A Hong Kong court has found prominent pro-democracy media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai guilty of multiple national security offences, delivering a verdict that critics say underscores Beijing’s tightening grip on dissent and press freedom in the semi-autonomous city. The decision follows a high-profile, months-long trial that drew global scrutiny and widespread condemnation from rights groups and foreign governments.

Lai, a British citizen and founder of the now-closed Apple Daily newspaper, was convicted of charges tied to the National Security Law imposed by Beijing in 2020. The indictments included accusations of colluding with foreign forces to destabilise state power — provisions widely criticised by international ...

A deadly attack on a joint US–Syrian patrol near Palmyra in central Syria on Saturday, December 13, 2025, resulted in the deaths of two US Army soldiers and one American civilian interpreter, officials confirmed. Three additional US service members and Syrian security personnel were wounded in the assault, which authorities have attributed to the Islamic State (ISIS) militant group.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) described the incident as an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman, who was subsequently engaged and killed by partner forces at the scene. Pentagon officials said the patrol was conducting a key leader engagement and counter-terrorism operations at the time of ...

The European Union has taken an unprecedented step in its response to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine by agreeing to freeze approximately €210 billion of Russian sovereign funds held across the bloc indefinitely. This move replaces the old system, which required a unanimous renewal of sanctions every six months and risked being overturned by Kremlin-friendly governments like Hungary or Slovakia.

EU leaders say the indefinite immobilisation is necessary to keep the funds locked until Russia ends its war of aggression and pays reparations for the destruction inflicted on Ukraine. By invoking emergency economic powers, Brussels hopes to avoid future vetoes and ...