International News
Tensions Rise As Hezbollah Launches Rocket Attack On Israel After Israeli Bombardment On Lebanon
Hezbollah launched a rocket attack on northern Israel on Saturday, its first strike following a series of intense Israeli airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs overnight.
In response, the Israeli military confirmed new airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in eastern Lebanon, as tensions between the two sides escalate, raising fears of a broader conflict.
In a statement, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for targeting the kibbutz Kabri in northern Israel with a salvo of Fadi-1 rockets, asserting that the attack was a defensive measure against what they termed “barbaric” Israeli actions against Lebanese civilians.
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“Defending Lebanon and its people, and responding to the barbaric attacks on cities and villages,” the group said, reaffirming its commitment to retaliate against Israeli aggression.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that sirens were activated in northern Israel as a response to Hezbollah’s claims, indicating the heightened state of alert in the region.
The IDF also stated that they were currently engaging “terror targets belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the area of Beqaa” in eastern Lebanon.
The tensions escalated significantly after the Israeli military executed a series of heavy bombardments on Friday, targeting what it identified as Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut.
The strikes resulted in substantial destruction, leveling several high-rise buildings and reportedly aimed at eliminating key figures within the militant group, including its leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, at least six people were killed and 91 others injured in the Israeli strikes, marking the largest blast to affect the Lebanese capital in the past year.
As rescue teams continue to sift through the rubble of six destroyed buildings, authorities fear the death toll may rise.
Sources close to the situation, including a U.S. official, indicated that Nasrallah was the primary target of the Israeli airstrikes, suggesting a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
The attacks have raised concerns that the situation could spiral into a full-fledged war as both sides prepare for further military engagement.
As regional tensions mount, the international community watches closely, hoping for a de-escalation in a conflict that has already inflicted significant casualties and devastation on both sides.
International News
If It’s A Fair Election, I’ll Concede Defeat – Trump
In a final push on Election Day, Republican presidential contender, Donald Trump expressed confidence about reclaiming the White House, while reiterating his concerns about the security of electronic voting machines.
After casting his ballot in Florida, Trump told reporters, “I feel very confident.”
He added, “I believe we ran a great campaign,” referring to his race against Democratic rival Kamala Harris.
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While Trump voiced his confidence, he also underscored his willingness to accept defeat if the election was conducted fairly.
“If I lose an election, if it’s a fair election, I would be the first one to acknowledge it. So far, I think it’s been fair,” Trump said, though he added that his acceptance would hinge on perceived election integrity.
In particular, Trump has voiced concerns about electronic voting machines, suggesting they are less secure than paper ballots.
Wearing a red “Make America Great Again” cap, he remarked, “They spend all this money on machines… If they would use paper ballots, voter ID, proof of citizenship, and one-day voting, it would all be over by 10 o’clock in the evening. It’s crazy.”
Trump further commented on the potential for election unrest. When asked whether he would urge supporters to remain peaceful, he dismissed the question, asserting that his supporters are “not violent people.”
As voting concludes, Trump’s statements add to the polarized atmosphere of one of the most contentious U.S. elections in recent history, with the nation watching closely as results unfold.
International News
JUST IN: Equatorial Guinea Blocks WhatsApp Multimedia Amid Engonga Sex Scandal
The government of Equatorial Guinea has imposed new restrictions on WhatsApp, limiting citizens’ ability to download and share multimedia files through mobile data.
This policy follows recent directives for telecommunications operators to control access to “inappropriate content.”
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The measure, however, has led to public frustration, with citizens now relying solely on WiFi for sharing photos, videos, and audio files.
The restrictions come in the wake of a high-profile scandal involving Baltasar Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF).
Engonga, 54, is currently under investigation for fraud. During an unexpected search of his home and office, ANIF officials reportedly discovered a collection of more than 400 explicit videos involving Engonga and the wives of various prominent figures.
Among those reportedly involved are relatives of senior officials, including the wife of the Director General of Police, multiple government ministers’ spouses, and even family members of the President of Equatorial Guinea.
The leaked videos have caused a media uproar, with calls for transparency from the government.
Citizens are questioning whether the restrictions on WhatsApp multimedia sharing are part of an effort to prevent the spread of sensitive content related to the scandal.
So far, officials have not commented on the duration of these restrictions or whether they are linked to the ongoing investigation.
The local news platform Ahora EG has reported widespread frustration over the restrictions, quoting anonymous sources expressing concern about the impact on essential communication.
“Should an entire country pay for the actions of a few?” one source asked. “This measure interferes with work and educational activities for thousands who rely on WhatsApp, and it feels more like a move to control than to facilitate communication.”
Critics have also questioned the transparency of the new restriction, with some speculating it may be linked to Vice President Teddy Nguema’s recent announcement of a plan to install surveillance cameras in state offices.
This initiative, he said, is part of a broader government crackdown to reinforce public service laws and combat misconduct among officials.
As frustrations mount, Equatorial Guinea’s citizens are left awaiting clarity on the government’s intentions behind these measures.
With no official statements on how long the restrictions will remain in place, many continue to speculate whether these changes will be temporary or signal a new era of state control over digital communication.
International News
U.S. Election: Historic Decision Looms As Kamala Harris, Trump Enter Dead-Heat Contest
On a high-stakes Tuesday, American voters are heading to the polls in an election that will either catapult Kamala Harris into history as the first woman president or grant Donald Trump a historic return to the White House.
After months of intense campaigning and unexpected developments, Democratic Vice President Harris, 60, and former Republican President Trump, 78, remain locked in one of the closest and most turbulent races of modern times.
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As polling stations open nationwide, both candidates are counting on a strong turnout in key swing states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
With early voting already at record numbers, tens of millions more are expected to cast their ballots throughout the day, adding to the over 82 million who voted early.
Campaign Finale: Fierce Push for Every Vote
Both campaigns spent Monday frantically rallying supporters. In Pennsylvania, Harris stood on the iconic “Rocky” steps in Philadelphia, energized by celebrities like Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey.
“Momentum is on our side,” she said, calling the race potentially “one of the closest in history” and urging supporters to get to the polls.
Meanwhile, Trump held his closing rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, after stops in North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
Emphasizing his populist message, he depicted a nation under siege from crime and economic turmoil, promising that his leadership could restore America’s greatness.
“With your vote tomorrow, we can fix every single problem our country faces and lead America — indeed, the world — to new heights of glory,” he declared.
An Election of Unprecedented Drama
This election has been marked by surprising developments that left voters and analysts reeling.
Harris took over the Democratic nomination in July following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal, a dramatic shift that reshaped the race.
Trump’s campaign faced its own challenges, including surviving two assassination attempts and pushing forward even after a criminal conviction.
Despite these extraordinary events, polls show the race remains deadlocked.
Observers are bracing for potential delays in determining a winner, with the tight race suggesting that final results could take days.
In Washington, security is heightened with barriers around the White House and storefronts boarded up, fearing possible unrest.
Trump’s ongoing claims about election integrity — similar to those he made in 2020 — have already raised concerns about the potential for dispute if he loses.
Global Impact: Allies, Rivals Watch Anxiously
The international community is closely watching the U.S. election, as the outcome could reshape key policies.
A Harris administration would likely pursue climate action, support for NATO, and continued aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia.
Trump’s “America First” approach, however, signals a return to isolationist policies that unsettle allies while promising sweeping trade tariffs that concern trading partners.
The election’s significance extends beyond politics, as Harris would make history as the first Black woman and South Asian president in the United States, breaking another barrier after her 2020 election as vice president.
Trump, if successful, would make his own history, becoming only the second president after Grover Cleveland to win non-consecutive terms and the oldest president to assume office.
Divided Nation Faces Uncertain Path Forward
Harris’s campaign has focused on reproductive rights and healthcare, aiming to galvanize women and young voters.
Though she has condemned Trump’s “dark rhetoric,” she ended her campaign with an optimistic message, calling for unity and avoiding further mention of her rival.
Trump, meanwhile, has leaned into his populist appeal, casting himself as the country’s last line of defense against rising crime and immigration issues.
In his final speeches, he warned of election fraud — claims widely debunked by experts — and hinted that he might not concede if he loses, saying he should “never have left” the White House in 2021.
As polls close later tonight, Americans and the world wait anxiously for what could be a turning point in U.S. history. Regardless of the result, today’s vote promises to reshape the nation’s future and its role on the global stage for years to come.