On November 15, Russia launched large-scale attacks on Ukraine, including strikes on Kyiv that killed at least six people and injured 35. Additionally, Russia's military actions affected international diplomacy, with Azerbaijan and Romania summoning Russian ambassadors to protest incidents related to these attacks. European NATO countries and Italy showed support for Ukraine by planning more military aid.
Key Facts
Russia attacked Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, killing at least six people and injuring 35 more.
Azerbaijan's embassy in Kyiv was damaged during the attacks, leading to a diplomatic protest.
In southern Ukraine, a Russian drone attack killed two people and injured seven in Chornomorsk.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the missile and drone strikes by Russia.
Russian news reported North Korean soldiers are helping with mine removal in Russia's Kursk region.
NATO countries discussed cooperation against hybrid threats like drones and cyberattacks.
Italy approved a new military support package and plans to help Ukraine with energy needs during the winter.
Germany plans to increase its military aid to Ukraine by 2026.
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Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, faces charges of obstruction of justice in Brazil. A panel of Brazil's Supreme Court has enough votes to take him to trial, accusing him of trying to influence a case against his father by applying pressure in the United States. The case involves alleged interference with the court's proceedings against Jair Bolsonaro, who was sentenced to over 27 years in prison.
Key Facts
Eduardo Bolsonaro is the son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
A panel of three justices on Brazil’s Supreme Court voted to try Eduardo for obstruction of justice.
He is accused of using threats to interfere in a legal case against his father.
Former President Jair Bolsonaro faces over 27 years in prison for allegations related to a coup attempt in 2022.
Eduardo Bolsonaro is a member of Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies and has traveled to the US to support his father’s legal problems.
President Trump has shown support for Jair Bolsonaro and criticized Brazil’s legal actions against him.
The US imposed sanctions and tariffs against Brazil in response to the case, with 50 percent tariffs on Brazilian exports.
The US also sanctioned Brazilian Justice Alexandre de Moraes and revoked visas for him and his family.
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In an effort to reduce tariffs imposed by President Trump, a Swiss delegation brought gifts including a gold bar and a Rolex desk clock to the White House. Their strategy led to a tariff reduction on Swiss goods from 39% to 15% while Switzerland agreed to lower trade barriers and increase investments in the U.S. This charm offensive helped resolve a trade issue that previous diplomatic efforts could not.
Key Facts
The Swiss delegation gave President Trump gifts, including a personalized gold bar worth over $130,000 and a Rolex desk clock.
These gifts aimed to persuade Trump to reduce tariffs on Swiss goods, which dropped from 39% to 15%.
Switzerland agreed to lower trade barriers and increase investments in the U.S. as part of the deal.
Trump's tariffs on Swiss goods had significantly affected Switzerland's economy prior to this agreement.
Previous diplomatic talks between Swiss Prime Minister Karin Keller-Sutter and Trump did not succeed in resolving the tariff issue.
The Swiss delegation included leaders from major companies like Rolex and MKS SA.
President Trump accepted the gifts legally, designating them for his presidential library.
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Pakistan's parliament has passed a law giving the army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, new powers and a lifetime immunity from arrest and prosecution. This change also restructures Pakistan's courts and strengthens the military's influence in the political system.
Key Facts
Pakistan's parliament passed the 27th constitutional amendment.
Field Marshal Asim Munir, the army chief, will also oversee the navy and air force.
Munir receives lifetime immunity from arrest and prosecution.
The amendment changes how Pakistan's top courts operate.
Critics say these changes increase military power and reduce civilian control.
A new Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) will handle constitutional questions.
The president appoints the FCC's chief justice and other judges.
Supporters argue the amendment provides clarity in military command and court structure.
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The 2025 Children in Need appeal has raised over £45 million to support children and young people in the UK. The fundraising event was broadcast on BBC One and included performances and sketches with various celebrities. A significant contribution of over £9.5 million came from Radio 2 DJ Sara Cox's five-day marathon challenge.
Key Facts
The 2025 Children in Need appeal raised £45,507,536 to support children in the UK.
The fundraising event was held on BBC One and included hosts like Paddy McGuinness and Mel Giedroyc.
Performances featured stars from shows like Gladiators and Strictly Come Dancing.
Sara Cox raised over £9.5 million by running five marathons in five days.
The event included comedic sketches and children's performances.
Pudsey Bear, the mascot, took part in various skits and events during the show.
The funds aim to help children across the UK with various projects and needs.
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The Screen Actors Guild Awards will be renamed the Actor Awards presented by Sag-Aftra. This change aligns with the show's focus on actors and aims to improve understanding among global audiences. The 32nd edition of the award show will take place on March 1, 2026.
Key Facts
The SAG Awards will now be called the Actor Awards presented by Sag-Aftra.
The award show focuses on celebrating and honoring actors.
The name change was announced at a board meeting.
The 32nd edition of the awards is scheduled for March 1, 2026.
Sag-Aftra is a labor union representing U.S. film, television, and radio actors.
The union formed from a merger between the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists in 2012.
Sean Astin was recently elected as the new leader of Sag-Aftra.
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Cardi B, a U.S. rapper, has welcomed her fourth child, a baby boy with American football player Stefon Diggs. She announced the birth on Instagram and linked it to her personal growth and her new music album.
Key Facts
Cardi B gave birth to her fourth child, the first with Stefon Diggs.
The child is a baby boy, as shared by Diggs at a public event.
Cardi B has three children with her estranged husband Offset and filed for divorce in July 2024.
Cardi B's new album is titled "Am I The Drama?"
She did not share specific birth details, but a spokesperson confirmed both mother and child are healthy and happy.
Diggs is a wide receiver for the New England Patriots and has another child, a 9-year-old daughter.
Cardi B is planning a tour related to her new album release.
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Emails show a connection between Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon, a former adviser to President Trump. These emails, released with documents from Epstein's estate, reveal communication about flight arrangements and UK politics. There is no accusation of wrongdoing against Bannon, but the messages indicate a closer relationship than previously known.
Key Facts
Emails between Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon were released as part of documents from Epstein's estate.
The communications show Epstein helping Bannon with travel plans, including a flight from the UK.
Bannon was President Trump's chief strategist before leaving the White House in August 2017.
Bannon was working on a film about Epstein, with 15 hours of footage reportedly completed.
The emails discuss UK political events, including Brexit-related meetings with figures like Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson.
There is no confirmation that a meeting involving Bannon, Rees-Mogg, and Johnson took place, as described in the emails.
The US House of Representatives plans to vote on whether to release all files related to investigations into Epstein.
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The article discusses how drones have become widely used in warfare, especially in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. A former florist in Ukraine, Kseniia Kalmus, has started making drones for the military as the demand for these unmanned vehicles grows. Drones are now a common tool in battles globally, with many small manufacturers emerging in Ukraine and increased interest from large defense companies.
Key Facts
Kseniia Kalmus was a floral artist who began making drones for the Ukrainian army after the conflict with Russia started.
The war in Ukraine is referred to as the "first drone war," leading to a big rise in drone production.
Originally, only a few companies in Ukraine made drones, but now there are hundreds.
Around 75% of Russian losses in Ukraine are believed to be caused by drones, according to Kyiv.
Drones are used in other conflicts globally, including in the Middle East, Myanmar, and Sudan.
European countries are building drone defenses, and there is global interest in acquiring drones for military power.
Major companies like Lockheed Martin and Boeing are focusing on military drones, and new drone manufacturers are emerging rapidly.
The UK government announced it plans to invest £4.5 billion in new military drones.
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Heavy rains have caused flooding in displacement camps in Gaza, affecting many Palestinian families. The United Nations and other groups say Israeli restrictions on aid have left these people without enough shelter and basic supplies. The flooding is making life hard for those living in tents, with aid efforts being hampered.
Key Facts
Heavy rains flooded displacement camps in Gaza City, affecting many families.
The United Nations reports that Israeli restrictions are limiting aid to Gaza.
Flooding has damaged belongings like mattresses and clothes in the camps.
Aid groups say around 1.5 million people in Palestine are at risk in the winter.
Despite a recent ceasefire, aid is still restricted from reaching those in need.
The response includes calls for more tents and caravans to help displaced families.
Many Palestinians in camps lack proper shelter and winter clothing.
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In the West Bank, there has been an increase in attacks by Israeli settlers, which has caused tension within Israel. The violence includes vandalism of mosques and assaults during the olive harvest. These events have led to warnings from military leaders and some arrests.
Key Facts
The Hamida Mosque in the West Bank was vandalized by Israeli settlers.
The imam said the attacks are meant to show settlers can reach anywhere.
Over 260 settler attacks in October resulted in Palestinian casualties or property damage, the highest monthly count since 2006.
Human rights groups report increased settler aggression since the start of the Gaza War in 2023.
More than 3,200 Palestinians have been displaced due to settler violence and restrictions.
Recent incidents include an attack on an industrial estate and Bedouin buildings by masked men.
Several people, including journalists and volunteers, have been injured during these attacks.
Some arrests have been made following the attacks, but not all suspects remain in custody.
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An Australian writer named Ander Louis, whose real name is Andrew Tesoriero, has created a "bogan" version of Leo Tolstoy's classic novel, War & Peace. He transformed the novel using Australian slang to make it humorous and relatable, with plans to potentially publish it as a book. The project unexpectedly gained interest in the U.S. due to a viral online post.
Key Facts
Ander Louis is the pen name of Andrew Tesoriero, an IT worker and writer from Melbourne.
He started the "bogan" version of War & Peace in 2018 as a humorous project.
"Bogan" slang uses casual and humorous Australian terms like "sheilas" and "drongos."
His version was originally a joke but is now attracting publishing interest.
In the "bogan" book, he uses terms like "bloody hell" and describes characters with humorous slang.
The project gained attention in the U.S. after an online post by a tech writer.
Louis thinks the American interest is partly due to the popularity of Australian culture, like the children's show Bluey.
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The UK plans to change its asylum policy to allow asylum seekers to stay temporarily instead of permanently. This change is based on Denmark's system, where refugees get temporary residence permits. The aim is to reduce asylum claims and small boat crossings.
Key Facts
The UK will announce a new policy to let asylum seekers stay temporarily.
People granted asylum will be sent back home once it's safe.
The current UK policy allows refugees to stay for five years and then apply for indefinite leave.
The new policy is inspired by Denmark's immigration system.
In Denmark, refugees get temporary permits and must reapply when these expire.
The UK government hopes the new policy will lower asylum claims and small boat crossings.
Danish-style policies may prevent an increase in support for right-wing movements.
Some UK Labour MPs oppose the new policy, seeing it as too strict.
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A group of 153 Palestinians, including Loay Abu Saif and his family, left the Gaza Strip and reached South Africa without proper travel documents. This journey, which lasted over 24 hours, involved coordination with Israeli authorities and a transit stop in Kenya. The movement was organized through a nonprofit, but participants were unsure of their destination until the final leg of their trip.
Key Facts
153 Palestinians traveled from Gaza to South Africa this week without correct paperwork.
Loay Abu Saif, one of the travelers, described the journey as difficult.
The group's flight left from Israel’s Ramon Airport, stopped in Kenya, and landed in Johannesburg.
South African authorities initially did not let the group disembark due to missing Israeli departure stamps.
A nonprofit helped organize the travel, focusing on families with children and requiring Israeli security clearance.
Passengers paid $1,400-$2,000 per person, including for children, to make the trip.
Families learned about their destination only during the last part of their journey in Nairobi.
The group was bused through checkpoints controlled by Israeli forces to leave Gaza.
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A woman was injured by a rocket attack in the Mezzeh district of Damascus, Syria. The attack caused material damage, and security forces are investigating to find the attackers.
Key Facts
A rocket attack occurred in Damascus, Syria's capital, injuring one woman.
The attack happened on a Friday night in the Mezzeh 86 neighborhood.
Syrian state media reported that "unknown assailants" fired the rockets.
The rockets were fired from a mobile launcher, according to reports.
Security forces are investigating the attack and looking for those responsible.
The targeted area is mostly civilian, with some diplomatic buildings.
Explosions in Damascus have decreased since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government last December.
Israel has conducted multiple air strikes in Syria, mainly targeting the Syrian army's assets, since the end of Assad's rule.
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Newly released documents show that Stacey Plaskett, a delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands, exchanged text messages with Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 Congressional hearing. The messages indicate that Epstein was closely following the testimony of Michael Cohen, President Trump's former attorney, and offering comments to Plaskett. Plaskett and her office have not confirmed whether the communication was with Epstein.
Key Facts
Stacey Plaskett is a nonvoting delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The text messages were exchanged during Michael Cohen's 2019 testimony to the House Oversight Committee.
Jeffrey Epstein was a convicted sex offender and monitored Cohen's testimony.
Epstein highlighted parts of Cohen's testimony and provided real-time comments.
Plaskett's office has not confirmed the authenticity of the texts.
Epstein owned private islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands and was involved in sex-trafficking activities there.
Epstein died in federal custody in August 2019.
Plaskett faced criticism for donations linked to Epstein but later returned them.
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Hundreds of Palestinians traveled from Gaza to South Africa, raising questions about how they boarded a plane in Israel without departure stamps or destination info in their passports.
Key Facts
Palestinians traveled from Gaza to South Africa.
They boarded a plane in Israel.
Their passports lacked departure stamps.
There was no information about their intended destination in their passports.
The situation has raised questions about how this travel occurred.
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Ethiopia has reported its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease, with nine cases in the southern part of the country. The World Health Organization and Ethiopian health authorities are taking steps to contain the virus, which is similar to Ebola and can spread through contact with an infected person's bodily fluids.
Key Facts
Ethiopia confirmed nine cases of the Marburg virus in its southern region.
The World Health Organization is supporting efforts to manage the outbreak.
Marburg virus is related to Ebola and causes severe symptoms like bleeding and fever.
There is no vaccine or treatment for Marburg, only supportive care like hydration.
The virus spreads through contact with bodily fluids or contaminated materials.
The CDC describes Marburg as a rare but severe hemorrhagic fever.
The Ethiopian Health Ministry is isolating cases and conducting community screenings.
Neighboring South Sudan is a concern due to its fragile health system and proximity to the outbreak.
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Since early September, the United States has been conducting airstrikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. This military operation, named Operation Southern Spear, aims to reduce the flow of drugs into the US, but it has raised legal and ethical concerns. President Trump and his administration argue that these actions are necessary for national security, despite some questioning their legality under international law.
Key Facts
The US has conducted airstrikes on suspected drug boats since early September.
These operations are called Operation Southern Spear.
At least 80 people have died in 20 separate strikes.
The aim is to reduce drug trafficking from Latin America to the US.
Most strikes occurred near Venezuela and Colombia.
The US claims the targets are "narco-terrorists," including the Tren de Aragua gang.
Legal experts question the legality of the strikes under international law.
President Trump states the US may need Congress's approval if the operations expand to land targets.
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