Following the Labour government’s budget announcement, U.K. borrowing costs rose, with the 10-year gilt yield reaching 4.431% and the 2-year yield at 4.415%. Despite these increases, analysts dismissed concerns of a repeat “mini-budget” crisis in the bond market. Noah Prescott 01/11/2024 2:30 pm
Israel issued a citywide evacuation order for Baalbek, Lebanon, amid intensified attacks targeting Hezbollah. Tens of thousands fled following the order, which led to panic and confusion. Subsequent airstrikes killed 19 people. Baalbek, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its Roman ruins and is part of Hezbollah’s heartland in the Bekaa Valley. Noah Prescott 01/11/2024 2:30 pm
Typhoon Kong-rey, the largest storm to hit Taiwan in nearly 30 years, made landfall with winds up to 200 km/h, causing at least two deaths and over 500 injuries. The storm prompted school and office closures, stock market suspension, and evacuation of over 8,600 people. More than 500 flights were canceled, and ferry services were suspended. Taiwan’s military prepared 34,000 soldiers for rescue efforts. The storm brought intense rain, flash flooding, and landslides, with the heaviest rainfall expected in eastern Taiwan. Penelope Kingsley 01/11/2024 11:00 am
Graham “Dingo” Dinkelman, a renowned South African conservationist and YouTuber, died at 44 from a venomous Eastern green mamba bite. Known as “South Africa’s Steve Irwin,” Dinkelman was in a medically induced coma for a month after the bite. He was famous for his daring interactions with snakes and crocodiles and had a soft spot for African mammals, especially his pet giraffe, Elliot. Dinkelman, a husband and father of three, owned Dingo’s Farm and Reptile Park and had a significant online following. His wife memorialized him on Instagram, highlighting his love for family and wildlife. Penelope Kingsley 01/11/2024 11:00 am
The Biden administration is engaging China to convey threats to North Korea as its troops support Russia in Ukraine. The U.S. hopes to exploit China’s unease over the Russia-North Korea alliance, which challenges Beijing’s influence over Pyongyang. North Korea’s involvement in Ukraine complicates East Asian security, a concern for China. Recently, North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile, raising global alarms. U.S. officials, including Kurt Campbell and Daniel J. Kritenbrink, discussed the issue with Chinese diplomats in Washington, aiming to address the troop deployment. Penelope Kingsley 01/11/2024 11:00 am
Two U.S. pollsters, Edison Research and HarrisX, challenged the official results of Georgia’s parliamentary election, suggesting vote manipulation. Edison, commissioned by Formula TV, and HarrisX, working with Mtavari Arkhi, found discrepancies in exit polls, calling the results “statistically impossible.” The election, crucial for Georgia’s future alignment, faced allegations of violations like ballot-stuffing and voter intimidation. Despite these claims, observer groups did not declare the election stolen. Protests are planned as opposition parties contest the results, while Russia denies interference. Noah Prescott 01/11/2024 11:00 am
A 63-year-old man was arrested for allegedly stealing over 24 tons of artisanal cheese, worth $390,000, from Neal’s Yard Dairy in London. The suspect posed as a wholesale distributor to acquire 950 wheels of cheddar fraudulently. The Metropolitan Police are investigating, and the man has been released on bail. Despite the financial loss, Neal’s Yard Dairy has fully compensated its cheesemakers. Ava Sinclair 01/11/2024 11:00 am
North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile with its longest recorded flight time, capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, according to South Korea and Japan. This marks North Korea’s first ICBM launch since December, possibly aiming to capture U.S. attention before the November 5 presidential election. The launch coincides with increased tensions with U.S. allies and reports of North Korean troops training in Russia for potential deployment in Ukraine. The missile flew for 86 minutes, reaching an altitude of 4,350 miles, and landed in waters off Japan. Ava Sinclair 01/11/2024 11:00 am
Torrential rains in Spain’s Valencia province caused devastating floods, killing over 150 people and leaving more missing. Satellite images reveal the extensive damage, marking some of the worst flooding in decades. Noah Prescott 01/11/2024 11:00 am
Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat in the general election, ending the Botswana Democratic Party’s 58-year rule since independence. The opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change, led by Duma Boko, held a significant lead, making Boko the president-elect. Masisi acknowledged the voters’ decision and committed to a smooth transition, expressing pride in Botswana’s democratic processes. The Umbrella for Democratic Change won 25 of the 61 parliamentary seats, needing 31 for a majority, marking a historic political shift in the diamond-rich nation. Noah Prescott 01/11/2024 11:00 am
