At least 43 people, including 37 children, drowned on Thursday while participating in celebrations for the Jitiya Parv Hindu festival in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, local officials reported.
The tragic incidents occurred across various locations in Bihar as worshippers took part in the festival, which involves bathing in local rivers and streams. Jitiya Parv is a festival observed by mothers for the wellbeing of their children.
A local official, speaking to AFP, stated, “People ignored dangerous water levels in rivers as well as ponds while bathing.” The official added that the families of the victims will receive compensation from the state government.
This incident underscores the ongoing safety concerns surrounding religious gatherings in India. Deadly accidents are not uncommon at places of worship during festivals. Just a year ago, 22 people, including 15 children, lost their lives during the same festival.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced Thursday that its forces have captured the town of Ukrainsk in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, marking the latest in a series of territorial gains for Moscow’s advancing troops.
In a daily briefing posted on Telegram, the ministry stated that Russian troops had “liberated” Ukrainsk, a town that had a pre-war population of over 10,000 residents. Ukrainsk is situated approximately 30 kilometers (18 miles) west of the regional capital, Donetsk.
This capture represents one of the more significant conquests in recent weeks for Russian forces, which have been steadily claiming control over small villages and settlements as they push forward in the region.
The announcement follows similar claims made on Wednesday, when Moscow reported the “liberation” of the settlements of Hostre and Hryhorivka, also in the Donetsk region. Hostre is a small village about 30 kilometers west of Donetsk city, while Hryhorivka is located near the strategically important hilltop town of Chasiv Yar.
Russian forces are aiming to gain control of the entire Donetsk region, demanding that Kyiv withdraw its troops from the area. Moscow has also stated that Ukraine’s withdrawal from the Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions is a precondition for opening peace talks.
These recent advances come as part of Russia’s ongoing military campaign in Ukraine, which began with the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The conflict has resulted in significant territorial changes and continues to impact the geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe.
Russia has returned nine Ukrainian children to their families with the assistance of Qatari mediators, according to an announcement Thursday by Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s presidential commissioner for children’s rights.
Lvova-Belova shared images on Telegram showing her alongside Qatari Ambassador Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, interacting with the children at the Qatari Embassy in Moscow. The group included eight boys aged 12 to 17 and one 17-year-old girl who had been living with her grandmother in Crimea and wished to reunite with her mother in Kyiv.
This repatriation is part of a broader effort that has seen Qatar facilitating the return of Ukrainian children from Russia and occupied territories since July 2023. Lvova-Belova stated that her office has aided in the return of 80 children from Ukraine and third countries, as well as 13 children from families with relatives in Russia.
The move comes amid ongoing accusations from Kyiv that Moscow has unlawfully taken over 19,000 Ukrainian children since the full-scale invasion began, a claim Russian authorities deny. To date, fewer than 400 children have been returned to Ukraine. In April, Ukraine submitted a list of 561 children whose return it is seeking from Russia, utilizing Qatari mediators.
This issue has garnered international attention, with the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants last year for President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, accusing them of unlawfully deporting children from Ukraine.
Lottery officials are urging Powerball players to check their tickets as a $139.3 million prize from the July 3 drawing remains unclaimed. The winning ticket was purchased at a Walmart in Huber Heights, Ohio, approximately 60 miles from Cincinnati.
The Ohio Lottery Commission has issued a reminder that winners have 180 days from the draw date to claim their prizes, putting pressure on the potential multimillionaire to come forward. This deadline is specific to Ohio, as claiming periods vary across states.
When the winner does step forward, they will face a significant decision regarding how to receive their windfall. Options include taking the full jackpot in 29 annual payments, which increase by 5% each year, or opting for a lump sum payment estimated at around $65 million before taxes.
Tax implications will significantly impact the final amount received. The Internal Revenue Service will apply a 24% federal tax on winnings over $5,000, with the possibility of additional taxes pushing the winner into a higher income tax bracket. Additionally, Ohio imposes a 4% state tax on lottery winnings of $600 or more.
The decision between lump sum and annuity payments has sparked debate among financial advisers. Lawyer Andrew Stoltmann told The U.S. Sun that approximately 90% of winners make the mistake of taking the lump sum, often lacking the financial structure to manage such a large amount effectively.
Financial adviser Robert Pagliarini suggested that winners might be “better off” choosing the annuity option, while certified accountant Jared James noted that annuity payments could help winners manage requests for money from friends and family.
As the clock ticks on this unclaimed prize, the case highlights the complexities and responsibilities that come with sudden wealth. It also serves as a reminder for lottery players to regularly check their tickets and be prepared for the life-changing decisions that follow a major win.
The Ohio Lottery Commission continues to encourage players to come forward, emphasizing the importance of proper ticket verification and the need for winners to seek professional financial and legal advice before claiming their prize.
Former President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Wednesday, threatening to “blow Iran to smithereens” if the Islamic Republic attempts to harm him or any other presidential candidate. Trump’s comments came during a speech at a furniture factory in Mint Hill, North Carolina, a crucial battleground state for the 2024 election.
The 78-year-old Republican candidate’s threats were in response to reports of a “real and specific” danger to his life, allegedly originating from Iran. U.S. intelligence officers have reportedly informed Trump and his advisors of an increasing threat that has “heightened in the past few months.”
“If I were the president, I would inform the threatening country, in this case Iran, that if you do anything to harm this person, we are going to blow your largest cities, and the country itself, to smithereens,” Trump declared. He added, “We’re going to blow it to smithereens. You can’t do that. And there would be no more threats.”
Trump emphasized that his proposed response would apply regardless of whether the threatened candidate was a Democrat or Republican. However, he suggested that neither President Joe Biden nor Vice President Kamala Harris possesses the strength to respond with similar force.
The former president also acknowledged recent bipartisan action in Congress, thanking Democrats for voting in favor of a law that guarantees him and Vice President Harris the same level of Secret Service protection as the sitting president.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier on Wednesday stated that the U.S. government is “intensely tracking” Iran’s continuous threats against current and former U.S. officials.
President of Iran
This development comes amid heightened international tensions, particularly concerning Iran’s role in supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon, where Israel has been targeting locations linked to the Tehran-backed group.
Trump, who reportedly survived a second assassination attempt earlier this month, used the platform to criticize the current administration’s leadership, stating, “But right now we don’t have that leadership or the necessary people, the necessary leaders.”
Prosecutors from the military-ruled nations of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have launched a coordinated investigation into French journalist and researcher Wassim Nasr, accusing him of “apology of terrorism” and “complicity” in alleged terrorist acts. The move, announced Wednesday, marks the latest action against Western media in the region.
Nasr, who works for French broadcaster France 24, provided a detailed analysis of a rare deadly jihadi attack in Mali’s capital, Bamako, on September 17. Prosecutors allege that Nasr had been in contact with the attackers, receiving real-time information about their location, objectives, and the death toll.
In a statement aired on national television in all three countries, prosecutors accused Nasr of making comments that “amount to blatant acts of publicity and support of the terrorists,” according to Niger’s deputy prosecutor Manzo Hadiza.
Responding to the allegations, Nasr told The Associated Press via WhatsApp, “They are trying to intimidate anyone still contradicting their storytelling about security and control.” He condemned the investigation as an attack on journalism and called for support for local journalists and civil society activists working under the junta regimes.
This development comes amid growing concerns about press freedom in the Sahel region. Reporters Without Borders recently highlighted increased security risks for local journalists in the area. The three countries have struggled with an insurgency for over a decade, battling armed groups allied with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.
Following military coups in recent years, the ruling juntas in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have expelled French forces and turned to Russian mercenary units for security assistance. However, analysts suggest the security situation has worsened under junta rule, with a record number of attacks and civilian casualties.
The military governments have also intensified crackdowns on political dissent and journalism. Mali has banned media reporting on political party activities, Burkina Faso suspended BBC and Voice of America radio stations, and Niger ordered the closure of the “Maison de la Presse,” an umbrella organization for journalists’ associations.
France 24, Nasr’s employer, is currently suspended in all three countries due to its coverage of the insurgency.
The East African Court of Justice opened proceedings on Thursday in a landmark case filed by the Democratic Republic of Congo against neighboring Rwanda, accusing it of violating Congo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by allegedly supporting rebels in the country’s eastern region.
The case, heard in Arusha, Tanzania, brings to the forefront long-standing tensions between the two nations over the mineral-rich eastern Congo, where more than 120 armed groups vie for power, land, and resources.
Congo’s legal team, led by lawyer Elisha Ongoya, seeks to hold Rwanda accountable for alleged violations including atrocities against civilians and breaches of international law. The lawsuit also aims to secure reparations for victims of these purported crimes.
The proceedings come on the heels of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi’s address to the UN General Assembly, where he called for sanctions against Rwanda for its alleged support of the M23 rebel group. A July report by UN experts estimated that between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan government forces are deployed in eastern Congo alongside M23 rebels, who have made significant territorial gains.
Rwanda’s legal representatives, led by Emile Ntwali, raised objections to the case, questioning the court’s jurisdiction over criminal matters and pointing out procedural issues, including Congo’s failure to translate court documents into English, the official language of the court.
The East African Court of Justice, established under a 1999 treaty and ratified by the United Nations, typically handles cases from Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania. Its involvement in this interstate dispute marks a significant moment in regional jurisprudence.
Presiding Judge Yohanne Masara announced that the court would review arguments from both sides before delivering a ruling on the objections at a later date.
A Tunisian court has sentenced presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel to six months in prison for falsifying documents, his lawyer Abdessattar Massoudi confirmed to Reuters on Wednesday. This marks the second prison sentence against Zammel in a week, coming just days before the country’s presidential election scheduled for October 6.
The verdict has intensified political tensions in Tunisia, with opposition and civil society groups expressing concerns about the potential for a rigged election aimed at maintaining President Kais Saied’s grip on power.
Last week, Zammel received a 20-month prison sentence on charges of falsifying popular endorsements. His lawyer decried the latest ruling, stating, “It is another unjust ruling and a farce that clearly aims to weaken him in the election race, but we will defend his right to the last minute.”
Zammel is one of only three candidates admitted to compete for the presidency, alongside incumbent Saied and Zouhair Magzhaoui. The limited field of candidates has raised eyebrows, particularly after an electoral commission appointed by Saied disqualified three prominent candidates earlier this month, sparking protests from opposition groups and civil society organizations.
The back-to-back convictions of Zammel have fueled suspicions about the integrity of the electoral process. Critics argue that these legal actions against a presidential candidate so close to the election date could be politically motivated, potentially undermining the fairness of the upcoming polls.
Thousands of mourners gathered Thursday for a solemn memorial service honoring 21 children who perished in a devastating fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy, a boarding school in central Kenya’s Nyeri town earlier this month.
The ceremony featured rows of small white coffins, each adorned with flowers and photographs of the young victims, most aged between 9 and 13. The children had been trapped in their dormitory during the blaze.
Opposition party leader Eugene Wamalwa, addressing the crowd, emphasized the national impact of the tragedy: “To come to Nyeri and see all these coffins, this is one of the greatest national tragedies that we’ve had in our country.”
This incident has reignited concerns about school safety in Kenya, which has a troubling history of such fires. A 2018 parliamentary report documented over 60 cases of arson in public secondary schools that year alone.
While the cause of the Hillside Endarasha Academy fire remains under investigation, researchers note that many similar incidents have been linked to student protests against harsh disciplinary measures and poor living conditions.
The tragedy has evoked painful memories for families affected by previous school fires. Maryanne Mwangi, whose 14-year-old daughter Virlear died in a 2017 Nairobi school fire, expressed frustration at the government’s apparent lack of progress in improving school safety despite the creation of various task forces.
Mwangi criticized the strict disciplinary environment in many Kenyan boarding schools, likening them to “military camps” and suggesting that such conditions may contribute to student unrest and potential arson attempts.
As Kenya grapples with this latest tragedy, questions persist about the effectiveness of current safety measures and disciplinary practices in the country’s schools. The mass funeral serves not only as a moment of collective grief but also as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to ensure the safety and well-being of students across the nation.
Sudan’s army launched its most significant operation to reclaim territory in the capital since the onset of its 17-month war with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Thursday. The offensive, marked by heavy artillery and air strikes, comes as Army Commander General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan prepares to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Witnesses reported intense bombardments and clashes as army troops attempted to cross bridges spanning the Nile, connecting the tri-city capital complex of Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri. Ahmed Abdalla, a 48-year-old resident, told Reuters by phone, “The army is carrying out heavy artillery strikes and air strikes on Halfaya and Shambat,” referring to areas in Bahri near the river.
Army sources claimed their forces had crossed bridges into Khartoum and Bahri, while the RSF countered that it had repelled the army’s attempts to cross two bridges into Khartoum. These claims could not be independently verified.
The army, which lost control of most of the capital early in the conflict, has largely relied on artillery and airstrikes, struggling to dislodge the more mobile RSF ground forces embedded throughout the capital. While the army regained some ground in Omdurman earlier this year, its progress has been limited.
This offensive occurs against the backdrop of a deteriorating humanitarian crisis, with over 10 million people displaced and parts of the country facing extreme hunger or famine. Diplomatic efforts, including recent U.S.-backed talks in Switzerland, have faltered with the army’s refusal to participate.
Concurrently, fighting has intensified in al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur state, as the RSF attempts to advance against the army and allied former rebel groups. The United Nations human rights office has documented summary executions, sexual violence, and abductions in al-Fashir, warning of the risk of ethnically targeted violations if the city falls to the RSF.
As the conflict continues to escalate, international concern grows over the humanitarian situation and the potential for further regional destabilization. The UN Security Council and Secretary-General have demanded an end to the siege of al-Fashir, home to over 1.8 million residents and displaced persons.
The war, which began in April 2023, stems from tensions between the RSF and the army over power-sharing arrangements following the 2021 coup that ousted the transitional government established after the fall of long-time autocrat Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
