Evening Brief: US Denies Plans for Base Near Gaza, Russia Gains Ground in Southern Ukraine, Israeli Leaders Condemn Settler Violence

Tyndall Air Force Base Housing Bans Christmas Decorations Before Thanksgiving Residents of privatized housing near Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida have been ordered to remove Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving under rules set by the property manager, Balfour Beatty Communities. The company’s policy limits holiday displays to within 30 days of the holiday, with winter decorations permitted only from the week after Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. US Air Force Captain Justin Davidson-Beebe said the rule is part of the community’s lease agreement, not an Air Force directive, and housing standards differ by base. Air Force families at Florida base ordered to strip early Christmas lights from homes by ‘Grinch’ management corp. https://t.co/X6sElGXdbc pic.twitter.com/sF0s58biGN — New York Post (@nypost) November 9, 2025 The Tyndall AFB Homes handbook also restricts lighting hours to between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. local time and requires removal of decorations by the third week of January. The base, home to the 325th Fighter Wing, continues to rebuild following extensive damage from Hurricane Michael in 2018.   Ukraine’s Energy Corruption Scandal Triggers Cabinet Shake-Up Ukraine is facing a major corruption scandal involving its state-owned nuclear energy company, Energoatom, as anti-corruption investigators uncover a $100 million embezzlement and kickback network. The probe, dubbed “Midas,” has led to the detention of five people and implicated several top officials, including figures tied to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s inner circle. In response to mounting outrage, Zelenskyy called for the dismissal of Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk, both of whom have since resigned. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau’s 15-month investigation included more than 1,000 hours of wiretaps exposing schemes that extorted contractors for 10-15 percent kickbacks. Among those mentioned in the tapes is Timur Mindich, a longtime associate of Zelenskyy and co-owner of his former production company. The scandal comes as Russian attacks cripple Ukraine’s energy grid, causing widespread power outages and adding pressure on Kyiv to secure European aid. 🇺🇦 Accusations of corruption in the energy sector are particularly sensitive amongst Ukrainians, who are facing daily power cuts Read more ⬇️https://t.co/5F7149bhFK pic.twitter.com/zmzZSM9x1P — The Telegraph (@Telegraph) November 12, 2025 European officials expressed concern over the revelations, noting Ukraine’s heavy reliance on foreign support for its energy infrastructure. While Zelenskyy pledged cooperation with investigators, analysts warned the timing threatens public trust and could strain relations with Western allies amid the ongoing war.   Russia Seizes Three Villages in Southern Ukraine as Fighting Intensifies Russian forces captured three settlements in Ukraine’s southern Zaporizhzhia region, exploiting heavy fog to breach defenses, Ukraine’s top commander General Oleksandr Syrskyi said Wednesday. He described ongoing “grueling battles” as Ukrainian troops attempt to hold the line, while the fiercest combat remains around Pokrovsk in the eastern Donetsk region, which accounted for nearly half of all clashes in the past day. Fighting has also escalated near Kupiansk and Lyman in the northeast. The new Russian advances come as Moscow continues to push deeper into Ukrainian territory nearly four years after launching its full-scale invasion. The Kremlin now occupies about one-fifth of Ukraine. The offensive coincides with upcoming US sanctions targeting Russia’s vital oil industry, aimed at pressuring President Vladimir Putin into a ceasefire. Despite incremental territorial gains, Russia’s campaign has been costly in lives and equipment, with its forces stretched across multiple fronts. 🇷🇺⚔️🇺🇦 Breakthrough on the Zaporizhzhia Front: Ukrainian Forces Retreat from Several Settlements The situation on the Zaporizhzhia front is rapidly changing. According to the analytical project DeepState, which operates under Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, Russian… pic.twitter.com/yQDqlwthqn — Zlatti71 (@Zlatti_71) November 12, 2025 Meanwhile, Kyiv has continued long-range drone strikes inside Russia, most recently targeting the Stavrolen chemical plant in the Stavropol region, which produces materials used by the Russian military.   Israeli Leaders Condemn Settler Violence as UN Urges Faster Gaza Aid Israeli President Isaac Herzog and senior military officials on Wednesday condemned attacks by Jewish settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank, calling for decisive action to stop the escalating violence. Herzog described the assaults as “shocking and serious,” while army chief Eyal Zamir and Central Command head Major General Avi Bluth warned that such acts distract the military from its security mission. The condemnation followed coordinated attacks Tuesday in the Palestinian villages of Beit Lid and Deir Sharaf, where masked settlers set fires and clashed with soldiers. Police arrested four Israelis, releasing three while one minor remains in custody. 💢 Illegal Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian factories in the Beit Lid town in the Tulkarem district, destroying property and setting vehicles on fire Settler violence continues to spread across the occupied West Bank ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/LSx5g6eS19 — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) November 12, 2025 The United Nations reported that settler violence in October reached its highest monthly level since 2006, with more than 260 incidents. Palestinian officials accused Israel of failing to curb the attacks and protecting extremist settlers. Meanwhile, Israel reopened the Zikim crossing into northern Gaza after two months, allowing limited aid deliveries. UN officials welcomed the move but said humanitarian efforts remain constrained, warning of shortages in food, baby formula, and medical supplies unless Israel increases access.   South Korea Showcases Blue-Water Strength in First Major Fleet Exercise South Korea’s Navy recently held its first fleet-level maritime exercise under the new Jeju Island-based Task Fleet command, marking a significant step in expanding its blue-water capabilities. The three-day drills, conducted November 9-11 in the Sea of Japan and the Korea Strait, involved Aegis-equipped destroyers ROKS Jeongjo the Great (DDG-995), ROKS Yulgok Yi I (DDG-992) and ROKS Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong (DDG-993), along with other major surface vessels. The ships practiced surface warfare, anti-submarine operations, and air defense as part of Seoul’s “Three-Axis” strategy to counter North Korean threats. New South Korean Destroyer Formation Practices Missile Defense in First-ever Fleet Wargames — USNI Newshttps://t.co/d0AhM1hLME pic.twitter.com/dNVJ5A04Lt — U.S. Naval Institute (@NavalInstitute) November 12, 2025 The Jeongjo the Great, South Korea’s largest Aegis destroyer and the fleet’s flagship, led the exercises, which highlighted the Navy’s growing ballistic missile defense and strike capabilities. The new Batch-II destroyers include advanced launch systems designed for interceptor and ballistic missile deployment. The event coincided with the Republic of Korea Navy’s 80th anniversary, underscoring its evolution from coastal defense to regional power amid rising tensions with North Korea, China, and Russia.   India Labels Deadly New Delhi Car Blast as Terror Attack Linked to Kashmir Suspects India’s Cabinet on Wednesday declared this week’s car explosion near New Delhi’s Red Fort a terror attack carried out by “anti-national forces,” though officials released no new evidence. The blast Monday killed eight people and injured several others, marking the deadliest such incident in the capital since 2011. Authorities have arrested multiple suspects in Indian-controlled Kashmir as part of the ongoing investigation. Police in Kashmir said the arrests followed an earlier operation that dismantled a suspected militant cell connected to the attack. The group allegedly operated between Kashmir and New Delhi, with several Kashmiri doctors among those detained. Indian media reported that one doctor, possibly linked to the cell, may have been driving the car that exploded, though police have not confirmed whether the blast was deliberate or accidental. A car explosion near New Delhi’s Red Fort killed at least 12 people on Monday — the first major bombing in India’s capital in over a decade, if confirmed. In Pakistan, a suicide bombing in Islamabad the next day marked the first such attack targeting civilians there since 2015. pic.twitter.com/EZWgGTn027 — ACLED (@ACLEDINFO) November 12, 2025 The explosion has heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, as officials in New Delhi frequently accuse Islamabad of supporting militant networks operating from across the border. If confirmed as terrorism, the attack would add to a series of militant-linked incidents in Kashmir that have strained regional stability and reignited security concerns in India’s capital.   Pakistan Offers Talks to Afghan Taliban After Islamabad Bombing Raises Regional Tensions Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday invited Afghanistan’s Taliban government to resume peace talks, a week after negotiations in Istanbul collapsed and amid fears that a fragile ceasefire could break down. Sharif’s televised address followed a suicide bombing outside an Islamabad court that killed 12 people and wounded 27. He said Pakistan wanted peace but accused militants with “Afghan footprints” of involvement in recent attacks, urging Kabul to curb cross-border terrorism. The appeal came as Pakistan faces mounting violence, including Monday’s assault on a military-run cadet college in Wana, where four attackers were killed and hundreds rescued. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi blamed “Indian-backed elements and Afghan Taliban proxies” linked to the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), though no evidence was presented. Afghan Taliban behind sucide #bombing in Islamabad #AfghanTaliban #pakistanTV #pakistanTVglobal pic.twitter.com/vpbrCQVDUQ — Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) November 11, 2025 The TTP denied involvement, while a breakaway faction briefly claimed responsibility. Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have intensified since deadly cross-border clashes in October, prompting a Qatar-brokered ceasefire. Kabul has denied harboring TTP fighters, but Pakistan’s military leadership has hinted at possible retaliation if attacks continue. The developments coincide with Islamabad’s political shifts, including the parliament’s approval of a bill promoting Army Chief Asim Munir to the new role of chief of defense forces.   Cambodia Reports Civilian Death as Border Clashes With Thailand Threaten Trump-Brokered Ceasefire Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said Wednesday that one villager was killed and three others wounded after Thai troops opened fire along the countries’ disputed border, signaling the possible collapse of a ceasefire brokered in part by US President Donald Trump. The shooting occurred in Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey province, two days after a Thai soldier lost a foot to a land mine in a separate incident that Thailand blamed on Cambodia. Bangkok responded by suspending its participation in the July 28 ceasefire agreement, though officials said it has not been formally withdrawn. Hun Manet accused Thai forces of “provocative actions” aimed at instigating clashes, while Thailand’s army said Cambodian soldiers fired first into its Sa Kaeo province, prompting a 10-minute exchange of fire. No Thai casualties were reported. Prime Minister Hun Manet condemned the use of violence by Thai forces against Cambodian civilians in Prey Chan village this evening, November 12. Thai forces reportedly opened fire on tent shelters, resulting in the death of a Cambodian civilian and at least three injuries. pic.twitter.com/OI0WWQIHax — The Phnom Penh Post (@phnompenhpost) November 12, 2025 The renewed violence revives decades-old territorial tensions rooted in colonial-era border maps and sovereignty disputes around the ancient Preah Vihear temple. The ceasefire, reaffirmed during an ASEAN summit last month, halted five days of fighting in July that killed dozens on both sides but failed to address the underlying border disagreement.   Sources: News Agencies