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Devastating Floods and Landslides in Myanmar: At Least 74 Dead

Explore the tragic impact of devastating floods and landslides in Myanmar, where at least 74 lives have been lost. This article delves into the causes, affected regions, and the ongoing rescue efforts in the wake of this natural disaster.

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Tragedy Strikes Myanmar: Floods and Landslides Claim Lives

The recent flooding and landslides triggered by Typhoon Yagi have resulted in a devastating death toll in Myanmar, with reports indicating that at least 74 lives have been lost and 89 individuals remain missing, as announced by the country’s state television on Saturday. The chaotic situation has made it increasingly difficult to gather accurate information, leading to concerns that the actual number of casualties could be even higher.

A distressing video shared on social media platform X depicted scenes of individuals being rescued from submerged streets, highlighting the severity of the crisis. The updated official figures released by the military government represent more than a twofold increase from the 33 fatalities reported on Friday. Typhoon Yagi had previously wreaked havoc in Vietnam, northern Thailand, and Laos, claiming over 260 lives and causing extensive damage across the region.

In light of the unfolding disaster, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the ruling military council, announced that Myanmar is seeking international relief assistance. Reports indicate that nearly 240,000 people have been displaced due to the flooding, exacerbating a pre-existing humanitarian crisis where approximately 3.4 million people were already displaced by ongoing conflict and unrest as of early September, according to the United Nations refugee agency.

Since Wednesday, low-lying regions in central Myanmar, including Mandalay and Bago, as well as eastern Shan state and the capital, Naypyitaw, have been severely affected by rising waters. On Friday, Min Aung Hlaing, along with other military officials, conducted inspections of the inundated areas and assessed ongoing rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations in Naypyitaw, as reported by the state-run Myanma Alinn newspaper. During his visit, he emphasized the need to reach out to foreign nations for aid, mirroring the actions taken by other countries impacted by the storm. He stated, “It is essential to manage rescue, relief, and rehabilitation measures as swiftly as possible.”

While the full extent of the damage remains uncertain, fears persist that the death toll could rise significantly. Local media outlets have reported that more than 100 individuals are currently unaccounted for. The efforts to assess casualties, damages, and provide necessary assistance have been complicated by Myanmar’s ongoing civil war, which erupted in 2021 following the military’s seizure of power from the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Analysts suggest that the military’s control over the country is limited, affecting their ability to respond effectively to such disasters.

Myanmar is no stranger to extreme weather events, especially during the monsoon season. The catastrophic Cyclone Nargis in 2008 claimed more than 138,000 lives, with the then-military government delaying international aid for an extended period and subsequently exerting tight control over its distribution, often with minimal oversight from aid organizations.

On Saturday evening, state television reported that the floods have caused significant infrastructural damage across central and eastern Myanmar, including the destruction of 24 bridges, 375 school buildings, one Buddhist monastery, five dams, four pagodas, 14 electrical transformers, 456 lampposts, and more than 65,000 homes.

Naypyitaw has been identified as one of the regions hardest hit by the floods. The Eleven Media group reported that unprecedented rainfall, described as the heaviest in 60 years, has resulted in damage to several ancient pagodas in Bagan, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This historic rainfall has even led to the collapse of walls in century-old temples, underscoring the profound impact of this natural disaster.

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Dominique Pelicot Testifies in Harrowing Rape Trial

Join us as Dominique Pelicot courageously testifies in a harrowing rape trial, shedding light on the complexities of trauma and justice. Her powerful story raises crucial questions about the legal system and the importance of support for survivors.

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Dominique Pelicot Takes the Stand in Shocking Rape Trial

In a courtroom drama that has captivated France and garnered international attention, Dominique Pelicot, the man at the center of a harrowing rape trial, finally addressed the court. With tears streaming down his face, he recounted how his wife had been instrumental in helping him cope with a tumultuous past marked by trauma. He revealed that he had endured a sexual assault at the tender age of nine while hospitalized, and he also witnessed a gang rape during his teenage years while working as an apprentice electrician on a construction site.

“She didn’t deserve this, I acknowledge that,” Mr. Pelicot stated, his voice barely audible as he struggled to convey his emotions. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him, and the courtroom fell silent, straining to catch his every word.

Now 71 years old, Mr. Pelicot faces serious allegations of drugging his wife, Gisèle Pelicot, whom he has been married to for half a century, over a span of nearly ten years. Prosecutors contend that he used drugs to render her comatose, allowing him to rape her repeatedly. Furthermore, authorities allege that he went so far as to invite numerous men into their home, facilitating a nightmarish scenario where they, too, engaged in the assault of his wife.

Overall, 51 men, including Mr. Pelicot, are on trial concurrently, primarily facing charges related to the aggravated rape of Ms. Pelicot. Among them, one individual has already pleaded guilty to similar crimes, admitting to drugging his own wife to assault her and inviting Mr. Pelicot to partake in the horrific act while she was incapacitated.

Mr. Pelicot’s unexpected testimony came after a tumultuous start to the trial. Just a week in, he was stricken with severe health issues that forced him to miss four consecutive days in court. The head judge ultimately decided to postpone proceedings, as Mr. Pelicot was diagnosed with kidney stones, a kidney infection, and prostate complications, adding yet another layer of complexity to this already harrowing case.

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Meta Bans Russian State Media Outlets from Social Media Platforms

Explore the implications of Meta’s decision to ban Russian state media outlets from its social media platforms. Understand the impact on information dissemination and the ongoing battle against misinformation in the digital landscape.

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Meta Imposes Global Ban on Russian State Media Outlets

In a significant move, Meta Platforms, Inc., the parent company of Facebook, has announced the prohibition of Russian state media outlets, including RT (Russia Today) and Rossiya Segodnya, from all its social media platforms. The decision stems from the company’s concerns regarding the deceptive strategies employed by these media organizations to execute covert influence operations across the internet.

Meta made this announcement on Monday, emphasizing that the ban will be enforced worldwide across its various platforms, such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads. The rollout of this ban is expected to take place over the coming days.

Statement from Meta

A spokesperson for Meta elaborated on the decision, stating, “After careful consideration, we have expanded our ongoing enforcement actions against Russian state media outlets. As a result, Rossiya Segodnya, RT, and other affiliated entities are now banned from our applications globally due to their involvement in foreign interference activities.”

For further insights into this development, watch the video in the player above.

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Trump Recalls Alleged Assassination Attempt While Golfing

Explore Donald Trump’s chilling recollection of an alleged assassination attempt he experienced while enjoying a round of golf. Delve into the tense moments and his reflections on safety, fame, and the unpredictability of public life.

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In a recent interview on the social media platform X, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump recounted a harrowing incident he claims to have experienced while playing golf. Trump described how, during a peaceful Sunday morning round with friends, the tranquility of the day was abruptly shattered by the sound of gunfire in the air.

“It was a beautiful day, everything was just perfect,” Trump reflected. “Then all of a sudden, we heard shots being fired—probably around four or five in total.” He went on to explain that a Secret Service agent was the first to spot the suspect, who was allegedly armed with an AK-47, a powerful assault rifle.

“The agent saw the barrel of the weapon and immediately took action, returning fire at the barrel and aiming in the direction of the bushes,” Trump detailed. “I would have loved to have sunk that last putt, but we decided it was best to leave the scene promptly.”

Trump expressed his gratitude towards the agents and a vigilant civilian who aided in tracking down the suspect, who was eventually apprehended following a high-speed chase.

Suspect Faces Multiple Federal Gun Charges

The FBI has identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, accusing him of targeting Trump during his time at the golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. According to an FBI report, Routh had allegedly hidden among the hedges of the golf course for an astonishing 12 hours. Authorities discovered an SKS-style assault rifle, a GoPro camera, and a bag of food at the scene.

The 58-year-old Routh is now facing two serious federal gun charges. If convicted on both counts, he could face a combined maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Notably, neither of the charges is directly related to an assassination attempt. The first charge pertains to possessing a firearm despite a prior felony conviction, which carries a potential 15-year sentence, a fine of $250,000 (€225,000), and three years of supervised release.

The second charge involves possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, which could result in a five-year prison term, the same financial penalties, and also three years of supervised release. As the investigation continues, additional charges could be forthcoming.

While the motive behind Routh’s actions remains unclear, his digital footprint reveals strong political affiliations, particularly concerning issues surrounding Ukraine and China. Routh consistently expressed support for Ukraine across various social media platforms, even claiming to have orchestrated a recruitment scheme for international volunteers aiming to assist Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion. This behavior has been denounced by Ukrainian soldiers and members of the International Legion, who disavowed Routh’s actions and motives.

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