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.
A senior delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has been holding meetings with Georgian government offici...
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has told Masoud Pezeshkian, his Iranian counterpart, that violations of Turkish airspace by ...
China has raised the retail prices of petrol and diesel after global oil prices climbed sharply. The country&rsquo...
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has approved a new programme aimed at develop...
Kazakhstan has evacuated 8,585 citizens from Middle Eastern countries as regional tensions escalate. Authorities a...
A senior delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has been holding meetings with Georgian government officials, opposition leaders and security authorities this week, as international observers attempt to gauge the country’s political climate following last year’s contentious elections.
China has raised the retail prices of petrol and diesel after global oil prices climbed sharply. The country’s top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced the move after reviewing international oil market trends.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has approved a new programme aimed at developing educational courses and training sessions for young parents.
The United States has designated Afghanistan a “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention”, accusing the Taliban of holding American citizens to gain political concessions and demanding the immediate release of detained Americans.
Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is a hardline cleric with strong backing from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His rise signals continuity in Tehran's anti-Western policies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has addressed the U.N. Security Council, saying the world must consider how effective its engagement with the Taliban-run country is as millions face hunger.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
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