Morning news brief: 4 Hamas members nabbed in Germany, Maldives scraps water survey deal with India, & more

German and Dutch authorities have apprehended four individuals affiliated with Hamas in Germany. They were suspected of planning terrorist attacks in Europe. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser assured that Jews' security remained a top priority. In a new development amid escalating tensions between India and the Maldives after the demand for Indian troop withdrawal from the islands, President Mohamed Muizzu's government has opted to terminate the hydrographic survey agreement with India.

In other news, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban delayed a $52 billion (50 billion euros) aid deal for Ukraine from the EU budget by postponing the agreement until January of the next year.

Danish authorities on Thursday (Dec 14) said that they foiled a terrorist attack after several arrests were made in the Netherlands and Denmark.

As India-Maldives relations experience further strain following the demand for troop withdrawal, the Maldivian government led by President Mohamed Muizzu, has chosen to terminate the hydrographic survey agreement with India. The announcement comes merely a month after President Muizzu requested the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives, aligning with his 'India Out' campaign platform.

European Union (EU) member Hungary on Thursday (Dec 14) stalled an aid deal worth $52 billion (50 billion euros) for Ukraine from the EU budget. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban put his foot down and delayed the deal until January next year.

Iran said on Thursday (Dec 14) that it was lifting visa requirements for 33 countries including India and Saudi Arabia. According to the ISNA news agency, the Iranian Ministry of tourism believed that an open-door policy would showcase Iran's determination to engage with different countries of the world.