British leaders urge Western figureheads to end Ukraine escalation, warn of dire consequences — The Guardian
A group of British public figures, including six MPs and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, have urged President Biden and UK Labour leader Keir Starmer to de-escalate the conflict in Ukraine.
In an open letter published by The Guardian, they called for a commitment to peace, highlighting concerns over recent escalations, such as Kiev’s use of Storm Shadow and ATACMS missiles against Russia.
“The British government has to take responsibility for its actions and these terrible consequences,” the letter reads.
“With hundreds of thousands already killed and injured, securing an end to this horrific conflict is crucial.”
#Guardian
Lebanese return home amid ceasefire deal
According to Reuters, civilians are heading to homes abandoned during the conflict in the south following a ceasefire agreement.
The deal grants Israeli Defense Forces 60 days to withdraw from occupied positions, despite earlier warnings from the IDF urging residents to stay away.
Footage aired by Lebanese media shows dozens of cars heading south along reopened highways.
#Israel
‘You have the same power that you had before November 5’: Kamala Harris addresses supporters following election defeat
Wine Mom vibes…
#Democrats
Clashes broke out in Islamabad as supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his Tehreek-e-Insaf party marched through the capital, prompting police to fire tear gas to disperse the crowds and restore order
#Pakistan
Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar hits back at Western criticism of Russian oil imports, brushes off ICC indictments
New Delhi’s foreign policy chief dismissed the International Criminal Court indictments against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In an interview with Italy's Corriere della Sera, he stated: "We are not members of the ICC. When you're not members of a body, that already tells you what your views are about that body.”
When asked about India’s Russian oil imports, Jaishankar said: “Every part of the world has its interests. Life is about respecting other people's interests, not about having everything your way."
#BRICS
Parting gift from the ‘Big Guy’: Biden wants $24B for Ukraine
On his way out of the White House, the American president is reportedly urging Congress for $24 billion in supplemental aid for Ukraine, including $8 billion for military assistance and $16 billion to replenish US arms supplies.
The Biden administration is reportedly suggesting that the funds be incorporated into the budget to prevent a government shutdown.
Some Republicans have expressed opposition to the request.
#Ukraine
❗️Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire update — will it hold?
The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect at 4:00 am Wednesday local time, raising hopes for a lasting end to the fighting in southern Lebanon and northern Israel, Al Jazeera reports.
The deal, brokered with US and French involvement, reportedly involves Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory over 60 days and Lebanese military control to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding forces.
#IDF
Telegram's digital assets value tripled in 2024, despite Durov's arrest - Financial Times
The newspaper found that in the first half of this year, the value of Telegram’s holdings of Toncoin The company made toncoin the exclusive method of paying for advertising for small businesses in its app. On October 1, the agreement was terminated - grew to $1.3 billion.
Telegram reportedly received almost $225 million thanks to a deal with an unnamed party, as the messenger’s revenue came to $525 million, up 190% on last year.
The Telegram founder was detained in France in August charged with 12 crimes, before being released on a €5 million bail.
#Telegram #Crypto
US supermarket giant to back away from LGBT agenda
The world’s largest retailer has decided to roll back its diversity policies following pressure from conservative activists. It’s part of a wider trend in the United States that’s been described as a return to “normalcy.”
American retail corporation Walmart will curb its so-called Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program, US media outlets reported, citing a company statement.
The multinational will no longer consider race and gender with a view to boosting diversity when granting supplier contracts.
#US
4 security officers killed in spiraling Pakistan violence
Protestors demanding the release of ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan continued to defy a ban on public gatherings as an estimated 10,000 swarmed Islamabad on Tuesday.
Mobile internet has reportedly been sporadically cut as over 20,000 police have been deployed in the Pakistan capital, with four officers run over and killed on a main highway heading to the government sector.
Incumbent PM Shehbaz Sherif slammed the violence as “extremism”, although Amnesty International insisted law enforcement officials have used “unlawful and excessive force".
#Pakistan
BBC employee sues Nigerian journalist amid public allegations of sexual favors
A British court has ordered Nigerian journalist David Hundeyin to pay £95,000 to BBC reporter Charles Northcott for an apparently libelous 2022 article in which Hundeyin accused Northcott of abusing his position while filming a documentary on sexual abuse in Nigerian universities.
Hundeyin claimed that the BBC reporter exchanged sexual favors with a fellow journalist for promotion while sidelining others. Northcott stated the allegations caused him considerable professional and personal distress.
Hundeyin has commented on the verdict to RT.
#Nigeria #BBC
Russian court sentences Quran burner to 14 years in prison
Volgograd Regional Court has sentenced Nikita Zhuravel, who was convicted of burning the Quran, to 14 years in a maximum-security prison for treason, the joint press service of the regional courts reported on Monday.
The 20-year-old staged a public burning of the Muslim holy book in front of a mosque in the city of Volgograd in 2023. He was detained and admitted doing it for money on the instructions of Ukrainian special services, who promised to pay him to incite hatred “between Christians and Muslims”.
#Russia #Ukraine
Hezbollah financial systems targeted in Israeli Beirut bombardment - IDF
The Israeli Air Force claimed seven targets struck on Tuesday were part of Hezbollah's financial system, including headquarters, storage facilities, and branches of the Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association.
The statement also mentioned that “the Minister of Defence announced financial sanctions on 24 senior depositors of the Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association due to their involvement in terror funding.”
#Lebanon #Israel
IDF launches air raid on Beirut ahead of rumored ceasefire deal
Israeli warplanes have conducted extensive bombings in southern and central Beirut, striking multiple locations. Locals reported no prior warning before the strikes hit residential buildings.
RT correspondent Steve Sweeney provides the latest updates.
#Israel #Lebanon
Morocco looks to embrace cryptocurrency
Morocco’s central bank is advancing a draft law to regulate crypto assets, bank Governor Abdellatif Jouahri said on Tuesday. Cryptocurrencies, banned since 2017, are still used underground.
The central bank, known as Bank Al Maghrib, is also exploring the possibility of a Moroccan digital currency (CBDC).
#Morocco #Crypto
❗️Six people were killed, including two Syrian soldiers and a Red Crescent volunteer, in an alleged Israeli strike at the Syrian-Lebanon border checkpoint — SANA
#Israel
Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire dominates news headlines worldwide
Biden’s role in the deal also nabbed the US president some front-page imagery.
#Gaza
❗️The Defense Ministry reported that, overnight, air defense forces intercepted 22 Ukrainian drones in several Russian regions.
#RussianMoD
‘This is not ok’: Elon Musk reacts negatively to Politico report that Biden wants another $24 billion for Ukraine
#Ukraine
Heavy rains destroy thousands of tents in Gaza, endangering displaced residents
In Gaza, heavy rains have washed away many of the temporary shelters that displaced Palestinians rely on.
Local authorities report that approximately 10,000 tents have been destroyed by flooding over the past two days.
#Gaza #Israel
Laos hostel workers arrested over suspected tourist poisoning
Eight staff at a hostel in Laos’ popular tourist hotspot Vang Vieng have been detained after six tourists died of suspected methanol poisoning.
One British woman, an American, two Danish and two Australian tourists all died after reportedly drinking free shots of Lao vodka offered by the hostel, although investigators are yet to determine exactly where the suspected counterfeit alcohol was consumed.
#Laos
Clashes, arrests amid Istanbul protest marking Elimination of Violence Against Women Day
Over 100 people were detained following scuffles that broke out near Istanbul’s iconic Taksim Square, as locals defied a government ban and road closures to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
#Türkiye
Austria ready to host Ukraine peace talks, Chancellor Nehammer tells Trump - ORF
The Austrian outlet reports that Donald Trump mentioned Karl Nehammer's meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin after the start of the SMO, with a particular focus on ending the conflict.
Last December, the Austrian Chancellor said that Vienna would not agree to begin talks on Ukraine's accession to the EU.
#Austria #Ukraine
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Trump eyes creating ‘AI czar’ position
US President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering appointing an "AI czar" in the White House to oversee federal policy and the use of artificial intelligence, Axios reported Tuesday.
While Elon Musk won't take the role, he is expected to influence AI discussions.
#Trump #AI
❗️Netanyahu admits lack of weapons among reasons for Hezbollah ceasefire
The Israeli PM has laid out three key factors behind talks on a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah.
▪️Focusing on the threat from Iran – "I won't elaborate on that"
▪️Delays in the supply of weapons - he claims this delay will "soon be resolved"
▪️Cutting off the theater of operations and isolating Hamas
#Israel #Lebanon #Hezbollah
⚡️Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire expected within hours - CBS
US President Joe Biden is set to announce a peace deal later on Tuesday, according to CBS.
#Israel #Hezbollah
Czechia’s top spy fears Russian victory over Ukraine
Hardline Czech intelligence chief Michal Koudelka has warned that a Russian victory over Ukraine would pose long-term security threats to the European Union, particularly in terms of destabilization.
“If Ukraine loses, or is forced to accept a bad peace deal, then Russia will perceive that as victory,” Koudelka told Bloomberg, emphasizing that Moscow would build up its forces again. “Russia would spend perhaps the next 10 to 15 years recovering,” he warned. “And preparing for the next target, which is Central and Eastern Europe.”
He offered no evidence to support his assertion
#EU #Ukraine
UK ambassador received a letter of protest from Russia’s Foreign Ministry — Moscow
Earlier, the FSB reported that a staffer at the British Embassy in Moscow had been engaged in intelligence and subversive activities and has been stripped of their accreditation.
#Russia #UK
❗️Israel carries series of ‘intelligence-based strikes’ in Beirut — IDF
13 of the 20 IDF targets were localized in the city's southern area of Dahieh.
#Israel #Lebanon
