Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris will reopen next month after a 2019 fire caused significant damage. President Macron praised the restoration efforts, which involved over 1,200 artisans and $1 billion in donations. The cathedral, a World Heritage site, received a new roof, spire, and bells. The fire, deemed accidental, damaged parts of the structure, but key relics were saved. The reopening is set for December 7, 2024, welcoming visitors and worshipers back to the iconic landmark. Ava Sinclair 29/11/2024 10:00 pm
Ireland is voting in a parliamentary election to decide the next government amid global trends of incumbents being ousted. Voters are selecting 174 lawmakers for the Dail. The outgoing government was a coalition of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, longtime rivals with center-right policies. Sinn Fein, an opposition party with leftist policies and historic ties to the Irish Republican Army, was excluded from the previous government despite topping the popular vote in 2020. The election uses proportional representation, with voters ranking preferences in 43 constituencies. Ava Sinclair 29/11/2024 6:30 pm
Syrian rebels have entered Aleppo for the first time since 2016, launching a surprise offensive and capturing the Military Scientific Research Center. The Syrian military claims to be reinforcing positions, but residents report regime pullbacks. An artillery shell hit Aleppo University, killing four, with rebels denying responsibility. Airstrikes and shelling in Aleppo and Idlib killed 15 civilians. Iran’s foreign minister accused the U.S. and Israel of reactivating rebels and pledged continued support for Syria. An IRGC general was reportedly killed in the conflict. Ava Sinclair 29/11/2024 6:30 pm
Saudi Arabia has shifted from seeking a comprehensive defense treaty with the U.S. for normalizing ties with Israel to pursuing a modest military cooperation agreement. Initially, Riyadh softened its stance on Palestinian statehood, but recent tensions over Gaza have led Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to demand concrete steps from Israel towards a Palestinian state. Israeli PM Netanyahu desires normalization but faces domestic opposition to concessions. Both nations aim for a modest defense pact before President Biden’s term ends, focusing on joint military exercises to counter regional threats, primarily from Iran. Ava Sinclair 29/11/2024 6:30 pm
French President Emmanuel Macron praised the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral, calling it an “impossible” achievement after the 2019 fire. During a televised tour, Macron expressed gratitude to the craftsmen for their dedication in rescuing and refurbishing the Gothic landmark. The cathedral, now “repaired, reinvented, and rebuilt,” will officially reopen with ceremonies culminating in December. The €700m renovation included replacing the medieval roof frame and cleaning the interior. Macron highlighted the restoration as a remedy to a national wound, offering a fresh, spectacular experience for visitors. Ava Sinclair 29/11/2024 6:30 pm
In Georgia, police clashed with protesters after the ruling Georgian Dream party suspended EU membership talks until 2028. The protests followed a disputed parliamentary election, criticized by European officials as fraudulent. President Salome Zourabichvili accused the government of declaring “war” on its people and questioned police loyalty. The EU had granted Georgia candidate status conditionally but suspended accession talks due to democratic concerns. EU lawmakers called for a rerun of the election and potential sanctions. The Georgian prime minister criticized the EU’s response as blackmail. Penelope Kingsley 29/11/2024 6:30 pm
French President Emmanuel Macron, facing domestic challenges, claimed a rare victory by leading a final visit to the renovated Notre-Dame Cathedral. Accompanied by key figures, Macron showcased the modernized interior, emphasizing its beauty and continuity with its historical architecture. The media-covered visit linked the refurbishment closely to Macron, despite some religious officials’ irritation. Notre-Dame’s official reopening is set for next weekend. Meanwhile, Macron’s respite may be brief as Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government faces potential collapse, risking a political crisis and calls for Macron’s resignation. Noah Prescott 29/11/2024 3:00 pm
As a cease-fire took effect in Lebanon, the death toll in Gaza rose, with three killed in a strike near Gaza City. Israel has restricted emergency services in northern Gaza for over a month, affecting 65,000-75,000 people. The UN reported 91 blocked aid attempts since October 6. Israel claims over 1,000 aid trucks entered, denying famine risks. Over 3,400 children in Gaza faced acute malnutrition in November, with a significant rise in protein deficiency cases. Ava Sinclair 29/11/2024 3:00 pm
British lawmakers are set to vote on legalizing assisted dying, a contentious issue allowing terminally ill individuals to end their lives. The debate, led by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, argues the current law is inadequate, while Conservative MP Danny Kruger opposes it as flawed. If passed, the bill requires approval from two doctors and a High Court judge. The UK would join countries like Canada and New Zealand in permitting assisted dying. The vote follows intense debate, with MPs given a free vote. Esther Rantzen, a BBC presenter with cancer, supports the bill, highlighting limited current options. Noah Prescott 29/11/2024 3:00 pm
Britain’s MI6 chief, Richard Moore, accused Russia of a “staggeringly reckless campaign” of sabotage in Europe and nuclear threats to deter support for Ukraine. He warned that reducing support for Ukraine would embolden Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. Moore urged Europe and transatlantic partners to remain firm against Russian aggression. Russia denies these accusations. The UK’s domestic spy chief also noted Russia’s GRU aims to cause “mayhem,” and U.S. intelligence suggests Moscow may intensify its campaign against Europe to pressure Western support for Kyiv. Noah Prescott 29/11/2024 3:00 pm
