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Fire at Kenyan School Dormitory Claims 17 Lives, Injures 13 Others

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A devastating fire at a school dormitory in Kenya’s Nyeri county has claimed the lives of 17 students and left 13 others seriously injured, police reported on Friday. The blaze erupted Thursday night at Hillside Endarasha Primary School, which caters to children up to 14 years old.

Police spokesperson Resila Onyango stated that the cause of the fire is under investigation, with fears that the death toll may rise. Nyeri County Commissioner Pius Murugu and the education ministry reported that the affected dormitory housed more than 150 boys aged between 10 and 14. The rapid spread of the fire was attributed to the wooden plank construction of the buildings.

The school, located in Kenya’s central highlands about 200 kilometers north of Nairobi, has a total student population of 824. Governor Mutahi Kahiga of Nyeri County told journalists that rescue efforts were hampered by muddy roads caused by ongoing rains in the area.

President William Ruto described the news as “devastating” on social media platform X, instructing relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urged school administrators to ensure compliance with the education ministry’s safety guidelines for boarding schools.

This tragedy highlights ongoing concerns about safety in Kenyan boarding schools. A recent education ministry report noted that school fires are common, often due to arson fueled by drug abuse and overcrowding. Many parents prefer boarding schools, believing they provide students with more study time by eliminating long commutes.

The education ministry’s guidelines recommend spacious dormitories with two doors on each end, an emergency door in the middle, and windows without grills to allow for escape. Fully serviced fire extinguishers and alarms are required at accessible locations.

This incident recalls previous school fire tragedies in Kenya, including a 2017 fire in Nairobi that killed 10 high school students and the deadliest school fire in 2001, which claimed 67 lives in Machakos county.

Argentina Cruises Past Chile 3-0 in World Cup Qualifier

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Argentina demonstrated their depth and resilience Thursday night, securing a commanding 3-0 victory over Chile in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match, despite the absence of star player Lionel Messi.

The reigning world champions struggled to break through in the first half but found their rhythm after the break. Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, capitalizing on a clever dummy by Lautaro Martinez.

Julian Alvarez doubled the lead in the 80th minute with a stunning long-range strike that found the top-left corner, potentially earning goal-of-the-year consideration for the Albiceleste.

Paulo Dybala, wearing Messi’s No. 10 jersey, came off the bench to seal the win in stoppage time, beating Chilean goalkeeper Gabriel Arias at his near post.

“We showed great character tonight,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “This team knows how to win, even when we’re not at our best.”

Chile’s best opportunity came just before halftime when defender Matias Catalan’s header struck the woodwork.

The victory solidifies Argentina’s position atop the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings, now five points clear of their nearest competitor. Chile drops to ninth place following the defeat.

Argentina’s next qualifier is scheduled for Tuesday against Colombia, while Chile will look to rebound against Peru.

UPDATED: Father of Georgia School Shooting Suspect Arrested for Giving Son AR-15 as Xmas Gift 7 Months After He Threatened Mass Shooting

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The father of the suspect in the deadly Apalachee High School shooting has been arrested after authorities discovered he gave his 14-year-old son the AR-15 used in the massacre as a Christmas gift. This development comes just seven months after the teen was investigated for making mass shooting threats.

Colin Gray, father of alleged shooter Colt Gray, was taken into custody Thursday in connection with Wednesday’s shooting that left two students and two teachers dead at the Georgia high school. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has charged the elder Gray with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children.

According to multiple reports, Colin Gray told investigators he purchased the AR-15-style rifle used in the school shooting as a Christmas present for his son in December 2023. This revelation has raised serious questions about gun access and parental responsibility, especially in light of previous concerns about the teenager’s behavior.

The timeline of events has come under scrutiny, as the gun purchase occurred approximately seven months after the FBI investigated threats allegedly made by then 13-year-old Colt via the social media platform Discord. The FBI reported that these threats involved a potential school shooting and included pictures of firearms, though they lacked specifics about timing or location.

Federal authorities said they referred the threats to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, leading to deputies visiting the Gray household to interview both father and son. During this visit, Colt denied making the threats, while Colin assured deputies that his son did not have “unsupervised access” to the guns in their home.

Law enforcement ultimately decided there was insufficient probable cause for an arrest or further action, closing the investigation. However, the decision by Colin Gray to purchase a firearm for his son just months after this incident has raised serious concerns about judgment and responsibility.

The Apalachee High School shooting has now become the deadliest school shooting in Georgia’s history, prompting renewed debates about gun control, mental health support for teenagers, and the role of parents in preventing such tragedies.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of this devastating event, investigators continue to piece together the circumstances that led to the shooting. The arrest of Colin Gray adds another layer of complexity to an already tragic situation, highlighting the potential consequences of providing firearms to minors, especially those with a history of concerning behavior.

‘Polling Nostradamus’ Predicts Kamala Harris Victory in 2024 Presidential Race, He Predicted Trump’s Victory in 2016

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Allan Lichtman, the historian famously known as the “Nostradamus of Elections” for his accurate predictions of U.S. presidential races since 1984, has revealed his forecast for the 2024 election. In an interview with The New York Times, Lichtman declared, “Kamala Harris will be the next president of the United States.” He was the same person who predicted the 2016 victory of former President Donald Trump.

Lichtman’s prediction relies on his “Keys to the White House” method, a system of 13 true-or-false questions about the election race that has proven remarkably accurate over the past four decades. The method predicts that the incumbent party will win if eight or more of the 13 statements are true.

According to Lichtman, the Harris campaign currently holds eight “true” keys, indicating a victory, albeit in what he anticipates will be a close race. The historian emphasized the importance of the Democratic Party’s decision to unite behind Harris after President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race, stating, “The Democrats finally got smart and united overwhelmingly behind Vice President Harris.”

Among the factors favoring Harris in Lichtman’s analysis are the absence of a significant third-party challenger, a strong short-term economy, major policy changes during the Biden administration, and stronger long-term economic growth over the past two terms. Lichtman also noted the lack of major social unrest and White House scandals as positive indicators for Harris.

However, Lichtman identified three definite “false” keys for Harris: the Democrats’ loss of House seats in the midterms, the fact that the incumbent president is not running for re-election, and the perceived lack of charisma in the incumbent administration.

The historian has yet to decide on two of the 13 keys related to foreign policy successes and failures, citing the fluid situation regarding the government’s handling of the war in Gaza. Notably, Lichtman stated that even if these two undecided keys were to favor Trump, his model would still predict a Harris victory.

Lichtman’s forecast contrasts with current polls and prediction markets. The prediction market Polymarket currently places Donald Trump’s odds slightly ahead at 53%, while RealClear Polling shows Harris with a narrow two-point lead. Swing state polls present a mixed picture, with Trump and Harris each leading in different key states.

The historian’s track record lends significant weight to his prediction. Lichtman has correctly forecast every U.S. presidential election since 1984, with the notable exception of the controversial 2000 race between Al Gore and George W. Bush. In that instance, Lichtman accurately predicted Gore’s popular vote win but not the Electoral College outcome.

As the 2024 election approaches, political observers and campaign strategists will be closely watching to see if Lichtman’s prediction holds true, potentially extending his remarkable streak of accurate forecasts in American presidential politics.

Indonesian Grandmother, 57, Killed by 16-Foot Python on Rubber Plantation

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A 57-year-old grandmother, identified as Hapsah, was killed by a 16-foot python while working on a rubber plantation in Indonesia’s Jambi province, local authorities reported on Monday. The incident occurred on August 27 in the Muaro Jambi Regency, underscoring the ongoing risks of human-wildlife encounters in the region.

Hapsah was tapping rubber trees when the massive serpent attacked, overpowering her and constricting her body. Sungai Gelam Police Chief Iptu Usaha Sitepu stated, “The python constricted the victim to death and was about to swallow her head-first when discovered.”

The victim’s husband, M Safri, 66, who also works on the plantation, became concerned when his wife failed to return home and went searching for her. He heard rustling in the undergrowth and made the horrifying discovery of the python coiled around Hapsah’s body.

“He knew she was already dead, so he could only pull at the snake’s tail and hit it until it loosened its grip,” Chief Sitepu explained. Safri then rushed to alert the local community for assistance.

Upon learning of the attack, enraged villagers hunted down the python, which had burrowed near a tree root. The snake was killed by the mob, with village head Amdi reporting, “It was massive. It was taken to the village to be shown to the community after it was killed.”

Amdi added that Hapsah was nearly fully engulfed by the snake when her husband found her. “Hapsah was almost swallowed entirely by the snake, with only half of her body left to engulf when her husband managed to free her,” he said.

This tragic incident follows a similar attack just days earlier in Palopo City, where another elderly woman, 74-year-old Maga, was killed by a python while tending to her cattle in a forested area.

The reticulated python, native to Southeast Asia, is the world’s longest snake species and is known to inhabit forests, swamps, and even urban areas. These pythons are capable of preying on humans and various animals, including cats, dogs, birds, and other snakes.

Wildlife experts emphasize that such attacks, while rare, highlight the need for increased awareness and preventive measures in areas where human settlements encroach on python habitats. Local authorities are urging residents to exercise caution when working in or near forested areas and to report any sightings of large snakes to wildlife officials.

As communities in Indonesia continue to expand into natural habitats, incidents of human-wildlife conflict may persist, prompting calls for better management strategies to protect both human lives and wildlife populations.

Lady Gaga Reveals Engagement to Michael Polansky After Rock Climbing Proposal

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Global pop icon Lady Gaga has revealed her engagement to entrepreneur Michael Polansky, sharing details of their relationship and future plans in a recent Vogue magazine interview. The 38-year-old singer and actress disclosed that Polansky, 46, proposed in April after nearly five years together, following a day of rock climbing.

Gaga, born Stefani Germanotta, recounted the serendipitous beginnings of their relationship, crediting her mother Cynthia, 70, for introducing them. “My mom met him and she said to me, ‘I think I just met your husband,’ and I said, ‘I’m not ready to meet my husband!’,” Gaga told Vogue. “I could never have imagined that my mom found the most perfect person for me.”

The couple first met at a party in December 2019, where they engaged in a three-hour conversation. Their relationship deepened when they moved in together four months later during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gaga reflected on this period as a turning point, saying, “I’d been so focused on my career since I was a teenager. And the gift of that time was that I got to completely focus on my relationship.”

This engagement marks Gaga’s third, following previous engagements to actor Taylor Kinney in 2015 and talent agent Christian Carino in 2018. The singer expressed her happiness and relief at finding a supportive partner, stating, “I kind of thought I was going to have to do this all by myself, forever. And that was really scary — because it’s a big life.”

Both Gaga and Polansky bring substantial wealth to their union, with Gaga’s fortune estimated at £230 million and Polansky reportedly worth around £450 million.

As she prepares for her upcoming projects, including the release of “Joker: Folie à Deux” next month, where she plays Harley Quinn opposite Joaquin Phoenix, Gaga expressed excitement about organizing her life and marriage around creative output as a couple. She also anticipates releasing a new single in October and her seventh studio album in February.

Reflecting on her 2021 tour, which she completed while managing fibromyalgia, Gaga credited Polansky’s support: “Michael and I did that together. I did it pain-free!”

The announcement of Gaga’s engagement has sparked interest among fans and the entertainment industry, as the multi-talented artist enters this new chapter in both her personal life and career.

Father of Georgia School Shooting Suspect Arrested on Multiple Charges

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Georgia state officials have arrested Colin Gray, 54, the father of 14-year-old Colt Gray, who is suspected of carrying out the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School on Wednesday. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) announced the arrest on Thursday in connection with the incident that left four people dead and nine wounded.

Faces of those killed

The GBI stated on social media platform X that Colin Gray has been charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children. The arrest was made in coordination with District Attorney Brad Smith.

This development comes after both father and son were questioned by local officials in neighboring Jackson County last year regarding an online threat to commit a school shooting. The FBI reported on Wednesday that there was insufficient probable cause for their arrest at that time.

During the 2023 investigation, Colin Gray informed authorities that he owned hunting guns but assured them his son did not have unsupervised access. Colt Gray denied making the online threats. Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum explained that the case was closed after investigators were unable to substantiate a connection between the Grays and the Discord account where the threats originated.

The recent shooting at Apalachee High School resulted in the deaths of two teachers and two 14-year-old students. State and Barrow County investigators report that Colt Gray used an “AR platform style weapon,” or semiautomatic rifle, to carry out the attack. The method by which the shooter obtained the weapon remains unclear and is a focus of the ongoing investigation.

Authorities are also examining potential warning signs that the shooting might occur and the motive behind the attack. This incident marks the first U.S. campus mass shooting since the beginning of the current school year.

Colt Gray was taken into custody shortly after the shooting and is being held without bond at Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center, according to Glenn Allen, communications director for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice. Despite his age, he will be charged and tried as an adult, the GBI confirmed.

The younger Gray’s arraignment is scheduled for Friday morning before a Georgia Superior Court judge in Barrow County, to be conducted via video camera.

U.S. Indicts Five Russian GRU Officers and One Civilian for Cyber Attacks on Ukraine and NATO Allies

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The U.S. Department of Justice has unsealed an indictment charging six Russian nationals with conspiracy to commit computer intrusion and wire fraud. Five of the defendants are officers in Unit 29155 of the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), while the sixth is a civilian already under indictment for related charges.

The Maryland grand jury indictment names the defendants as Yuriy Denisov, a colonel and commanding officer of Cyber Operations for Unit 29155; lieutenants Vladislav Borovkov, Denis Denisenko, Dmitriy Goloshubov, and Nikolay Korchagin; and civilian co-conspirator Amin Sitgal.

According to court documents, on January 13, 2022, the defendants allegedly used a U.S.-based company’s services to distribute malware known as “WhisperGate” to dozens of Ukrainian government computer systems. While designed to look like ransomware, WhisperGate was actually intended to destroy target computers and data in preparation for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The cyber attacks targeted numerous Ukrainian government networks, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, State Treasury, Judiciary Administration, State Portal for Digital Services, and various ministries such as Education and Science, Agriculture, and Energy. Other affected entities included the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, Accounting Chamber for Ukraine, State Emergency Service, State Forestry Agency, and Motor Insurance Bureau.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the National Security Division stated, “The GRU’s WhisperGate campaign, including targeting Ukrainian critical infrastructure and government systems of no military value, is emblematic of Russia’s abhorrent disregard for innocent civilians as it wages its unjust invasion.”

The indictment alleges that the defendants compromised several targeted systems, exfiltrated sensitive data including patient health records, and defaced websites with threatening messages. They also allegedly offered the hacked data for sale on the internet.

In August 2022, the defendants reportedly hacked transportation infrastructure in a Central European country supporting Ukraine. From August 2021, they probed computer systems in 26 NATO member countries for vulnerabilities. The indictment further alleges that between August 5, 2021, and February 3, 2022, the defendants used the same infrastructure to probe computers belonging to a federal government agency in Maryland.

This indictment is part of Operation Toy Soldier, an international effort to combat malicious cyber activity by GRU Unit 29155. The FBI and 12 other partners from nine countries have released a Joint Cybersecurity Advisory to enhance network defense against the unit’s activities.

The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program is offering up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of individuals involved in these cyber activities.

U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland emphasized, “We will use all the technologies and investigative measures at our disposal to disrupt and track down these cybercriminals.”

The FBI Baltimore Field Office is investigating the case with assistance from FBI Milwaukee and Boston Field Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron S.J. Zelinsky and Robert I. Goldaris are prosecuting the case with support from the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section.

As this case develops, it underscores the ongoing challenges in combating state-sponsored cyber attacks and their potential to disrupt critical infrastructure and government operations across international borders.

Russian Court Blocks Raiffeisen Bank’s Sale of Local Unit by Freezing Shares

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A Russian court has frozen shares in Raiffeisen Bank International’s (RBI) local subsidiary, the largest Western bank operating in Russia announced on Thursday. This move effectively blocks the sale of the unit and intensifies the standoff between Moscow and Western financial institutions.

Austria-based RBI had previously committed to spinning off its Russian business, which serves as a crucial payment conduit for hundreds of companies in the country. The bank had come under pressure from international regulators to divest its Russian operations following the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine. However, more than two years into the conflict, little progress has been made toward this goal.

A spokesperson for Raiffeisen confirmed that the Russian court’s decision precludes a sale of the bank but emphasized that it would not impact the Russian subsidiary’s operations or efforts demanded by the European Central Bank to reduce its presence in the country. “We can still appoint management and give instructions to the Russians but we cannot sell the bank,” the spokesperson stated.

RBI has announced its intention to challenge the court decision, which represents the most significant asset freeze involving a Western bank in Russia to date. The bank’s Russian operations have become a litmus test for Western resolve to sever ties with Russia, given its substantial presence in the country. RBI serves approximately 2,600 corporate customers, 4 million local account holders, and employs 10,000 staff in Russia.

The freeze is reportedly linked to a recent claim by Russian investment holding company Rasperia against Strabag and its Austrian shareholders, including the Raiffeisen unit. However, the bank itself is not accused of any wrongdoing.

RBI’s Russian business has become increasingly profitable since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022, accounting for about half of the group’s profits in the first quarter of this year as fees on international payments spiked. This profitability has complicated efforts to divest from the country.

The European Central Bank has been pressuring RBI to reduce its Russian operations, reflecting broader Western efforts to isolate Russia economically. However, Russian authorities have made it clear that they wish for RBI to maintain its presence, as it facilitates international payments for millions of Russian customers.

This court decision comes in the wake of other complications for RBI, including an investigation by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control into the bank’s Russian activities, which began in early 2023. The bank had also recently abandoned plans to acquire a stake in Vienna-based construction group Strabag from a company reportedly controlled by sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, following pressure from Washington.

As the situation unfolds, it highlights the complex challenges Western financial institutions face in navigating the geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West, balancing regulatory pressures, economic interests, and the practical realities of operating in a sanctioned environment.

Reuters

Canadian Opposition Party Ends Support for Trudeau, Raising Possibility of Early Election

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The possibility of an early Canadian election has increased following the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) decision to withdraw its unconditional support for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s minority Liberal government, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh announced on Thursday.

Singh’s statement comes after the NDP ended its 2022 agreement to automatically back Trudeau, forcing the Prime Minister to seek new alliances to maintain power until the mandated federal vote in October 2025. The NDP leader cited the achievement of many of the party’s social spending goals as a reason for terminating the agreement.

“I’ve ripped up the agreement with Justin Trudeau, and I know that means that an election is now more likely as a result. We are ready to fight an election whenever it happens,” Singh told reporters in Toronto. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the Liberal government’s recent decision to force railway employees back to work, calling it “a horrible decision.”

The political landscape in Canada has shifted significantly, with polls indicating that Trudeau’s Liberals would face a substantial defeat if an election were held now. The official opposition Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, has gained considerable ground, benefiting from increasing voter fatigue with Trudeau, who first took office in November 2015, and growing discontent over high prices and a housing shortage.

Trudeau’s position was further weakened on Thursday when his close aide Jeremy Broadhurst, who was set to run the Liberals’ election campaign, announced his resignation. While Broadhurst cited family reasons for his departure, sources quoted by the Toronto Star suggested he doubted Trudeau’s ability to secure another victory.

An Ekos poll released on August 21 placed the Conservatives at 38.2% public support, a level that could secure a majority government given the vote-splitting among left-of-center parties. The Liberals trailed at 23.7%, with the NDP at 18.2%.

Despite the increased likelihood of an early election, Trudeau’s government remains safe for now. It can only be defeated if opposition parties unite in a no-confidence vote. Singh has not committed to voting against Trudeau, stating that his party would decide on an issue-by-issue basis.

The NDP faces a strategic dilemma in the coming months. Supporting or abstaining from a confidence vote could allow the Conservatives to portray Singh as weak, while voting to bring down Trudeau could trigger an election at a time when polls show weak support for the NDP.

Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid polling firm, noted that voters were not crediting the NDP for increased social program spending, and the party was suffering from its close association with Trudeau. “Unless you start to see somehow the NDP surging, is it really in the party’s interests, or in Jagmeet Singh’s interests, to trigger an election?” Kurl questioned.

A senior Liberal party official, speaking anonymously, stated that the party was not planning to engineer an early election and aimed to remain in power until October 2025. Trudeau himself dismissed talk of an early election on Wednesday.

As Canada’s political landscape continues to evolve, all eyes will be on the interactions between the major parties and any potential moves towards a no-confidence vote or early election call.

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