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Yemen’s Houthis Claim Downing of US Drone as Military Investigates

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Yemen’s Houthis Claim Downing of US Drone as Military Investigates

Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed Friday they shot down an American drone, potentially adding another U.S. aircraft to the growing list of unmanned vehicles lost over the war-torn country as tensions escalate in the Red Sea region.

The U.S. military acknowledged it was investigating videos circulating online showing what appears to be a flaming aircraft plummeting from the sky and burning debris scattered across what observers described as Yemen’s al-Jawf province. Military officials declined to provide further details about the incident.

While the quality of the nighttime footage makes aircraft identification difficult, the Houthis later specified they had downed an American MQ-9 Reaper drone, a $30 million aircraft capable of flying at altitudes up to 50,000 feet for 24 hours. The rebels have previously shot down similar U.S. drones in 2017, 2019, 2023, and 2024, though the U.S. military has not disclosed the total number lost.

The incident occurs amid an intensifying campaign of Houthi attacks on commercial shipping. The Iran-aligned rebels have targeted more than 90 vessels with missiles and drones since October 2023, when the Israel-Hamas war began in Gaza. Their campaign has resulted in four sailor deaths, one vessel seizure, and two ships sunk, despite many attacks being thwarted by a U.S.-led coalition.

The Houthis possess surface-to-air missiles, including the Iranian-made “358,” capable of downing aircraft. While Iran denies arming the rebels, Tehran-manufactured weapons have been discovered both on Yemen’s battlefields and in intercepted sea shipments, despite a United Nations arms embargo.

The rebels, who seized northern Yemen and its capital Sanaa in 2014, form part of Iran’s self-described “Axis of Resistance” alongside Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Hamas, and other militant groups. They claim to target vessels linked to Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom to pressure an end to Israel’s Gaza campaign, though many attacked ships have had little or no connection to the conflict.

In response to the maritime threats, the U.S. military deployed B-2 stealth bombers against Houthi underground bunkers in October, marking a significant escalation in the confrontation.

Minnesota Man Kills Four Family Members Before Taking Own Life, Police Say

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Minnesota Man Kills Four Family Members Before Taking Own Life, Police Say

A man fatally shot his wife, ex-partner and two sons before turning the gun on himself Thursday afternoon in what police describe as a devastating murder-suicide that has shocked this northern Minnesota community.

Anthony Nephew, 46, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside his West 6th Street home alongside the bodies of his wife, Kathryn Ramsland, 45, and their seven-year-old son Oliver, police said. Officers later discovered Nephew’s ex-partner, Erin Abramson, and another son dead at a separate residence less than a mile away.

The tragedy comes after years of Nephew’s public discussions about mental health struggles. In 2022, he wrote a column for the Duluth News Tribune warning about the consequences of untreated mental illness in America.

“Mental health in this country is stigmatized, ignored, or treated as a burden for the individual to bear alone, with little help and less understanding,” Nephew wrote. “Finally the synapses overload, and they suffer a breakdown. For most of us, that’s the best end result. For millions of Americans, a breakdown leads to suicide — or homicide before suicide.”

Social media posts reveal Nephew’s increasing distress in recent months. “My mental health and the world can no longer peacefully coexist, and a lot of the reason is religion,” he wrote in July, expressing fears about religious extremism and its potential impact on his family.

Nephew, who previously described himself as a suicide “survivor,” had been particularly vocal about political concerns, including women’s rights and domestic violence issues. He referenced “The Handmaid’s Tale” in posts criticizing Republican policies, writing “Gilead here we come,” referring to the dystopian society depicted in the novel.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims’ families and loved ones involved in this tragic event,” the Duluth Police Department said in a statement, adding there is no ongoing threat to the community.

Prominent Gaza Islamic Scholar Condemns Hamas Attack in Landmark Fatwa

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Prominent Gaza Islamic Scholar Condemns Hamas Attack in Landmark Fatwa

One of Gaza’s most influential Islamic scholars has issued a rare and forceful religious ruling condemning Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, arguing that the assault violated fundamental Islamic principles and brought catastrophic consequences to the Palestinian people.

Professor Dr. Salman al-Dayah, former dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Law at the Hamas-affiliated Islamic University of Gaza, published a detailed six-page fatwa criticizing the militant group for “violating Islamic principles governing jihad.” The ruling represents a significant challenge to Hamas, which frequently employs religious justification for its actions against Israel.

“If the pillars, causes, or conditions of jihad are not met, it must be avoided in order to avoid destroying people’s lives,” al-Dayah wrote in his ruling. “This is something that is easy to guess for our country’s politicians, so the attack must have been avoided.”

The scholarly rebuke comes as Gaza faces unprecedented devastation following Israel’s military response to the October 7 attack, in which Hamas gunmen killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. The Hamas-run health ministry reports more than 43,400 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s subsequent military campaign.

Al-Dayah’s fatwa, a non-binding Islamic legal opinion, argues that the massive civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure in Gaza directly contradict Islamic teachings. He cites specific Quranic verses and prophetic traditions that establish strict conditions for conducting jihad, including avoiding actions that could provoke disproportionate retaliation.

“Human life is more precious to God than Mecca,” al-Dayah declared in the document, while criticizing Hamas for failing to protect Palestinian civilians and maintain essential services. The scholar emphasized that Islamic law requires military actions to not trigger responses exceeding their intended benefits.

The ruling carries particular weight given al-Dayah’s status as a moderate Salafist scholar who has long opposed both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. His fundamentalist approach, seeking to follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad and early Muslim generations, places him at odds with Hamas’s political ideology and its alliance with Shia-ruled Iran.

“Our scholar refused to leave his home in northern Gaza despite the fears of Israeli air strikes. He chose to fulfil his religious duty by issuing his legal opinion on the attack,” said Sheikh Ashraf Ahmed, one of al-Dayah’s students who fled Gaza City with his family. Ahmed described the fatwa as “the most powerful legal judgment of a historical moment.”

Al-Dayah has consistently advocated for an Islamic caliphate adhering strictly to religious law, rather than political party systems. “Our role model is the Prophet Muhammad, who founded a nation and did not establish political parties that divide the nation. Therefore, parties in Islam are forbidden,” he stated in an earlier sermon.

The scholar’s condemnation adds to growing debate within Gaza and the broader Arab world over Hamas’s actions. His fatwa is expected to intensify discussions about the legitimacy of armed resistance tactics in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, particularly given his reputation for issuing thoughtful religious guidance on issues ranging from commercial transactions to political violence.

Two Dead, 12 Missing After Fishing Boat Sinks Off South Korean Coast

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A fishing vessel capsized and sank off South Korea’s Jeju island early Friday, leaving at least two South Korean crew members dead and 12 others missing, as rescue teams battle strong winds and high waves in their search efforts.

Coast guard officials said 15 crew members were pulled from the water by nearby fishing vessels, but two were later pronounced dead after reaching shore. The remaining 13 survivors, including nine Indonesians, did not suffer life-threatening injuries, according to Jeju coast guard official Kim Han-na.

The 129-ton boat, carrying 27 crew members — 16 South Koreans and 11 Indonesians — departed from Jeju’s Seogwipo port late Thursday for mackerel fishing. A distress signal was received around 4:30 a.m. Friday from a nearby vessel that initiated rescue efforts approximately 22 kilometers northwest of the island.

At least 30 vessels and 13 aircraft from South Korea’s coast guard, police, fire service, and military have been deployed in the search operation, supported by 13 civilian vessels. Rescue efforts have been hampered by strong winds and two-meter waves.

Jung Moo-won, Jeju coast guard’s director of security and safety, confirmed that divers have located the sunken vessel and begun searching it. Among the 12 missing crew members, 10 are South Korean nationals. South Korean officials have contacted the Indonesian Embassy regarding the Indonesian crew members.

President Yoon Suk Yeol has ordered officials to mobilize all available resources for the search and rescue operation.

VOA

Federal Judge Blocks Biden Program for Immigrant Spouse Citizenship

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Federal Judge Blocks Biden Program for Immigrant Spouse Citizenship

A federal judge in Texas ruled Thursday against President Joe Biden’s immigration initiative that would have provided a path to citizenship for approximately 500,000 undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens, potentially keeping the program blocked through the end of Biden’s presidency.

U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker determined the program, known as Keeping Families Together, exceeded Biden’s executive authority. The initiative, launched in August, was quickly frozen by Barker while he considered a legal challenge from Texas and other states led by Republican attorneys general.

Biden introduced the program in June before ending his re-election campaign, clearing the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to face Donald Trump in Tuesday’s election. Trump, who defeated Harris, had denounced the initiative as “mass amnesty” that would encourage illegal immigration.

The ruling comes as immigration remains a central focus of national politics. A Reuters/Ipsos poll completed Thursday found Americans consider immigration the most pressing issue for Trump to address when he assumes office in January, with a majority expecting him to order mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.

The Biden administration could appeal the decision, though the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Trump’s campaign has indicated he would likely roll back the program as part of a broader immigration crackdown after taking office.

Southern California Wildfire Destroys 132 Structures as Winds Begin to Ease

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Southern California Wildfire Destroys 132 Structures as Winds Begin to Ease

A fast-moving wildfire in Southern California has destroyed 132 structures, primarily homes, and damaged 88 others in less than two days, fire officials reported Thursday, as the fierce Santa Ana winds that fueled the blaze showed signs of subsiding.

The Mountain Fire, which erupted Wednesday morning in Ventura County, has grown to approximately 32 square miles (83 square kilometers) with only 5% containment. Ten people have suffered non-life-threatening injuries, mostly from smoke inhalation, according to Ventura County Sheriff James Fryhoff.

Approximately 10,000 residents remain under evacuation orders as the blaze threatens 3,500 structures across suburban neighborhoods, ranches, and agricultural areas around Camarillo. Fire crews, supported by water-dropping helicopters, are focusing their efforts on protecting homes along the fire’s northeast edge near Santa Paula, a city of 30,000 residents.

“This was their forever retirement home,” said Kelly Barton, watching firefighters sift through the ruins of her parents’ ranch house in Camarillo. Her father managed to save four vintage cars before flames consumed their home of 20 years, but lost two others, including a cherished Chevy Nova he’d owned since age 18.

Ariel Cohen, meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service in Oxnard, reported that while Santa Ana winds were diminishing in lower elevations Thursday evening, gusty conditions persisted in higher terrain. Red flag warnings will expire Friday morning in the Santa Susana Mountains, though forecasters predict another round of Santa Ana winds early next week.

The blaze has struck a region with a history of destructive fires, including the 2018 Woolsey Fire that killed three people and destroyed 1,600 homes, and the 2017 Thomas Fire that consumed more than 1,000 structures. Southern California Edison, which has paid millions in settlements after its equipment was blamed for both previous fires, has cut power to nearly 70,000 customers across five counties as a precautionary measure.

Marcus Eriksen, whose Santa Paula farm was threatened by the flames, credited firefighters with saving his home and vehicles while battling 30-foot flames. “We dodged a bullet, big time,” he said, praising their efforts to protect his property even as piles of compost and wood chips burned.

Governor Gavin Newsom has proclaimed a state of emergency in Ventura County as the fire continues to threaten communities. More than a dozen school districts have closed, with some expected to remain shuttered Friday.

The cause of the Mountain Fire, which explosively grew from less than half a square mile to more than 16 square miles in just five hours on Wednesday, remains under investigation.

apnews.com

Violence Against Israeli Soccer Fans in Amsterdam Leaves Five Hospitalized, Dozens Arrested

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Violence Against Israeli Soccer Fans in Amsterdam Leaves Five Hospitalized, Dozens Arrested

Amsterdam authorities reported Friday that five people were hospitalized and 62 arrested following what they described as systematic antisemitic violence targeting Israeli soccer fans after Thursday’s Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.

The attacks prompted swift diplomatic response, with Israeli Foreign Minister rushing to the Netherlands and both countries’ leaders condemning the violence. Amsterdam police announced a major investigation into multiple violent incidents and increased security measures around Jewish institutions in the city.

“This outburst of violence toward Israeli supporters is unacceptable and cannot be defended in any way. There is no excuse for the antisemitic behavior exhibited last night,” said a joint statement from Amsterdam’s municipality, police, and prosecution office. The statement detailed how rioters “actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack and assault them” despite heavy police presence.

Local authorities had anticipated potential unrest, with Mayor Femke Halsema banning a pro-Palestinian demonstration near the Johan Cruyff Arena. Before the match, Dutch broadcaster NOS reported confrontations as riot police blocked pro-Palestinian supporters attempting to march toward the stadium, and a Palestinian flag was torn from a building in the city center.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office declared that “the harsh pictures of the assault on our citizens in Amsterdam will not be overlooked,” demanding “vigorous and swift action” from Dutch authorities. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof responded on social media that he followed events “with horror” and assured Netanyahu that “perpetrators will be tracked down and prosecuted.”

The violence highlights growing security concerns around matches involving Israeli teams across Europe. Belgium’s soccer federation recently declined to host a Nations League game against Israel, which was subsequently played behind closed doors in Hungary.

UEFA, European soccer’s governing body, now faces pressure to review security arrangements for upcoming matches involving Israeli teams, including Israel’s Nations League game against France in Paris next Thursday and Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Europa League fixture against Besiktas in Istanbul on November 28.

Amsterdam officials announced enhanced police patrols in coming days and strengthened security around Jewish institutions in the city, historically home to a significant Jewish community and Anne Frank’s hiding place during World War II.

The match itself, which Ajax won 5-0, was overshadowed by the subsequent violence. Israeli authorities initially planned to send two planes to evacuate their citizens but later indicated they would arrange alternative civil aviation solutions for their return.

Putin Congratulates Trump, Praises Courage During Assassination Attempt

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Putin Congratulates Trump, Praises Courage During Assassination Attempt

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his first public response to the U.S. election Thursday, congratulating Donald Trump on his victory while praising the president-elect’s composure during the July assassination attempt.

“His behavior at the moment of an attempt on his life left an impression on me. He turned out to be a brave man,” Putin said during a question-and-answer session at an international forum in Sochi. “He manifested himself in the very correct way, bravely as a man.”

Putin acknowledged Trump’s stated intentions to improve U.S.-Russia relations and resolve the Ukrainian conflict, calling these positions worthy of attention. The Kremlin had previously expressed interest in Trump’s claim that he could end the Ukraine war “in 24 hours,” while emphasizing it would await concrete policy measures.

However, Putin remained noncommittal about future relations. “I don’t know what will happen now. I have no idea,” he said, noting this would be Trump’s final term. Putin, who began his fifth term this year extending to 2030 with the option for six more years, added, “What he will do is his matter.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated possible communication between the leaders before inauguration, referencing Trump’s stated intention to call Putin. However, Peskov maintained Moscow’s classification of the U.S. as an “unfriendly” country directly involved in the Ukrainian conflict.

The Kremlin’s measured response reflects its complex view of U.S.-Russia relations. While acknowledging Trump’s expressed admiration for Putin, the Russian leader has noted that Trump’s first term saw unprecedented sanctions against Russia. “So many restrictions and sanctions against Russia like no other president has ever introduced before him,” Putin has previously stated.

Peskov dismissed concerns about delayed congratulations affecting future relations, stating that U.S.-Russia ties are already at their “lowest point in history” and suggesting any improvement would depend on the new U.S. administration’s initiatives.

Osimhen Double Powers Galatasaray Past 10-Man Tottenham in Istanbul

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Osimhen Double Powers Galatasaray Past 10-Man Tottenham in Istanbul

Victor Osimhen struck twice as Galatasaray handed Tottenham their first Europa League defeat of the season Thursday, securing a 3-2 victory that moved the Turkish league leaders to the top of the group despite teenage forward Will Lankshear’s first senior goal for Spurs.

The hosts dominated proceedings at the notoriously hostile Rams Park, with Yunus Akgun opening the scoring in the sixth minute through a spectacular 20-yard left-foot volley past Tottenham goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

Lankshear, 19, briefly leveled for Spurs on his second start for the club, converting from close range after Brennan Johnson’s setup. However, the young forward’s evening turned sour when he received two yellow cards in quick succession, leading to his dismissal on the hour mark.

Osimhen, on loan from Napoli, capitalized on defensive errors to restore Galatasaray’s lead, pouncing on Radu Dragusin’s mistake to convert Dries Mertens’ pass. The Nigerian international doubled his tally with an unmarked finish from Mertens’ right-wing cross.

Substitute Dominic Solanke’s late tap-in from Pedro Porro’s assist gave the scoreline a deceptive look, as Galatasaray thoroughly dominated with 28 shots on goal. Only Forster’s heroics and wasteful finishing prevented a more emphatic victory for Okan Buruk’s side.

Despite the defeat, Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham remain well-positioned to advance with nine points from four matches, though his decision to start six regular starters on the bench may face scrutiny after his team’s defensive struggles.

Lankshear, who signed a new five-year contract with Spurs this summer after arriving from Sheffield United in 2022, marked his milestone goal with his only touch in the Galatasaray penalty area. However, his evening unraveled after an initial booking for backing into a defender, followed by a rash challenge on former Norwich player Gabriel Sara that earned his dismissal.

The defeat exposed Tottenham’s persistent difficulties in playing out from the back, with many of Galatasaray’s chances stemming from the visitors’ errors, even as they showed improved resilience after being reduced to ten men.

Chelsea Sets Conference League Record with 8-0 Rout of Noah

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Chelsea Sets Conference League Record with 8-0 Rout of Noah

Chelsea demolished Armenian side Noah 8-0 at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night, setting a UEFA Conference League record for largest margin of victory while securing their position atop the group standings.

The Blues struck six times before halftime in a ruthless display that featured goals from six different scorers, marking their most emphatic victory since an identical scoreline against Aston Villa in December 2012.

Centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo opened the scoring with his first Chelsea goal from a corner, before Marc Guiu capitalized on a Noah turnover directly from kickoff to double the lead. Axel Disasi made it three from another corner, converting Enzo Fernandez’s delivery, with the Argentine midfielder completing a first-half hat-trick of assists when he set up Joao Felix for the fourth.

Mykhailo Mudryk added the fifth before Felix notched his second via deflection to complete an extraordinary opening 45 minutes.

Manager Enzo Maresca, who handed 18-year-old academy graduate Tyrique George his first senior start, maintained most of his lineup into the second half despite the commanding lead. Christopher Nkunku, who entered the match with four goals in four Conference League appearances this season, added two more to complete the rout — first following up his own rebound and later converting from the penalty spot.

The decision to let Nkunku take the penalty rather than allow Felix to pursue his hat-trick drew some criticism from supporters on social media.

The historic victory, achieved with a heavily rotated squad showcasing Chelsea’s considerable depth, strengthens their grip on the group as they continue their European campaign.

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