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Today's reading time is 5 minutes. - Miko Santos
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A devastating Russian drone and missile attack on the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil killed at least 25 people, including three children, in what marks one of the deadliest strikes on the relatively peaceful region since the invasion began. The nighttime bombardment hit two nine-story apartment buildings approximately 200 kilometers from the Polish border, leaving 73 people injured and two dozen still unaccounted for. Russia launched 476 strike and decoy drones along with 48 missiles in the massive assault, though Ukrainian air defenses intercepted most cruise missiles with Western-supplied F-16 and Mirage-2000 fighter jets.
The attack occurred as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Ankara for crucial diplomatic talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, seeking to increase international pressure on Russia and isolate President Vladimir Putin diplomatically. The timing underscores the urgency of Ukraine’s dual strategy of military defense and diplomatic engagement, as new U.S. sanctions on Russia’s oil industry are set to take effect. The assault also prompted NATO members Romania and Poland to scramble fighter jets, highlighting the regional security implications of Russia’s escalating attacks on civilian infrastructure.
South Korean Coast Guard successfully rescued all 267 passengers and crew members after the Queen Jenuvia 2 ferry ran aground on rocks near Jangsan Island in Sinan County on Wednesday evening. The 26,000-tonne vessel, traveling from Jeju Island to Mokpo port, struck a reef near the uninhabited island of Jogdo, leaving the ship stuck but stable with no immediate risk of sinking or capsizing. Twenty-seven people sustained minor injuries from the impact, but authorities reported no serious casualties as passengers were evacuated to safety.
The incident occurred near the site of South Korea’s deadliest maritime disaster, the 2014 Sewol ferry sinking that killed more than 300 people, mostly schoolchildren. Passengers described hearing a loud bang before the ship tilted, with announcements instructing everyone to don life jackets and move to the top deck. Several survivors credited lessons learned from the Sewol tragedy for maintaining calm during the evacuation. The Coast Guard plans to move the grounded vessel ashore during high tide, with investigations into the cause of the grounding expected to follow.
British Defense Secretary John Healey revealed Wednesday that a Russian spy ship has entered UK waters and directed lasers at Royal Air Force military pilots, marking what he described as a “new era of threat” from hostile actors. The Yantar, identified as a vessel designed for gathering intelligence and mapping Britain’s undersea cables, is currently operating on the edge of British waters north of Scotland. An RAF Poseidon-8 military aircraft has been deployed to track the ship’s movements, with pilots reporting they were targeted by lasers in what Healey called “deeply dangerous” Russian action.
The incident represents the first time Russia has directly aimed lasers at British military aircraft, prompting Healey to modify naval rules of engagement to monitor the Yantar more closely. Russia’s embassy in London denied the allegations, claiming the Yantar is an “oceanographic research vessel” operating in international waters and accusing Britain of “Russophobic” rhetoric. British officials view the incursion as part of a broader pattern of increasingly reckless Russian actions against NATO territory, occurring amid ongoing European support for Ukraine and following recent sabotage incidents across the continent.
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Spanish President Pedro Sánchez announced Wednesday that parliament will investigate Meta for allegedly conducting “systematic and massive” spying on Android users through a hidden tracking mechanism. An international investigation revealed that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, secretly tracked the web browsing history of Android users from September 2024 through the summer of 2025. Sánchez emphasized that Spanish law supersedes any algorithm or technology platform, warning that violators of citizen rights will face consequences.
The Spanish government plans to summon Meta executives and experts to clarify the situation, identify responsibilities, and ensure citizens’ rights and freedoms have not been systematically violated. Sánchez also announced comprehensive Big Tech regulatory measures scheduled for the first half of 2026, addressing disinformation, minor protection, hate speech, and privacy concerns. The investigation could strain relations between the current U.S. administration and Spain, which became the first European country to implement a tech giants tax in 2018. Sánchez strongly criticized what he termed a “new technological oligarchy,” insisting that powerful companies cannot operate above the rule of law.
Israeli forces escalated airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Wednesday, killing at least one person as part of what military officials describe as a campaign to prevent Iran-backed Hezbollah from rebuilding military capabilities in the border region. The Israeli military issued evacuation warnings via social media before striking four villages—Deir Kifa, Chehour, Aainata, and Tayr Filsay—targeting what it identified as Hezbollah weapons storage facilities and military infrastructure. Israel claims Hezbollah has violated the U.S.-backed ceasefire by attempting to rearm, while Hezbollah officials deny the accusations and insist the group has complied with requirements to end its military presence near the Israeli border.
The escalation follows one of the deadliest Israeli strikes since last year’s war, when 13 people were killed Tuesday in a Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon. Israel claims it targeted a Hamas compound used for planning attacks, while Hamas denies any military presence in the refugee camps and calls the allegations fabricated. Under the U.S.-France brokered ceasefire agreement, Lebanon’s armed forces are responsible for confiscating unauthorized weapons south of the Litani River, but both sides accuse each other of violating the truce terms. Lebanon maintains Israel continues illegally occupying positions in southern Lebanese territory.
Check this Out
Every Thanksgiving, while millions of Americans gather around tables laden with turkey and pie, emergency rooms brace for an invisible surge: a wave of cardiac emergencies that makes the holiday season one of the deadliest times of the year.
Doctronic explores the sobering statistics. Norton Healthcare research shows cardiac deaths increase by approximately 5% during the holiday season, with studies documenting a 5% to 15% spike in heart attacks and emergency room visits for heart-related concerns from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. More cardiac deaths occur on December 25 than on any other day of the year, followed by December 26 and January 1, according to the American Heart Association.
Watch This
The painting “Bildnis Elisabeth Lederer” (Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer) by Gustav Klimt just sold at auction for $236.4 million, making it the most expensive piece of modern art ever sold.Inside #SothebysNewYork’s Breuer Building, the star lot from the Leonard A. Lauder Collection sparked a 19-minute bidding war. See what happens when auctioneer Oliver Barker takes the stage for the historic sale. This full-length painting, which has East Asian patterns, Fauvist colours, and the elegance of Vienna high society, is the first of three Klimt oil masterpieces up for auction tonight. These are some of Klimt’s best works. They have jewel-like meadows, colourful symphonies, and bold compositions, all of which are typical of his famous portraits.The Leonard A. Lauder, Collector Evening Auction, which was held in white gloves, brought in $527.5 million, with all lots sold. Sotheby’s is still having sales in New York this week.
Pick of the Day
Thanksgiving in the office might sound warm and fuzzy — until someone suggests going around the room to share what they’re thankful for.
A new survey of 1,000 full-time employees from CaterCow found that while corporate catering brings people together, forced gratitude and potluck coordination tear them apart.
When asked to rate common corporate Thanksgiving traditions on a scale from “absolutely hate it” to “absolutely love it,” the catered feast came out on top — scoring a 4.05 average, the highest of all options. Every other activity lagged behind, often by a full point or more.
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