November 21, 2024
🇷🇺 Russian doctors appeal to President Putin over the jailing of a Moscow paediatrician for comments about the Ukraine war. They describe the conviction as “shameful.”
🇱🇧 Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem states that the group has reviewed a U.S.-drafted ceasefire proposal and that the decision to halt hostilities now lies with Israel.
November 20, 2024
🇺🇸 The U.S. Department of State has approved a potential $100 million sale of military equipment and services to Ukraine, according to the Pentagon.
🇺🇸 U.S. State Dept approves potential sale of F-15K aircraft upgrade to South Korea for an estimated $6.2 billion, according to the Pentagon.
🇹🇷 Turkish President Erdogan stated that Turkey denied Israeli President Herzog access to its airspace for the COP climate summit in Azerbaijan, reflecting ongoing tensions between the two nations.
🇻🇪 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recognized Edmundo Gonzalez as Venezuela’s “president-elect” for the first time, signaling increased U.S. pressure on President Nicolas Maduro.
🇭🇰 Hong Kong pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai testifies in court for the first time in his national security trial, facing charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious materials.
🇷🇺 Kremlin states the Russia-US hotline designed to ease crises is currently not in use, amidst rising nuclear tensions and the highest strains between Russia and the West in decades.
🇺🇸 President Biden approves anti-personnel land mines for Ukraine to slow Russian advances. These non-persistent mines will not be used in civilian areas, differing from Russian types. This move follows prior U.S. support with anti-tank mines.
🇹🇷 President Erdogan at G20 states Russia must take steps to protect itself amid concerns over lowered nuclear strike thresholds. He urges NATO to carefully review Russia’s statements.
🇦🇿 COP29 climate talks enter final stretch as Azerbaijan prepares to publish a negotiation update. The summit aims to reach a new agreement on key issues, including climate finance, by the Friday deadline.
🇮🇷 Iran warns that a resolution against it by three European powers at the IAEA will “complicate matters,” according to Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in a message to his French counterpart.
🇷🇺 Putin is willing to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine with Trump but won’t make major territorial concessions. He insists Kyiv must abandon its NATO ambitions, according to five sources familiar with Kremlin views.
🇰🇪 A prominent Ugandan opposition politician was kidnapped during a book launch in Kenya and has been transferred to a military jail in Kampala, according to his wife.
🇺🇸 The U.S. embassy in Kyiv will be closed due to a credible threat of a significant air attack on Wednesday, as stated by the U.S. Department of State Consular Affairs.
🇷🇺 Russia will retaliate against NATO countries aiding Ukraine in long-range missile strikes, warns foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin in a recent interview.
🇵🇰 A suicide attack by Islamist militants on a Pakistan army outpost has killed 12 soldiers in the northwest region, according to the military.
🇭🇰 Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, 76, testifies for the first time in his national security trial. He faces accusations of colluding with foreign forces and endangering China’s national security.
🇷🇺 Putin approves a new nuclear doctrine, lowering the strike threshold amid conventional attacks. International reactions include warnings from the EU and UK about nuclear escalation, while Turkey emphasizes self-defense measures.
🇺🇦 Ukraine reports a successful strike on a Russian command post in Gubkin, Belgorod region. Residents reported loud explosions and thick smoke. The attack follows a previous strike on a Russian arsenal using U.S. ATACMS missiles.