Reuters
Iraq's Ministry of Oil has proposed that American companies take over a controlling stake in the West Qurna-2 field, currently owned by the Russian firm Lukoil. This decision comes amid the Trump administration's favorable stance on the transfer of Russian global assets to American players.
Nigeria has sent fighter jets and ground troops to Benin after a failed coup attempt. Nigerian President Tinubu is acting due to fears of spreading violence.
Fighting has flared up again between Thailand and Cambodia, disrupting the truce. Thailand launched airstrikes on Cambodia, accusing it of mobilizing heavy weapons, while Cambodia called these actions aggression.
Brent crude futures rose to $63. 84 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude traded at $60.16. Investors are anticipating a Fed interest rate cut and monitoring geopolitical risks related to supplies from Russia and Venezuela.
The Russian "African Corps," which entered Mali after Wagner militants, is accused of systematic killings and abuse of the peaceful local population.
Near Okinawa, Chinese fighter jets locked fire control radar systems on Japanese military aircraft. Japan claims it was a provocation, while China states it was interference with training.
In early December, China and Russia held the third round of joint anti-missile drills on Russian territory. The drills were not aimed at any third party.
A large fire at a restaurant-club in Goa, India, claimed the lives of at least 23 people, including tourists. The incident occurred on December 6 in the Arpora area, and the causes of the tragedy are being investigated.
On Saturday, December 6, a 7-magnitude earthquake struck the US state of Alaska. The epicenter was located 90 km north of Yakutat, with no tsunami threat.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declared the "irreversibility" of expanding negotiations with Israel to end the violence, while Hezbollah publicly criticized the move as a political mistake.
The naval forces of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) conducted two-day military exercises, carrying out a massive launch of ballistic and cruise missiles. This demonstrated their readiness to counter external threats.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government failed to override a presidential veto on a bill regulating cryptocurrencies. This prevented increased oversight of a market that Tusk says is open to exploitation by Russian intelligence and money laundering.
Hours after Congo and Rwanda signed a "peace treaty" in Washington with Trump's mediation, fighting on the ground resumed with significant force, with both sides blaming each other.
Former Syrian intelligence chief Kamal Hassan and billionaire Rami Makhlouf, who are in exile in Moscow, are spending millions of dollars to create rival combat forces. They are competing for control over a network of 14 underground command rooms and weapons caches.
Sweden will cease aid to Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mozambique, Liberia, and Bolivia to increase support for Ukraine to 10 billion kronor by 2026.
The United States is demanding that Europe take on a greater share of NATO's conventional defense capabilities by 2027, including intelligence and missiles. Some European officials consider this deadline unrealistic, as Europe needs time to build up its potential.
South Korea will gain access to nuclear submarines after US approval, which could change Asia's security landscape. This decision could lead to an escalation of the submarine arms race in the region.
The German Bundestag has passed a new military service law that provides for a two-tier system with voluntary service and possible conscription. This is intended to increase the size of the Bundeswehr, as 18-year-old men will receive notices of readiness to serve.
NATO Commander-in-Chief Alexus Hrynkevych stated that the Alliance must be ready to respond to the growing hybrid threats, which include cyberattacks and disinformation. He noted that Russia is behind some hybrid incidents in Europe.
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the unity of Europe and the US in supporting Ukraine, rejecting reports of a possible betrayal of Washington. He refuted skepticism about peace talks, stressing the importance of cooperation.
Czech President Petr Pavel will appoint populist ANO party leader Andrej Babiš as prime minister on December 9. Babiš intends to take office in time to represent the country at the EU summit on December 18-19.
Ukraine faces the threat of demographic collapse due to war, population losses, and declining birth rates. It is estimated that by 2051, the population will shrink to 25 million, whereas before the full-scale invasion, it was 42 million.
Weeks after Iraq recognized Yemen's Houthis and Hezbollah as terrorists, the authorities revoked the decision, citing a mistake.
NASA has recorded extensive "light pollution" in images from orbital observatories. Up to 96% of images from some space telescopes can be distorted by light from satellites in low Earth orbit.
The Netherlands, Spain and Ireland will boycott Eurovision 2026 due to Israel's permission to participate. This decision was made after members of the European Broadcasting Union voted for new rules protecting the integrity of the competition.
Oil prices rose: Brent to $63. 02, WTI to $59.36. Attacks on Russian oil pipelines and lack of progress in peace talks contribute to rising prices.
The organizers of the Milan-Cortina Winter Games received the Olympic flame at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. This marked the beginning of a 63-day torch relay that will travel across Italy before the Olympics in February.
A talipot palm, imported from South Asia in the 1960s, has bloomed in Rio de Janeiro. This palm, one of the largest in the world, flowers only once in its lifetime, after which it naturally dies.
The Australian government has announced a military aid package for Ukraine worth 95 million Australian dollars. It includes contributions to PURL and the Drone Coalition, as well as military equipment.
The crew of the Greek vessel attacked by Houthis in the Red Sea has been released. All 11 crew members, including Filipinos, a Russian, and an Indian, will arrive in Oman.