BBC News Briefing

28 November, 2024

Sofia Lotto Persio

Hello. After Russia's "massive strike" on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, Paul Adams reports on the damage. As the Republic of Ireland prepares for a general election, Declan Harvey talks to voters about their top concerns. In the UK, James Gallagher speaks to volunteers in a trial of a new, promising treatment for asthma attacks. And finally, as our American readers celebrate Thanksgiving, we have a video of astronauts enjoying a festive meal at zero gravity.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

More than one million without power

A crowd of people check their phones as they sit on the floor of a metro station in Kyiv that is used for shelter during missile strikes.

Energy suppliers introduced emergency power cuts to minimise damaging overloads to the country’s grid. Credit: Reuters

More than one million people across Ukraine have been left without power following a massive Russian strike targeting the country's energy infrastructure. The attack unfolded over several hours, with waves of drones and missiles flying across the length and breadth of the country, writes diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attack involved about "about 100 strike drones, more than 90 missiles of different types" including cluster munitions targeting civilian infrastructure. "These cluster munitions make it significantly more difficult for our rescuers and energy workers to eliminate the impact of the strikes". Russian President Vladimir Putin said the strike was in response to Ukraine's attacks with UK and US weapons last week. Get the latest.

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What happened: At least 12 areas, including three western regions, were hit. Kyiv was also targeted, but Ukrainian authorities say all those missiles were intercepted.

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US envoy: President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former national security adviser Keith Kellogg to be special envoy to Ukraine and Russia. He has advocated for tough negotiations to end the war.

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Maxim Shugalei: Bombastic propaganda films present the shadowy Russian political operative as a heroic figure, but he recently suffered a set-back when he was arrested in the central African nation of Chad.

WORLD HEADLINES

Prisoner swap: Three Americans detained in China were released in exchange for three Chinese prisoners in the US.

Disputed call: President-elect Donald Trump spoke to Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum about migration across the US Southern border. Their recollection of the conversation differs.

Mohamed Al Fayed: London's Metropolitan Police has said it is investigating more than five people who may have assisted or enabled the former Harrods' boss sexual offences.

Canadian hiker: Sam Benastick, who was reported missing more than five weeks ago, has been found alive in the backwoods of British Columbia.

Sanitary pads: Major manufacturers in China have apologised after being accused of selling menstrual products that are shorter than advertised.

AT THE SCENE

County Donegal, Republic of Ireland

Frustrations ahead of general election

A woman with short hair and green eyes looks outside the window as she sits in her kitchen

Emma is one of many voters who say they are not feeling the benefits of the country's healthy bank balance. Credit: BBC

Ireland will have a total budget surplus this year of €25bn (£20.8bn), which is made up in part by a huge tax windfall from Apple. But ahead of the polls opening on Friday in the country's general election, lots of voters say they feel “frustrated” and “grumpy”.

Declan Harvey, BBC News NI

In what is one of Europe's best performing economies, mum-of-four Emma says she lies awake at night worrying if her children will get the medical care they need. Her 16-year-old daughter waited so long to see a rheumatologist she “aged out” of child services, she says. “I hear we are one of the richest countries in the world and we have never been richer, but I don't see it," she says.

Keep reading

Election concerns: Pressures around housing, immigration and public services have dominated the campaign. These issues are often connected, find Fergal Keane and Larissa Kennelly.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

New treatment for asthma attacks

A man wearing a woolen hat and a scarf uses a blue asthma inhaler

It will still take a larger trial, due to start in 2025 and which will last two years, to be certain of any benefit. Credit: Getty Images

Researchers say they have found the first new treatment for asthma attacks in 50 years. Health and science correspondent James Gallagher speaks to trial volunteers who reported improved symptoms and a better quality of life on the new drug.

Find out more

A family is eating at a table for what appears to be a Thanksgiving dinner.A man is passing a dish to someone out of shot. He is sitting next to two teenage girl. They all look cheerful.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Why we feast

Very few species eat communally. Why do humans love it?

Read the story

And finally...

Nasa astronauts aboard the International Space Station showcased their vacuum-packed Thanksgiving meal ahead of the holiday. In a video, Don Pettit, Nick Hague, Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore said they were thankful for zero gravity.

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– Sofia

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