Ukraine is attacking Russia with US and UK-made weapons. Vladimir Putin has approved changes to the nuclear doctrine and has hinted at striking the West. Is a bigger war coming? We talk about this and more in our weekly wrap from around the world
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It’s been more than 1,000 days since Russia invaded Ukraine. Peace seems to be elusive. Over the past week, tensions between the two sides have escalated. Ukraine has fired US-supplied and UK-made weapons at Russia and Putin has threatened with a new nuclear doctrine. What are the implications of it all? Will it lead to a wider war? We’ve been tracking this story closely.
The week brought bad news for Benjamin Netanyahu. He now has something in common with one of his biggest enemies – Hamas’ Mohammed Deif. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants to the Israeli prime minister, his former defence minister Yoav Gallant, and Dief for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In the United States, Donald Trump is readying for his second term as US president, making one controversial pick after another. Earlier this week, New Zealand saw its biggest protests in decades led by Māori.
All this and more in our weekly wrap from around the world.
1. Tensions are escalating between Russia and Ukraine. Last Sunday (17 November), Joe Biden gave the green light to Ukraine to use the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles to strike within Russia. Kyiv reportedly fired the long-range missiles into the Bryansk region. What are these weapons?
We explain.
2. The US move egged Putin on to approve changes to
Russia’s nuclear doctrine. An attack from a non-nuclear state backed by a nuclear power will be treated as a joint assault on the country, it says. As the fear of a wider war rises, we take a look at
Moscow’s nuclear arsenal.
3. There’s trouble brewing for Benjamin Netanyahu. The
ICC has issued an arrest warrant against the Israeli prime minister and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. The court alleges that the two used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting the delivery of vital aid to Gaza. It also accused them of intentionally targeting civilians during the Israel offensive against Hamas.
While Israel has rejected the allegations, US President Joe Biden has dubbed the warrant “outrageous”. However, several European nations have said they respect the ICC verdict. But could Netanyahu and Gallant be arrested if they travel outside Israel?
What does this warrant mean for them?
4. While the divide in the world grows, Donald Trump is preparing for his White House return. His Cabinet is taking shape and there have been quite a few controversial hires. This week, he picked World Wrestling Entertainment co-founder
Linda McMahon, who was sued for allegedly enabling sex abuse of children.
His attorney general pick
Matt Gaetz withdrew and has been replaced by
Pam Bondi. And
Pete Hegseth Trump’s choice for secretary of defence is also under the scanner for sexual assault. Embroiled in scandals, we have been writing about the men and women who will have the most power in Trump’s America.
5. New Zealand witnessed unprecedented protests this week. Hundreds and thousands gathered in Wellington and marched to the Parliament protesting against a proposed law that dilutes the rights of Māori.
The controversial bill seeks to reinterpret the country’s founding treaty between the British colonisers and the Indigenous Māori. Here’s
all you need to know.
6. Thailand’s first woman serial killer Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, dubbed ‘Am Cynaide’ by the media, has been sentenced to death. The 36-year-old, who was addicted to gambling, killed 14 friends whom she owed money to.
The court found her guilty of adding poison to the food and drink of her wealthy friends while they were on a trip last year. Here’s
how the case unravelled.
7. They say dark chocolate is good for health. The Swiss variety is considered premium. But now heavy metals have been found in Lindt, one of the most popular confectionery brands. Does that make the chocolate unsafe for consumption?
We explain.
We leave you on the bitter-sweet note for now. Happy reading and have a good weekend. And if you like the way we explain the news, come back to this page for
more.