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Russian Opposition Leaders Unite in Berlin March Against Putin, Ukraine War

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Russian Opposition Leaders Unite in Berlin March Against Putin, Ukraine War

More than 1,000 protesters marched through central Berlin Sunday in a rare show of unity among Russian opposition leaders, as Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Alexei Navalny, joined recently freed dissidents Ilya Yashin and Vladimir Kara-Murza in demanding President Vladimir Putin’s removal and an end to the Ukraine war.

Demonstrators gathered behind a banner reading “No Putin. No War,” chanting “Russia without Putin” and other slogans in Russian while carrying signs declaring “Putin = War” and “Putin is a murderer” in German. The protest route wound symbolically through Berlin’s historic center, from Potsdamer Platz past the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie before concluding at the Russian Embassy.

“We’re using the freedom we have here in Berlin to show the world: A peaceful, free, and civilized Russia exists,” Yashin said in a statement before the demonstration, where protesters carried Russian and Ukrainian flags alongside the white-blue-white banner adopted by some opposition groups.

The march, which organizers said aimed to demand “the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, the trial of Vladimir Putin as a war criminal, and the release of all political prisoners in Russia,” comes at a crucial moment for Russia’s fractured opposition movement.

Despite hopes that August’s landmark prisoner exchange might reinvigorate anti-Putin forces following Navalny’s death in prison, recent months have seen increasing tensions among opposition groups. The movement has struggled to present a unified front or clear strategy, with prominent dissidents trading public accusations that have disappointed many opposition supporters.

The Berlin demonstration represents an attempt to overcome these divisions, with Navalnaya, Yashin, and Kara-Murza billing the event as a show of unity at a critical time. However, the recent acrimony among anti-war factions has left many opposition-minded Russians frustrated with what they see as counterproductive power struggles between rival groups.

The protest highlights both the potential and challenges facing Russia’s exiled opposition as they attempt to maintain pressure on Putin’s regime while operating from abroad, with many key leaders now based in Western capitals following waves of repression within Russia.

Sinner Makes History as First Italian to Win ATP Finals, Defeats Fritz in Straight Sets

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Sinner Makes History as First Italian to Win ATP Finals, Defeats Fritz in Straight Sets

World number one Jannik Sinner made tennis history Sunday, becoming the first Italian to win the ATP Finals with a commanding 6-4, 6-4 victory over American Taylor Fritz, completing an undefeated tournament run without dropping a set.

The 23-year-old home favorite, who lost last year’s final to Novak Djokovic, dominated throughout the 85-minute match, securing the largest prize money award in tennis history at $4,881,500. His performance matched a feat not seen since Ivan Lendl in 1986, becoming the first player to win the ATP Finals without losing a set.

“It’s amazing. Just an amazing week. For me, it’s a first title in Italy, so it means so much to me. I’m very happy about that, it’s very special,” Sinner said on court after securing his 70th win of the season.

Sinner broke Fritz’s serve with a precise drop shot to take a 4-3 lead in the first set, which he claimed with his tenth ace. The Italian maintained momentum in the second set when Fritz, the first American finalist since James Blake in 2006, sent a crucial forehand long.

The victory caps a remarkable season for Sinner, who has won 26 of his last 27 matches and claimed a tour-leading eight titles. Fritz, despite the loss, will reach a career-high world ranking of fourth when the new standings are released Monday.

“I just want to say congrats to Jannik and his team. Insane year, honestly. It’s really impressive,” said Fritz, 27, acknowledging his opponent’s achievement.

In the doubles final, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz became the first German pair to win the tournament, defeating Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic in two tiebreakers, 7-6(5), 7-6(6).

Building Collapse in Tanzania’s Capital Kills 13, Dozens Rescued

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Building Collapse in Tanzania’s Capital Kills 13, Dozens Rescued

A four-storey building collapsed in Tanzania’s commercial capital Saturday morning, killing at least 13 people and sending more than 80 others to hospitals, President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced Sunday.

The building, located in the bustling Kariakoo market district of eastern Dar es Salaam, collapsed around 9 a.m. local time. Emergency services rescued more than 80 people from the rubble, with 26 remaining hospitalized, according to the president’s address.

“The government will cover treatment costs and help with burial arrangements,” Hassan said, outlining immediate support measures for victims and their families.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about building safety standards in African urban centers, where construction failures often occur due to inadequate building standards or insufficient regulatory enforcement.

The collapse represents one of the deadliest building failures in recent Tanzanian history and has renewed calls for stricter construction oversight in the rapidly growing East African nation.

Israeli Strike Kills Hezbollah Media Chief in Central Beirut, Two Lebanese Soldiers Dead in Separate Attack

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Israeli Strike Kills Hezbollah Media Chief in Central Beirut, Two Lebanese Soldiers Dead in Separate Attack

Israeli forces killed Hezbollah’s media relations chief Mohammad Afif in a rare strike on central Beirut Sunday, while a separate Israeli attack in southern Lebanon killed two Lebanese soldiers, marking a significant escalation in the year-long cross-border conflict.

Israel’s military confirmed late Sunday it had “eliminated” Afif in the strike on Beirut’s Ras al-Nabaa neighborhood, an area where many Lebanese displaced by earlier bombardments had sought refuge. The Lebanese health ministry reported one death and three injuries from the attack, which targeted a building housing Ba’ath Party offices.

A second Israeli strike hit Mar Elias street, another usually untargeted central area, killing at least two people and wounding 22 others, according to the health ministry and Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV.

The attacks represent an unusual expansion of Israeli operations into central Beirut, as strikes typically focus on the city’s southern suburbs where Hezbollah maintains its strongest presence. The targeting of Afif, who managed Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television station and served as media adviser to the group’s leadership, also marks a rare strike against a Hezbollah official without clear military duties.

In southern Lebanon, an Israeli attack on an army post in the town of Al-Mari killed two Lebanese soldiers and wounded two others, the Lebanese army announced on social media platform X, highlighting the growing toll on Lebanon’s military forces.

The escalating violence has claimed 3,841 lives in Lebanon and wounded nearly 15,000 since October 2023, according to the Lebanese health ministry, though these figures don’t distinguish between civilian and militant casualties. The conflict began when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israeli military targets following Hamas’s attack on southern Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people.

Afif, who had recently hosted press conferences among bombed buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs, maintained in his last public appearance on November 11 that Israeli forces had failed to hold Lebanese territory and that Hezbollah possessed sufficient weaponry for prolonged warfare.

The broader regional conflict has seen Israel’s extensive military campaign in Gaza kill more than 43,000 people, mostly civilians, according to Palestinian health officials, while Hezbollah’s rocket attacks have killed dozens of Israelis, including both soldiers and civilians.

The strikes in central Beirut sparked immediate response from emergency services, with ambulances rushing to the scene as security forces worked to control gathering crowds. Video footage from Lebanese broadcasters showed severe damage to the upper floors of the targeted building, with civil defense workers conducting rescue operations.

Russian Lawmakers Warn US Missile Authorization for Ukraine Could Trigger World War

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Russian Lawmakers Warn US Missile Authorization for Ukraine Could Trigger World War

Senior Russian lawmakers warned Sunday that Washington’s decision to allow Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory with U.S.-supplied missiles could trigger World War Three, marking a sharp escalation in rhetoric following the policy shift.

“The West has decided on such a level of escalation that it could end with the Ukrainian statehood in complete ruins by morning,” said Andrei Klishas, a senior member of Russia’s Federation Council, on Telegram, while Vladimir Dzhabarov, first deputy head of the upper house’s international affairs committee, promised an “immediate” Russian response.

“This is a very big step towards the start of World War Three,” Dzhabarov told state news agency TASS.

The warnings follow President Vladimir Putin’s September statement that Western countries would be fighting Russia directly if they permitted Ukraine to strike Russian territory with Western-made long-range missiles, suggesting Moscow would be forced to take “appropriate decisions” based on such threats.

Leonid Slutsky, who chairs the State Duma lower house’s foreign affairs committee, said U.S. authorization for Ukraine to use American ATACMS tactical missiles against Russia would “inevitably entail a serious escalation, which threatens to lead to much more serious consequences.”

The stern reactions from Moscow’s political establishment come after U.S. officials revealed the significant reversal in Washington’s Ukraine policy, which previously restricted the use of American-supplied weapons to strikes within Ukraine’s borders.

The development marks a critical turning point in Western military support for Ukraine, as Russian officials signal the potential for unprecedented retaliation if such strikes are carried out against Russian territory.

Small Plane Crashes Near California Dragstrip, Injuring Three

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Small Plane Crashes Near California Dragstrip, Injuring Three

A single-engine plane crashed near a Southern California dragstrip Sunday morning, critically injuring two of its four passengers and damaging several parked vehicles as racing fans gathered for a national championship event.

The Piper PA-32 went down around 11:40 a.m. while attempting to land at Brackett Field Airport near Pomona, about 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The crash occurred near the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) finals, temporarily halting the competition.

Three of the plane’s occupants were hospitalized, including two with critical injuries, LA County Fire Captain Sheila Kelliher-Berkoh told the Los Angeles Times. No injuries were reported among spectators on the ground, though at least two parked vehicles were struck in the parking area alongside the track.

“Emergency crews responded immediately to the scene,” the NHRA said in a statement, confirming the plane was attempting to land at the nearby airport when the incident occurred. The racing event, which began Thursday, resumed after a brief pause for emergency response.

The FAA has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.

Biden Approves Ukraine’s Use of US Missiles for Deeper Strikes in Russia

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Biden Approves Ukraine’s Use of US Missiles for Deeper Strikes in Russia

President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to strike deeper inside Russian territory using U.S.-supplied long-range missiles, marking a significant shift in weapons use policy as Russia deploys thousands of North Korean troops along Ukraine’s northern border, according to U.S. officials speaking on condition of anonymity.

The decision to expand the use of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) comes amid mounting pressure from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Western allies, who argue that previous restrictions hampered Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian attacks on cities and power infrastructure.

“Strikes are not made with words,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly address Sunday, maintaining a notably measured response. “Such things are not announced. The missiles will speak for themselves.”

The policy change follows President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, which has raised questions about future U.S. support for Ukraine. Trump has promised to swiftly end the war and has criticized the Biden administration’s extensive military aid, which has totaled more than $56.2 billion since Russia’s February 2022 invasion.

Biden’s authorization coincides with intelligence assessments indicating up to 12,000 North Korean troops have joined Russian forces, particularly in the Kursk border region. U.S. and South Korean officials report North Korea has also provided significant munitions to replenish Russia’s depleted stockpiles.

The decision emerged after Biden’s meetings with South Korean, Japanese, and Chinese leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru, where North Korea’s military support for Russia dominated discussions.

The limited supply of ATACMS missiles has previously concerned U.S. officials, though supporters argue even minimal long-range strike capability could force Russia to alter its military deployments. The Biden administration had initially restricted Ukraine to using U.S.-provided weapons for limited cross-border strikes, only gradually expanding authorized capabilities under pressure from allies.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres responded cautiously to the development, stating the UN’s position is “to avoid a permanent deterioration of the war in Ukraine” while advocating for “fair peace.”

The authorization comes as Ukraine faces renewed challenges, including a massive Russian drone and missile attack on energy infrastructure that officials described as the largest in recent months. Eight civilians died in one strike on a nine-story building in Sumy, prompting Zelenskyy to criticize attempts at diplomatic engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Biden administration’s shift represents its latest concession on advanced weapons systems, following previous reversals on tanks, Patriot air defense systems, and F-16 fighter jets that were initially denied to Ukraine.

AP

England Routs 10-Man Ireland 5-0 to Secure Nations League Promotion

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England Routs 10-Man Ireland 5-0 to Secure Nations League Promotion

England sealed promotion to the Nations League’s top tier with a commanding 5-0 victory over 10-man Ireland at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, giving interim manager Lee Carsley a triumphant farewell in his final match before Thomas Tuchel takes charge.

The game transformed early in the second half when Ireland’s Liam Scales received a second yellow card for fouling Jude Bellingham. Harry Kane converted the resulting penalty, triggering an avalanche of goals from England’s emerging talents.

Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallagher, Jarrod Bowen, and debutant Taylor Harwood-Bellis all scored their first international goals as England overwhelmed their depleted opponents. The victory, combined with superior head-to-head goals against Greece, secured England’s immediate return to League A without requiring playoffs.

“This represents everything we’ve been working toward,” Carsley told reporters. “The response after the red card showed the attacking quality we have in this squad.”

Real Madrid star Bellingham orchestrated England’s assault, providing assists for both Bowen and Harwood-Bellis after winning the penalty that broke the deadlock. His performance offered a reminder of his class despite recent struggles in Spain.

The first half had been a different story, with England controlling possession but failing to register a shot on target despite eight attempts. Ireland’s organized defense frustrated the hosts until Scales’ dismissal changed the complexion of the match.

England dominated the final statistics, holding 74% possession and outshooting Ireland 22-1. The visitors managed just one shot on target and failed to earn a single corner while conceding 12.

The result marks a perfect send-off for Carsley before Tuchel takes charge in January ahead of World Cup qualifying matches in March. Ireland must now contest a two-legged playoff in March against a League C runner-up to avoid relegation.

“Our first-half defensive discipline was excellent, but the red card made it impossible to maintain that level,” said Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson. “Against a team of England’s quality, you can’t afford to go down to 10 men.”

England’s demolition of Ireland, featuring four first-time scorers, suggests a bright future under incoming manager Tuchel, who will learn his World Cup qualifying opponents when the draw is held December 13.

Denmark’s Victoria Kjær Theilvig Wins Historic First Miss Universe Crown

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Denmark’s Victoria Kjær Theilvig Wins Historic First Miss Universe Crown

Victoria Kjær Theilvig made history Sunday night as Denmark’s first Miss Universe winner, claiming the crown at a spectacular ceremony in Mexico City that featured performances by the Black Eyed Peas’ Taboo and 131 mariachi musicians.

Theilvig, an animal protection advocate who works in diamond sales, edged out Miss Nigeria in the final round, with Miss Mexico taking third place. The victory marks Denmark’s first win in the pageant’s 73-year history.

The grand finale at Mexico City Arena drew passionate crowds of flag-waving supporters from around the world to the 20,000-capacity venue. The evening opened with a performance of “Mexicana,” a song specially created for the contest by Emilio Estefan, featuring Taboo and the mariachi ensemble.

More than 120 contestants competed in this year’s pageant, including first-time participants from Belarus, Eritrea, Guinea, Macau, Maldives, Moldova, and Uzbekistan. The event was hosted by Mario López, alongside former Miss Universe winners Olivia Culpo (2012) and Catriona Gray (2018), and presenter Zuri Hall.

The competition marks Mexico’s third time hosting the international pageant, showcasing the country’s cultural heritage while celebrating global beauty and diversity on one of pageantry’s most prestigious stages.

Trump Defense Secretary Pick Hegseth Paid Settlement Over Sexual Assault Allegation, Lawyer Says

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Trump Defense Secretary Pick Hegseth Paid Settlement Over Sexual Assault Allegation, Lawyer Says

President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, made a confidential payment to settle allegations of sexual assault from a 2017 incident in California, though his lawyer maintains the encounter was consensual and the payment aimed to prevent a baseless lawsuit.

The settlement stemmed from accusations made after Hegseth spoke at a Republican women’s event in Monterey, California. According to his attorney Tim Parlatore, Hegseth agreed to the payment years after the police investigation to avoid potential dismissal from his position at Fox News, where he worked as a host at the time.

“He was falsely accused and my position is that he was the victim of blackmail,” Parlatore told The Associated Press on Sunday, describing it as a case of “successful extortion.” Parlatore characterized the woman as the “aggressor” in the encounter, though this claim remains unverified in official statements.

According to city records, the incident occurred between 11:59 p.m. October 7 and 7 a.m. the following morning. The accuser, whose identity was not disclosed, reported bruising on their right thigh, though no weapons were involved. No criminal charges were filed.

The Washington Post reported receiving a memo sent to Trump’s transition team this past week from someone claiming to be a friend of the accuser, detailing the assault allegations. Trump’s transition team has not commented on the memo.

The allegations surface amid scrutiny of Hegseth’s personal life, including two divorces. Court records show his second marriage ended after he had a child with a Fox News producer, whom he later married. His first marriage also ended in 2009 following infidelity, according to court documents.

Trump transition spokesman Steven Cheung defended the nomination: “Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed. We look forward to his confirmation as United States Secretary of Defense so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again.”

The 44-year-old nominee was in Monterey addressing the California Federation of Republican Women’s biennial convention when the alleged incident occurred, according to social media posts and promotional materials from the time.

Monterey officials have withheld additional details from the police report, citing state public records law exemptions for law enforcement analysis and conclusions.

apnews.com

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