U.S. Soldiers Killed in ISIS Attack in Palmyra, Syria During Counterterrorism Mission 
U.S. Lifts Sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Amid Shift in Brazil Relations 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Special Prosecutor Alleges Yoon Suk Yeol Sought North Korea Provocation to Justify Martial Law 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Zelenskiy Signals Willingness to Drop NATO Bid as Ukraine, U.S. Hold Crucial Peace Talks in Berlin 
Belarus Frees Opposition Leaders Maria Kalesnikava and Viktar Babaryka in U.S.-Brokered Deal 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Colombia’s Clan del Golfo Peace Talks Signal Mandatory Prison Sentences for Top Leaders 
Russian President Vladimir Putin remained defiant after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia’s top oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, in a bid to pressure Moscow to end its war in Ukraine. The move, announced Thursday, sent global oil prices soaring by 5% and triggered a rapid response from key global buyers. Chinese state oil firms temporarily halted Russian oil purchases, while Indian refiners — the largest buyers of seaborne Russian crude — are expected to cut imports sharply, according to industry insiders.
The sanctions mark a dramatic reversal for Trump, who had recently announced plans for a peace summit with Putin in Budapest. Targeting two energy giants responsible for over 5% of global oil output, the move underscores Washington’s intent to cripple Russia’s wartime revenue streams. Despite the financial blow, Putin dismissed the sanctions as ineffective, warning that reduced Russian supply could further inflate oil prices, hurting Western economies. “No self-respecting country decides anything under pressure,” Putin asserted.
In response, Trump said he was “glad” Putin felt unaffected, adding, “We’ll see in six months.” The shift comes as Ukraine urges the U.S. and Europe for long-range missiles to counter Moscow’s offensive, while Putin cautioned that deeper strikes into Russian territory would provoke a “very serious” retaliation.
Meanwhile, the European Union unveiled its 19th sanctions package, banning Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports and targeting Chinese refiners and Central Asian banks. Although the EU has slashed Russian energy reliance by 90% since 2022, it still imported over €11 billion in Russian energy in the first eight months of 2025.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed the sanctions as “very important,” urging continued pressure to force Russia toward peace. Despite economic strain, Moscow’s budget remains partly shielded by its heavy taxation on domestic oil production, softening the sanctions’ immediate financial hit.
