KUNA News Bulletin Summary – Wednesday 00:00 GMT
Global News Briefs – December 11, 2025
Table of Contents
A roundup of international news events as of December 11, 2025, 03:38:27 UTC.
Iraq: Flooding Claims Lives, Disrupts Travel
Torrential rains in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have resulted in at least four fatalities and 17 injuries, according to an announcement by the Kurdistan regional Government on December 11, 2025.The flooding has also caused critically important material damage and blocked major roads connecting various areas within the region. The extent of the damage and the long-term impact on infrastructure remain to be assessed.
Switzerland: Guy Parmelin Elected President for 2026
Guy Parmelin, the current Swiss Minister of Economy, has been elected as the President of the Swiss Confederation for the year 2026. he secured 203 votes out of 228, marking the highest result in a presidential election since the beginning of this century. The Swiss Federal Council elects a member to serve as President for a one-year term; the position is largely ceremonial, but represents the nation internationally.
United States: House Votes to Lift Sanctions on Syria
The US House of Representatives voted 312 to 112 on december 11, 2025, in favor of repealing sanctions imposed on Syria under the Caesar Act. this move signals a potential shift in US policy towards Damascus and a step towards rapprochement with the Syrian government. The Caesar Act, enacted in 2020, imposed sanctions on individuals and entities connected to the syrian government, aiming to hold them accountable for human rights abuses during the Syrian Civil War. U.S. Department of State – Syria Sanctions
United states: Venezuela Oil Tanker Detained
US President Donald Trump announced on December 11, 2025, that his governance has detained a Venezuelan oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. This action represents an escalation in tensions between Washington and Caracas, which have been strained in recent months due to political and economic disputes. The detention is likely linked to US efforts to restrict Venezuela’s oil exports and pressure the government of Nicolás Maduro.