Hezbollah is considering a US-Israeli ceasefire proposal amid intensified diplomatic efforts to end the conflict with Israel. The US ambassador to Lebanon relayed the proposal, and authorities are optimistic about Hezbollah’s agreement. Israel’s offensive in Lebanon, following border attacks, has caused significant civilian casualties and displacement. Despite ongoing ceasefire talks, Israeli strikes have escalated, targeting Hezbollah areas and civilian sites. The proposal, endorsed by US President-elect Trump, is the first since a temporary ceasefire was disrupted by the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Penelope Kingsley 15/11/2024 9:30 pm
Nora Achahbar, a junior minister in the Dutch Cabinet, resigned over alleged racist comments by colleagues following violent clashes between locals and Israeli football fans in Amsterdam. The coalition government, comprising PVV, VVD, BBB, and NSC, faces internal conflict over the response to the violence. Tensions rose after Maccabi fans tore down Palestinian flags. Achahbar’s resignation highlights the cabinet’s racial tensions, with other NSC ministers considering resigning. A crisis meeting is planned, and opposition leader Frans Timmermans supports Achahbar’s decision. Ava Sinclair 15/11/2024 9:30 pm
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw forces from Ukraine and engage in peace talks. The Kremlin confirmed the call, emphasizing Russia’s security interests and territorial claims. Scholz reiterated Germany’s support for Ukraine, despite Ukrainian President Zelenskiy’s caution against the call, fearing it might reduce Putin’s isolation. The conversation occurred amid Ukraine’s battlefield setbacks and concerns over U.S. President-elect Trump’s stance on Ukraine. Scholz’s move is seen as a strategy to bolster his position ahead of Germany’s upcoming election. Noah Prescott 15/11/2024 6:00 pm
The UN climate negotiations at COP29 have shifted focus to the process rather than results, with environmental advocates criticizing fossil fuel influence. A letter from former UN leaders, including Ban Ki-Moon, calls for a fundamental overhaul of the COP, emphasizing a shift from negotiation to implementation. The letter, intended to support the process, suggests smaller, more frequent meetings to implement existing agreements. Conference lead negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev views COP29 as a critical test for global climate efforts, amid concerns about slow progress in financing clean energy transitions. Penelope Kingsley 15/11/2024 6:00 pm
Sri Lanka’s left-leaning National People’s Power (NPP) coalition, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is set for a landslide victory in snap parliamentary elections, securing 141 seats and nearing a majority in the 225-member house. Dissanayake, elected in September, seeks a clear mandate to combat corruption and stabilize the economy after a severe crisis. The NPP’s success marks a significant shift from the previous assembly, where Dissanayake’s party held just three seats. High living costs and economic challenges were key voter concerns. Noah Prescott 15/11/2024 6:00 pm
14-year-old Mahamat Djouma, a refugee from Sudan, is the sole caregiver for his 5-year-old twin brothers in a Chad refugee camp. Displaced by Sudan’s civil war, Mahamat juggles responsibilities, including finding work to feed his siblings. The crisis, labeled the world’s largest humanitarian crisis by the U.N., faces funding shortfalls, leaving vulnerable groups like unaccompanied minors overlooked. Sasha Chanoff of RefugePoint highlights the challenges in assisting these populations amid the influx of new refugees. Noah Prescott 15/11/2024 6:00 pm
France has trained thousands of Ukrainian soldiers for a brigade named “Anne of Kyiv,” equipped with French tanks, artillery, and missile systems. The brigade, expected to reach 4,500 members, has been training in France for over two months under the French task force Champagne. It includes 18 AMX 10 light tanks, Caesar artillery, and missile systems. The soldiers, initially with basic training, have significantly improved and are now ready to fight and maneuver against Russia. Noah Prescott 15/11/2024 6:00 pm
Iran’s Ali Larijani pledged support for Lebanon amid the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, hoping for improved conditions for displaced people. The U.S. is pushing for a cease-fire, with Ambassador Lisa Johnson reportedly presenting a draft proposal to Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, began attacking Israel after Hamas’s October 7 assault, escalating the conflict. Ava Sinclair 15/11/2024 2:30 pm
Moscow feels festive with holiday decorations and Mariah Carey’s music, as Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential victory is seen as a potential gift for Russia. State TV highlights Trump’s win, sparking cautious optimism for improved U.S.-Russia relations and a possible end to the Ukraine conflict. However, this hope is tempered by underlying wariness. Penelope Kingsley 15/11/2024 2:30 pm
Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s National People’s Power Party secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority, winning 159 of 225 seats. This victory allows him to implement economic reforms and a new constitution without coalition support. The election marks a shift from traditional parties, with Dissanayake’s party gaining unexpected support in the Jaffna district, a Tamil stronghold. This reflects changing attitudes among Tamils, historically wary of Sinhalese leaders, following a civil war over marginalization. The election comes amid Sri Lanka’s severe economic crisis. Penelope Kingsley 15/11/2024 2:30 pm
