US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, will meet with Qatari, Egyptian, and Turkish officials in Miami to discuss a deal on Gaza.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde expressed confidence that EU leaders will agree on a way to support Ukraine. She expects a solution to be found, despite possible difficulties, as the issue is too important.
US Secretary of State Rubio announced the imposition of restrictions against two ICC judges, Gocha Lordkipanidze and Erdenebalsuren Damdin. This decision was made under an executive order aimed at countering attempts by the court to prosecute citizens of states that are not members of the ICC.
Israel's Ministry of Defense announced an expansion of its contract with Germany for the supply of Arrow-3 missile defense components, increasing its value to $3. 1 billion.
The Russian government has ordered the country's railway to sell the "Moscow Towers" in the capital's "Moscow City" complex to pay off its debts.
The UN Human Rights Office accused the Sudanese group RSF of massacring over 1,000 civilians in the Zamzam camp in North Darfur. Militants used sexual violence and blocked food supplies, leading to starvation.
The United States has approved an $11. 1 billion arms sale to Taiwan, the largest ever arms package for the island. The move comes amid increasing military pressure from China and includes HIMARS rocket systems, howitzers, and Javelin anti-tank missiles.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the approval of a 112 billion shekel ($34. 67 billion) deal to supply natural gas to Egypt. This agreement will help Egypt, which has spent billions on importing liquefied natural gas, to ease its energy crisis.
Silver prices have reached a new all-time high, surpassing the $65 per ounce mark, making it the best annual performance in history. The surge is driven by supply shortages, growing demand from high-tech industries, and the inclusion of silver on the US list of critical minerals.
Oil company PDVSA has resumed loading crude oil and fuel after a three-day pause caused by a cyberattack. Fuel exports remain blocked due to Washington's strict policies and fears of asset seizure. Crude exports have sharply fallen compared to 900,000 barrels per day in November.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder is being disbanded in the United States. This is part of a strategy to cut funding for climate research, which also includes reducing the budget of NOAA and its scientific division OAR.
Poland will begin producing anti-personnel mines for the first time since the Cold War. They will be deployed along the eastern border and exported to Ukraine.
Trump ordered a full blockade of all sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers. Caracas condemned the move as an open act of aggression, while Trump accused the government of Nicolas Maduro of drug trafficking and human trafficking.
The Warner Bros Discovery board of directors rejected Paramount Skydance's $108. 4 billion offer due to insufficient funding guarantees. This decision means support for Netflix's offer to acquire Warner Bros assets.
Warner Bros. Discovery's board of directors is likely to reject Paramount Skydance's $108.4 billion offer, backing Netflix instead. Netflix previously offered $72 billion for Warner Bros. Discovery.
Canada plans to open two new consulates in Greenland and Alaska as part of a strategy to strengthen its presence in the Arctic. Foreign Minister Anita Anand emphasized the growing strategic importance of the region, given the advancement of Russian infrastructure and the melting of polar ice.
Rating agency Fitch has placed Euroclear Bank's ratings on Rating Watch Negative due to EU plans to use frozen Russian assets for a 'reparations' loan to Ukraine. This could lead to increased legal and liquidity risks for Euroclear.
The US Air Force plans to acquire two Boeing 747-8 aircraft at a total cost of approximately $400 million. They will be used for crew training and as a source of spare parts for the future presidential fleet.
Oil quotes rose after US President Donald Trump announced a blockade for all sanctioned tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. Brent quotes rose by 0.9% to $59.46 per barrel, and American WTI rose by 1% to $55.82.
On December 16, US President Donald Trump ordered a complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuelan territorial waters. He accused Venezuela of stealing American assets and declared its government a "foreign terrorist organization."
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz estimates the EU's chances of reaching an agreement on using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine's defense as "50-50. " EU leaders are expected to agree on the issue of using frozen Russian assets for a "reparation loan" to Ukraine at the summit on December 18-19.
The FCAS fifth-generation fighter jet program between France, Germany, and Spain has fallen into a deep crisis due to strategic disagreements. The project's implementation is now "very unlikely," and a decision on it will likely be postponed until 2026.
The occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP receives power through only one of two external power transmission lines. The disconnection of the backup line due to military actions creates a threat of a nuclear accident.
A man who drove a car into a crowd of football fans during a parade in Liverpool has been sentenced to 21. 5 years in prison. More than 130 people were injured in the incident, including a Ukrainian woman who required surgery.
A dam breach in the US state of Washington due to heavy rain has led to an evacuation order. A flood warning will remain in effect until at least 9:00 PM as torrential rains sweep across the Pacific Northwest coast.
Great Britain plans to strengthen citizen training for service, increase defense production, and develop necessary skills. This is a response to the growing threat from Russia, which seeks to challenge NATO.
Germany will strengthen support for Ukraine's defense sector through joint ventures, market integration, and the possible provision of federal guarantees for investments within a 10-point plan. This includes joint procurement of Ukrainian military equipment and the establishment of a representative office of the Ukrainian defense industry in Berlin.
The Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group claimed to have captured hundreds of Burundian soldiers during an offensive in eastern DR Congo. This happened after a meeting between the presidents of the DRC and Rwanda in Washington, where they reaffirmed their commitment to a peace agreement.
In Bolivia, floods caused by the overflowing Piraí River have killed 20 people, and at least two dozen are considered missing. Approximately 2,100 families have been affected, and 300 people have been rescued by helicopter.
US President Donald Trump will join the conversation between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders regarding a peace plan. This was reported by an American official, and Zelenskyy did not give a clear answer regarding the possible conversation.
