December 7, 2021

*) Biden, Putin to hold video call on Russia-Ukraine tensions US and Russian presidents will hold a video conference amid reports that Moscow is planning an incursion into Ukraine. The White House says it will offer diplomatic alternatives to military conflict, but the Kremlin is warning against any interference in regional affairs. This will be the first time Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin have spoken since July, and the call is set to tackle key national security concerns. *) Court to consider appeal in Israeli war crimes case A Dutch court will today rule on war crimes accusations against Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz. Dutch-Palestinian Ismail Ziada filed the civil case against Gantz and another official, after six of his relatives were killed in an Israeli air strike on Gaza in 2014. Last year, a lower court dismissed the case, saying Gantz had immunity in civil cases, but Ziada appealed on the grounds that immunity does give cover war crime accusations *) Turkey, Qatar to improve relations Turkey's President Erdogan is in Qatar for a two-day state visit aimed at expanding cooperation between the two countries. He'll preside over the 7th strategic cooperation meeting between Ankara and Doha along with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani. The visit comes as Turkey works to improve ties with Gulf countries. *) US boycotts Beijing Olympics on diplomatic level The US says all of its diplomats will boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, over China's human rights record. New Zealand also joined the boycott saying none of its ministers will attend. Athletes, however, will attend and have the full backing of their countries. And finally… *) NYC mayor extends vaccine mandate to private sector New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a blanket Covid-19 vaccine mandate for private sector workers. In a first for the US, De Blasio cited the emergence of the Omicron variant, cold winter weather and holiday gatherings as additional challenges to tackling the pandemic. Addit