Listen to this issue.

0:00

/5:22

1×

MIDDLE EAST | Updates from regional conflicts:

• Even as violence continues in Gaza, Lebanon, and Israel, reports cite both Israeli and Lebanese officials as saying that a cease-fire deal between the two countries appears to be imminent, with Israeli cabinet approval of a cease-fire declaration expected as early as today. [more]
• Lebanese authorities say at least 31 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across the country yesterday, several of which damaged commercial and residential buildings in the capital Beirut. [more]

UKRAINE | Today is day 1006 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here are your updates:

• Reuters cites analysts as saying that recent Russian territorial gains in Ukraine have set new weekly and monthly records, with 91 square miles captured over the past week and 232 square miles captured during November. [more]
• Ukraine’s military said today that Russia launched its largest drone attack of the war overnight, with a reported 188 drones being used to target both infrastructure and residential sites. Authorities say most of the drones were shot down or disabled, but that significant damage occurred in the western Ukraine city of Ternopil, where damage to power infrastructure cut electricity supplies to about 70% of the region. [more]

TRUMP FEDERAL CASES | Special counsel Jack Smith filed motions to dismiss both federal cases against now-President-elect Donald Trump yesterday, effectively ending attempts to prosecute Trump for retaining classified documents or trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. In its filings, Smith’s team said the move to end the prosecutions was not a reflection of the merits of the cases but a recognition of the legal shield that surrounds sitting presidents. [more]

ARIZONA | With the certification of the state’s election results yesterday, Arizona voters’ approval of a ballot measure that expands abortion access in the state takes effect, with both proponents and opponents preparing legal actions to clarify how the constitutional change affects other abortion-related state laws. [more]

TRUMP TARRIFS | In social media posts yesterday, President-elect Donald Trump said that imposing tariffs of 25% on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10% on all goods from China would be among his first actions when he takes office in January. Reports note that the moves, if implemented, could raise prices for many goods, as companies often pass the tariff costs on to consumers in the form of higher prices. [more]

U.S. SEMICONDUCTOR FUNDING | Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced yesterday that her department is finalizing a $7.86 billion government subsidy for chipmaker Intel to support nearly $90 billion in manufacturing projects in Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, and Oregon. The subsidy is funded under the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act aimed at boosting domestic semiconductor output and research. [more]

U.S. OBESITY DRUGS | The Department of Health and Human Services is expected to propose a new regulation today that would require the Medicare and Medicaid government health insurance programs to cover the use of drugs such as Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy to treat obesity in addition to their current coverage for conditions such as diabetes. [more]

BRAZIL | Reports say a series of leaked audio recordings from late 2022 feature high-ranking Brazilian army leaders discussing efforts to urge then-President Jair Bolsonaro to stage a coup following his electoral defeat by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The recordings were obtained by the country’s Federal Police as part of ongoing investigations into allegations of a coup attempt and were quoted in a recent judicial order to arrest several people accused of plotting an assassination of Lula da Silva. [more]

INDONESIA | National Disaster Management Agency officials say at least 20 bodies have been recovered, and two people remain missing, following flash floods and mudslides over the weekend on Indonesia’s Sumatra island. [more]

MEXICO | Ahead of next year's implementation of controversial requirements that federal judges be elected, authorities in Mexico say more than 18,000 people have registered online to run for the country's 890 federal judgeships, including nine Supreme Court seats. Almost 1,800 candidates, chosen randomly from those applicants found to be qualified, will appear on ballots next June. [more]

PAKISTAN | Supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan broke through barricades being used to seal off central Islamabad today as part of major demonstrations staged to demand Khan’s release from prison. Reports say at least six people, including four security service members, have been killed in the unrest. [more]

AFGHANISTAN | According to a new report from the U.N. Human Rights Office and the U.N. special mission to Afghanistan, the ruling Taliban have arrested or otherwise arbitrarily detained journalists and other media workers more than 250 times since taking power in Afghanistan three years ago. Taliban officials have denied the allegation and said that those who were detained had committed crimes. [full report] [more]

TECH INDUSTRY | A federal judge heard closing arguments yesterday in the U.S. Justice Department’s case against Google, in which the company is accused of operating its ubiquitous search engine as an illegal monopoly. A ruling in the case is expected by the end of the year. [more]

AUTO RACING | Formula 1 racing organizers announced an expansion of the sport’s field yesterday that will see the long-sought inclusion of a team from General Motors and Cadillac. [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 2008, ten gunmen linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist group attacked patrons of several hotels, a restaurant, and a train station in Mumbai, India. Over a period of four days, 175 people were killed in the attacks, including nine of the terrorists. [more history]