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Ukraine has for the first time deployed UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles against targets within Russia, following the U.S. approval for Ukraine to use long-range munitions. The Storm Shadow, a cruise missile with a range of 250 km, is designed for precision strikes on fortified targets. This strategic shift is aimed at countering Russian air assaults and supporting Ukrainian defenses in the face of expected counterattacks from Russia.

While the impact of these missiles remains uncertain, analysts believe they could complicate Russian military logistics and operations. However, concerns persist regarding Ukraine's limited stockpile of missiles. Ukraine's leadership argues that these longer-range capabilities are crucial for effective military responses, amid ongoing bombardments of civilian areas by Russian forces.

The documentary highlights the ongoing global battle against landmines, a persistent threat since their widespread use. A focus point is Diana, the Princess of Wales, whose advocacy brought significant attention to the issue, amplifying efforts for landmine bans that ultimately led to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.

This exploration reflects on the devastating humanitarian impact of landmines, affecting millions, and underscores the collective determination of nations, organizations, and activists working to clear affected areas and support victims. It urges continued solidarity and action to eliminate this deadly legacy of conflict.

Recent developments indicate a notable increase in U.S. support for Taiwan as it faces escalating threats from China. Among the measures being discussed is an "AI Manhattan Project" designed to enhance national security through technology. Furthermore, a substantial military procurement agreement worth billions has been signed, reinforcing military logistics between the U.S. and Taiwan.

This evolution in U.S.-Taiwan relations is seen as a strategic pivot amid growing concerns over China's aggressive posturing. The situation underscores the broader implications for regional stability and international alliances, prompting discussions on how democratic nations can cooperate against authoritarian regimes.

For the first time, Ukraine used British Storm Shadow missiles to strike deep within Russian territory. This follows the recent use of American ATACMS missiles, authorized by President Biden, and additional military aid pledges from the US and Germany. Reports indicate remnants of a Storm Shadow missile were found in the Kursk region. While neither Britain nor Russia has officially commented, the event marks a significant escalation, following indications that the US and UK were preparing to lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of long-range missiles against Russian targets. Russia responded to the attacks by expanding its nuclear weapons use policy, threatening nuclear retaliation if attacked with conventional missiles supported by a nuclear power. Ukraine's President Zelenskyy warned of defeat without continued US military aid, raising concerns about potential aid cuts under a future Trump administration. The US also announced a $275 million military aid package to Ukraine, marking the 70th such package since August 2021, and authorized the use of anti-personnel landmines.

The Saudi Investment Minister, Eng. Khalid Al-Falih, emphasized that local content is an important driver and enabler for transforming the economy from rentier to prosperous, and is a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030. He considered local content as fuel for the competitiveness of the economy and companies in various sectors, whether industry, agriculture, energy, municipalities, or even tourism.

Al-Falih highlighted the role of initiatives and programs of the National Investment Strategy, such as Special Economic Zones, regional headquarters, the "Partner" program, and the Incentives Initiative, in empowering and motivating investors to invest in the Saudi market and build an attractive investment environment that enhances global strategic investments, all of which will contribute to strengthening the national economy and creating more job opportunities.

Google has spent the last 15 years concealing its internal conversations from antitrust regulators and litigants, seeking to avoid damaging evidence in lawsuits. The company instructed employees to delete messages, avoid certain words, and add lawyers to conversations to invoke legal privilege. This culture of deletion was discovered through court documents and witness testimony from three antitrust trials. Judges have criticized Google's behavior, calling it a "frontal assault on the fair administration of justice." Google has produced millions of documents in trials, but many relevant communications have been deleted, including tens of thousands of documents deemed not privileged by the court. The company's culture is rooted in its origins, influenced by Microsoft's notorious antitrust case in the 1990s. Google has admitted to feeling overwhelmed by the volume of documents it needed to preserve and has implemented policies to control internal communications. However, employees have found ways to circumvent these policies, including using WhatsApp to secretly communicate.

The Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department have taken notice of Google's communication practices, and regulators have made it clear that messages sent through messaging apps are documents and must be preserved. Google has since changed its procedures to save everything, including chats. However, old habits die hard, and employees continue to find ways to secretly communicate.

Ukraine has launched UK-made Storm Shadow missiles into Russia, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. This action was prompted by the movement of over 10,000 North Korean troops to the Russian border, as warned by US and UK officials. Ukrainian forces targeted a command center in Maryno, with reports of missile fragments found in the Kursk region.

These strikes follow changes in Western military support, including the approval of US-made Atacms missiles. Western leaders are increasingly concerned about potential Russian retaliation and may escalate attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. Meanwhile, Russian officials have issued warnings about the implications of these actions, suggesting they might lead to a direct NATO-Russia confrontation.

A joint statement from Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia expresses deep concern over the escalating global arms race. The nations call for a de-escalation of tensions and a renewed commitment to diplomatic solutions for international conflicts. The article, published in "La Jornada" on November 20, 2024, highlights the shared anxieties of these Latin American countries regarding the potential for regional instability and the devastating consequences of unchecked military buildup. While the specific details of their concerns are not explicitly stated, the urgency of their appeal underscores the significance of the issue within the region and its potential for broader international implications.

Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasizes the importance of defining a constructive path for U.S.-China relations. In recent discussions, he advocated for mutual respect and cooperation, particularly in areas of common interest, such as climate change and economic stability. Xi believes that effective dialogue is essential to navigate challenges and foster a stable international environment, urging both nations to prevent conflicts and misunderstandings by focusing on shared goals and benefits.

This call for a harmonious approach underscores the global implications of U.S.-China ties, suggesting that their relationship will significantly influence international peace and development in the coming years.

Ze'ev "Zabo" Erlich, a prominent Israeli researcher, was killed during a clash with Hezbollah militants while assessing an ancient fortress in southern Lebanon. Although a retired IDF reserve officer, he entered the area as a civilian, raising questions about authorization and protocol. The incident occurred near the Israeli-Lebanon border, leading military officials to launch an investigation into the safety and operational protocols of civilian entries into combat zones.

Erlich, known for his significant contributions to research on the history and geography of Israel, was respected in his field and had continued to volunteer for military service past the age of 70. He is survived by his wife and six children, and the IDF has decided to honor him with a military burial.

The recent decision to raise electricity rates primarily for non-listed companies has sparked concerns about the economic implications of such political maneuvers. The article examines how this strategy might help the government appease specific voter bases while inadvertently placing a heavier burden on smaller, non-public enterprises.

This policy change risks undermining the competitiveness of these companies, potentially stifling innovation and growth. As businesses grapple with rising operational costs, the ripple effects on the larger economy and job market are becoming increasingly evident, raising questions about the balance between political agendas and economic stability.

Researchers found that robots can serve as useful mental wellness coaches in the workplace, but their effectiveness largely depends on the robot's appearance. A study at the University of Cambridge involving 26 employees over 4 weeks showed that participants engaged more with a toy-like robot than a humanoid robot, as the simpler design led to lower expectations.

While the mismatch between expectations and reality was an issue with the humanoid robot, the study suggests that robots can be valuable tools for promoting mental well-being in the workplace, especially where resources for employee wellness programs are limited. The findings will be presented at the ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction.

This article analyzes the stalled Turkey-Syria normalization process through the perspectives of key players. While Russia initially showed effort through meetings between defense and foreign ministers, progress has stalled due to disagreements on key issues.

Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov highlights disagreements between Damascus and Ankara, particularly concerning the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Syria. Lavrov notes that Syria insists on troop withdrawal as a precondition, while Turkey proposes addressing it later. Despite this, Lavrov expresses optimism about restarting negotiations.

Conversely, Putin's Special Envoy to Syria, Lavrentiev, adopts a more cautious stance, emphasizing Turkey's support for Syrian opposition groups and demanding guarantees of troop withdrawal before dialogue. This stricter position contrasts with Lavrov's more optimistic outlook.

Turkish Defense Minister Güler emphasizes conditions for withdrawal, linking it to Syria's acceptance of its own constitution and the integration of the Syrian opposition forces (Free Syrian Army) into the Syrian army. President Erdoğan, while expressing continued hope for normalization, stresses the need to eliminate terrorist groups and highlights the threat posed by Israel.

The article concludes that significant obstacles remain before a breakthrough in Turkey-Syria normalization efforts, with the timing and nature of any such breakthrough remaining uncertain.

VTB Bank, managing Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) since 2023, plans substantial investments—estimated at 2 trillion rubles—for modernization and expansion, including a new Far East shipyard. This ambitious plan, detailed by USC CEO Andrey Puchkov, aims for profitability, addressing existing financial shortfalls and improving operational efficiency. Funding sources include government subsidies and VTB Bank itself. The potential inclusion of the Zvezda shipyard will further increase investment needs.

The strategy involves technological upgrades, focusing on digitalization and standardized production to increase efficiency and reduce construction times. This includes developing a domestic CAD system and prioritizing series production of specific vessel types, such as the RSD59 dry cargo ship. While acknowledging past underinvestment, Puchkov emphasizes the potential for profitability through modernization and increased government support, including demand-side measures like subsidized leasing.

The plan addresses workforce challenges through training programs and partnerships with educational institutions. While acknowledging potential asset sales or closures, Puchkov stresses a commitment to maintaining employment. The USC's future relationship with Rosatom, particularly regarding Arctic fleet construction, remains a key focus, alongside attracting major clients and navigating the complexities of balancing domestic production with potential foreign competition.

Meg Whitman, the U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, has resigned after public pressure. She submitted her resignation to President Joe Biden on November 13, 2024, stating it was an honor to serve and strengthen ties with Kenya.

Her resignation follows calls from Kenyans for President-elect Donald Trump to remove her, accusing her of enabling the government of President William Ruto to suppress its citizens. Whitman highlighted significant achievements during her tenure, including Kenya becoming a key non-NATO ally in Sub-Saharan Africa and enhancing U.S.-Kenya business relations.

Kenyans celebrated her resignation, feeling it was overdue, particularly as many believed she had aided the Kenya Kwanza government’s rise to power.

The House Ethics Committee is set to meet behind closed doors today to discuss the release of a report on their investigation into former Representative Matt Gaetz, Trump's choice for attorney general. Gaetz resigned from Congress last week, and the committee's chairman, Michael Guest, has been under pressure from Speaker Mike Johnson not to release the report publicly. Johnson has argued that releasing the report would be a violation of the rules to release information about a former lawmaker.

Meanwhile, Vice President-elect JD Vance and Gaetz have been meeting with Republican senators to cobble together support for Gaetz's nomination. Gaetz's resignation from Congress has ended a yearslong investigation by the House Ethics Committee into accusations that he engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.

Trump has also nominated several other candidates for cabinet positions, including Linda McMahon to lead the Education Department, Dr. Mehmet Oz to serve as the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Howard Lutnick to serve as commerce secretary. Lutnick is a billionaire Wall Street executive who has been a central economic adviser to Trump and has been leading his transition team.

The conflicting goals of Trump's economic agenda have been playing out as he debates whom to choose as his Treasury secretary, a job that will entail steering tax cuts through Congress, leading trade talks with China, and overseeing the $30 trillion U.S. bond market. Trump is seeking a Treasury secretary who will carry out his protectionist economic plans while still having the credibility to keep markets buoyant.

An anonymous donation of 41.8 billion won (approximately $33 million USD) has been made to the US Women's National Soccer Team, marking the largest single donation in the team's history. The donor's identity has been revealed as the daughter of a former South Korean member of the 13th National Assembly. The significant contribution highlights the growing financial support for women's sports and the impact of individual philanthropy on athletic programs.

India has strongly rejected a new Canadian media report claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior officials knew about the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Indian government dismissed the report as a "ludicrous smear campaign" that further damages the already strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The report, published in The Globe and Mail, cited an unnamed Canadian security official who alleged that Indian authorities were involved in Nijjar's assassination. However, India has repeatedly denied the allegations, stating that Canada has failed to provide any solid proof. The diplomatic tensions stem from the 2023 killing of Nijjar, which Canada has accused India of orchestrating, while India has rejected the claims as "preposterous".