Dec 18 Pentagon announces new international mission to counter attacks on commercial vessels in Red Sea By Tara Copp, Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press The seriousness of the attacks, several of which have damaged vessels, has led multiple shipping companies to order their ships to hold in place and not enter the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until the situation can be addressed. Continue reading
Dec 18 France urges Lebanese leaders to work on easing tensions along the border with Israel By Bassem Mroue, Associated Press Earlier Monday, Lebanon’s state news agency said an Israeli drone fired a missile at a building close to where the funeral of a Hezbollah fighter was being held in a southern border village, without inflicting any casualties. Continue reading
Dec 18 El-Sissi wins Egypt’s presidential election with 89.6 percent of the vote, secures third term in office By Associated Press The vote was overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza on Egypt's eastern border, which has threatened to expand into wider regional turmoil. Continue reading
Dec 18 The European Union targets Russian diamond industry in latest round of Ukraine war sanctions By Associated Press The European Union is imposing sanctions on Russia over its war against Ukraine, targeting the lucrative diamonds industry as well as more than 140 officials, companies and organizations. Continue reading
Dec 18 North Korea resumes weapons testing with launch of long-range missile By Hyung-Jin Kim, Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Monday's launch is the North's second weapons firing in less than a day. It comes as North Korea vows retaliatory steps against the U.S. and South Korea for their decision to boost their nuclear deterrence plans. Continue reading
Dec 18 EU investigates X over potential violations of social media law By Kelvin Chan, Associated Press The European Union has made Elon Musk’s online platform X the first tech company to face an investigation under Europe’s tough new regulations designed to clean up social media and protect people from toxic online content. Continue reading
Dec 18 Ukraine’s military chief says routine sweep discovered bugged office By Illia Novikov, Associated Press Ukraine’s military chief says a covert listening device was found in one of the offices where he works and he is hinting that other bugs were detected in other locations. Continue reading
Dec 18 In Hong Kong, national security trial opens for prominent publisher Jimmy Lai By Kanis Leung, Associated Press The 76-year-old Lai was arrested in August 2020 during a crackdown on the city’s pro-democracy movement under the sweeping national security law enacted following huge protests four years ago. Continue reading
Dec 18 BP joins list of companies halting Red Sea shipments due to Houthi attack fears By Courtney Bonnell, Associated Press Houthi rebels have targeted container ships and oil tankers passing through a narrow waterway that connects to the Red Sea and Suez Canal, where an estimated 10% of the world’s trade passes through. Continue reading
Dec 18 Live updates: Israel’s allies call for winding down of assault in Gaza By Associated Press The U.N. Security Council has scheduled a vote Monday on an Arab-sponsored resolution calling for an urgent cessation of hostilities in Gaza and the release of all Israeli hostages held by Palestinian militants. Continue reading