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Two Teenagers Among Casualties as Russian Strikes Hit Kyiv and Central Ukraine

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Two Teenagers Among Casualties as Russian Strikes Hit Kyiv and Central Ukraine

A 15-year-old girl was killed in a Russian drone strike on a 25-story apartment block in Kyiv during a prolonged nighttime barrage on the Ukrainian capital, officials reported. Five others were injured in the attack, which damaged several apartments on the building’s upper floors and led to the evacuation of 100 people.

Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko confirmed the teenager’s death, while Serhii Popko, head of Kyiv’s local military administration, stated that Russian forces bombarded the city for 7 1/2 hours overnight. Ukrainian air defense reportedly shot down up to a dozen Russian drones during the assault, as air raid sirens wailed throughout the night.

In a separate incident, a Russian missile struck a residential area in the central city of Dnipro late Friday, killing a 14-year-old and three others, according to regional Governor Serhii Lysak. At least 20 people were injured, including an 8-year-old and several teenagers. The attack damaged over a dozen apartment buildings, private houses, and a medical facility. Among the dead were the wife and teenage daughter of a local policeman, pulled from the rubble.

In the southern Kherson region, a man and woman died after a Russian drone dropped explosives on a village, local prosecutors reported. Meanwhile, a 61-year-old woman was killed by shelling in the northeast.

The Kyiv province, which surrounds but does not include the capital, also suffered casualties. Flying debris from a drone attack killed a woman, while a 13-year-old boy was wounded elsewhere in the region, according to Ukraine’s Emergency Service.

The Ukrainian government has vowed to continue defending its territory and protecting its citizens, while also appealing for increased support from its allies to bolster its air defense capabilities and provide humanitarian aid to those affected by the war.

3 Killed in Midair Collision of Light Planes Near Sydney, Australia

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3 Killed in Midair Collision of Light Planes Near Sydney, Australia

Three men lost their lives when two light planes collided midair and crashed into a heavily wooded area approximately 55 miles southwest of Sydney on Saturday.

Australian police, fire, and ambulance crews reached the two crash sites on foot, navigating through semirural bushland. One of the planes had caught fire upon impact.

Acting Superintendent Timothy Calman of the New South Wales Police confirmed that a Cessna 182, carrying two people, collided with an ultralight aircraft, which had taken off from a nearby airfield with a single occupant. The identities of the victims have not been released.

Witnesses reported seeing “debris coming from the sky” and attempted to provide assistance, but Acting Superintendent Calman stated that there was likely “not much that could’ve been done.” He noted that both crash sites, located about one kilometer apart, were “not survivable.”

NSW Ambulance Inspector Joseph Ibrahim, a member of the emergency response team, echoed the sentiment to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, saying, “unfortunately, there was nothing they could’ve done.”

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will be conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the tragic accident.

New Hampshire Mother Sentenced to 53 Years for Murder of 5-Year-Old Son

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New Hampshire Mother Sentenced to 53 Years for Murder of 5-Year-Old Son

Danielle Dauphinais, a 38-year-old New Hampshire woman, was sentenced Friday to 53 years to life in prison for the death of her 5-year-old son, Elijah Lewis, whose beaten, starved, and drug-exposed body was found buried in a Massachusetts park in 2021.

Dauphinais pleaded guilty last month to second-degree murder and other charges in an agreement with prosecutors, avoiding a trial in Nashua. In court, she read a letter apologizing to Elijah for failing him as a mother, breaking down in tears before one of her attorneys finished reading it on her behalf.

Prosecutors sought a 55-year sentence, while the defense requested the minimum term of 35 years. Judge Charles Temple ultimately sentenced Dauphinais to 53 years to life, with an additional three to seven years on lesser offenses.

Elijah’s autopsy revealed facial and scalp injuries, acute fentanyl intoxication, malnourishment, and pressure ulcers. Prosecutors presented evidence that Elijah was tortured and neglected, confined for long periods in a bathroom tub, and monitored via video. Photos showed his progressive weight loss over a 16-month period.

Dauphinais’ boyfriend, Joseph Stapf, had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter and other charges in connection with Elijah’s death, receiving a sentence of 22 to 45 years in prison.

Text messages between Dauphinais and Stapf expressed hostility toward Elijah and frustration when he did not behave according to their wishes. One message from Dauphinais read, “I’m gonna kill him and I mean it.”

Defense attorney Benjamin Faulkner argued that Dauphinais’ texts were sent out of desperation due to Elijah’s aggressive behavior, which she was unable to manage while caring for another child and struggling with substance abuse. Prosecutors countered that she shifted blame and responsibility to others, including Elijah’s father, Timothy Lewis.

Lewis had become concerned about Elijah’s medical care and contacted the state Division for Children, Youth and Families. He filed a wrongful death lawsuit earlier this year against Dauphinais, Stapf, Stapf’s mother, and the child services agency.

Elijah was last seen by a doctor in November 2020, weighing just 32 pounds with bruises on his face, eye, and arm. Dauphinais later lied about Elijah’s whereabouts, and his remains were discovered in October 2021, days after Dauphinais and Stapf were arrested in New York.

At the time of his death, Elijah was severely underweight and undersized for his age. Lewis addressed the court via phone, saying he could never forgive Dauphinais and hoped she would be haunted by their son’s death.

apnews.com

Microsoft Terminates Employees Who Organized Unauthorized Vigil for Palestinians Killed in Gaza

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Microsoft Terminates Employees Who Organized Unauthorized Vigil for Palestinians Killed in Gaza

Microsoft has fired two employees who organized an unsanctioned vigil at the company’s Redmond, Washington headquarters to honor Palestinians killed in Gaza during the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The employees, Abdelrahman Mohamed and Hossam Nasr, told The Associated Press that they were informed of their termination via phone call late Thursday, hours after the lunchtime event they had organized.

Both Mohamed and Nasr were part of a coalition of employees called “No Azure for Apartheid,” which has been critical of Microsoft’s decision to sell its cloud-computing technology to the Israeli government. However, they argued that Thursday’s vigil was similar to other Microsoft-approved employee gift campaigns for people in need.

“We have so many community members within Microsoft who have lost family, lost friends or loved ones,” said Mohamed, a researcher and data scientist. “But Microsoft really failed to have the space for us where we can come together and share our grief and honor the memories of people who can no longer speak for themselves.”

In a statement, Microsoft confirmed that it had “ended the employment of some individuals in accordance with internal policy” but declined to provide further details, citing privacy and confidentiality considerations.

Mohamed, who is originally from Egypt, now faces the challenge of finding a new job within the next two months to transfer his work visa and avoid deportation.

Nasr, who co-organized the vigil, said its purpose was not only to honor the victims of what he called “the Palestinian genocide in Gaza” but also to draw attention to Microsoft’s alleged complicity due to the use of its technology by the Israeli military.

Nasr, an Egyptian-raised 2021 graduate of Harvard University and co-organizer of Harvard Alumni for Palestine, claimed that his firing was disclosed on social media by the watchdog group Stop Antisemitism more than an hour before he received the call from Microsoft. The group had previously called on Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to take action against Nasr for his public stances on Israel.

The firings at Microsoft come in the wake of similar actions at Google, where more than 50 workers were terminated following protests over the company’s “Project Nimbus,” a $1.2 billion contract signed in 2021 for Google and Amazon to provide cloud computing and artificial intelligence services to the Israeli government.

AP

Man Arrested After Knife Attack Injures Four at St. Petersburg Supermarket

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Man Arrested After Knife Attack Injures Four at St. Petersburg Supermarket

A stabbing attack at an O’Key supermarket in St. Petersburg has left at least four people hospitalized, according to Russian media reports on Friday.

Eyewitnesses told the local news outlet Fontanka that an “aggressive man” began the attack by throwing champagne bottles at shoppers inside the store. He then reportedly grabbed a knife from a display window and proceeded to chase down and stab a woman in the chest.

“We all dropped everything and ran away to hide from him,” one eyewitness recounted to Fontanka.

Video footage from the scene showed store employees urgently calling for first aid kits as they attempted to assist an injured person.

Fontanka later reported that the suspected attacker, identified as a 44-year-old man, had been arrested and charged with attempted murder.

Initial reports indicated that two victims, a security guard and a female shopper, were hospitalized, while four others managed to escape serious injury. However, Fontanka subsequently reported that three of the victims were in serious condition.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear at this time, and authorities have not released any further details about the suspect or the condition of the victims.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, with many expressing concern for the safety of shoppers and staff at the supermarket. The O’Key chain has not yet released an official statement regarding the attack.

themoscowtimes.com

Woman, 60, Arrested After Three Deaths at Dorset Care Home, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Suspected

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Woman, 60, Arrested After Three Deaths at Dorset Care Home, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Suspected

Dorset Police have arrested a 60-year-old woman on suspicion of manslaughter following the unexplained deaths of three residents at Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage.

The arrest comes after police received a report at 7:16 a.m. regarding three residents who were found dead at the care home on Ulwell Road. In addition to the fatalities, seven other residents were taken to hospital as a precautionary measure, while the remaining residents were evacuated to a location where they can receive appropriate care.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Third, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, stated that the primary line of inquiry is carbon monoxide poisoning. He expressed condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased and assured them that officers are providing support during this difficult time.

The arrest was made to establish whether there have been any grossly negligent actions or omissions and to gather as much information as possible about the incident. DCI Third emphasized the importance of avoiding speculation now that legal proceedings are active.

Dorset Police acknowledged the impact of the incident on the Swanage community and thanked everyone for their care and respect throughout the day. The local neighborhood policing team will be on hand to provide support during this challenging period.

The police spokesperson urged anyone with information to contact Dorset Police through their website or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240163072. Alternatively, the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.

As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of the three residents and awaits further updates on the condition of those hospitalized. The incident has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit town of Swanage, with many expressing their condolences and concern for the affected families and care home staff.

Israel’s Strikes on Iran Limited to Military Targets, US Official Says

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Israel’s Strikes on Iran Limited to Military Targets, US Official Says

A senior Biden administration official has indicated that Israel’s recent strikes against Iran appear to be focused on military targets, avoiding more sensitive areas such as nuclear facilities and oil fields.

During his visit to the region this week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to limit the scope of their targets. The administration believes that doing so could help break the cycle of retaliation without escalating into a broader conflict.

A second official revealed that prior to the strikes, the U.S. was aware that Israel felt compelled to respond, but encouraged them to refrain from hitting more sensitive targets in an effort to prevent further escalation.

Three U.S. defense officials confirmed to NBC News that Israel had provided advance notice to the U.S. before launching the strikes, but emphasized that the U.S. was not directly involved in the actions taken by Israel.

An Israeli official, speaking to NBC News, reiterated that the strikes were not directed at Iranian nuclear facilities or oil fields, but instead focused on military targets. “We’re targeting things that might have threatened us in the past or could do in the future,” the official stated.

The strikes come amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, with both sides engaging in a series of retaliatory actions in recent months. The U.S. has been working to de-escalate the situation, seeking to prevent a full-scale conflict in the region.

Unbeaten Real Madrid Host League Leaders Barcelona in El Clasico Showdown

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Unbeaten Real Madrid Host League Leaders Barcelona in El Clasico Showdown

Real Madrid welcome bitter rivals Barcelona to the Bernabeu on Saturday for the first El Clasico of the 2024-25 La Liga season, with the visitors holding a three-point lead at the top of the table.

Barcelona have set the pace in Spain’s top flight, winning nine of their opening 10 matches. However, Real Madrid are unbeaten and could move level on points with a victory in front of their home fans.

Los Blancos have had the upper hand in recent meetings between the two sides, winning the last four encounters across all competitions. Carlo Ancelotti’s men did the league double over Barcelona last season, including a 3-2 triumph in the corresponding fixture.

Despite an inconsistent start to the campaign, Real Madrid have been boosted by the goalscoring form of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe. The pair have netted 16 times between them in all competitions, although big-money signing Jude Bellingham is yet to open his account for the club.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has overseen an impressive start to his tenure, with the Catalan giants scoring a league-high 33 goals. Robert Lewandowski has led the way with 12 strikes, while Raphinha is fresh from scoring a hat-trick in Wednesday’s 4-1 Champions League win over Bayern Munich.

Both sides have significant injury concerns ahead of the clash. Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and forward Rodrygo are facing two to three weeks out, while Barcelona are missing key defenders Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen.

A capacity crowd is expected at the Bernabeu as Real Madrid aim to extend their 42-game unbeaten run in La Liga and halt Barcelona’s early-season momentum. With neither side wanting to give ground in the title race, a closely-fought encounter is anticipated. In the last 30 meetings between the teams in all competitions, Real Madrid have won 13 to Barcelona’s 10, with seven draws. The most recent stalemate in La Liga came back in December 2019, highlighting the competitive nature of this iconic fixture

E Coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders Infects 75, FDA Reports

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E Coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders Infects 75, FDA Reports

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Friday that the number of people infected by the E coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s quarter pounder hamburgers has risen to 75, signaling an escalation in the food poisoning outbreak affecting the US west and midwest.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned that the actual number of people sickened by the bacterial illness is likely much higher than reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known cases.

The update comes after a previous government report indicating that the infections had killed one person, sickened 49, and hospitalized 10 across the US. The outbreak first emerged in Colorado and has primarily affected the west and midwest regions.

On Thursday, fresh onions were identified as the possible source of the deadly bacteria, rather than the burger meat. The FDA reported that 22 out of the 61 people for whom information was available had been hospitalized, with two developing hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure.

The E coli strain responsible for the death of one person is said to cause “very serious disease,” particularly among the elderly, children, and those with compromised immune systems.

Initial findings by the FDA and McDonald’s showed that slivered onions used in the quarter pounder, supplied by Taylor Farms to three distribution centers, were the likely source of the outbreak. Taylor Farms has recalled several batches of yellow onions produced in its Colorado facility, and McDonald’s has initiated a voluntary recall.

McDonald’s has removed the quarter pounder from its menu at locations in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, accounting for a fifth of its 14,000 US restaurants. The company’s shares were down 2% on Friday morning.

The CDC emphasized that the risk to the public is very low due to the actions taken by McDonald’s and Taylor Farms. However, other restaurant chains, including KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Burger King, have also removed onions from their menus as a precautionary measure.

The E coli illnesses linked to the McDonald’s items started on dates ranging from September 27 to October 10.

Venezuelan Opposition Activist Murdered After Detention by Security Forces, Party Claims

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Venezuelan Opposition Activist Murdered After Detention by Security Forces, Party Claims

A major Venezuelan opposition party, Voluntad Popular (VP), has accused the regime of President Nicolás Maduro of murdering one of its activists, Edwin Santos, after he was detained by state security officials in the western state of Apure.

According to VP, Santos was found dead on Friday morning on a bridge in the rural El Pinal district, which had been a focus of his advocacy. The party said that Santos had gone missing on Wednesday afternoon while traveling in the area and that witnesses confirmed he had been intercepted by state security agents.

VP claimed that it had confirmed on Thursday that Santos was being held in custody at the headquarters of Venezuela’s military counter-intelligence agency in Guasdualito, a city near the Colombian border. Party official Adriana Pichardo told AFP that Santos’s wife had identified his body.

“During the past few months, he had fought for his community, denouncing the collapse of the bridge that links Apure with [the neighbouring state of] Tachira,” VP said in a statement. “It was on that bridge that he was found dead this morning.” The bridge in question had collapsed in July following heavy rain.

Opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González Urrutia, who is in exile in Spain, called for justice over Santos’s death in a post on social media platform X. “Venezuela wants and needs the truth,” said González Urrutia, who recently shared the EU’s top human rights prize with opposition leader María Corina Machado for their resistance to Maduro’s regime.

The death of Santos comes amidst a sweeping crackdown on Venezuelan opposition activists since the July elections, in which Maduro claimed to have won a third term. The opposition, however, published detailed polling results showing González Urrutia winning by a large margin.

The murder of Edwin Santos has once again highlighted the ongoing human rights abuses and political repression in Venezuela under Maduro’s authoritarian regime.

theguardian.com

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