Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
Trump Claims He Will Void Biden Documents Signed with Autopen 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
Michael Dell Pledges $6.25 Billion to Boost Children’s Investment Accounts Under Trump Initiative 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba appealed to the NATO alliance for more aid during the ministerial meeting in Bucharest. The recent meeting among ministers focused on sending non-lethal aid to Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the NATO meeting in Bucharest, Kuleba said that Ukraine needed more weapons, especially air defense systems such as “Iris, Hawks, Patriots”, as well as transformers for the country’s energy needs. Andrew Simmons of Al Jazeera said the issue of providing Ukraine with the US-made Patriot missile defense system was mostly discussed during the summit.
During the meeting, officials from the United States and the European Union would focus their discussions on non-lethal aid to Ukraine, such as fuel, medical supplies, and winter equipment, along with military assistance. Washington said it would provide Ukraine with $53 million worth of power grid equipment.
US President Joe Biden said that providing Ukraine with the assistance they needed was a priority. However, Republicans in the House of Representatives, which are set to take control of the lower chamber by January, have talked about pausing funding which has already surpassed $18 billion.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg also accused Russian leader Vladimir Putin of trying to weaponize the winter months against Ukraine through the continued strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure across the country. Kyiv said that Russia’s strikes are meant to hurt civilians and amount to a war crime.
“The situation right now in the whole of Ukraine, and also the capital, is critical after the latest attacks…our infrastructure had huge damages,” Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko told Al Jazeera. “We are trying 24 hours to bring the water and heating back to apartments, to the homes of our citizens.”
Previously, Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska condemned the sexual violence committed by Russian forces on the ground in Ukraine during her remarks at an international conference aimed at preventing sexual violence during times of conflict. Zelenska told the conference that sexual violence was taking place “systematically and openly” as the war continues.
Zelenska cited the phone recordings where Russian troops were heard talking about rape with their relatives at home. Zelenska noted that victims of sexual violence during war find it difficult to testify due to the fact that “nobody feels safe.”
