Saturday, November 23
HR McMaster's new book claims former President Trump halted aid to Pakistan over ISI's ties with terrorists. Despite orders, Mattis planned financial aid including armoured vehicles to Pakistan. McMaster stopped a shipment, but other aid persisted. Trump's decision, part of a South Asia strategy, caused controversy and criticism.
The US military, with Iraqi security forces, executed a raid in Western Iraq on August 29, killing 15 Islamic State militants. The mission aimed to thwart the militants' attack plans. Central command reported that the militants were armed and no civilian casualties were detected.
Japan has formally protested to China after a Chinese survey vessel entered its territorial waters near Kagoshima Prefecture without authorization. The vessel was detected early Saturday and stayed in the area for nearly two hours. This incident has intensified Japan's concerns about China's assertive actions and its increasing military ties with Russia.
Turkish customs officials in Edirne found a mid-sized sedan with Greek plates carrying exotic animals from Greece. The car contained kangaroos, alpacas, a Patagonian mara, parrots, and flying squirrels. The vehicle's driver, Yuksel D., was detained, and the animals will be transferred to the Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks.
Elon Musk's social media platform, X, has been ordered to suspend its operations in Brazil by the Supreme Court, with Justice Alexandre de Moraes leading the efforts against disinformation. Musk criticized the move, calling it a threat to democracy. This follows months of tension and legal challenges, including defiance over appointing a new legal representative.
Hong Kong police arrested two people for sedition under a new national security law, alleging they spread hatred against Chinese and local authorities. These arrests come shortly after Stand News editors were convicted of sedition. Critics argue that the sedition law is used to target dissenters and silence government critics.
The Baloch National Movement's human rights department, Paank, has expressed alarm over the forced disappearance of 11 individuals and the extrajudicial killing of nine more by Pakistani forces in Balochistan. Victims such as Fayaz Jatag and Nisar Ahmed underline a severe humanitarian crisis that calls for global attention and urgent action.
Major power outage hits Venezuela’s capital, with Maduro government blaming ‘sabotage’
Kamala Harris has been asked to remain calm and instead focus on talking about Donald Trump's presidency. Harris may bring up issues like Trump's response to Covid pandemic, failure to get Mexico to pay for the southern border wall etc. Her team is preparing herself for situation when Trump attacks her personally, but she has to sidestep that. Harris' team also plans to emphasize on Trump's advanced age and lack of details on policy proposals.
Michael Chakma, a Bangladeshi indigenous rights activist, was freed after five years of abduction and torture. His ordeal highlights abuses under Sheikh Hasina's regime. Chakma's release aligns with Bangladesh's new interim government announcing an investigation into enforced disappearances since 2010. Many families hope for answers about their missing loved ones.
