Month: October 2024

Russian Artillery Strike Hits Kherson Market, 7 Dead

An Russian artillery strike in Kherson, Ukraine, kills at least seven and injures three as conflict escalates. Eyewitness footage reveals the tragic aftermath.

Kyiv, Ukraine — A terrible Russian missile attack hit a busy market in the southern city of Kherson on Tuesday, killing at least seven people and hurting three others, local officials say.

The attack happened when people were shopping in the city’s main area, as Governor Oleksandr Prokudin told us.

He showed us some really disturbing videos of dead people wearing regular clothes found near the stalls selling tomatoes and vegetables, showing just how bad the fighting is for regular folks.

The Ukrainian government thinks the attack was probably done by Russian missiles and hit a spot near a bus stop, making people worried about staying safe in places they thought were safer from the fighting.

Even though Kherson hasn’t been a big fight zone lately—which is now over three years old—the fighting is still going strong in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk area, where Russia is trying really hard to take over before winter.

In response, Ukrainian soldiers have been sneaking into Russia’s Kursk area, but the government is still trying to get more help from the West.

The Kherson area is one of four places that Moscow took over in September 2022 and still controls, with Russian President Vladimir Putin saying he wants Ukraine to leave these places, but Kyiv is saying no way.

Kherson was taken over by Russia after the big invasion in February 2022, but a strong pushback from Ukraine got it back, taking over the western parts, including the city’s main area, just nine months later.

Tragic Bus Fire in Bangkok: 25 Students Feared Dead

A devastating bus fire in suburban Bangkok leaves 25 students and teachers feared dead, with 19 survivors. Prime Minister offers condolences and support.

Bangkok — A terrible bus fire in a quieter part of the city on Tuesday has left people worried that up to 25 students and their teachers might have died.

The bus, filled with 44 people on a school trip from Uthai Thani province to Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi, caught fire and was destroyed, as seen in horrifying videos that are going viral on social media.

The students, mostly in elementary and middle school, were in a really scary situation as the fire took over the bus, with some people still trapped inside even hours later.

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that they’re still looking into it, but it looks like things are pretty bad for everyone on the bus.

The driver got away from the fire but has not been found and is missing. Eyewitnesses and the rescue team think the fire started when one of the bus’s tires blew out, causing the bus to hit a road barrier in Pathum Thani province, which is a bit north of Bangkok and a suburb.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra shared her sadness on social media, promising to pay for their medical bills and give money to the families who lost loved ones in this awful event.

Rescue teams from Hongsakul Khlong Luang 21 have found at least 10 bodies in the bus, and 19 people are said to have made it out alive.

Latest : UK Evacuates Citizens from Lebanon Amid Tensions; Israel Operations Escalate

As Israel escalates its military operations in Lebanon, the UK plans to evacuate nationals, while diplomatic efforts seek to stabilize the region.

A UK government-chartered flight is leaving for Beirut on Wednesday to evacuate British citizens from Lebanon due to rising tensions.

The UK government is prioritizing the most vulnerable, including spouses, partners, and children under 18. Previously, citizens were advised to use commercial flights.

The UK has deployed 700 troops to Cyprus, ready to help around 5,000 British citizens in Lebanon.

The situation in Lebanon is described as volatile by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who warns of potential rapid deterioration.

Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein has called for Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory, stressing the importance of respecting sovereignty and international law.

She advocates for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, denouncing daily atrocities and calling for European and international intervention.

An Israeli airstrike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon has killed six people, including a senior Palestinian official’s son.

The strike targeted the home of Gen. Munir Makdah, a Fatah official, and resulted in the deaths of three children.

The Lebanese army has moved troops along the border with Israel, working with UN peacekeepers.

They have denied reports of troop evacuations but have not provided specifics.

The army has also warned civilians to avoid areas south of the Litani River due to intense fighting.

Hezbollah has vowed to resist any Israeli occupation. Israel has begun ground operations against Hezbollah, escalating their conflict.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has stressed the need for de-escalation and the safety of Italian UNIFIL troops in southern Lebanon.

Italy is working with international partners to stabilize the situation and help displaced people return home.

Cyprus has been slowly and carefully moving foreign citizens from Lebanon, with no major evacuations yet.

They have helped some groups like diplomats and others, planning to temporarily house them before sending them back.

This approach is similar to how they helped during the 2006 war.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah has been attacking Israeli soldiers with artillery and rockets, but it’s not clear if anyone was hurt. They are also supporting Hamas and fighting back against Israel.

Meanwhile, Houthi rebels in Yemen have attacked ships in the Red Sea, showing a possible increase in violence as the Israel-Hamas conflict spreads.

The first attack happened near Hodeida, affecting safety and targeting ships connected to Israel, the US, and the UK.

The US supports Israel’s efforts to weaken Hezbollah but warns against more military action.

The US also supports Israel’s right to defend itself and the need to deal with threats. As Israel attacks Hezbollah, the situation is uncertain and could get worse.

NATO’s Transition: Stoltenberg Steps Down, Rutte Takes Charge Amid Ukraine Crisis

As Jens Stoltenberg steps down, Mark Rutte assumes NATO leadership, facing critical challenges from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and U.S. election uncertainties.QuoteQ

BRUSSELS — NATO’s top boss, Jens Stoltenberg, who’s been in charge for a long time, is stepping down on Tuesday.

He’s handing over the reins to former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who’s stepping up at a time when the military alliance is facing some big challenges.

Stoltenberg, who became NATO’s 13th boss in 2014—right when Russian bad guys were sneaking into Ukraine and the Russian government took over Crimea—has been leading the charge to boost defense spending during his time in office.

His leadership, which is right up there with that of Dutch diplomat Joseph Luns, who was in charge for 12 years, is going to be remembered for its key role in changing how NATO deals with Russian attacks.

A formal goodbye party will happen at NATO’s main office in Brussels to celebrate the change.

Being the boss of NATO is super important because they not only run the show but also make sure all the member countries are on the same page.

Usually, when a new boss comes in, things are pretty stable and things keep moving forward.

As Rutte takes over, NATO is dealing with the sad news that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been going on for almost a year now.

There’s a lot of political drama, especially with the U.S. elections coming up, which is making everyone worried about what the future of the alliance looks like, especially since the U.S. is a big deal in NATO.

With Russia getting more aggressive in eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian soldiers are really struggling, even though they’ve managed to take back some areas, which is giving them a bit of a morale boost.

Rutte has a big job ahead of him in making sure Ukraine gets the support it needs, which is a tough job because he has to keep up the support from NATO allies, many of whom have just joined the alliance to protect themselves from Russian attacks.

In the U.S., it looks like it’s going to be a really close election, with Donald Trump possibly coming back into office.

His time as president made NATO allies nervous because he didn’t like how much Europe was spending on defense and wasn’t sure about America’s promises to the alliance.

Smaller countries in NATO are worried that if Trump wins again, it could mess with the basic idea of NATO, which is all about sticking together and helping each other out.

Trump’s recent comments about cutting U.S. aid to Ukraine and his suggestion that Ukraine should have made deals with Russia to get some things back, only makes these worries worse.

As Rutte steps into his new role, making sure NATO stays committed to helping Ukraine is more important than ever.

Nepal Flooding and Landslides: Over 200 Dead Ahead of Dasain Festival

Rescuers search for missing individuals and recover bodies from Nepal flooding that killed over 200, disrupting travel plans for the Dasain festival.

KATHMANDU, Nepal — People are working harder in Nepal to find those who went missing and bring back the bodies after the terrible flooding and landslides over the weekend that have killed over 200 people.

The weather is getting better, so rescue teams can start looking again, and people are getting to work on fixing roads blocked by landslides.

But, a lot of roads near rivers that have flooded have been washed out, which means fixing them could take a really long time.

This disaster hit right before Dasain, Nepal’s biggest festival, which kicks off on Thursday.

The damage to roads is going to mess up travel plans for a lot of families trying to get together for the celebrations.

The government is focusing on helping people who are stuck or have had to leave their homes because of the floods and landslides.

So far, 217 people have died, 143 are injured, and 28 are missing, so rescue teams are still looking for them.

Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli, who just got back from the U.N. General Assembly, quickly called an emergency meeting of his Cabinet when he got there.

To deal with the crisis, the police and soldiers are helping with the rescue work, using big machines to clear away the debris from important roads.

Schools and colleges are closed until Tuesday to help clean up and let students rest.

The heavy rain came at the end of Nepal’s rainy season, which usually goes from June to mid-September, making the situation even worse.

As they keep working to recover, the country is also dealing with the task of getting back on its feet after this disaster and getting ready for the big Dasain celebrations.

Houthi Drone Strikes Ship in the Red Sea Amid Rising Tensions

A Houthi drone attacked a ship in the Red Sea, marking a significant escalation amid regional tensions linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels hit a ship in the Red Sea on Tuesday, marking a worrying turn of events, according to the British military.

This incident, along with another failed attempt, shows that the Houthis are now targeting commercial ships, marking their first attacks on such vessels in weeks.

This comes at a time when tensions are high over the Israel-Hamas conflict, which could pull the region deeper into turmoil.

The attacks are happening while tensions are escalating between Israel and the Houthis.

This includes Israel sending its ground forces into Lebanon after airstrikes killed some important Hezbollah leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah.

The Houthis had threatened to step up their attacks on Israel just a day before, even going as far as to say they downed a U.S. drone over their territory.

The first attack happened about 110 kilometers (70 miles) off the coast of Hodeida, where the captain of a nearby ship saw four “splashes,” likely from missiles or drones trying to hit his ship, as noted by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center.

After that, a second attack was reported, with a private intelligence firm confirming that two separate strikes took place.

The UKMTO later said that one ship got damaged when a drone hit a ballast tank, which is important for keeping a ship afloat. This is a tactic the Houthis have used before to disable ships.

Even though the Houthis haven’t said who did it, it’s common for them to wait before admitting to attacks.

The Red Sea has become a battleground for ships, with the Houthis actively targeting over 80 merchant vessels since the Gaza war started in October.

Their attacks have led to the seizing of one ship, the sinking of two others, and the deaths of four sailors.

Many of the missiles and drones have been stopped by a U.S.-led coalition patrolling the area, protecting both military and civilian ships from harm.

The Houthis say they’re hitting ships with ties to Israel, the U.S., or the U.K., hoping to make Israel stop its military actions in Gaza.

But many of the ships they hit are not involved in this conflict, including those going to Iran, making it unclear what their real goals are.

The last time a Houthi attack on a ship was reported was on September 2.

Recently, the Houthis also claimed to have attacked American warships, firing missiles and drones at U.S. naval ships, which were all stopped by Navy destroyers.

As tensions keep rising, the Houthis’ attacks on Israel have led to Israeli airstrikes on Hodeida, showing a dangerous situation that could make maritime security in the Red Sea even more unstable.

Georgia’s Democrats Challenge Election Certification Rules in Legal Battle

A trial begins as Democrats sue Georgia’s Election Board over new certification rules, fearing potential delays in counting election results.

A key trial starts on Tuesday about a lawsuit filed by Democrats against new rules by the Georgia State Election Board regarding how county election results are certified.

Supporters of these rules say they’re necessary for ensuring accurate vote totals before final approval.

Still, critics worry they could be used to delay or obstruct the certification process if the Republican nominee Donald Trump loses to Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, causing confusion and distrust in the election results.

This trial will be without a jury and will be led by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney.

The main issues in dispute include a rule that requires county officials to conduct a “reasonable inquiry” before certifying results but doesn’t define what that means and another rule that allows officials to review all election-related documents.

The lawsuit includes the state and national Democratic parties, county election board members, Democratic voters, and two Democratic state lawmakers running for reelection.

They are asking the judge to rule that election superintendents, who are usually part of election boards, don’t have the power to delay or withhold certification.

They also want the judge to declare the new rules invalid if they seem to give such power.

Filed against the State Election Board, which is mostly made up of Republican members who have been praised by Trump, the lawsuit also involves the state and national Republican parties supporting the election board.

Democrats recognize that the two certification rules might not go against Georgia law but believe these rules were made under the false assumption that certification is optional.

They are concerned that certain election officials who support Trump could use these new rules to unjustifiably delay certifying the election results beyond the legally required deadline.

State lawyers argue that Democrats are just trying to strengthen existing state law, which requires certification to happen by 5 p.m. the Monday after the election, or the next day if Monday is a holiday.

The Republican-led State Election Board has used its authority to pass several election rules recently, often against the objections of the board’s Democratic appointees and its nonpartisan chair.

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, along with the state attorney general’s office, and the association of county election officials have all warned that introducing new rules so close to the election could cause confusion and add extra work for election workers.

New rules have led to many legal disputes. On Monday, Democrats at the state and local level, along with some county election officials, sued against a rule requiring three people to count paper ballots by hand after voting ends on Election Day.

Also, a former Republican lawmaker started a lawsuit against two certification rules, the ballot-counting rule, and other rules made by the board.

Brandi Glanville Accuses Andy Cohen of Harassment

Brandi Glanville claims her lawyers have cut ties amid her legal battle against Bravo, alleging sexual harassment by Andy Cohen.

Brandi Glanville, a former “Real Housewives” star, recently said her lawyers have dropped her from her legal case against Bravo after a year of promises about her case’s success.

She hinted at possible financial compensation, suggesting she might have been paid off. Her lawyers have not commented, and Bravo has not responded.

In February, Glanville’s lawyers accused Bravo’s Andy Cohen of sexually harassing her through a video message in 2022.

They claimed Cohen wanted to have sex with another Bravo star while thinking about Glanville and invited her to watch him do it over FaceTime.

The letter didn’t name the other star but mentioned Cohen appeared drunk.

The letter criticized Cohen for having too much control over Glanville’s career, calling it an abuse of power that made her feel trapped and disgusted.

It also criticized Bravo for keeping Cohen’s job despite the serious allegations, compared to past issues at NBC News.

Cohen later said the video was a joke and that Glanville was part of it. He apologized for the joke, which he said was inappropriate.

Since leaving the show in January 2023, Glanville has been unhappy with Bravo.

The situation got worse when Caroline Manzo accused Glanville of inappropriate touching, leading Manzo to sue Bravo instead of Glanville.

Glanville has denied Manzo’s claims, saying they were absurd. She has also shared her stress and health issues, blaming them on her experiences with Bravo.

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