Republicans are “wasting time on baseless political stunts,” says Joe Biden as he comments on authorizing the US House of Representatives to investigate his impeachment.
Ukraine: The eighth aid package arrives, December 19th. Crosetto at Copasir
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto will be heard before Copasir next week. As far as we know, the hearing is scheduled for the afternoon of December 19th. The focus of the hearing will be the eighth aid package for Ukraine, which, as the minister himself expected, is expected by the end of the year.
Russia: New trial against activist Orlov, one of the founders of the memorial
Russian human rights activist Oleg Orlov, 70, one of the founders of the memorial that won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, a year after it was banned and dismantled in Russia, must undergo a new trial. In October, a district court fined Orlov $1,687 for writing an article claiming that Russia under President Vladimir Putin had become fascist. Orlov appealed the verdict and prosecutors asked for a three-year prison sentence, citing his “political hatred of Russia.” According to Memorial's Telegram channel, Orlov denies the allegations and insists that he is a true patriot and reiterates his criticism of the war in Ukraine.
Spain supports the opening of the customs authorities of Melilla and Ceuta with Morocco
“Further pilot tests are no longer necessary” for the reopening of the Melilla trade tariff with Morocco and the new one in Ceuta, the other Iberian enclave in the North African country. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares indicated this today at the end of the bilateral visit to Rabat in the press conference together with his Moroccan counterpart Naser Burita, broadcast live on RTVE. Both noted that bilateral relations are “excellent” and “never so intense and fruitful,” as the two countries maintain “a strategic link that covers all aspects of cooperation” and “a constant dialogue,” said Albares. The aim of the first official foreign visit of the legislative period of the head of Iberian diplomacy was to visit King Mohammed VI on April 7, 2022. However, no date has yet been set for the reopening of trade borders with the two Iberian enclaves in Morocco – that of Melilla has been closed since 2018 – after three pilot tests between the end of January and May 26. Burita assured that the delays were due to “technical problems” and “we will proceed with the reopening of customs according to a common formula that is better and does not cause any frustration.” Albares, who also met Prime Minister Aziz Ajanuch during his visit to Rabat, assured both that “everything is ready on the Spanish side so that they can start work.”
According to media reports, Israel wants to negotiate a new ceasefire and exchange hostages
Egypt would have received a request from Israel to start new negotiations to reach a new agreement on the exchange of hostages and prisoners, with a humanitarian ceasefire similar to the one concluded at the end of November thanks to mediation between Egypt, Qatar and the United States. This was stated by the Egyptian exile newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, citing sources close to the government in Cairo. However, the head of Hamas' political department in Gaza, Bassem Naim, rejected the request in a statement to the same newspaper, denying that negotiations were underway or possible given the current situation. “So far – said Naim – this is the official and firm position of the movement.” Another Egyptian source reported to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that “last Sunday there was a telephone conversation between the head of Egyptian intelligence, Major General Abbas Kamel, and the head of the Mossad, David Barnea, where the latest developments in the …” The situation in the Gaza Strip is discussed. “The head of the Mossad – according to the newspaper's source – informed the Egyptian side about the development of the negotiating situation and that the Israeli government is open to the possibility of starting negotiations aimed at the release of prisoners held by the Hamas movement in Gaza , but in new terms”. However, the Israeli side would have received a harsh response from some mediating countries: “The Qatari authorities – he said – coordinate with Egypt, but express their dissatisfaction with the way Israel is conducting the situation during the previous ceasefire.” However, there are also other factors that would speak in favor of resuming negotiations. In particular, the hostages still in the hands of Hamas are estimated at 138, including 11 foreigners, 17 women, 5 conscripts regular service, other conscripts in the reserve and a certain number of elderly people, the bodies of a mother and his two children and those of two elderly people.
Hamas: “The death toll in Gaza has risen to 18,787”
The health ministry of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip said the death toll from the war between Israel and Hamas in the Palestinian enclave had risen to at least 18,787. According to the ministry, 50,897 people were injured in the conflict
Putin: “Nord Stream will most likely be destroyed by the USA”
“It was most likely the USA” that blew up the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines, Russian President Vladimir Putin said. “The fact that Europe does not receive enough gas is not our problem, we did not close the gas pipelines, we did not blow up Nord Stream, most likely it was the USA,” the president said. (
Putin: “Kiev receives weapons from the West, but they are running out”
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that “Ukraine today produces almost nothing in weapons” and “everything comes from the West,” but “this giveaway could end one day and appears to be ending,” Tass reports.
Russian drone attack, intrusion into Romanian airspace: Eurofighter in flight
German Eurofighters took to the skies last night after a Russian drone attack on Ukraine violated NATO airspace. This was reported by the DPA news agency. The Russian aircraft were identified by German crews through visual contact, even without NATO orders to shoot them down, as DPA learned. The wave of attacks against targets in Ukraine led to the presence of around 70 Russian Shahed 136 drones, one of which, according to preliminary results, exploded in Romanian airspace. The attack was recorded from 20:42 GMT and monitored by a NATO multinational air operations center, which said the order to launch an “alpha scramble” was given at 21:02 and that the fighters were in the air at 21:11. The incident is considered significant. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, 41 of 42 Russian combat drones were shot down overnight, most of them in the Odessa region on the border with Romania. The Romanian Defense Ministry today reported the discovery of a 1.5 meter deep bomb crater in the Danube Delta near the Romanian village of Grindu, 6.5 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The possibility that a Russian drone was responsible was described as “possible.”
Army puts bounty on four Hamas leaders in Gaza
– The Israeli army distributed leaflets in Arabic in Gaza today offering rewards to anyone who provides information useful in the search for four local Hamas leaders. The military radio reported it. The promised reward for information about the hideout of leader Yihia Sinwar is $400,000 and for his brother Muhammad Sinwar is $300,000. Khan Yunis' military commander, Rafa Salameh, is being offered $200,000 and Mohammed Deif, commander of Hamas's military wing, is being offered $100,000. “Confidentiality is guaranteed,” says the army, which also publishes a special telephone number.
Putin: “Erdogan plays a key role in the Gaza solution and will meet in early 2024.”
Moscow, December 14th. (Adnkronos) – Turkish President Recep Tayyp “Erdogan plays a key role in resolving the situation in Gaza,” that is, the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Russian President Vladimir Putin said this when he announced that he wanted to meet with the Turkish head of state “at the beginning of 2024”. During the year-end press conference, Putin said: “President Erdogan and I are already in constant contact on these issues.” We have very similar positions. I think we can meet.
After taking off from Lebanon, Israel attacks Hezbollah
– The Israeli army has identified a launch from Lebanon towards the city of Shomera in the north of the country. The military spokesman said that “warplanes hit terrorist infrastructure and Hezbollah military bases in Lebanon.”
Russia confirms prison for WSJ reporter
A Moscow court has upheld a decision to detain American journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested in Russia earlier this year on espionage charges, until January 30. “Evan Gershkovich will remain in custody until January 30, 2024,” the Moscow City Court said in a statement on social media, rejecting an appeal filed late last month.
Germany: Ifo Institute lowers GDP estimate for 2024 from +1.4% to +0.9%
The Ifo Institute has lowered its forecast for German economic growth in 2024 from 1.4% to 0.9%. For 2025 it expects a slight acceleration to 1.3%; The Ifo had previously expected growth of 1.2%. “In the last quarter of 2023, developments are likely to be weaker than previously expected, which will also have an impact on the coming year,” says Timo Wollmershäuser, head of forecasts at Ifo. “Uncertainty is currently delaying the recovery as it increases consumers’ propensity to save and reduces companies’ and households’ willingness to invest.”
“This is further reinforced by the unclear situation surrounding the federal budget following the Federal Constitutional Court’s ruling. If the budget were cut by 20 billion euros in 2024, the growth rate would fall to 0.7 percent according to the Ifo model,” adds Wollmershäuser. “In principle, the path to recovery is clear. Wages are rising sharply, employment is higher than ever before, purchasing power is returning and overall economic demand is likely to recover. Additionally, interest rates have peaked and prices are rising more slowly.”
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Russia: Putin “ready to restore ties with US, but respect is needed”
“The United States is an important and necessary country,” and Russia is “ready to build relations and restore relations” with Washington. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Direct Line and year-end conference. However, at the same time, the head of the Kremlin made it clear that “the basic conditions for restoring relations between the Russian Federation and the United States are not yet in place,” which “must first begin to respect others.”
Council of Europe and Italy guarantee the rescue of migrants
– “The Italian authorities are called upon to ensure sufficient and appropriate search and rescue capacity to provide timely and effective assistance to people in distress at sea, including refugees, asylum seekers and migrants,” writes Dunja Mijatovic, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, in the Report on her visit to Italy in June, which included a call to end the “criminalization” of NGOs that save lives at sea
Putin: “Peace in Ukraine when our goals are achieved”
There will be peace in Ukraine when Russia has “achieved its goals,” which continue to be the “denazification” and “demilitarization” of the country. President Vladimir Putin said this at the end-of-year press conference.
Putin: “The first task is to defend our sovereignty”
– Without defending its sovereignty, Russia cannot exist. President Vladimir Putin said this at the opening of the year-end press conference, which takes place simultaneously with answering citizens' questions. The president added that his main goals are to “strengthen Russia’s sovereignty, border security and citizens’ rights and freedoms.”
Switzerland: Central Bank SNB leaves reference interest rate unchanged at 1.75%
The Swiss central bank SNB left the reference interest rate unchanged at 1.75 percent. “Inflationary pressure – explains the Swiss National Bank in a statement – decreased slightly in the last quarter. However, uncertainty remains high. The National Bank will therefore continue to monitor inflation developments closely and, if necessary, adjust its monetary policy to ensure that inflation remains within limits compatible with price stability in the medium term.”
Spain: Inflation slows to +3.2% yoy in November, -0.3% yoy
Spain's annual consumer price change index was 3.2% in November. This was announced by the national statistics institute INE, confirming the flash estimate from two weeks ago. The slowdown compared to +3.5% in October is therefore confirmed. On a monthly basis, Spanish inflation is reported at -0.3%, compared to a preliminary estimate of -0.4%.
Moscow: 9 Ukrainian drones en route to Moscow were shot down during the night
Russia said today that its air defense systems shot down nine Ukrainian drones en route to the capital, just hours before President Vladimir Putin's highly anticipated year-end press conference. “An attempt by the Kiev regime to use aerial drones to carry out a terrorist attack against sites on Russian territory was foiled,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. “Nine Ukrainian drones were destroyed or intercepted over the Kaluga region, 160 kilometers from the Russian capital, and the Moscow region,” he added.
Wafa, the number of Palestinians killed in Jenin rises to 3
The number of Palestinians killed in armed clashes in Jenin last night during a three-day Israeli army operation has risen to three. This was announced – quoted by the Wafa agency – by the local Ministry of Health, according to which “a young man died as a result of the injuries he sustained as a result of the ongoing aggression of the Israeli occupation.”
Israeli army website hacked by pro-Palestinian group
The Israeli army website was briefly hacked by a pro-Palestinian group. In a letter that appeared on the homepage of the Tel Aviv Army website, the group calling itself “Anonymous Jo” said that “the army's arrogance and injustice towards our people in Gaza will only harm you through terror, killing and war.” “by land, air or electronic means.” The letter went on to call for the “liberation of Palestine.”
Not much is known about Anonymous Jo, although the group or individual behind the attack appears to be operating out of Jordan.
“From your brothers in Jordan to our people in Gaza and Palestine,” reads one of the lines of the letter. Jordan, which borders the occupied West Bank, has a large Palestinian population and public opinion largely supports the Palestinian cause.
The Israeli army confirmed the attack.
Sullivan was in Israel today to meet with Netanyahu and Herzog
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan will be in Israel today, where he has scheduled meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, War Cabinet members and President Isaac Herzog. Yesterday, Sullivan met Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia, with whom he discussed “ongoing efforts to create new conditions for a lasting and sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians.” According to the White House, “a range of bilateral and regional issues” were discussed, including “initiatives” aimed at increasing the flow of humanitarian assistance to the population of Gaza.
White House, impeachment? Political ploy, no proof
“A political stunt with no basis, there is no evidence”: This is how White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre commented on the vote promoted by Republicans in the House of Representatives to formalize the impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden, accusing them of rushing into it and not on emergencies such as funds for Ukraine
US stops selling guns to Israel due to settler violence
The Biden administration is delaying the sale of U.S.-made rifles to Israel because of fears of settler attacks on Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. Axios reports this, citing some sources who say the government is concerned that the Israeli government is not doing enough to reduce violence among settlers.
Gaza: Average of 13 dead in raid on Rafah refugee camp
– At least 13 people died in an Israeli airstrike on the al-Shabura refugee camp in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. This was reported by the Syrian news agency SANA. Two residential buildings were reportedly destroyed in the attack and more victims may still be trapped under the rubble.
Biden, baseless Republican political stunts
Republicans are “wasting time on baseless political stunts,” says Joe Biden as he comments on authorizing the US House of Representatives to investigate his impeachment.
The US House of Representatives approves an impeachment inquiry against Biden
– The Republican-majority US House of Representatives has approved the impeachment inquiry against Joe Biden. The resolution formalizing the impeachment inquiry was approved with 221 votes in favor and 212 against.
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