Key Storylines
- AFRICA: Street clashes again shook Sudan’s capital Khartoum a day after 15 protesters were shot dead by security forces in the bloodiest day since the military’s October 25 takeover.
- AMERICAS: Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez called this week’s aborted anti-government protests an “absolute failure” by American agents.
- ASIA: Chinese coast guard ships blocked and used water cannons on two Philippine supply boats heading to a disputed shoal occupied by Filipino marines in the South China Sea.
- EUROPE: Turkey released an Israeli couple who had been arrested for photographing President Tayyip Erdogan’s residence in Istanbul and suspected of spying, an allegation denied by Israel.
- MIDDLE EAST: The United States and its Arab allies in the Gulf accused Iran of causing a nuclear crisis and destabilizing the Middle East with ballistic missiles and drones.
- TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: The US Federal Trade Commission ruled to allow its latest antitrust lawsuit against Facebook to proceed.
Top Story
- Europe: More Migrants try to enter Poland from Belarus as the standoff continues
- Poland said the number of attempts to cross its border from Belarus had risen, while thousands of migrants, mostly from the Middle East, remain trapped.
- The Polish army detained dozens of migrants who crossed the Belarus border and accused Belarusian special forces of masterminding the operation.
- Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki warned that Europe will receive an influx of “millions” of migrants if border policies remain lenient.
- Iraq is set to begin voluntary repatriations of its citizens from Belarus on Thursday amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis near the Poland-Belarus border.
- British Defense Minister Ben Wallace will visit Poland hoping to set out how UK troops can help strengthen Poland’s border with Belarus.
- The EU sent 700,000 euros worth of food, blankets, and other aid to migrants at the Belarus border.
- Reuters, AFP, DPA, DW, The Guardian, The Hill
Africa
- DR Congo: A group of legislators from eastern provinces issued a joint declaration opposing the extension of a state of siege, citing the order’s failure to stop civilian casualties. (Reuters)
- Libya: Former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha registered as a presidential candidate for a planned December election that remains in doubt amid disputes over the rules. (Reuters)
- Niger: Interior minister Alkache Alha said 25 people have been killed in a terrorist attack in the communities of Tebaram and Bakorat near the border with Mali. (DPA)
- Nigeria: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads to the country as unrest and human rights concerns prompt calls for a rethink of the US relationship with Africa’s most populous nation. (AFP)
- Sudan: Street clashes again shook Khartoum a day after 15 protesters were shot dead by security forces in the bloodiest day since the military’s October 25 takeover. (AFP)
Americas
- Region: Leaders of the United States, Canada and Mexico are set to agree on new methane curbs and COVID-19 vaccine donations when they meet for the first time in five years. (Reuters)
- Brazil: The government rolled out its new Brazil Aid welfare program, worrying experts who say funding and other details have yet to be determined. (AP)
- Canada: The government is sending the military to help evacuate and support communities hit by “catastrophic” flooding with the death toll expected to rise after record rainfall on the Pacific coast triggered a state of emergency. (AFP)
- Cuba: Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez called this week’s aborted anti-government protests an “absolute failure” by American agents. (AP)
Asia
- Region: A joint press conference in Washington between deputy foreign ministers of Japan and South Korea was cancelled at the last minute due to a dispute over islets in the Sea of Japan. (AFP)
- Region: Chinese coast guard ships blocked and used water cannons on two Philippine supply boats heading to a disputed shoal occupied by Filipino marines in the South China Sea. (AP)
- Australia: Premier Daniel Andrews announced that the state of Victoria will lift most of its Covid-19 restrictions starting on Friday. (DPA)
- Japan: Foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told his Chinese counterpart that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are important, while also expressing “deep concern” about the situations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. (Reuters)
- Taiwan: Taipei deployed the most advanced version of the F-16 fighter jet in its air force, as the self-ruled island steps up its defense capabilities in the face of continuing threats from China. (AP)
Europe
- Region: The European Parliament reached an agreement on its planned Digital Markets Act (DMA), an antitrust measure against big tech companies planned for next year. (Reuters)
- France: The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said the country needs a multi-annual spending rule to bring its post-COVID public finances under control. (Reuters)
- Germany: Health authorities posted a new record in coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours as the head of the disease control body warned that the country faced a “serious emergency.” (DPA)
- Turkey: The country released an Israeli couple who had been arrested for photographing President Tayyip Erdogan’s residence in Istanbul and suspected of spying, an allegation denied by Israel. (Reuters)
- Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed cooperation between the two countries and regional security in a phone call. (Xinhua)
Middle East
- Region: Emirati and Israeli weapons makers signed a strategic agreement in Dubai to jointly design unmanned vessels capable of carrying out anti-submarine warfare. (Reuters)
- Afghanistan: UN special representative Deborah Lyons warned the Security Council that the country is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe caused by financial sanctions on the Taliban. (AP)
- Iran: The United States and its Arab allies in the Gulf accused Tehran of causing a nuclear crisis and destabilizing the Middle East with ballistic missiles and drones. (AFP)
- Kuwait: Prosecutors detained 18 people suspected of financing Hezbollah. (Reuters)
Tech & Communications
- Social Media: The US Federal Trade Commission ruled to allow its latest antitrust lawsuit against Facebook to proceed. (Reuters)
World
- Cyclones: Nothing to report
- Hurricanes: Nothing to report
- Earthquakes: Nothing to report
- Volcanoes:
- La Palma, Spain
- Explosive activity continues
- Erupting
- Source
- Global Disease Outbreaks:
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 18NOV21)
- Confirmed cases: 255,160,888
- Deaths: 5,126,962
- Countries with confirmed cases: 192
- Sourcing: John Hopkins University
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 18NOV21)
- La Palma, Spain
Tomorrow’s Outlook (19NOV21)
- Global: World Toilet Day.
- Event: CSIS host ‘China’s Power’ debate.
- Africa: US Secretary of State Blinken visiting Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal. (to 20NOV)
- Bahrain: International Institute for Strategic Studies Manama Dialogue.
- Belize: Garifuna Settlement Day.
- Canada: Halifax International Security Forum. (to 21NOV)
- Germany: Visit by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
- Germany: Frankfurt European Banking Congress.
- Ireland: New COVID-19 restrictions including midnight curfew to take into effect.
- Mali: Liberation Day.
- Middle East: US Special Envoy for Iran Rob Malley visiting United Arab Emirates, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. (to 20NOV)
- Monaco: National Day.
- Puerto Rico: Day of Discovery of Puerto Rico.
- Singapore: Bloomberg New Economy Forum.
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