Israeli forces have been conducting intense airstrikes in northern Gaza, targeting hospitals and civilian areas. According to reports, at least 33 people have been killed and many more injured in the latest strikes on Jabalia. The attacks have also left patients trapped in three partially functioning hospitals, with no power or medical supplies.
Fact-checking a claim by former President Donald Trump, an 18th-century law may be used for mass deportations. The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 allows the president to detain and deport non-citizens from hostile nations during wartime. However, legal experts say Trump lacks authority to invoke this law against gang members or for mass deportations.
The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance reports a significant decline in salmon production from 148,000 tonnes in 2016 to 90,000 tonnes in 2023. Experts attribute the decline to escaped farmed salmon spreading diseases to wild stocks and concerns over freshwater contamination and disease prevalence in fish farms. While salmon is celebrated for its omega-3 fatty acids, overconsumption risks are rising. Wild salmon tend to have lower PCB levels than farmed salmon.
Recent reports suggest that former US President Donald Trump is leading in some betting markets, sparking concerns about the potential manipulation of these markets. According to the Wall Street Journal, a group of four bettors have placed $30 million worth of bets on Trump's favor, with experts suggesting this could be a coordinated effort to influence the election outcome. However, others argue that these large-scale bets may simply reflect market sentiment and not necessarily be driven by malicious intentions.
A drone attack targeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Caesarea early Saturday. According to reports, the attack did not result in any injuries, and Netanyahu and his wife were not present at the time. The incident has sparked concerns about escalating tensions in the West Asia region.
A drone has been launched towards the private residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Caesarea, according to his office. The incident occurred without causing injuries or damage to the property. This comes after the Israeli military reported three drones were launched from Lebanon into Israel, with one hitting a building in Caesarea.
Russia and Ukraine have reportedly exchanged 190 prisoners of war, with 95 Russian servicemen being returned from Ukrainian-controlled territory in exchange for an equal number of Ukrainian army prisoners. This swap marks the latest in a series of prisoner exchanges between the two nations since Moscow's military offensive began in 2022. The United Arab Emirates brokered the deal, which saw prominent rights activist Maksym Butkevych freed after serving 13 years in prison.
Source: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/10/19/russia-ukraine-swap-190-pows-ministry-a86747
Lebanon's displacement crisis risks civil strife if left unchecked. Over 1 million people have fled their homes due to Israeli bombardments, with most finding shelter in informal accommodations. The government's response has been patchy, and fear is driving policy decisions. Communities are hesitant to host displaced families from Hezbollah-linked regions, threatening the country's fragile social fabric.
The world is at a moderate risk for another pandemic, with over 4.5 billion people lacking adequate access to essential healthcare services. The ongoing mpox outbreak has spread globally, and climate change is predicted to cause an additional 14.5 million deaths by 2050, along with $12.5 trillion in economic losses. Healthcare expert Dr. Ogwell highlights the importance of government investment and reducing commercialization to ensure equal access to quality healthcare.
Tensions between Canada and India continue to escalate, with Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announcing that all Indian diplomats in Canada have been "put on notice". The standoff began after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused six Indian diplomats of being involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader on Canadian soil. India has denied the allegations, withdrawing its diplomats and accusing Canada of damaging ties without providing evidence. Joly emphasized the importance of upholding international law, citing the Vienna Convention.
Scary incident at Chicago airport! American Airlines Flight 47's engine sucked in a cargo container while taxiing, causing damage but no injuries. The container was reportedly an empty AKE ULD (Unit Load Device). Investigation is ongoing with the FAA and Chicago Department of Aviation.
US President Joe Biden acknowledges Israeli response to Oct 1 missile attacks, sparking concerns and warnings from Iran. Despite refusing to provide details on Israel's retaliatory strikes, Biden suggests an opportunity to end the conflict for a while.
Guatemala Journalist Freed to House Arrest After Two Years in Prison
A Guatemalan journalist, Jose Ruben Zamora, has been released from prison and placed under house arrest after spending over two years behind bars. Zamora, founder of the newspaper El Periodico, was arrested on money laundering charges and faced a retrial. The move comes as international press freedom groups have raised concerns about his imprisonment being linked to his investigative reporting.
Zamora's case has been marked by irregularities, including a rotating cast of defense lawyers and questionable evidence. His release to house arrest follows an open letter from 19 human rights and advocacy groups calling for due process and respect for his human rights.
Tensions rise in Ukraine as concerns grow about North Korean military involvement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims that Pyongyang is transferring soldiers and weapons to support Russia's war efforts. South Korea also reports the transfer of 1,500 North Korean soldiers to Vladivostok. However, Russia denies these allegations, calling them "fake news." Experts say a North Korean military presence in Ukraine is plausible, given Moscow's need for manpower.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been accused of downplaying China's alleged interference in Canadian politics, despite Canada's own intelligence suggesting Beijing intervened in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Trudeau reportedly labelled Chinese efforts as "part of what diplomats do" during a Foreign Interference Commission hearing. Meanwhile, opposition parties are criticizing Trudeau for his handling of the situation with India, which he accused of interfering in Canadian politics.
A viral TikTok video shows a woman mistakenly tearing down Greek flags outside a New Jersey restaurant, believing them to be Israeli. The incident occurred on March 11, but the video was only posted recently. The owner of Efi's Gyro in Montclair confirmed that the event was not staged and filed a police complaint at the time.
Concerns have been raised about AI-generated human avatars being used to promote repressive regimes and criminal enterprises. The London-based startup Synthesia, valued at $1 billion, has been accused of deploying its technology to support the military coup in Burkina Faso. Well-groomed AI anchors were used in propaganda videos on platforms like Telegram, urging people to rally behind the junta-leader turned president. Meanwhile, the actual humans whose body language was used to create the AI models are speaking up, feeling betrayed and experiencing negative impacts on their mental health.
A memorial to victims of Soviet-era repression in Tomsk, Russia was removed by officials just a month after it was installed. The makeshift memorials honored over 9,000 people executed and buried in the city's Kashtak ravine during the 1920s and 1940s. Despite requests from relatives and local residents to leave the memorials, they were removed as they had not been authorized by authorities.
Russia proposes legislation to ban "childfree propaganda" and impose heavy fines for promoting the idea of not having children. The move aims to boost birth rates, but critics argue it's a repressive measure that fails to address the root causes of declining fertility.
Japan has seen a significant increase in Russian tourist arrivals, with over 64,000 Russians visiting the country between January and September 2024. This is more than double the number of Russian tourists who visited Japan during the same period last year. The surge is likely due to Japan lifting all Covid-19 travel restrictions in April 2023, marking a gradual recovery to pre-pandemic levels of tourism.
Source: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/10/17/japan-sees-surge-in-russian-tourist-arrivals-a86719