Morning Briefing: Dec. 21, 2025

By Serdar Dincel

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including the US seizing an oil tanker that was last docked in Venezuela; some Epstein documents, including a Trump photo, have reportedly been removed from the US Justice Department's website; and Zelenskyy saying Washington suggested a trilateral meeting with Russia and Ukraine.

TOP STORIES

• US seizes oil tanker last docked in Venezuela

The US seized an oil tanker that was last docked in Venezuela, according to the US Homeland Security chief.

"The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region," Kristi Noem wrote on US social media company X.

Venezuelan officials responded in a statement that rejected the "theft and kidnapping" of an oil tanker by the US, adding that "these acts will not go unpunished."

• Some Epstein documents, including Trump photo, reportedly removed from Justice Department website

More than one dozen files included in the release of investigative records on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including a photo showing US President Donald Trump, have been reportedly removed from the Department of Justice (DOJ)'s website, according to media reports.

Democrats slammed the removal of files, which comes after the agency released thousands of records related to a sex trafficking investigation into late sex offender and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.

“This photo, file 468, from the Epstein files that includes Donald Trump has apparently now been removed from the DOJ release," Democrats on the House Oversight Committee wrote on US social media company X.

The lawmakers urged General Attorney Pamela Bondi to provide "transparency for the American public."

• US offers trilateral meeting with Russia, Ukraine, says Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the US offered a trilateral meeting at the level of national security advisors, with Russia and Ukraine, to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

He said he would support the meeting if certain important decisions, such as prisoner exchanges, are made.

Zelenskyy also said meetings in the format were held in Türkiye, and prisoner swaps were made as a result of those talks.

​​​NEWS IN BRIEF

• The US and Venezuela have been jamming satellite navigation signals in parts of the Caribbean as tensions between the two countries escalate, potentially increasing risks to civilian air and maritime traffic, The New York Times reported.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to present President Donald Trump with a package of military options for dealing with Iran during their meeting Dec. 29 in the US state of Florida, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported.
• Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said violations by Israel are making efforts to advance a peace plan in the Gaza Strip “incredibly more difficult,” following high-level talks in the US involving officials Egypt and Qatar.
• Türkiye’s intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin met with a delegation from the Palestinian group Hamas in Istanbul to discuss the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
• Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss ways of strengthening relations and regional developments.
• The Israeli army said it struck two Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip, in the latest violation of a ceasefire agreement.
• Thailand said Bangkok will not be "pressured or put at a disadvantage" during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Monday, which will discuss the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.
• More than half a million Palestinians have lost their source of livelihood in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip since the start of the Israeli war in October 2023, the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions said.
• Qatar and the US said they discussed several defense and economic files during a recent round of strategic dialogue, reaffirming the defense and security partnership between the two countries.
• The death toll from Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades rose to 161, as one more person was confirmed dead via forensic analysis.
• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that strengthening peace and security in Africa is a key condition for ensuring the continent's progressive, sustainable development and an important element in maintaining global stability.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• World Bank approves $700M in financing for Pakistan's economic stability, service delivery

The World Bank has approved $700 million in financing for Pakistan's macroeconomic stability and service delivery.

The money is for the financing of the Public Resources for Inclusive Development—Multiphase Programmatic Approach (PRID-MPA), which is a national program supporting federal and provincial reforms to mobilize domestic revenue, with up to $1.35 billion in total financing, according to a statement from the World Bank.

Of this amount, $600 million is reserved for federal programs and $100 million specifically for the Sindh provincial program.

• Japan, 5 Central Asian countries announce new initiatives, including on critical minerals

Japan and five Central Asian countries announced new initiatives, including strengthening critical minerals supply chains, after holding a maiden summit in Tokyo.

The Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue brought together Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Zhaparov, Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmenistan's President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The initiatives encompass the newly identified three priority cooperation areas including, Green and Resilience, Connectivity and Human Resource Development, according to a statement from the Japanese Prime Minister's office.