U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed paperwork to expel a Cuban diplomat accused of shoving and trying to assault an American diplomat. Waltz said the diplomat would be sent to Havana within 24 hours, following a confrontation at the United Nations during Waltz’s speech.
Key Facts
Waltz announced the expulsion during an appearance on Fox News’ Hannity.
Waltz said Rubio had signed the paperwork to expel the Cuban diplomat.
Waltz accused the diplomat of shoving and trying to assault an American diplomat.
Waltz said the diplomat would be sent back to Havana within 24 hours.
Waltz accused Cuban officials of trying to disrupt his speech at the United Nations.
Waltz said Cuban representatives rushed the stage as he criticized the Cuban government.
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The family of Agnes Wanjiru, a Kenyan woman found dead in 2012, has condemned the postponement of an extradition hearing for former British soldier Robert James Purkiss until May 2027. Purkiss denies the murder allegation and is contesting extradition from the UK to Kenya.
Key Facts
Wanjiru, 21, disappeared in March 2012 after spending an evening at a hotel in Nanyuki, where British soldiers were stationed for training.
Her body was found nearly three months later in a septic tank at the hotel; she had stab wounds to her chest and abdomen.
A Kenyan inquest concluded in 2019 that one or two British soldiers had unlawfully killed her.
A Kenyan High Court issued an arrest warrant for a British national in September 2025 after prosecutors presented evidence supporting murder charges.
Purkiss was arrested in the UK last November and appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in February; he denies the allegation and is contesting extradition.
The family says it learned of the postponement through the UK embassy and received no official explanation.
The family had raised money and arranged to travel to the UK for the hearing, which had been scheduled for next month.
A UK court is expected to explain the delay next week.
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Cyclone Arnab made landfall in India’s Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, bringing heavy rain and winds of up to 135 kph. The storm damaged roads and disrupted power, flights, and train services; officials reported no casualties so far.
Key Facts
At least 180,000 people were evacuated from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha before the storm arrived.
Authorities said more than 12 million people live in the cyclone’s expected path.
India’s Meteorological Department warned that a storm surge of up to 1.5 meters could flood low-lying areas.
Arnab was classified as a “very severe cyclonic storm” at landfall and later downgraded to “severe” as it moved inland.
Fallen trees damaged vehicles and blocked highways, while power supplies were disrupted.
Nepal suspended trekking permits for three days and warned tourists about possible heavy rain, snowstorms, and avalanches.
Sri Lanka closed schools and warned of possible flash floods and landslides.
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Social media posts describe “ferritin face” as pallor, dark circles, dry skin and hair loss, but these signs can have many causes and cannot diagnose iron deficiency. Low iron stores can affect health and appearance, so people at risk or concerned should seek a blood test and medical advice about treatment and the cause.
Key Facts
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron, and a blood test can help assess the body’s iron reserves.
UK guidelines cited in the article indicate ferritin below 30 micrograms per litre signals iron deficiency; a level below 50 may also point to deficiency.
Low iron can cause fatigue, brain fog, pale or dull skin, and, in some cases, hair loss; facial appearance alone cannot confirm the condition.
Common causes include heavy periods, pregnancy, low dietary iron, poor absorption such as with coeliac disease, and blood loss from gastrointestinal problems.
Athletes may have low iron stores because their bodies have higher iron demands.
People at higher risk or who are concerned should ask a clinician about blood tests, including a full blood count and ferritin; the article also mentions B12 and folate tests.
Older people with suspected iron deficiency may need medical investigations to identify possible bleeding in the bowel.
The article warns that over-the-counter supplements may not provide a treatment dose and that follow-up blood tests may be needed after treatment.
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A Russian drone attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, late Tuesday forced elderly women and children to leave their homes. Fires damaged houses and industrial buildings, and firefighters helped a disabled woman reach safety.
Key Facts
The attack took place in Kharkiv, Ukraine, late Tuesday.
The article describes the attack as a Russian drone strike.
Elderly women and children evacuated their homes.
Fires damaged houses and industrial buildings.
Firefighters led a disabled woman to safety.
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Ahead of the third Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, Russia is seeking to deepen its trade, investment and security ties with African countries. The article says trade has fallen short of Russia’s stated target, some investment projects have stalled, and certain deals leave African governments with substantial financial or contractual obligations.
Key Facts
The summit is expected to discuss investment, industrial production, food security, energy, technology and payment systems.
Russia reported $27.1 billion in merchandise trade with Africa in 2025, below President Vladimir Putin’s $40 billion target.
In the first eight months of 2026, Russia exported $14 billion in goods to Africa and imported $3.2 billion.
Russia shipped 10.2 million tonnes of wheat to Africa in the first half of 2026; Egypt was its largest agricultural customer.
Uralchem abandoned a planned $1.2 billion fertilizer complex in Angola in 2023, the year it was scheduled to start production.
Rosatom is building four nuclear reactors at Egypt’s El Dabaa site, employing more than 18,000 Egyptians; the project is largely financed by a $25 billion Russian loan to Egypt.
A proposed pipeline in the Republic of Congo would give Russian interests 90 percent of the joint venture, under a 25-year concession with guaranteed transport tariffs.
Sweden’s Defence Research Agency identified at least 57 Russian military and security agreements involving 39 African countries. The article says Russia has shifted many operations from the Wagner Group to the Defence Ministry-controlled Africa Corps.
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Zimbabwe’s mining sector earned a record $8.5 billion in export revenue in 2025, with gold and platinum-group metals helping drive the increase. In communities near major platinum operations, residents say roads, schools, water services and local livelihoods have not kept pace with mining activity.
Key Facts
Platinum reached $2,923 an ounce on January 26, according to the World Platinum Investment Council.
Zimbabwe has the world’s second-largest known deposits of platinum-group metals, after South Africa.
Mining accounts for about 75 percent of Zimbabwe’s exports and 14.5 percent of its gross domestic product, according to the U.S. International Trade Administration.
The mining sector’s export earnings rose from $5.9 billion in 2024 to $8.5 billion in 2025, according to the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe’s then-president, John Musekiwa.
Zimplats operates mines, concentrators and processing facilities in the Mhondoro-Ngezi district, on the Great Dyke mineral belt.
A local councillor said some children walk 15 to 25 kilometres to reach Musinambi Secondary School and called for a satellite school in Makwavarara.
Residents near the mining area said that infrastructure and basic services have not kept pace with the area’s growth.
Residents alleged that sewage from the mining area entered the Ngwazani River; the article excerpt does not provide a response from the mining company or verification of the claim.
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Partial election results show Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud as Israel’s largest party, but his bloc appears short of the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority. Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc also appears unlikely to win a majority without support from Arab-led parties, while absentee ballots remain uncounted.
Key Facts
Israel elects 120 members of parliament, and a government needs 61 seats for a majority.
Early results put Netanyahu’s Likud ahead as the largest single party.
Netanyahu’s bloc of right-wing, ultra-Orthodox and ultra-nationalist parties appears just short of a majority.
Partial results suggest Eisenkot’s bloc also lacks a clear path to a majority without Arab-led parties.
Most Jewish opposition parties said during the campaign that they would not work with Arab-majority lists.
Arab Israelis make up about one-fifth of Israel’s population, and turnout among them appeared unusually high.
Absentee ballots, mostly from soldiers, could affect the final count; results may take another day or two.
Netanyahu and Eisenkot each told supporters they would work to form the next government.
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The U.N. General Assembly is set to vote on a resolution condemning the U.S. embargo on Cuba, which has been on the agenda for 34 years. The vote comes amid rising tensions between the Trump administration and Cuba, including a public confrontation between their representatives at the U.N.
Key Facts
The General Assembly has voted on a resolution condemning the embargo annually for 34 years.
Last year, the resolution passed 165-7, with 12 abstentions.
The resolution is not legally binding but reflects the views of U.N. member states.
The article says the Trump administration is seeking to influence this year’s vote.
President Donald Trump raised the possibility of U.S. military intervention in Cuba last week.
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez argued during a General Assembly session on Tuesday.
The U.S. first imposed its embargo on Cuba in 1960, after Cuba’s revolution and nationalization of U.S.-owned property.
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Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said he intends to leave office when his third term ends in April 2030, though the article notes that he has reversed similar statements before. It argues that he may be preparing a succession that preserves the military’s powerful role in Egypt’s political system, amid economic strain and concerns about accountability for his rule.
Key Facts
El-Sisi said at a military academy graduation ceremony that he plans to leave office in April 2030 and that the constitution would not be changed to extend his rule.
El-Sisi previously denied plans to run for president in 2013 and said in 2017 that he would preserve the constitution’s term limits, but he later supported constitutional amendments in 2019.
Egypt’s constitution, as amended in 2019, gives the armed forces a role in protecting the state and what it describes as the people’s rights and freedoms.
Egypt’s debt is reported at 81 percent of gross domestic product, and interest payments exceed combined spending on healthcare, education, wages and subsidies.
The Egyptian pound has lost more than 80 percent of its value against the U.S. dollar since 2014, while cumulative inflation exceeds 460 percent.
El-Sisi came to power after the 2013 coup against President Mohamed Morsi, which was followed by mass killings and the imprisonment of tens of thousands of politicians, activists and journalists.
The article describes speculation that el-Sisi’s announcement could be a bid to seek public support for another term or to head off possible military action, but says a military-shaped succession is more likely.
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Alastair Campbell urged Australian politicians and media to lower political hostility and strengthen public support for democratic politics after the alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines. He said public calls for change after attacks on British politicians faded quickly, and argued that economic hardship and distrust have helped fuel populist politics.
Key Facts
A 43-year-old man has been charged over the alleged attack on Helen Haines, and police are investigating.
The attack outside Haines’ electorate office in northern Victoria left her without both legs, according to the article.
Campbell said Haines’ expected return to parliament could help keep attention on the consequences of political violence.
Campbell cited the killings of British MPs Jo Cox and David Amess as cases after which political debate briefly drew calls for change.
He urged politicians and media to consider how they speak to the public and why their professions face low trust.
Campbell linked the rise of populist politics to the lingering effects of the 2008 financial crisis, including austerity and pressure on living standards.
Campbell is due to visit Australia for a speaking tour next month.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel needs a right-wing government and warned against relying on Arab parties to form a coalition. Early election projections showed Likud leading as the largest party, but neither Likud’s bloc nor the opposing alliance appeared likely to secure a governing majority.
Key Facts
With more than half of ballots counted, projections put Netanyahu’s bloc at 56 seats and Gadi Eisenkot’s alliance at 49.
Israeli Channels 12 and 13 projected Likud to win 27 seats, compared with 21 for Eisenkot’s Yashar party.
Netanyahu said final results would take another one or two days to emerge.
Netanyahu cited Israeli military operations and security zones in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria as achievements of his current term, which began in 2022.
Netanyahu said Israel had an opportunity to work with U.S. President Donald Trump to address what he called the threat from Iran.
Analysts said the party seeking to form a government may need an uncomfortable coalition agreement, while opposition voters would oppose a deal with Netanyahu’s coalition.
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Simon Tisdall argues that President Donald Trump may renew military action against Iran after the U.S. midterm elections, potentially alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He warns that another attack could raise energy prices and disrupt trade, and says diplomacy is needed to prevent wider harm.
Key Facts
The article says Trump reportedly rejected Netanyahu’s push for an attack on Iran this month, partly because of concerns about the midterm elections.
Tisdall argues that Trump’s political calculations may change after the midterm polls close.
The article says Netanyahu may favor renewed conflict to strengthen his position in post-election coalition talks.
The article reports that a renewed assault could target a mountain complex where Iran’s enriched uranium is believed to be stored.
Pentagon officials reportedly say Iran could retaliate against Gulf oil infrastructure and undersea internet cables.
The article warns that attacks or disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab could affect energy supplies, transport and trade.
Tisdall argues that renewed fighting could push oil prices higher and harm consumers worldwide.
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India’s relationship with President Donald Trump’s administration has grown more strained ahead of the US midterm elections, a shift from the public warmth between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019. Indian officials have criticized US policies on trade, Pakistan and terrorism, while negotiations over a trade deal have stalled.
Key Facts
In 2019, Modi praised Trump at a Houston rally attended by more than 50,000 Indian Americans and used the slogan “This time, a Trump government.”
Trump lost the 2020 presidential election.
India has traditionally had close ties with Republican administrations, including under Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.
The article says India usually raises disagreements with friendly countries privately but has recently criticized the Trump administration more openly.
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said the administration had been insensitive to India’s concerns about terrorism, had warmed to Pakistan and had pursued self-centered trade policies.
India is among the countries most affected by Trump’s tariff policies, according to the article.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said trade negotiations with the United States had reached a plateau.
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Two major unions have withdrawn support for Victoria’s Labor government ahead of the November 2026 state election. The Australian Services Union is running ads criticizing Premier Ben Carroll and will not canvass for Labor, while the Electrical Trades Union has canceled its planned statewide campaign and redirected funds toward preparing for a construction royal commission.
Key Facts
The Australian Services Union says it will not door-knock for Labor in the weeks before the election.
The ASU’s ads accuse Ben Carroll and Labor of lying over the government’s decision not to lift a cap on council rates.
The ASU says it had an agreement with former premier Jacinta Allan to lift the cap, but Carroll scrapped the plan after taking over as premier.
The ASU ads are scheduled to run online in several electorates, including Carroll’s seat of Niddrie and seats held by senior Labor figures.
The Electrical Trades Union’s state council resolved not to run a third-party campaign for Labor at the 2026 election.
The ETU said it would use campaign resources to prepare for and defend the union and its members in the construction royal commission.
The ETU resolution cited polling that it commissioned, which predicted Labor would win 25 seats, 10 fewer than an earlier forecast.
A Victorian government spokesperson said Carroll was fighting for working people and criticized the Liberal–One Nation coalition.
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Gulf states are pursuing a multi-part deal to prevent renewed fighting between the United States and Iran. The proposals include reopening the Strait of Hormuz after sanctions relief, reducing Houthi forces in Yemen, and discussing a broader regional security agreement, while the United States is seeking Iran’s return to nuclear inspections.
Key Facts
Iran’s deputy national security council secretary said Iran could agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz four days after economic sanctions are lifted, rather than seven days.
European diplomats say allowing UN weapons inspectors to return to Iran and visit bombed nuclear sites is a minimum requirement for a breakthrough with the United States.
Iran has so far refused to readmit the inspectors and says it will discuss its nuclear program only in principle.
A delegation from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan visited Tehran to discuss terms for ending the Yemen conflict and a longer-term regional security arrangement.
Iran’s security council secretary met with the Houthi ambassador to Iran as Iran acknowledged a role in mediating the Yemen conflict.
The Houthis are seeking an end to what they describe as a Saudi naval and air blockade of territory they hold.
Iran is promoting a regional security pact involving Gulf states and Iran, with a reduced or ended US military presence in the Middle East.
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Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels was first published anonymously in October 1726, and events across Ireland are marking its 300th anniversary. An exhibition at Trinity College Dublin explores the novel’s editions, adaptations, characters and themes, alongside talks, performances and other anniversary events.
Key Facts
Swift wrote the novel under the title Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World.
The book satirized Georgian society and later reached popular audiences through translations, children’s editions, comics and films.
Trinity College Dublin’s exhibition runs until December and is also available online.
The exhibition includes materials from the university’s collection, including a 1726 edition, a 1976 Marvel comic and a surviving 1761 abridgement.
The exhibition examines modern retellings that imagine the perspective of Gulliver’s wife, Mary.
Co-curator Aileen Douglas said Gulliver’s visit to Laputa connects with present-day concerns about technology.
Anniversary events include a Trinity panel discussion, a children’s choir premiere and events at the Robinson library in County Armagh.
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A friend of Beau Lamarre-Condon told his murder trial that he arrived at her home after Jesse Baird and Luke Davies disappeared and scrubbed blood from his van while she sat nearby. Lamarre-Condon has pleaded not guilty to murdering the men in 2024 and says he acted in self-defence; prosecutors allege he planned the killings.
Key Facts
The friend, identified in court as Fiona Rosso, said Lamarre-Condon arrived unannounced and told her he had “done something bad.”
Rosso testified that Lamarre-Condon asked her to look up schizophrenia and said he had experienced an out-of-body experience.
She said she sat with a glass of champagne while he tried to scrub blood from the back of his van.
Rosso told the jury that Lamarre-Condon said he had driven with another woman to dispose of the bodies in a dam.
Baird and Davies, both in their 20s, were found at a rural property inside surfboard bags.
Lamarre-Condon says he killed the men in self-defence after entering Baird’s home to retrieve his belongings.
Prosecutors allege Lamarre-Condon killed Baird and then shot Davies to eliminate a witness.
Prosecutors rejected Lamarre-Condon’s offer to plead guilty to Baird’s manslaughter; the trial is continuing in New South Wales Supreme Court.
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Flávio Bolsonaro, who lost Brazil’s presidential runoff to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, landed in the United States, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The U.S. State Department said it would allow Bolsonaro and his family to enter and issue them visas; Brazilian authorities had been investigating whether he left the country.
Key Facts
Lula defeated Flávio Bolsonaro in Brazil’s presidential runoff on Sunday.
Two sources told ABC News that Bolsonaro landed in the United States.
A senior State Department official said the United States would allow Bolsonaro and his family to enter and issue them visas.
Brazilian authorities said they did not know Bolsonaro’s whereabouts and were investigating whether he had left for the United States.
Brazilian authorities are investigating Bolsonaro in connection with a sports betting case and a probe into a film about his father, Jair Bolsonaro.
Two U.S. officials said the Trump administration had tracked Bolsonaro’s plans and expected him to leave Brazil for the United States.
Trump said Brazil’s election looked rigged, but the article reported no evidence supporting that claim.
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Victoria’s Court of Appeal is due to rule on Friday on Erin Patterson’s appeal against her convictions for three murders and one attempted murder. The court will also consider whether her life sentence, with a 33-year non-parole period, should be increased; the convictions appeal could lead to a retrial or acquittal, or leave the convictions in place.
Key Facts
Patterson was convicted of murdering Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson after serving them lunch.
She was also convicted of attempting to murder Heather Wilkinson’s husband, Ian, who survived.
Patterson received a life sentence with a 33-year non-parole period.
The Court of Appeal heard arguments in August and is scheduled to deliver its decisions from 10 a.m. Friday.
Patterson’s lawyers argued that jurors staying at the same hotel as police and prosecutors during deliberations compromised the trial.
The court could reject the appeal, order a retrial, or enter an acquittal.
If the court upholds the convictions, it may also decide whether Patterson should be resentenced.
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