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·13 November 2026 · 16:36 UTCBreaking

Industrial byproducts replace cement in concrete, cutting CO2 emissions and costs while boosting compressive strength, per Discover Civil Engineering review

The review of 30 studies found that substituting 5% of cement with paper slag ash raised compressive strength by 15.22%, while replacing 50% of sand and 80% of gravel with marble waste boosted it by 28% and 39.24%, respectively. Cement production alone releases about 1,350 million tons of greenhouse gases annually.

·13 November 2026 · 16:36 UTCBreaking

Kushner says Russia agreed to include Europe in Ukraine peace talks; Kremlin's Peskov says Europe must show commitment first

Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, said both sides agreed to expand talks to address postwar European security alongside territorial issues. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov added that Europe must display genuine readiness to contribute, while EU policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed Europeans must be at the table to influence the outcome.

+4 sources3 updates

13 November 2026 · 12:29 UTCPutin 'willing to give it a try' with European negotiators on Ukraine peace, Kushner says; Moscow hasn't agreed to talks with Europe yet 12 November 2026 · 18:09 UTCPutin warns Russia will target foreign troops in Ukraine as US-brokered Abu Dhabi talks yield prisoner swap but no breakthrough; envoys head to Dublin

+1 source·13 November 2026 · 16:36 UTCBreaking

London police investigate children's author and comedian David Walliams over alleged serious sexual offences; allegations separate from media reports

The Metropolitan Police said it received a number of allegations of non-recent serious sexual offences involving a man now in his 50s, and detectives are also reviewing the ITV News and Guardian reports for evidence of other crimes. Det. Supt. Mike Cagney encouraged victims to come forward, noting specialist officers are available to support them.

+2 sources·13 November 2026 · 16:24 UTCBreaking

Man dies after crude bomb disguised as rasgulla explodes in his mouth; police arrest two, probe whether it was prank or murder

The explosive, locally called a 'suar mar bomb,' is a dough ball packed with gunpowder used by villagers to kill wild boars. Police officer Rekha Singh said the motive is unclear, adding 'We don't know if the motive was to kill, or if it was a mischief.'

+1 source·13 November 2026 · 16:24 UTCBreaking

North Korea alters national flag for first time since 1948, widening white stripes and slimming ratio as Kim Jong Un remakes Soviet-era design; move institutionalizes 'two hostile states' doctrine

The new flag, published in the updated constitution, keeps the red star and blue bands but widens white stripes to a third of the blue bands' width. Analysts say the change preserves the Kim family's revolutionary heritage while legally cementing the 'two hostile states' policy, which also led to scrubbing unification references from the constitution and anthem.

+2 sources·13 November 2026 · 16:24 UTCBreaking

African Miss Universe contestants in limbo as US visa restrictions bite; Zambia's Pamela Mubanga withdraws, South Sudan's Amylia Deng says '50/50'

Zimbabwe's Roseanna Hall said she has spent weeks in South Africa trying to get approval, and at least 15 contestants have pulled out overall, some due to visa issues and others for franchise or personal reasons. The Miss Universe organization in Zambia stressed Mubanga's withdrawal was a direct consequence of the travel ban, not her paperwork.

·13 November 2026 · 16:24 UTCBreaking

Europe seeks seat at Ukraine peace talks but lacks unified voice; Kremlin says no decision made on EU joining negotiations

EU leaders broadly agree on joining trilateral talks, but Russia opposes European involvement, arguing they finance Ukraine's military. Kaja Kallas claims the envoy role, saying 'I'm the one who is representing Europe,' while Merz pleads for no surprises in upcoming Trump-Putin talks.

+2 sources·13 November 2026 · 15:50 UTC

Lawmakers demand Howard Lutnick testify over Nvidia chip sales; he agrees to appear before Senate Banking Committee amid bipartisan blowback

Bessent said Treasury, Defense, State, and USTR favored blacklisting Megaspeed for months, but Commerce 'has the pen.' Sen. Kennedy called for a congressional investigation, while Sen. Banks alleged Lutnick 'used loopholes' to allow chip sales.

+2 sources·13 November 2026 · 15:48 UTC

Eleanor Donaldson, wife of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, placed on sex offenders' register for five years; given three-year supervision order

Judge Paul Ramsey imposed the supervision treatment order on medical advice, calling it 'inevitable' and 'most appropriate' among four options under mental health legislation. Eleanor, 60, appeared via video link for less than three minutes, her first court appearance since 2025, and will be supervised by a social worker from the Craigavon community mental health team.

+1 source·13 November 2026 · 14:25 UTC

Andy Burnham says 'there's a long way to go' on EU trade deal as he prepares to meet leaders in Brussels next week; food deal could boost GDP by 0.4%

The food deal, potentially worth £5.1bn a year, would scrap most export health checks and bring back pet passports. However, some EU member states are pushing to link the deal to cutting university fees for EU students, a compromise of around £12,300 per year has been floated.

·13 November 2026 · 13:43 UTC

Indonesia's upper house to pick new vice president on December 2 after Gibran's resignation; speaker requests two names from Prabowo

Gibran called his resignation a personal decision, unrelated to education credentials, while Jokowi urged continued support for Prabowo. The house formed a 36-lawmaker team to verify candidates' credentials before the December 2 vote.

+1 source·13 November 2026 · 13:43 UTC

Iran says LNG tanker hit mine, exploded in Strait of Hormuz on 'unauthorised and dangerous route'; attacks on shipping intensify

The incident follows a surge in attacks, with at least 10 ships hit in the first 10 days of November after 37 attacks in October, the highest monthly tally since the conflict began. Iran's top negotiator Ghalibaf said navigation would never return to pre-war conditions, while U.S. President Trump declared 'We don't need a deal with Iran'.

·13 November 2026 · 13:43 UTC

Russia seeks Finland's NATO exit and Baltic military base ban in Ukraine talks, per Bild report; Peskov denies demand

The proposals, shared with European representatives in Abu Dhabi, aim to establish 'a new European security order' and would require Ukraine to remain permanently non-aligned, while Russia would keep all occupied territory and gain the entire Donbas. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied the Finland demand, saying it was not discussed.

·13 November 2026 · 13:43 UTC

Russia hit by second car bomb in as many days as peace talks continue; former adviser Serhiy Zavorotny injured in blast

Overnight attacks killed at least 12 people across Ukraine and Russia, including a 17-year-old in Odesa and four in Samara. Unconfirmed reports claim Zavorotny lost his left arm and suffered a brain injury, broken ribs and right leg.

+1 source·13 November 2026 · 13:15 UTC

Moscow car bomb severely injures former aide to Ukraine's pro-Russia ex-PM; Russian investigators launch criminal probe

The blast occurred a day after a car bomb in St Petersburg killed a Russian air force colonel, and Ukraine has not commented on either attack. Zavorotniy, 72, lost his left arm and was in an induced coma, according to Russian media.

·13 November 2026 · 13:14 UTC

After deadly rampage near Logan Circle, DC community pulls together; LGBTQ+ bar JR's opens doors as safe space

Residents emphasized unity, with Judy Harris saying, 'This is a community that pulls together.' Jennifer Zwilling, CEO of the Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center, brought pizzas from Andy's, and Seth Guidry of Stonewall Sports noted that Vida Fitness's sense of safety was 'challenged today.'

·13 November 2026 · 12:54 UTC

Van Hollen challenges Schumer for Senate Majority Leader as Democrats split; Sanders backs Van Hollen, Schatz endorses Schumer

Van Hollen cites the American people's call for change from Trump's policies and the status quo, while Schumer remains adamant about leading the new Democratic majority. Schatz urges the caucus to 'move quickly to vote, unify and get to work,' and King compares Schumer to a manager who just won the World Series.

·13 November 2026 · 12:37 UTC

Quantum Systems says German military drones flying again after cyberattack grounding; spokesperson: 'fleet is operating normally around the globe'

The grounding had prevented Quantum Systems from participating in a recent military exercise, according to the Financial Times. The Bundeswehr was the only customer to ground its systems as a precaution, the spokesperson added.

·13 November 2026 · 12:37 UTC

Australian teen William rescued after six days in bushland on one packet of chips; mother says he's fit, healthy, only 'a few scratches'

His mother Elizabeth Barkley said she 'just lost it' during the ordeal, adding 'my prayers have been answered.' William is craving a 'big McDonald's order' but is not allowed to eat too much during recovery.

+3 sources3 updates

12 November 2026 · 21:25 UTCMissing teen with autism found alive after six days in Victorian bushland; rescue involved over 100 personnel, mother jokes he's 'grounded for life'12 November 2026 · 16:49 UTCAustralian teen William, 17, with autism found alive after 6 days lost in bush; mother says 'he's grounded for life'

·13 November 2026 · 12:29 UTC

EU AI summit expected to be overshadowed by Ukraine war; leaders set to discuss competing with US and China in AI race

Analysts voiced skepticism that the EU could overcome structural shortcomings in the AI race. The summit marks the bloc's first dedicated AI gathering, but the Ukraine conflict threatens to divert attention from the technology agenda.