Counting has started in the Irish general election, with exit polls indicating a tight race among Sinn Féin, Fine Gael, and Fianna Fáil. Sinn Féin leads slightly in first preference votes. A record 174 Teachtaí Dála (TDs) will be elected across 43 constituencies. Early trends suggest potential upsets for some government ministers, with Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman facing challenges. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald is expected to secure the first seat in Dublin Central. Counting began at 09:00 local time.

Penelope Kingsley 30/11/2024 12:00 pm

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov that Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons is due to U.S. intervention, justifying Russia’s self-defense actions. Kim pledged North Korea’s support for Russia’s sovereignty and plans to expand military ties under a strategic partnership with President Putin. Since a summit last year, North Korea has supplied Russia with ammunition and military equipment. South Korea’s spy agency reports North Korea has sent over 10,000 troops to Russia, now positioned on frontlines.

Ava Sinclair 30/11/2024 8:30 am

After over five years of reconstruction, Notre Dame Cathedral revealed its restored interior, showcasing rebuilt ceilings and pristine stonework, erasing memories of the 2019 fire. French President Emmanuel Macron visited, highlighting the cathedral’s medieval ambiance with vibrant stained-glass windows. While the exterior remains under construction, the interior will open to the public on December 8. Techniques like vacuuming and latex cleaning restored 42,000 square meters of stonework. The cathedral, once a major tourist attraction, is set to welcome visitors again.

Noah Prescott 30/11/2024 5:00 am

The head of Britain’s MI6, Richard Moore, warned of Russia’s “reckless” sabotage against Ukraine’s Western allies, emphasizing the threat to U.S. and European security. He highlighted collaboration with France’s DGSE to manage risks and counter Russian aggression. Moore criticized Russia’s destabilizing tactics, including disinformation and sabotage, linked to attacks in Europe. French intelligence head Nicolas Lerner echoed the security concerns, valuing Britain’s experience against Russian threats. Both nations support Ukraine with military aid, including missiles targeting Russia, as the Biden administration softens its stance.

Ava Sinclair 30/11/2024 5:00 am

British lawmakers voted 330 to 275 to advance the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, allowing terminally ill patients in England and Wales the option of assisted dying. The bill, which faces further parliamentary scrutiny, lacks public support from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government. Assisted suicide is currently illegal in Britain, risking imprisonment for those involved. The issue gained attention after broadcaster Esther Rantzen, diagnosed with lung cancer, expressed her intent to seek assisted dying in Switzerland. Dignity in Dying highlights the challenges of traveling abroad for this purpose.

Ava Sinclair 30/11/2024 5:00 am

Protests erupted in Georgia after the government halted its EU accession bid, sparking outrage over perceived autocratic moves. The ruling Georgian Dream party’s decision led to demonstrations in Tbilisi, where police used water cannons and tear gas. President Salome Zourabichvili criticized the police for targeting journalists and political leaders. Thousands protested, waving Georgian and EU flags. Zourabichvili condemned the government’s actions as reminiscent of Russian repression and called for accountability. Protesters set fires and clashed with police, demanding a democratic Georgia.

Noah Prescott 30/11/2024 1:30 am

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged NATO to invite Ukraine to join the alliance, as part of President Zelenskiy’s “victory plan” to end the war with Russia. Zelenskiy suggested NATO membership for Ukraine could help stop the conflict’s “hot stage,” even if initially limited to areas under Kyiv’s control. Ukraine acknowledges it can’t join NATO until the war ends but believes an invitation would counter Russian goals. Sybiha emphasized that the invitation shouldn’t be seen as an escalation but as a step towards peace.

Ava Sinclair 29/11/2024 10:00 pm

Insurgents, including Turkish-backed rebels, launched a swift offensive in Aleppo against Assad’s forces, supported by Russia and Iran. The fighting, some of the deadliest in years, has killed 255 people, mostly combatants, and displaced over 14,000, including many children. The Syrian military vowed to repel the attack, while a pro-Syrian militia commander noted decisive battles ahead. The UN reported 27 civilian deaths and expressed alarm over the deteriorating situation. The Syrian civil war, ongoing for nearly 14 years, remains unresolved despite a 2020 truce brokered by Turkey and Russia.

Penelope Kingsley 29/11/2024 10:00 pm

Israeli military strikes in the Gaza Strip killed at least 30 Palestinians, mostly in the Nuseirat camp, according to medics. The strikes followed a partial withdrawal of Israeli tanks. An Israeli drone killed Ahmed Al-Kahlout, head of the ICU at Kamal Adwan Hospital, amid ongoing military operations. The hospital faces severe shortages, with most staff detained or expelled. The Israeli army aims to prevent Hamas regrouping, leading to significant displacement. UNRWA reported that Israel’s offensive has displaced around 130,000 people in northern Gaza.

Ava Sinclair 29/11/2024 10:00 pm

MI6 chief Richard Moore described Russia’s sabotage campaign against Ukraine’s Western allies as “staggeringly reckless.” Speaking in France, Moore emphasized cooperation with the DGSE to prevent escalation, highlighting Russian tactics like disinformation and sabotage. He noted the UK’s experience with Russian threats, such as the 2018 Salisbury poisoning, aids in countering these actions. The UK and France support Ukraine with weapons, while the US recently allowed Ukraine to use American missiles against Russia, prompting Russian retaliation. Moore and DGSE chief Nicolas Lerner stressed the threat to Europe’s collective security.

Ava Sinclair 29/11/2024 10:00 pm