India prepares for Cyclone Dana, evacuating over 1.5 million people as storm nears.
The Commonwealth heads of government are set to discuss reparatory justice for transatlantic slave trade at their upcoming summit in Samoa. The discussion is expected to focus on financial reparations, debt relief, official apologies, educational programs, and building museums. The UK has been warned that it may be pressured to provide billions of pounds in reparations. The Commonwealth meeting will also address climate change and rising sea levels.
Incident reported in Perm, Russia: Two individuals allegedly set fire to the local United Russia party office using Molotov cocktails. The blaze engulfed around 40 square meters of the building, causing damage to furniture and equipment. According to reports, the attackers fled the scene before being arrested by authorities.
Source: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/10/24/women-set-fire-to-united-russia-office-in-perm-a86790
A new initiative, ICMD, aims to revolutionize compliance monitoring with international humanitarian law (IHL). Established by the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, ICMD will gather and document global data on alleged IHL violations. This platform will provide crucial insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers, promoting awareness and knowledge of IHL.
Norway plans to increase its minimum age limit for social media use from 13 to 15, aiming to protect children from the "power of algorithms" and safeguard their well-being. The move is part of the government's campaign against tech giants, which are accused of exploiting young minds. The Scandinavian country already has a significant number of children using social media, with over half of nine-year-olds and 72% of 11-year-olds online.
The United Nations has reported that Israeli forces have killed 165 children in the occupied West Bank over the past year. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) found that most of these deaths were caused by live ammunition, with many occurring to the head or upper body. This tragedy has sparked concern and outrage globally.
Ukraine has accused Russia of executing four prisoners of war captured in Donetsk, a claim that, if true, would be a serious violation of international humanitarian law. According to Ukraine's prosecutor general, the soldiers were captured on October 6 and found dead the next day. A war crime probe has been launched into the incident. This is not the first time allegations of prisoner mistreatment have been made in the conflict.
Tropical Storm Trami has made landfall in the Philippines, causing widespread flooding and landslides that have resulted in at least 26 deaths. Over 150,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes as heavy rain and strong winds continue to affect the region.
Russian Parliament Ratifies Defense Treaty with North Korea
Russia's State Duma has unanimously ratified a strategic partnership agreement between Russia and North Korea, which includes provisions for "mutual assistance" in case either country is attacked. The treaty, signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June, also reportedly includes a secret clause allowing North Korean troops to be deployed to Ukraine.
The ratification process will now proceed to the upper-house Federation Council for final approval. This development comes as Western officials have reported that around 3,000 North Korean troops are currently training in Siberia, and that Pyongyang has supplied Russia with weapons for use on the battlefield in Ukraine.
Reports have surfaced that up to 12,000 North Korean troops are training in Russia's Far East to potentially fight alongside Moscow in the Ukraine war. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has warned that if these troops enter the conflict, they will be "fair game." Ukrainian military intelligence claims that 11,000 North Korean infantrymen are undergoing training in eastern Russia and are expected to deploy to Ukraine on November 1. The Russian government has not confirmed or denied these reports.
Israel's recent airstrikes on Tyre, an ancient coastal city in Lebanon, have left a trail of destruction. The city, renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage Site, has suffered "massive destruction and serious damage" according to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA). The attacks have displaced thousands, with only 14,500 people remaining in the city as of Tuesday. The impact on the city's heritage sites is yet to be assessed.
Los Angeles Times Journalist Resigns Amid Controversy Over Kamala Harris Endorsement
A journalist at the Los Angeles Times, Mariel Garza, has resigned from her position after the paper's owner blocked an endorsement of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. Garza wrote in her resignation letter that she struggled with the implications of the department's silence on the matter and felt it was "hypocritical," "sexist," and "racist" not to endorse Harris.
The paper's owner, Patrick Soon-Shiong, responded by explaining that the editorial board was given the opportunity to draft a factual analysis of the candidates' policies, but chose to remain silent instead. This decision has sparked controversy and raised questions about the role of journalism in promoting transparency and accountability.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that an escalation of trade tensions between the US and China would have "costly" economic consequences for all countries. IMF Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath emphasized that such a scenario would lead to lower output, inflation pressure, and negative impacts on global growth. The warning comes amid ongoing trade tensions between the two nations, with both sides imposing tariffs on each other's goods.
Ukraine accuses Russian troops of executing four captured Ukrainian servicemen in Donetsk region. Kyiv claims the men were taken prisoner on October 6 and found dead the next day during a search operation. The incident has sparked war crime allegations against Moscow, which has yet to comment. This is not the first time Ukraine has accused Russia of violating international humanitarian law regarding prisoners of war.
Source: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/10/24/ukraine-accuses-russian-troops-of-executing-4-pows-a86791
With just 12 days left until the US election, both candidates are gearing up for the final stretch. Donald Trump has been campaigning across the country, including a recent rally in Georgia where he focused on immigration and border security. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris is set to join former President Barack Obama at rallies in Georgia and Pennsylvania, aiming to boost early voting turnout. The race remains tight, with over 1.6 million Georgians having already cast their ballots.
Russia Grants Citizenship to Viktor Yanukovych's Oldest Son
The Russian government has granted citizenship to Oleksandr Yanukovych, the oldest surviving son of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. This development comes as a significant move in the ongoing diplomatic tensions between Ukraine and Russia. Yanukovych senior served as Ukraine's president from 2010 until his removal in 2014, and his younger son Viktor Jr. passed away in 2015.
Source: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/10/24/russia-grants-yanukovychs-oldest-son-citizenship-a86789
Israel launches air strikes on Damascus and Homs, killing one soldier and injuring seven others. The attacks target a military site in Homs countryside and the central Damascus neighborhood of Kafr Sousa. This is the latest escalation in tensions between Israel and Syria, which have been ongoing for years. The United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently touring the region, urging a halt to violence.
Tesla Reports Strong Earnings, Shares Jump 12%
The electric carmaker reported a net income of $2.2 billion for the third quarter, surpassing market expectations. Revenue rose 8% year-over-year to $25.18 billion, driven by growth in charging services, battery sales, and carbon emissions credits. CEO Elon Musk attributed the success to Tesla's diversification beyond vehicle sales.
Zimbabwe's gold-backed currency, ZiG, has lost nearly half its value in less than six months. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) devalued the currency by 43% in September, citing widening gaps between official and unofficial exchange rates. Despite efforts to stabilize the currency, many small businesses and individuals continue to opt for the US dollar due to lack of trust.
Experts point out that the government's decision to retain a multicurrency system has contributed to the depreciation. However, others argue that rushing to make the system a monocurrency one could cause further hardships. The RBZ aims to use only ZiG by 2026, but confidence in the currency remains low.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's use of a made-up word, "brokenist," during a parliamentary debate sparked laughter and mockery on social media. The term was used in response to criticism from Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre about Canada's immigration system. While some saw the incident as a minor mistake, others viewed it as a reflection of Trudeau's strained relationship with his own party members.