November 13, 2022

A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsroom, 13.11.2022, 14:00

MISSION – Aircraft of the Air Policing Unit of the Romanian
Air Forces on Saturday carried out an air policing mission in Romanian
airspace, designed to intercept and escort a civilian aircraft flying from
Poznan to Tel Aviv, following a report of civilian air traffic controllers about
an onboard bomb alert. Following the interception of the aircraft, the Romanian
jets escorted the civilian aircraft in line with the legislation and procedures
in force, including over a section of Hungarian airspace, where it was taken
over by Hungary’s Air Forces. Coordinated by the NATO Center for Air
Operations, the mission was carried out in completely secure circumstances.

WAR IN
UKRAINE – Ukraine’s president,
Volodymyr Zelensky, said that, before leaving Kherson, the Russian invaders
fully destroyed critical infrastructure in this city. The president promised
all would be restored, warning however the process will take time. The mayor of
Kherson also warned the city has run out of bread and medicine after Russia
withdrew its occupation forces on Friday. After retaking the city, Ukraine is
now focusing on the critical humanitarian crisis in Kherson, where residents
have no heat or electricity. According to the BBC, authorities worry about a
new possible attack on the city from Russia, after the international airport
has been targeted by artillery fire.

MID-TERM ELECTIONS IN
THE US – The Democrats have secured
control of the US Senate after a surprising victory in Nevada. This gives a
significant boost for president Joe Biden into the second half of his mandate,
as the Senate validates candidates nominated by the White House, particularly
in the Department of Justice. The Senate can also reject any draft laws
advanced by the House of Representatives in the event the Republicans secure
the majority here and push their own agenda. This also marks the best result
ever obtained by a ruling party in mid-term elections, while many Republicans
are already talking about the need for a party-level change. Nevertheless, the
Republicans have secured slightly more seats in Congress, which allows them to
take control of the House of Representatives. Should the Republicans do so, it
would still not give them the leverage they had expected, Radio Romania’s
Washington correspondent reports.

SUMMIT – US president, Joe Biden, on Sunday told
participants in the ASEAN Summit in Cambodia that lines of communication
between the United States and China will remain open to avoid conflict with
this country, highlighting, however, the importance of peace in the Taiwan
Strait and securing free navigation to the South China Sea. At the same time,
the White House leader condemned Russia’s brutal and unjust invasion of
Ukraine and North Korea’s ballistic test threats. Next week, Southeast Asia
will host the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia. Before that, president Biden will
meet his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, for the first time in his current
tenure. The meeting will be held against the backdrop of Chinese-US relations
deteriorating to the lowest level in recent decades. (VP)