Thousands have been evacuated from Hanoi as the Red River reaches its highest level in two decades, flooding streets and cutting power in some districts. The flooding, a result of Typhoon Yagi, has left parts of the city submerged, forcing residents to use boats. The typhoon, initially a super typhoon, has caused severe damage across northern Vietnam, killing at least 179 people. An entire village in Lao Cai province was swept away, with 30 confirmed dead and hundreds of soldiers searching for the missing. Survivors recount harrowing escapes. Noah Prescott 11/09/2024 8:30 pm
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized the West, accusing Israel of committing massacres in Gaza using European and American weapons. Speaking in Baghdad on his first foreign visit, Pezeshkian aims to strengthen Iran-Iraq ties amid regional tensions. Iran supports Hamas following its October 7 attack on Israel, which led to a war killing over 40,000 Palestinians and displacing 90% of Gaza’s population. Pezeshkian condemned Israel for targeting civilians and infrastructure. An explosion near Baghdad International Airport, used by the U.S. military, occurred before his arrival, with no casualties reported. Noah Prescott 11/09/2024 8:30 pm
Five Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air strike in Tubas, West Bank, targeting an “armed terrorist cell,” according to the IDF. The Palestinian health ministry reported the deaths, and a curfew was declared in Tubas. Concurrent Israeli operations continued in Tulkarm, where two Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire. This follows a major Israeli operation in the West Bank, resulting in at least 36 Palestinian deaths, including children. An Israeli soldier also died in Jenin. Additionally, an Israeli man was critically injured in a ramming attack near Givat Assaf, and three Israeli guards were killed by a Jordanian driver at the Allenby Bridge. Noah Prescott 11/09/2024 5:00 pm
Stanislawa Wasilewska, captured by Nazi troops in 1944 and sent to Ravensbrück and Neuengamme camps, had her valuables seized. Eighty years later, Germany’s Arolsen Archives returned her jewelry to her descendants in an emotional Warsaw ceremony, where families of 12 Polish Nazi camp inmates received confiscated belongings. Wasilewska’s family received her amber crucifixes, bracelet, and engraved wristwatch. Her great-granddaughter, Malgorzata Koryś, expressed the significance of this revelation. Wasilewska was later taken to Sweden by the Red Cross and returned to Poland, where she is buried. Adam Wierzbicki received items belonging to his great-grandfather’s relatives. Ava Sinclair 11/09/2024 5:00 pm
The Russian military launched extensive naval and air drills, “Ocean-24,” across multiple oceans and seas, involving over 400 vessels, 120 aircraft, and 90,000 troops, with China participating. President Putin called it the largest exercise in three decades, emphasizing military cooperation amid geopolitical tensions. He accused the U.S. of trying to maintain dominance and destabilize security in various regions. Russia and China, along with other U.S. critics, aim to challenge the Western-led order. The drills, continuing through Sept. 16, seek to bolster Russia’s Pacific power ambitions and support China’s territorial claims. Noah Prescott 11/09/2024 5:00 pm
The documentary “The Bibi Files” premiered at the Toronto film festival, showcasing leaked police interrogation videos of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite his attempts to block it. The film, directed by Alexis Bloom and produced by Alex Gibney, argues that Netanyahu is prolonging the Gaza war to avoid prison for corruption charges. Israeli courts denied his request to delay the film’s release. The footage, recorded between 2016 and 2018, shows Netanyahu denying bribery allegations involving gifts from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan. Witnesses describe regular gifts expected by Netanyahu and his wife in exchange for favors. Penelope Kingsley 11/09/2024 5:00 pm
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced over $700 million in aid for Ukraine during a visit to Kyiv with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The aid aims to bolster Ukraine’s energy grid, provide humanitarian support, and fund mine-removal operations. The visit underscores Western commitment amid Russia’s intensified attacks on Ukraine. Ukrainian officials urged for permission to use Western long-range missiles against Russia, a request met with caution by Western leaders to avoid escalating the conflict. Lammy highlighted the critical juncture of the 2 1/2-year war and Britain’s financial support. Noah Prescott 11/09/2024 5:00 pm
Iran has denied Western allegations of supplying short-range missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine and vowed to respond to new sanctions from Britain, France, and Germany. Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and spokesman Nasser Kanaani, dismissed the claims as based on “faulty intelligence” and labeled the sanctions “economic terrorism.” The sanctions, prompted by U.S. accusations, target Iran’s air services and ballistic missile program. Despite closer ties between Moscow and Tehran, Iran insists it has not sold ballistic missiles to Russia. U.S. officials warn this cooperation threatens European security. Noah Prescott 11/09/2024 1:30 pm
Four climbers from Italy and South Korea were found dead on Mont Blanc after being missing for three days in bad weather. They died of exhaustion, and their bodies were discovered between 100 and 200 meters from the summit. Rescuers initially retrieved two Koreans alive but had to halt further searches due to worsening weather. Mont Blanc, at 4,809 meters, is popular but risky for climbers. In 2022, a French mayor suggested climbers pay a €15,000 deposit for rescue and funeral costs due to the mountain’s dangers. Noah Prescott 11/09/2024 1:30 pm
An Israeli court rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request to block the documentary “The Bibi Files” from screening at a Canadian film festival. The film, featuring footage from Netanyahu’s police interrogations, examines his alleged corruption involving media moguls. Netanyahu, who denies wrongdoing, argued the film violated Israeli law by using unpublished interrogation footage. The court dismissed his request due to insufficient time for a proper hearing. The documentary, directed by Alex Gibney, highlights Netanyahu’s legal troubles and premiered at the 2024 Toronto Film Festival. Noah Prescott 11/09/2024 1:30 pm
