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.
U.S. President Donald Trump said a preliminary agreement to end the war in the Gulf has been signed by the U.S. and Iran, though details have yet to b...
In an historic milestone for South Caucasus diplomacy, Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, conducted his first w...
A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed on takeoff on Monday at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California's Mojave Desert, bursting in...
Iran has said that reaching an agreement with the U.S. to end the war does not mean Tehran will overlook what it describes as war crimes committed aga...
The United Nations Security Council unanimously extended the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 17 June 2027 in New York o...
In an historic milestone for South Caucasus diplomacy, Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, conducted his first working visit to Armenia on 14 June for a high-level meeting with Armen Grigoryan, Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Armenia.
The United Nations Security Council unanimously extended the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 17 June 2027 in New York on Monday, preserving its humanitarian, rights and political work.
The first day of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, was dominated by discussions on the Middle East, Ukraine and the global economy, as leaders grappled with multiple crises that have reshaped the international landscape.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 produced drama and surprises on 14-15 June, with Iran fighting back to draw 2-2 with New Zealand, Ivory Coast scoring a stoppage-time winner over Ecuador, Sweden thrashing Tunisia 5-1, and debutants Cape Verde holding Spain to a goalless draw.
Details of a reported draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran offer the clearest picture yet of how both sides plan to end months of conflict and move towards a longer-term settlement.
The U.S. and Iran say they have reached a deal to end their conflict, with an immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade. Talks will continue over the next 60 days to finalise the agreement
A senior U.S. official said on Monday that the memorandum of understanding linked to the U.S.-Iran agreement had been signed by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel does not consider itself bound by a Lebanon-related provision in an emerging agreement with Iran, according to Israeli officials.
Switzerland on Sunday rejected a referendum proposal to cap its population at 10 million, a projection showed, as voters prioritised economic stability and the country's ties with the European Union over immigration concerns.
A Chinese-linked hacking group secretly stole data from academic, medical and military research institutions in the U.S. and Canada for more than a year before being discovered, according to a report published by Google on Monday.
A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed on takeoff on Monday at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California's Mojave Desert, bursting into flames and killing all eight crew members aboard, Air Force officials said.
Firefighters and workers were clearing debris on Monday after what Ukraine described as a deliberate Russian strike severely damaged a nearly 1,000-year-old cathedral in Kyiv, one of the country's most important religious and cultural landmarks.
One month after Ebola cases were confirmed in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, health officials and aid organisations say the true extent of the outbreak remains unclear because of major gaps in testing, reporting and disease surveillance.
The first day of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, was dominated by discussions on the Middle East, Ukraine and the global economy, as leaders grappled with multiple crises that have reshaped the international landscape.
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