan oil from reaching global markets.
Netanyahu to discuss Iranian military drills with Trump
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel is closely monitoring recent Iranian missile exercises and intends to raise the matter with President Trump during his visit to Washington next week. Speaking at a trilateral summit with Greek and Cypriot leaders, Netanyahu warned that any hostile action from Tehran would meet a "severe response", whilst also discussing regional security cooperation and energy initiatives intended to link India to Europe via the Middle East.
U.S. unveils plans for new ‘Trump-class’ battleships
President Trump has approved plans to construct a new fleet of "Trump-class" battleships, described as being significantly larger and more powerful than any previous U.S. warship. The administration aims to commission between 20 and 25 of these massive vessels—each equipped with nuclear-armed cruise missiles—as part of a "Golden Fleet" initiative to expand naval power, with the first ship set to be christened the USS Defiant.
Zelenskyy warns of intensified Russian attacks over Christmas
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned of a heightened risk of large-scale Russian strikes over the Christmas period, citing intelligence reports of increased threats between 23 and 25 December. Whilst Kyiv negotiates with Washington for additional Patriot air defence systems to counter a critical shortage, Zelenskyy noted that Moscow had rejected holiday ceasefire proposals, even as tensions rise following the reported assassination of a Russian general in Moscow.
Ellison backs Paramount’s £86bn bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
Paramount has reaffirmed its bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, valued at approximately $108.4 billion (£86bn), now bolstered by a $40.4 billion personal equity guarantee from billionaire Larry Ellison. Despite the target company’s board urging shareholders to reject the offer in favour of a competing deal with Netflix, Paramount remains committed to the takeover, extending its tender offer deadline to January 2026 and arguing that its proposal delivers superior long-term value.
Leaders of countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have agreed to hold coordinated population censuses around 2030. They took t...
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 9 October 2026 with five key developments from the CIS summit in Turkmenistan....
South African judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday “for her eff...
Leaders of countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have agreed to hold coordinated population censuses around 2030. They took the decision at the CIS Council of Heads of State meeting in Awaza, Turkmenistan on Friday, media reported.
Russia struck Ukraine overnight in one of the biggest attacks of the conflict, killing at least 19 people, Kyiv's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. Around 70 missiles were fired at Ukraine during the attack, as well as drones, the Ministry said.
The Saudi-led coalition says it has carried out a series of military operations against Houthi targets in Yemen after attacks on two Saudi airports left three people dead and dozens injured.
Azerbaijan and the five Central Asian states have signed two key documents at the 8th Consultative Meeting of Heads of State in Turkmenbashi, formalising a broader framework for regional cooperation in transport, trade, energy, digitalisation and security.
It started with classrooms. Too many students, not enough teachers, deteriorating buildings and growing anxiety over what comes after high school. But within weeks, a movement that began outside French lycées had spread across the country.
South African judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday “for her efforts to promote peace and international law,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.
U.S. federal immigration agents shot and wounded a man in a car with a five-year-old boy inside in New York City’s Bronx neighbourhood on Thursday, city officials, police and witnesses say.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sharply criticised the United States following a series of Russian attacks that killed more than 70 people over two days, arguing that Washington is not doing enough to help Kyiv counter Moscow's continued assault.
Britain and Israel have reached a temporary compromise over the future of the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem, easing a diplomatic dispute that had threatened to further strain relations between the two countries.
The United States has unveiled a new round of sanctions targeting Iran's energy exports, taking aim at vessels, companies and individuals accused of helping move Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and petrochemicals to overseas markets.
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