US Ships Taiwan Strait

US Ships Taiwan Strait, Two US Navy ships sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, the third such operation this year and one that is sure to anger China.

Lieutenant Rachel McMarr, a spokeswoman for the US Pacific Fleet, said the destroyer USS Stockdale and oiler USNS Pecos sailed through the strait in a “routine” transit.

“The ships’ transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” McMarr said in a statement.

“The US Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows.”

Beijing protested after the US Navy sailed two warships through the Taiwan Strait on October 22, characterizing the move as an affront to its sovereignty.

Mississippi Hospital Kids Shot

Mississippi Hospital Kids Shot, Authorities say two children have been shot in a car near the University Of Mississippi Medical Center.

Jackson Police spokesman Roderick Holmes says two young children were shot Thursday afternoon. A woman in the car grabbed the children and went into the hospital for treatment.

Medical center spokesman Marc Rolph says both children are being evaluated in the emergency room with injuries that do not appear to be life-threatening.

Employees and students at the hospital and medical school received a text message alert at about 4:40 p.m. Thursday saying there was an active shooter in a parking garage. A follow-up text about a half hour later said there was no shooter on campus.

AP

Beyonce Nelson Mandela Letter

Beyonce Nelson Mandela Letter, The letter sees the 37-year-old “Halo” singer thanking Mandela — who passed away in 2013 — for teaching her life lessons that she can pass on to her children. She also writes of her conversations with the political leader, and how it will be an honor for her to perform at the forthcoming Global Citizen Festival that tributes him.

The Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 celebrates the former South African president one hundred years after his birth. In addition to Beyoncé (alongside husband JAY-Z) Black Coffee, Cassper Nyovest, D’banj, Ed Sheeran, Eddie Vedder, Femi Kuti, Kasey Musgraves, Pharrell Williams & Chris Martin, Sho Madjozi, Tiwa Savage, Usher, and Wizkid will be headlining.

The charity campaign seeks to raise $1 billion to help the world’s poorest with at least 50 percent going to women and girls worldwide. The event is set to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa on Dec. 2 and will air on MSNBC from 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. ET.