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Ukraine is reeling from a devastating Russian missile and drone assault that left more than one million people without power. The coordinated attack, which lasted for nearly nine-and-a-half hours, targeted energy infrastructure across the country, including Odesa, Kharkiv, Lutsk, and Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of using cluster munitions, making it harder for rescue teams and energy workers to address the damage. Over 100 drones and more than 90 missiles were involved in the strike, marking the second such attack this month.

Authorities have reported widespread power outages across at least 12 regions, with emergency power cuts implemented to prevent grid overloads. In cities like Lutsk and Kharkiv, explosions were heard, and public transport, including trolleybuses, came to a halt. In the Lviv region, more than half a million people are without electricity, and officials are bracing for further strain on the energy system as temperatures drop, signaling the arrival of Ukraine’s harsh winter.

This strike comes on the heels of earlier missile attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector, which have severely impacted the country’s power plants. Ukrainian officials had warned of the possibility of a broader assault aimed at depleting the national power grid as winter approaches. With the ongoing war and extreme weather conditions, Ukrainians face another challenging winter ahead, already having endured multiple severe winters since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022.

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The promise of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft transforming urban mobility has hit significant hurdles, as leading innovators struggle with funding and technical setbacks. Germany’s Volocopter, which aimed to showcase its VoloCity air taxi at the Paris Olympics, failed to launch passenger services and is now relying on a potential $95 million investment from China’s Geely, which could shift manufacturing to China. Similarly, German eVTOL pioneer Lilium has entered insolvency proceedings after failing to secure crucial loans, casting doubt on its ambitious plans to build radical electric jets.

In the UK, Vertical Aerospace has made progress with its VX4 aircraft, including recent piloted tests. However, financial instability has led to a $50 million rescue investment by US-based Mudrick Capital, leaving the creditor with a 70% stake in the company. Meanwhile, Airbus’s CityAirbus NextGen appears more stable, with its four-seater design progressing as a technology project backed by ample funding and expertise.

Despite enthusiasm for the industry’s potential, concerns remain over profitability, particularly due to operational costs like pilot wages and battery replacements. While startups like Joby and Archer in the US continue to push forward, the sector faces a long road before proving its commercial viability, with investors hoping to emulate the success of transformative companies like Tesla.

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Australian lawmakers are debating a groundbreaking bill to ban children under 16 from accessing social media platforms, with fines of up to AUD 50 million ($33 million) for non-compliance. Sunita Bose, Managing Director of Digital Industry Group Inc., representing platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter), argued during a Senate committee hearing that the legislation should be delayed until the government concludes its evaluation of age-verification technologies in June 2025. She warned that rushing the bill could lead to implementation challenges, leaving both children and platforms unprepared.

Bose highlighted the broader implications of such a ban, cautioning that it could isolate children and push them toward less safe online spaces. This sparked criticism from Senator Sarah Henderson, who accused her of prioritizing corporate interests over child safety. Addressing questions about children’s exposure to harmful content, Bose stated that current algorithms already employ filters to reduce risks, though she acknowledged the industry’s shortcomings in enforcing existing age restrictions.

Research by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health revealed that major platforms earned $11 billion in advertising revenue from U.S. users under 18 in 2022. However, Bose admitted she did not know how much revenue these platforms derived from Australian children. The bill, if passed, would make Australia the first country to impose such strict regulations, with the outcome likely to set a global precedent.

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Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) targeting the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, Ukraine’s Air Force reported on Thursday. The missile, identified as the RS-26 Rubezh with a range of 5,800 kilometers, was reportedly non-nuclear and accompanied by a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles, six of which were intercepted. The attack injured two people and targeted critical infrastructure in Dnipro, underscoring the intensifying military hostilities.

This marks the first reported use of an ICBM in the over 1,000-day war. The RS-26, a nuclear-capable missile tested successfully in 2012, represents a significant show of force from Moscow. The move comes days after Russia warned of retaliation following Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles to strike deep into Russian-held territory, signaling escalating tensions between the warring nations.

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDR) described the alleged ICBM deployment as “unprecedented.” Andrey Baklitskiy of the UNIDR noted that ICBMs, typically strategic nuclear deterrents, are rarely used in active military operations due to their high cost and precision capabilities. Russia has not officially commented on the Ukrainian Air Force’s claims.

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German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has described the severing of two undersea cables in the Baltic Sea as potential acts of sabotage or “hybrid action,” amid heightened tensions with Russia. A 1,170km telecommunications cable connecting Finland and Germany was severed on Monday, and a 218km internet link between Lithuania and Sweden’s Gotland Island failed on Sunday. Authorities from Germany, Finland, and Sweden have expressed concerns, noting that such incidents are unlikely to occur accidentally, with Finnish telecom firm Cinia suggesting “an outside force” was involved.

The cables, vital for telecommunications and internet connectivity, intersect in the Baltic Sea, but the damages are believed to have occurred in separate locations. The Finnish cable’s damage, near Sweden’s Oland Island, may take up to 15 days to repair, while Arelion, the operator of the Lithuanian link, estimates a two-week repair period. While some disruptions to internet capacity were reported, alternative routes have mitigated major impacts. Experts, however, remain cautious about ruling out accidental causes, such as fishing vessels or ships, even as the timing raises suspicions.

These incidents follow a series of suspected sabotage events in the Baltic, including the Nord Stream gas pipeline explosion in 2022 and the October 2023 damage to a natural gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia. Pistorius and other European leaders have linked the threats to broader security risks stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing the need for vigilance against hybrid warfare by malicious actors. Investigations into the cable damage are ongoing.

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Kochi is all set to host the prestigious international beauty pageant, SAJ Group Hotels and Resorts & Alcazar Watches Miss Asia Global 2024, organized by the event production experts, Pegasus Global Pvt. Ltd. The grand finale will take place on November 21 at the Kaloor Gokulam Convention Centre.

Miss Asia Global, chaired by its founder, Dr. Ajit Ravi, stands out by promoting a philosophy that celebrates beauty, intelligence, knowledge, and humanity. Upholding these values, the contestants started undergoing meticulous grooming at the SAJ Earth Resort, Nedumbassery. Renowned professionals from fields such as fashion and cinema led the grooming sessions, ensuring contestants were well-prepared to showcase their best.

The pageant will witness the participation of 18 contestants, carefully selected from across the globe. In a groundbreaking move, Pegasus Global Pvt. Ltd. has eliminated the bikini round, a feature commonly associated with beauty pageants, thereby setting a new standard. This decision reinforces the organization’s commitment to redefining beauty standards by shifting the focus from physical attributes to a more inclusive and holistic approach.

Miss Asia Global 2024 promises to be a landmark event, celebrating diversity, talent, and the true essence of humanity on an international stage.

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SAJ Group Hotels and Resorts, in association with DQUE Watches, is setting the stage for Miss Glam Universe 2024 in Kochi. The prestigious event is being organized by Pegasus Global Pvt. Ltd., renowned for excellence in event production. The competition will unfold at the Gokulam Convention Centre, Kaloor, on November 21.

The pageant aims to showcase the country’s rich and diverse cultural heritage while promoting tourism. Dr. Ajit Ravi, the Founder-Chairman of Pegasus Global Pvt Ltd, is at the helm of the event.

The grooming sessions for the contestants are already underway at SAJ Earth Resort, Nedumbassery. These sessions are conducted by eminent personalities from the fields of fashion, cinema, and other industries. A total of 13 contestants, selected from around the globe, will grace the stage at this highly anticipated event.

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The inaugural edition of Teen Glam World 2024 is poised to captivate audiences on November 21, 2024, at the Kaloor Gokulam Convention Centre, Kochi. Organized by Pegasus Global Pvt Ltd under the leadership of Dr. Ajit Ravi, this debut pageant is partnered with SAJ Group Hotels and Resorts and Alcazar Watches. Bringing together youthfulness, beauty, and cultural diversity, the event features exceptional contestants from around the globe.

In preparation for the grand stage, the contestants are undergoing intensive grooming sessions at SAJ Earth Resort, Nedumbassery. These sessions include expert coaching on poise, confidence, and stage presence, ensuring they shine brightly on the global platform. With its emphasis on empowerment and individuality, Teen Glam World 2024 aims to inspire and celebrate the next generation of global talent.

This exciting new addition to the pageantry scene promises to showcase youthful beauty, intelligence, and strength in a culturally diverse setting. With its unique vision and vibrant execution, Teen Glam World 2024 is set to establish itself as a leading event, blending style, empowerment, and international camaraderie.

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In a significant legal reversal, oil giant Shell has successfully appealed a 2021 Dutch court ruling requiring it to cut its carbon emissions by 45%. The Court of Appeal in The Hague determined that Shell does not have a “social standard of care” to achieve a specific emissions target, despite acknowledging the company’s general obligation to limit environmental impact. This ruling comes as climate discussions among nearly 200 nations unfold in Azerbaijan, underscoring the tension between corporate and environmental obligations.

The initial ruling, supported by Friends of the Earth Netherlands and 17,000 Dutch citizens, marked a historic precedent by mandating that a private company align with the Paris Agreement, which aims to keep global temperatures “well below” a 2°C increase over pre-industrial levels. The appeals court noted Shell’s ongoing efforts to reduce emissions and stated that it could not pinpoint a scientifically accepted target percentage that the company must achieve, suggesting such targets should be set by policymakers rather than individual companies.

Friends of the Earth expressed disappointment and vowed to take the case to the Supreme Court. Shell, meanwhile, defended its emission-reduction strategies, arguing that addressing climate change requires government-led policies rather than singling out one company. The outcome of this case could influence corporate climate accountability globally, as more environmental groups pursue legal channels to enforce emission reductions in line with international agreements.

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Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has come under fire for comments he made about teachers during a Fine Gael party gathering, stirring debate on the opening weekend of Ireland’s general election campaign. O’Leary suggested that teachers were not ideally suited for leadership roles in the Dáil (the lower house of parliament), sparking criticism from teaching unions and politicians. He remarked, “The Dáil is full of teachers. Nothing wrong with teachers, I love teachers, but I wouldn’t generally employ a lot of teachers to go out and get things done.”

Irish politicians quickly responded, with Fine Gael leader and outgoing Taoiseach Simon Harris distancing himself from O’Leary’s remarks. He praised teachers as “the backbone of Irish society” and suggested that many would find classroom work challenging. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and Social Democrats condemned O’Leary’s remarks as inappropriate, with McDonald emphasizing the essential work teachers perform daily for children.

O’Leary defended his stance, arguing that the Dáil needed more private-sector representatives to address pressing issues such as housing and infrastructure. He criticized former teacher and outgoing Tourism and Culture Minister Catherine Martin, citing her handling of tourism caps at Dublin Airport and difficulties managing issues at RTÉ as examples of ineffective leadership from former educators.

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