Lost hiker Robert Schock, 39, survived a month-long ordeal in Washington's Northern Cascades National Park after going missing on July 31. Despite being reported missing and a two-week search effort being launched, Schock was found by the Pacific Northwest Trail Association on August 30. He had been surviving without food, phone service, or proper clothing, relying on mushrooms and berries for sustenance. Schock credited his rescuers with saving his life.
The Kremlin has rejected accusations of election interference in Georgia, with a spokesperson calling claims made by Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili "completely unsubstantiated." Zourabichvili had claimed that Moscow was behind fraud in the country's parliamentary elections. The Kremlin instead pointed to Western involvement in Georgia's domestic politics, citing public statements from European countries and institutions attempting to influence the outcome of the vote.
St. Petersburg opposition lawmaker Boris Vishnevsky has announced his resignation from the regional legislative assembly, citing Russia's new "foreign agent" law. The law prohibits individuals designated as foreign agents from running in elections or serving in public office. Vishnevsky was designated a foreign agent by Russia's Justice Ministry in March for his opposition to the invasion of Ukraine and commentary to foreign media outlets.
The world's current climate pledges are falling short of the 2030 goal, according to a report by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. National commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions would only result in a 2.6% decrease by 2030, far short of the 43% cut needed to meet Paris Agreement targets. The report's findings underscore the urgent need for nations to strengthen their climate pledges and take decisive action to mitigate global warming.
Tragedy strikes again in the Mediterranean as Tunisia's coastguard recovers 16 migrant bodies off its eastern coast. The victims, including refugees and migrants, have not been identified due to decomposition. This incident highlights the perilous journey many take in search of better lives in Europe. According to IOM, over 30,000 migrants and refugees have died in the Mediterranean in the past decade.
NATO has confirmed that North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia's Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces also operate. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the deployment represents a "significant escalation" and a "dangerous expansion" of Russia's war in Ukraine. The development comes as clashes continue between Moscow and Kyiv's forces.
The US presidential election is just around the corner, with candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump vying for the top spot. The outcome will be decided by a few thousand voters in key battleground states. Exit polls will start being reported after 5:00 pm ET, providing insight into voter preferences and reasons behind their decisions.
Seven swing states will play a crucial role in determining the winner: Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Michigan. These states have historically been competitive, with voters' choices swaying election outcomes.
The process of calling a winner will involve multiple steps, including reporting state-by-state results and waiting for sufficient votes to be counted before making predictions.
Philippines Ex-President Duterte Admits Maintaining "Death Squad" as Mayor
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has admitted to maintaining a "death squad" of gangsters while he was mayor of Davao City. During a Senate inquiry, Duterte revealed that he had instructed police officers to "encourage" suspects to fight back and draw their guns, allowing the officers to justify the killings. This admission comes as an International Criminal Court investigation into alleged state-sanctioned crimes continues.
Tensions escalate in West Asia as Iran vows to respond to Israel's attack. The Iranian foreign ministry has stated that Tehran will "use all available tools" to deliver a response, citing Article 51 of the UN Charter which grants countries the right to defend themselves against foreign aggression. This comes after Israel launched strikes on Iran over the weekend, targeting missile factories and other sites. Iran has downplayed the damage caused by the attack, but remains committed to defending itself.
Russia's Vladimir region has banned students from wearing hijabs in schools, citing the need for a secular education environment. The ban was enacted last week and prohibits any clothing or accessories that demonstrate religious affiliation. The Education Ministry emphasizes that this decision does not violate students' rights, as Russia is a secular state without an official religion.
Source: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/10/28/russias-vladimir-region-bans-hijabs-in-schools-a86827
The United States is set to hold its presidential elections on November 5, with Republican nominee Donald Trump facing off against Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. New Jersey, a northeastern state with a population of approximately 9.3 million, will also be holding voting for the presidency. Additionally, six candidates are vying for the Senate seat previously held by Bob Menendez, who resigned after being convicted of federal corruption. The House of Representatives elections will also take place in 12 districts.
Delaware's 2024 US Presidential Election is just around the corner, with voters heading to the polls on November 5. As a swing state turned blue, Delaware will likely vote for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Early voting began on October 25, with reports indicating higher turnout than previous years. The election will also feature elections for the Delaware State Senate and US Representative. With only one seat in the US House of Representatives up for grabs, voters will elect one representative to serve their state.
Egypt proposes two-day truce to end violence in Gaza, as Israeli forces kill over 1,000 Palestinians. The plan includes exchanging four Israeli captives held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. This comes as thousands of civilians endure relentless attacks that have killed at least 50 people, including five journalists, since Sunday.
A fact-checking report revealed that claims made by Donald Trump and Kamala Harris during a recent rally are inaccurate. Trump claimed crime was up 45% under the Biden-Harris administration, while Harris stated she would follow the law regarding gender-affirming surgery for inmates. However, FBI data shows a decline in violent crime from 2020 to 2023, and multiple analyses found similar results. Additionally, Harris's previous stance on gun buybacks and gender-affirming surgery has changed.
Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has announced he will remain in office despite a significant defeat for his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in recent elections. The party lost its parliamentary majority, winning 191 seats compared to 259 in the previous election. Ishiba attributed the loss to voters' anger over a funding scandal and pledged to enact reforms to address the issue. Opposition parties made gains, with the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) increasing its projected seat tally to 148.
Former US President Donald Trump has proposed a tariff-driven tax overhaul, eliminating income taxes and replacing them with tariffs on imports. The plan aims to protect American jobs and industries while prioritizing economic growth. Critics argue that the proposal could lead to an expansion of the federal deficit by $3 trillion over the next decade, driving up production costs and consumer prices.
Source: https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/donald-trump-advocates-tariff-driven-tax-overhaul-771318
Tensions escalate in the Middle East as Israel launches airstrikes on Iran, reportedly using Iraqi airspace. Iraq has lodged a complaint with the United Nations, condemning Israel's "blatant violation" of its sovereignty. Iran has lost four soldiers and suffered limited damage, stating it has the right to defend itself against foreign aggression.
The United Nations has released a report stating that global efforts to combat climate change are significantly off track. According to the analysis, current national plans to reduce carbon emissions would only lead to a 2.6% decrease by 2030 compared to 2019. This falls short of the 43% reduction needed to keep warming below 1.5°C this century. The report also highlights that greenhouse gas concentrations have risen by over 11% in the past two decades, with atmospheric concentrations surging in 2023.
The UN is urging countries to submit new, stronger plans by Spring next year, emphasizing the need for increased ambition. Meanwhile, the World Meteorological Organisation has reported record-high levels of greenhouse gases in 2023, citing factors such as record fires in Canada and the onset of El Niño.
As the US presidential election approaches, it's essential to understand the Electoral College system. The system allocates 538 electoral votes among states and the District of Columbia, with each state having a specific number based on its population. In most states, the winner takes all, while Maine and Nebraska use a proportional method. Electors from each state meet to cast their votes for president and vice president, with the majority mark being 270. The outcome is then officially declared by Congress.
Ukraine- Russia Conflict Update: Ukrainian drones reportedly attacked ethanol plants in Russia's Voronezh region overnight, according to regional authorities. The attacks caused a fire at one facility, injuring two workers. Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed that it destroyed one Ukrainian drone and damaged another. This is the latest development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.