Rally in Tel Aviv calls for return of deceased hostage Ran Gvili
Hundreds of people gathered for a second consecutive week at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, on Friday (12 December), to support the family of Master Sg...
Putin has paused energy facility strikes, but a full ceasefire remains elusive. The move signals ongoing tensions, with discussions about a wider peace deal set to begin, leaving questions about Ukraine’s role in the negotiations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Tuesday to temporarily suspend attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure but did not commit to a full 30-day ceasefire proposed by President Donald Trump as a step towards peace.
Ukraine conditionally supported the agreement, which would pause attacks on energy facilities for a month. Analysts suggest Putin may be seeking time as Russian forces advance in eastern Ukraine.
The White House announced talks on a broader ceasefire, including maritime security in the Black Sea, set to begin in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday. It remains unclear if Ukraine will participate.
After his call with Putin, Trump said they agreed to work towards a ceasefire and peace deal. However, Russia raised concerns that a pause could allow Ukraine to rearm and insisted that military aid to Kyiv must end. Trump stated that this issue was not discussed.
Zelenskyy confirmed Ukraine’s willingness to abide by the agreement but noted continued Russian drone attacks, including in Sumy and the Kyiv region. He criticised the limited nature of the deal and warned against prolonging the conflict.
The war, ongoing since 2022, has caused large-scale destruction and displacement. Ukraine has targeted Russian energy facilities, which Moscow claims threatens its economy. Analysts say the energy ceasefire may benefit Russia by reducing economic pressure.
European leaders have urged a broader ceasefire and reaffirmed that Ukraine must be central to any peace talks. Russia, which controls parts of eastern Ukraine, insists on maintaining its territorial gains and has called for the easing of sanctions, while Ukraine maintains that its sovereignty is non-negotiable.
Japan has lifted a tsunami advisory issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the country's northeastern region on Friday (12 December), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA had earlier put the earthquake's preliminary magnitude at 6.7.
Iran is preparing to host a multilateral regional meeting next week in a bid to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as Washington ramps up pressure on Caracas.
The resignation of Bulgaria's government on Thursday (11 December) puts an end to an increasingly unpopular coalition but is likely to usher in a period of prolonged political instability on the eve of the Black Sea nation's entry into the euro zone.
An extratropical cyclone has caused widespread disruption across Brazil’s São Paulo state, with powerful winds toppling trees and power lines, blocking streets and leaving large parts of the region without electricity.
Britain’s King Charles III said on Friday, 12 December, that his cancer treatment is expected to be reduced in the coming year, using a televised address to urge people across the country to take part in cancer screening programmes, officials confirmed.
Talks aimed at ending the war between Ukraine and Russia are set to continue in Berlin this weekend, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior European leaders, a U.S. official said.
Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat said Friday that discussions in Washington with U.S. officials have strengthened efforts to expand bilateral trade, moving closer to a $100 billion target.
Lebanon is prepared to demarcate its border with Syria, President Joseph Aoun said on Friday, while noting that the dispute over the Shebaa Farms could be addressed at a later stage.
Greek farmers blocked the Port of Thessaloniki on Friday (12 December) as part of nationwide protests demanding delayed European Union subsidies and compensation for rising production costs and livestock losses.
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