Cuba's power grid collapsed for a second time, leaving the entire country in darkness. The first collapse occurred on Friday after a major power plant failure, and the second one happened just hours later. The government has attributed the outages to deteriorating infrastructure, fuel shortages, and rising demand. Strong winds from Hurricane Milton have also complicated fuel deliveries to the island.
Source: https://www.wionews.com/world/cubas-power-grid-collapses-second-time-nation-under-blackout-769051
G7 Defence Ministers Meet to Address Ongoing Conflicts
Defence ministers from G7 countries met in Naples, Italy to discuss ongoing military conflicts, including Russia's war against Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East. The meeting resulted in a joint statement pledging "unwavering support" for Ukraine and expressing concern over the escalation of violence in Lebanon. NATO chief Mark Rutte and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also attended the meeting.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Rabi Lamichhane has been arrested on charges of organized crime and misappropriation of cooperative funds. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) took him into custody outside his party office in Kathmandu. This development stems from a cooperative fraud case being investigated by the Kaski District Court, which issued an arrest warrant against Lamichhane, accusing him of embezzling funds from cooperatives that were injected into Gorkha Media, where he was a managing director.
Source: https://www.wionews.com/world/arrest-of-nepals-former-deputy-pm-rabi-lamichhane-a-breakdown-769044
Israel releases leaflets over Gaza showing deceased Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar's body, stating "Hamas will no longer rule Gaza." The message echoes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement that the group can surrender and live in peace. A video circulated online shows Sinwar in his final moments, throwing a stick at an IDF drone in defiance.
The US State Department has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to foreign entities engaging in election interference, specifically citing Russian media organization Rybar LLC. The announcement alleges that Rybar used social media to spread propaganda and stoke division ahead of the US election, with ties to Russia's defense industrial organization Rostec.
Rybar operates a popular Telegram channel focused on Ukraine-related news and has been linked to nine individuals allegedly involved in "malign influence operations." The State Department is encouraging anyone with relevant knowledge to come forward.
As the US presidential election approaches, fact-checking has revealed several false or misleading claims made by candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Trump claimed that inflation rates have never been higher, when in reality, they peaked at 14.5% during World War II. He also falsely stated that migrants are eating pets and taking almost every job. Additionally, he made vague statements about ending the Affordable Care Act.
Harris, on the other hand, claimed that Trump intends to cut Social Security and Medicare, which has been partially debunked as she lacks concrete evidence. Her statement about Trump's plan shrinking the economy and sending it into recession also exaggerates the findings of an independent economist.
Tensions rise in West Asia as a drone from Lebanon targets Israeli PM Netanyahu's residence, while opposition alliances unite for upcoming elections. Meanwhile, diplomatic tensions escalate between Canada and India, and the US government signals awareness of Israel's response to recent attacks.
Hamas is expected to begin discussions on selecting a new leader following the confirmed killing of Yahya Sinwar. Khalil al-Hayya, Sinwar's deputy and the group's most senior official outside Gaza, is considered a strong candidate. As the war in Gaza continues, questions linger regarding the fate of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and who will be responsible for their safety.
Israeli forces have reportedly found letters written by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was "eliminated" in a recent encounter with Israeli troops. The letters were addressed to his 10-year-old son and aimed to instill hatred for Israel. In the letters, Sinwar wrote sermons criticizing Israel. His son responded with drawings of dead Israeli soldiers. This discovery has sparked concerns about the potential impact on young people's views.
Russia and Ukraine have exchanged prisoners of war in a UAE-mediated swap, marking the 58th such exchange since the beginning of the conflict. The deal saw each side release 95 prisoners, bringing the total number of returned prisoners to 3,767. The freed Ukrainians had been serving on various fronts, including those who defended Mariupol and Azovstal steelworks.
A leaked recording reveals that a University of Michigan president prioritizes combating anti-Semitism over addressing concerns about Islamophobia. The recording shows Santa Ono, the university's president, discussing pressure from "powerful groups" and the threat of federal funding being withheld if the university doesn't focus on combating anti-Semitism.
The UK government has announced that there will be no official apology for Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade at the upcoming Commonwealth summit in Samoa. This decision comes after previous rejection of financial reparations, with the focus instead shifting to current issues such as economic growth and development within the Commonwealth.
Breaking news: Drone hits Israeli PM Netanyahu's holiday home, while Hezbollah launches "large volley" of rockets towards northern Israel. The Israeli military says 3 drones were launched from Lebanon, with one hitting Netanyahu's residence in Caesarea. No casualties reported. Over 100 rockets were fired across the region, injuring at least 13 people.
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in Singapore for allegedly planning an ISIS-inspired terror attack. According to authorities, the teenager was radicalized after watching Islamic State propaganda and had planned a stabbing spree during school holidays. He was detained under the Internal Security Act and is believed to have acted alone.
Source: https://www.wionews.com/world/teen-held-in-singapore-for-plotting-isis-style-stabbing-spree-768955
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for troops to boost war preparedness, state media reported. This comes after Beijing staged large-scale military drills around Taiwan, which claims independence from China. Xi emphasized the importance of strengthening training and preparation for war, as well as enhancing strategic deterrence and combat capabilities. The move is seen as a continuation of China's efforts to assert its influence over the region.
Source: https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-orders-chinese-troops-to-boost-war-preparedness-768957
North Korea has deployed thousands of soldiers to Ukraine's front lines, solidifying its military alliance with Russia. The move marks Pyongyang's first overseas troop deployment and demonstrates the "solid" nature of the Putin-Kim deal signed in June. Experts say the deployment will allow North Korean elite soldiers to experience modern warfare and boost Moscow's capabilities on the battlefield.
As winter approaches in the Northern Hemisphere, experts are warning of a potential "tripledemic" with COVID-19, flu, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) circulating simultaneously. While the flu is a seasonal infection that comes around every year, COVID-19 poses a higher risk during autumn and winter seasons. RSV, while not as well-known, also follows a seasonal pattern. As the positivity rate of Covid tests decreases, experts caution that a tripledemic could hit later in the season. In the UK, COVID-19 cases have seen an uptick.
Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 190 prisoners of war in a deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates. The swap saw 95 Russian servicemen released from Ukrainian-controlled territory, with an equal number of Ukrainian army prisoners of war handed over. While Kyiv has not officially confirmed the exchange, human rights groups report that prominent Ukrainian activist Maksym Butkevych was among those freed.
A viral video of a dog playing with a kitten has sparked outrage in Malaysia after the dog, Kopi, was shot dead during a culling operation. Animal lovers and activists are demanding justice for Kopi, who was known for her gentle nature and had become an instant hit online.
Tragedy strikes in Nigeria as a fuel tanker explosion kills many, leaving a town in mourning. The incident highlights the risks associated with collecting spilled fuel and the need for increased safety measures.