Monday, November 25
Biden administration informs lawmakers and aides of $1B arms package for Israel, pausing bomb transfer amid Gaza conflict. The Wall Street Journal reports, leading to House Republicans advancing bill. White House announces Biden's veto threat over concerns on US foreign policy and national security objectives.
Nymphia Wind, the renowned Taiwanese drag queen and victor of the hit TV show "RuPaul's Drag Race," delivered a moving medley of songs in honor of departing President Tsai Ing-wen. In her performance, Wind expressed heartfelt gratitude to President Tsai for her leadership, affectionately referring to her as the nation's "mother."
Angelo Joseph Talarico the Fourth, a US citizen, detained in Moscow for minor hooliganism after using obscene language during a police search. Despite denying swearing, he was found guilty and lost his detention appeal. The United States warns its citizens against all travel to Russia, citing an array of reasons, including "the potential for harassment and the singling out of US citizens for detention by Russian government security officials" and the arbitrary enforcement of the law.
EU survey shows reduced discrimination but increased violence against LGBTIQ individuals in Europe. Despite progress, challenges like bullying and harassment persist, highlighting the need for a safer environment for openly identifying individuals in the region. Roughly 36% of respondents in the EU reported feeling discriminated against in at least one area of their lives in the year before the latest survey because they are LGBTIQ, down from 42% in the previous one.
Natalia Lane, a sex worker and human rights advocate, is part of the CLaP! coalition in Mexico City advocating for the decriminalization of sex work, safer working conditions, access to health services, reduction of police violence, reduction of discrimination, boost in access to health services, and recognition of sex work as a legitimate job, supported by ProDESC.
Walmart, the American multinational retail corporation, is said to be reducing hundreds of corporate positions and urging many remote employees to move to office locations. As per a Wall Street Journal report on Monday, the retail giant has also asked employees at its smaller offices to relocate to other central hubs.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved approximately $82.6 million for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to address violent protests triggered by increasing electricity tariffs, flour prices, and taxes. The protests resulted in the death of a police officer and injuries to 90 others. The turmoil presents a challenge to Pakistan's military with a substantial presence in the area.
Kazakhstan's Supreme Court convicted former economy minister Kuandyk Bishimbayev of torturing and murdering his wife, sentencing him to 24 years in prison. The case sparked nationwide outrage, prompting calls for harsher penalties for domestic violence. Bishimbayev initially denied guilt but later admitted to beating his wife, Saltanat Nukenova, leading to her death. His relative, Bakhytzhan Baizhanov, received a four-year sentence for helping cover up the murder. The case prompted Kazakhstan to toughen spousal abuse laws, following widespread public outcry and petitions for justice.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak insisted on Monday that his beleaguered governing Conservative party can win a general election despite polls consistently indicating the opposite, but refused to set a date for the vote. The UK leader said he was "confident" his party would win a fifth consecutive term but conceded that Labour, out of government since 2010, may ultimately inflict defeat.
