Gisèle Pelicot testifies in French mass rape trial, urging women to break silence and shame. The 72-year-old woman, who waived her anonymity to expose her ex-husband's alleged crimes, took the stand for the first time in the trial of 50 men accused of drugging and raping her.
A UK tribunal has ordered a company, First Grade Projects, to pay over £28,000 in compensation to a former employee who was unfairly dismissed after revealing she was pregnant again at the end of her maternity leave. The employee, Nikita Twitchen, had been preparing to return to work when she was told her role was redundant due to financial difficulties and new software installation.
A Chinese aircraft carrier group has reportedly passed through the Taiwan Strait, according to Taiwan's defense minister. This development comes after China conducted a live-fire exercise near Taiwan yesterday. While China considers Taiwan part of its territory, Taiwan has its own government and military. The international community is closely monitoring the situation.
Starbucks shares fall after disappointing Q4 results, citing decline in sales and intensified competition. The company reported a 3% year-over-year revenue drop to $9.1 billion and a 24% earnings per share decline to $0.80. US same-store sales decreased by 6%, while China's same-store sales fell by 14%. New CEO Brian Niccol has initiated changes, including simplifying the menu and improving customer behavior.
South African rugby star Siya Kolisi and his wife Rachel have announced their divorce after over a decade together. The couple, known for their love and dedication to each other and their family, has asked for respect and privacy as they navigate this transition.
In response to a series of knife attacks on Japanese trains, JR West is introducing extra-long umbrellas with canopies to help passengers defend themselves. The new umbrellas will be deployed on 600 trains in the Kansai region and are designed to provide an effective shield against potential assailants. With their increased length and sturdy design, these umbrellas aim to offer a safer alternative for those caught in violent incidents.
Pakistan's high court grants bail to Imran Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, in a case related to the illegal sale of state gifts. The couple is currently facing multiple charges, including the alleged misappropriation of gifts worth over 140 million rupees received during Khan's premiership from 2018-2022. It remains unclear if Bibi will be released from prison or remain incarcerated on other charges.
John Kelly, former White House chief of staff under Trump, has spoken out about his concerns regarding the President's behavior. In a series of audio interviews with The New York Times, Kelly expressed worry that Trump would rule like a dictator if re-elected. He also revealed that Trump had praised Adolf Hitler on multiple occasions, stating "Hitler did some good things." Additionally, Kelly described Trump as someone who admires people who are dictators and has said he fits the definition of a fascist.
Belarus has announced that it will hold its next presidential election on January 26. This marks the first presidential election in the country since 2020, when widespread fraud was reported and led to mass protests and a crackdown on dissent. The current president, Alexander Lukashenko, is expected to run again and has been accused of presiding over an increasingly authoritarian regime. Critics have raised concerns about restrictions on human rights and political opponents being jailed.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has arrived in Russia to attend the BRICS summit, his first visit to the country in over two years. The three-day meeting aims to promote cooperation among the nine-member organization, which represents nearly half of the world's population. During the summit, Guterres is expected to deliver a speech and meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss issues such as Ukraine and global food and energy security.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has expressed disappointment over Guterres' visit, stating that it does not advance the cause of peace. However, the UN maintains that BRICS holds great importance due to its significant population representation.
Source: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/10/23/un-chief-arrives-in-russia-to-attend-brics-summit-a86782
Conflict in Gaza: A Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds
Tensions have been escalating in North Gaza, where a military operation by Israel has led to widespread displacement and humanitarian crisis. Over 400,000 people are trapped, with many forced to flee their homes amidst ongoing bombardment. The United Nations estimates that tens of thousands have been displaced, including those in Jabalia refugee camp. Medical supplies are scarce, with hospitals severely impacted, leaving paramedics struggling to reach the wounded.
Violence in Mexico's Sinaloa state has escalated since the arrest of a top cartel leader. The Mexican military reportedly killed 19 suspected members of the Sinaloa cartel during a shootout in Culiacan. This comes as intra-cartel violence intensifies following the July arrest of Ismael Zambada, now on trial in the US.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has expressed confidence in Vinicius Junior's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or award, following his impressive performance in a 5-2 win over Borussia Dortmund. Ancelotti praised Vinicius' "extraordinary" character and ability to make a difference on the pitch.
China provides $100,000 in humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka following devastating floods. The donation comes as a timely response to the catastrophic impact of heavy rains and flash floods that have affected over 150,000 individuals across the island nation.
As winter approaches, Ukraine faces a critical test in its ongoing conflict with Russia. With temperatures set to drop below freezing, the country's power grid is under immense pressure. Ukraine's reliance on nuclear energy has increased, and concerns over triggering a meltdown have left key infrastructure untouched. This vulnerability may lead to rolling blackouts, affecting not only domestic heating but also the country's defense industry.
A surprise performance by former US President Barack Obama took place at a presidential campaign rally in Detroit, where he rapped Eminem's hit song "Lose Yourself". The event was attended by thousands of people, and the rally aimed to raise awareness about various issues affecting the community.
A recent incident on a United Airlines flight has sparked debate about bathroom usage policies. An economy-class passenger used the first-class lavatory due to a drink cart blocking access to her own cabin's facilities. The 1K elite member, who was using the facility at the time, had an "absolute meltdown" when he saw the economy-class passenger. However, the flight captain intervened, reminding the 1K passenger that the aircraft belongs to United Airlines, not him.
A campaign by adult entertainment industry professionals, known as #HandsOffMyPorn, is urging people in the United States not to vote for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. The campaign, which has spent $200,000 on ads, claims that if re-elected, Trump would lead to the shutdown of the industry. The ads are being played before pornographic content and feature porn stars asking viewers to vote on November 5 to "keep doing this." The campaign is targeting men, who are more likely to watch porn.
A dramatic photojournalist moment captured by Bilal Hussein, an Associated Press photographer, shows the exact moment an Israeli missile hit a building in Beirut. The missile was warned by Israel's military on social media 40 minutes prior, with people evacuating the area. The images reveal the power and devastation of modern warfare. There were no reported casualties as the building had been evacuated.
Norway's sovereign wealth fund reports $76.3 billion quarterly profit, citing stock market boost from falling interest rates. The world's largest investor saw a 4.4% return in the third quarter, with equities notching a 4.5% return. The fund attributed its performance to recent changes in monetary policy.