FLOOD DEATH TOLL IN LIBYAN CITY OF DERNA CROSSES 5,100

The death toll from flooding that hit the eastern Libyan city of Derna reached more than 5,000 and was expected to rise further, a local health official said on Wednesday, as authorities struggled to get aid to the coastal city where thousands remained missing and tens of thousands were homeless.

Aid workers who managed to reach the city, which was cut off on Sunday night when flash floods washed away most of the access roads, described the devastation in the city’s centre, where search and rescue teams combed shattered apartment buildings for bodies and retrieved floating bodies offshore.

“Bodies are everywhere, inside houses, in the streets, at sea. Wherever you go, you find dead men, women, and children,” Emad al-Falah, an aid worker from Benghazi, said over the phone from Derna. “Entire families were lost.”

Dam burst

Mediterranean storm Daniel caused deadly flooding in many towns of eastern Libya, but the worst-hit was Derna.

As the storm pounded the coast on Sunday, residents in the locality said they heard loud explosions when the dams outside the city collapsed.

Floodwaters washed down Wadi Derna, a river running from the mountains through the city and into the sea.

UKRAINE STRIKES RUSSIAN BLACK SEA FLEET HQ IN CRIMEA

In a significant escalation of hostilities, Ukraine confirmed it targeted Russian naval assets and port infrastructure in the early hours of Wednesday, focusing on the city of Sevastopol in Crimea. This attack represents one of the most substantial assaults on the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea fleet since the onset of the conflict. The strike, which was confirmed by Moscow, underscores Ukraine's increasing missile capabilities.

Andriy Yusov, a Ukrainian military intelligence official, provided rare confirmation of the attack, stating that a substantial landing vessel and a submarine were hit. However, specific details about the means employed in the strike were not disclosed.

KIM JONG-UN AND PUTIN DISCUSS MILITARY COOPERATION IN RARE SUMMIT

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin held an unusual summit during which they addressed military issues, the Ukraine conflict, and potential Russian support for North Korea's satellite program. Kim arrived by train from North Korea and was given a tour of Russia's advanced space rocket launch site in the Far East by Putin.

During their summit, Kim and Putin engaged in extensive talks, including one-on-one discussions, and their ministers joined for further deliberations. The meeting concluded with an opulent lunch, where Kim raised a toast to Putin's health, the success of "great Russia," and the enduring friendship between Korea and Russia. Kim expressed confidence in Russia's victory in the "sacred fight" against Western powers, denouncing their hegemonic ambitions.

Despite concerns over potential arms transfers, both Moscow and Pyongyang denied such intentions. Russia, along with China, opposed additional sanctions on North Korea, leading to a division within the UN Security Council.

The summit is notable as it took place at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, symbolizing Russia's space ambitions. Kim may have also discussed satellite assistance and potential food aid.

Putin disclosed Kim's plans to visit aviation facilities and inspect Russia's Pacific fleet. Throughout the meeting, they referred to each other as "comrades," emphasizing the historical ties between North Korea and the Soviet Union, which recognized the Korean state over 75 years ago.

N KOREA TESTS-FIRES 2 MISSILES AMID SUMMIT

North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Wednesday, as Kim Jong-un was in Russia for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. It was the first time that North Korea had conducted a missile test during one of Kim’s rare trips abroad. The South Korean military said it was analysing data collected from the test to help determine what type of ballistic missile was launched.

3RD ‘RUSSIAN’ DRONE DEBRIS IN ROMANIA

Nato member Romania found new fragments of a drone deemed similar to those used by the Russian army near its border with war-torn Ukraine on Wednesday, defence officials said. The findings are the third such discovery on Romanian soil since last Thursday. They come during sustained attacks by Russian forces on Ukraine’s Danube ports as Moscow aims to disrupt Ukraine’s ability to export grain to world markets.

PAK PRESIDENT ‘ADVISES’ EC TO HOLD GENERAL ELECTIONS ON NOV 6

Islamabad : Pakistan's President Arif Alvi has suggested November 6 as the date for the country's upcoming general elections. His proposal is based on constitutional provisions, which mandate that general elections must be held within 90 days of the dissolution of the National Assembly. Alvi stated that the National Assembly was dissolved on August 9, 2023, at the advice of the then-Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif. Therefore, according to Article 48(5) of the Constitution, the general election to the National Assembly should occur by November 6, 2023. However, there is ongoing controversy surrounding the timing of the elections, with differing opinions among stakeholders.

‘RUSSIA OVERCOMES CURBS TO EXPAND MISSILE PRODUCTION’

Washington : Despite facing Western sanctions and export controls, Russia has managed to increase its missile production beyond pre-war levels. This development has significant implications, particularly for Ukraine, which is now more vulnerable to intensified attacks in the coming months. At the start of the war in February 2022, sanctions compelled Russia to slow down its production of missiles and other weaponry for at least six months. However, by the end of 2022, Moscow's military industrial manufacturing began to regain momentum. Russia cleverly circumvented US export controls by utilizing its intelligence services and Ministry of Defence to operate illicit networks that smuggled crucial components through other countries. This allowed Russia to rebuild trade in essential components by routing them through nations like Armenia and Turkey. The outcome of this effort is an increase in the production of tanks and artillery shells, making Russia a formidable player in the arms race. This situation raises concerns for Ukraine, neighboring countries, and Western nations, as it suggests that Russia's military capabilities remain a significant threat, despite international efforts to limit its expansion.

PAK COURT EXTENDS IMRAN’S REMAND IN CIPHER CASE

Islamabad : A special court constituted under the Official Secrets Act of 1923 extended PTI chief Imran Khan and his party vice chief Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s judicial remand till September 26 in the cipher case. Khan and Qureshi have been charged with making public the contents of a confidential diplomatic cable — known as a“cipher” — sent by Pakistan’s ambassador to the US. Khan had cited the cipher as proof of an attempt by the US to remove his government because he had visited Russia shortly before its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Both Islamabad and Washington have denied his accusations. Khan’s party has challenged the trial of its leaders in thecase. The cipher controversy had surfaced just days before Khan’s ouster from office through a no-confidence vote in April 2022 when he brandished a paper stating that the US authorities wanted to topple his government.

CHINA 1ST COUNTRY TO NAME AMBASSADOR TO AFGHANISTAN SINCE TALIBAN TAKEOVER

Kabul : China became the first country on Wednesday to formally name a new ambassador to Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover, after its envoy presented credentials at a ceremony in Kabul. The Taliban have not been officially recognised by any foreign government, and Beijing did not indicate whether Wednesday’s appointment signalled any wider steps towards formal recognition of the Taliban. “This is the normal rotation of China’s ambassador to Afghanistan, and is intended to continue advancing dialogue and cooperation between China and Afghanistan,” China’s foreign ministry said. “China’s policy towards Afghanistan is clear & consistent.”

A Taliban administration foreign ministry spokesman said new envoy Zhao Xing was the first ambassador from any country to take up the post since August 2021, when the Taliban took over.

There are other diplomats in Kabul with the title of ambassador, but all of them took up their posts before the Taliban takeover.

CHINA UPGRADES TIES WITH VENEZUELA TO ‘ALL WEATHER’ PARTNERSHIP LIKE PAKISTAN

China announced on Wednesday it was upgrading its diplomatic ties with Venezuela to an “all weather” partnership, a label reserved for a select few of its diplomatic partners. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is on a state visit in Beijing, his fifth as president, according to state broadcaster CCTV. He met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. One of the best known of China’s select all-weather strategic partnerships is with Pakistan, where it has invested $25.4 billion over the past decade. China and Venezuela also signed several bilateral cooperation documents on economy, trade and tourism, CCTV said. Venezuela said it actively supports China’s Belt and Road Initiative to boost global trade infrastructure, CCTV said, referring to the upcoming conference next month.

SENATOR MITT ROMNEY URGES BIDEN AND TRUMP TO 'STAND ASIDE' FOR 2024

US Senator Mitt Romney, known for his criticism of both Joe Biden and Donald Trump, has announced his retirement from politics and called for new generations of leaders. He suggested it would be beneficial for Biden and Trump to step aside to allow younger candidates to lead their respective parties.

MCCARTHY IMPEACHMENT MOVE APPEARS TO WIN OVER EVEN RELUCTANT REPUBLICANS

Washington : US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s sudden decision to launch an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden has won over even the most reluctant Republicans, with some GOP lawmakers pushing for it to move quickly rather than drag into the 2024 election year. McCarthy opened and closed a private meeting Wednesday of House Republicans justifying his reasoning for the inquiry sought by former President Trump, the party’s frontrunner to challenge Biden next year.

The White House mobilised to fight what it called the “unprecedented, unfounded claims” against the president regarding his son, Hunter, and the family finances. In a 14-page memo to the media, the White House urged them to hold Republicans “accountable for the fact that they are lurching toward impeachment over claims that are not only unfounded but, in virtually all cases, have been actively disproven”.

The moment is a political ly pivotal one for the embattled Republican speaker McCarthy whose job is targeted Trump’s right-flank allies mounting a daily effort to oust him. “There’s a lot of accusations out there you just want the answers to,” he told reporters at the Capitol. “Impeachment inquiry simply allows Congress, Republicans and Democrats, to be able to get the answers to the questions.”

In the inquiry, House Re publicans are trying to link Biden to the business dealings of his son, Hunter, and deflect attention away from Trump’s own legal peril as the two men battle anew for the White House. Trump is the only president to be twice impeached — acquitted both times — and he is the first to face criminal charges in four separate indictments, including for trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election he lost to Biden

56 KILLED AND 37 INJURED IN VIETNAM APARTMENT FIRE

Hanoi : A fire at an apartment block in Vietnam’s capital Hanoi has killed 56 people, among them children, and injured 37, police said on Wednesday.

The fire broke out during the night in a nine-storey building, home to about 150 residents, according to the official Vietnam News Agency, which said the blaze was contained by 2am (local time). TV images showed firefighters equipped with hoses and ladders at the scene by night, while a column of thick, dark smoke billowed from the building by day. Several of the victims were admitted to local hospitals with multiple injuries after having jumped from their windows to escape the fire, state media said, citing Vu Hoang Phuong of Hanoi Medical University Hospital.

Police have detained the owner of the building, Nghiem Quang Minh, accusing him of violating fire-prevention regulations, the ministry of public security said, adding that an investigation is under way.

PM Pham Minh Chinh visited the site of the blaze on Wednesday and called for the completion of anti-fire regulations at small-sized apartment buildings and in densely populated residential areas.

1,000-YEAR-OLD FOSSILS OF ‘ALIEN CORPSES’ DISPLAYED AT MEXICO CONGRESS

Mexico City : A UFO expert made headlines this week by presenting two mummified corpses believed to be of "non-human" aliens before the Mexico Congress, as reported by the New York Post. These peculiar remains feature only three fingers on each hand and elongated heads reminiscent of extraterrestrial depictions, and they were showcased in windowed boxes during a public congressional hearing addressing Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) on Tuesday. This hearing had the potential to influence the Aerial Space Protection Law, potentially making Mexico the first country to officially acknowledge the existence of aliens on Earth.

The mummified corpses are estimated to be between 700 and 1,800 years old, and X-rays have revealed the presence of mysterious "eggs" inside one of them. Ufologist Jaime Maussan, presenting at the hearing, referred to "DNA evidence" obtained through radiocarbon dating conducted by the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Maussan and his team have made the astounding claim that these corpses possess a genetic composition distinct from humans by approximately 30%. These beings, according to Maussan, were not discovered at the site of a UFO crash but were found in diatom mines and subsequently underwent fossilization. In 2017, these ancient specimens were retrieved from Cusco, Peru, marking an unprecedented presentation of extraterrestrial life, distinct from any known species on Earth. It's noteworthy that Jaime Maussan, Mexico's most prominent ufologist, had previously revealed "alien" bodies in 2015, allegedly discovered near the Nazca Lines in Peru, known for their enigmatic gigantic geoglyphs.

SEATTLE COPS CAUGHT JESTING OVER INDIAN GIRL’S DEATH

Washington : Seattle's police department and other law enforcement agencies are currently investigating a group of police officers, including union members, following the emergence of a body camera audio-video capturing their inappropriate response to a tragic incident. The incident in question occurred on January 23 when Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old student at Washington's Northeastern University, was fatally struck by a speeding police patrol car driven by Officer Kevin Dave, traveling at 74 miles per hour (119 km/h) in a 25 mph (40 km/h) zone as she crossed a pedestrian area.

The disturbing audio-video footage reveals Officer Daniel Auderer, also identified as the vice president of the Seattle Police Officers' Guild (SPOG), discussing the incident while en route to conduct a drug recognition test on Officer Dave. In this conversation, he callously downplays the tragedy, suggesting that Kandula was thrown off the car's hood after hitting the windshield and then cruelly making inappropriate remarks such as, "she is dead" followed by laughter. He even goes on to make derogatory comments about the victim's age and worth, displaying a shocking lack of empathy. While Officer Auderer initially claimed the conversation was "private" and part of his SPOG duties, he later self-reported the incident to the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) when he realized its inappropriate nature.

The Seattle police department released the video publicly on September 11, officially announcing an investigation into the matter. Although Officer Auderer's conversation contains significant inaccuracies, including the victim's age and the vehicle's speed, it has raised concerns about the culture within the police force. The department has stated that the release of the video is in the interest of transparency and has referred the matter to OPA for further investigation into the context of these statements and any potential policy violations. Additionally, the King County prosecuting attorney's office, responsible for the Seattle area, is conducting a criminal review of the incident, further highlighting the gravity of this situation.

A RIVER OF WINE FLOODS STREETS OF A TOWN IN PORTUGAL

The wine flowed freely in one Portuguese town over the weekend. Two tanks holding nearly 2.2 million litres of wine at a distillery collapsed on Sunday, sending a torrent of red wine down the streets of the small town of Levira. One tank, open at the top, collapsed because of a “structural failure”. The sheer force of the wine knocked over another tank. Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse. The tanks that collapsed were part of an effort to address a broader problem: There’s too much wine in Europe. Portugal, like France and Italy, is suffering from an oversupply of wine because of a decline in consumption and exports. The tanks that collapsed were being used to store surplus wine.