Iran prepares strike on Israel, US unveils new aid package for Ukraine - Friday brief

US announces new aid package for Ukraine: What's included

The United States will provide Ukraine with weapons totaling $425 million as part of a new military aid package, according to the US Department of Defense.

According to the Pentagon, the weapons included in the package will be transferred to Ukraine from US stockpiles.

The full list of items in the package includes:

• Munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS)
• Stinger missiles
• Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-UAS) equipment and munitions
• Air-to-ground munitions
• Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS)
• 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition
• Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) missiles
• Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems
• Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers
• Small arms and ammunition
• Medical equipment
• Demolitions equipment and munitions; and
• Spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation.

Pokrovsk, Kurakhove and new threat in the south: What's happening on the frontline

Over the past week, the Russians have managed to occupy one of the largest areas of Ukrainian territory since the beginning of the year. The epicenter of the most intense fighting is in the southern part of the Donetsk region. There is no talk of a Ukrainian front collapse yet; the situation is not equally critical in all sectors.

However, the enemy's creeping advance continues in several directions - Kupiansk, Pokrovske, Kurakhove, and Vuhledar - and has not slowed down. Additionally, there is a threat that the enemy may intensify attacks in another currently relatively stable area.

Canada seeks support from allies to allow Ukraine to target Russian territory

Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, at a peace formula conference in Montreal, stated that Canada is attempting to convince other nations to lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of weapons, enabling it to strike targets within Russian territory.

Joly stated that Canada supports Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied long-range weapons against targets in Russia, emphasizing that Ukraine needs this capability for self-defense.

US and NATO should consider striking North Korean forces in Ukraine - US Congressman

The United States and NATO should consider attacking directly on North Korean troops. In case they fight on the side of Russia in Ukraine, according to the chairman of the US House Intelligence Committee, Congressman Mike Turner.

According to him, the participation of North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine should be a red line for the United States and NATO, because Russia should not open the season for unpunished attacks on Ukraine and invite foreign troops to do so.

Georgia’s ruling party rejects one of requirements for EU accession

The Georgian government will not fulfill one of the requirements to resume progress toward EU membership. This involves repealing the so-called "foreign agents" law.

The statement was made by Mamuka Mdinaradze, secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party. Journalists asked if Georgian Dream would repeal the "Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence", also referred to as the "foreign agents" law, after the elections.

Iran’s Supreme Leader orders Iran to prepare for strike on Israel

According to The New York Times, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered preparations for a strike on Israel in response to an Israeli military attack that took place on October 26.

According to the officials, Khamenei made this decision after reviewing the extent of damage caused by the Israeli strike to Iran’s missile production facilities, air defense systems around Tehran, energy infrastructure, and the main southern port.