The Trump administration has escalated its pressure on Venezuela by imposing new sanctions targeting six oil tankers, including several vessels linked to President Nicolás Maduro’s inner circle. The sanctions also affect three nephews of Cilia Flores, Maduro’s wife, further intensifying the standoff between Washington and Caracas. New Sanctions Target Maduro’s Family and Oil Sector On

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Hong Kong’s High Court is set to deliver a verdict next week in the high-profile national security trial of media tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai. The 156-day trial has drawn significant international attention, marking the most high-profile application of Beijing’s controversial national security law. Trial Comes to an End After 156 Days Jimmy Lai,

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A women’s rights organisation has documented nearly 1,300 cases of sexual and gender-based violence across Sudan, with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) responsible for the overwhelming majority of attacks. The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) released its findings on December 12, 2025, showing verified incidents spanning 14 states since

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Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a high-profile immigrant whose case became a symbol of former President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies, has been released from US immigration detention and returned to his home in Maryland following a federal court ruling. Federal Judge Orders Immediate Release On Thursday, US District Judge Paula Xinis ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement

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Hong Kong leader John Lee announced on Friday that the government expects an independent investigation into the deadly residential fire to be completed within nine months. The blaze, which occurred more than two weeks ago, devastated seven high-rise towers in Tai Po and claimed at least 160 lives. Details of the Fire Incident The fire,

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Hong Kong’s High Court is set to deliver a verdict on Monday in the high-profile national security trial of media mogul Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-closed pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily. The 78-year-old activist faces life imprisonment if convicted, as he stands accused of colluding with foreign forces and publishing seditious material—a case widely seen

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During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s official visit to Ireland, several unidentified drones were spotted near Dublin Airport and the Irish Sea, prompting concerns about potential security threats. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed that the drones posed no danger to the president’s aircraft, which had landed prior to the sightings, but emphasized the incident was “very

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Portugal is experiencing widespread disruption as the country faces its first general strike in 12 years, organized by the nation’s two largest union federations, CGTP and UGT. The strike comes in response to controversial labour reforms proposed by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro’s minority government, affecting workers across multiple sectors, including public transport, schools, hospitals, and

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European leaders have confirmed that intensive diplomatic efforts will continue in the coming days to negotiate a US-led peace plan aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war, following a joint phone call with former US President Donald Trump. The call highlighted both cooperation and tension between Europe, the US, and Ukraine as negotiations continue over territorial

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The United Kingdom and Norway have signed a historic defence pact to operate a combined fleet aimed at hunting Russian submarines in the North Atlantic. The agreement, called the Lunna House Agreement, also focuses on protecting critical undersea infrastructure, including communication cables and energy pipelines, which officials say are increasingly targeted by Moscow. Purpose of

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