President Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call on Tuesday that following the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, the focus should now be on reaching a deal for the hostages to be released and a ceasefire in Gaza, two U.S. officials told Axios.
Why it matters: There are still 101 hostages being held in Gaza by Hamas, including seven American citizens. Israeli intelligence services believe roughly half of them are still alive.
Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, President elect-Trump's pick for special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, has pushed a proposal to end the war between the two countries through NATO ruling out membership for Ukraine "for an extended period" and Ukraine putting off its goal of reclaiming its lost territory.
Why it matters: Trump named Kellogg as his choice for special envoy on Wednesday, months after Reuters reported on Kellogg's policy plan in June. The plan for a ceasefire signals U.S. support for the war effort would be scaled back.
T-Mobile said in a blog post Wednesday it prevented an attempt to infiltrate its systems following reports of an ongoing Chinese espionage campaign targeting high-profile individual's phones through weaknesses in telecommunications networks.
Why it matters: This is the first time T-Mobile has provided details on activity that could be linked to the sprawling espionage campaign that continues to worry U.S. officials.
The White House on Wednesday sanctioned 21 senior officials aligned with Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro for "myriad abuses" following the widely disputed claims that Maduro won reelection this year, according to a senior official.
Why it matters: It's the latest effort to put pressure on Maduro since the July 28 elections that prompted mass protests and a violent crackdown on demonstrators. The opposition has shown evidence that its candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, overwhelmingly won the election.
Three Americans were released from China Wednesday following a prisoner exchange between Washington and Beijing.
Why it matters: The detainees' release is the culmination of years-long talks between U.S. and Chinese officials, per Politico, which first reported the Americans' release.
America's No. 1 man in the Indo-Pacific, Navy Adm. Samuel Paparo, minced no words at recent events as he offered two alarming insights.
First, Russia will likely provide submarine technology to China and missile technology to North Korea. The former jeopardizes "American undersea dominance."
Russia's attack on Ukraine that used an "experimental" intermediate-range ballistic missile dubbed Oreshnik was messaging, not mass destruction.
Why it matters: The Nov. 21 salvo underscored how little recourse Moscow has to Western aid — like Army Tactical Missile Systems — once deemed red lines.
Reaching a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was a hard-won diplomatic achievement, but preventing it from collapsing could ultimately be more difficult.
Why it matters: The U.S. will now be tasked with maintaining calm along one of the most volatile borders in the Middle East, between Israel and Lebanon, during a presidential transition and amid a broader regional crisis that is far from over.
Israel's Security Cabinet on Tuesday approved a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, which will begin on Wednesday morning local time, Israeli officials said.
Why it matters: The agreement, which was also approved by the Lebanese side, will end more than a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. It will also allow hundreds of thousands of civilians on both sides of the border to gradually return home.
1. Nicaragua's Congress has ordered national banks to disregard international sanctions so they can't suspend services or seize accounts linked to government officials at any level.
This comes right after the National Assembly last Friday passed a series of reforms to make President Daniel Ortega and the newly minted "co-president" Rosario Murillo have total power over the legislative, judicial, and electoral branches.
Ortega, Murillo, and over 1,000 Nicaraguan officials are sanctioned by the U.S. or the EU with visa restrictions or financial restrictions for anti-democratic actions.
2. Brazil's attorney general's office this week is set to review the criminal charges against former president Jair Bolsonaro, who was accused last Thursday of helping to orchestrate an attempted coup in 2022.
Aldo the Lab helps kids stay calm during their appointments. Source: via Noticias Telemundo
Kids in Ecuador have an ally when visiting the dentist, the 8-year-old Aldo, a Labrador who works as a therapeutic dog during appointments.
State of play: Aldo's human, the dentist and pediatric orthodontist Glenda Arias, says the dog has five years of experience and emotional support training.
Arias says she thought of having the pup help kids in her office when, while traveling, she saw similar therapy dogs in other medical facilities.
Aldo travels with Arias from her office in Quito to the one in Guayaquil, the two biggest Ecuadorian cities, per local media.
The government of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is making water availability one of its priorities with a newly announced national plan that considers water access a human right.
Why it matters: Mexico, one of the 20 biggest economies in the world, has been dealing with increasing water scarcity as droughts become more frequent and severe because of climate change.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is launching a new institute to help America win a "technological space race" on everything from artificial intelligence to advanced manufacturing.
Why it matters: McCarthy will tap his 17 years of congressional experience on technology and innovation issues to ensure that America stays ahead of competitors like China with his "ALFA Institute."
