Russia's Justice Ministry has designated anti-war Telegram news channel Astra and five individuals as "foreign agents". The ministry accused Astra of spreading inaccurate information about government policy, promoting a negative image of the Russian military. Despite the designation, Astra plans to continue reporting on the conflict in Ukraine. The move follows Russia's earlier labeling of independent news outlet The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed Lieutenant Colonel Artyom Zhoga, a former military officer from eastern Ukraine, to Russia's National Security Council. Zhoga gained prominence after publicly urging Putin to seek re-election in 2025. As one of 21 non-permanent members on the council, Zhoga will join key officials and agency leaders in overseeing national security and strategic policy.
UN Women's Conference Sparks Backlash Over Male Representation
The recent UN meeting on women's issues has sparked controversy after Somalia's Family Minister, Gen Bashir Mohamed Jama, shared photos of himself and another male delegate representing the country. Critics argue that having men fronting a conference about women's rights is tone-deaf. However, others defend the government's decision, saying it's reasonable to have experienced individuals represent the ministry.
As the US Presidential election approaches, concerns are growing among Democrats about Kamala Harris's path to victory. Despite a surge in momentum and improved poll numbers compared to Joe Biden, Harris needs to attract voters beyond her base while maintaining the fragile coalition that helped Biden win in 2020. The race remains neck-and-neck in key swing states, with the outcome hanging in the balance.
According to recent data, illegal immigration from India to the United States has been a persistent issue. In the US fiscal year 2024, 90,415 Indians were apprehended at US borders with Mexico and Canada. Additionally, 43,764 Indians were arrested at the US border with Canada, the highest number caught at this border to date.
A UK man, Alexander McCartney, has been sentenced to life in prison for the manslaughter of a 12-year-old girl and the extreme sexual exploitation of multiple young victims. The court heard that he used fake online personas to groom and abuse his victims, often threatening to release intimate photos if they didn't comply with his demands.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz jointly opened the 18th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK 2024) in New Delhi, marking a significant milestone in their strategic partnership. The two leaders emphasized the strong pillars of India's growth, including democracy, demography, demand, and data, as well as the country's focus on AI-driven innovation. Germany also announced plans to increase Indian workforce visas from 20,000 to 90,000, which is expected to boost economic ties between the two nations.
A recent arrest in central Russia has raised concerns about corruption and exploitation. According to investigators, a local politician was charged with using slave labor and defrauding a soldier who fought in the Ukraine war. The politician allegedly stole 1 million rubles from the soldier's bank account between July and October. Additionally, police claim he forced three men to work at his car wash for over two years without pay. If convicted, the politician could face up to 15 years in prison.
UN Chief's Visit Rejected Over BRICS Participation: Ukraine President Zelensky Reacts
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected a proposed visit by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Kyiv following the latter's participation in the BRICS Summit in Russia. The decision reportedly stems from Guterres' attendance at the summit, which was attended by over 20 global leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The upcoming US presidential election is gaining international attention, with concerns about its potential impact on global affairs. Both leading candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, have been criticized for their stance on issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and illegal immigration. While they differ in approach, both have been accused of promoting extremist white-wing views. The election's outcome is expected to influence regional politics, particularly in North America and sub-Scandinavian Europe.
Tropical Storm Trami has brought devastating flooding and landslides to the Philippines, leaving at least 76 people dead and thousands stranded. The storm has triggered widespread evacuations, with nearly 320,000 people forced to leave their homes. While the storm is now moving away from the country, forecasters warn that it could make a U-turn next week due to high-pressure winds in the South China Sea.
The Kremlin has accused Western countries of attempting to interfere in Georgia's upcoming parliamentary elections, while dismissing claims of Russian meddling. Georgia will hold its parliamentary elections on Saturday, which some see as a test of the country's democracy and EU membership prospects. The Georgian Dream party has been criticized for moving the country away from the West and closer to Russia.
Did you know that a blue whale skeleton has been leaking oil for 26 years? The King of the Blue Ocean (KOBO) was discovered in 1998 and underwent extensive cleaning, but some oil remains. At the New Bedford Whaling Museum in Massachusetts, visitors can still smell the oil, which adds to their experience. Don't worry, a system catches the oil and sends it into a flask.
Controversy surrounds former porn star Mia Khalifa's social media post, where she expresses skepticism about the US government's support for veterans. Khalifa claims that the government does not care about those who serve overseas and hopes they may develop PTSD as a result. The post has sparked debate and criticism.
Kamala Harris's campaign is facing a crucial decision in the wake of Liz Cheney's endorsement. While some believe the move could attract moderate Republican voters, others worry it may alienate key demographics such as Arab American and Muslim voters who are upset with the Biden administration's stance on Israel's war on Gaza.
US President Joe Biden is set to issue a formal apology for the treatment of Native American children who were forcibly removed from their families and put into abusive boarding schools. The policy, which was in place for over 150 years, aimed to assimilate Native Americans through physical, mental, and sexual abuse. A recent government report revealed numerous cases of abuse, resulting in the deaths of at least 973 children.
The United States presidential election is set to take place on November 5, with Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democrat nominee Kamala Harris vying for votes. Maryland, the ninth-smallest state by land area, has a population of approximately 6.2 million people. To participate in the elections, one must be a registered voter, and there are various ways to cast ballots, including early voting, election day, or mail-in ballots. As of now, Kamala Harris is leading the polls with 63% support, while Trump has 33%. The state has historically been a bellwether for presidential elections, but it has trended Democratic in recent years.
A deadly attack on a Turkish state-run defence company near Ankara has been claimed by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The assault killed five people and wounded 22. In response, Turkey's Ministry of National Defence launched air strikes in northern Iraq, hitting 34 PKK targets. Meanwhile, Turkish authorities have arrested 176 suspected PKK members.
A landmark trial in Uganda has concluded with Thomas Kwoyelo, a former Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) commander, being sentenced to 40 years in prison for war crimes. This marks the first time a member of the LRA has been tried by Uganda's judiciary. Kwoyelo was found guilty of 44 offences, including murder and rape, and not guilty of three counts of murder.
The trial focused on international crimes and highlighted the brutal atrocities committed by the LRA during its nearly two-decade reign of violence in northern Uganda. The group was notorious for horrific acts of cruelty, including hacking off victims' limbs and lips, and using crude instruments to bludgeon people to death.
As Kwoyelo's case unfolded, various perspectives emerged. Some argued that he was a victim himself, abducted by the LRA at age 12 and forced to join the group. Others claimed he played a prominent role in the planning and execution of the atrocities committed by the LRA. The victims' families sought justice, while rights groups raised concerns about Kwoyelo's long pre-trial detention.
The trial's outcome underscores the importance of bringing perpetrators of war crimes to account, even if it takes years. It also highlights the need for healing and reconciliation in a region still grappling with the legacy of conflict.
A Ugandan court has convicted former Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo, sentencing him to 40 years in prison for war crimes. The trial marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for victims of LRA atrocities.