Good evening and good morning,

In Brussels, the European Parliament is set to decide the future of European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh has erupted in protest over job quotas in government positions.

More details below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣🇪🇺 EU: The European Parliament will vote on Thursday to decide whether Ursula von der Leyen will serve a second term as European Commission president. The outcome is uncertain, and a rejection could lead to political deadlock amid rising support for far-right parties. Von der Leyen's supporters argue her re-election is crucial for stability, especially ahead of the upcoming US presidential election. 

2️⃣🇩🇪 Germany: The German government plans to halve military aid to Ukraine next year, reducing it from €8bn to €4bn. Despite this, Germany's overall defense budget will increase to €53.25bn in 2025, aiming to meet NATO's 2% GDP defense spending target. The draft budget awaits approval from lawmakers amidst concerns over potential cuts in US aid if Trump wins the 2024 presidential election. 

3️⃣🇹🇭 Thailand: Cyanide was found in the blood of six Vietnamese victims who died in a luxury Bangkok hotel suite, with no other cause of death identified. Police suspect one of the victims, driven by crushing debt, was behind the poisoning. Thai authorities, with help from the FBI, continue to investigate the shocking incident, which involved loan disputes among the deceased.

4️⃣🇧🇩 Bangladesh: Schools and universities across the country are shut following deadly protests over job quotas in government positions. Students are demanding recruitment based on merit, opposing the current system that reserves jobs for war heroes' relatives, women, ethnic minorities, and the disabled. The unrest has resulted in six deaths and hundreds of injuries, with clashes between student groups and a heavy police presence to maintain order.

5️⃣🇷🇼 Rwanda: President Paul Kagame has secured another five-year term with 99% of the vote in an election where rival candidates were barred from running. Critics argue the system is undemocratic and accuse the government of manipulating the economy and supporting the M23 rebel group in the DRC. Kagame, who has led Rwanda since halting the 1994 genocide, continues to enjoy strong support from Western capitals despite these concerns.

Major Story

China and Russia have showcased their deepening military ties through live-fire naval exercises in the South China Sea this week. The 'Maritime Cooperation - 2024' drills involved at least three vessels from each country, including joint air defense and anti-submarine exercises, as reported by China's state-controlled Global Times. The exercises kicked off in the Chinese port of Zhanjiang and highlighted the operational synergy between the Russian Pacific Fleet and the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).

Wang Guangzheng of the PLAN's Southern Theatre emphasized that these joint operations have significantly bolstered the ability of both navies to address maritime security threats. This latest cooperation follows a joint naval patrol in the North Pacific, which featured Russian corvettes Rezky and Gromky, further cementing the military partnership between the two nations.

In the same contested waters, the U.S. and Philippine coast guards conducted their own joint training exercises, focusing on search and rescue operations. These simultaneous activities underscore the escalating maritime security dynamics in the South China Sea, where strategic partnerships are increasingly critical amidst rising regional tensions.

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Other News

1️⃣🇺🇸 USA: Former CIA analyst Sue Mi Terry has been charged with acting as a secret agent for South Korea in exchange for luxury items and covert funding. Terry allegedly failed to register as a foreign agent while sharing information and advocating for South Korean policies. Her lawyer denies the allegations, asserting her independence and past criticism of the South Korean government. 

2️⃣🇮🇷 Iran: Iran has vehemently denied US media reports alleging it plotted to assassinate former US President Donald Trump. The claims follow increased security for the presidential candidate after intelligence indicated a threat, unrelated to the recent shooting at the Pennsylvania rally. Iran maintains it seeks to prosecute Trump for the 2020 killing of IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani, dismissing the assassination allegations as politically motivated. 

3️⃣🇬🇧 UK: Labour's proposed foreign policy and security pact with the EU is receiving positive feedback from European leaders. David McAllister, head of the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee, described the idea as "quite promising," emphasizing the need for concrete proposals. Both sides are optimistic about building a strong bilateral partnership post-Brexit, focusing on economic, climate, health, cyber, and energy security, while aiming to reduce barriers for young people's mobility.

4️⃣🇺🇸 USA: President Joe Biden, 81, faces increased pressure from top Democrats to withdraw from the election race due to concerns over his age and campaign effectiveness. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reportedly expressed worries about his candidacy's impact on other races. Biden, who recently tested positive for Covid-19, plans to continue his campaign despite growing dissent within his party.

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Book Shelf

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Prisoners of Geography

The Revenge of Geography

The World: A Brief Introduction

The Shock Doctrine

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