An Israeli strike on a residential building in central Beirut killed at least 15 people and injured 63, according to Lebanese officials. The attack, part of escalating Israeli actions against Hezbollah, left a deep crater in the densely populated Basta area. Rescue efforts are ongoing. The IDF did not issue evacuation orders before the strike and has not commented. Clashes between Israel and Hezbollah continue in southern Lebanon, with heavy fighting reported near Khiam. Israeli strikes also targeted Hezbollah in Beirut’s southern suburbs and Tyre. Ava Sinclair 23/11/2024 3:30 pm
Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, two 19-year-old Australians, embarked on a backpacking trip in Southeast Asia. They stayed at Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, where guests receive free shots. Both ended up on life support in Thailand and died in November, victims of suspected methanol poisoning. A British woman and two Danish women also died, with a transnational police investigation underway. The hostel is under scrutiny as the source of the poisoning. Noah Prescott 23/11/2024 12:00 pm
Philippines Vice-President Sara Duterte threatened to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assassinated if she were killed, revealing a rift between powerful political families. Duterte claimed to have instructed an assassin to target Marcos, his wife, and the House Speaker. The presidential office vowed “immediate proper action” in response. Duterte criticized Marcos’s leadership and resigned from the cabinet in June, signaling a political alliance collapse. The House Speaker, a Marcos cousin, significantly cut Duterte’s office budget. Noah Prescott 23/11/2024 12:00 pm
Laila Soueif, an Egyptian mathematician, is on a hunger strike for 55 days to protest her son Alaa Abd El Fattah’s indefinite detention. He was denied release after serving a five-year sentence, with Egyptian authorities not counting his two years of pretrial detention. This reflects President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s crackdown on dissent, with tens of thousands of political prisoners. Soueif, 68, vows to continue her strike, surviving on water and rehydration salts, to draw attention to her son’s plight and create a crisis. Ava Sinclair 23/11/2024 8:30 am
A powerful Israeli airstrike hit central Beirut’s Basta neighborhood, killing at least four and wounding 33, according to Hezbollah’s al-Manar and Lebanon’s National News Agency. The attack destroyed an eight-storey building and marked the fourth Israeli airstrike in Beirut that week, primarily targeting Hezbollah-controlled areas. Earlier, Israeli forces targeted southern Lebanon, reportedly killing five medics, and clashed with Hezbollah fighters. An airstrike in Baalbek killed a hospital director and six colleagues. Four Italian UN peacekeepers were injured by rockets in southern Lebanon. Penelope Kingsley 23/11/2024 8:30 am
At the UN climate summit in Baku, a draft deal proposed $250 billion annually by 2035 from wealthy to poorer nations for climate change adaptation. This amount, while more than double the previous $100 billion goal, falls short of developing nations’ demands. Rich countries argue it’s realistic, but developing nations, feeling sidelined, are dissatisfied. Lead negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev aims to push for more, while Brazil suggests $300 billion annually, increasing to $390 billion by 2035. Brazil, hosting COP30, warns of broader consequences if no ambitious agreement is reached. Noah Prescott 23/11/2024 8:30 am
A human rights group reported that at least 108 suspected gang members were killed in Haiti over three days amid escalating violence. Armed gangs attempted to invade Pétion-Ville but were repelled by residents and police. Many killings involved police action, with some bodies burned by locals. The violence highlights the population’s desperation to protect themselves as gangs gain control, amid a failing judiciary and scrutinized police force. The state’s collapse has led to vigilante justice, with authorities unable to effectively address ongoing crimes since 2018. Penelope Kingsley 23/11/2024 5:00 am
The COP29 climate summit in Baku extended into overtime as a draft deal proposing $250 billion in annual climate finance by 2035 faced criticism. Developed nations were urged to lead, but divisions persisted, with wealthy countries resisting high costs and developing nations demanding more. Panama’s envoy criticized the target as too low, while a European negotiator found it uncomfortably high. Analysts noted the target would require only a modest increase from current spending. The final target includes $120 billion from multilateral banks and $65 billion in private investment. Noah Prescott 23/11/2024 5:00 am
President Vladimir Putin announced Russia’s readiness to use new Oreshnik missiles, claiming they are unstoppable and promising further tests. This follows a missile strike on Dnipro, escalating tensions as Ukraine fired US and British missiles into Russia. Ukrainian President Zelensky urged global leaders to respond and requested advanced air defense systems. The Oreshnik missile, flying at hypersonic speeds, poses a significant challenge to Ukraine’s defenses. Global leaders, including Poland’s Donald Tusk and Hungary’s Viktor Orban, warned of escalating conflict risks, while North Korea’s Kim Jong Un highlighted nuclear war threats. Ava Sinclair 23/11/2024 1:30 am
Nine days ago, Russian forces advanced west of Velyka Novosilka, seemingly attempting to flank the town. Initially, the attack covered 40-45 sq km but stalled. A recent map update revealed a new eastern flank attack, indicating an effort to encircle Velyka Novosilka from the west and northeast. The strategy aims to cut off the town’s two main highways, crucial for Ukraine’s defense, highlighting its strategic importance since resisting Russia’s 2022 invasion and supporting Ukraine’s 2023 counter-offensive. Noah Prescott 23/11/2024 1:30 am
