French MEP Raphaël Glucksmann to the US:

Give us back the Statue of Liberty.

We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently you despise it. So it will be just fine here at home.

Ukrainian forces have retreated from nearly all of Russia’s Kursk region, with their territorial campaign waning under Moscow’s counterattacks.

Source: NYT

Ukrainian child stands next to her fallen 26-year-old father killed in war against Russia.

Lebanese Army withdraws from several positions around the Hermel area to avoid clashes with Syrian forces.

Syrian Army reinforcements now arriving at Lebanon border.

North Korea says its nuclear forces will exist forever.

Source: KCNA

Yemen's Houthis claim U.S. jets carried out a precision strike on the command tower of the Israeli ship Galaxy Leader.

Galaxy Leader, a Bahamas-flagged, Japanese-operated vehicle carrier, was seized by Houthis on November 19, 2023, near Hodeida, Yemen.

The ship was targeted due to ties to Israeli businessman Rami Ungar.

The U.S. considers the vessel stolen property.

Trump says he will speak with Putin on Tuesday.

“We will be talking about land. We will be talking about power plants,” Trump said.

Source: Reuters

Trump:

I may have something to announce on Ukraine-Russia talks by Tuesday.

Switzerland’s new defence minister will seek closer ties with NATO neighbours.

Switzerland’s new defence minister Martin Pfister said co-operation and joint training exercises with NATO was absolutely necessary.

Switzerland aims to reach 1% of its GDP spent on defence by 2030 up from 0.7% last year.

Source: FT

China's Plan to Boost Weak Consumption

China is implementing a Special Action Plan to Boost Consumption in response to deflationary pressures and low consumer confidence. The plan was introduced after the "two sessions" meeting in Beijing, where policymakers emphasized the importance of stimulating domestic demand.

Markets reacted positively, with Hang Seng up 1.1% and Brent crude rising 1%.

Key measures include:

• Minimum wage hikes
• Tourism & inbound consumption push (visa-free travel, ski resorts)
• Stock & real estate market support
• Childcare & education subsidies

Source: FT

A Syrian General Security officer was killed as Hezbollah militias renewed their targeting of vehicles inside Syrian territory with guided missiles.

U.S. Withdraws From Ukraine War Crimes Investigation Group

The U.S. has quietly informed European officials that the U.S. is withdrawing from the International Center for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, which it joined in 2023.

Source: NYT

The USS Minnesota, a Virginia-class attack submarine, conducted training exercises off the Western Australian coast, marking the beginning of an expanded U.S. submarine presence under the AUKUS pact.

By 2027, four Virginia-class submarines will be hosted at HMAS Stirling, Australia’s main submarine base.

Source: Reuters

Saudi Arabia has arrested over 50 individuals for alleged crimes, including prostitution and begging, as part of a new government crackdown on “immoral acts.”

The arrests include 11 women accused of prostitution, marking the first public acknowledgment of such activity in over a decade.

This follows Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s creation of a community security unit targeting moral violations and human trafficking.

Some Saudis see it as a revival of the religious police, joking it’s the same force, just “without long beards.”

Source: FT

404 – Page Not Found: The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) removed the webpage honoring Maj. Gen. Charles Calvin Rogers, a Vietnam War hero and Black Medal of Honor recipient.

Source: The Guardian

Sudanese Army soldiers ambush RSF forces on motorcycles.

Golden Mount Rushmore monument featuring Trump’s head unveiled at Mar-a-Lago.

Interesting: Serbian Police reportedly used Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), commonly referred to as a sonic weapon, during recent protests in Belgrade.

A piercing noise during a moment of silence caused panic and injuries.

Officials, including President Vučić, called the claims a “vile lie.”

Protesters reported hearing loss; opposition vows criminal charges over alleged use of force.

Unlike traditional speakers, LRADs project sound in a narrow, controlled path, typically within a 30-degree cone. This directional capability minimizes unintended noise in surrounding areas.

LRADs can produce sound levels up to 160 dB at one meter, significantly louder than a jet engine or a nearby gunshot.

“Claims peace, prepares for war”: Following Azerbaijan's ITV, state broadcaster AzTV reports that Armenia is actively arming itself, preparing for a revanche against Azerbaijan.

Elon Musk to Donate $100 Million to Trump-Linked Groups

Elon Musk plans to give $100M to Trump-affiliated groups, including MAGA Inc.

Trump recently purchased a Tesla Model S and publicly praised the company.

Musk has been a significant supporter of Trump, contributing over $288 million to help elect Trump and other Republicans in the 2024 election cycle.

Source: NYT