Author: Amanda Martinez

Japan’s ruling coalition, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its ally Komeito, just lost their legislative majority. With 215 MPs, the alliance now falls short of the 233-seat threshold required for effective governance. Shigeru Ishiba, the recently minted prime minister and leader of the LDP, who called the election just before taking office, has pledged to remain in power despite the defeat. In a Monday speech, Ishiba recognized the electorate’s unhappiness, describing the outcome as a “harsh verdict” and promising to restore public confidence. The LDP has suffered record-low popularity ratings, with people dissatisfied with political financing scandals that prompted…

Vietnamese migrant smuggling has become a lucrative business, with thousands risking their lives to cross the Channel to the UK. Thanh, a confessed people smuggler, shared his story with the BBC. He entered the UK illegally this year in a small boat and is now claiming asylum. Thanh has spent nearly 20 years in the smuggling industry, helping over 1,000 people cross the Channel. Thanh’s operation involves forging visa documents for Vietnamese migrants seeking to enter Europe. He charges between $15,000 and $20,000 per person. Many Vietnamese migrants cite failing businesses and debts as reasons for seeking work in the…

As toxic Delhi air worsens, the city’s air quality has severely deteriorated, reaching “inferior” and “severe” categories. This decline will worsen due to upcoming weather patterns, Diwali fireworks, and crop burning in neighboring states. The city’s particulate matter (PM 2.5) levels exceed 350 micrograms per cubic meter, surpassing the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limit. Consequently, residents face serious health risks. Delhi and surrounding cities experience extreme air pollution annually from October to January. This disrupts businesses, schools, and daily life. Smoke, dust, low wind speed, vehicle emissions, and crop stubble burning are the main causes. Farmers in Punjab and…

After six agonizing days, Lovisa Sjoberg, a 48-year-old avid photographer, was found “dazed and injured” in the Snowy Mountains. The massive search and rescue operation finally paid off on local Sunday afternoon. Sjoberg had ventured into Kosciuszko National Park to capture stunning images, but her trip took a dire turn. Sjoberg’s hire car company reported her car missing, sparking a frantic search. New South Wales Police launched an appeal on October 21, urging the public to help locate her. Rescue teams scoured the rugged terrain using sniffer dogs, firefighters, park rangers, and a helicopter equipped with infrared technology. As Australian…

Maria Elena Cárdenas, 76, resides in a municipal shelter on Amargura Street in Havana’s old town, which once held elegance. After her home collapsed, she cooked with sticks collected from the street. “We Cubans manage the best we can,” she remarked about her situation. The Cuban government recently battled to repair the island’s national grid following the Cuba power crisis that impacted daily life. Without electricity, the scorching heat makes it difficult to sleep, food degrades, and access to clean water is limited. While the municipality provided some food aid to Cárdenas, the power situation worsened after a week-long blackout.…

Beyoncé supported Kamala Harris in Houston during a rare political appearance at a rally for the Vice President. Thousands gathered in her hometown to support Harris’ abortion rights campaign. Instead of performing, Beyoncé joined fellow Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland on stage to speak directly to a crowd of 30,000. This event marked her first public political appearance in the current election cycle, adding to her history of supporting Democratic candidates. She previously endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in 2020. With 314 million followers on Instagram, Beyoncé wields significant influence over her audience. Her…

Recent paramilitary Sudan RSF attacks in Gezira state have caused a large number of civilian casualties as well as substantial displacement. According to aid organizations, the RSF has carried out violent operations in several towns and villages, resulting in extensive looting and the damage of both private and public property. A local youth organization and a union of physicians reported that numerous civilians have died in these attacks, especially during a three-day onslaught in al-Sireha, where attackers killed 50 people in one day. The Associated Press reported that as many as 124 people may have died, with about 200 individuals…

The recent attack by Israel on Iran has significantly escalated tensions in the region, sparking concerns of an all-out war. This move was anticipated after Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles on Israel almost a month ago. Israel’s military spokesman emphasized the country’s “right and duty” to respond, with its defensive and offensive capabilities fully mobilized. During the attack, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office released a picture of Benjamin Netanyahu in the operations center of the military headquarters, showcasing the country’s commitment to its response.The US, a key ally of Israel, has described the strike as an “exercise of self-defense”.…

Georgian Election Stakes Rise Amid EU Membership Hopes Georgians are voting today in a pivotal election widely seen as a choice between European integration and Russian influence. President Salome Zourabichvili expressed optimism, hoping the vote aligns with Georgians’ desire for a European future. The Georgian Dream party, led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, aims to maintain power after 12 years of rule. The stakes are high, with pro-European opposition groups striving for change. Georgian Dream warns that an opposition win could trigger conflict with Russia, which occupies 20% of Georgia’s territory since a brief 2008 war. Billboards across Georgia pair images…

A recent attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS), a state-run defense plant outside Ankara, blamed the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). On Telegram, the PKK claimed that its “immortals battalion” carried out this act of sacrifice by attacking the TUSAS campus with automatic guns and explosives. The PKK attack on Turkish defense killed five people and injured 22 others. TUSAS is well-known for producing unmanned aerial vehicles, military and commercial aircraft, and other space and defense technologies. Following this attack, Turkey intensified its military response with airstrikes over two consecutive nights, targeting PKK facilities in northern Iraq. Turkey’s Ministry of National…

Two months after her nomination, Kamala Harris faces a competitive field as she tries to win over undecided voters and unify the Democrats. Hailed as a fresh contender at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Kamala Harris now represents the party’s hopes after Joe Biden, 81, struggled against Donald Trump in early surveys. As Kamala Harris’s presidential race heats up, she seeks to rally support and solidify her position among the candidates. Meanwhile, as Election Day draws near, senior party strategists are increasingly concerned about Harris’s chances of winning. They are worried about her ability to appeal beyond the Democratic…

The upcoming US elections on November 5 have turned into a contest between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Originally set for a Biden-Trump rematch, the race changed course in July when President Joe Biden exited and endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee. Since joining the race, Harris has held a slight lead in national polls, but that gap has recently narrowed. Harris gained a nearly four-point edge in August, though her numbers stayed stable through September, even after the widely watched September 10 debate. National polls show her slight lead, but they don’t directly determine the outcome. The US elections…