Kemi Badenoch became the first Black woman to lead a major British political party, the Conservatives, after winning 57% of votes in a leadership contest. She replaces Rishi Sunak, pledging to return the party to its founding principles and address its recent electoral defeat. Positioned on the right, Badenoch aims to shrink the state and challenge left-wing ideologies. Despite her historic win, she prefers not to focus on race. Labour’s Keir Starmer welcomed her victory. Badenoch promises to tackle party issues and renew its direction, amid hopes of regaining power by 2029. Noah Prescott 02/11/2024 6:30 pm
Eleven people were injured in Tira, Israel, after a Hezbollah rocket attack. Three sustained moderate injuries, eight were lightly injured, and seven suffered acute anxiety. Hezbollah claimed responsibility, targeting the Glilot base near Tel Aviv. The IDF intercepted two of the three rockets. Residents reported inadequate alert times and lack of shelters. Later, 20 more rockets were fired from Lebanon at northern Israel, with some intercepted and others landing in open areas. Noah Prescott 02/11/2024 3:00 pm
Polio vaccinations resumed in Gaza City despite challenges from ongoing Israeli operations, leaving 15,000 children unreachable. UNICEF and WHO established 106 sites, with Israeli forces agreeing to a “humanitarian pause” for safe movement. The campaign, delayed due to violence, targets 119,000 children needing their final polio vaccine dose. Previously, 99% of Gaza’s children were vaccinated, but rates dropped amid conflict, with WHO detecting virus strains in July. Noah Prescott 02/11/2024 3:00 pm
Up to 8,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Kursk Oblast in western Russia, according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. U.S. intelligence suggests they will join the fighting in a 270-square-mile area contested by Ukrainian forces since August. The deployment could bolster Russian attacks and provide experience for North Korea’s army, which hasn’t seen major conflict in 70 years. However, it might also result in high casualties without significant impact. Russian forces, including the 810th Naval Infantry Brigade, have faced heavy losses in recent counterattacks against Ukrainian positions. Noah Prescott 02/11/2024 3:00 pm
Israeli forces have devastated southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah to push them from the border. Villages like Ramyah are nearly destroyed, with over a million people displaced. Israel aims to create a buffer zone, similar to Gaza, though it lacks a long-term plan to keep Hezbollah away. UN peacekeepers and Lebanese troops have also been targeted, raising concerns about their safety. The U.S. is attempting to broker a cease-fire, while experts suggest Israel might need to maintain a presence until a lasting solution is found. Penelope Kingsley 02/11/2024 3:00 pm
Kemi Badenoch has been elected leader of Britain’s Conservative Party, becoming the first Black woman to lead the party. She succeeds Rishi Sunak and follows a crushing election defeat in July. Despite her rapid rise, Badenoch faces challenges, as the Labour Party holds a significant majority in Parliament. The leadership contest was closely contested, with Badenoch defeating Robert Jenrick by a vote of 53,806 to 41,388. The Conservatives face at least four years in opposition, with Labour remaining more popular. Noah Prescott 02/11/2024 3:00 pm
Duma Boko, Botswana’s new President, is a Harvard-educated human rights lawyer known for his confidence and humility. At 54, he achieved the unthinkable by unseating the long-dominant Botswana Democratic Party with his Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) party. Despite his surprise victory, Boko remained composed, pledging to serve the people diligently. His campaign resonated with promises of change, employment, and government stipends, captivating a nation facing economic challenges. Boko’s engaging approach, especially with young people, and his bold focus on the presidency, marked his successful political journey. Noah Prescott 02/11/2024 3:00 pm
Iran has claimed the capability to build nuclear weapons, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promising a strong response to U.S. and Israeli actions. Khamenei’s adviser, Kamal Kharrazi, stated Iran might change its nuclear policy if facing an existential threat. General Mohammad Naeini warned of a powerful retaliation to any aggression, referencing Israel’s recent attack on Iranian military infrastructure. Tensions rise as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu considers targeting Iran’s nuclear program. Penelope Kingsley 02/11/2024 3:00 pm
The Israeli military struck Beirut’s southern suburbs, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. Evacuation orders were issued, and Lebanon’s acting PM criticized Israel’s actions as rejecting cease-fire efforts. Israeli attacks on Baalbek killed 52 and injured 72, raising international concern over Lebanon’s humanitarian situation. The WHO highlighted attacks on healthcare workers, with hospitals overwhelmed. A polio vaccination campaign in Gaza is limited due to Israeli offensives, affecting access to 119,000 children, with 15,000 still in northern Gaza. Noah Prescott 02/11/2024 11:30 am
At least 205 people have died, and dozens are missing after severe floods in eastern Spain, marking one of the deadliest weather events in modern Spanish history. Climate scientists link the intense rainfall to human-caused global warming, with a rapid analysis by World Weather Attribution indicating climate change made the rain 12% heavier and twice as likely. The atmosphere, now 1.3°C warmer than in the 1800s, holds more moisture, intensifying downpours. In Chiva, near Valencia, a year’s worth of rain fell in eight hours. Superhot oceans, driven by climate change, also likely contributed. Penelope Kingsley 02/11/2024 11:30 am
