In his memoir “Patriot,” released posthumously, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny reflects on his imprisonment and unwavering commitment to his cause. The book combines a traditional narrative with a prison diary, capturing the monotony and absurdity of prison life while offering insights on resilience and hope. Navalny advises against succumbing to anger and emphasizes acceptance. Despite his imprisonment, Navalny remains a symbol of resistance against Russian authorities. His widow, Yulia Navalnaya, completed the book and expressed potential political aspirations, though she acknowledges challenges with Putin in power. Noah Prescott 22/10/2024 11:30 pm
A woman in Australia got stuck between two boulders while trying to retrieve her phone in the Hunter Valley. With no phone reception, her friends called for help. NSW Ambulance rescued her after seven hours, using specialized equipment to move a massive boulder. She sustained only minor injuries but couldn’t retrieve her phone. Penelope Kingsley 22/10/2024 11:30 pm
Shirel Golan, a survivor of a Hamas-led attack on Israel, died by suicide on her 22nd birthday. Her brother, Eyal Golan, blames government agencies for failing to treat her PTSD. Shirel and her partner fled the Nova music festival during the attack. Eyal claims state social security and welfare agencies are responsible for her death, stating, “The country killed my sister twice.” Shirel was buried at Tel Mond Cemetery. Eyal also suffers from PTSD due to his military service. Penelope Kingsley 22/10/2024 8:00 pm
South Korea claims North Korean troops are being trained by Russia to fight in Ukraine, sparking tensions. The Kremlin insists this cooperation is legal, but fears South Korea might supply weapons to Ukraine. South Korea expressed anger over the alliance and demanded troop withdrawal. Satellite images reportedly show 1,500 North Korean personnel in Russia. Analysts suggest Russia is concerned about South Korea’s potential military support for Ukraine and its impact on Russian security interests in the Asia Pacific. The Kremlin downplays the alliance’s threat, dismissing troop deployment reports. Noah Prescott 22/10/2024 8:00 pm
A woman, identified as 23-year-old Matilda Campbell, became trapped upside-down in a 10-foot crevice in Australia’s Hunter Valley after dropping her phone. Emergency responders took seven hours to rescue her. Campbell humorously acknowledged the incident on Facebook, sharing a photo of her feet wedged between boulders. She described herself as accident-prone and vowed to avoid rock exploration for a while. Specialist rescue paramedic Peter Watts noted the rescue was challenging but rewarding. Campbell’s friends alerted emergency services after failing to free her themselves. Ava Sinclair 22/10/2024 8:00 pm
Ukraine’s population has decreased by about eight million since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, according to the UN. The population, which was 45 million in 2014, has now dropped to 35 million. Factors include a low birth rate, emigration, and war casualties. Since the invasion, 6.7 million people have fled, and the birth rate has fallen to one child per woman, below the replacement rate of 2.1. Casualties from the war also contribute to the decline. Ava Sinclair 22/10/2024 8:00 pm
Ukraine’s population has declined by about 10 million since Russia’s 2022 invasion, driven by refugee exodus, war deaths, and a plummeting birth rate, according to the UN. The conflict has worsened an existing population decline, with 6.7 million refugees now abroad. War casualties are estimated in the tens of thousands, and the birth rate has dropped to one child per woman. Accurate data will be available post-conflict. Ukraine’s population was over 50 million in 1991 and around 40 million in 2021. Russia’s population has also declined since the invasion. Ava Sinclair 22/10/2024 4:30 pm
World leaders, including China’s Xi Jinping and India’s Narendra Modi, gathered in Kazan, Russia, for a BRICS summit aimed at countering Western influence. The event, attended by 36 countries, highlights Russia’s efforts to showcase support from the Global South amid tensions with the West. The BRICS bloc, initially comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded to include Iran, Egypt, and others. Proposed initiatives include a new payment system to bypass Western sanctions. Putin and Xi emphasized strong Russia-China relations and global stability. Ava Sinclair 22/10/2024 4:30 pm
The leak of two classified US intelligence documents on Israeli plans to attack Iran has triggered a US government investigation led by the FBI, with Pentagon and intelligence community involvement. The FBI confirmed the probe, focusing on potential insider access rather than cyber intrusion. The documents, from the NSA and NGA, were widely accessible but one was scanned from a printed briefing book, narrowing the suspect pool. The investigation is in early stages, with no conclusions yet. The White House stated no further leaks are currently indicated. Noah Prescott 22/10/2024 4:30 pm
Lee Hsien Yang, son of Singapore’s first prime minister, has been granted political asylum in the UK, citing persecution during his brother Lee Hsien Loong’s tenure as prime minister. He applied for asylum in June 2022, and the UK approved it in August, acknowledging his fear of persecution. Lee, now in London, expressed disbelief at becoming a refugee from Singapore. The Singaporean government denies any persecution, stating Lee and his family are free to return. Lee Hsien Loong remains a senior minister and secretary-general of the ruling party. Ava Sinclair 22/10/2024 4:30 pm
