Business and economy

The United Kingdom joins the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, becoming the 12th member and the first European member. (Reuters)

• https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britain-joins-trans-pacific-pact-biggest-post-brexit-trade-deal-2024-12-15/

Disasters and accidents

Thousands of people are believed to have been killed by Cyclone Chido in the French overseas department of Mayotte, with the cyclone also causing damage in the Comoros and Mozambique. (The Independent)

• https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/cyclone-chido-death-toll-mayotte-french-territory-b2664744.html

Disasters and accidents

At least one person is killed when two Russian oil tankers, Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-236, are damaged due to bad weather in the Kerch Strait with oil from the tankers actively leaking into the strait. (NOS) (CNN)

• https://nos.nl/artikel/2548393-twee-russische-tankers-beschadigd-in-zwarte-zee-na-storm-olie-gelekt
• https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/15/europe/russian-cargo-ship-distress-kerch-strait-intl/index.html

International relations

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announces that the remaining five members of the Bali Nine drug-trafficking group, who were serving life sentences in Indonesia, have returned to Australia following an agreement between the two countries to end their imprisonment. (CNN)

• https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/15/australia/indonesia-bali-nine-release-intl-hnk/index.html

International relations

Israel announces that it will close its embassy in Dublin, Ireland, over Ireland's alleged "extreme anti-Israel policies". (Reuters)

• https://www.reuters.com/world/israel-says-it-will-close-dublin-embassy-citing-extreme-anti-israel-policies-2024-12-15/