Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk criticized Germany’s decision to extend temporary border controls in response to irregular migration, calling it “unacceptable.” Neighboring countries also condemned the move, with Austria refusing to take in those turned away by Germany. Germany’s opposition conservatives argued the measures were insufficient. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government faces pressure after poor state election results, with immigration a key issue. The debate intensified following a fatal incident involving a Syrian asylum seeker. Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser cited terrorism and crime risks for the expanded controls. Ava Sinclair 11/09/2024 1:30 pm
Israeli missiles struck a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza, killing or wounding 65 people, according to Gaza’s civil emergency service. The Hamas-run Gaza government reported over 40 fatalities and at least 60 injuries, with many still missing. The camp, near Khan Younis, was hit by at least four missiles, causing significant damage. The Israeli military claimed the strike targeted a Hamas command center, while Hamas denied any military presence in the area. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with officials describing the scene as a potential massacre. Penelope Kingsley 11/09/2024 1:30 pm
The Conservative leadership contest is down to four candidates after Mel Stride was eliminated. Robert Jenrick leads with 33 votes, followed by Kemi Badenoch with 28. James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat each received 21 votes. Further voting will occur after the party’s conference to select the final two candidates, who will then be voted on by Tory members. The winner will replace Rishi Sunak, who resigned after a poor general election performance. Stride, a former ally of Sunak, aimed to restore party credibility but received the fewest votes. Ava Sinclair 11/09/2024 10:00 am
Gaza’s Health Ministry reported at least 19 dead and over 60 injured, with numbers expected to rise as victims remain trapped. Civil Defense official Muhammad al-Mughaier claimed 40 bodies were recovered. The Israeli military disputed these figures, citing a “precise strike” aimed at minimizing civilian risk but did not provide its own casualty count. Verified videos show significant destruction in Al-Mawasi, where Palestinians described the attack as sudden and devastating, likening it to an earthquake. Emergency workers and residents are still searching for survivors amidst the rubble. Penelope Kingsley 11/09/2024 10:00 am
During the presidential debate, former President Donald Trump countered Vice President Kamala Harris’s claim that world leaders are “laughing” at him by citing his close ties with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Trump quoted Orbán, calling him a respected and tough leader, who allegedly said the world needs Trump back as president because countries like China and North Korea were afraid of him. Penelope Kingsley 11/09/2024 10:00 am
Kate Middleton’s new video, featuring her in a blue-and-white Veronica Beard dress, pays homage to her royal life and the late Queen Elizabeth. Middleton is seen driving a Land Rover near Amner Hall, mirroring a 1992 documentary clip of the queen driving near Sandringham. The video, released a day after the queen’s passing anniversary, highlights Middleton’s admiration for the queen, who was a role model for her. Royal biographers note Middleton’s close relationship with the queen, emphasizing her influence and the couple’s decision to live near the queen in her final months. Ava Sinclair 11/09/2024 6:30 am
An Israeli airstrike on a humanitarian zone in southern Gaza killed 19 Palestinians and wounded 60, targeting a Hamas command center in al-Muwasi. The strike, which occurred between midnight and 1:00 am, did not come with an evacuation order. First responders struggled for hours to retrieve bodies, with dozens still trapped. The scene was chaotic, with rubble and personal belongings scattered. This follows a July strike in Muwasi that killed 90 Palestinians, targeting Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, whose death Hamas denied. Penelope Kingsley 11/09/2024 6:30 am
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk condemned Germany’s decision to tighten border controls to curb irregular migration, calling it “unacceptable” and a “de facto suspension of the Schengen Agreement.” Tusk plans to consult with other affected countries for a collective EU response. Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced the temporary controls at all land borders, including those with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark, to improve security and counter far-right political pressure. Austria also criticized the move, refusing to accept people rejected from Germany. Ava Sinclair 11/09/2024 6:30 am
Nearly half of East Timor’s population, around 600,000 people, gathered for Pope Francis’ final Mass, marking a significant turnout proportionally. East Timor, predominantly Catholic since Portuguese explorers arrived in the 1500s, welcomed the first papal visit since its 2002 independence. While crowd estimates can be unreliable, the event highlights the pope’s popularity. In comparison, Pope Francis’ 2015 Mass in Manila drew an estimated 6 million people, a record for papal events. Ava Sinclair 11/09/2024 6:30 am
A summer drought has revealed sunken Nazi ships in the River Danube near Prahovo, Serbia, and Hungary’s Danube-Drava National Park, according to Reuters. These vessels, still armed with explosives, date back to before 1950. The Danube, Europe’s second-longest river, often exposes such ships due to recurring droughts and heat waves, which also threaten drinking supplies and complicate navigation. In 2022, record-low water levels exposed dozens of Nazi ships near Prahovo. The lowest recorded level was 1.3 feet in October 2018, while recent measurements near Budapest show 3.8 feet. Nazi Germany occupied the Western Balkans from 1941 to 1945. Ava Sinclair 11/09/2024 3:01 am
