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Three Journalists Killed in Israeli Strike on Known Media Compound in Lebanon

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Three Journalists Killed in Israeli Strike on Known Media Compound in Lebanon

Three journalists were killed early Thursday when an Israeli airstrike hit a guesthouse compound in southeastern Lebanon known to house reporters, marking a significant escalation in media casualties as the conflict expands beyond Gaza.

The strike, occurring around 3:00 a.m. local time in Hasbaya, killed camera operator Ghassan Najjar and engineer Mohamed Reda from Al Mayadeen TV, and camera operator Wissam Qassem from Al-Manar TV. Three others were wounded in the attack, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.

“All official parties were told that this house was being used as a stay-house for journalists. We coordinated with them all,” said an Al-Jadeed TV journalist during a dust-covered live broadcast from the scene. The compound housed more than a dozen journalists from at least seven media organizations, with vehicles clearly marked “press” in the courtyard.

Lebanese Information Minister Ziad Makary condemned the attack as a “war crime,” stating Israel “waited for the journalists’ nighttime break to betray them in their sleep.” He noted eighteen journalists representing seven media institutions were present at the facility.

MTV Lebanon reporter Youmna Fawwaz, who survived the attack, told the BBC that journalists were awakened by the strike as ceilings collapsed around them. “The airstrike was carried out on purpose. Everyone knew we were there. All the cars were labelled as press and TV. There wasn’t even a warning given to us.”

The incident brings the death toll of journalists in Lebanon to eight since the conflict began, including Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah. The Israeli military, which has previously denied targeting journalists, has not yet commented on the strike.

Hasbaya, located five miles from the Israeli border and home to Muslim, Christian, and Druze communities, had previously seen attacks on its outskirts but this marked the first strike within the settlement itself. The attack comes amid intensifying Israeli operations in Lebanon, with authorities recording over 1,700 airstrikes across the country in the past three weeks.

The Committee to Protect Journalists reports at least 123 Palestinian journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began, while two Israeli journalists have also died. The expanding conflict has claimed nearly 2,600 lives in Lebanon according to the country’s health ministry, with many deaths occurring since Israel’s escalation on September 23.

bbc.com

Messi’s MLS Earnings Exceed 22 Teams’ Total Payrolls as League Reveals Salary Data

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Messi’s MLS Earnings Exceed 22 Teams’ Total Payrolls as League Reveals Salary Data

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi commanded more in compensation than 22 entire Major League Soccer team payrolls in 2024, according to salary data released Thursday by the MLS Players Association, highlighting the dramatic financial impact of the Argentine superstar’s arrival.

Messi’s package includes a $12 million base salary and total compensation of $20,446,667, figures that exclude additional agreements with team affiliates or performance bonuses. The compensation level demonstrates the league’s unprecedented investment in the World Cup champion, who led Miami to the Supporters Shield as regular season champions.

Inter Miami’s league-record $41.7 million payroll stands alone at the top of MLS, doubling all but four other clubs: Toronto ($31.8 million), Los Angeles FC ($22.1 million), LA Galaxy ($22 million), and Nashville ($21.9 million). Only Cincinnati ($21 million) and Houston ($20.5 million) maintain total team payrolls exceeding Messi’s individual earnings.

The salary report revealed other significant summer acquisitions, including French World Cup winner Olivier Giroud’s move to LAFC with $3,675,000 in annualized compensation. Miami’s Sergio Busquets ranks second league-wide with $8,774,996 in total compensation, while Toronto’s Lorenzo Insigne receives $15.4 million total on a $7.5 million base salary.

Notable summer transfers included Houston’s Ezequiel Ponce ($2.8 million total), Atlanta’s Alexey Miranchuk ($3.7 million), and former German international Marco Reus joining LA Galaxy ($1.2 million). American veterans returning to MLS included Colorado’s Reggie Cannon ($841,500) and Charlotte’s Tim Ream ($577,500).

The financial disparity extends to the bottom of the league, where Montreal ($11.4 million), Philadelphia ($13.8 million), and Dallas ($13.9 million) operate with some of MLS’s lowest payrolls, illustrating the growing economic divide within the rapidly expanding league.

Beyoncé to Join Vice President Harris at Houston Campaign Rally

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Beyoncé to Join Vice President Harris at Houston Campaign Rally

Global superstar Beyoncé will join Vice President Kamala Harris at a campaign rally in their shared hometown of Houston on Friday, CBS News reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, marking the singer’s first appearance on the 2024 campaign trail just days before the November 5 election.

The Houston event, where Harris will appear alongside Texas Democratic Senate candidate Colin Allred, will also feature country music legend Willie Nelson and Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles. The appearance comes after speculation about Beyoncé’s potential involvement in the campaign, including rumors of a planned appearance at August’s Democratic National Convention that did not materialize.

Beyoncé’s political engagement extends back multiple election cycles, including performances for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign alongside husband Jay-Z, and endorsements of Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, Joe Biden in 2020, and Beto O’Rourke’s 2018 Texas Senate bid. Harris, who regularly features Beyoncé’s song “Freedom” at campaign events, has already secured endorsements from numerous entertainment figures including Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, Eminem, Cher, and Lizzo.

The impact of celebrity endorsements remains debatable. A Harvard Kennedy School study author, Ashley Spillane, suggests celebrities are “among the most well-positioned members of society” to address voter apathy by providing information, building trust, and increasing motivation. However, recent polling indicates mixed results: a Quinnipiac University survey found Taylor Swift’s Harris endorsement made 9% of respondents “more enthusiastic” about the campaign while making 13% “less enthusiastic.”

Former President Donald Trump has also garnered celebrity support, including endorsements from Elon Musk, Danica Patrick, Jon Voight, Paula Deen, Brett Favre, Kelsey Grammar, Kid Rock, and Kanye West.

Mozambique Ruling Party Claims Presidential Victory Amid Opposition Protests

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Mozambique Ruling Party Claims Presidential Victory Amid Opposition Protests

Mozambique’s National Electoral Commission announced Thursday that ruling party candidate Daniel Chapo won the presidential election with more than 70% of the vote, extending the Frelimo Party’s unbroken grip on power since independence in 1975.

Independent challenger Venancio Mondlane, who finished second with 20% of the vote, denounced the October 9 election as rigged and called for two days of national protests. The traditional opposition Renamo party finished a distant third with less than 6% support.

The announcement comes amid rising tensions following the killings of two prominent opposition members, Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe, which sparked protests in Maputo where police responded with tear gas. The deaths drew condemnation from multiple Western embassies, including the United States, Canada, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Election observers raised serious concerns about the vote’s integrity. The European Union mission reported its 179 observers were blocked from monitoring vote tabulation in several districts and provinces, while witnessing “unjustified alteration” of results at some polling stations.

“The terrain is already prepared, regardless of what we see; the enthusiasm, dynamism of the young people that are rallying behind this opposition candidate, we know the status quo will prevail,” said Adriano Nuvunga, director of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Mozambique, who had predicted the outcome before the election.

The 47-year-old Chapo inherits significant challenges, including a 62% poverty rate and ongoing insurgency in the gas-rich Cabo Delgado province that has killed approximately 4,000 people and displaced one million since 2017. International observers note that despite Mozambique’s natural resource wealth, benefits have failed to reach ordinary citizens.

“The natural gas, the oil, the diamonds, those are not very helpful to the people of Mozambique,” said Kenneth Ombongi, associate dean at the University of Nairobi. “They are helpful to the international interest that compete among themselves to harness the resources of this country.”

The U.S. State Department urged Mozambicans to reject violence and pursue electoral grievances through peaceful means, as the Southern African Development Community and EU observer missions prepare their final assessments of the contested vote.

Haitian Gangs Shot at UN Helicopter as Violence Surges Across Capital

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Haitian Gangs Shot at UN Helicopter as Violence Surges Across Capital

Armed gangs opened fire on a United Nations helicopter carrying 18 people Thursday as it attempted to land in Port-au-Prince, marking a significant escalation in Haiti’s spiraling violence that has already displaced thousands of residents from the capital.

The helicopter, carrying three crew members and 15 passengers, sustained multiple bullet impacts but landed safely with no injuries reported, according to a UN source speaking on condition of anonymity. The attack comes just five months after the capital’s main international airport reopened following a prolonged closure due to coordinated gang assaults.

The incident coincides with intensifying violence in nearby Arcahaie, where approximately 50 suspected gang members died this week after attacking the coastal town northwest of the capital. Local officials confirmed at least a dozen gunmen drowned when their boat capsized during the assault, which began Monday with attackers burning homes and vehicles.

The attacks are attributed to the Viv Ansanm gang coalition, whose recent operations have forced more than 10,000 people from their homes in Port-au-Prince within a week, according to the UN’s International Organization for Migration. More than half the displaced have crowded into 14 makeshift shelters, including schools, while others seek refuge with relatives.

The surge in violence challenges the effectiveness of a UN-backed Kenyan police mission deployed to combat gang activity. Gangs currently control more than 80% of Port-au-Prince, leaving 700,000 people homeless and claiming thousands of lives. U.S. officials and Haitian authorities have warned that the Kenyan-led mission lacks adequate personnel and funding, advocating for its replacement with a full UN peacekeeping force.

In Arcahaie, where fighting continues, local police official Réné has urgently requested reinforcements from military and special police units as residents and law enforcement attempt to contain gang members who ran out of ammunition and scattered into surrounding areas.

Nigeria Releases Binance Executive After Eight-Month Detention on Money Laundering Charges

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Nigeria Releases Binance Executive After Eight-Month Detention on Money Laundering Charges

Nigerian authorities have released Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, after eight months in custody, dropping money laundering charges on what officials cited as health and diplomatic grounds.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan announced Thursday that Gambaryan was returning to the United States for medical treatment following his humanitarian release. “I am grateful to my Nigerian colleagues and partners for the productive discussions that have resulted in this step,” Sullivan said, confirming he had personally informed Gambaryan’s wife of the development.

The case, which began with Gambaryan’s February arrest during a business trip to Nigeria, had sparked controversy over allegations of illegal detention and alleged bribe demands by Nigerian officials. Gambaryan was detained alongside Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s regional manager for Africa, who later fled custody and remains at large.

Nigerian authorities had accused Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, of facilitating up to $35 million in money laundering and manipulating the local naira currency. The charges emerged as Nigeria, Africa’s largest cryptocurrency market, grappled with currency instability and rising inflation, leading many citizens to seek financial refuge in digital currencies.

R.U. Adaba, prosecutor for Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, announced the case’s termination Wednesday at Abuja’s Federal High Court, citing “critical international and diplomatic reasons.” However, Binance still faces separate charges related to tax evasion and operating without required licenses.

Gambaryan’s detention conditions drew international scrutiny after two failed bail attempts, with a judge deeming him a flight risk and ordering his confinement in Abuja’s Kuje prison. His health reportedly deteriorated during the prolonged legal proceedings.

While Nigerian officials denied allegations of soliciting bribes for Gambaryan’s release and defended the prosecution’s legitimacy, the case highlighted tensions between cryptocurrency operations and regulatory oversight in Africa’s largest economy.

Messi Leads Record-Setting Inter Miami Into Playoff Showdown with Atlanta United

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Messi Leads Record-Setting Inter Miami Into Playoff Showdown with Atlanta United

Lionel Messi enters uncharted territory Friday night, making his Major League Soccer playoff debut as Inter Miami hosts Atlanta United in a best-of-three Eastern Conference first-round series, facing the only MLS team to defeat him this season.

Despite missing nearly half the regular season due to injuries and national team commitments, Messi arrives in devastating form after recording a hat trick in Miami’s 6-2 season-finale victory over New England. The Argentine superstar has posted remarkable numbers in limited action: 20 goals and 16 assists in just 19 appearances, prompting MVP consideration despite his abbreviated season.

“If I could vote for him, I would have,” Miami defender Julian Gressel said. “The MVP stands for the best player in the league. And Leo is that, by far. You know, there’s other people out there that have the definition of an MVP that maybe makes the team better or that a team can’t live without. In a sense, to me, Leo is that, too.”

Inter Miami, which set MLS records for points and winning percentage this season, faces significant stakes in its first-ever home playoff match. Victory in this series would secure home-field advantage through the remainder of the playoffs, including potential conference semifinals, conference final, and MLS Cup matches.

“This was always about creating history for Miami,” said owner David Beckham, who first announced plans for the franchise over a decade ago. “This was always about our family, La Familia, the people in this stadium, the people in this city.”

The matchup features interesting connections, including Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who led Atlanta to the 2018 MLS Cup. Atlanta interim coach Rob Valentino acknowledged the unique challenge of facing Messi: “He’s arguably the best player that’s ever played. We’ve faced him a few times and we know obviously his qualities, but also at the same time, they have other players that are good, too.”

Atlanta earned this playoff matchup by defeating Montreal in Tuesday’s wild-card match. The series opener at a sold-out Miami stadium represents the most significant match of Inter Miami’s season, as the best-of-three format leaves little room for error.

One Dead, Four Injured as Arctic Circle Express Derails in Northern Norway

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One Dead, Four Injured as Arctic Circle Express Derails in Northern Norway

A train carrying 55 passengers derailed along Norway’s northern coast Thursday, killing at least one person and injuring four others when the Arctic Circle Express plunged off its mountainside track following a suspected rockslide.

The accident occurred at 1215 GMT as the train traveled from Trondheim toward Bodoe, a remote town above the Arctic Circle. Emergency services evacuated surviving passengers through windows, transporting the uninjured by bus to Mo i Rana, located 228 kilometers south of Bodoe.

“I flew over a guy and broke a table in front of us. But I was lucky and sustained no injuries. I’m just a little shaky,” passenger Sissel Trøan told Norwegian broadcaster NRK, describing the “dramatic” sudden braking that sent passengers flying and shattered windows throughout the carriages.

Eyewitness accounts and photos shared by Norwegian media revealed a massive boulder on the track that had crashed into one of the train’s five carriages. Passenger Ingvart Strand Mølster reported to NRK that while a rock struck the train, most passengers in his carriage escaped serious harm, with only one person suffering a minor ankle injury.

Video footage showed the derailed train had crashed through trees before coming to rest on a road below the tracks. The highway was immediately closed to traffic following the incident. Photos revealed the locomotive and at least two passenger carriages had left the tracks near Bodoe.

Police told the Norwegian news agency NTB that a rockslide likely caused the derailment. The four injured passengers were transported to a nearby hospital, though their conditions remain unclear.

Mourinho Faces Former Club as Fenerbahce Hosts Manchester United in Europa League Clash

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Mourinho Faces Former Club as Fenerbahce Hosts Manchester United in Europa League Clash

Jose Mourinho faces his former club Manchester United for the first time since his tumultuous Old Trafford tenure as his Fenerbahce side hosts the Red Devils at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium Thursday in a crucial Europa League encounter.

The match marks the teams’ first meeting since November 2016, when Mourinho, then United’s manager, suffered a 2-1 defeat in Turkey. Now leading Fenerbahce, the Portuguese tactician brings an impressive record of eight wins, four draws, and just two losses in fourteen matches across all competitions this season.

United arrive following a morale-boosting 2-1 Premier League victory over Brentford that ended a five-game winless streak. Manager Erik ten Hag, who recently dismissed media speculation about his future, sees his team seeking their first Europa League win after two draws against FC Twente and Porto.

The visitors face significant squad challenges, with several key players sidelined. Leny Yoro, Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount, and Toby Collyer are all unavailable through injury, while captain Bruno Fernandes serves a suspension. Casemiro remains questionable after a late withdrawal against Brentford, though he has traveled with the squad.

Fenerbahce confronts their own injury crisis, missing Cengiz Under, Ismail Yuksek, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Irfan Can Egribayat. The recent loss of Jayden Oosterwolde to an ACL rupture forces Mourinho to reorganize his defense, potentially deploying former United midfielder Fred in an unconventional left-back role.

United’s European form raises concerns, with the club winless in their last five continental matches, their worst run since 1983. Meanwhile, Fenerbahce boasts a seven-game unbeaten home record in Europa League competition, though Mourinho’s personal record against former clubs shows just two victories in his last seventeen attempts.

The match presents a critical juncture for both sides, with Fenerbahce having collected four points from their opening two group games while United seek to improve on their two-point tally. Given both teams’ defensive inconsistencies and United’s recent tendency for high-scoring away European fixtures, an entertaining contest appears likely.

Uganda Joins BRICS Partnership in Major Shift Toward Emerging Markets

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Uganda Joins BRICS Partnership in Major Shift Toward Emerging Markets

Uganda has joined the BRICS economic alliance as one of thirteen new partner nations, marking a significant shift in the East African nation’s international trade relationships and reflecting broader changes in global economic power dynamics.

The expansion, which includes major economies like Indonesia, Turkey, and Nigeria, represents BRICS’ growing challenge to Western-dominated financial institutions. The move brings Uganda into closer alignment with Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, offering access to some of the world’s largest emerging markets.

“BRICS provides a platform for African countries to engage on more equal footing with major economies,” said regional trade analyst Mohammed Ssemakula. “The shift toward south-south cooperation is particularly important for countries like Uganda, which are seeking to reduce dependency on Western markets.”

Uganda’s agricultural and resource-based economy stands to benefit from increased investment opportunities, particularly in oil, minerals, and cash crops like coffee and tea. The partnership could accelerate infrastructure development in energy and transportation sectors, crucial for improving the nation’s economic competitiveness.

The inclusion of both Uganda and Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, underscores the continent’s rising influence in reshaping global economic alliances. African nations, traditionally viewed as recipients of Western aid and investment, increasingly seek partnerships emphasizing mutual benefit and economic development.

BRICS’ expansion reflects its long-term strategy to create alternative economic pathways outside Western-centric trade and financial systems. For Uganda, the partnership signals a strategic pivot toward emerging markets and could strengthen its position in international trade negotiations.

The development comes as emerging economies increasingly challenge traditional Western economic dominance, with BRICS members collectively representing a significant portion of global GDP and trade volume. Uganda’s participation in this expanded alliance could fundamentally alter its economic trajectory and role in global markets.

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