Morning Briefing: Dec. 22, 2025

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday, including Trump appointing Louisiana governor as US special envoy to Greenland, Ukraine holding "productive" meetings with the US and European partners in peace push, and Spain’s ruling Socialists endure a major setback in regional poll.

TOP STORIES

• Trump appoints Louisiana governor as US special envoy to Greenland

US President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he is appointing Jeff Landry, governor of the state of Louisiana, as the United States special envoy to Greenland.

Landry recognizes "how essential Greenland is" for US national security and will "strongly" advance the country’s interests to ensure the safety and security of its allies and the wider world, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Greenland, a territory under Danish sovereignty since 1953, has attracted Trump's interest due to its strategic location and vast mineral resources.

Trump previously described owning Greenland as an "absolute necessity" for US economic security, comparing the acquisition to a "large real estate deal."

However, both Denmark and Greenland have rejected any proposals to sell the territory, with the Danish government asserting its continued sovereignty over the island.

• Ukraine holds 'productive' meetings with US, European partners in peace push

Ukraine held "productive" meetings with American and European partners over three days in the US state of Florida as part of efforts to end the nearly four-year Russia-Ukraine war, according to a joint statement on Sunday.

"The Ukrainian delegation held a series of productive and constructive meetings with American and European partners," the statement shared by US special envoy Steve Witkoff on US social media company X read.

The US-Ukraine meeting focused on four key documents, including the further development of a 20-point plan, aligning positions on both multilateral and US security guarantee frameworks for Ukraine, and advancing an economic and prosperity plan for the country's recovery.

• Spain’s ruling Socialists endure major setback in regional poll

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s party suffered a heavy defeat Sunday in elections in the Extremadura autonomous community in west-central Spain as the far-right Vox party made significant gains.

The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) secured only 18 of the 65 seats in the regional assembly, down from the 28 they won in the previous 2023 election — their poorest regional showing ever in Extremadura, according to reports.

The conservative Popular Party (PP) called the election in the hope of securing an absolute majority, but while it emerged as the largest party Sunday with 29 seats, it fell short.

As a result, the PP will again have to rely on the Vox party, which increased its representation from five to 11 seats, to pass legislation.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• South Korea’s parliament launched a probe into the cause of the crash of a Jeju Air flight last year that claimed 179 lives, Yonhap News Agency reported.

• The UK condemned the Israeli government's approval of 19 new illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

• US forces were pursuing another oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela on Sunday amid escalating tensions in the Caribbean, which if seized would mark the third interception of a tanker in the region since Dec. 10.

• The US called on Cambodia and Thailand to cease fighting and fully implement the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords following renewed clashes along their disputed border.

• Russian President Vladimir Putin's schedule until the end of the year does not include a phone call with US President Donald Trump, but it could be arranged if needed, the Kremlin said.

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the war against Ukraine will not truly end unless the international community increases pressure on Russia, citing continued strikes and efforts to disrupt Ukraine’s maritime logistics.

• US Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie said that they are drafting inherent contempt charges against Attorney General Pam Bondi for withholding Epstein investigation files.

• Yemen’s main separatist group, the Southern Transitional Council (STC), has continued to consolidate its military control over the country’s oil-rich Hadramout province for nearly three weeks, reiterating its refusal to withdraw troops from the area.

• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump discussed efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Venezuela reaches oil production target amid US pressure

Venezuela has reached its goal of producing 1.2 million barrels of crude oil per day this year, despite intensifying US pressure and tanker seizures, said Vice President Delcy Rodriguez.

Workers at state oil company PDVSA achieved the target under the Productive Independence Plan and are preparing to increase production and meet 2026 goals, she said Saturday on Telegram.

• Mohamed Salah sets new English Premier League record for goal involvements

Mohamed Salah set a new English Premier League record for goal involvements to take his combined tally of goals and assists for Liverpool to 277 on Saturday.

The 33-year-old player assisted Hugo Ekitike's second strike in the 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion to reach his 89 assists in the Premier League since joining the Reds in 2017.

The addition of this assist increased his overall contribution to goals in the league for the Reds to 277, comprising 188 goals and 89 assists.

This achievement surpasses the previous record of 276 goal involvements set by the celebrated English player Wayne Rooney for Manchester United.