Russian drone strikes on Ukraine have surged, with over 2,000 launched in October, devastating families and testing defenses. A Russian Shahed drone killed 14-year-old Maria Troyanivska in Kyiv, highlighting the human toll. The strikes are part of a broader Russian military resurgence, with North Korean troops reportedly joining the conflict on Russia’s side. Ava Sinclair 13/11/2024 10:00 am
US warships, including the USS Stockdale and USS Spruance, were attacked by Houthi fighters with drones and missiles off Yemen’s coast. The Pentagon confirmed all threats were neutralized without damage or injuries. The Houthis claimed attacks on the USS Abraham Lincoln, though the Pentagon found no evidence. The attacks are part of a broader Houthi campaign against Israel-linked shipping, demanding an end to Israel’s war on Gaza. The US and UK have responded with airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. Ava Sinclair 13/11/2024 6:30 am
In Zhuhai, China, a car attack killed 35 and injured 43, prompting President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to urge treatment for the injured and an investigation. The incident, one of China’s deadliest, has raised concerns about public security and rising violent crimes. Social media discussions questioning societal issues were censored. The driver, upset over a divorce settlement, used his car as a weapon. Authorities have blocked the attack site, and tributes left by mourners were removed. Penelope Kingsley 13/11/2024 3:00 am
At COP29, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev defended fossil fuels as a “gift of god” and criticized “Western fake news” about emissions. Azerbaijan plans to expand gas production by a third. UN chief António Guterres countered, calling reliance on fossil fuels “absurd” and highlighting the unstoppable “clean energy revolution.” UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pledged an 81% emissions reduction by 2035, urging others to follow. Concerns arose over Azerbaijan hosting COP29, with its ecology minister, a former oil executive, chairing the event, potentially boosting national oil and gas investments. Penelope Kingsley 13/11/2024 3:00 am
Two US Navy destroyers, USS Stockdale and USS Spruance, were attacked by Iran-backed Houthi rebels while transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The Houthis launched a complex assault involving anti-ship missiles and drones. The US military successfully repelled the attack, with no damage to the vessels or injuries to personnel. The Houthis also claimed to have targeted the USS Abraham Lincoln, but the Pentagon was unaware of such an attack. US Central Command released footage of fighter jets supporting operations against the Houthis, though its relation to the attack was unclear. Noah Prescott 13/11/2024 3:00 am
In Punjab, Pakistan, worsening air pollution has sickened an estimated 1.8 million people, primarily with respiratory issues and eye irritation. Schools across the province, including Lahore, have been closed for five days to protect children’s health. The smog has overwhelmed hospitals and prompted the closure of parks and museums. Authorities advise against unnecessary travel. The UN warns that 11 million children’s health is at risk. Multan recorded hazardous air quality levels, with an index reading of about 700. Ava Sinclair 13/11/2024 3:00 am
President-elect Donald Trump selected Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, as defense secretary. Hegseth, a non-traditional choice, supported Trump’s “America First” agenda, including troop withdrawals and defending veterans accused of war crimes. Trump praised Hegseth’s combat experience and commitment to the military, stating, “With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice — our military will be great again, and America will never back down.” Noah Prescott 13/11/2024 3:00 am
China unveiled its new fifth-generation stealth aircraft, the J-35A, at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai. The J-35A, similar in design to the American F-35, features advanced stealth, informationization, and networking capabilities. Described as a “point guard” for Chinese airpower, it emphasizes information warfare and collaboration. The aircraft is designed for air superiority, air-to-air engagements, and ground attack missions. This debut highlights China’s military modernization ambitions, with the J-35A evolving from a prototype first flown in 2012. Ava Sinclair 12/11/2024 11:30 pm
A hyper-realistic 52-foot sperm whale model, created by Belgian collective Captain Boomer, is beached on the Caspian Sea’s shore in Baku, Azerbaijan. The installation, complete with a rancid smell from hidden rotting fish, aims to raise awareness about ecological destruction and climate change. The whale’s appearance coincides with the UN-backed COP29 climate summit. The model, touring globally for a decade, challenges perceptions by blending fact and fiction, highlighting humanity’s disrupted bond with nature. Azerbaijani authorities approved the installation, supported by local activist Adnan Hussein. Noah Prescott 12/11/2024 11:30 pm
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson criticized the U.S. Republican Party for its “homoerotic fascination” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting admiration for Putin’s “manly Christianity.” At Fortune’s Global Forum, Johnson condemned Putin as a “tyrant” and “dangerous man,” expressing concern over influence on Donald Trump, who promised to end the Ukraine war swiftly. Johnson’s remarks follow his 2022 G7 joke about showing toughness against Putin. Penelope Kingsley 12/11/2024 11:30 pm
