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Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, as per reports, is facing a troubling outlook as he prepares for the October 27 general election. His dismal approval ratings — the lowest for any new Japanese leader in decades — are threatening his leadership and the stability of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).&nbsp;

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:85,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1771}">What is Ishiba's public rating?</h2>

Ishiba's current public support, as per the South China Morning Post (SCMP) stands at just 28 per cent, according to a recent Jiji Press poll. This marks the lowest initial approval for a new Japanese leader since 2000. Even though this is slightly better than former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's 18.7 per cent before he exited the leadership race in September, it still fails to reach the critical 30 per cent threshold, which analysts consider a "danger zone" for political leaders.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjsqsypt5yJAxX2yjgGHTyLEfAQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/crunch-of-successors-in-royal-family-called-out-in-japan-parliament-pm-asks-for-debate-764445" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/crunch-of-successors-in-royal-family-called-out-in-japan-parliament-pm-asks-for-debate-764445&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjsqsypt5yJAxX2yjgGHTyLEfAQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE">Crunch of successors in royal family called out in Japan parliament, PM asks for debate</a>

Kishida started his term with over 40 per cent support, while his predecessor, Yoshihide Suga, began with 51.2 per cent.&nbsp;

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:285,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1971}">What does this mean for the Japanese PM?</h2>

Political analyst Stephen Nagy anticipates that the LDP could lose its absolute majority, but may remain in power with the help of its junior coalition partner, Komeito.

"I expect the LDP to lose its absolute majority but probably remain in power with Komeito, which will in return be able to promote some of its more family-friendly social policies," said Nagy, a politics professor at Tokyo's International Christian University as quoted by SCMP.

He said that a complete loss of power is also "possible", though unlikely, given the disarray among opposition parties, which have struggled to unite behind strong candidates.

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:83,&quot;y&quot;:496,&quot;w&quot;:504,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:116,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2182}" data-ved="2ahUKEwiVjqW7t5yJAxW64zgGHVsKEqYQxfQBKAB6BAgNEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-is-giving-away-free-flight-tickets-but-there-is-a-catch-are-you-eligible-766805" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-is-giving-away-free-flight-tickets-but-there-is-a-catch-are-you-eligible-766805&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiVjqW7t5yJAxW64zgGHVsKEqYQxfQBKAB6BAgNEAE">Japan is giving away free flight tickets, but there is a catch. Are you eligible?</a>

Ishiba was chosen as party leader due to his clean image amid several scandals that have plagued the LDP. However, he has struggled to distance himself from these issues.

Currently, the LDP holds 247 seats in the 465-member chamber, allowing for a comfortable majority without Komeito's 32 seats. However, retaining the necessary 233 seats to maintain that majority is increasingly doubtful given the low approval ratings.&nbsp;

A Yomiuri newspaper survey suggests that among 266 candidates in single-seat districts, only 100 appear secure, while about 120 races remain too close to call, and another 40 candidates face significant opposition.

(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, as per reports, is facing a troubling outlook as he prepares for the October 27 general election. His dismal approval ratings — the lowest for any new Japanese leader in decades — are threatening his leadership and the stability of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, as per reports, is facing a troubling outlook as he prepares for the October 27 general election. His dismal approval ratings — the lowest for any new Japanese leader in decades — are threatening his leadership and the stability of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). What is Ishiba's public rating? Ishiba's current public support, as per the South China Morning Post (SCMP) stands at just 28 per cent, according to a recent Jiji Press poll. This marks the lowest initial approval for a new Japanese leader since 2000. Even though this is slightly better than former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's 18.7 per cent before he exited the leadership race in September, it still fails to reach the critical 30 per cent threshold, which analysts consider a "danger zone" for political leaders. Also read | Crunch of successors in royal family called out in Japan parliament, PM asks for debate Kishida started his term with over 40 per cent support, while his predecessor, Yoshihide Suga, began with 51.2 per cent. What does this mean for the Japanese PM? Political analyst Stephen Nagy anticipates that the LDP could lose its absolute majority, but may remain in power with the help of its junior coalition partner, Komeito. "I expect the LDP to lose its absolute majority but probably remain in power with Komeito, which will in return be able to promote some of its more family-friendly social policies," said Nagy, a politics professor at Tokyo's International Christian University as quoted by SCMP. He said that a complete loss of power is also "possible", though unlikely, given the disarray among opposition parties, which have struggled to unite behind strong candidates. Also read | Japan is giving away free flight tickets, but there is a catch. Are you eligible? Ishiba was chosen as party leader due to his clean image amid several scandals that have plagued the LDP. However, he has struggled to distance himself from these issues. Currently, the LDP holds 247 seats in the 465-member chamber, allowing for a comfortable majority without Komeito's 32 seats. However, retaining the necessary 233 seats to maintain that majority is increasingly doubtful given the low approval ratings. A Yomiuri newspaper survey suggests that among 266 candidates in single-seat districts, only 100 appear secure, while about 120 races remain too close to call, and another 40 candidates face significant opposition. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan's new PM Ishiba struggles with historically low approval ratings as election nears

After the RG Kar rape and murder, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made contact with junior doctors who were protesting. She assured them that their demands would be taken into consideration and invited them to a meeting on Monday.

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Covid-19 May Increase Heart Attack And Stroke Risk For Years

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Saturday (Oct 19) that a drone was launched toward his residence in Caesarea on Saturday after the military reported a drone from Lebanon had "hit a structure" in the central Israeli town. In other news, the opposition INDIA alliance will contest the upcoming assembly elections in the Indian state of Jharkhand together, Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced on Saturday (Oct 19), adding that his Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Congress will contest 70 of 81 seats in the state assembly.

Click on headlines to read more:

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/west-asia-crisis-israeli-pm-netanyahus-caesarea-home-targeted-in-drone-attack-from-lebanon-none-hurt-768921">West Asia crisis: Drone from Lebanon launched toward Netanyahu's residence</a>

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/10/19/461129-untitled.png?imwidth=400" />

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Saturday (Oct 19) that a drone was launched toward his residence in Caesarea&nbsp;on Saturday after the military reported a drone from Lebanon had "hit a structure" in the central Israeli town.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-bloc-to-fight-jharkhand-elections-together-jmm-congress-to-contest-70-of-81-seats-cm-hemant-soren-768980">INDIA bloc to contest Jharkhand elections together: CM Hemant Soren</a>

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/10/19/461167-untitled-design-6.jpg?imwidth=400" />

The opposition INDIA alliance will contest the upcoming assembly elections in the Indian state of Jharkhand together, Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced on Saturday (Oct 19), adding that his Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Congress will contest 70 of 81 seats in the state assembly.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-tried-to-eliminate-israeli-pm-netanyahu-in-hezbollah-attack-report-768971">Iran tried to eliminate Israeli PM Netanyahu in Hezbollah attack: Report</a>

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/10/19/461158-sax.png?imwidth=400" />

Hours after a drone was launched towards Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Caesarea on Saturday (Oct 19), a senior government official confirmed that Iran tried to eliminate the Israeli prime minister, local media outlet Channel 12 reported.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-media-suggests-trumps-lead-in-betting-markets-could-be-manufactured-768907">US media suggests Trump’s lead in betting markets could be ‘manufactured’</a>

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Former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is leading big time in some betting markets. Now, the Wall Street Journal has suggested that the lead could very well be ‘manufactured’ to fuel social-media buzz in Trump’s favour.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-drops-leaflets-over-gaza-showing-sinwars-dead-body-as-palestinians-mourn-the-defiant-hero-769016">Israel drops leaflets over Gaza showing Sinwar's dead body</a>

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/10/19/461198-00036kd2zd.jpg?imwidth=400" />

Israeli aircraft on Saturday (October 19) scattered leaflets across southern Gaza, showing a photo of the deceased Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, along with the message, "Hamas will no longer rule Gaza," according to a report by Reuters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/arrest-of-nepals-former-deputy-pm-rabi-lamichhane-a-breakdown-769044">Arrest of Nepal's former Deputy PM Rabi Lamichhane: A breakdown</a>

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/10/19/461209-00032ne2qd.jpg?imwidth=400" />

Rabi Lamichhane, former deputy prime minister and home minister of Nepal, was arrested on Friday (Oct 18) by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) on charges of organised crime and misappropriation of cooperative funds. Lamichhane, the chairman of the opposition Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), was taken into custody outside his party office in Kathmandu.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-will-be-responsible-iran-irked-as-biden-says-hes-aware-of-israeli-response-to-oct-1-attacks-768896">‘US will be responsible...,’ Iran irked as Biden says he is aware of Israeli response to Oct 1 attacks</a>

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/10/01/457714-outgoing-us-president-joe-biden-cites-commotion-for-not-attending-paris-olympics.jpg?imwidth=400" />

US President Joe Biden on Friday (Oct 18) signalled that he is aware of Israel’s expected response to the October 1 missile attack by Iran but refused to provide any details.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/aviation-ministry-summons-airline-ceos-as-hoax-bomb-threats-reach-30-tougher-penalties-in-discussion-769023">India: Aviation Ministry summons airline CEOs as hoax bomb threats reach 30; tougher penalties in discussion</a>

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/10/14/460002-untitled-design-2.png?imwidth=400" />

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) called for a meeting on Saturday (Oct 19) with airline CEOs following a spike in hoax bomb threats over the past four days.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ind-vs-nz-weather-report-india-at-rain-gods-mercy-in-bengaluru-as-visitors-look-to-draw-first-blood-768986">IND vs NZ, Weather Report: India at rain god's mercy in Bengaluru Test</a>

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/10/19/461163-ind-vs-nz-weather-report-india-at-rain-gods-mercy-in-bengaluru-as-visitors-look-to-draw-first-blood.png?imwidth=400" />

India will have hopes in the heart but fate won't be in their hands on Sunday (Oct 20) as they look to save the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand. With New Zealand needing only 107 runs to win and having the entire Day 5 in hands, much will depend on what role rain will play with heavy showers and bad light wrapping proceedings on Saturday. So what is the weather forecast for Sunday and will New Zealand be able to win the Bengaluru Test?&nbsp;Here are all the details.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/gladiator-ii-first-reactions-are-in-critics-call-the-sequel-a-masterpiece-and-ridley-scotts-best-work-769013">Gladiator II first reactions are in; critics call the sequel a 'masterpiece'</a>

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/10/19/461190-happy-30th-birthday-2024-10-19t211041054.png?imwidth=400" />

The first reactions for&nbsp;Gladiator II&nbsp;are here! Legendary director Ridley Scott has brought his Roman world back onto the screen after 24 years, and as per the first reactions, it's thrilling, epic and a perfect sequel to an iconic film.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Saturday (Oct 19) that a drone was launched toward his residence in Caesarea on Saturday after the military reported a drone from Lebanon had "hit a structure" in the central Israeli town.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Saturday (Oct 19) that a drone was launched toward his residence in Caesarea on Saturday after the military reported a drone from Lebanon had "hit a structure" in the central Israeli town. In other news, the opposition INDIA alliance will contest the upcoming assembly elections in the Indian state of Jharkhand together, Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced on Saturday (Oct 19), adding that his Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Congress will contest 70 of 81 seats in the state assembly. Click on headlines to read more: West Asia crisis: Drone from Lebanon launched toward Netanyahu's residence Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Saturday (Oct 19) that a drone was launched toward his residence in Caesarea on Saturday after the military reported a drone from Lebanon had "hit a structure" in the central Israeli town. INDIA bloc to contest Jharkhand elections together: CM Hemant Soren The opposition INDIA alliance will contest the upcoming assembly elections in the Indian state of Jharkhand together, Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced on Saturday (Oct 19), adding that his Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Congress will contest 70 of 81 seats in the state assembly. Iran tried to eliminate Israeli PM Netanyahu in Hezbollah attack: Report Hours after a drone was launched towards Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Caesarea on Saturday (Oct 19), a senior government official confirmed that Iran tried to eliminate the Israeli prime minister, local media outlet Channel 12 reported. US media suggests Trump’s lead in betting markets could be ‘manufactured’ Former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is leading big time in some betting markets. Now, the Wall Street Journal has suggested that the lead could very well be ‘manufactured’ to fuel social-media buzz in Trump’s favour. Israel drops leaflets over Gaza showing Sinwar's dead body Israeli aircraft on Saturday (October 19) scattered leaflets across southern Gaza, showing a photo of the deceased Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, along with the message, "Hamas will no longer rule Gaza," according to a report by Reuters. Arrest of Nepal's former Deputy PM Rabi Lamichhane: A breakdown Rabi Lamichhane, former deputy prime minister and home minister of Nepal, was arrested on Friday (Oct 18) by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) on charges of organised crime and misappropriation of cooperative funds. Lamichhane, the chairman of the opposition Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), was taken into custody outside his party office in Kathmandu. ‘US will be responsible...,’ Iran irked as Biden says he is aware of Israeli response to Oct 1 attacks US President Joe Biden on Friday (Oct 18) signalled that he is aware of Israel’s expected response to the October 1 missile attack by Iran but refused to provide any details. India: Aviation Ministry summons airline CEOs as hoax bomb threats reach 30; tougher penalties in discussion The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) called for a meeting on Saturday (Oct 19) with airline CEOs following a spike in hoax bomb threats over the past four days. IND vs NZ, Weather Report: India at rain god's mercy in Bengaluru Test India will have hopes in the heart but fate won't be in their hands on Sunday (Oct 20) as they look to save the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand. With New Zealand needing only 107 runs to win and having the entire Day 5 in hands, much will depend on what role rain will play with heavy showers and bad light wrapping proceedings on Saturday. So what is the weather forecast for Sunday and will New Zealand be able to win the Bengaluru Test? Here are all the details. Gladiator II first reactions are in; critics call the sequel a 'masterpiece' The first reactions for Gladiator II are here! Legendary director Ridley Scott has brought his Roman world back onto the screen after 24 years, and as per the first reactions, it's thrilling, epic and a perfect sequel to an iconic film.

Top 10 world news: Drone from Lebanon targets Netanyahu's home; INDIA bloc unites for Jharkhand polls, & more

At least seven people died in the US state of Georgia on Saturday (Oct 19) after part of a boat dock collapsed, sending at least 20 into the Atlantic waters off the coast.

At least seven people died in the US state of Georgia on Saturday (Oct 19) after part of a boat dock collapsed, sending at least 20 into the Atlantic waters off the coast. Citing authorities, a report by the news agency Reuters said that multiple people were injured in the accident. The accident happened during a celebration of Sapelo Island's tiny Gullah-Geechee community of Black slave descendants, authorities said. Sapelo Island is only reachable by boat, and the state-run ferry takes about 20 minutes to reach its shores. 'Multiple agencies searching for survivors' Tyler Jones, a spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, which runs the ferry, said that a gangway crowded with people waiting for a ferryboat collapsed late on Saturday afternoon on the Georgia barrier island about 100 kilometres south of Savannah. "We and multiple agencies are searching for survivors," Jones said. Officials told Reuters that Coast Guard helicopters and boats equipped with sonar immediately began search-and-rescue operations. The cause of the accident was not yet known. People at Sapelo Island were marking Cultural Day, an annual festival celebrating the island's historic Black community, one of several surviving island communities from Georgia to North Carolina. Biden administration reacts to accident In a statement, US President Joe Biden said that he was "heartbroken" after learning about the incident, adding that his administration was in touch with officials and ready to assist the community. "My team is in touch with state and local officials, and we stand ready to provide any and all assistance that would be helpful to the community," President Biden added. Echoing his remarks, Vice President Kamala Harris said that the administration offered any federal support that was needed. "Even in the face of this heartbreak, we will continue to celebrate and honour the history, culture, and resilience of the Gullah-Geechee community," Vice President Harris said in a statement. (With inputs from agencies)

At least seven dead in Georgia after part of boat dock collapses, Biden says 'heartbroken'

The Senate session will be held at 3pm on Sunday (today). Earlier, it started after the delay of several hours while the political huddles were in full swing in Islamabad to bring consensus on the constitutional amendment. Watch to know more.

Pak Constitutional Amendment Bill: Can Govt Cobble Together Two-Third Majority?

A New Zealand airport has placed a limit on goodbye hugs at its drop-off area, allowing a maximum of three minutes for farewells. The sign at Dunedin Airport reads, "max hug time 3 minutes," and suggests that those wishing for longer goodbyes should use the car park instead.

A New Zealand airport has placed a limit on goodbye hugs at its drop-off area, allowing a maximum of three minutes for farewells. The sign at Dunedin Airport reads, "max hug time 3 minutes," and suggests that those wishing for longer goodbyes should use the car park instead. A photo of the sign, posted to the Facebook group "The view from my window" earlier this week, sparked a debate about what’s considered appropriate an appropriate amount of time when saying goodbye at airports. One person commented, “I love it. It shows warmth and compassion. My local airport it would be ‘you can’t stop there’ - there’s a £100 fine if you stop and a minimum £5.00 to drop someone off in the drop-off zone. I love Nice airport - they have ‘Kiss and Fly’.” "You get 3 minutes to hug?? In America, they don’t even want you to stop. Just come to a slow roll and push your passenger out. I’m serious," a user wrote in the comment section. Also read: India: Aviation Ministry summons airline CEOs as hoax bomb threats reach 30; tougher penalties in discussion “This got me thinking…. Who are the people I would hug for 3 minutes? There are a very few, mostly family, and a dear long-time friend. But in spite of the humor of this sign, it’s something to think about. Life is short,” wrote a third one in the comments. Dunedin Airport CEO Daniel De Bono addressed the issue in an interview with New Zealand’s RNZ radio. De Bono said that airports are "emotional hotspots". He then went on to cite a study which said that a 20-second hug can release oxytocin, the "love hormone." De Bono added that moving people along quickly helps ensure more travellers can share hugs. He also noted that Dunedin Airport’s parking lot allows a free 15-minute stay, during which, he admitted, "our team has witnessed some interesting things over the years." (With inputs from agencies)

Hugging on the clock? New Zealand airport sparks debate by limiting goodbye hugs to 3 minutes

China's president Xi Jinping is escalating his push for military dominance urging China's Armed Forces to ramp up their preparedness for war. Watch our report to know more.

China Expanding Military, Nuke Arsenal

With just 18 days until November 5, early voting has started in Louisiana, Hawaii, and Washington as of Friday, marking the official start of the 2024 election season.

With just 18 days until November 5, early voting has started in Louisiana, Hawaii, and Washington as of Friday, marking the official start of the 2024 election season. What is early voting? In the United States, voters typically have three ways to cast their ballots before Election Day, with mail-in voting being the most common for the upcoming presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Traditionally, voting involved heading to a polling station on Election Day to fill out a ballot in person. However, early in-person voting, absentee voting, and mail-in voting have become popular alternatives, giving voters the option to vote before the official Election Day, which is always the first Tuesday in November. Also read: Federal judge releases over 1,800 pages of previously sealed evidence in Trump election subversion case At least eight states automatically mail ballots to all registered voters, while 14 states still require voters to provide a reason to request an absentee ballot for mail-in voting. In three states—Alabama, Mississippi, and New Hampshire—there is no option for early in-person voting, though absentee voting may be available to those who qualify. What is absentee voting? Absentee voting is designed for people who are unable or choose not to vote in person at their designated polling station. This can be done through different methods such as voting at another location, mailing in a ballot, having someone else vote on their behalf (proxy voting), or voting online in some cases. Many believe that expanding access to absentee ballots helps increase voter participation by making the process more convenient, a practice known as "convenience voting." However, some countries require specific conditions, such as illness or travel, for absentee voting to be allowed. Who can vote absentee? Absentee voting is available for individuals who are unable to vote in person. This includes military personnel and their families who are stationed away from their home voting district, as well as U.S. citizens living abroad who once lived in the United States. However, US citizens born abroad who have never lived in the country may face restrictions on absentee voting. It's recommended to check the state's rules where the individual's parent or guardian last lived to determine eligibility. Also read: US presidential election: Kamala Harris leads Trump among Black voters in swing states, poll shows What is the window for early in-person voting? The window for early in-person voting varies from state to state, ranging from as short as three days to as long as 46 days before Election Day. In some places, early voting can start as early as 50 days before the election or as late as the Friday right before Election Day. Most states in the US allow voters to cast their ballots in person before November 5. According to The Center for Election Innovation & Research, nearly 97% of Americans of voting age live in a state that offers early voting. The number of people voting early increased between 2016 and 2020, largely because states expanded early voting options. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 also caused a sharp rise in early voting as more people chose to avoid the crowds at polling stations on Election Day. (With inputs from agencies)

Early voting begins in Louisiana, Washington: Who can vote early, how it works, which states allow it

Former United States (US) president and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump paced his rally stage in silence for nearly 20 minutes Friday (Oct 18) night in Detroit after his microphone cut out.

Former United States (US) president and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump paced his rally stage in silence for nearly 20 minutes Friday (Oct 18) night in Detroit after his microphone cut out. A report by the news agency Associated Press said that Trump was about to wax on about one of his favourite subjects, tariffs, working up to naming it by first teasing “the most beautiful word in the dictionary.” Very quickly afterwards, the sound went down. 'Won't pay the bill for this stupid company...' Trump roamed around the stage for some 20 minutes, before returning to the microphone after the audio started working again. “Well thank you, everybody. Thank you. So now what happens is I won’t pay the bill for this stupid company that rented us this crap. I won’t pay the bill and then we’ll have a story that Trump didn’t pay the bill,” the Republican presidential candidate said. Second time in a week that Trump's event was interrupted This was the second time in a week that Trump's event was interrupted. On Monday, Trump cut off a town hall and instead played music after multiple people in the audience needed medical attention, the Associated Press report said. Trump is famously attuned to his image and the mechanics of his rallies, often commenting on the microphones and teleprompters. Aides are known to travel with multiple backup mics — though it was unclear why they weren’t able to locate one immediately on Friday. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris' campaign used a video of the Friday interruption (at Trump's rally) to push a message that the Republican may not have the energy to be president again. “An exhausted Trump awkwardly walks in circles on stage after his microphone stops working,” Harris' campaign said in a post on X. (With inputs from agencies)

US presidential election 2024: Trump paced his rally stage in silence after microphone failure

TRIGGER WARNING: This story contains graphic details. Discretion is advised

A Yazidi woman who was recently released from Gaza is recounting the harrowing time she had while being in the captivity of ISIS. Fawzia Amin Saydo was kidnapped by Islamist terrorists at the age of 11 from her home in Iraq and was later trafficked to Gaza.

They took several more children and women with them and killed their babies.&nbsp;

Talking to The Sun, she recalled that after being taken away, they were starved for four days. They were then given plates of food containing meat and rice. After being without food for days, they ate whatever was offered but soon started feeling sick.&nbsp;

In a horrifying testimony, she told the publication that the terrorists informed them that what they had eaten was "meat from the babies".&nbsp;

"When we were done, they told us that the meat was from the babies," Fawzia said, recalling how a woman had a heart attack and died right then as soon as she heard this.&nbsp;

The terrorists further showed them pictures of beheaded children and babies, and allegedly said, "These are the kids you ate."

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/girl-taken-as-isis-slave-at-age-11-held-captive-for-10-years-by-hamas-is-rescued-from-gaza-764366">Girl taken as ISIS slave at age 11, held captive for 10 years by Hamas, is rescued from Gaza</a>

She says that a woman recognised her baby from the photos by his hand.&nbsp;

<h2>Yazidi woman&nbsp;was sold and trafficked</h2>

Fawzia Amin Saydo was kidnapped in 2014 and kept as a sex slave by ISIS in Syria. A year later, she was married off to a 24-year-old Palestinian ISIS supporter, according to Israeli media reports.

In Raqqa, she gave birth to two children. Her husband was killed in 2019 in the Euphrates River Valley after which she and her kids were sent to the Al-Hawl camp in northern Syria. Nearly 10,000 people lived in the notoriously grim conditions here at the time.

The IS then smuggled her to Turkey where she lived with her dead husband's family. She says she was subjected to horrific treatment here, being beaten regularly and not allowed to move around. From here she was sent to Gaza via Egypt in 2020.

<h2>Woman left behind two children</h2>

Her German lawyer Zemfira Dlovani said that in Gaza, her children were taken away from her. However, some reports suggest that she left them behind in order to escape since she knew the Yazidi community won't accept them because they were a product of rape.

In August 2023, Fawzia managed to send out a plea for help on the internet. In a TikTok video, she said, &nbsp;"I hope you can rescue me from this place... If anyone comes and enters Palestine, no matter the location, I will go to them."

A complex operation to rescue her was organised led by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and Cogat, the Israeli agency that works in Gaza and the West Bank.

"The young girl was extracted from the Gaza Strip in recent days in a secret operation through the Kerem Shalom crossing,"&nbsp;the IDF said in a statement earlier this month. 
&nbsp;

TRIGGER WARNING: This story contains graphic details. Discretion is advised A Yazidi woman who was recently released from Gaza is recounting the harrowing time she had while being in the captivity of ISIS.

TRIGGER WARNING: This story contains graphic details. Discretion is advised A Yazidi woman who was recently released from Gaza is recounting the harrowing time she had while being in the captivity of ISIS. Fawzia Amin Saydo was kidnapped by Islamist terrorists at the age of 11 from her home in Iraq and was later trafficked to Gaza. They took several more children and women with them and killed their babies. Talking to The Sun, she recalled that after being taken away, they were starved for four days. They were then given plates of food containing meat and rice. After being without food for days, they ate whatever was offered but soon started feeling sick. In a horrifying testimony, she told the publication that the terrorists informed them that what they had eaten was "meat from the babies". "When we were done, they told us that the meat was from the babies," Fawzia said, recalling how a woman had a heart attack and died right then as soon as she heard this. The terrorists further showed them pictures of beheaded children and babies, and allegedly said, "These are the kids you ate." Also Read: Girl taken as ISIS slave at age 11, held captive for 10 years by Hamas, is rescued from Gaza She says that a woman recognised her baby from the photos by his hand. Yazidi woman was sold and trafficked Fawzia Amin Saydo was kidnapped in 2014 and kept as a sex slave by ISIS in Syria. A year later, she was married off to a 24-year-old Palestinian ISIS supporter, according to Israeli media reports. In Raqqa, she gave birth to two children. Her husband was killed in 2019 in the Euphrates River Valley after which she and her kids were sent to the Al-Hawl camp in northern Syria. Nearly 10,000 people lived in the notoriously grim conditions here at the time. The IS then smuggled her to Turkey where she lived with her dead husband's family. She says she was subjected to horrific treatment here, being beaten regularly and not allowed to move around. From here she was sent to Gaza via Egypt in 2020. Woman left behind two children Her German lawyer Zemfira Dlovani said that in Gaza, her children were taken away from her. However, some reports suggest that she left them behind in order to escape since she knew the Yazidi community won't accept them because they were a product of rape. In August 2023, Fawzia managed to send out a plea for help on the internet. In a TikTok video, she said, "I hope you can rescue me from this place... If anyone comes and enters Palestine, no matter the location, I will go to them." A complex operation to rescue her was organised led by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and Cogat, the Israeli agency that works in Gaza and the West Bank. "The young girl was extracted from the Gaza Strip in recent days in a secret operation through the Kerem Shalom crossing," the IDF said in a statement earlier this month.

TRIGGER WARNING: Yazidi woman recalls harrowing time as sex slave, says was fed meat of dead...

India on Friday (Oct 18) sent tonnes of&nbsp;humanitarian aid&nbsp;to Lebanon amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A total of 33 tons of medical supplies is being sent to Lebanon, said the Indian foreign affairs ministry.&nbsp;

In its&nbsp;first tranche, New Delhi has 11 tons of medical supplies,&nbsp;Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Israel-Lebanon War: Lebanon Confronts Humanitarian Crisis Amid Ongoing Conflict

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"The consignment comprises of a wide range of pharmaceutical products, including cardiovascular medications, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics and anesthetics," Jaiswal added.

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🇮🇳 sends humanitarian assistance to Lebanon. 
 
A total of 33 tons of medical supplies are being sent. First tranche of 11 tons of medical supplies was dispatched today. 
 
The consignment comprises of a wide range of pharmaceutical products, including cardiovascular medications,… <a href="https://t.co/h35wcaeFHD">pic.twitter.com/h35wcaeFHD</a>
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Lebanon's Ambassador to India, Rabie Narsh, while addressing a press conference on the ongoing conflict, said, "The humanitarian aid has flooded Lebanon since the aggression started. We have, thankfully, great friends in the world. On top of them is India. India is our good friend. We enjoyed very good relations, excellent relations since maybe the independence of both countries dated 70 or more than 80 years back."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-calls-on-india-to-help-de-escalate-west-asia-tensions-ambassador-narsh-764817">Also read:&nbsp;Lebanon calls on India to help de-escalate West Asia tensions: Ambassador Narsh</a>

He added,&nbsp;"India, even before asking, has rushed to propose humanitarian aid. India has offered about 30 tonnes of medicines. India has already been supporting us. We have been exchanging good relations in the international arena."

Amid escalating violence in southern Lebanon, India called for the protection&nbsp;of United Nations peacekeepers in the region, particularly the personnel stationed along the Blue Line, which separates Lebanon from Israel.

Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, and non-state actors like the Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)

India on Friday (Oct 18) sent tonnes of humanitarian aid to Lebanon amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah. A total of 33 tons of medical supplies is being sent to Lebanon, said the Indian foreign affairs ministry.

India on Friday (Oct 18) sent tonnes of humanitarian aid to Lebanon amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah. A total of 33 tons of medical supplies is being sent to Lebanon, said the Indian foreign affairs ministry. In its first tranche, New Delhi has 11 tons of medical supplies, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X. Watch | Israel-Lebanon War: Lebanon Confronts Humanitarian Crisis Amid Ongoing Conflict × "The consignment comprises of a wide range of pharmaceutical products, including cardiovascular medications, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics and anesthetics," Jaiswal added. 🇮🇳 sends humanitarian assistance to Lebanon. A total of 33 tons of medical supplies are being sent. First tranche of 11 tons of medical supplies was dispatched today. The consignment comprises of a wide range of pharmaceutical products, including cardiovascular medications,… pic.twitter.com/h35wcaeFHD — Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) October 18, 2024 × Lebanon's Ambassador to India, Rabie Narsh, while addressing a press conference on the ongoing conflict, said, "The humanitarian aid has flooded Lebanon since the aggression started. We have, thankfully, great friends in the world. On top of them is India. India is our good friend. We enjoyed very good relations, excellent relations since maybe the independence of both countries dated 70 or more than 80 years back." Also read: Lebanon calls on India to help de-escalate West Asia tensions: Ambassador Narsh He added, "India, even before asking, has rushed to propose humanitarian aid. India has offered about 30 tonnes of medicines. India has already been supporting us. We have been exchanging good relations in the international arena." Amid escalating violence in southern Lebanon, India called for the protection of United Nations peacekeepers in the region, particularly the personnel stationed along the Blue Line, which separates Lebanon from Israel. Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, and non-state actors like the Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

'India rushed to aid even before asking': Lebanese envoy as New Delhi sends humanitarian aid to Lebanon

A Chinese man is going viral for being a kept man whose Japanese wife completely takes care of him financially. Nicknamed “a lady killer”, the man shared his story on the internet and garnered over one million followers on Douyin in just a month.

The man has been living in Japan for eight years and has been sharing his experiences of being a "kept man". In Japan, men are seen as the primary money makers in a family while women mostly focus on housework. This is the reason the man, known as “Sudden Fantasy” online, is becoming a topic of discussion.&nbsp;

SCMP reported that he has amassed a following of 1.4 million on Douyin in just a month.

Sudden Fantasy calls himself "an ordinary man from Beijing", stating that his wife is well-educated and employed. She also belongs to a rich Japanese family, with her mother having travelled to several international destinations.

He says that due to his financial problems, he did not think about pursuing a romantic relationship with his wife whose Chinese name is Fenghua. However, at one point he was struggling to even eat.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/this-man-with-six-partners-wants-to-father-54-children-earn-the-title-of-god-of-marriage-768393">In Japan, this man with six partners wants to father 54 children, earn the title of ‘god of marriage’</a>

This is when Fenghua brought him food and helped him pay his tuition fees. The couple dated for two and a half years before getting married.&nbsp;

<h2>He doesn't even&nbsp;help with household chores</h2>

Sudden Fantasy soon decided to quit his job and now completely relies on his wife for everything. He says he simply plays video games all day while his wife works to fulfil all their needs. She also does all the household chores and he doesn't even actively help her.

He shared that his wife has kept a jar in the house containing 260,000 yen (US$1,740) for his daily expenses. He says he doesn't even think about paying her back as that would "make her cry".

In his videos, he fully shares his life as a kept man and talks about mutual support and understanding within a relationship. He says how he stays in bed with his wife on Sundays till noon despite waking up at 7 am himself because she sleeps till that time.

He states that he does this so that his wife doesn't feel anxious about sleeping till late. While he doesn't work around the house, he says he sticks by her at all times so she doesn't get "resentful". He takes care of small things, such as letting her use the bathroom first so she doesn't have to step on a damp floor.&nbsp;

According to him, the way to be a proper kept man is to mutually enhance each other’s lives.

A Chinese man is going viral for being a kept man whose Japanese wife completely takes care of him financially. Nicknamed “a lady killer”, the man shared his story on the internet and garnered over one million followers on Douyin in just a month.

A Chinese man is going viral for being a kept man whose Japanese wife completely takes care of him financially. Nicknamed “a lady killer”, the man shared his story on the internet and garnered over one million followers on Douyin in just a month. The man has been living in Japan for eight years and has been sharing his experiences of being a "kept man". In Japan, men are seen as the primary money makers in a family while women mostly focus on housework. This is the reason the man, known as “Sudden Fantasy” online, is becoming a topic of discussion. SCMP reported that he has amassed a following of 1.4 million on Douyin in just a month. Sudden Fantasy calls himself "an ordinary man from Beijing", stating that his wife is well-educated and employed. She also belongs to a rich Japanese family, with her mother having travelled to several international destinations. He says that due to his financial problems, he did not think about pursuing a romantic relationship with his wife whose Chinese name is Fenghua. However, at one point he was struggling to even eat. Also Read: In Japan, this man with six partners wants to father 54 children, earn the title of ‘god of marriage’ This is when Fenghua brought him food and helped him pay his tuition fees. The couple dated for two and a half years before getting married. He doesn't even help with household chores Sudden Fantasy soon decided to quit his job and now completely relies on his wife for everything. He says he simply plays video games all day while his wife works to fulfil all their needs. She also does all the household chores and he doesn't even actively help her. He shared that his wife has kept a jar in the house containing 260,000 yen (US$1,740) for his daily expenses. He says he doesn't even think about paying her back as that would "make her cry". In his videos, he fully shares his life as a kept man and talks about mutual support and understanding within a relationship. He says how he stays in bed with his wife on Sundays till noon despite waking up at 7 am himself because she sleeps till that time. He states that he does this so that his wife doesn't feel anxious about sleeping till late. While he doesn't work around the house, he says he sticks by her at all times so she doesn't get "resentful". He takes care of small things, such as letting her use the bathroom first so she doesn't have to step on a damp floor. According to him, the way to be a proper kept man is to mutually enhance each other’s lives.

Japan: 'Lady killer' plays video games all day while his wife earns and does chores

A United States federal judge, on Friday (Oct 18), made more than 1,800 pages of previously sealed documents linked to the case involving former US President Donald Trump’s alleged attempts to subvert the 2020 presidential election.

A United States federal judge, on Friday (Oct 18), made more than 1,800 pages of previously sealed documents linked to the case involving former US President Donald Trump’s alleged attempts to subvert the 2020 presidential election. However, the recently unsealed documents contain little new information, as most of the pages were either redacted or already known to the public. US District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan authorised their release, despite objections from Trump’s legal team. These documents relate to a 165-page motion filed by special counsel Jack Smith, which introduced new evidence against the former president. The released documents serve as an appendix to the previously unsealed motion, where Smith and his team argued that Trump could face criminal charges for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. This lengthy appendix includes records that were mostly redacted and previously available to the public. Also read: US presidential election: Kamala Harris leads Trump among Black voters in swing states, poll shows For example, parts of Trump's well-known phone call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger have been redacted. Hundreds of other pages were withheld entirely, marked only by the word “SEALED” in capital letters, along with basic formal information. One volume includes sealed pages as well as tweets and social media posts by Trump, his campaign, and his allies, some of which were shared during the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol. Among these posts is Trump’s infamous tweet from that day, which accused the-Vice President Mike Pence of lacking “the courage to do what should have been done” in supporting his efforts to contest the election outcome. Additionally, the documents feature numerous claims of voter fraud during the 2020 election. Prosecutors argue that Trump’s tweets should be admissible in court since they were neither personal or campaign-related, rather than part of his official duties as president. (With inputs from agencies)

Federal judge releases over 1,800 pages of previously sealed evidence in Trump election subversion case

The presidential election in the United States (US) is less than a month away. The November 5 election is happening under the shadow of two wars- the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip that began on October 7, 2023,&nbsp;and the Russia-Ukraine war that started on February 24, 2022.&nbsp;

The Israel-Hamas war has further spread to West Asia with Israel now fighting Iran and Tehran-aligned Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

The top contenders in this US presidential election are Donald Trump (Republican Party) and Kamala Harris (Democratic Party). Harris, who is the current vice president, became the Democratic presidential candidate after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race.

Both Trump and Harris have spoken in length about the two wars but have not offered any realistic ways to stop them.&nbsp;

<h2>Where do Trump and Harris stand on Gaza and Ukraine?</h2>

<h3>On Gaza war</h3>

The Israel-Hamas war merited a few scant mentions over less than five minutes of the September 10 presidential debate on ABC News between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

During the debate, Trump reiterated his position that the war in West Asia would have not broken out if he were president.&nbsp;

Hitting out at Harris, Trump said, "When she mentions Israel, all of a sudden - she hates Israel. She wouldn’t even meet with Netanyahu when he went to Congress to make a very important speech. She refused to be there because she was at a sorority party of hers. She wanted to go to the sorority party. She hates Israel," he said.

"If she's president, I believe that Israel will not exist within two years from now," Trump added and expressed his continued support of Israel's offensive in Gaza.

He has also urged Israel to “finish up” the war because it was is losing support.&nbsp;

Harris, meanwhile, said that Trump's remarks about her hating Israel were&nbsp;"absolutely not true."

Harris said that she backed&nbsp;a ceasefire deal in Gaza that would see the release of the remaining Israeli captives, but renewed her pledge to continue to arm Israel.

She also voiced support for the two-state solution.

<h3>On Ukraine war</h3>

Trump has many times mentioned that he could stop the Russia-Ukraine war in 24 hours if he were elected president again. During the September 10 presidential debate, the Republican candidate sidestepped a question&nbsp;on whether he wanted Ukraine to win in its war against Russia.

“I want the war to stop,” Trump said when he was directly asked if he wanted Kyiv to win.

On Thursday (Oct 17), Trump blamed Ukrainian President&nbsp;Volodymyr Zelensky for starting the war against&nbsp;Russia. Trump has repeatedly called Zelensky the "greatest salesman on Earth"&nbsp;for having solicited and received billions of dollars of US&nbsp;military aid since the war broke out in 2022.

His remarks&nbsp;suggest he could seek to wind down aid for Ukraine if he defeats Harris in the election, a report by the news agency Reuters said.

Kamala Harris, meanwhile,&nbsp;has pledged to continue supporting Ukraine, and she has portrayed a victory for the country as a vital American national security interest. She has frequently rebuked Trump for being unwilling to stand up to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The reason why Trump says the (Russia-Ukraine)&nbsp;war would be over in 24 hours, because he would just give it up. And that's not who we are as Americans...we brought 50 countries together to support Ukraine in its right to defence," Harris said during the presidential debate.

"If Donald Trump were president right now, Putin would be sitting in Kyiv...," she added.

<h2>Poll: Trump leads Harris on dealing with Gaza, Ukraine wars</h2>

A recent poll by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) suggested that Trump had an edge over Harris&nbsp;on who would better navigate the country through the Ukraine war, the Gaza war, and the escalating conflict in West Asia.

In overall support, the poll published on Friday showed Harris and Trump tied across the seven battleground states that could decide the November presidential election.

The poll showed Harris with marginal 2 per cent&nbsp;point lead&nbsp;in Arizona, Georgia and Michigan, Trump up 6 points in Nevada and 1 in Pennsylvania, and the two tied in North Carolina and Wisconsin. The poll of 600 registered voters in each state conducted on September 28-October 8 had a margin of error of 4% per cent points in each state.

Trump leads Harris in the seven swing states 50 per cent&nbsp;to 39 per cent&nbsp;on who is best able to handle Russian&nbsp;war against Ukraine. Trump also has a 48 per cent&nbsp;to 33 per cent&nbsp;lead over Harris on who is better suited to handle the Israel-Hamas war, the WSJ poll added.

(With inputs from agencies)

The presidential election in the United States (US) is less than a month away. The November 5 election is happening under the shadow of two wars- the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip that began on October 7, 2023, and the Russia-Ukraine war that started on February 24, 2022.

The presidential election in the United States (US) is less than a month away. The November 5 election is happening under the shadow of two wars- the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip that began on October 7, 2023, and the Russia-Ukraine war that started on February 24, 2022. The Israel-Hamas war has further spread to West Asia with Israel now fighting Iran and Tehran-aligned Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The top contenders in this US presidential election are Donald Trump (Republican Party) and Kamala Harris (Democratic Party). Harris, who is the current vice president, became the Democratic presidential candidate after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race. Both Trump and Harris have spoken in length about the two wars but have not offered any realistic ways to stop them. Where do Trump and Harris stand on Gaza and Ukraine? On Gaza war The Israel-Hamas war merited a few scant mentions over less than five minutes of the September 10 presidential debate on ABC News between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. During the debate, Trump reiterated his position that the war in West Asia would have not broken out if he were president. Hitting out at Harris, Trump said, "When she mentions Israel, all of a sudden - she hates Israel. She wouldn’t even meet with Netanyahu when he went to Congress to make a very important speech. She refused to be there because she was at a sorority party of hers. She wanted to go to the sorority party. She hates Israel," he said. "If she's president, I believe that Israel will not exist within two years from now," Trump added and expressed his continued support of Israel's offensive in Gaza. He has also urged Israel to “finish up” the war because it was is losing support. Harris, meanwhile, said that Trump's remarks about her hating Israel were "absolutely not true." Harris said that she backed a ceasefire deal in Gaza that would see the release of the remaining Israeli captives, but renewed her pledge to continue to arm Israel. She also voiced support for the two-state solution. On Ukraine war Trump has many times mentioned that he could stop the Russia-Ukraine war in 24 hours if he were elected president again. During the September 10 presidential debate, the Republican candidate sidestepped a question on whether he wanted Ukraine to win in its war against Russia. “I want the war to stop,” Trump said when he was directly asked if he wanted Kyiv to win. On Thursday (Oct 17), Trump blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for starting the war against Russia. Trump has repeatedly called Zelensky the "greatest salesman on Earth" for having solicited and received billions of dollars of US military aid since the war broke out in 2022. His remarks suggest he could seek to wind down aid for Ukraine if he defeats Harris in the election, a report by the news agency Reuters said. Kamala Harris, meanwhile, has pledged to continue supporting Ukraine, and she has portrayed a victory for the country as a vital American national security interest. She has frequently rebuked Trump for being unwilling to stand up to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "The reason why Trump says the (Russia-Ukraine) war would be over in 24 hours, because he would just give it up. And that's not who we are as Americans...we brought 50 countries together to support Ukraine in its right to defence," Harris said during the presidential debate. "If Donald Trump were president right now, Putin would be sitting in Kyiv...," she added. Poll: Trump leads Harris on dealing with Gaza, Ukraine wars A recent poll by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) suggested that Trump had an edge over Harris on who would better navigate the country through the Ukraine war, the Gaza war, and the escalating conflict in West Asia. In overall support, the poll published on Friday showed Harris and Trump tied across the seven battleground states that could decide the November presidential election. The poll showed Harris with marginal 2 per cent point lead in Arizona, Georgia and Michigan, Trump up 6 points in Nevada and 1 in Pennsylvania, and the two tied in North Carolina and Wisconsin. The poll of 600 registered voters in each state conducted on September 28-October 8 had a margin of error of 4% per cent points in each state. Trump leads Harris in the seven swing states 50 per cent to 39 per cent on who is best able to handle Russian war against Ukraine. Trump also has a 48 per cent to 33 per cent lead over Harris on who is better suited to handle the Israel-Hamas war, the WSJ poll added. (With inputs from agencies)

US presidential election 2024: Where do Trump and Harris stand on Gaza and Ukraine wars?

Cuba on Friday experienced a nationwide blackout after the island's main power plant failed, causing the communist country's electricity grid to collapse, the energy ministry said.

"The system was left without power nationwide" after the unexpected shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras power plant, Lazaro Guerra, director general of electricity at the ministry of energy and mines, told state television.

When the thermoelectric plant shut down "the system collapsed," he said, adding the government was working to restore service as soon as possible.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-to-skip-g-20-claims-attending-would-wreck-the-summit-downplays-icc-arrest-warrant-768794">Putin to skip G20: Claims attending would ‘wreck’ the summit</a>

On Thursday, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero announced the island was in the throes of an "energy emergency," with severe supply shortages leaving some provinces without power for up to 20 hours.

The government on Thursday suspended all non-essential public sector activities in order to prioritize electricity supply to homes.

Cuba gets its power from eight ageing thermal power plants, as well as seven floating plants leased from Turkish companies.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Cuba on Friday experienced a nationwide blackout after the island's main power plant failed, causing the communist country's electricity grid to collapse, the energy ministry said.

Cuba on Friday experienced a nationwide blackout after the island's main power plant failed, causing the communist country's electricity grid to collapse, the energy ministry said. "The system was left without power nationwide" after the unexpected shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras power plant, Lazaro Guerra, director general of electricity at the ministry of energy and mines, told state television. When the thermoelectric plant shut down "the system collapsed," he said, adding the government was working to restore service as soon as possible. Also read: Putin to skip G20: Claims attending would ‘wreck’ the summit On Thursday, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero announced the island was in the throes of an "energy emergency," with severe supply shortages leaving some provinces without power for up to 20 hours. The government on Thursday suspended all non-essential public sector activities in order to prioritize electricity supply to homes. Cuba gets its power from eight ageing thermal power plants, as well as seven floating plants leased from Turkish companies. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Nationwide blackout in Cuba: Millions without electricity after major plant failure

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are all set to hold dueling events in battleground Michigan. Watch in form more US election-related updates!

US Elections 2024: Trump And Harris Campaign In Michigan In Final Sprint To Election

Former United States president and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his Democratic rival and current Vice President Kamala Harris are on a close edge ahead of the US presidential elections, with both the candidates holding rallies and addressing events across the country.

Former United States president and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his Democratic rival and current Vice President Kamala Harris are on a close edge ahead of the US presidential elections, with both the candidates holding rallies and addressing events across the country. The question on everyone’s mind is whether America will get its first woman president or a second Trump term. Trump and Harris both made several claims attacking each other at several campaign rallies and speeches. However, as the claims went through fact-checking, it was revealed some of the statements made by them were false, or only partially true. The two candidates faced off against each other during the 90-minute debate, held at Philadelphia's National Constitution Center on September 11, with both focusing on some of the pressing issues which concern the American voters. Later, Trump at a Fox News town hall event on Tuesday told several lies. A CNN fact check revealed that he made around 19 false claims in a one-hour interview. Also read: US media suggests Trump’s lead in betting markets could be ‘manufactured’ Meanwhile, Harris also made six statements that were false, inaccurate, or lacking context, in one of her speeches. Donald Trump’s claims ‘Inflation during Biden’s tenure worst in our nation's history’ “We had the worst – they say it’s in 48 years I say ever. We had the worst inflation in the history of our country,” Trump said. However, the claim made by him is ‘false’ according to CNN fact check. While it is true that early in Joe Biden’s presidency, the annual inflation rate peaked at roughly nine per cent (June of 2022), however, that is not the highest it has ever been. In the immediate aftermath of World War II and during the oil embargo and shortages of the late '70s and early 1980s, the inflation rate peaked at 14.5 per cent, as per ABC News. ‘Sex change operations on minors’ Trump claimed, “Kamala supports states being able to take minor children and perform sex-change operations on them without their parents’ consent.” Watch | US Elections: Trump, Harris Try To Sway Voters To Balance The Elections × However, this was false as surgical procedures for minor children receiving gender-affirming care require parental consent. Moreover, she has not said she supports changing state laws, the New York Times reported. ‘Haitian migrants eating pets’ During the presidential debate between Trump and Harris in September, the former US president claimed that the Haitian migrants are “eating the pets of the people that live there”. When he was fact-checked by the debate moderator, Trump said that he saw people on television who said “their dog was eaten by the people that went there.” An Ohio city spokesperson told ABC News that there have been "no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals in the immigrant community,” terming Trump’s claims as false once again. ‘Every single job taken by a migrant worker’ In yet another claim made about the migrants, Trump said that almost every job was taken by them. “You know, the jobs, almost every single job, was taken by a migrant worker.” However, the number of native-born workers and foreign-born workers has both increased by millions in the US, under the Biden administration. Kamala Harris’ claims ‘Trump intends to cut Social Security and Medicare’ In one of her speeches from September, Harris claimed that Trump “intends to cut Social Security and Medicare.” However, during his 2024 presidential campaign, the former US president has repeatedly said that he would not cut Social Security and Medicare, though he had earlier, shown brief and vague support for such proposals, making Harris’ claims 'misleading'. ‘Goldman Sachs report saying Harris’s plan would grow economy, while Trumps’ plan would shrink’ Harris said, “In fact, independent economists like Goldman Sachs have said my plan would grow our economy and his plan would shrink the economy, reignite inflation, and send us into a recession by the middle of next year.” The claim was labelled as “exaggerating” as the Goldman Sachs analysis did show that Harris’ victory in November polls would lead to a “very slight boost” to economic growth, while a Trump’s victory, regardless of what happens in Congress, would cause growth to slow in 2025. But Goldman's chief executive said “A lot more has been made of this than should be,” given the report showed a mere “two-tenth of 1 percent” difference between the two cases. Trump ‘intends to end the Affordable Care Act’ Harris said, “On top of all of this, Donald Trump intends to end the Affordable Care Act.” According to the New York Times fact check, Trump has made vague and contradictory statements about his health care plan, and said that he would not end it but replace it only with “something better and less expensive.” (With inputs from agencies)

Fact-checking Trump and Harris as US presidential election nears: A look at lies so far

Donald Trump is reported to appear on Undertakers podcast as he is trying to win the support of young men for the presidential elections to be held on Nov 5.&nbsp;Trump recently called off a few campaign events and pulled out of television appearances, including an interview with 60 Minutes and a slot on NBC. Meanwhile, Canada on Friday further escalated diplomatic tension with India, with Foreign Minister&nbsp;Mélanie Joly announcing all Indian diplomats in Canada have been "put on notice".&nbsp;Also, the weekend began with another bomb threat for Indian carriers, with the Air India Express flight IX-196 flying from Dubai to Jaipur, receiving a threat via email.

Click on the headlines to read more.

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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is set to appear on WWE legend Undertaker's podcast, reports suggest. The news was first revealed by Alex Isenstadt of Politico on Oct 18.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-wont-tolerate-any-all-indian-diplomats-put-on-notice-by-canada-768850">‘We won’t tolerate any...,’ All Indian diplomats ‘put on notice’ by Canada</a>

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Mélanie Joly, the 45-year-old foreign minister of Canada, declared Friday (Oct 18) all Indian diplomats in the country have been “put on notice”, in yet another statement poised to further escalate diplomatic tensions.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-india-express-flight-from-dubai-to-jaipur-receives-bomb-threat-via-email-768862">Air India Express flight from Dubai to Jaipur receives bomb threat via email</a>

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An Air India&nbsp;Express flight IX-196 flying from Dubai to Jaipur, with 189 passengers onboard, received a bomb threat via email, the news agency ANI reported on Saturday (Oct 19) citing the Jaipur Airport police.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/skull-damaged-fingers-chopped-off-chilling-details-revealed-in-hamas-chief-yahya-sinwars-autopsy-768841">Skull damaged, fingers chopped off: Chilling details revealed in Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar’s autopsy</a>

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Chilling details have been revealed about the killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar in an intelligence-based ground raid in southern Gaza on Thursday (Oct 17).

Watch:&nbsp;Israel-Hamas War: At Least 33 Killed By Israeli Strike On Gaza's Jabalia Camp

An Israeli airstrike has killed 33 people early on Saturday, as Hamas confirm the death of the group's leader Yahya Sinwar.

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Donald Trump is reported to appear on Undertakers podcast as he is trying to win the support of young men for the presidential elections to be held on Nov 5. Trump recently called off a few campaign events and pulled out of television appearances, including an interview with 60 Minutes and a slot on NBC.

Donald Trump is reported to appear on Undertakers podcast as he is trying to win the support of young men for the presidential elections to be held on Nov 5. Trump recently called off a few campaign events and pulled out of television appearances, including an interview with 60 Minutes and a slot on NBC. Meanwhile, Canada on Friday further escalated diplomatic tension with India, with Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announcing all Indian diplomats in Canada have been "put on notice". Also, the weekend began with another bomb threat for Indian carriers, with the Air India Express flight IX-196 flying from Dubai to Jaipur, receiving a threat via email. Click on the headlines to read more. Donald Trump to interview with WWE legend Undertaker on his podcast to win 'bro' votes: Reports Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is set to appear on WWE legend Undertaker's podcast, reports suggest. The news was first revealed by Alex Isenstadt of Politico on Oct 18. ‘We won’t tolerate any...,’ All Indian diplomats ‘put on notice’ by Canada Mélanie Joly, the 45-year-old foreign minister of Canada, declared Friday (Oct 18) all Indian diplomats in the country have been “put on notice”, in yet another statement poised to further escalate diplomatic tensions. Air India Express flight from Dubai to Jaipur receives bomb threat via email An Air India Express flight IX-196 flying from Dubai to Jaipur, with 189 passengers onboard, received a bomb threat via email, the news agency ANI reported on Saturday (Oct 19) citing the Jaipur Airport police. Skull damaged, fingers chopped off: Chilling details revealed in Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar’s autopsy Chilling details have been revealed about the killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar in an intelligence-based ground raid in southern Gaza on Thursday (Oct 17). Watch: Israel-Hamas War: At Least 33 Killed By Israeli Strike On Gaza's Jabalia Camp An Israeli airstrike has killed 33 people early on Saturday, as Hamas confirm the death of the group's leader Yahya Sinwar. ×

Morning news brief: Trump to appear on Undertaker's podcast; Canada puts Indian envoys 'on notice', and more

At least 33 people were killed and 85 others were injured in Israeli strikes that hit several houses on Friday (Oct 18) in Jabalia, the largest of Gaza's eight historic refugee camps, the news agency Reuters reported on Saturday citing medics.

At least 33 people were killed and 85 others were injured in Israeli strikes that hit several houses on Friday (Oct 18) in Jabalia, the largest of Gaza's eight historic refugee camps, the news agency Reuters reported on Saturday citing medics. According to the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, the death toll from the strikes could increase as some people were believed to be trapped under the rubble. The death toll also included children. The Israeli military has not commented on the strikes yet. 'Israeli army destroying dozens of houses daily' As per the Reuters report, Jabalia residents said that Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts. Also read | Skull damaged, fingers chopped off: Chilling details revealed in Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar’s autopsy They added the Israeli army was destroying dozens of houses daily, from the air and the ground, and by placing bombs in buildings then detonating them remotely. These strikes come after Israel declared that it killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar during an operation in the southern Gaza Strip. A new offensive in Jabalia On October 6, Israel launched a new offensive in northern Gaza, including around Jabalia, saying it was targeting Hamas fighters who were regrouping there. Since then, scores of people have been killed in the area, which had already been hit hard by fighting earlier in the year-long war. This attack in the refugee camp on Friday came a day after 14 people were killed in an Israeli strike on the Abu Hussein school, which has become a shelter in Jabalia. "A horrific massacre, most of the injured and wounded are lying on the ground at Kamal Adwan Hospital, and their condition is critical," an emergency service worker told the news agency AFP. "We are unable to manage these severe cases due to the shortage of medical supplies and specialised personnel, leading to an increase in the number of martyrs," the worker added. (With inputs from agencies)

Gaza war: Israeli strike kills 33 people, injures 85 others in Jabalia refugee camp

After multiple delays the federal government of Pakistan was expected to meet today to discuss the much the 26th Constitutional Amendment. The federal cabinet has seen as many as four delays on this issue now the session today was yet to begin or was cancelled.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's home is in a central town that was struck by a drone, according to the Israeli military on Saturday. Two further drones were intercepted, but no one was hurt.

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Mélanie Joly, the 45-year-old foreign minister of Canada, declared Friday (Oct 18) all Indian diplomats in the country have been “put on notice”, in yet another statement poised to further escalate diplomatic tensions.

A standoff broke out between New Delhi and Ottawa Monday (Oct 14) when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that six Indian diplomats had been involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, on Canadian soil last year. India responded by withdrawing all six diplomats immediately and accusing Trudeau of damaging ties by levelling absurd allegations. It also claimed Canada had not provided ‘a shred of evidence’ to back the claims up.

On Friday, Foreign Minister Joly took a step further, saying, “They (Remaining Indian diplomats) are clearly on notice. Six of them have been expelled including the high commissioner in Ottawa. Others were mainly from Toronto and Vancouver and clearly we won’t tolerate any diplomats that are in contravention of the Vienna convention.”

The inexperienced diplomat even compared the alleged Indian activities to those of Russia that happen in Europe.

“We’ve never seen that in our history. That level of transnational repression cannot happen on Canadian soil. We’ve seen it elsewhere in Europe. Russia has done that in Germany and the UK and we needed to stand firm on this issue," Joly said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwj1vt_9vpmJAxW8TWwGHS37NFgQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-withdraws-high-commissioner-top-diplomats-from-canada-as-ties-collapse-767401" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-withdraws-high-commissioner-top-diplomats-from-canada-as-ties-collapse-767401&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj1vt_9vpmJAxW8TWwGHS37NFgQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE">‘We have no faith...’: India recalls high commissioner, top diplomats to Canada as ties hit rock-bottom</a>

Earlier, Canada’s RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) had accused Indian diplomats of sharing information about Nijjar with Indian authorities. Later, the information was allegedly handed over to criminal groups that carried out the killing.

India has vehemently denied the accusations, calling them "absurd" and retaliating by expelling six Canadian diplomats, including the acting high commissioner in New Delhi.

“It is strange that the very people we’ve asked Canada to extradite are now being accused of crimes in Canada,” the ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in press conference earlier this week.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwj1vt_9vpmJAxW8TWwGHS37NFgQxfQBKAB6BAgPEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-to-impose-sanctions-on-india-experts-say-sick-man-shouldnt-punch-above-its-weight-767697" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-to-impose-sanctions-on-india-experts-say-sick-man-shouldnt-punch-above-its-weight-767697&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj1vt_9vpmJAxW8TWwGHS37NFgQxfQBKAB6BAgPEAE">Canada to impose sanctions on India? Experts say ‘sick man’ shouldn’t punch above its weight</a>

Later, in an embarrassing self-goal, Trudeau himself admitted in a public commission enquiry that his government didn’t have any ‘hard evidence’ in the case and only intelligence inputs.

(With inputs from agencies)

Mélanie Joly, the 45-year-old foreign minister of Canada, declared Friday (Oct 18) all Indian diplomats in the country have been “put on notice”, in yet another statement poised to further escalate diplomatic tensions.

Mélanie Joly, the 45-year-old foreign minister of Canada, declared Friday (Oct 18) all Indian diplomats in the country have been “put on notice”, in yet another statement poised to further escalate diplomatic tensions. A standoff broke out between New Delhi and Ottawa Monday (Oct 14) when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that six Indian diplomats had been involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, on Canadian soil last year. India responded by withdrawing all six diplomats immediately and accusing Trudeau of damaging ties by levelling absurd allegations. It also claimed Canada had not provided ‘a shred of evidence’ to back the claims up. On Friday, Foreign Minister Joly took a step further, saying, “They (Remaining Indian diplomats) are clearly on notice. Six of them have been expelled including the high commissioner in Ottawa. Others were mainly from Toronto and Vancouver and clearly we won’t tolerate any diplomats that are in contravention of the Vienna convention.” The inexperienced diplomat even compared the alleged Indian activities to those of Russia that happen in Europe. “We’ve never seen that in our history. That level of transnational repression cannot happen on Canadian soil. We’ve seen it elsewhere in Europe. Russia has done that in Germany and the UK and we needed to stand firm on this issue," Joly said. Also read: ‘We have no faith...’: India recalls high commissioner, top diplomats to Canada as ties hit rock-bottom Earlier, Canada’s RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) had accused Indian diplomats of sharing information about Nijjar with Indian authorities. Later, the information was allegedly handed over to criminal groups that carried out the killing. India has vehemently denied the accusations, calling them "absurd" and retaliating by expelling six Canadian diplomats, including the acting high commissioner in New Delhi. “It is strange that the very people we’ve asked Canada to extradite are now being accused of crimes in Canada,” the ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in press conference earlier this week. Also read: Canada to impose sanctions on India? Experts say ‘sick man’ shouldn’t punch above its weight Later, in an embarrassing self-goal, Trudeau himself admitted in a public commission enquiry that his government didn’t have any ‘hard evidence’ in the case and only intelligence inputs. (With inputs from agencies)

‘We won’t tolerate any...,’ All Indian diplomats ‘put on notice’ by Canada

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