EU lists Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard as terrorist organization

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union has agreed to list Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization over Tehran’s bloody crackdown on nationwide protests. The bloc’s top diplomat made the announcement Thursday. It is a largely symbolic move that adds to international pressures on the Islamic Republic. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said foreign ministers in the 27-nation bloc unanimously agreed on the designation. She said it will put the regime “on the same footing” with al-Qaida, Hamas and the Islamic State group. Meanwhile, Iran faces the threat of military action from U.S. President Donald Trump in response to the killing of peaceful demonstrators and over possible mass executions.

Starmer and Xi call for deeper UK-China ties as Trump shakes up global relations

BEIJING (AP) — The leaders of Britain and China have called for a “comprehensive strategic partnership” to deepen ties at a time of global uncertainty. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on the first visit by a British prime minister in eight years. Relations have been strained over issues including allegations of Chinese spying and the situation in Hong Kong. The U.K. recently approved plans for a large Chinese Embassy in London, despite security concerns. The British leader emphasized the importance of diplomatic dialogue and economic cooperation. The visit includes over 50 business executives seeking opportunities in China.

Trump says he asked Putin not to target Kyiv for 1 week during brutal cold spell

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Donald Trump says he asked Russian President Vladimir Putin not to target the Ukrainian capital and other towns for one week as the region experiences frigid temperatures and Putin agreed, but Russia hasn’t confirmed that. Russia has been pounding Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, leaving many around the country without heat in the dead of winter. Trump said Thursday during a Cabinet meeting he “personally asked President Putin not to fire on Kyiv and the cities and towns for a week during this … extraordinary cold.” A Kremlin spokesman declined to comment on a possible mutual halt on strikes on energy facilities.

Israel returns Palestinian bodies, official says

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A Gaza Health Ministry official says Israel has turned over the bodies of 15 Palestinians just days after recovering the remains of the last Israeli hostage. This marks the last hostage-detainee exchange between Israel and Hamas. The return of all remaining hostages, living or dead, had been a key part of the first phase in the ceasefire that paused the war in October. A spokesperson at Gaza’s health ministry says the bodies handed over Thursday were taken to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. This comes after Israel announced Monday it found and identified the remains of the last Israeli hostage at a cemetery in northern Gaza.