News
Zelenskiy backs Trump's call to end the war at Notre Dame meeting
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy backed US President-elect Donald Trump’s call to end the war in Ukraine at their first meeting since the US November elections at the reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on December 7.
Opposition forces impose curfew in Syrian capital Damascus
Syrian opposition forces have imposed a curfew in Damascus after taking control of the capital, marking a dramatic end to President Bashar al-Assad's rule.
Orban threatens to veto EU budget unless suspended Hungarian funds are released
Budapest could lose billions in unreleased funds unless Orban regime finally makes reforms to repair rule of law.
Iranian embassy in Damascus ransacked, Russian embassy on lockdown
Iran’s embassy in Damascus has been ransacked, with its items stolen by residents of the Syrian capital.
48 arrested in Tbilisi during ninth night of protests
Human rights watchdog says arrests mark “new stage of police terror”.
Erdogan sets Damascus as final target for “rebels” advancing in Syria
Since his regime’s hailing of its “reconquest” of Aleppo, Turkey’s leader has been in no mood to talk peace.
UPDATED: Syria's former president Assad arrives in Moscow
A private jet departed Damascus and arrived in Abu Dhabi on December 7, carrying Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and the rest of his family, as they fled from rebels rapidly taking control of his country, Turkish media have reported.
Assad's Syrian regime faces imminent collapse as rebels close in on Damascus
The rapid disintegration of Bashar al-Assad's control over Syria has shocked observers, with rebels now advancing on Damascus from multiple directions in what appears to be the final chapter of his regime's rule.
Putin fires Kursk governor amid ongoing Ukrainian occupation
Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Aleksey Smirnov as governor of Russia's Kursk Oblast, only seven months after his appointment.
Korea's President Yoon survives impeachment vote
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol has survived an attempt to impeach him following a brief but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law on the country earlier in the week
Croatian PM survives no-confidence motion over healthcare scandal
Andrej Plenkovic's government under pressure after the arrest of sitting health minister Vili Beros in a high-profile corruption case.
EU and Mercosur strike historic trade deal, setting stage for political battle
The European Commission and South American trade bloc Mercosur inked a groundbreaking trade agreement on December 6, creating the world's largest free trade area amid fierce opposition from France and several other EU member states.
Romania’s Constitutional Court scraps presidential elections
Election to be re-run after far-right, pro-Russia candidate Calin Georgescu found to have won the first round with alleged support from “state and non-state entities”.
Druzhba oil flow to Czechia is resumed
The oil flow through the pipeline stopped on Wednesday, leaving the country dependent on its reserves and the oil flow from the west.
Azerbaijan rights defender detained ahead of US award ceremony
Rufat Safarov has been ordered to serve four months in pre-trial detention, raising new concerns about civil society restrictions in post-COP29 Azerbaijan.
Georgian police's abuse of ethnic Azerbaijani protester sparks outrage in Azerbaijani community
Elvin Karimov sentenced to eight days of administrative detention after he was arrested and beaten during a protest in Tbilisi.
Polish central bank may delay rate cuts to next autumn, Glapiński says
Governor’s hawkish remarks represent a shift from earlier expectations that rate cuts could begin as early as mid-2025.
Romania to hold presidential election runoff with pro-Russian candidate Georgescu under investigation
Probes launched after far-right politician Calin Georgescu took shock lead in presidential election first round.
Syrian opposition forces edge closer to Homs city
Syrian opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) captured the strategic city of Hama on December 5, marking a dramatic escalation in the conflict as Israel launched fresh airstrikes along the Lebanese border and Kurdish forces advance.
Moldovan PM sacks energy minister, declares state of emergency in energy sector
Dorin Recean dismisses top energy sector officials for failing to secure enough gas ahead of winter.