G7 Foreign Ministers have called on China to release Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon and politician Jimmy Lai, who was found guilty under the controversial national security law. The Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States and the High...
The UK has committed to provide 600 million pounds worth of air-defense capabilities, including cutting edge turrets that can shoot down Russian drones to support Ukraine through the winter. The air defense package for Ukraine comes as Russia's aerial strikes plunges homes, hospitals, and power stations into darkness. The announcement came as UK Defense Secretary John Healey and his German coun
Humanitarian agencies working in the Occupied Palestinian Territory have warned that life-saving aid operations are on the brink of collapse unless Israel immediately lifts new barriers that are blocking access and forcing international charities to shut down. In a sharply worded statement, the Humanitarian...
A total of 14 Islamic State terrorists have been killed and 119 others detained in joint operations by U.S. and partner forces in Syria over the last six months. U.S. and partner forces in Syria have conducted nearly 80 operations since July to eliminate terrorists, including ISIS remnants, that posed...
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has unveiled the nation's first ever Advanced Air Mobility National Strategy setting an ambitious roadmap to accelerate American aviation innovation and transform its skies for the better. The Strategy and accompanying action plan outline 40...
The European Commission has announced that it will issue up to 90 billion Euro worth of EU-Bonds in the first half of 2026, bringing outstanding EU-Bonds close to 800 Euros billion by the end of June 2026. The proceeds will be used to fund loans to EU Member States under the NextGenerationEU program...
The World Health Organization has warned that amid an early start to the Northern Hemisphere influenza season, a new variant of the virus is rapidly gaining ground. Influenza and other respiratory viruses are surging, Dr Wenqing Zhang, Unit Head for Global Respiratory Threats at the Department of...
Moving goods around the world could soon become cheaper, faster and far more flexible, following the adoption of a new United Nations-backed agreement that modernizes the paperwork behind global shipping. The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution for UN Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents supporting the convention on Monday. A signing ceremony is planned for the second half of 2026 in A
President Donald Trump has signed a Proclamation expanding full restrictions and entry limitations of nationals from 39 countries "to protect U.S. national security and public safety interests." Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had said earlier this month that the U.S. Government was planning to widen the travel ban that Trump announced on 19 countries to more than 30. In a proclamation h
President Donald Trump has announced that he is ordering "a total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going into, and out of, Venezuela." In a lengthy statement he posted on Truth Social Tuesday, Trump said he is designating the Nicolas Maduro regime in Venezuela a foreign terrorist organization "For the theft of our assets, and many other reasons, including terrorism, drug smuggl
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has directed the military departments to proactively review personnel records of U.S. service members who were involuntarily discharged solely for refusing to take the Covid-19 vaccine and facilitate appropriate discharge upgrades. A discharge upgrade is a...
A new EU-funded report confirms that urgent bloc-level action is needed to tackle cardiovascular diseases, which is the European Union's number one killer. The 'State of Cardiovascular Health in the EU' report reveals that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in the EU, accounting for one-third of all annual deaths and affecting over 60 million people. These fi
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has warned consumers to be alert against cyber-enabled scams and online fraud during holiday season. The warning was given in an annual holiday advisory issued by the Treasury's Office of Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection to help consumers protect...
President Donald Trump has signed an Executive Order designating illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemical as weapons of mass destruction. The Order directs the Attorney General to immediately pursue criminal charges, sentencing enhancements, and sentencing variances in fentanyl trafficking cases. Trump ordered the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury to pursue appropriate
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced a $1.5 billion grant for infrastructure projects across the country. Duffy announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity through Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grants for Fiscal Year 2026. The merit criteria of BUILD...
December 19, 2025 15:10 ET U.S. inflation data and interest rate decisions by major central banks were the highlights of this busy week for economics news flow. Employment data and survey results on the housing markets also gained attention in the U.S. In Europe, the European Central Bank and Bank of England announced their policy decisions and macroeconomic projections.