分类： world

In a significant diplomatic move, the Lithuanian government announced on Wednesday the reopening of its two border crossings with Belarus, weeks after their closure due to disruptions caused by cigarette-smuggling balloons. The crossings at Medininkai and Šalčininkai will resume operations on Thursday, marking a potential thaw in the strained relations between the neighboring countries. The decision follows a month-long closure initiated in late October, which Lithuanian officials attributed to deliberate provocations by Belarus, a close ally of Russia. The reopening is expected to alleviate the plight of Lithuanian trucks stranded in Belarus, as Minsk had refused to create an exclusive evacuation corridor without a full border reopening. Technical negotiations between customs officials from both nations took place on Tuesday, paving the way for this resolution. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had previously threatened to seize over 1,200 stranded vehicles if Lithuania did not reopen the border, labeling the closure as part of a ‘hybrid war’ against his country. Lithuania, a NATO and EU member on the alliance’s eastern flank, has cautioned that the border could be shut again if airspace violations involving balloons or drones recur. Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė emphasized that the decision was made after several weeks of relative calm, but the government retains the right to close the borders if the situation deteriorates.

In a landmark legal battle, a Belgian farmer, Hugues Falys, is confronting French oil giant TotalEnergies in court, demanding accountability for climate change-induced damages. Supported by Greenpeace, Falys seeks financial compensation and urges the company to reduce its oil and gas production to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The lawsuit, filed in Tournai, Belgium, represents a growing trend of environmental activists holding major energy corporations responsible for their role in global warming. Falys, addressing a crowd of 50 supporters in the rain, emphasized his goal to compel TotalEnergies to adopt more sustainable practices, particularly for agriculture and society at large. TotalEnergies has not publicly commented on the case but has previously stated its commitment to reducing emissions and investing in renewable energy. This case is part of a broader wave of nearly 100 lawsuits worldwide targeting oil giants like BP, Exxon Mobil, and Shell over the past two decades. A 2023 UN report highlighted a significant increase in such litigation, though none have yet resulted in companies paying for climate-related damages. The hearing is expected to continue until mid-December. Globally, activists have achieved more success in suing governments than corporations. Notable rulings include the Dutch Supreme Court’s 2019 decision affirming climate protection as a human right and a 2021 Paris court ruling that held the French government accountable for climate inaction. Internationally, the UN’s top court recently issued an advisory opinion stating that nations failing to address climate change could face legal consequences. These cases, while still unfolding, are shaping the legal landscape for future climate-related litigation.

In a devastating overnight assault, Russia launched a massive drone and missile barrage across Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of 10 individuals and injuring dozens more. The attack targeted two nine-story apartment buildings in Ternopil, a city in western Ukraine, leaving emergency crews to search for survivors amidst the rubble. Ukrainian officials reported at least 37 injuries, including 12 children. According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia deployed 476 strike and decoy drones alongside 48 missiles of various types in the assault. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, stating on Telegram that such brazen acts highlight the insufficient international pressure on Russia to cease its aggression. Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a bid to strengthen diplomatic efforts to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin and increase global pressure to end the conflict. The Ukrainian leader emphasized the importance of achieving a ‘just peace’ and hinted at potential support from the United States, which is set to impose new sanctions on Russia’s oil industry. Meanwhile, the strikes extended beyond Ternopil, with nearly 50 injuries reported in three other Ukrainian regions. NATO member Romania scrambled fighter jets after a drone entered its airspace during the attacks, while Poland temporarily closed two airports to prioritize military aviation. In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, drone strikes injured 46 people, including two girls, and damaged civilian infrastructure. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have intercepted four U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles fired by Ukraine, with debris damaging an orphanage and a gerontology center, though no casualties were reported.

In a devastating overnight assault, Russian forces launched a massive attack on western Ukraine, resulting in significant casualties and destruction. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that nine people were killed and dozens injured in the city of Ternopil, where nine-story residential buildings were struck. The assault involved over 470 drones and 47 missiles, marking one of the deadliest attacks on western Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Zelensky described the attack as ‘brazen,’ emphasizing the widespread damage to energy facilities, transport, and civil infrastructure. Rescue operations are ongoing, with fears that people may still be trapped under the rubble. The Kharkiv region also suffered a massive drone attack, injuring more than 30 people, including children. Photos from the scene showed buildings and vehicles engulfed in flames. Power outages have been reported across multiple regions, further compounding the crisis. Zelensky, currently in Turkey for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, called for increased international support, stating that ‘every brazen attack against ordinary life shows that the pressure on Russia is insufficient.’ He urged for effective sanctions and aid to Ukraine to counter the aggression. Despite Zelensky’s efforts to intensify peace negotiations, the Kremlin has refused to send a representative to the talks in Ankara. This breaking news story is continuously updated, with more details expected shortly.

Global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo made a notable appearance at a high-profile White House black-tie dinner on Tuesday evening, rubbing shoulders with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and tech mogul Elon Musk. The event, hosted by former US President Donald Trump, underscored the deepening ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia, with Trump lauding the kingdom as a “major non-NATO ally.” Ronaldo, who has become a prominent figure in Saudi Arabia’s modernization efforts through his role in the Saudi Pro League, was personally praised by Trump, who humorously noted that his son Baron was a “big fan” of the Portuguese star. The dinner also marked Elon Musk’s first visit to the White House since his resignation from the Trump administration’s Department for Government Efficiency in April, following a highly publicized feud with the former president. Saudi Arabia’s strategic investments in sports and tourism, aimed at reducing its reliance on oil revenues, have drawn criticism from some quarters, with accusations of ‘sportswashing’ to divert attention from human rights concerns. Ronaldo, who has faced past allegations of sexual assault—claims he has vehemently denied—has embraced his role as a key figure in Saudi Arabia’s global image-building efforts, recently signing a lucrative two-year contract worth $400 million. His presence at the White House event highlights his continued influence both on and off the field.