Rwanda and Congo Seal U.S.-Backed Economic Pact

- Rwanda and DRC signed the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF) in Washington on November 7.

- The deal covers mineral-sharing, new rail and road links, and a $760 million hydropower project.

- Rwanda agreed to withdraw troops; Congo to eliminate the FDLR militia.

Israel is detaining dozens of Palestinians from Gaza in Rakefet, an underground prison where detainees are held without charge, trial, or exposure to daylight, and with limited food or contact with the outside world.

Among those held were a nurse detained at his workplace and an 18-year-old food seller, both allegedly beaten and subjected to conditions consistent with torture.

The nurse has reportedly not seen daylight since January, while the teen was held for nine months before being released under an October ceasefire.

Built in the early 1980s for dangerous criminal suspects, Rakefet was shut in 1985 as inhumane.

It was reopened after the 7 October 2023 attacks under far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who said it would hold elite Hamas and Hezbollah fighters.

Instead, most detainees appear to be civilians. The prison now holds around 100 people, far above its original capacity of 15.

Cells are underground, windowless, and poorly ventilated. Prisoners reported regular beatings, dog attacks, starvation-level rations, and lack of medical care.

Guards allegedly restrict conversations, and lawyers describe filthy facilities and surveillance in meeting rooms.

Source: The Guardian

Israeli media say Türkiye under Erdogan is now a key Middle East power, mediating in Gaza, influencing Syria, balancing ties with Hamas, the West, and Russia, strengthening its military, and forcing Israel and others to adjust to its growing role.

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NEW: Ireland’s Football Association voted overwhelmingly to ask UEFA to suspend Israel from European competitions.

A new Trump administration directive tells U.S. consular officers to deny visas to immigrants with certain health conditions—such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, heart disease, or mental health issues—if they are judged likely to need costly care or rely on public benefits.

Source: CBS News

Russian FM Lavrov:

No explanations were received by Russia about what Trump meant when he announced the resumption of nuclear testing.

Footage from today’s Victory Day parade in Azerbaijan.

Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan participated in the parade in Baku.

A Ka-226 helicopter crashed in Achi-Su, Dagestan, killing five people.

Trump wants Washington’s new $3.7B Commanders stadium in D.C. named after him.

The White House has pressed the team’s ownership on the idea, and officials suggest it may happen.

Source: ESPN

Germany is set to approve €3B+ in new defense spending, including 20 Airbus light combat helicopters (~€1B), 100,000 night-vision devices (~€1B), and IRIS-T SLM missiles (€1.2B) as part of a military buildup following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Source: Bloomberg

Major US airlines canceled 600+ flights today to meet an FAA order cutting flights by 4% at 40 major airports.

Source: CNN

Türkiye has cancelled a 2013 decision to freeze the assets of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab.

Nationwide air-traffic-control staffing shortages have led to nearly 1,900 U.S. flight delays today.

Source: CNN

Israeli Defense Minister Katz:

Until the return of all the hostages the fallen and until the last tunnel.

We will continue to operate with force to realize our goals in Gaza.

NEW: The Trump administration is considering buying unused Amazon-style warehouses near major deportation hubs and converting them into massive immigrant detention centers.

These “mega detention centers” would greatly expand ICE’s capacity and be run directly by the agency rather than private contractors.

The plan is not final, and details like cost and specific sites are unknown.

Source: NBC News

Israel warned the Lebanese Army that if it does not act against Hezbollah, Israeli attacks will intensify.

Source: Kan News

New post by DHS:

NEW: England is bracing for potentially the worst drought in decades next year.

Reservoirs and groundwater remain low after months of record dryness, and forecasts suggest another winter with below-average rainfall.

Water companies and the government are preparing emergency restrictions that may go beyond hosepipe bans, including limits on some business use.

Source: The Guardian

More than 69,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed since Oct. 7, 2023, according to local health authorities, as bodies continue to be pulled from rubble despite an ongoing ceasefire.

The U.S. is surveying new sites to send additional military forces to the Caribbean, with a growing focus on Venezuela.

While direct strikes on Venezuelan territory are not planned for now, the American presence has expanded to include AC-130 gunships, P-8 patrol planes, F-35Bs, multiple warships, and over 10,000 personnel.

Source: TWZ

Venezuelan President Maduro:

For 14 weeks they’ve threatened us—saying the gringos have 15 ships, 2,600 missiles, 100 planes, even the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the General Ford.

Let them do what they want. We remain firm.