OT subject but worth a main-stream read- OT News Feeds...

lousubcap

Friday Middle East update:

"Negotiations over a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal will resume in Qatar in the coming days, Israeli, U.S., and Qatari officials said yesterday. It is not clear whether Hamas agreed to participate in the meeting, which the heads of the CIA and Mossad are set to attend. Meanwhile, a Hamas delegation met with Egyptian intelligence officials late yesterday to discuss the situation in Gaza. Tom Bennett reports for BBC News; Michael Crowley, Raja Abdulrahim, and Thomas Fuller report for the New York Times.

Israel’s most senior military commander said yesterday there was the possibility of a “sharp conclusion” to the war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, adding that Israel has “thoroughly dismantled Hezbollah’s senior chain of command.” Dana Karni reports for CNN.

At a conference in Paris yesterday, world powers pledged $1bn to alleviate Lebanon’s humanitarian crisis and bolster its army. Some 70 government delegations and 15 international organizations attended, although a limited U.S. presence dimmed hopes for a swift end to hostilities. John Irish and Maya Gebeily report for Reuters.

Iran is preparing for war with Israel but hoping to avert it, having witnessed the decimation of its allies in Lebanon and Gaza, four Iranian officials said. Iran’s supreme leader has ordered the military to develop various response strategies to a potential Israeli assault, the scope of which will largely depend on the severity of Israel’s attacks, the officials said. Farnaz Fassihi reports for the New York Times.

Russia provided Yemen’s Houthis with targeting data as they attacked Western ships in the Red Sea earlier this year, sources say. Moscow’s assistance, which reportedly passed through members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, shows how the Kremlin is seeking to tie up the United States in the Middle East. Benoit Faucon and Thomas Grove report for the Wall Street Journal.

The United States will send an extra $135mn in aid for Palestinians in Gaza, West Bank, and the broader region, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced yesterday. The Washington Post reports."

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Friday Russia-Ukraine update:

"North Korean forces have been spotted in the Ukraine-Russia combat zone, Kyiv’s intelligence services said yesterday. Separately, Ukrainian prosecutors today said they are investigating Pyongyang’s support for the Russian war effort as a possible crime of aggression. Elen Mitchell reports for The Hill; Anthony Deutsch and Tom Balmforth report for Reuters.

Questioned by foreign journalists yesterday, Putin did not deny the North Korean presence in Russia, in what could be an oblique acknowledgement of their involvement. Francesca Ebel reports for the Washington Post.

European diplomats are preparing to underpin and reinforce Russia sanctions for fear of a possible Trump overhaul, sources say. Julia Payne and John O’Donnell report for Reuters.

Russian forces launched drone attacks overnight at the Ukrainian capital, the 15th air attack on Kyiv this month, city officials said. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Ukraine’s military intelligence service said the first North Korean units trained in Russia had been deployed in Kursk, a Russian border region where Ukrainian forces staged a surprise incursion in August."

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Saturday Russia-Ukraine update:

"The Ukrainian Air Force said it destroyed 36 of 63 drones launched by Russia, downing them over various parts of Ukraine. It added that 16 drones were “locationally lost”.

Finance ministers and central bank chiefs of the Group of Seven (G7) nations said $50bn in bilateral loans to Ukraine backed by frozen Russian assets would become available for disbursement starting December 1 through the end of 2027.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected a plan for the United Nations secretary-general to visit Kyiv due to Antonio Guterres’s attendance at this week’s BRICS summit in Russia, a Ukrainian official said.

Citing intelligence reports, Zelenskyy announced that Russia plans to deploy North Korean troops to the battlefield starting October 27-28.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said it was Moscow’s business whether it decided to use North Korean troops and that if Ukraine wanted to join NATO, Moscow could act as it wished to ensure its own security."

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Sunday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Ukraine’s air defence units were deployed early on Sunday to repel a wave of Russian drones heading towards Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of the Ukrainian capital, said, telling residents to stay in shelters.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence said its air defence units also destroyed overnight at least 30 Ukrainian drones over the southern regions of Voronezh, Bryansk, Oryol, Lipetsk and Belgorod.

Russian forces advanced further into several eastern Ukrainian towns, including in Selydove, getting closer to capturing the strategic city of Pokrovsk, Russian and Ukrainian bloggers said. The Russian news outlet SHOT said on Telegram that Russian troops control 80 percent of Selydove.

Ukraine said in its Saturday evening report that its forces had repelled 36 Russian attacks along the Pokrovsk front line the previous day, including in the area of Selydove, while several battles were still ongoing.

The deployment of North Korean troops to help Russia in its war against Ukraine is unlikely to have a significant effect on the fighting on the ground but could affect security interests in Asia, Europe and elsewhere, said Pascal Dayez-Burgeon, a North Korea expert and former French diplomat in Seoul."

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Sunday Middle East update:

"On Saturday the Israeli military launched strikes on military bases in Iran, hitting about 20 sites over several hours in Ilam, Khuzestan and Tehran.

The Iranian army confirmed four soldiers were killed after it said the attacks on Saturday targeted military bases but resulted in only “limited damage”.

The Israeli army announced that the operation was complete, and military spokesman Daniel Hagari said that if Iran carries out retaliatory strikes, Israel will be “obligated to respond”.

Iran’s air defence headquarters said the “aggressive action was successfully intercepted and countered by the country’s integrated air defense system”. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Iran was “entitled and obligated to defend itself against external aggressive acts” after the attacks on its soil.

US National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett urged “Iran to cease its attacks on Israel so that this cycle of fighting can end without further escalation”.

“Their response was an exercise in self-defence and specifically avoided populated areas and focused solely on military targets, contrary to Iran’s attack against Israel that targeted Israel’s most populous city,” he added.

Stressing that the US did not participate in the operation, Savett said “it is our aim to accelerate diplomacy and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East region”.

Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder posted on social media platform X that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke to his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant and “reaffirmed the ironclad commitment of the US to Israel’s security and right to self-defense”."

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Monday Middle East update:

"Israel notified Iran of the general targets of its retaliatory airstrikes in advance and warned Iran not to respond, in an attempt to prevent a wider escalation, sources say. Barak Ravid reports for Axios.

Israeli and Iranian authorities seemed to adopt a measured tone in response to Saturday’s strikes, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating the attack “achieved all its objectives,” and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian saying that Tehran will respond “appropriately” but does not “seek war.” Isabel Kershner, Farnaz Fassihim, Hiba Yazbek, and Michael Levenson report for the New York Times. 

Israeli strikes on Gaza yesterday killed approximately 70 people, with Israel’s offensive in the north showing no signs of abating despite renewed ceasefire talks. Bethan McKernan reports for the Guardian.

The Israeli military today said it captured around 100 suspected Hamas militants during a Friday raid on one of the last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza. Gaza health officials and Hamas previously denied any militant presence there. Nidal Al-Mughrabil reports for Reuters. 

Egypt yesterday proposed a two-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to facilitate the release of four hostages and delivery of aid to Gaza, President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi said. Ami Bentov, Samy Magdy, Tia Goldenberg, and Joseph Krauss report for AP News."

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Monday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Several thousand North Korean soldiers have arrived in Russia’s western Kursk region, where they are expected to participate in an upcoming counteroffensive aimed at expelling Ukrainian forces, sources say. Michael Schwirtz, Julian E. Barnes, and Eric Schmitt report for the New York Times.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence said its air defence units destroyed 21 Ukrainian drones overnight targeting the border Belgorod region as well as Bryansk, Voronezh and Kursk regions.

Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces had taken control of the village of Izmailivka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, according to the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

Russian forces thwarted an attempt at another cross-border incursion by Ukraine into the southwestern Bryansk region, Governor Aleksandr Bogomaz said, months after Kyiv staged a bold assault on its nuclear-armed enemy that Moscow is still struggling to halt.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Defence Ministry was working on different ways to respond if the United States and its NATO allies help Ukraine to strike deep into his country with long-range Western missiles.

Putin’s Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said cooperation within the “Ukraine plus Northern Europe” format is gaining speed with more steps that can increase pressure on Russia expected in the coming week. The five Nordic countries – Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland – are now NATO countries and have all been staunch supporters of Ukraine."

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Tuesday middle East update:

"CIA Director Bill Burns floated a new 28-day Gaza ceasefire and hostage swap proposal during a Sunday meeting with Israeli and Qatari envoys, according to Israeli sources. Separately, Netanyahu yesterday signaled his willingness to accept Egypt’s two-day ceasefire deal. Analysts say any breakthroughs are unlikely until the result of the U.S. presidential election is known. Barak Ravid reports for Axios; Lauren Izso, Niamh Kennedy, Jeremy Diamond and Becky Anderson report for CNN; Patrick Kingsley reports for the New York Times.

Israel’s Knesset yesterday voted to bar the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from activity within Israel and prohibit Israeli authorities from any contact with the organization. The move, set to take effect in 90 days, will likely severely restrict the agency’s ability to operate in Gaza and the West Bank. Nadeen Ebrahim and Salma Arafa report for CNN; Andrew Roth reports for the Guardian.

Only one medic remains at a North Gaza hospital following a weekend Israeli raid on the facility, the Hamas-run health ministry said in a statement urging international organizations to send medical staff to the enclave. Ido Vock reports for BBC News.

A host of countries have sharply criticized Israel’s vote to ban UNRWA. Prior to the vote, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the U.K. expressed “grave concern” over the legislation and urged Israel to “abide by its international obligations.” Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain also jointly condemned the move. Niamh Kennedy, Benjamin Brown, and Kareem Khadder report for CNN; the Guardian reports.

Israel’s Saturday attack on Iran “should be the end of the direct exchange of fire” between the countries, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the U.N. Security Council yesterday, warning Iran of “severe consequences” if it launches any new attacks. The Guardian reports."

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Tuesday Russia-Ukraine update:

"North Korea sent 10,000 troops to Russia, of whom some are already moving towards the Ukraine border, a Pentagon spokesperson said yesterday. Separately, North Korea’s foreign minister arrived in Russia ahead of a planned Moscow visit, Russian state media said. Paul McLeary and Robbie Gramer report for POLITICO; Reuters reports.

The United States will not impose new limits on Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied weapons if North Korea joins Russia’s war, the Pentagon said yesterday. Phil Stewart and Andrew Gray report for Reuters.

The Ukrainian Air Force said it destroyed 66 of 100 attack drones launched by Russia during an overnight strike. Another 24 were “locationally lost” but “several” others had struck civilian infrastructure and left parts of Sumy and Poltava regions without power.

Russia’s air defences destroyed seven Ukrainian drones overnight, according to the Defence Ministry. The drones reportedly targeted the regions of Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk, all bordering Ukraine."

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Wednesday Middle East update:

"An Israeli strike on a residential building in northern Gaza killed at least 93 people yesterday, the Hamas-run health ministry said. The attack, reported to have killed over two dozen children, appears to be the deadliest since Israel intensified its offensive in the north. The IDF said it is investigating the incident. Louisa Loveluck, Miriam Berger, Heba Farouk Mahfouz, and Victoria Bisset report for the Washington Post. 

The United States asked Israel to explain yesterday’s strike in northern Gaza, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said, describing the attack as an “horrifying incident with a horrifying result.” The Washington Post reports.

Israel’s words on Gaza aid are not matched by its actions on the ground, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said yesterday. Separately, Miller said Israel has a “legal obligation to allow humanitarian assistance in and not to erect roadblocks to humanitarian assistance.” Michelle Nichols reports for Reuters; the Washington Post reports.

Two senior Biden advisers will arrive in Israel tomorrow to try to close a deal that would end the war in Lebanon and allow displaced civilians from both sides of the border to return home, sources told Axios. Barak Ravid reports."

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Wednesday Russia-Ukraine update:

"A small number of North Korean troops are already in Ukraine, according to a United States media report, which cited two anonymous Western intelligence officials.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has told Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that North Korean troops have entered the battlefield in Ukraine earlier than expected. Trudeau said their deployment will escalate Russia’s war, Yoon’s office said.

About 2,000 North Korean soldiers are moving towards Russia’s Kursk region and a small number are already there, according to the Pentagon’s spokesman. Major-General Patrick Ryder said he is concerned they will be used to “support combat operations against Ukrainian forces”, adding that he could not corroborate reports that North Korean troops are in Ukraine itself.

US President Joe Biden has said Ukraine should strike back if North Korean troops cross into the country, adding that he is “concerned” about reports of their presence in Russia’s Kursk region."

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Red Sea Is Now So Dangerous Even NATO Warships Are Avoiding It

Teaser:
The Red Sea, one of the world’s busiest and most strategically vital waterways, has become so hazardous that even the German Navy is steering clear. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius’s decision to redirect the frigate Baden-Württemberg and support vessel Frankfurt am Main around the Cape of Good Hope on their return from an Indo-Pacific deployment speaks volumes. The Red Sea is now deemed too perilous, underscoring just how ineffective current U.S. and EU naval protections are in this region.
Article linked here:
https://gcaptain.com/red-sea-is-now-so-dangerous-even-nato-warships-are-avoiding-it/?subscriber=true&goal=0_

lousubcap

Thursday Middle East update:

"The amount of aid entering Gaza in October has hit the lowest level since the start of the war, U.N. data shows. Mostafa Salem and Nadeen Ebrahim report for CNN.

President Biden yesterday discussed a new U.S. effort to broker ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, whose country has played a key role in efforts to get aid into Gaza since the war started. Aamer Madhani and Menelaos Hadjicostis report for AP News.

The State Department failed to comply with its own swift investigation policies in respect of hundreds of reports that Israel has used U.S.-supplied arms in attacks that caused unnecessary harm to civilians, sources say. Abigail Hauslohner and Michael Birnbaum report for the Washington Post. 

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres warned that Israel could carry out “ethnic cleansing” of Gaza by systematically displacing Palestinians if international action is not taken. Patrick Greenfield, Malak A Tantesh and Julian Borger report for the Guardian. 

Lebanon’s prime minister yesterday expressed hope that an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal would be announced within days, after Israel’s public broadcaster published what it said was a leaked U.S.-drafted agreement providing for an initial 60-day truce. Maayan Lubell, Maya Gebeily, and Timour Azhari report for Reuters.

Israel’s recent strike on Iran will be met with a “definitive and painful” response that will likely come before the U.S. presidential election, a high-ranking source said yesterday. Asked about the remark, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said that “Iran should not respond to Israel’s retaliation.” Fred Pleitgen and Niamh Kennedy report for CNN."

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Thursday Russia-Ukraine update:

"North Korean troops wearing Russian uniforms are moving towards Ukraine, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said yesterday. Separately, South Korean authorities said North Korea is likely to ask Russia for nuclear technology in exchange for troops. Tara Copp and Lolita C. Baldor report for AP News; Natasha Bertrand reports for CNN. 

Russia’s United Nations envoy Vassily Nebenzia questioned, at a UN Security Council meeting, why its allies cannot help Moscow in its war against Ukraine if Western countries claim the right to help Kyiv, adding that Russia’s military interactions with North Korea do not violate international law.

Ukraine’s UN envoy Sergiy Kyslytsya responded that no countries providing assistance to Ukraine are “under Security Council sanctions”, adding that “receiving assistance from the fully-sanctioned North Korea is a brazen violation of the UN Charter”.

At the meeting, North Korea did not acknowledge the deployment of troops to Russia, but said any such move would be in compliance with international law, adding that “Pyongyang and Moscow maintain close contact with each other on mutual security and development of the situation”.

South Korea’s Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun has said there is a “high chance” North Korea will seek tactical nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missile technology from Russia in exchange for the deployment of its troops to Ukraine."

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Friday Middle East update:

"Top Biden administration negotiators visited the Middle East yesterday in a last-ditch attempt to jumpstart ceasefire talks before next week’s U.S. presidential election. Julian E. Barnes and Ephrat Livni report for the New York Times.

The Biden administration has been ramping up pressure on Israel to address Gaza aid concerns in recent days, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken convening internal meetings to monitor Israel’s implementation of U.S. requests and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin raising the demands in phone calls with his Israeli counterpart. Barak Ravid reports for Axios. 

Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen yesterday issued a joint statement urging Israel to extend its waiver on cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian banks. Kanishka Singh reports for Reuters.

Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister has denied reports that the United States asked Lebanon to declare a unilateral ceasefire, after two sources said a U.S. envoy had made the request to renew stalled talks on ending Israel-Hezbollah hostilities. The Guardian reports. 

Iran is preparing to launch a major retaliatory strike from Iraq in the coming days, potentially before the U.S. election, Israeli intelligence suggests. Meanwhile, two top Iranian officials yesterday told state media that Iran plans to respond to Israel’s attacks. Barak Ravid reports for Axios; Farnaz Fassihi reports for the New York Times."

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Friday Russia-Ukraine update:

"About 8,000 North Korean troops are expected to enter Russia’s war with Ukraine in the “coming days,” Secretary Blinken said yesterday. Meanwhile, U.S. negotiators are increasingly turning to China as an interlocutor in addressing Russia and North Korea’s rapidly strengthening security partnership, senior U.S. officials say. Ellen Mitchell reports for The Hill; Edward Wong reports for the New York Times. 

Russia made its largest territorial gains in Ukraine since the summer of 2022 in October, threatening a key logistics hub for Ukrainian forces in the Donbas. Constant Méheut and Josh Holder report for the New York Times.

Air defence systems intercepted 10 Ukrainian drones over four regions of Russia, the Russian Defence Ministry has said, with no damage or injuries reported. Five drones were downed in Kursk, three in Bryansk, one in Oryol, and one in the Black Sea Crimean Peninsula.

Several fuel and energy facilities have been targeted in a Ukrainian drone attack on the central Russian region of Bashkortostan, causing minimal damage and no casualties.

Ukraine has said it shot down 17 out of 43 drones and two guided missiles launched by Russia overnight.

Russia has said Ukraine’s leadership is clearly nervous about Russian advances along the front line if Kyiv is asking the United States to supply long-range Tomahawk missiles.

The Kremlin declined to comment when asked if Russia was helping North Korea to develop its military technology, as Seoul warned Pyongyang could get missile technology from Russia for helping with the war in Ukraine."

lousubcap

Too late for some early voters and likely not gonna be read by those who could benefit most:

"The Dunning-Kruger effect and how society deals with challenges.  Google for the meaning but this explains a lot of how we behave.

"As a society, we therefore miss learning from the best of the best, because their confidence keeps them behind closed doors. At centre stage, all too often, can be people of below-average capabilities.

Unfortunately, those who are the most ignorant—in the bottom 25% of any skill—also overestimate themselves the most. In the context of our democracy, this means our most uninformed citizens are also our most confident ones. Not only are these ignorant people extremely resistant to being taught—since they believe they know the most—they are also guilty of sharing the most information (read: misinformation).

At its core, the Dunning-Kruger effect preys on just that: not a lack of information, but rather an abundance of misinformation. We know when we know nothing, but it is information that is wrong that causes us to think we know everything, and absentmindedly press “share.”"

The complete article linked here:

https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/dunning-kruger-effect 

lousubcap

Saturday Russia-Ukraine update:

"North Korea’s Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said her country will “stand firmly” by Russia until victory in Ukraine.

Choe’s visit to Moscow comes as the United States warned that thousands of North Korean soldiers are at the Ukrainian border and are readying to enter combat in the coming days.

Choe pledged that North Korea would continue to develop its nuclear arsenal, with Pyongyang widely suspected of wanting nuclear technology from Russia in exchange for military support.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov lauded “very close ties” between their countries’ “armies and special services”, without mentioning the troop deployment, during his meeting with Choe.

The US announced an additional $425m in military assistance to Ukraine. The new aid package includes air defence interceptors and munitions for rocket systems and artillery, and brings the total amount of military assistance the US has provided Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 to $60.4bn."

lousubcap

Sunday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Russian forces downed 19 Ukrainian drones overnight – 16 over the southern Rostov region and the remainder over the Belgorod and Bryansk regions – Russia’s Ministry of Defence said on Sunday.

Ukrainian forces are restraining one of Russia’s “most powerful offensives” since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine’s top military commander, General Oleksandr Syrskii, has said.

Russia troops have taken two more settlements along the Donbas frontline – Kurakhivka and Pershotravneve – Russian news agencies reported on Saturday, citing the country’s Defence Ministry.

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia’s security council, who also served as president from 2008 to 2012, has warned the US to take Russia’s nuclear warnings seriously to avoid World War III. Medvedev said “they are wrong” if US and European leaders believe “the Russians will never cross a certain line.”

lousubcap

Monday Middle East update:

"Prospects for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ran aground on Friday, as Israeli airstrikes killed at least 68 people in Gaza. The Israeli military claimed the strikes killed one of the last surviving high-ranking members of Hamas. Nidal Al-Mughrabi, Timour Azhari, and Laila Bassam report for Reuters.

Israel today said it terminated the agreement facilitating the work of the U.N. aid agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), appearing to take steps to implement the legislation passed last month that would prevent the agency from operating in the Palestinian territories. AP News reports.

Israel is falling far short of meeting the Biden administration’s ultimatum to surge the level of aid to Gaza or face restrictions on U.S. military funding, an AP News review of U.N. and Israeli data shows. Ellen Knickmeyer reports.

A U.S. push to halt fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has stalled after the U.S.-drafted ceasefire proposal was found to be “unrealistic” and Israel insisted on being able to enforce a truce directly, sources say. Maya Gebeily reports for Reuters.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed Saturday to give a “crushing response” to Israel’s attack on Iran, suggesting a possible involvement of Iranian-backed groups. Adam Taylor, Mustafa Salim, Bryan Pietsch, Suzan Haidamous, and Heidi Levine report for the Washington Post.

The United States is sending bomber aircraft, fighter jets, and more Navy warships to the Middle East to bolster its presence in the region, the Pentagon announced Friday. Tara Copp and Lolita C. Baldor report for AP News.

The Biden administration warned Iran in recent days against another attack on Israel, stressing that it “won’t be able to hold Israel back,” U.S. and Israeli sources say. Barak Ravid reports for Axios.

Arab states are resisting U.S. appeals to do more about the Houthis’ campaign against the United States and its regional allies amid anger over the Gaza war. Abigail Hauslohner and Ellen Nakashima report for the Washington Post."

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Monday Russia-Ukraine update:

"United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said he is “very concerned” about reports that North Korean troops have been sent to Russia to possibly aid in its war against Ukraine, said Stephane Dujarric, the UN chief’s spokesperson, on Sunday.

Europe will need to rethink its support of Ukraine if Donald Trump is elected president of the United States, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Sunday, as the continent “will not be able to bear the burdens of the war alone”. Orban opposes military aid to Ukraine and supports Trump in the election, believing he shares his views and would negotiate a peace settlement for Ukraine.

South Korea’s foreign minister said on Friday “all possible scenarios” are under consideration for aiding Ukraine. Meanwhile, North Korea and Russia reaffirmed their commitment to a June strategic partnership accord. David Ljunggren reports for Reuters."

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Tuesday Middle East update:

"An Israeli bombardment yesterday damaged one of the few hospitals still providing medical care in northern Gaza, a week after the Israeli forces withdrew from the facility, the Hamas-run health ministry said. Hiba Yazbek reports for the New York Times. 

An Israeli airstrike killed at least 20 people in northern Gaza late yesterday, according to Palestinian medical officials. AP News reports.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller yesterday gave Israel a “fail” grade in terms of meeting the Biden administration’s conditions for Gaza aid delivery. He said about nine days still remain until the 30-day deadline expires, but that limited progress so far has been inadequate. Matthew Lee reports for AP News.

The Israeli military claimed it killed two Hezbollah commanders yesterday in Lebanon. Separately, Israel’s Air Defence force said yesterday it struck Hezbollah intelligence headquarters near Damascus, in an attack which Syria’s defense ministry said targeted civilian sites. The Guardian reports; Adam Makary, Suleiman Al-Khalidi and Hatem Maher report for Reuters.

At least 10 of 14 strikes that caused casualties in eastern Lebanon on Friday hit areas outside the Israeli military’s evacuation order zone, a Washington Post review found. Abbie Cheeseman reports. 

The United States and Saudi Arabia are discussing a possible bilateral security agreement which would not involve a broader deal with Israel, sources say. Barak Ravid reports for Axios."

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Tuesday Russia-Ukraine update:

"At least 10,000 North Korean troops are in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, the Pentagon’s press secretary said yesterday. Meanwhile, South Korea and the European Union yesterday jointly condemned North Korea’s supply of weapons to Russia, demanding a withdrawal of Pyongyang forces. Luis Martinez reports for ABC News; Hyunsu Yim and Hyunjoo Jin report for Reuters.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence said its armed forces downed four United States-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and 42 Ukrainian drones in the last 24 hours.

Ukraine’s military said it shot down 50 of 80 Russian drones deployed during an overnight attack.

During his nightly address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned there “are already 11,000 [North Korean soldiers] in Kursk”, the Russian region where Ukrainian troops have been seizing land since August. “We see an increase in North Koreans, but we don’t see any increase in the reaction from our partners,” he said.

Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder confirmed there are at least 10,000 North Korean troops in Kursk, but could not corroborate reports that they were engaged in combat."

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Wednesday Middle East update:

"Netanyahu dismissed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant late yesterday over an “increasingly wide crisis of confidence,” announcing he will be replaced by Foreign Minister Israel Katz. Gallant previously publicly criticized Netanyahu’s approach to the Gaza war. Bryan Pietsch reports for the Washington Post.

The Red Cross yesterday launched an international emergency appeal asking for resources for Lebanon during the Israel-Hezbollah war. Bassem Mroue reports for AP News.

Iran’s foreign minister yesterday said Iran does not seek an escalation in the Middle East but reserves the right to defend itself with a “measured and calculative” response to Israel’s attacks. AP News reports. 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday warned the Iraqi government that if it fails to prevent an Iranian attack from its soil, it could face an Israeli attack on its territory, U.S. officials say. Barak Ravid reports for Axios."

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Wednesday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Ukrainian troops engaged for the first time with North Korean soldiers in “small-scale” fighting in Russia’s Kursk border region, Ukraine’s defense minister said yesterday. Illia Novikov reports for AP News.

Ukraine’s military said it shot down 48 out of 79 drones and two missiles launched by Russia overnight.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence has said that while it believes Ukraine is incapable of producing nuclear weapons, it is able to make a “dirty bomb” – a conventional weapon combining explosives with radioactive material.

Parcels that exploded at logistics depots in several European countries were a test run for a Russian plot to trigger explosions on cargo flights to the United States, according to a Lithuanian presidential adviser. Western governments and intelligence agencies have previously said Moscow is behind a series of acts of sabotage aimed at destabilising Ukraine’s allies."

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Thursday Middle East update:

"Palestinians will not be allowed to return to northern Gaza following the conclusion of the “complete evacuation” of the area by Israeli ground forces, the IDF said late on Tuesday, in what appears to be the first official acknowledgement of Israel’s systematic removal of Palestinians from the area. Bethan McKernan and William Christou report for the Guardian.

The Israeli military said yesterday that aid organizations completed a second round of polio vaccination for children in Gaza, achieving 90% coverage. The territory’s WHO representative said mass evacuations in northern Gaza make it difficult to estimate the number of children who the campaign may have missed. James Mackenzie reports for Reuters.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said yesterday that indirect truce talks will only be possible if Israel stops its attacks on Lebanon. Laila Bassam and Maya Gebeily report for Reuters.

The Iraqi government yesterday said reports about Iraqi territory being used by Iran for attacks on Israel are “false pretexts” aimed at justifying aggression towards Iraq. Ahmed Rasheed reports for Reuters.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog chief said yesterday he may head to Iran in the coming days to discuss its atomic programme with Iranian officials. Angelo Amante and John Irish report for Reuters."

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Thursday Russia-Ukraine update:

"The Biden administration will expedite the transfer of what remains of the $6 billion Ukraine security assistance in a bid to prevent a Trump halt to the shipments, administration officials say. Paul McLeary and Jack Detsch report for POLITICO.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said yesterday he spoke with Trump following his election victory. Jasper Ward reports for Reuters.

Russian officials yesterday said only time will tell if Trump’s rhetoric on ending the Ukraine war will translate into action. Guy Faulconbridge, Andrew Osborn, and Dmitry Antonov report for Reuters.

Air defence units destroyed 38 of 63 Russian drones launched overnight, Ukraine’s air force said on Wednesday.

Ukraine reported fighting around both villages in the eastern sector of the 1,000-kilometre (600-mile) front line, saying its forces repelled two attacks near Maksymivka and a village near Vuhledar in the Donetsk region and did not acknowledge that either had fallen.

The General Staff of Ukraine’s military also reported a “tense” situation around Kurakhove, with 39 Russian attacks on Ukrainian positions.

The Kremlin has reacted cautiously after Trump was elected US president, saying the US is still a hostile state and that only time will tell if his rhetoric on ending the Ukraine war will translate into reality.

“Let us not forget that we are talking about an unfriendly country, which is both directly and indirectly involved in a war against our state [in Ukraine],” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding that he was not aware of any plans by President Vladimir Putin to congratulate Trump."

lousubcap

Friday Middle East update:

"The Israeli army has distanced itself from an IDF general’s suggestion that north Gaza evacuees will not be allowed to return, with a spokesperson saying the comments were taken out of context and did not “reflect the IDF’s objectives and values.” Bethan McKernan reports for the Guardian.

Israel has made some progress on getting aid into Gaza but more needs to be done, Defense Secretary Austin said yesterday. Idrees Ali reports for Reuters.

Hezbollah will welcome any effort to stop the war in Lebanon but will wait for actions, not claims from the incoming Trump administration, a Hezbollah lawmaker said yesterday. Timour Azhari reports for Reuters.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels early today shot down what bystanders described as an American drone. The U.S. military said it is investigating the incident. Jon Gambrell reports for AP News."

lousubcap

Friday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy yesterday said North Korean troops suffered casualties in combat with Kyiv forces. Separately, Putin yesterday suggested that Russia could hold military drills with North Korea and that Ukraine must “remain neutral” for there to be a chance for peace. Yuliia Dysa reports for Reuters.

Germany will provide most of its $4.3 billion pledge to Ukraine even if the 2025 budget fails to be approved on time due to the collapse of Berlin’s governing coalition, budget committee sources said. Maria Martinez and Holger Hansen report for Reuters.

Russian forces have captured the village of Kreminna Balka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, Russia’s Defence Ministry said.

Overall, Ukraine’s air force said it downed 74 of 106 drones launched by Russia across the country and another 25 were “locationally lost”."

lousubcap

Saturday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Billionaire businessman and Trump supporter Elon Musk joined United States president-elect Donald Trump during a 25-minute congratulatory call made by Zelenskyy, according to US media. According to the news outlet Axios, Musk reportedly said he would continue supplying Starlink satellites to Ukraine.

President Joe Biden has allowed US defence contractors to work in Ukraine, to maintain and repair Pentagon-provided weaponry, US officials said, in a significant policy shift that aims to aid Kyiv’s fight against Moscow.

Russian air defences intercepted and destroyed 15 Ukrainian drones over the southern Bryansk region, regional governor Alexander Bogomaz said, adding that there was no damage or injuries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged in his nightly video address that fighting on the eastern front was the heaviest around Kurakhove and Pokrovsk, a major logistics centre to the northwest."