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Category: World

Russian Strikes Kill Six in Kyiv, Two in Chornomorsk as Air Attacks Intensify

Fola Badmus02 mins

Russian air attacks targeting multiple Ukrainian cities on Thursday left at least eight people dead and dozens injured, as Kyiv and the southern Odesa region came under heavy bombardment at dawn. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said almost every district of the capital was hit in what he described as a “massive” wave of strikes. According to the city’s military administration, six people were killed and 35 injured after explosions tore through residential areas, sparking fires and damaging buildings. In the southern port city of Chornomorsk, Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper confirmed that two people were killed following additional strikes in the region. Ukraine’s emergency services worked through the morning to rescue residents trapped under rubble and extinguish fires in several districts of the capital. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its air defence systems shot down or intercepted 216 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 66 over the Krasnodar region. The statement could not be independently verified. The attacks mark one of the most intense nights of aerial bombardment in recent weeks, further escalating tensions as the war approaches its third year.

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Delhi Red Fort Blast: Terrorism Law Invoked After 13 Killed, 20 Injured

Fola Badmus01 mins

At least 13 people have been killed and 20 others injured in a powerful car explosion that occurred on Monday night near the historic Red Fort in New Delhi, India. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the blast, but police in the Indian capital have invoked the country’s anti-terrorism law as investigations continue. Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that the explosion happened just before 7 p.m. (13:30 GMT) and is believed to have originated from a Hyundai i20 car that was halted at a traffic signal. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos following the explosion, with mangled vehicles and bodies scattered across the area. Police and forensic teams quickly cordoned off the site, restricting public access as investigators gathered evidence. The Red Fort area, a major historical landmark and popular tourist attraction, has been placed under tight security as authorities search for possible suspects and motives behind the attack.

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Australia Officially Bans Social Media Use For Under-16s

Wale busari02 mins

Australia has officially enforced a ban on children under 16 using social media, with the law taking effect today, December 10. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the legislation as a “world-leading social media law” designed to protect children and give parents more control over their online activity. The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, passed last November, now restricts access to major platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, and Kick. Under the new rules, social media companies are required to take reasonable measures to prevent underage users from creating accounts. Previously, most platforms allowed users aged 13 and above, but enforcement had been weak, with many children under the minimum age still active online. Albanese said the law is aimed at allowing children to “be kids” while encouraging stronger conversations between parents and their children about online safety. Experts have long warned that excessive social media use can affect young users’ mental health, though it also offers access to information and support networks. Australia’s move follows similar proposals in Denmark and Norway, which are looking to restrict social media access for children under 15.

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Two Top BBC Leaders Quit Over Editing of Trump Documentary

Fola Badmus09 mins

Two of the top executives of the BBC resigned abruptly on Sunday following a report suggesting the public service broadcaster had misleadingly edited a speech by President Trump that preceded the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. The surprise resignation of the director general, Tim Davie, and Deborah Turness, the chief executive of BBC News, came several days after The Daily Telegraph published details of a leaked internal memo arguing that a BBC Panorama documentary had juxtaposed comments by Mr. Trump in a way that made it appear that he had explicitly encouraged the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. “Like all public organizations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable,” Mr. Davie said in a statement. “While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision.” Mr. Davie added: “Overall the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as director-general I have to take ultimate responsibility.” Ms. Turness, in her announcement, said, “The ongoing controversy around the Panorama on President Trump has reached a stage where it is causing damage to the BBC — an institution that I love.” She said that “the buck stops with me” and conceded that “mistakes have been made” but insisted that “recent allegations that BBC News is institutionally biased are wrong.” Mr. Trump welcomed the resignations in a post on his Truth Social account. With about 21,000 employees, the BBC calls itself the world’s leading public service broadcaster, and is funded primarily from a license fee paid by Britons who watch TV, supplemented by commercial revenue. It produces a huge range of material, from news to entertainment, and has reach outside Britain through its international broadcasting operations. Pressure had been building on Mr. Davie and senior management of the BBC after the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, reacting to the leaked memo, accused the broadcaster of being “purposefully dishonest” over its depiction of the Capitol Hill insurrection. The leaked memo was written by Michael Prescott, a former journalist who, until June, was an independent external adviser to the broadcaster’s editorial standards committee. The documentary, called “Trump: A Second Chance?” was broadcast last year and, in one section, spliced together footage from comments Mr. Trump made about 50 minutes apart. Mr. Prescott’s critique also included claims that the broadcaster did not cover stories that raised difficult questions about transgender rights, and that BBC Arabic gave a platform to a journalist who had posted antisemitic comments. Mr. Davie was director general for five years and survived a number of other crises at the broadcaster, earning the nickname “Teflon Tim.” This year, the broadcaster was criticized for having failed to cut away during live coverage of the Glastonbury music festival when the performer Bob Vylan led the crowd in chants against the Israeli military. Ofcom, Britain’s media regulator, ruled this year that the BBC had committed a “serious breach” of broadcasting rules by failing to disclose that the narrator of a documentary about Gaza was the son of a Hamas official. And there were controversies over the behavior of several TV stars employed by the corporation. The BBC’s senior leadership was widely expected to issue an apology in front of a parliamentary committee on Monday over the documentary about President Trump, and Mr. Davie appears to have calculated that his position was becoming untenable. Some of the BBC’s senior staff have said they believe that the broadcaster is under attack from partisan opponents. “It’s clear that there is a genuine concern about editorial standards and mistakes,” wrote Nick Robinson, a presenter on Today, the flagship morning radio show, on social media. “There is also a political campaign by people who want to destroy the organization.” In a statement issued after Mr. Davie’s resignation, Lisa Nandy, the secretary of state for culture, media and sport, thanked him for his service, described the BBC as “one of our most important national institutions.” But earlier on Sunday Ms. Nandy, in an interview with the BBC, said that decisions about the broadcaster’s editorial standards and guidelines, and the sort of language used in reporting, was “not always well thought through.” She added: “Often it’s left to individual journalists or newsreaders to make decisions.” In a statement, Kemi Badenoch, leader of the main opposition Conservative Party, welcomed the resignations but added that Mr. Prescott’s report “exposed institutional bias that cannot be swept away with two resignations — strong action must be taken on all the issues it raised.” On social media, Ms. Leavitt reacted to Mr. Davie’s resignation by posting screenshots of two news articles, the first reading “Trump goes to war with ‘fake news’ BBC,” the second from the broadcaster’s own website on Sunday reporting “Tim Davie resigns as BBC director general over Trump edit.” Above the first article, Ms. Leavitt wrote: “Shot,” above the second, “Chaser.” In response, Ed Davey, leader of Britain’s centrist Liberal Democrat party wrote, also on social media: “To see Trump’s White House claiming credit for his downfall and attacking the BBC should worry us all.”

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UK and Germany Accuse Russia of Threatening Their Satellites

Fola Badmus06 mins

The United Kingdom and Germany have accused Russia of threatening and interfering with Western satellites, warning that Moscow’s increasingly aggressive space activities pose a growing danger to global security. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and senior British defence officials have sounded the alarm over reports of Russian and Chinese satellites “stalking” or “jamming” Western assets in orbit — critical systems used for military communications, navigation, and broadband internet. “Russia’s actions, especially in space, pose a fundamental threat to us all — a threat we can no longer ignore,” Pistorius said during the BDI Space Congress in Berlin. According to Germany’s Defence Ministry, Russian reconnaissance satellites were recently detected tracking two IntelSat spacecraft used by the German Armed Forces and allied militaries. IntelSat operates a fleet of commercial satellites providing communications for governments and private companies across Europe and the United States. Pistorius announced a multibillion-euro boost for Germany’s space defence program, citing the growing capacity of both Russia and China to jam, blind, or destroy satellites. The UK’s Space Command raised similar concerns. Major General Paul Tedman told the BBC that Russian satellites have been “stalking and jamming British assets on a weekly basis,” adding that Moscow has developed advanced electronic warfare systems capable of disrupting orbital communications from the ground. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reiterated warnings that Russia may be developing nuclear weapons for space deployment — devices capable of disabling or destroying multiple satellites. Moscow has denied the accusation but vetoed a 2024 UN resolution aimed at banning space-based nuclear arms. China abstained from the vote. How Russia’s Space Threat Works Experts say Russian satellites can approach and shadow Western spacecraft, potentially to intercept data or conduct reconnaissance. These satellites often linger near commercial or military communication systems — a pattern that signals espionage. According to Clayton Swope, deputy director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Russian satellites have previously tested projectiles in orbit, suggesting the capability to physically target other satellites. “It’s very hard to distinguish between a satellite designed for intelligence collection and one capable of attack,” Swope explained. “Sometimes you’re guessing both the intent and capability of the operator.” A Longstanding Concern The US and France first raised concerns about Russian space espionage over a decade ago. In 2015, a Russian military satellite positioned itself close to two IntelSat spacecraft, prompting Washington to demand explanations. Similar incidents occurred in 2017 when Russian satellites approached Franco-Italian intelligence satellites. Analysts say the current tensions must be viewed in the wider context of Russia’s war in Ukraine and its growing strategic alignment with China, including alleged Chinese satellite reconnaissance over Ukrainian territory. China’s Expanding Space Power Experts warn that China’s growing sophistication in space technology presents an equal — if not greater — threat. Chinese satellites have reportedly conducted high-speed, high-precision maneuvers near Western assets and tested spacecraft equipped with robotic arms capable of repositioning others in orbit. “China is the much bigger space power,” said Juliana Suess of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. “They have far more funding and ambition in space compared to Russia, whose resources are stretched thin.” Europe’s Response Germany has pledged up to €35 billion ($40 billion) over five years to strengthen its space defence infrastructure. The UK has also increased military spending and begun testing laser threat detection systems for satellite protection. However, a recent Chatham House analysis warned that Britain and Europe may still be underprepared for the scale and urgency of space threats. France has called for “bodyguard satellites” — orbital systems designed to defend other satellites — while NATO has formally designated space as an operational domain since 2019. Despite Western efforts, experts say Russia remains less integrated and technologically advanced in space warfare than the United States or China. Still, the threat of interference, espionage, or direct attacks in orbit underscores the growing militarization of space.

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Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum To Press Charges After Being Groped During Public Event

Wale busari02 mins

Mexico City—President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced she will press charges after being groped during a public event near the National Palace, an incident that has drawn national attention to the ongoing issue of gender-based violence in Mexico. Video footage from the Tuesday appearance shows Sheinbaum addressing supporters when a man approached from behind, kissed her on the neck, and groped her. She quickly moved away as a member of her team intervened, and authorities have since arrested the suspect. Speaking at a news conference, Sheinbaum said she took action to protect all women in Mexico. “If they do this to the president, what will happen to all women in our country?” she asked, noting that the man had reportedly harassed other women in the crowd. Women’s rights organizations condemned the attack, calling it a clear example of entrenched misogyny in Mexican society. Mexico faces a persistent gender-based violence crisis, with nearly 98% of femicides going unpunished. Despite the incident, Sheinbaum vowed to continue her public engagements, emphasizing the importance of setting firm boundaries against harassment. The attack comes shortly after the murder of Carlos Manzo, mayor of Uruapan in Michoacán, highlighting ongoing security risks for public officials. Since taking office, Sheinbaum has prioritized improving national security, including efforts to curb fentanyl trafficking, while maintaining direct engagement with the public.

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Israeli Military’s Former Top Lawyer Arrested Over Leaked Video — As Bodies of 45 Palestinians Handed Over

Fola Badmus03 mins

Israel’s former top military lawyer has been arrested after admitting to leaking a video showing soldiers allegedly abusing a Palestinian prisoner. The growing scandal comes as Israel handed over the bodies of 45 Palestinians, according to health officials in Gaza. An Israeli official said ex-military advocate Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi was taken into custody overnight on Sunday — just days after resigning from her post, the Associated Press reported. She was arrested following a search along the Tel Aviv beach, after her family raised concerns for her safety, according to Israel’s Channel 12. Former chief military prosecutor Colonel Matan Solomesh was also detained overnight as part of the investigation into the leaked footage, reported Israel’s Army Radio. The leaked video, aired last year, purportedly shows an incident involving Israeli soldiers and a Palestinian prisoner at the Sde Teiman detention facility in southern Israel. The developments came as the bodies of 45 Palestinians were received at Nasser Hospital in Gaza on Monday morning, a Gaza health ministry spokesperson told the Associated Press. The handover followed Israel’s announcement that Hamas had returned the remains of three Israeli troops taken hostage during the 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel. Israel said the soldiers were killed in the initial assault, and their bodies were subsequently dragged into Gaza by militants. A Hamas statement said the remains were found on Sunday in a tunnel in southern Gaza. Since the ceasefire began on 10 October, Palestinian militants have released the remains of 20 hostages, with eight still believed to be in Gaza. Hamas has released one or two bodies every few days. Israel has demanded faster progress in the exchanges and, in some instances, has disputed the identities of the remains handed over. Hamas said efforts to recover and return bodies have been complicated by Gaza’s widespread destruction. Israel has reportedly released the remains of 15 Palestinians for each hostage returned, while health officials in Gaza continue to struggle with identification challenges due to the lack of DNA testing kits.

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FG Knows Terror Sponsors but Lacks Courage to Prosecute — Ex-Defence Director Olawunmi

Fola Badmus04 mins

Former Deputy Director of Defence Administration at the Defence Headquarters, Commodore Kunle Olawunmi (retd.), has accused the Federal Government of lacking the courage to prosecute those financing terrorism in Nigeria, despite having intelligence identifying them. In an interview, Olawunmi said religion and socio-cultural divisions remain major drivers of insecurity in the country, lamenting that the situation has worsened since his retirement in 2017. He urged President Bola Tinubu to act decisively, warning that attempts to be politically correct could embolden terrorists. He condemned recent meetings between northern leaders and armed groups, describing them as “an aberration” and “a symptom of a failed state.” According to him, any negotiation with terrorists undermines national authority and could lead to Nigeria’s eventual collapse if unchecked. “The power and security architecture of this country reside only in the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. If local governments or state officials negotiate with terrorists without federal approval, it sets a dangerous precedent,” Olawunmi said. The retired naval officer claimed that identified terror financiers are still operating freely because of their political connections. He alleged that some of them made vast fortunes during the Buhari administration and continue to wield influence, preventing their arrest or prosecution. “Tinubu should not be afraid of them,” he said. “He should call all intelligence chiefs together and order the arrest of both domestic and foreign sponsors of terrorism. Once they are tried and punished, terrorism will reduce by half.” Olawunmi also criticised the government’s deradicalisation and reintegration programme for repentant terrorists, saying it was a dangerous misapplication of the UN Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) framework. He warned that reintegrating such individuals into the military could have grave long-term consequences for national security. He further argued that Nigeria’s political system enables corruption and dependency on powerful financiers, making it impossible for leaders to confront those who sponsored their rise to power. According to him, “you cannot arrest those who made you,” which explains why terror sponsors remain untouchable. On the handling of Nnamdi Kanu, Olawunmi criticised the government’s approach, describing it as unprofessional and politically motivated. Comparing it with the operation that led to the arrest of former MEND leader Henry Okah, he said Kanu’s rendition from Kenya was “poorly executed” and mishandled by security operatives. While commenting on President Tinubu’s recent pardon of some convicted criminals, Olawunmi said the President has the constitutional prerogative of mercy, adding that such actions may be influenced by diplomatic or intelligence considerations unknown to the public.

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