The US contributed the largest share to NATO spending before Donald Trump's second term in office.

Brussels

European Union leaders, meeting in Brussels, pledged more than $105 billion in loans to support Ukraine after failing to reach consensus on unlocking frozen Russian assets. The financial package is structured so that Ukraine will repay only after receiving reparations, with the EU reserving the right to use immobilized Russian assets to finance the loan.

Amid growing concerns about the reliability of US support, European NATO members have increased defense spending and set new long-term military goals. Leaders are preparing for a possible future where Europe assumes greater responsibility for NATO's defense as the US shifts its strategic focus toward countering China in the Asia-Pacific region.

The future of NATO: European nations prepare to go it alone

EU leaders meeting in Brussels had one mission – unlock frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine's war efforts. But the summit was beset by divisions and ended instead with a pledge of more than $105 billion from financial markets in the form of a loan over two years. This is a bloc trying to remain united amid growing concerns the US may no longer be the ally it can rely on to counter Russia and other threats. Ukraine would only need to pay back the loan once it receives reparations. Until then, the immobilised Russian assets will remain immobilised and the union reserves its right to make use of the cash balances to finance the loan. At the NATO headquarters, it's business as usual. After mounting pressure from President Donald Trump, EU members increased their defence spending. The 27-nation bloc spent $400 billion or 1.9% of its collective GDP in 2024. This year, spending is projected to reach $450 billion, about 2.1% of members' GDP. In June, NATO states committed to new goals – 3.5% to military spending and another 1.5% to broader security – within a decade. But that may do little to change the mind of the US president. Europe is ready to take on more responsibility, a signal that burden-sharing is not just a slogan but a concrete commitment, and a signal to any adversary that NATO remains strong, united and fully capable of defending our territory. Trump has proposed an immediate ceasefire with Russia to end the war, in a deal that includes Ukraine surrendering territory. In the long run, the US considers China, not Russia, to be the biggest threat to its security. When European leaders met President Trump at the NATO summit in The Hague, they praised his efforts to promote peace and stability. Their refusive words were likely meant to show the post-World War II alliance remains strong. European leaders suspect it's only a matter of time before they will have to take control of NATO's defence capabilities. They're preparing for when the US disengages from the continent and pivots towards the Asia-Pacific region to counter China's growing military and economic influence. And this is where many fear the future of the transatlantic alliance may be hanging by a thread.

The latest attack comes as presidents Zelenskyy and Trump prepare to meet in Florida on Sunday amid ongoing efforts to end the war.

Kyiv

One dead many injured after Russia launches massive attack on Kyiv

According to the Chinese foreign ministry, the sanctions entail freezing the companies’ assets in China and banning individuals and organisations from accessing them.

Beijing

China sanctions 20 American companies over arms sales to Taiwan

Somalia reacted angrily Friday (December 26) after Israel formally recognised the northern region of Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign state" -- the first country to do so. U.S. President Donald Trump said he opposed U.S. recognition of Somaliland in an interview with the New York Post.

Somaliland

Somalia denounces Israeli recognition of Somaliland

Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an "immediate" ceasefire on Saturday (December 26), the two countries said in a joint statement, pledging to end border clashes that killed dozens of people.

Buri Ram

Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire

Somaliland, a territory of more than 3 million people in the Horn of Africa, seceded from Somalia more than three decades ago, but it hadn't internationally been recognized as an independent state by any country.

Israel becomes first country to recognize Somaliland

Some of the stabbed victims remain in serious condition. A 38-year-old man was arrested for alleged attempted murder at the factory, authorities said.

Mishima

At least 15 injured in chemical attack, stabbing at Japan factory

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he was shocked by the "horrific killing spree" and pledged Israel would reinforce its security.

Jerusalem

Palestinian man kills two in car, knife attack in northern Israel

Munitions factories are expected to expand capacity and build new plants as the regime in Pyongyang intensifies weapons development and furthers its ties with Russia.

Pyongyang

Kim Jong-un orders North Korea to boost missile production in 2026

The United States launched airstrikes on Islamic State targets in Nigeria's Sokoto State on Thursday. Nigerian authorities denied Trump's claim of mass killings of Christians amid mixed reactions to the U.S. intervention.

Abuja

Nigeria confirms cooperation with U.S. strikes on IS targets

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday (December 26) he planned to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump soon and that a lot could be decided before the New Year as Washington pushes diplomatic efforts to end the war with Russia.

Washington

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskiy: 'A lot' can be decided before New Year ahead of Trump talk

The United States carried out airstrikes against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of Nigeria's government, U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. military said on Thursday, claiming the group had been targeting Christians in the region.

U.S. launches 'deadly' airstrikes in Nigeria targeting ISIS: Trump

Official results show Asfura edged out his main rival Salvador Nasralla by less than one percentage point. Marred by delays and fraud claims, the Honduran election continues Latin America's shift to the right.

Tegucigalpa

Honduras: Trump ally Nasry Asfura wins disputed presidency

Several people were killed in Southern California when severe storms with heavy rain caused mudslides and flooding, which was made worse in areas affected by wildfires in January.

Heavy rain, flooding turns deadly in California

The U.S. Department of Justice says it has found more than a million more documents potentially tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, delaying a full release for weeks while officials redact details to protect victims.

DOJ reviews over 1 million newly found Epstein documents

Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Christmas Mass Wednesday evening where he described the celebration as a feast of "faith, charity and hope". He reminded the faithful that refusing to help the poor and vulnerable is comparable to rejecting God altogether.

Rome

Pope Leo reminds believers to help the poor in first Christmas mass

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaled progress in a Ukraine-Russia peace plan, after he told journalists about a new draft that would include a free economic zone and demilitarization. Holly Williams has the latest.

Zelenskyy signals progress with Ukraine-Russia peace plan

Democrats and some Republicans are blasting the Justice Department over its handling of the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, which included major redactions.

U.S. lawmakers blast DOJ over Epstein files release

Bolsonaro is expected to undergo the procedure on 25 December.

Brasília

Brazil's ex-president Bolsonaro temporarily leaves prison for surgery

Two police officers have been killed in an explosion in Moscow, Russian investigators said on Wednesday. Their deaths come just two days after a car bomb killed a top general in the same area of the Russia capital.

Moscow

Three people killed in Moscow car explosion, Russian authorities say

European intelligence agencies say investigations into Russian interference now consume as much time as terrorist threats.

Paris

Pro-Russian hackers claim French postal service cyberattack

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country and the United States have reached a consensus on several critical issues aimed at bringing an end to the conflict with Russia — but sensitivities around territorial control in Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland and the management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remain unresolved.

U.S., Ukraine reach consensus on some key issues to end war with Russia

The latest Epstein file release alleges a connection between former prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell, including emails in which an individual identified as 'A' requested 'inappropriate friends.'

London

Latest Epstein release alleges new link to ex-prince Andrew

The US and Venezuela are in a war of words at the UN Security council following America's seizure of ships off Venezuela's coast. Venezuela's ambassador strongly condemned the U.S. actions, labeling them as extrajudicial executions and a military blockade intended to destabilize the country.

New York

U.S., Venezuela in war of words at UNSC over military strikes

Two people are dead after an explosion at a nursing home in Bristol, Pennsylvania, and several are still missing, Gov. Josh Shapiro said.

Bristol

Two dead, several missing after nursing home explosion in Pennsylvania

A Delaware state trooper was killed Tuesday during a shooting at a Wilmington DMV, the Delaware State Police said. The state's governor confirmed the shooter is also dead.

Wilmington

Delaware state trooper killed in DMV shooting, officials say

The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that President Trump cannot deploy the National Guard troops to Chicago as a legal challenge moves ahead.

Supreme Court blocks deployment of National Guard to Illinois

The Justice Department released a new trove of documents from its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including an email from a prosecutor indicating President Donald Trump had traveled aboard his private jet "many more times than previously has been reported."

Trump flew on Epstein jet 8 times according to newly released files

The Libyan army's chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, died in a plane crash after leaving Turkey's capital Ankara, the prime minister of Libya's internationally-recognized government said, adding that four others were on the jet as well.

Haymana

Libyan army's chief dies in plane crash in Turkey

Two men have been found guilty of plotting to kill hundreds in an Islamic State-inspired gun rampage against the Jewish community in England, a planned attack investigators say demonstrates the resurgent risk posed by the militant group.

Bolton

Two men found guilty of UK plot to kill Jews as IS fears grow

The FDA has approved the pill version of the weight loss drug Wegovy, the first oral medication of its kind. The new pills are expected to be available in a few weeks.

Breakdown