Ukraine willing to drop ambitions to join Nato, Zelenskyy says

Blaise Metreweli, the new head of MI6, is set to deliver a speech highlighting the increasing threat posed by Russia, characterizing the current global landscape as an 'age of uncertainty' where the Kremlin's actions, including assassination plots and cyber-attacks, redefine conflict.

Donald Trump announced that his domestic policy chief, Vince Haley, is prioritizing the construction of a triumphal arch in Washington DC, amidst rising concerns over an affordability crisis affecting millions of Americans. This revelation came during a White House holiday party, where Trump praised Haley's efforts despite criticism regarding the administration's focus on such projects over pressing economic issues.

The United States has eased sanctions on Belarus following the release of over 100 political prisoners, including notable figures such as Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski and opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova. This decision marks a significant diplomatic shift and reflects the outcome of negotiations between U.S. officials and Belarusian authorities.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is engaged in ceasefire talks in Berlin with U.S. envoys and European leaders, seeking concrete security guarantees to prevent future Russian invasions. The discussions highlight the ongoing tensions and the need for a stable resolution to the conflict.

President Donald Trump addressed the recent tragic events involving fatal shootings at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and Bondi Beach in Australia, as well as deadly attacks on U.S. soldiers in Syria. These incidents have raised significant concerns about public safety and military engagement abroad.

Three Americans, including two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter, were killed in an ambush by an Islamic State gunman in Palmyra, Syria. This incident marks the first U.S. casualties in the region since the fall of Bashar al-Assad a year ago, prompting President Donald Trump to vow retaliation against ISIL.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his willingness to abandon Ukraine's NATO membership aspirations in exchange for Western security guarantees during discussions with US envoys in Berlin. The talks, which began on Sunday, are set to continue on Monday, with Zelensky rejecting US suggestions for territorial concessions to Russia and advocating for a freeze on the current front lines.

Celebrities, including athletes like Tristan Thompson and artists such as Iggy Azalea, are increasingly promoting cryptocurrency as they pivot from traditional careers. Thompson, nearing the end of his basketball career, has embraced a new role as a crypto investor and consultant, launching a podcast and developing a crypto startup set to debut in 2026.