A DHL cargo plane crashed near Vilnius, Lithuania, killing one of four onboard. The Boeing 737-476, operated by Swiftair, was en route from Leipzig, Germany. The crash occurred in Liepkalnis, near Vilnius Airport, without disrupting airport operations initially. Emergency responders were alerted at 5:28 a.m., and the crash site was identified near Žirnių Street. Departures were delayed, and one flight was diverted to Riga, Latvia. Air traffic resumed by 7:20 a.m. Ava Sinclair 25/11/2024 1:00 pm
Negotiators in Busan, South Korea, are working on a global treaty to reduce plastic pollution before an end-of-year deadline. The world produces 400 million metric tons of plastic waste annually, much of which ends up as microplastics in the environment and human bodies. Talks have stalled due to resistance from the oil and gas industry, but recent signals from the Biden administration suggest a potential path forward for an agreement. Ava Sinclair 25/11/2024 1:00 pm
The UAE arrested three Uzbek nationals for the murder of Israeli-Moldovan Rabbi Zvi Kogan in Dubai, raising concerns for the Israeli community. The motive remains unclear, but an Israeli official suggested it was due to Kogan’s identity. The suspects, identified as Olimboy Tohirovich, Makhmudjon Abdurakhim, and Azizbek Kamilovich, are under investigation. The incident occurs amid regional tensions following Hamas’ attack on Israel and Israel’s retaliatory actions. Iranian involvement is denied, despite past allegations of Uzbeks in Iranian plots. Noah Prescott 25/11/2024 1:00 pm
In July, Rafiq, a Rohingya refugee, left Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar camp to join the civil war in Myanmar, where he was shot. Thousands of Rohingya insurgents have emerged from these camps, with recruitment and violence increasing. The Rohingya, fleeing genocide in Myanmar since 2016, are now involved in Myanmar’s complex rebellion post-2021 coup. Many join groups allied with former persecutors to fight the Arakan Army. Reuters reports 3,000-5,000 fighters recruited, failed negotiations, and junta inducements. Bangladesh’s government didn’t respond to inquiries, while the junta denied conscripting Muslims. Ava Sinclair 25/11/2024 6:00 am
Ukrainian investigators are examining debris from a new Russian intermediate-range ballistic missile, used for the first time in the war, targeting Dnipro. The missile, named Oreshnik by Russia, reportedly reached speeds over 13,000 kph and is claimed to be impossible to intercept. Ukrainian experts are analyzing the wreckage to understand Russian military capabilities and develop countermeasures. President Zelenskiy called the missile’s use a severe escalation, urging allies to respond. The Kremlin stated it targeted a Ukrainian military site in Dnipro in retaliation. Noah Prescott 25/11/2024 6:00 am
Centre-left candidate Yamandu Orsi won Uruguay’s presidential election with 49.77% of the vote, defeating conservative Alvaro Delgado’s 45.94%. Orsi, a former history teacher and mayor, celebrated with supporters in Montevideo, emphasizing freedom, equality, and fraternity. Both Delgado and President Luis Lacalle Pou conceded, congratulating Orsi and pledging a smooth transition. The election, marked by moderate candidates, contrasts with divisive elections in other Latin American countries. Key issues include high living costs and crime, though inflation is easing and employment is rising. Ava Sinclair 25/11/2024 6:00 am
Hezbollah fired around 250 rockets into Israel, causing injuries and damage, following an Israeli airstrike in Beirut that killed 29. Israel and Lebanon are reportedly moving towards a ceasefire. The IDF targeted Hezbollah sites in Beirut, aiming to allow displaced Israelis to return home. Lebanon reports over 3,670 deaths and 15,400 injuries since October 2023, with over a million displaced. Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah has intensified recently. Ava Sinclair 25/11/2024 6:00 am
Calin Georgescu, a little-known far-right populist, led Romania’s presidential election with 22% of the vote, ahead of leftist Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu at 21%. Georgescu’s unexpected success, seen as a protest against the political establishment, has unsettled Romania’s political landscape. The runoff is set for December 8. Georgescu, 62, ran independently with a vague populist manifesto, outperforming expectations and highlighting a disconnect between mainstream parties and regular Romanians. Voter turnout was 52.4%. Noah Prescott 25/11/2024 6:00 am
Uruguayans voted in a presidential runoff between conservative Álvaro Delgado and left-leaning Yamandú Orsi after no candidate secured a majority in October. Delgado’s National Party and allied conservatives collectively garnered 47% in the first round, while Orsi’s Broad Front, known for progressive reforms, took 44%. The election is marked by indecision, with polls showing a tie and 10% undecided voters. Campaigns focused on social spending and income inequality, with crime concerns also prominent, but lacked the anti-establishment fervor seen elsewhere. Ava Sinclair 25/11/2024 2:30 am
At Cop29, a climate finance deal was criticized as a “travesty of justice” by some negotiators. The agreement aims to triple climate finance to poorer countries, pledging $300bn annually, far short of the $1.3tn requested by developing nations. India’s negotiator, Chandni Raina, called the pledge “abysmally poor” and criticized the process as lacking consensus. Rumors of backroom deals and a lack of opportunity for dissenting statements fueled discontent. The deal increases from a previous $100bn promise but is seen as inadequate for addressing climate challenges. Ava Sinclair 25/11/2024 2:30 am
