'We'll concentrate on European military equipment and improve our defence': Romanian president

Belarus has released 123 political prisoners, including opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova and Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski, following a deal with the United States that also resulted in the lifting of certain sanctions against the country. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the exiled opposition leader, emphasized that despite this release, over 1,200 political prisoners remain incarcerated in Belarus, highlighting ongoing repression under President Alexander Lukashenko's regime.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed a willingness to abandon Ukraine's long-standing bid for NATO membership in exchange for security guarantees, a significant shift in the country's foreign policy amid ongoing peace negotiations with Russia. This statement was made during discussions with U.S. envoys in Berlin, aimed at facilitating dialogue to end the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has offered to abandon Ukraine's NATO membership aspirations during discussions with US envoys in Berlin, aiming to facilitate peace talks with Russia. The negotiations, which lasted five hours, are set to continue, indicating a potential shift in Ukraine's foreign policy approach.

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, a Native American tribe in Kansas, is facing backlash after its economic development subsidiary secured a $29.9 million federal contract from the Department of Homeland Security to design potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities. The contract was signed in October, prompting criticism that the tribe is benefiting from policies reminiscent of its own historical forced removals.

The Trump administration is actively seeking to recruit approximately 10,000 troops under a U.S. general to stabilize Gaza following recent conflicts. However, many countries remain hesitant to commit to this mission, which could potentially involve disarming Hamas, a contentious issue in the region.

California, along with 19 other states, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to block a proposed $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, which are essential for hiring highly skilled foreign workers in specialty fields. This legal action highlights the ongoing tensions between state governments and federal immigration policies.

US forces stormed a cargo ship traveling from China to Iran in November, marking a significant escalation in the Trump administration's aggressive maritime tactics aimed at exerting pressure on nations like Iran. This incident reflects ongoing tensions in international maritime operations.