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On December 15, 2025, Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai was found guilty of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and conspiracy to publish seditious materials under the national security law. Lai, a British citizen and founder of the pro-democracy Apple Daily, has spent five years in custody, with his health reportedly deteriorating. The verdict marks a significant moment in Beijing's crackdown on dissent.
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UK officials warn of rising threats from Russia, emphasizing the need for societal and military preparedness. Military leaders call for faster defense spending and national resilience, with plans for new arms factories and enhanced intelligence capabilities amid warnings of possible conflict with Russia.
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British intelligence chief Ms Metreweli, the first woman to lead MI6, warns that threats from Russia, disinformation, and cyber attacks are escalating globally. She emphasizes the UK's ongoing support for Ukraine and the need for technological mastery across all security efforts. The UK is also imposing sanctions on Russian and Chinese entities involved in malign activities.
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Countries are making contrasting moves on climate and energy. China advances fusion research, while the UK leads in phasing out fossil fuels. Meanwhile, the US faces opposition to data centers, and Asia's energy security concerns slow renewables. These developments shape the global climate effort today, December 15, 2025.
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Israel is intensifying efforts to locate and recover the remains of hostage Ran Gvili, believed to be in Gaza. Recent searches have yet to find his body, which remains a key issue for advancing a ceasefire and future negotiations. The search is ongoing amid political and military tensions.
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Israel continues strikes on southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure amid ongoing hostilities. Lebanon's government aims to disarm Hezbollah, but the group resists. Diplomatic talks have resumed, but violence and international criticism persist, with fears of broader conflict escalating.
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On November 30, 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally requested a presidential pardon amid his ongoing corruption trial. Charged with bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, Netanyahu denies wrongdoing and argues the trial divides Israel. The request follows a letter from former U.S. President Donald Trump urging pardon to aid national unity. President Isaac Herzog will review the request with legal counsel.
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New York's gaming board recommended three new casinos for NYC, including two in Queens and one in the Bronx. The licenses, pending final approval, aim to boost state revenue with Las Vegas-style gambling, despite concerns over community opposition and potential social costs. The process involved intense competition and political lobbying.
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NASA is preparing for upcoming Artemis lunar missions, including deploying robotic rover MAPP to study lunar dust and plasma environments. Meanwhile, a new report emphasizes prioritizing Mars life detection and resource utilization, amid strategic competition with China. NASA's plans involve international collaboration and private sector engagement.
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Israeli forces have continued to violate the Gaza ceasefire, conducting airstrikes and raids, killing at least 385 Palestinians since October. Meanwhile, Hamas has agreed to hand over remains of captives, and border crossings are slowly reopening amid ongoing tensions and humanitarian crises.
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Kevin Smith, 61, sent about 300 texts and three voicemails to Labour MP Alex Sobel, causing fear for his safety. Smith pleaded guilty and received a five-year restraining order. The case highlights rising antisemitic acts in Britain, with increased security concerns following recent attacks on Jewish sites.
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A federal appeals court in the U.S. has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from using remaining California National Guard troops in Los Angeles, ruling that conditions have changed and the deployment is illegal. The decision halts the military presence, which had lasted six months amid protests over immigration enforcement.
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Recent weeks have seen increased hostility towards Somali Americans in Minnesota, driven by inflammatory remarks from President Trump, immigration enforcement actions, and a major welfare fraud scandal. Community members report rising racism, arrests, and fear, amid political and social upheaval.
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South Africa has revised its policies to allow foreign companies to meet affirmative action requirements through 'equity equivalent' programs, such as skills training. This move follows criticism of its ownership laws, notably from Elon Musk, who accused the country of racial discrimination. The US has also criticized South Africa's policies and excluded it from upcoming G20 events.
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On December 11, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aiming to preempt state-level AI regulations by establishing a unified federal framework. The order directs the Attorney General to challenge state laws deemed burdensome and threatens to withhold federal funding from states enforcing conflicting AI rules. The move has sparked bipartisan opposition, legal challenges, and fierce pushback from states like California, which have enacted their own AI safety laws.
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The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a case challenging the removal of books on race, gender, and sexuality from a rural Texas library. The lower court's decision, which sided with the county, allows the ban to stand, raising concerns about free speech and First Amendment rights amid ongoing book bans nationwide.
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Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan is set to stand trial on charges of obstruction and concealment after she allegedly helped a defendant avoid federal arrest in court. The case highlights tensions over immigration enforcement and judicial independence amid political debates. The trial begins today, December 15, 2025.
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U.S. health officials, under the influence of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have reversed decades of vaccination policy by ending universal hepatitis B vaccination for newborns. The move, driven by a panel with controversial appointees, faces widespread criticism from medical groups and public health experts, raising concerns over increased hepatitis B risks.
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Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has intensified, displacing over 500,000 civilians and causing casualties on both sides. Heavy weaponry has been used, with civilians fleeing to evacuation centers amid shortages of food, water, and shelter. The conflict, rooted in colonial-era border disputes, is the deadliest since July, with no immediate resolution in sight.
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Israel's government approved over 500 new settlement units in the West Bank, including in Hashmonaim, Beitar Illit, and Giv'at Ze'ev. The move, condemned by the Palestinian Authority and international bodies, continues Israel's settlement expansion amid regional tensions and increased violence. The decision follows recent escalation in settler attacks and military activity.
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Former President Trump announced a new program allowing foreigners and companies to pay large fees for expedited U.S. permanent residency, featuring a 'Trump Gold Card' with a portrait of Trump. The program aims to generate revenue and prioritize immigrants who benefit the U.S.
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The ELN rebel group announced an armed strike from Sunday to Wednesday, involving civilian confinement and restricted activities, citing regional 'counterinsurgency' and 'imperialist' threats. President Petro responded by ordering security forces to attack the ELN, amid heightened US military activity in the region.
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Chile's presidential runoff resulted in a victory for Jose Antonio Kast, a far-right candidate advocating tough-on-crime policies and anti-migrant measures. His win marks a significant political shift, aligning Chile with regional trends of rightward movement amid concerns over crime and migration. The outcome impacts Chile's future policy direction.
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Federal grand juries in Virginia declined to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James twice in a week, marking rare rejections of prosecutors' efforts. The cases, linked to her property purchase, are seen as politically motivated. The decisions highlight challenges faced by the Justice Department in prosecuting political opponents.
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Former President Trump has announced a pardon for Tina Peters, a Colorado election official convicted of state crimes. Legal experts say the pardon is symbolic, as presidential powers do not extend to state offenses. The move underscores ongoing claims of election fraud and political influence over judicial processes.
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On December 12-13, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia after calls with their leaders. However, fighting reportedly continued along the disputed border, with Cambodia accusing Thailand of ongoing bombings and Thailand blaming Cambodia for violations. The conflict stems from a long-standing territorial dispute dating back to colonial-era maps.
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Unprecedented flooding in Washington has displaced thousands, with record river levels and widespread damage. Evacuations are ongoing, and authorities warn that high waters and additional storms will prolong recovery efforts. No fatalities have been reported so far.
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Iran has introduced a third gasoline price tier as the rial continues to depreciate rapidly, pushing up inflation and household costs. Despite the increase, fuel remains among the cheapest globally. The move follows years of sanctions and economic decline, with protests and economic pressures intensifying.
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The US intercepted the Skipper tanker off Venezuela, marking the first seizure of Venezuelan oil cargo since sanctions in 2019. The move comes amid a military buildup in the Caribbean and regional support for Maduro, raising regional tensions and affecting Venezuelan oil exports and Cuba's power supply.
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Recent days have seen intensified Ukrainian drone and missile strikes targeting Russian infrastructure, including a drone attack on Saratov that killed two. Russia responded with hypersonic missile strikes on Ukrainian ports and energy facilities. Ukraine seeks security guarantees in upcoming negotiations, while both sides prepare for potential peace talks in Germany.
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Belarus freed 123 political prisoners following talks with US envoy John Coale in Minsk, leading to the lifting of sanctions on potash. Key figures like opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova and activist Ales Bialiatski were among those released, signaling a thaw in US-Belarus relations.
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On December 13, 2025, a lone ISIS gunman ambushed US and Syrian forces near Palmyra, Syria. Three Americans, including two service members and one civilian interpreter, were killed. The attacker was killed, and the incident marks the first US military fatalities in Syria since the fall of Bashar Assad last year.
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On December 13, 2025, a drone attack on a UN peacekeeping base in Kadugli, South Kordofan, Sudan, killed six Bangladeshi troops and injured eight. The Sudanese military blamed the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which denied involvement. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack, calling it a potential war crime amid Sudan's ongoing civil war.
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A mass shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, has resulted in two deaths and nine injuries, mostly students. The suspect, a male in his 30s dressed in black, remains at large after opening fire during final exams. The campus was locked down, and a manhunt is ongoing as authorities seek the shooter.
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A suspect was detained after a shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, injuring nine students, two of whom died. The attack occurred during exams on Saturday afternoon. Police continue to investigate the motive while maintaining campus security.
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On December 14, 2025, a gunman linked to ISIS attacked US and Syrian forces near Palmyra, killing two US soldiers and a civilian. The attacker, a Syrian security member, was shot dead. The incident highlights ongoing security challenges in Syria's desert region amid expanding US cooperation with Syrian forces.
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U.S., Ukrainian, and European officials are meeting in Berlin to negotiate an end to the Ukraine conflict. Talks focus on security guarantees, territorial control, and a potential ceasefire, with key leaders including Zelensky, Macron, and Tusk. A deal is targeted by Christmas, amid ongoing hostilities.
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Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has intensified, with a curfew imposed in Thailand's Trat province amid ongoing border clashes. A civilian has been killed, and both sides accuse each other of targeting infrastructure. Despite claims of ceasefire talks, hostilities continue, raising regional security concerns.
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Zelensky announced Ukraine will seek legally binding security guarantees from the US, Europe, and others instead of NATO membership, as diplomatic talks in Berlin aim to end the conflict with Russia. The move marks a major policy shift amid ongoing negotiations and military tensions.
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Two students were killed and nine injured in a mass shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island, marking the second time survivors like Mia Tretta and Zoe Weissman have faced such violence. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence and safety on U.S. campuses.
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Heavy rain and flash floods in Morocco have killed at least 21 people, injured dozens, and caused widespread damage. The floods affected multiple cities, including Safi, Tetouan, and Tinghir, amid increasing climate unpredictability linked to drought and changing weather patterns. Authorities warn more heavy rain is expected.
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The Bank of Japan is expected to raise its interest rate to 0.75% following a positive quarterly survey, signaling confidence in economic recovery. The move impacts markets, including a dip in bitcoin, as Japan shifts toward tighter monetary policy to combat inflation and a weak currency.
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Fighting between Cambodia and Thailand has intensified, with Thai jets dropping bombs inside Cambodian territory near Angkor Wat. Both sides report casualties and displacement, with ongoing military exchanges and no immediate ceasefire. The conflict centers on longstanding border disputes and territorial claims.