Tens of thousands of Georgians took to the streets in Tbilisi to protest against the ruling party's victory in parliamentary polls, which the pro-Western opposition has denounced as "stolen." The election results have sparked widespread international criticism, with concerns over irregularities and allegations of vote-rigging. President Salome Zurabishvili has accused the ruling party of using "sophisticated" methods to manipulate the outcome, while the electoral commission has reported near-complete results showing the Georgian Dream party winning 53.92% of the vote.
Incidents reported in Washington State and Oregon, US, where explosive devices set ballot boxes on fire, destroying hundreds of votes. Authorities responded promptly to extinguish the fires, with security personnel also involved in Vancouver, Washington. Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey has appealed to voters who deposited ballots after Saturday morning to contact his office for replacement.
Iran has executed Jamshid Sharmahd, a German-Iranian dissident, after convicting him of "leading terror operations". The Supreme Court approved the execution. Sharmahd was accused of planning and leading attacks in Iran, including the 2008 Shiraz mosque bombing that killed 14 people.
Sharmahd denied the charges and claimed he was only a spokesman for the group Kingdom Assembly of Iran (KAI). Amnesty International alleged that he was forced to confess and had been tortured in detention. Germany's Foreign Minister condemned the sentence as "absolutely unacceptable".
Tensions escalate in West Asia as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims Iran is amassing a nuclear "stockpile" aimed at destroying Israel. This comes after Israel conducted airstrikes on Iranian military sites, which Tehran retaliated against by targeting Israel-backed militant groups. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has launched over 100 projectiles into Israel in response to Israeli bombardment of southern Lebanon.
Breaking news: NATO and Pentagon confirm North Korean troop deployment to Russia. This move represents a significant escalation in Pyongyang's involvement in Russia's war in Ukraine, breaching UN Security Council resolutions. The deployment is seen as a threat to both Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic security.
In the midst of conflict, a glimmer of hope emerges in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. A family-owned stable has taken in 18 horses who survived Israel's carpet-bombing of their home in south Lebanon. The rescued thoroughbred Arabian and European horses are receiving constant attention from the stable employees, who have been working tirelessly to nurse them back to health.
As the region continues to reel from the devastating effects of war, this small act of kindness is a testament to the resilience of both humans and animals. The stable's owner, Zakaria Araji, has shouldered the responsibility of caring for the injured horses at his own expense, demonstrating the importance of compassion and empathy in times of crisis.
French actor Gerard Depardieu's sexual assault trial has opened in Paris, with the 75-year-old actor absent due to ill health. His lawyer has requested a six-month suspension of the trial, citing numerous other complaints and a potential second court case. The allegations date back to a 2021 film shoot, where two women accuse Depardieu of groping them on set. Prosecutors claim three people witnessed the incidents. A set dresser alleged that Depardieu started loudly calling for a cooling fan due to "not being able to get it up" in the heat and then boasted about giving women an orgasm without touching them. The trial is ongoing.
Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti has reportedly been assaulted in an Israeli prison, leaving him with numerous injuries. According to prisoner support groups, the attack occurred on September 9 while Barghouti was held in solitary confinement at Megiddo Prison. The Commission for Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoner's Society have accused Israel of "brutally assaulting" Barghouti. Over 10,000 Palestinians are currently detained in Israeli prisons, with many facing harsh conditions.
Malawi's President Under Investigation for Plot to Kill Him - Opposition Leader Accused
Israeli air strikes have hit the historic city of Tyre in Lebanon, causing widespread destruction and panic. The attacks came after an evacuation warning from the Israeli military for parts of the city. Footage shows thick smoke rising from the area, with fires engulfing residential buildings. The Lebanese Civil Defence has been urging residents to leave the affected areas.
Finland has seized a Russian cultural center in Helsinki following a Hague-based court's ruling that Moscow must compensate Ukraine's national gas provider for assets lost during the annexation of Crimea. The move is related to a $5 billion lawsuit filed by Naftogaz, which plans to settle the debt using Russian state assets based in other countries.
Reports from Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) claim that four individuals attempting to cross into the Bryansk region from Ukraine were killed. The FSB states that the group was armed with foreign-made weapons and explosive devices, but it is unclear if these claims can be verified independently. A video shared by state-run news agencies appears to show a Canadian flag and Polish-language prayer book near one of the deceased, as well as a tattoo allegedly indicating membership in the US Army Rangers.
The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on three Russian public relations firms and their senior managers, accused of attempting to undermine and destabilize Ukraine. According to the UK government, the firms - Social Design Agency (SDA), Structura, and Ano Dialog - engaged in interference operations aimed at Ukraine and incited protests in several European countries. The sanctions aim to curb Russia's efforts to use deceptive information operations to undermine democracy.
Source: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/10/28/uk-sanctions-3-russian-pr-firms-senior-managers-a86835
Gaza ceasefire talks have resumed in Doha, but analysts are skeptical about a breakthrough. Israel's Mossad spy chief and the CIA director are meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to revive talks. The discussions follow the killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar and the capture of nearly 100 Israeli citizens in Gaza. The Israeli government has been reluctant to negotiate, leading to a stalemate.
Tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated after Israeli air strikes on Saturday reportedly targeted several military sites in Iran. Satellite images analyzed by BBC Verify show damage to multiple facilities, including those linked to missile production and air defense. The strikes appear to have affected a major weapons development and production facility at Parchin, as well as sites at Khojir and Shahroud. While the exact extent of damage is unclear, experts say the strikes may have compromised Iran's military capabilities.
President Biden to celebrate Diwali with Indian Americans at White House event. The President will light a Diya lamp and deliver remarks to a gathering of Indian Americans, marking the 5th consecutive year he has hosted such an event. A video message from NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, currently aboard the International Space Station, will also be shared.
A self-proclaimed smuggler, identified as Thanh, has confessed to facilitating the illegal entry of over 1,000 Vietnamese individuals into the United Kingdom. According to his account, he was initially involved in people-smuggling and later transitioned to forging documents for new arrivals. Thanh claimed that he is now speaking out to caution others about the risks and difficulties associated with migrating to Europe.
NATO Chief Mark Rutte has confirmed that North Korean troops have been sent to Russia's Kursk region, amid growing concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin's military cooperation with Pyongyang. The deployment is seen as a threat to both Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic security. This development comes after Ukrainian forces launched a surprise incursion into the Kursk region in early August.
Mass protests in Gaza Strip force Egypt to abandon plan. Israeli government had proposed relocating Palestinians from Gaza, citing historical claims. This proposal was met with resistance and forced relocation efforts have been ongoing since 1967. Efforts include setting up emigration offices and offering incentives for permanent relocation. However, Palestinian population remains fiercely resistant to relocation.
Violent clashes erupted in Russia's Chelyabinsk region after a woman's murder, leading to ethnic tensions and police raids on Romani homes. Authorities detained around 20 Roma for "crime prevention talks" amid rumors and investigations. Regional Governor Alexei Teksler reprimanded local authorities for failing to identify the conflict. The incident highlights concerns over long-standing social issues.