- Zelensky Proposes Demilitarized Zones in Peace Plan: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested the creation of “demilitarized zones” and a “free economic zone” in the Donbas region as part of a latest effort to reach a peace agreement with Russia.
- Libyan Military Chief Killed in Plane Crash: Lt. Gen. Mohamed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, Libya’s army chief of general staff, and four others were killed when their jet crashed outside Ankara, Turkey, after losing signal shortly after takeoff.
- Trump Appointment of Greenland Envoy Sparks Row: President Trump’s decision to appoint a special envoy to Greenland has caused diplomatic friction with Denmark and Greenland, as the administration continues to express interest in the semiautonomous territory.
- New Epstein Files Mention High-Profile Figures: The latest release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein includes emails sent to Ghislaine Maxwell from an individual identified as “A” at Balmoral, as well as multiple mentions of Donald Trump.
- Australia Passes “Extraordinary” Gun and Protest Laws: Following a mass shooting at Bondi Beach, the state of New South Wales has passed strict new laws regarding firearms and police powers to crack down on protests, drawing criticism from civil liberties groups.
- North Korea-Linked Crypto Theft Hits $2.02 Billion: Hackers tied to North Korea have stolen over $2 billion in cryptocurrency in 2025, accounting for nearly 60% of the total $3.4 billion stolen globally through early December.
- US Seizes Venezuelan Oil Tankers: The U.S. government has intercepted and seized tankers carrying Venezuelan oil as part of a pressure campaign intended to force President Nicolás Maduro from power, leading Venezuela to accuse the U.S. of “extortion.”
- Russian General Assassinated in Moscow Car Bombing: A senior Russian military official was killed by a car bomb in Moscow, followed days later by another explosion in the same area that killed at least three people, including two police officers.
- US Denies Visas to EU Tech Regulators: The Trump administration has barred several Europeans, including former top tech regulator Thierry Breton, from entering the U.S., accusing them of attempting to censor American viewpoints via social media rules.
- Assad Reported Living in Luxury in Russia: Following the fall of his regime, ousted Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad and his close circle have reportedly secured a “soft landing” in Russia, where they are living in luxury while former enforcers remain free in other host nations.