Sunday, November 26th, 2023 

On day 3 of the ceasefire, Hamas releases 3 Thai migrant workers and 14 Israeli hostages including one man who holds dual Russian citizenship, and was released at President Vladimir Putin’s request and a 4 years old an Israeli-American citizen, while Israel releases 39 Palestinian prisoners. (The Times of Israel) 

Hamas confirms the deaths of several senior commanders including Ahmed Ghandour, the commander of its Northern Gaza brigade; Ayman Siam, the head of Hamas’ rocket firing array; as well as Wael Rajab and Raafat Salman. The Israel Defense Forces had previously said it had targeted Ghandour and Siam, but did not confirm they had been killed. (The Times of Israel) 

The israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu became the first Israeli head of state to travel to Gaza in two decades when he visited Israel Defense Forces troops stationed there and was shown Hamas tunnels. (Jerusalem Post) 

The Palestine Red Crescent Society say that a Palestinian farmer was killed and another injured when they were targeted by Israeli forces in the Maghazi refugee camp in the centre of Gaza. (Reuters) 

Eight Palestinians, including five in Jenin, are killed and at least six more injured during Israeli soldiers attacks in the occupied West Bank. (Al Jazeera) 

An unknown attackers seized a tanker off the coast of Yemen linked to Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer. The vessel is carrying a full cargo of phosphoric acid and 22 crew were onboard. (AP) 

Bahrain dispatches humanitarian aid worth $1 million to help Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. (News of Bahrain) 

A cargo ship sinks off Greek island Lesbos with 14 crew members on board. The coast guard rescues one person who is airlifted by helicopter and found the body of one of the crew member ; the other 12 remain missing. (France 24) 

Sierra Leone declares a national curfew following an attack on barracks by a VNSA group in Freetown. The group later breaks into a prison, setting inmates free. (Reuters) 

Kuwait’s highest court sentenced former defense and interior minister Khaled Al Jarrah Al Sabah to seven years in prison for mishandling military funds while the former Prime Minister Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, who faced similar charges, was ordered by the court to return the funds he mismanaged only. (Reuters via Al Arabiya) 

Saturday, November 25th, 2023 

On day 2 of the ceasefire, Hamas releases 13 Israeli hostages and 4 Thai migrant workers, while Israel releases 39 Palestinian prisoners.(Theguardian) 

The Israeli government will summon the Belgian and Spanish ambassadors following their criticism of Israel for the suffering of Palestinian civilians under Israeli military operations in Gaza by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. (AP) 

Russia launches 75 drones against Ukraine from two directions, Primorsko-Akhtarsk and the Kursk region. In response, Ukraine launches 20 drones against Russia, including the capital, Moscow.  (Reuters)

Syrian government shelling in rebel-held Qoqfin, Idlib Governorate kills ten people. (AP via ABC News) 

Five climbers are killed and four others are injured by an avalanche in the Zagros Mountains in Lorestan, Iran. (AP) 

Four people are killed and 60 others are injured in a stampede at a music festival in Kochi, Kerala, India. (AP) 

The World Health Organization records the highest annual count of mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 12,569 cases and 581 deaths reported until November 2023. (AFP via The Straits Times) 

Madagascar opposition presidential candidate Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko appeals to the Supreme Court to annul the election results, claiming electoral fraud. (Al Jazeera) 

In Canadian football, the Montreal Carabins defeat the UBC Thunderbirds 16–9 to win their second national university football championship. (CBC News) 

The End Sunday 

Saturday, November 25th, 2023 

Astronomers at the Telescope Array Project in Utah, United States, observe the second largest cosmic ray ever detected, the so-called Amaterasu particle, with an energy of 244 EeV. (Cosmos Magazine) 

Russia attacks Ukraine using 75 drones, in what Ukrainian officials described as the largest drone attack since the invasion. (Reuters) (AP) 

Five climbers are killed and four more injured during an avalanche in San Boran, Iran. (AP) 

Black Friday,  November 24th, 2023 

Bruins Game 

An agreement to pause fighting in the Gaza Strip for four days enters into effect at 7am. (Al Jazeera) 

On the first day of the ceasefire Hamas releases 13 Israeli hostages, some of whom are dual citizens, while Israel releases 39 Palestinian prisoners as part of the ceasefire agreement. (CNN) (Times of Israel) 

Hamas releases one Filipino and 10 Thai hostages as part of a separate deal with the Thai government which was brokered by Iran. (Time) (Times of Israel) 

The security chief for El Chapo‘s Sinaloa Cartel Nestor Isidro Pérez Salas, also known as “El Nini”, is arrested in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration had a $3 million bounty for El Nini’s arrest. (CBS News) 

The Supreme Court of Montenegro approves the extradition of South Korean cryptocurrency entrepreneur Do Kwon, as requested by South Korea and the United States, following the collapse of Kwon’s company Terraform Labs. (Reuters) 

Nepalese police arrest 74 pro-monarchy protesters and supporters of businessman Durga Prasai. (The Kathmandu Post) (Crisis 24) 

Thanksgiving, November 23rd, 2023 

Pro-Palestine protesters disrupt the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City minutes after the parade started. The parade resumes after the protesters are taken into custody. (ABC News) 

The Israel Defense Forces detain Mohammad abu Salmiya, the director of the Al-Shifa Hospital, and several doctors working under him, after a convoy belonging to the World Health Organization was stopped by Israeli soldiers. Israel accuses the director and the doctors of having sheltered Hamas fighters in the hospital. (The Guardian) 

CENTCOM reports that the USS Thomas Hudner has shot down “multiple” Israel-bound attack drones launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen over the Red Sea. No injuries or damage are reported. (The Hill) 

A Russian cluster munition strike in Chornobaivka, Kherson, kills at least three civilians. Five people are also injured by Russian artillery shelling with more than 60 residential buildings reportedly damaged. (AP via ABC News) 

The Office for National Statistics reports that net migration to the United Kingdom reached a record of 745,000 in 2022, with the vast majority of arrivals being from non-EU countries. (Sky News) 

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that Chinese authorities have not detected any unusual or new pathogens in the recent increase of respiratory diseases among children in northern China. The WHO continues to monitor the situation. (AFP via NDTV) 

The High Court of Seoul, South Korea, orders Japan to pay compensation of ₩200 million (around ¥22 million or US$154,000) to 16 comfort women during World War II, overturning a previous ruling that denied the women’s claims due to sovereign immunity. (AFP via Manila Bulletin) 

North Korea terminates its 2018 agreement with South Korea, citing escalations in military provocations as well as plans to deploy military forces along the Military Demarcation Line. (AFP via Le Monde) 

Rioting occurs in Dublin, Ireland, following a mass stabbing outside a school which injured a woman and three children. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris blames “far-right hooligans” for the unrest. (AP) 

Chad’s junta parliament approves an amnesty law, terminating prosecutions and convictions related to the 2022 anti-government protest deaths. (AFP via Hindustan Times) 

Pro-Palestine protesters disrupt the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, United States, minutes after the start of the parade. The parade resumes after the protesters are taken into custody. (ABC News) 

Cubans hold a pro-Palestine protest at the Embassy of the United States in Havana, Cuba. (Reuters) 

The End

Sunday, November 19th, 2023 

The Houthi movement hijacks a British cargo ship operated by a Japanese company and partially owned by an Israeli businessman in the Red Sea. 25 people are on board from different nationalities, including Ukrainians, Bulgarians, Filipinos, and Mexicans. (Al Arabiya) (Jerusalem Post) 

On the group’s Telegram channel, Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea declares their intention to target ships owned or operated by Israeli companies, or carrying the Israeli flag. (Al Arabiya) 

Nicaragua completes its withdrawal from the Organization of American States. (La Prensa Latina) 

Argentines vote for their president in a run-off election between Sergio Massa and Javier Milei. (AP) 

In tennis, Serbian Novak Djokovic wins a record-breaking seventh ATP Finals singles title after defeating Italian Jannik Sinner in three sets, 6–3, 6–3. Djokovic, who successfully defended his title, surpasses Roger Federer‘s achievement. (AP) 

Sam Altman steps down as CEO of American artificial intelligence developer OpenAI following a vote from the company’s board of directors demanding his resignation. In response, fellow co-founder Greg Brockman quits his role as president of OpenAI. Mira Murati takes over as interim CEO. (CNBC) 

Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios is crowned Miss Universe by her predecessor, R’Bonney Gabriel, marking the country’s first win in the pageant’s history. (CNN) 

Saturday, November 18th, 2023 

The Jebel Aulia Bridge, part of the Jebel Aulia Dam complex, is destroyed amid heavy fighting in Jabal Awliya, although the dam itself remains intact. It is the second bridge in Khartoum to be destroyed in the past week. (Sudan Tribune) 

Efforts to rescue 40 workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand, India, are suspended due to concerns of further cave-ins. (AFP via Dawn) 

A person dies at the first of American singer Taylor Swift’s concerts at the Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during a day when temperatures reached 39.1 °C (102.4 °F). Swift postpones her second concert in the city due to the heat. (The Guardian)

Four major Congolese opposition parties form a coalition to contest President Félix Tshisekedi in the upcoming election. Martin Fayulu‘s party remains absent from the agreement. (AFP via The Citizen) 

American aerospace manufacturer SpaceX launches the second test flight of the Starship rocket, at Starbase in Texas, United States, reaching an altitude of 148 kilometres (92 mi). The Super Heavy booster explodes shortly after separation, with the second stage terminating itself eight minutes into the flight. (CNBC) (CNN) 

The End Sunday 

Saturday, November 18th, 2023 

One person is killed and thousands injured at American singer Taylor Swift‘s concert in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil due to a heatwave. (The Guardian) 

Apple, IBM, Paramount Global and other multinational companies suspend their advertising on X (formerly Twitter) in response to X chairman Elon Musk‘s endorsement of the white genocide conspiracy theory. (Axios) (The New York Times) 

American aerospace manufacturer SpaceX launches the second test flight of Starship, reaching an altitude of 148 kilometers but the booster explodes shortly after separation and the second stage explosively terminates itself around eight minutes into the flight. (CNBC)

A Norse Atlantic Airways Boeing 787 lands at Troll Airfield in Antarctica, making it the first time that this type of aircraft has landed in Antarctica. (Flightradar24) 

The Jebel Aulia Bridge, part of the Jebel Aulia Dam complex, is destroyed amid heavy fighting in Jabal Awliya. A Sudanese official says the dam itself remains intact. It is the second bridge in Khartoum destroyed in a week. (Sudan Tribune) 

Friday,  November 17th, 2023 

Ten fuel trucks enter the Gaza Strip from Egypt through the Rafah border crossing carrying 150,000 litres of diesel fuel. (Al-Ahram) 

Japan and the United States finalize a $2.35 billion deal for the latter to export 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles to the former. (AFP via France 24) 

Russia begins its shipments of free grain to Africa as part of President Vladimir Putin‘s pledge to send 200,000 tonnes of grain to six African nations. (AFP via The Moscow Times) 

Israel calls on civilians to evacuate Khan Yunis in the south of Gaza and head to field hospitals, saying that Israeli troops will be carrying out a military operation in the area. (Reuters) 

An Israeli airstrike kills Ahmad Bahar, a senior leader in Hamas who served as the vice president of the Palestinian Legislative Council. (Times Of Israel) 

Operation 1027 The military recaptures the town of Pauktaw, Rakhine State, from the Arakan Army following heavy bombardment of the town. (Myanmar Now) 

A Myanmar Air Force warplane bombs a school in Chin State, killing at least eight children. (BBC News) 

Operation 1107 Karenni rebels overrun military forces sheltering inside the district courthouse in Loikaw, Kayah State, subsequently setting the building on fire as fighting continues in the city. (The Irrawaddy) 

The United Auto Workers and General Motors ratify a contract to end the strike at General Motors plants across the United States. (ABC) 

The Al Dhafra solar farm, the largest solar farm in the world, comes online in the United Arab Emirates. The solar farm is expected to power around 200,000 homes. (Electrek) 

A magnitude 6.7 earthquake hits southern Mindanao, Philippines, killing at least seven people and leaving two others missing. (Bloomberg) 

The Philippines and the United States sign a deal for the latter to export nuclear technology and materials to the former. (Reuters) 

The International Court of Justice orders Azerbaijan to facilitate the “safe, unimpeded, and expeditious” return of displaced people to Nagorno-Karabakh, following the country’s offensive, and to ensure freedom of movement for those wishing to leave or remain in the region. (AFP via RFI) 

Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom formally join the genocide case at the International Court of Justice against Myanmar, accusing Myanmar’s military junta of committing genocide against the Rohingya people. (Al Jazeera) 

The ECOWAS Court rules that Senegal has not violated the rights of opposition figure Ousmane Sonko. (AFP via The Guardian) 

Liberian President George Weah concedes defeat to former Vice President Joseph Boakai. (Reuters) 

The European Commission suspends all paid advertising on X, citing the risk of “reputational damage” to the EU, and “widespread concerns relating to the spread of disinformation” on the platform. (Politico) 

Thursday, November 16th, 2023 

Russian activist Aleksandra Skochilenko is sentenced to seven years in prison on charges related to her protest of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (The Guardian) 

Russian activist Aleksandra Skochilenko is sentenced to seven years in prison on charges related for her protest of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AP via WIVB) 

The Israel Defense Forces surround the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City with tanks. (Middle East Monitor) 

Israeli Police kill three gunmen who attacked a checkpoint near Jerusalem, injuring six security forces. (AFP via RFI) 

Operation 1027 The Arakan Army captures the town of Pauktaw, Rakhine State. The military responds by bombing the town with helicopters and warships. (The Irrawaddy) 

The Sudan Liberation Movement, the Justice and Equality Movement and other smaller rebel factions declare war on the Rapid Support Forces, having previously remained neutral in the conflict. (Sudan Tribune) 

The general categories are dominated by women winners. (Billboard) 

Twenty-six people are killed and 63 others are injured in a fire at an office building in Lüliang, Shanxi, China. (BBC News) 

U.S. Rep. George Santos says he will not seek re-election next year after the House Ethics Committee issued a scathing report against him, which led to him being charged with felonies. (ABC News) 

Four Indonesian Air Force personnel are killed when their military planes crash in Pasuruan, East Java. (Asia Today) 

Twenty-three people are injured when a Chicago “L” commuter train crashes into snow-removal equipment in Chicago, Illinois, United States. (BBC News) 

The European Commission renews its authorisation of the systemic herbicide glyphosate for 10 years, following the failure of the European Union member states to reach a consensus on the renewal. (AFP via France 24) 

The Turkish parliament‘s foreign affairs commission delays a vote on Sweden‘s NATO membership bid. (Reuters) 

The Parliament of Kenya approves the deployment of its police officers to Haiti as part of a United Nations-backed multinational security mission to combat the gang war in Haiti. (AFP via TOI) 

The Guatemalan Attorney General’s Office requests that the immunity of President-elect Bernardo Arévalo and Vice President-elect Karin Herrera be lifted for their alleged participation in the seizure of the facilities of the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. If the request is successful, Arévalo and Herrera could be arrested. (Bloomberg) 

Pedro Sánchez is re-elected as prime minister of Spain, forming his third government. (The Guardian) 

Casgevy, a world-first gene therapy that aims to cure sickle-cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia, is approved by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, becoming the first drug using CRISPR to be licensed. (BBC) 

Citizens of Madagascar head to the polls to elect a new president. (Africanews) 

The Arakan Army captures the town of Pauktaw, Rakhine State. The military responds by bombing the town with helicopters and warships. (The Irrawaddy) 

The Israeli Police kills three gunmen who attacked a checkpoint near Jerusalem, injuring six security forces. (AFP via RFI) 

Twenty-six people are killed and 63 others injured during a fire at an office in Lüliang, Shanxi, China. (BBC News) 

The European Commission renews its authorisation of the systemic herbicide glyphosate for 10 years, following the European Union member states‘ failure to reach a consensus on its renewal. (AFP via France 24) 

The Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs commission delays a vote on Sweden’s NATO membership bid. (Reuters) 

The End