The World Brief for Thursday, November 12, 2026. Listen to today’s episode, or read each of today’s 18 stories below. Every story has an article with links to its sources.
United States
Brooklyn Building Collapse Kills Two and Injures 17
Two killed and 17 injured after a Brooklyn building collapsed into an excavation site on Wednesday; rescuers search for people possibly trapped beneath the rubble.
Russia, Ukraine Agree in Principle to Prisoner Swap
Russia and Ukraine agreed in principle to a large prisoner swap at US-mediated Abu Dhabi talks, which ended without a major breakthrough on peace.
US envoys meet Putin in Moscow after Abu Dhabi talks
US envoys Kushner and Witkoff are in Moscow to meet Putin after Abu Dhabi talks on Ukraine ended without a public breakthrough, before flying to Dublin to meet Zelensky.
Soldier Rebukes Hegseth at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Guard rebukes Defense Secretary Hegseth and aides at Arlington’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day; Pentagon calls reminder respectful.
Trump Defends Iran War in Veterans Day Speech at Arlington
Trump defended the Iran war at a Veterans Day event at Arlington, where Defence Secretary Hegseth was publicly rebuked for lack of decorum at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
US Faces Losing Measles Elimination Status as Cases Surge
Experts meet in Washington this week to decide whether the US keeps its measles elimination status amid the country’s worst outbreak in decades.
Judge Lets Trump’s $10bn Suit Against BBC Move Forward
A Florida judge let Trump’s $10bn defamation suit against the BBC proceed, rejecting the broadcaster’s motion to dismiss over an edited January 6 speech.
Russia, China and U.S. Reportedly Discuss Limiting AI in Nuclear Arsenals
Russia, China and the U.S. are reportedly negotiating AI guardrails for nuclear arsenals ahead of a trilateral summit next week in Shenzhen.
At Least 23 States Weigh Laws on ICE Activity at Schools
At least 23 US states considered laws this year on ICE activity at schools, as educators face a patchwork of policies, NPR reports.
Around the world
Unions Say 4 Million Join Spain General Strike on Housing
Millions joined Spain’s first general strike in 14 years over housing costs and low wages. Clashes erupted in Madrid and Barcelona, with at least 73 arrests reported.
Israeli Strike on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital Kills at Least Six
An Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza killed at least six people, health officials said. Israel says it targeted a Hamas commander; Hamas calls it a war crime.
Italy Evacuates Schools After Hoax Bomb Threats Across Europe
Italian schools were evacuated Wednesday after hoax bomb threats, part of a wave of European threats and cyberattacks. Similar hoaxes reached schools in Britain and Ireland.
Pope Leo XIV Returns to Peru, Greeted by Crowds in Lima
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Lima, Peru, to large crowds on the last leg of his South American tour, returning to the country where he served as a missionary.
MSF Says Congo Ebola Outbreak Remains Out of Control
MSF says Congo’s Ebola outbreak remains out of control six months in, with aid not reaching frontline workers and over 11,000 confirmed cases.
Indonesia’s Vice President Gibran Resigns Amid Diploma Row
Indonesia’s vice president Gibran Rakabuming Raka resigns amid a row over his education credentials and court rulings on his eligibility.
Pakistani Taliban Claim Attack That Killed 10 Police in Kohat
Gunmen killed 10 police officers in Kohat, Pakistan, on Wednesday. The Pakistani Taliban claimed the attack, and police say 18 fighters died.
Drones Set Fire at Russia’s Ust-Luga Port, Injuring Three
Ukrainian drones set fire to Russia’s Ust-Luga Baltic port, injuring three workers, officials say. Ukraine reports five oil tanks damaged.
B.C. Officers Kill Four Grizzly Bears Linked to Fatal Attack
Four grizzly bears, a sow and three cubs, were killed in British Columbia after DNA linked them to a fatal attack on a mother and daughter.
World Brief is written with AI assistance from published reporting and narrated with an AI-generated voice.