A federal judge has ordered Rudy Giuliani to surrender his Manhattan apartment and other valuables, including luxury watches and sports memorabilia, to two Georgia election workers as part of a defamation lawsuit. The order comes after Giuliani was found liable for over $140 million in damages for falsely accusing the women of vote tampering during the 2020 presidential election.
Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin has resigned amid a scandal involving fake disability diagnoses and draft exemptions. The investigation found that dozens of public prosecutors in the Khmelnytskyi region had falsely been awarded disability permits, allowing them to avoid military service. President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for accountability and vowed to reform the system.
Tensions continue to rise in Gaza as Israeli forces launch a third offensive against Hamas fighters, leaving thousands displaced and hundreds killed. Eyewitness accounts from the Jabalia refugee camp describe streets strewn with bodies and chaos as civilians flee under heavy bombardment. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees calls for an immediate truce to enable safe passage for families seeking refuge. Hospitals in the area are running out of supplies and medical staff face fear and confusion amidst ongoing gunfire.
New study reveals that women in the US are still having abortions at a similar rate despite state bans. The report by #WeCount shows that while numbers have dropped in states with bans, nationally, abortion rates remain steady. Telehealth is becoming an increasingly popular option for those seeking abortion pills, with providers like the Massachusetts Abortion Access Project seeing a surge in prescriptions.
The US Justice Department has accused a senior official from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of involvement in a plot to kill an Iranian American dissident in New York City. According to the indictment, Ruhollah Bazghandi and three other Iranian citizens contracted members of an Eastern European criminal organization to carry out the murder-for-hire scheme. The target of the alleged plot was not named publicly until Masih Alinejad, a journalist and activist, confirmed that she was the potential victim.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties, including cooperation on projects like Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). They also emphasized the need for peace and dialogue in West Asia, with Pezeshkian acknowledging India's role in Iran's accession to BRICS.
Austria's president tasks centre-right with forming government after far-right Freedom Party's election win. The party, which won 29% of the vote, has refused to govern without them. President Alexander Van der Bellen has tasked Chancellor Karl Nehammer, leader of the conservative People's Party (OVP), with holding coalition talks with the Social Democrats (SPO).
German police have seized over 1.6kg of cocaine, 400g of cannabis, and €268,000 in cash during a series of raids targeting a drug ring operating out of a pizzeria in western Germany. The investigation began after authorities received tips about the illegal sale of drugs with pizzas. A total of 150 officers were involved in the operation, which also resulted in the arrests of three individuals.
Former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, Mike Jeffries, and his partner Matthew Smith have been arrested and charged with running a prostitution and international sex trafficking business. The investigation was initiated by the FBI after reports from the BBC revealed claims of sexual exploitation and abuse. 15 victims are mentioned in the indictment, but authorities believe the operation may have involved dozens more.
Breaking news: Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries and associates have been charged with operating a sex-trafficking ring. The alleged enterprise reportedly exploited young men, luring them into sexual acts from 2008-2015 under false promises of modeling opportunities. This development comes amidst growing concerns about abuse of power and exploitation.
Ghana's parliament has been suspended indefinitely due to a dispute over parliamentary majority. The Speaker declared four MPs' seats vacant after they switched parties, making the opposition NDC the majority party. The move is being challenged in court, and the suspension may impact funding and laws for Ghana.
The sons of notorious drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman are in talks with US prosecutors to potentially cut a plea deal. The development comes as one of the brothers, Ovidio Guzman, faces charges for allegedly helping run the Sinaloa cartel and funneling massive amounts of narcotics into the US. The news follows the arrest of El Mayo Zambada, the head of a rival cartel faction, who was accused of evading capture for decades.
Israeli airstrikes in Beirut have left a trail of destruction, with at least 18 people killed and many more injured. The strikes hit multiple residential buildings, including a hospital, leaving survivors shocked and traumatized. According to eyewitnesses, the attack happened without warning, with residents asleep when the bombs fell.
South Korea considers sending offensive weapons to Ukraine amid reports of North Korean troops being dispatched to Russia. The move is seen as a countermeasure to the deepening military partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang, which raises concerns about the potential transfer of advanced technologies from Russia to North Korea. The situation has sparked tensions in the region, with Seoul condemning the alleged deployment of North Korean soldiers to Ukraine.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has praised his country's ties with Russia, describing the world as "chaotic and intertwined". The two nations have strengthened their partnership since Russia launched its military offensive in Ukraine. Xi hailed the "profound friendship" between China and Russia, noting that they have made significant contributions to upholding international equity and justice.
Russia's wartime wage boom may be coming to an end, experts suggest. The country has seen a labor shortage and rising wages in recent years, driven by demand from industries affected by the pandemic and war. However, some predict that the demand for workers will slow down as companies fill vacancies and less thriving sectors struggle to attract new staff.
Source: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/10/22/is-russias-wartime-wage-boom-coming-to-an-end-a86756
India and China have reportedly reached a border agreement, marking a significant step towards easing tensions between the two nations. The deal comes after minor scuffles broke out in December 2022 and subsequent diplomatic efforts to resolve issues along their shared border. According to analysts, the agreement signals a new beginning for relations, providing an opportunity to restore stability and mutual trust.
Russia's Putin hosts BRICS summit, strengthening ties with global leaders. The three-day meeting brings together leaders from developing economies to promote economic and financial cooperation. President Putin welcomes China's Xi Jinping, India's Narendra Modi, and other world leaders for bilateral meetings and discussions on proposed projects such as a new payment system. The summit aims to showcase support for Russia on the international stage amid tensions with the West.
Mozambique's election results are under scrutiny after EU observers reported "irregularities" during counting and alterations to voting results. The country is awaiting official results from the October 9 general election, with protests erupting over the killing of opposition candidate Venâncio Mondlane's lawyer and another political official. The government denies wrongdoing, while Mondlane alleges a political motive behind the killings.
Austria's President, Alexander Van der Bellen, has asked the leader of the conservative People's Party (OVP) to form a coalition government, despite the far-right Freedom Party winning the general election. The Freedom Party, led by Herbert Kickl, won 29% of the vote, but all other parties have ruled out forming a coalition with them. President Van der Bellen emphasized that it is not sufficient for a party to reach a certain percentage to form government, and instead called for talks between the OVP and Social Democrats.