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Donald Trump Teases ‘Most Aggressive’ Housing Reform US Has Ever Seen

President Donald Trump said he is planning to announce "some of the most aggressive housing reform plans in American history" next year, in an effort to address the ongoing affordability crisis.

It is not the first time that the president has promised to address the country’s housing problems, which include rising prices and soaring costs, a decades-long shortage of homes, and the restrictive local zoning keeping new construction low.

But it is the first time that Americans are being given a deadline for at least the announcement of his proposed solution to these problems—at some undefined point in 2026.

What Has Caused The Current Crisis?

U.S. home prices skyrocketed during the pandemic, when low borrowing costs sparked a home-buying frenzy across the country and this surge in demand clashed with chronically low inventory nationwide.

Between 2019 and 2024, median single-family home prices rose by 48 percent nationally at more than twice the rate of median income, which rose by 22 percent, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) at Harvard University.

Rising home prices, combined with elevated borrowing costs, higher property taxes, homeowners association (HOA) fees, and homeowners insurance premiums, have pushed many prospective homebuyers to the sidelines of the market. In the second quarter of 2025, the U.S. homeownership rate fell to 65 percent, the lowest level since late 2019, according to the Census Bureau.

What Did Trump Say About It?

Addressing the nation from the Diplomatic Room of the White House on Wednesday, Trump played up his administration’s achievements during the last 11 months, though polls show that Americans are getting frustrated with the lack of results in bringing down prices, especially when it comes to housing.

"Our nation is strong. America is respected, and our country is back stronger than ever before. We’re poised for an economic boom the likes of which the world has never seen," he said.

While offering no details on what might be included in his housing reform plans, Trump blamed immigrants for rising housing costs in the U.S., as he did during his 2024 presidential campaign.

"A major factor in driving up housing costs was the colossal border invasion," he said, accusing the Biden administration of bringing in "millions and millions of migrants" and giving them "taxpayer-funded housing" while costs increased for Americans.

Trump said during his 2024 presidential campaign that he would free housing inventory through mass deportations of illegal migrants. The White House now claims that his administration has deported more than 605,000 people and induced the so-called "self-deportation" of another 1.9 million. 

"For the first time in 50 years, we are now seeing reverse migration as migrants go back home, leaving more housing and more jobs for Americans," Trump said on Wednesday.

While this year inventory has risen in the U.S. market, this has primarily happened because demand has dwindled as many Americans cannot afford to buy a home or think this is not a great time to buy. Home prices are still rising and mortgage rates, despite the recent cuts to interest rates by the Federal Reserve, remain historically high.

As of December 18, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 6.21 percent, down from 6.72 percent a year earlier.

Trump said on Wednesday that "mortgage payments will be coming down even further early in the new year."

Donald Trump Reacts to Spiking Unemployment Numbers

President Donald Trump on Friday defended his administration's jobs record again in a Truth Social post, in which he claimed the rising unemployment figure is due to cuts in government jobs.

"100% OF OUR NEW JOBS ARE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR! I could reduce Unemployment to 2% overnight by just hiring people into the Federal Government, even though those Jobs are not necessary," Trump wrote, adding, "I wish the Fake News would report the 4.5% correctly."

"The only reason our Unemployment ticked up to 4.5% is because we are reducing the Government Workforce by numbers that have never been seen before," Trump wrote.

Why It Matters

Unemployment rose to 4.6 percent in November, raising concerns of a cooling market. The Trump administration has struggled with the public reception on jobs numbers, especially after a few significant corrections on previously reported numbers, which led to Trump firing the Commissioner of Labor Statistics in August due to the July jobs number coming 73,000 jobs short of expectations.

What To Know

The president's post on Friday came a few days after the DOL revealed that the economy shed 105,000 jobs in October and failed to rebound with only 64,000 added in November. The unemployment rate had risen from 4.4 percent in September to 4.6 percent.

Analysts have said that the figures show a labor market that is losing steam, rather than accelerating, but the president has insisted that his policies are working, especially as he looks to downsize the federal government as promised.

Some elements are working, with Tuesday’s figures in part coming in ahead of expectations, with healthy gains were made in private payrolls.

However, a downward revision to past months’ data and the four-year high unemployment rate contrasted with the White House’s recent labor market appraisal—issued following last month’s report—that “President Trump’s pro-growth, America First agenda is already making great progress.”

The president has also argued that his economic policies will take time to bear fruit, but with rising costs and a seemingly slowing job market, there are signs that tactics may need to change.

Mitt Romney Backs Key Progressive Demand

Former Utah Senator Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, endorsed a longtime progressive call to raise taxes on the wealthy in a New York Times opinion piece on Friday, writing, “On the tax front, it’s time for rich people like me to pay more.”

Why It Matters

Romney’s remarks place a prominent Republican voice on the same side of an issue long championed by some progressive Democrats, underscoring shifting political dynamics around taxes and wealth inequality.

As a party figure, both in the Senate and governorship, traditionally associated with tax cuts and fiscal conservatism, Romney’s call for higher taxes on the wealthy challenges party orthodoxy and highlights growing bipartisan acknowledgment of public concern over deficits, economic inequality and the concentration of wealth.

His comments come as tax policy is at the center of debate in Washington D.C., with lawmakers weighing the future of how to fund federal priorities amid mounting national debt amid public concern about the economy.

What To Know

The former senator, who served from 2019 to 2025, framed his argument as a break with traditional partisan lines, writing, “Typically, Democrats insist on higher taxes, and Republicans insist on lower spending. But given the magnitude of our national debt as well as the proximity of the cliff, both are necessary.”

He then said he had reversed a long-held view on raising the income cap on which Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) payroll taxes are applied, writing in his opinion article, “I long opposed increasing the income level on which FICA employment taxes are applied (this year, the cap is $176,100). No longer; the consequences of the cliff have changed my mind.”

From there, Romney pointed to how capital gains are treated at death, using a hypothetical involving billionaire Elon Musk, and argued the current system allows some of the wealthiest Americans to avoid paying taxes on billions of dollars, saying it should be “sealed for mega-estates over $100 million.”

He maintained his pro-capitalist views but argued, “I believe in free enterprise, and I believe all Americans should be able to strive for financial success. But we have reached a point where any mix of solutions to our nation’s economic problems is going to involve the wealthiest Americans contributing more.”

He ended by urging Republicans to adopt the approach, writing, “If my party wants to be the one to give working- and middle-class Americans greater opportunity — to be the party that is trying to restore some sense of confidence in our capitalist system — this would be a start.”

MIT Professor Nuno Loureiro’s Friend Speaks Out After Suspect Found Dead

Nuno Loureiro should be remembered as a devoted husband and father of three as well as a gifted physicist, a friend and former colleague told Newsweek.

Bruno Soares Gonçalves, president of Portugal’s Institute of Plasmas and Nuclear Fusion at Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, worked closely with Loureiro, 47, from 2009 through 2015 before he became a faculty member at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and later led its Plasma Science and Fusion Center.

“He was a brilliant researcher — very rigorous scientifically, very focused on scientific excellency,” Gonçalves said Friday during an interview from Lisbon. “But he was at the same time, someone that was nice to be around … someone with a very good sense of humor [and] also someone that when working with other people, was always trying to push the people to do their best.”

Loureiro, a married father of three daughters originally from Viseu, Portugal, became a “kind” and affable mentor to many young minds after becoming a principal investigator at the Institute for Plasmas and Nuclear Fusion in 2009. The talented researcher went on to lead the institute’s theory and modeling group before departing for MIT, Gonçalves said.

“And of course, after he went to MIT, there was still a strong relationship,” he said. “He kept these links; we kept discussing things, people would meet him at conferences and meetings.”

Gonçalves said he last saw Loureiro, who was found fatally shot Monday at his apartment in Brookline, Massachusetts, about a year ago at an International Atomic Energy Agency conference in Rome. But the pair stayed in touch and emailed frequently — last connecting in July, he said.

“He was always willing to speak with his Portuguese colleagues and spend time with us if he had the opportunity,” Gonçalves said.

Investigators believe Claudio Neves Valente, 48, fatally shot two students and wounded nine others at Brown University in Rhode Island on Saturday. Two days later, Valente, who previously attended Instituto Superior Técnico alongside Loureiro, killed his former classmate, police said.

Gonçalves said he was unaware of any ties between Loureiro and Brown University, but his former colleague took the same physics course load as Valente while they both attended Instituto Superior Técnico between 1995 and 2000.

“And likely, they went to the same physics courses at IST,” he said of Loureiro and Valente, who later attended Brown University. “It’s likely that they would know [each other] from that period.”

Gonçalves said he couldn’t fathom why anyone would harm Loureiro.

“I cannot even imagine what the link would be or why someone would do something of that sort,” he said. “It was such a violent crime … It doesn’t want any sense at all.”

Gonçalves said he wants Loureiro to be remembered as a doting father in addition to being an esteemed theoretical physicist and fusion scientist.

Trump Admin Reacts After DOJ Releases Epstein Files

President Donald Trump's White House responded after his Department of Justice (DOJ) released many of its files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

“By releasing thousands of pages of documents, cooperating with the House Oversight Committee’s subpoena request, and President Trump recently calling for further investigations into Epstein’s Democrat friends, the Trump Administration has done more for the victims than Democrats ever have,” White House spokeswoman, Abigail Jackson said, the Associated Press reported. She also said the Trump administration is the “most transparent in history.”

Why It Matters

The release comes after bipartisan legislation passed the U.S. House and Senate overwhelmingly a month ago requiring the disclosure. That effort succeeded after the Trump administration for months had fought the release, with the president routinely calling it a "hoax."

The administration's opposition came after Trump, who was friends with Epstein decades ago before having a falling out, had promised during his 2024 campaign that the files would be released. While Trump has long been known to be mentioned in the files, he and his allies have consistently said he was not involved in Epstein's criminality, and no evidence had emerged to show that he was.

What to Know

The DOJ released thousands of records tied to Epstein on Friday, marking a significant public disclosures in the case. The release came as a result of the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act, which required the government to make the documents available by December 19.

The bipartisan legislation passed after Representatives Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, and Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, spearheaded the effort and utilized a discharge petition to force a vote, despite the objections of House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican. Despite the opposition of Trump and Republican leaders, the legislation ultimately passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the House and Senate last month.

The release is divided into four massive data sets. Files are available under the “Epstein Files Transparency Act” section on the DOJ website The disclosures include thousands of records, including photos, call logs, grand jury testimony and interview transcripts. Many of the documents have been redacted and at least some have already been in the public domain.

Epstein and Maxwell feature heavily in the images. Meanwhile many celebrities make an appearance including Kevin Spacey, Chris Tucker and Bill Clinton, among others.

It does not appear that the DOJ has fully complied with the law, as not all the files have been released. Earlier on Friday, Deputy Attorney General Todd blanche said not all the files would come today but that more would be released within the coming weeks.

Epstein and Trump were known to be close decades ago. However, they ultimately had a falling out, which was reportedly tied to a real estate deal. The president has said he also got upset because Epstein "stole" a young woman working at his Mar-a-Lago club.

The deceased financier, who was a convicted child sex offender, was well-connected, and was closely associated with many high-profile individuals, including former President Bill Clinton, former Prince Andrew, economist Lawrence Summer, Bill Gates, Trump ally Steve Bannon and many others. Ahead of the DOJ release, House Democrats and Republicans have release some files tied to Epstein, including photos of many of these individuals with him.

A new Quinnipiac University survey released this week found widespread dissatisfaction with Trump’s handling of the Epstein files. Just 26 percent of respondents said they were satisfied with his performance on the issue, underscoring public frustration over the administration’s approach to the disclosures.

Elise Stefanik Suspends Campaign for Governor, Will Not Seek Reelection

Representative Elise Stefanik, a New York Republican, announced on Friday that she not only will suspend her bid for New York governor but will not seek reelection to Congress.

Newsweek reached out to House Speaker Mike Johnson's office via email on Friday for comment.

Why It Matters

Stefanik’s decision to suspend her campaign for governor and not seek reelection to Congress marks a significant shift in state and national Republican politics. The move comes as Republicans strategize to challenge a vulnerable Democratic incumbent, Kathy Hochul, in a state where they have not held the governorship since George Pataki left office on December 31, 2006.

Stefanik, a prominent ally of President Donald Trump and a rapidly rising star in national politics, had been viewed as the likely GOP front-runner. Her departure opens up the primary field and potentially alters the dynamics of the 2026 gubernatorial race while also triggering potential repercussions in House Republican leadership and representation in New York’s 21st Congressional District.

What To Know

In an email statement sent out Friday afternoon, Stefanik said she made the decision after spending some time with her family and cited concerns about spending "generous resources" on "an unnecessary and protracted Republican primary, especially in a challenging state like New York."

"While many know me as Congresswoman, my most important title is Mom," Stefanik wrote. "I believe that being a parent is life's greatest gift and greatest responsibility.

"I have thought deeply about this, and I know that as a mother, I will feel profound regret if I don't further focus on my young son's safety, growth, and happiness—particularly at his tender age [4].

"Thank you for your support and encouragement as my family and I look forward to the next meaningful personal and professional chapter."

Stefanik’s withdrawal follows Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s announcement that he would challenge her for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, with party leaders divided over the prospect of a divisive primary. Trump, who counts both as allies, refrained from endorsing either candidate, saying in part: “He’s great, and she’s great. They’re both great people. We have a lot of great people in the Republican Party.”

SOUTH AMERICA

Colombia Shoots Down Venezuela’s Plea For Military Aid

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has rejected a plea from Venezuelan counterpart Nicolás Maduro for military support against the United States.

"I cannot give orders to the Venezuelan army, nor can anyone there give orders to the Colombian army," Petro told reporters at a press conference at the Casa de Nariño, the official presidential residence in Bogotá, on Thursday.

Facing U.S. pressure and the possibility of armed conflict between the U.S. and Venezuela, Maduro appealed to Colombia for a military alliance.

Petro said cooperation between Panama, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela can only happen through popular support and constitutional legitimacy.

Why It Matters

Petro's comments come at a time where Venezuela seeks support from international allies, including diplomatic backing from Russia, China and Iran. Tensions have raised questions about the legality and legitimacy of U.S. military action against alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean and about diplomatic relations with Latin American neighbors.

American naval and air force forces remain on Maduro's doorstep under President Donald Trump's escalating pressure campaign, which included a major oil blockade and tanker seizure this week, putting extra strain on Venezuela's economy.

Tensions between Washington and Bogotá are also rising over the broadened U.S. military presence in the Caribbean region and Washington's approach to drug trafficking, particularly controversial boat strikes that have killed more than 100 people so far.

What To Know

Petro called for a negotiated, peaceful, Venezuelan-led political solution to the crisis in the Caribbean, saying he does not support "invasion," although he did not explicitly name the U.S. This came after Maduro addressed a public plea Wednesday to Colombia’s citizens, social movements, political and military groups, according to state-owned Venezuelan outlet El Correo del Orinoco.

While describing Maduro’s regime as a dictatorship that he does not support, Petro has challenged U.S. claims of the Venezuelan president's involvement in drug trafficking, saying that Colombia has found no evidence that he is a drug trafficker.

"Maduro is a dictator for concentrating powers; there is no evidence in Colombia that he is a narco. That is a narrative of the USA," the Colombian president posted to his X account Wednesday.

Like Maduro, Petro believes oil is at the core of the U.S. pressure campaign on Venezuela and has warned against Washington expanding threats to Colombia. Trump has increasingly hardened his rhetoric toward Colombia and warned Petro he could “be next," having previously issued threats aimed at Maduro.

The State Department designated Colombia’s Clan del Golfo as a foreign terrorist organization on Tuesday. The group is Colombia’s largest drug cartel and is currently negotiating with Petro’s government as part of broader peace talks with the country’s armed groups, according to El País.

Venezuela Boat Strikes Did Not Need Congressional Approval: Trump Admin

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday insisted that the Trump administration has not needed congressional approval for the strikes on boats in the Caribbean that were allegedly smuggling drugs into the U.S.

Rubio told reporters at his year-end press conference that he would not speculate "about things that haven't happened and may never happen," but that "to this point, nothing has happened that requires us to notify Congress or get congressional approval or cross the threshold into war."

Why It Matters

The Trump administration over the past few months has continued to escalate its rhetoric and actions towards Venezuela, starting with strikes on alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean, and culminating with the seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of the South American nation.

President Donald Trump then ordered a blockade on Venezuela's oil tankers, as he alleged that Venezuela uses oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and crime. Trump pledged to continue adding pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro until his government hands over "oil, land, and assets" he claims have been stolen from the United States.

What To Know

Rubio covered a range of topics, but reporters continued to circle back to the boat strikes, particularly the legality of the strikes and the mixed messaging it presented as Rubio stressed the administration's goal to make the U.S. the mediator of peace around the world, following the president's peace deals agreed to over the past 11 months.

He defended the administration's approach and stressed that the strikes fall under the administration's purview to defend national security and ramp up pressure on Maduro.

"We are presenting every single one of these as justified," Rubio said. "We know who is on those boats, we've been tracking them from the very beginning. We know everything about them, OK?"

Update: US Military Gains Access to South America [Ecuador] Air Base

U.S. Air Force personnel have joined forces with their Ecuadorian counterparts at a base in Manta in Ecuador for a temporary anti-narcotics operation.

"This short-term joint effort is carried out as part of our long-term bilateral security strategy, in line with the currently valid agreements in accordance with Ecuadorian law," the U.S. Embassy stated on X this week.

Newsweek has contacted the U.S. State Department and Ecuador's foreign ministry for further comment.

Why It Matters

Ecuadorian voters recently rejected a referendum to allow permanent foreign military bases, reaffirming the ban on foreign bases like the one the U.S. previously operated in Manta. The vote came after Ecuador’s president sought U.S. military assistance and supported the opening of U.S. military bases in the ports of Manta and Salinas following Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's visit to the Manta military base in November.

The latest move comes amid tensions over the U.S.’ expanded military presence in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific under President Donald Trump’s intensified anti-drug campaign and potential military action against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro.

What To Know

Ecuador and the U.S have activated a temporary operation at the Manta air base, which Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa described as "part of a long-term bilateral security strategy," on his X account.

The move comes as Ecuador faces an unprecedented surge in drug-related violence, with homicide rates rising sharply over the past three years and criminal groups expanding their control over coastal trafficking routes. In an operation earlier this month, U.S. special forces under Southern Command assisted Ecuador’s 4th Army Division in a counter‑narcotics action in Esmeraldas on December 3, seizing 1.4 tons of cocaine with a value of about $98 million.

Manta, a strategic Pacific port city, previously hosted a U.S. forward operating location until 2009, when Ecuador banned foreign military bases. Several U.S. allies, including El Salvador and the Dominican Republic, have backed U.S. operations, granting American forces access to local bases and airports. Washington has also expanded its regional footprint by reopening Puerto Rico’s Roosevelt Roads Naval Station and sending additional forces to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Other governments, such as that of Colombia have been more critical, and tensions between Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro have also emerged.

UKRAINE WAR

Ukrainian drones blow up Russian oil tanker in ‘unprecedented special operation,’ dramatic video shows

Dramatic video released Friday shows a Russian oil tanker being blown up by Ukrainian drones in an “unprecedented special operation” in neutral waters in the Mediterranean Sea.

The footage of the attack showed the shadow fleet tanker being obliterated more than 1,200 miles from Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine said.

The out-of-area operation marks the first time Kyiv has struck in neutral waters, according to officials. Until now, Ukraine’s security service has only claimed responsibility for drone attacks in the Black Sea.

The Qendil vessel, which was empty at the time, is said to have suffered critical damage.

Ukraine insisted the strike “posed no threat” to the environment, claiming the vessel wasn’t carrying cargo at the time.

The tanker had unloaded oil at the Indian port of Sikka earlier this month and was en route back when the strike was carried out, according to officials.

Putin Fury After Ukraine Strikes ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker in Mediterranean

Ukraine has expanded its campaign against Russian oil shipping, striking a “shadow fleet” tanker in the Mediterranean Sea for the first time using long-range aerial drones. Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed retaliation for the attack. Speaking at his end-of-year conference, Putin warned that attacks on civilian infrastructure would “always” draw a response from Moscow.

What to Know:

• The Oman-flagged tanker Qendil was hit in neutral waters off Crete, sustaining heavy damage.
  
• The vessel was empty and en route from India’s port of Sikka to Russia’s Ust Luga terminal.
  
• Ukraine’s SBU security service said the operation involved “multi-stage” measures but gave no details.
  
• Kyiv has recently escalated strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, including rigs in the Caspian Sea and tankers in the Black Sea.
  
• Putin condemned the attack, calling it an effort to raise insurance costs, and vowed Russia would respond.
  
• India remains a major buyer of Russian oil despite U.S. pressure to reduce imports.
  
• Maritime analysts say the strike marks a significant expansion of Ukraine’s drone capabilities against Russia’s sanctioned export network.
  

Russia, Botswana pledge stronger cooperation at UN and beyond

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Botswana’s Foreign Minister Phenyo Butale reaffirmed plans to deepen cooperation in international forums, including the United Nations, according to a statement from Moscow’s foreign ministry. The announcement came during the second ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum in Cairo.

The ministry said both sides confirmed their intention to expand collaboration on multilateral platforms and held substantive talks on bilateral priorities. Discussions included prospects for strengthening political, economic, and investment ties, with particular focus on healthcare, tourism, education, and training in civilian fields.

Russian intelligence chief says EU risks decline over ‘Russophobia’

Sergey Naryshkin, director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), warned that what he called the European Union and the United Kingdom’s policy of “Russophobia” will lead to political and social decline. Speaking in an interview with TASS, Naryshkin argued that the EU has failed to keep pace with global dynamics and is falling behind other powers, including the United States.

He said the bloc’s economic and political struggles have made European integration “less attractive” and damaged the EU’s international reputation. According to Naryshkin, the recently published U.S. National Security Strategy underscores the EU’s waning influence.

Rubio warns Ukraine war won’t end in surrender, says talks only way out — as Putin demands capitulation

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday said neither Ukraine nor Russia is anywhere close to surrendering, meaning a negotiated settlement is the only realistic way to stop the bloodshed.

“Wars end generally in one of two ways: surrender by one side or a negotiated settlement,” Rubio told reporters at a lengthy year-end briefing– as US-led talks were set to stretch into the weekend in Miami.

“We don’t see surrender anytime in the near future by either side, and so only a negotiated settlement gives us the opportunity to end this war.”

Rubio laid out the assessment as Russian President Vladimir Putin in his own four-hour-long press conference insisted he would accept nothing short of Ukraine’s unconditional capitulation, fueling doubts about whether the Kremlin is serious about compromise.

“The only thing I want to say is that we have always said this: We are ready and willing to end this conflict peacefully, based on the principles I outlined last June at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and by addressing the root causes that led to this crisis,” Putin said, referring to his demands that Ukraine surrender its entire Donbas region and change its constitution to rule out NATO membership.

But Rubio said he pays little mind to what the Russian dictator says in public and instead is focusing on plausible outcomes.

“I’m just saying there’s what people say and then what people do in the end,” Rubio said. “We’re not going to base our approach … on the basis simply of what people are saying. We’re going to base it on what people are willing to agree to, what countries are willing to agree to.”

US officials are pressing ahead with diplomacy this weekend despite what Rubio acknowledged are starkly incompatible public positions from both sides.

The discussions — which Rubio said have been ongoing “every single day” through meetings, back-channel discussions and phone calls — will continue this weekend in Miami with separate meetings with Russian and Ukrainian negotiators, even as expectations for a breakthrough remain modest.

“What we’re trying to figure out here is, what can Ukraine live with and what can Russia live with?” Rubio said. “And see if we can sort of drive them towards each other to some agreement.”

Rubio stressed repeatedly that Washington is not imposing a deal — and cannot force either side to sign on.

“There is no peace deal unless Ukraine agrees to it,” he said. “But there’s also no peace deal unless Russia agrees to it. In the end, the decision will be up to Ukraine and up to Russia. It will not be up to the United States.”

ASIA

20 Million Gen Z Are Jobless in Urban China

The unemployment total for young Chinese city‑dwellers stood at roughly 20 million, or about 12 percent, according to a Newsweek analysis of the latest statistics from China's statistics bureau.

The figure is a sign that the general economic recovery and a raft of stimulus measures have not eased the economic pressure facing China’s young people.

Why It Matters

The world’s second‑largest economy has had a bumpy ride since the end of its strict COVID‑era lockdowns, amid slowing growth, tepid consumer demand and a years‑long real estate downturn.

Youth, defined in China as ages 15 to 24, have been particularly hard hit, as job competition intensifies amid record numbers of university graduates—a trend that analysts warn could threaten the Chinese Communist Party’s top priority: social stability.

Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry by email with a request for comment.

What To Know

Just under 17 percent of Chinese aged 15 to 24 living in urban areas were jobless last month, according to a National Bureau of Statistics report—a five‑month low, but still an increase of 0.8 percentage points from a year earlier.

The 25‑to‑29 age group fared better, with an unemployment rate of 7.2 percent, just marginally higher than the 6.1 percent logged in December 2023.

A conservative estimate suggests at least 20 million urban Chinese youth aged 15 to 29 are out of work—or just over 12 percent of that demographic, excluding students—according to Newsweek’s analysis of available official data. The real figure is likely higher.

After months of sky‑high rates in 2023, exceeding 21 percent by some measures, China’s government briefly halted youth unemployment reporting, then resumed six months later with a revised methodology.

Since January 2024, the main statistics agency has excluded students from youth unemployment data and no longer counts those with part‑time jobs—even if they worked one hour per week—or unemployed youths who are not actively looking for work.

At the time of the change in methodology, Chinese officials said adding the 25‑to‑29 age group—departing from the international standard youth definition of 15 to 24—would help statisticians reflect the fact that more young people pursue higher education and only enter the job market in their mid‑20s.

China Draws Fire From Iran

China has unsettled Iran by backing the United Arab Emirates in a decades-old dispute over three strategically located islands in the Persian Gulf.

Beijing’s position has revived a sensitive sovereignty issue for Tehran and sharpened scrutiny of China’s regional balancing act, as it seeks to expand ties with Arab Gulf states while maintaining its much touted strategic partnership with Iran.

Newsweek has contacted Iran and China's foreign ministries for comment.

Why It Matters

The episode highlights the limits of Iran’s reliance on China at a time when Tehran increasingly looks east to counter Western pressure and sanctions. While Iranian officials have portrayed ties with Beijing as a pillar of foreign policy, China’s stance on the islands underscores its willingness to prioritize broader regional and energy interests.

The dispute also carries wider implications for regional stability. The three islands sit near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint through which about one-fifth of the world’s total oil consumption passes, making their status a recurring concern for global energy markets.

What to Know

Tensions surfaced this week after a joint statement was issued following Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Abu Dhabi, in which Beijing expressed “support for the efforts of the UAE to reach a peaceful solution to the dispute” over Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei responded by criticizing what he described as the UAE’s “insistence on misusing every diplomatic delegation’s visit” to advance its claims. While Baqaei did not explicitly name China, Iranian media interpreted the remarks as a diplomatic setback for Tehran.

Media Backlash

Although Baqaei did not directly criticize China, Iranian media and political figures were far more pointed in their assessments, framing Beijing’s stance as a challenge to Iran’s sovereignty. Hard-line newspaper Kayhan, argued that China’s position amounted to a contradiction of its own red lines, writing that Beijing “has implicitly accepted that its own claim over Taiwan is disputable and should be resolved through negotiations.”

Ahmad Naderi, a member of the presiding board of Iran’s conservative-leaning parliament, accused China of applying a “double standard,” arguing that Beijing could not insist on strict adherence to its One China policy while questioning Iran’s territorial integrity.

State-affiliated Mehr news agency framed the issue in similar terms, noting that China considers “any mention of its territorial integrity a violation of its security red line,” and argued that Beijing’s endorsement of the joint statement “is unjustifiable and cannot be ignored.”

Iran Seen Working on Nuclear Site Hit by US

New satellite imagery shows recent activity at a uranium enrichment facility in Iran that was damaged during June's 12-day war with Israel when U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeted several of the country’s nuclear sites.

The image raises concerns that Tehran may be working to restore or recover aspects of its nuclear program, according to the U.S.-based Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS). The image suggests Iran is taking steps to shield and access the damaged site, highlighting continued uncertainty over its nuclear intentions.

Newsweek has contacted Iran's Foreign Ministry for comment via email.

Why It Matters

The Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP) at Natanz is a key site within Iran’s nuclear complex, historically used for advanced enrichment research and development. Although the facility "likely held several kilograms of highly enriched uranium," ISIS stressed that such material is “not negligible” in the broader context of Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Renewed activity at PFEP comes amid longstanding U.S. and Israeli concerns that Iran’s nuclear program, which Iran insisted it has never sought nuclear weapons, could bring it closer to weapons-grade capability. The fact that U.S. airstrikes targeted multiple sites during the June conflict before a ceasefire was agreed on June 24 underscores the strategic importance of these facilities and the potential risks associated with their recovery.

What to Know

ISIS, a think tank focused on nuclear nonproliferation, reported that satellite imagery from December 13 show panels placed on top of the remaining anti-drone structure at PFEP, providing cover for the damaged facility.

Although partially sealed, a large hole remains where the drone cage was penetrated. The think tank suggested the new covering allows Iran to examine or retrieve materials from the rubble while limiting external observation. “This indicates Iran wants to explore the rubble out of sight of prying eyes,” it wrote.

ISIS posted the satellite image on X on Thursday, highlighting the renewed activity at the damaged facility.

Other Sites Remain Quiet

While PFEP shows renewed activity, ISIS said it has not observed similar signs at other major nuclear sites, including the underground Fordow facility also damaged in June by airstrikes. The targeted focus on PFEP may reflect its role in research and development of advanced centrifuges and enrichment processes.

IAEA Access Restrictions

Meanwhile, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said inspectors have returned to some facilities but remain barred from those struck by the U.S.

“We are only allowed to access sites that were not hit,” he told Russia’s RIA Novosti earlier this week.

US Says It Hit Islamic State Targets in Syria After Attack on US Soldiers

The U.S. has announced that it carried out a series of strikes in Syria against ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites as retaliation for a lethal attack on American servicemembers earlier this month.

"This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance," Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wrote on X. "The United States of America, under President Trump’s leadership, will never hesitate and never relent to defend our people."

Newsweek reached out to the Pentagon by email outside of normal business hours on Friday evening for comment.

Why It Matters

An Islamic State (ISIS) gunman ambushed U.S. troops in Syria last week, killing three U.S. servicemembers—two Iowa National Guard soldiers and a civilian interpreter. The assault marked the first deadly attack on U.S. troops in Syria since the fall of President Bashar Assad.

The U.S. Army identified the soldiers just days after the attack as Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown. The interpreter was identified as Ayad Mansoor Sakat, 54, of Macomb Township, Michigan.

The interim government and its military forces have committed themselves to helping the U.S. fight the presence of the Islamic State militant group (ISIS). The U.S. had no diplomatic relations with Syria under Assad, but the Trump administration has courted closer ties between the two countries, even hosting interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Washington last month.

What To Know

President Donald Trump and Hegseth confirmed the attack and deaths of the servicemembers and the ISIS gunman before swearing to retaliate last week, making good on their promise on Friday with a dozen strikes on ISIS targets.

A U.S.-led coalition carried out the airstrikes and ground operations, including participation from Syria's security forces, according to Reuters.

Hegseth praised the operation and reiterated that the U.S. will never let the deaths of U.S. servicemembers go unpunished. He labeled the strikes as "OPERATION HAWKEYE STRIKE."

"As we said directly following the savage attack, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you," Hegseth continued.

"Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue," he added.

Trump also posted about the strikes, saying that Syria was "fully in support" of the U.S. strikes, and he praised al-Sharaa for "working very hard to bring Greatness back to Syria."