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Latest World News

📅December 18, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Global headlines: Gaza truce falters as fighting continues, US blocks Venezuelan tankers, Putin signals more offensives in Ukraine, Bondi massacre prosecutions, AI market jitters and major diplomatic deals dominate news.
1

Gaza ceasefire frays as fighting continues and diplomacy intensifies

Ceasefire efforts in Gaza remain fragile while Israeli and Hamas forces continue exchanges, and international diplomatic activity increases to prevent broader escalationSource 2.

2

U.S. orders ‘complete blockade’ of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers

President Donald Trump announced a blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, raising tensions and economic anxiety in Venezuela and affecting global oil market sentimentSource 1Source 8.

3

Putin warns Russia may expand gains in Ukraine if peace talks fail

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow will seek to extend its gains in Ukraine should Kyiv and its allies reject Kremlin demands in ongoing talksSource 1Source 2.

4

Bondi Beach mass shooting suspect charged with murder and terrorism

Australian authorities charged the suspect in the Bondi Beach massacre with multiple counts of murder and terrorism as families hold funerals for victimsSource 1Source 3.

5

Global markets mixed as AI worries drag tech stocks; oil firms rise

World shares were mixed with AI-related concerns pushing tech stocks lower while oil companies gained after geopolitical developments including actions on Venezuelan tankersSource 8.

6

U.S. military strikes on alleged drug traffickers kill several onboard boat

A U.S. naval strike on a vessel accused of drug trafficking in the Pacific reportedly killed four people aboard, part of broader 'war on drugs' operationsSource 2.

7

Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda sign peace agreement in Washington

Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame formally signed a peace agreement in Washington D.C., hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump, aiming to ease regional tensionsSource 2.

8

Myanmar airs trikes and charges ahead of elections amid violence

Myanmar’s military government has charged hundreds under election law and the Tatmadaw conducted airstrikes in Sagaing, causing dozens of civilian casualties ahead of the general voteSource 1Source 2.

9

Belarus releases over 100 political prisoners after U.S. sanctions lifted

Belarus freed 123 political prisoners, including Ales Bialiatski and Maria Kalesnikava, following a U.S. sanctions rollback that accompanied diplomatic shiftsSource 2.

10

Netflix agrees to buy Warner Bros. Discovery in major media merger

Netflix reached a $72 billion agreement to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, creating one of the largest consolidations in the entertainment industrySource 2.