Italy’s parliament has made it illegal for couples to pursue surrogacy abroad, a move led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s party, which critics argue targets same-sex couples. The law, passed by the Senate, extends a 2004 domestic ban to international surrogacy, imposing penalties of up to two years in jail and €1 million fines. Meloni’s conservative agenda emphasizes traditional family values, complicating LGBTQ couples’ path to parenthood. Critics, including LGBTQ activists, argue the law disproportionately affects gay couples and exacerbates Italy’s declining birthrate. Ava Sinclair 16/10/2024 8:30 pm
Mikhail Pichugin, 45, survived 67 days adrift in the Sea of Okhotsk after his catamaran’s engines failed. His brother Sergey, 49, and nephew Ilya, 15, died from starvation and exposure. Pichugin described how Ilya died first, leading Sergey to become distraught and eventually die despite Pichugin’s efforts to save him. The trio was returning from a whale-watching trip when their vessel malfunctioned. Pichugin was rescued by a fishing trawler after drifting 625 miles. Russian officials had searched for them but eventually called off the efforts. Ava Sinclair 16/10/2024 8:30 pm
Ukrainian President Zelensky outlined a five-point “victory plan” to lawmakers, starting with Ukraine’s immediate NATO membership and ending with replacing U.S. troops in Europe with Ukrainian units post-war. The plan, shared with allies but not publicly endorsed, includes strengthening Ukraine’s security, nonnuclear deterrence, and economic security. It aims to end Russia’s war by next year, showing Putin’s geopolitical failure. Kremlin spokesman Peskov dismissed the plan. Three sections remain classified, with some details shared with key Western partners. Noah Prescott 16/10/2024 8:30 pm
An overturned fuel tanker exploded in Jigawa state, Nigeria, killing at least 140 people and injuring dozens. The explosion occurred as residents gathered to collect fuel from the tanker, which had veered to avoid a collision. The fire burned into Wednesday morning, with 97 people “burned to ashes” at the scene. Emergency officials conducted a mass funeral for the victims, and the death toll is expected to rise. The tanker was transporting fuel from Kano state when the accident happened. Noah Prescott 16/10/2024 5:00 pm
Mikhail Pichugin, 46, survived 67 days adrift in the Sea of Okhotsk after his boat’s engine failed. He, his brother, and nephew set off to watch whales, but the engine broke down on August 9. Despite initial rescue efforts, only Pichugin survived, drinking rainwater and battling cold. His brother and nephew died, and he tied their bodies to the boat. A fishing vessel rescued him 11 nautical miles off Kamchatka. They had limited food, and his nephew died of hypothermia and hunger in September. Ava Sinclair 16/10/2024 5:00 pm
An Italian navy ship docked in Albania, delivering 16 refugees under a new Italy-Albania deal to process asylum seekers outside the EU. The agreement, praised by Italy’s right-wing government but criticized by rights groups, aims to tighten immigration policies. The first arrivals, 10 Bangladeshis and 6 Egyptians, will have their cases heard at a nearby airbase. Italy plans to process up to 36,000 asylum seekers annually in Albania, with vulnerable individuals sent to Italy. The deal reflects broader EU trends towards stricter immigration policies. Noah Prescott 16/10/2024 5:00 pm
An Israeli strike in Qana, southern Lebanon, killed at least three and wounded 50, targeting a Hezbollah commander. In Beirut’s Haret Hreik, strikes aimed at Hezbollah’s weapon storage followed warnings to residents. The U.S. expressed concerns over Israel’s bombing campaign’s civilian toll. Meanwhile, Israel allowed limited aid into Gaza amid tightened sieges. Lebanon reported its first cholera case this year, with fears of outbreaks due to crowded shelters and closed hospitals, similar to conditions in Gaza. Noah Prescott 16/10/2024 5:00 pm
A senior Ukrainian military intelligence official claims Russia is recruiting North Koreans, dubbed the “Buryat Battalion,” to fight in Ukraine, with around 3,000 reportedly involved. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that North Korea is now part of a coalition with Russia, supplying both weapons and personnel. Reports suggest Pyongyang has sent 10,000 soldiers to support Russia. A strategic partnership treaty between Russia and North Korea was signed in June. The Kremlin denies these claims, labeling them as “fake news.” Noah Prescott 16/10/2024 5:00 pm
Over the past 48 hours, at least 10 Indian flights have faced hoax bomb threats, causing delays and diversions. Singapore’s Air Force escorted an Air India Express plane due to a threat, while another Air India flight was diverted to Canada. IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air also received threats. Authorities are investigating, with a teenager detained for threats posted on X (formerly Twitter). Air India is cooperating with authorities and considering legal action. Each threat involves thorough security checks, including bomb squads and passenger screenings. Noah Prescott 16/10/2024 5:00 pm
India-Canada relations hit a low as both countries expelled six diplomats each after Canada accused India of involvement in the 2023 murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canada linked the Indian government to crime boss Lawrence Bishnoi, alleging his gang carried out hits for India’s spy agency, RAW. Bishnoi, imprisoned in Gujarat, gained notoriety for the 2022 murder of rapper Sidhu Moose Wala and the recent killing of politician Baba Siddique. His feud with actor Salman Khan dates back to a 1998 hunting incident. Ava Sinclair 16/10/2024 1:30 pm
