Trump Holds Iran Accountable 

With the approach of the first anniversary of the killing of Iranian major general Qasem Soleimani in a US air strike, US President Donald Trump has warned he would hold "Iran responsible" should an attack occur on US citizens in Iraq. Trump has already accused Iran of the rocket attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad earlier this week.

Ethiopia Massacre 

More than 100 people were killed by gunmen in an attack in Ethiopia's western Benishangul-Gumuz region on Wednesday. The region, in which several deadly incidents have occurred in recent months, is home to several ethnic groups. A senior regional security official said authorities are verifying the identities of the attackers.

"A Christmas Eve Brexit Deal" 

With only one week left until Britain leaves the EU Orbit, a much anticipated post-Brexit trade deal might be close. Irish Foreign Minister, Simon Coveney, said, “Certainly the momentum and the expectation is that we will get a Christmas Eve Brexit deal..." 

“There is some sort of last-minute hitch”, he added, related to “small text” of the fisheries agreement.

Trump Awards Top Advisers 

US President Donald Trump has granted national security awards to several top advisers for their part in securing deals aimed at normalizing diplomatic ties between Israel and four Arab countries. Senior US officials are hoping to seal one more agreement before president-elect Joe Biden takes office.