Morning Briefing: Dec. 30, 2025

ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday, including US strikes on vessel in Eastern Pacific, US President Donald Trump saying US and Israel do not agree '100%' on West Bank, China launching major military drills around Taiwan, and Trump and Putin holding 'positive call' on Ukraine according to the White House.

TOP STORIES

• US military strikes vessel in Eastern Pacific

The US conducted a strike Monday on a vessel allegedly engaged in narco-trafficking in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, according to the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).

It said the operation took place under the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and was executed in international waters.

"Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations.

"Two male narco-terrorists were killed. No U.S. military forces were harmed," it said.

• Trump says US, Israel do not agree '100%' on West Bank

US President Donald Trump said Monday that the US and Israel do not agree “100%” on the West Bank but will ultimately reach a conclusion.

“We have had a discussion, big discussion, for a long time on the West Bank, and I wouldn't say we agree on the West Bank 100%, but we’ll come to a conclusion,” Trump said when asked if he is concerned about Israeli settler violence in the West Bank and whether he had conveyed a message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the occupied territory.

“It'll be announced at an appropriate time, but he will do the right thing,” he said, referring to Netanyahu, who was standing next to him during a joint press conference following their meeting at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

• China launches major military drills around Taiwan in warning against ‘external forces’

China launched joint military drills Monday around Taiwan in a stern warning against "Taiwan independence separatist forces" and "external interference," according to state-run media.

The Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) dispatched fighter jets, bombers and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in coordination with long-range rocket forces to conduct drills code-named "Justice Mission 2025" in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, southwest, southeast and east of Taiwan Island, Xinhua news agency reported, citing Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the theater command.

The exercises are focused on striking mobile ground targets and aim to test the PLA’s ability to conduct precise attacks on key objectives under joint operational conditions, Shi said.

• Trump, Putin hold 'positive call' on Ukraine: White House

US President Donald Trump on Monday held "a positive" phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine, the White House said.

"President Trump has concluded a positive call with President Putin concerning Ukraine," spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said on US social media company X.

The conversation marked the second call between the leaders in two days, following their earlier discussion before Trump's Sunday meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida.

After his meeting with the Ukrainian president, Trump said significant progress was made toward ending the Russia-Ukraine war.

​​​NEWS IN BRIEF

• At least six ISIS (Daesh) terrorists were killed during a counterterrorism operation in Türkiye’s northwestern province of Yalova, the Turkish interior minister said on Monday.
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Niger's President Abdurrahman Tchiani on Monday discussed regional and global developments over a phone call.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin told US President Donald Trump during a phone call that Ukraine’s drone attack on the presidential residence in his country’s northwestern Novgorod region “will not go unanswered,” his aide said on Monday.
• Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia died at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness, her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced Tuesday.
• Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said Tuesday that the father and son accused of the mass shooting earlier this month at Bondi Beach in Sydney were operating alone.
• Sweden on Monday voiced support for Somalia's unity and sovereignty following Israeli recognition of the breakaway Somali territory of Somaliland.
• China on Monday joined an increasing number of nations across the world to oppose Israeli recognition of the breakaway Somali territory of Somaliland.
• Sweden and Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to EU enlargement and closer bilateral ties, stressing that the Balkan country’s future lies within the bloc if key reforms are delivered.
• Germany’s military has reportedly dismissed several soldiers and announced further consequences following alleged cases of right-wing extremism, sexual misconduct, and drug abuse among paratroopers, media reports said Monday.
• Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on Monday discussed Israeli violations in southern Syria with Major General Patrick Gauchat, Head of Mission and Chief of Staff of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO).
• The Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Monday confirmed the death of its military commander Abu Ubaida and several military commanders during Israel’s two-year war on the Gaza Strip.
• South Africa warned on Monday that Israel’s decision to recognize Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent state is a “direct threat” to peace in the Horn of Africa.
• Thailand and Cambodia on Monday held exchanges mediated by China to work towards rebuilding ties and establishing mutual trust, following recent border clashes, as Bangkok claimed fresh ceasefire violations allegedly by Phnom Penh.
• The US’ prestigious Georgetown University has severed its affiliation with the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, who was sanctioned by the Trump administration in July.
• Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Monday called for an emergency session of the African Union Peace and Security Council to reject Israel’s recognition of Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Lebanon, Egypt sign deal to meet Beirut’s natural gas needs

Lebanon and Egypt signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday aimed at meeting Lebanon’s natural gas needs for electricity generation, as Beirut seeks to gradually shift its energy sector away from fuel oil.

Lebanese Energy Minister Joe Saddy signed on behalf of Beirut, while Egypt was represented by Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawi, alongside officials from both countries, the state news agency NNA reported.

• German business associations expect layoffs in 2026 amid economic stagnation

German business associations are bracing for job losses in 2026 due to sluggish growth in the German economy, the rise of global trade protectionism, and weak exports affecting certain sectors.

A survey conducted by the German Economic Institute (IW) among 46 business associations found that 22 expect layoffs next year, according to a report published Monday.

Fifteen associations anticipate that employment levels will remain stable, while only 11 expect investment to increase and 14 expect investment to decrease. Some 21 associations estimate that investments will remain low.