Middle East latest: Israeli strikes kill 31 in Gaza and 6 east of Beirut; US aid deadline expires

Periods of rain are expected to continue into the weekend, with a high of 9 C during the day and a UV index of 1. At night, temperatures will drop to a low of 6 C. In B.C., storm watchers in Ucluelet are monitoring a "bomb cyclone" off Vancouver Island, more concerned about potential disappointment than safety risks. Full Article

China is increasing its efforts to stockpile microchips from the US to prepare for potential sanctions from the incoming administration of president-elect Donald Trump, with purchases reaching US$1.11 billion in October, a 60 per cent increase from last year. China has imported US$9.61 billion of microchips from the US over the first 10 months of the year, focusing on CPU-based processors and controllers, as well as chips for storage and signal amplification, to meet its...

Russia has fired an intercontinental ballistic missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, marking the first use of this weapon in war. The missile was launched from the Russian region of Astrakhan, causing damage to industrial infrastructure in Dnipro. Ukraine had previously fired US and UK missiles at targets inside Russia, leading to rising tensions in the conflict. Full Article

In 2019, Ephrem Yaline-Ngonzo was approached by a Russian to help promote the activities of the Central African Republic’s army and Russian forces. Initially believing he was doing the right thing, the journalist later realized the potential ethical concerns surrounding this collaboration. As the situation unfolded, Yaline-Ngonzo grappled with the complexities of his involvement and the implications of supporting these military operations. Full Article

A volcano on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula erupted for the seventh time in a year, with the latest event creating a 1.8-mile-long fissure. Despite being smaller than previous eruptions, authorities warned of gas emissions in the area, including the nearby town of Grindavik. The eruption poses no threat to air travel, but monitoring continues to ensure safety. Full Article

A dad, Andrew Frazer, was left in an induced coma after being punched outside a nightclub in Benidorm while on vacation for his brother's birthday. Despite not having travel insurance, he was initially treated and sent back to his hotel, but his condition deteriorated, requiring emergency surgery for a serious brain bleed. His family is fundraising for a medical flight home, as Andrew remains in a coma, unable to walk or talk, with his skull...