Around the World Newsletter 12/18

It's time for another Around the World update for you folks - here are some of the bigger stories from the news this week: [continue reading]( {NAME}, it's time for another Around the World update for you folks - here are some of the bigger stories from the news this week: The attack on the sovereign nation of Ukraine continues as yesterday, several missiles took out power and struck central parts of the country’s infrastructure. While many of the attacks were reported as intercepted by Ukrainian defense, the country still felt rocked as the entirety of it experienced an air-raid siren system. As CNN reported: “Ukrainian energy operator Ukrenergo reported on Friday that more than 50% of the country’s energy capacity was lost due to Russian strikes on thermal and hydroelectric power plants and substations, activating “emergency mode.” After mounting tensions in Iran over the protests against the “morality police,” the UN has removed the country from a women’s rights group. This decision would stretch on into the 2026 session – leaving Iran to confront the claims of human rights abuses both in their country and abroad to others. China is bracing for a season of spikes in Covid cases as they dismantle the “zero-Covid” policy they have been using. While Omicron variants continue to batter the country, the majority of testing and in-person confirmation has mostly switched to at-home testing and a reliance on self-isolation. In Washington D.C., the US-Africa Leaders Summit was held on the 13th-15th, with the Biden Administration promising key investments to the growth of the continent over the next three years, including The [Initiative on Digital Transformation with Africa]( (DTA). The White House describes this effort as work “…to expand digital access and literacy across the continent. Working with Congress, this new initiative intends to invest over $350 million and facilitate over $450 million in financing for Africa, in line with the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy.” [If you can afford to do so, please consider donating to No Dem Left Behind. Fundraising is way down this month and we need help launching our new projects: please chip in today.]( [Chip in Now! →]( Sappers clear the way! Airborne all the way! [Major Richard Ojeda USA (Ret.)] Major Richard Ojeda USA (Ret.) National Spokesperson, No Dem Left Behind [thank you] Paid for by No Dem Left Behind PAC. Not authorized by any federal candidate or candidate's committee. No Dem Left Behind 80M St. SE Suite 100 Washington D.C. 20003 [You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time.](