Russia deploys dozens of drones in two days says Zelensky
President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia has launched more than 30 drone attacks on Ukraine in just two days.
He added that in total, Moscow had also carried out some 4,500 missile strikes and over 8,000 air raids.
Speaking from Kyiv and standing beside what appeared to be a downed Iranian Shahed drone, Mr Zelensky pledged to "clip the wings" of Moscow's air power.
Western officials believe Iran has supplied a large number of drones to Russia, but Moscow and Tehran deny it.
It comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Russia's aggressive use of drones "appalling".
The top US diplomat accused Russian commanders of using the devices to "kill Ukrainian civilians and destroy the infrastructure they rely on for electricity, for water, for heat" during a visit to the Canadian capital Ottawa.
"Canada and the United States will keep working with our allies and partners to expose, to deter, and to counter Iran's provision of these weapons," Mr Blinken said.
In recent weeks, Russian attacks have targeted Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, damaging the country's electricity and water supply just as temperatures begin to drop.
Western countries say Iran is supplying its domestically developed drones to Moscow and that Iranian military experts are on the ground in Russian-occupied Crimea to provide technical support to pilots.
Kyiv has identified the drones used in some attacks on its infrastructure as Iranian Shahed-136 drones. They are known as "kamikaze" drones because they are destroyed in the attack - named after the Japanese fighter pilots who flew suicide missions in World War Two.
Ukraine says around 400 drones have already been used by Russia, from a total order of roughly 2,000 weapons.
But Tehran has repeatedly denied that it has struck any arms deal with the Kremlin, and Moscow also denies using Iranian drones.
On Wednesday, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian called the accusations "baseless" and urged Ukraine to "present any evidence supporting the accusations".
"If... it becomes clear to us that Russia has used Iranian drones in the war against Ukraine, we will definitely not be indifferent about this issue," he added.
Tehran's regional adversary, Israel, has also attacked Iran over the alleged exports. During a meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday, President Isaac Herzog slammed the regime's activities.
"The fact that Iran, following its activities in killing its own citizens, in working towards nuclear weapons endlessly, endangering the entire world and the region — and now killing innocent civilians in Ukraine, clearly that gives you a picture of what Iran is all about," Mr Herzog said.
Prior to the visit, he had pledged to share "proof" with Mr Biden that Iran was supplying the weapons.
Meanwhile, US officials have said they will supply Ukraine with an additional $275m (£237m) of military aid, according to the Associated Press.
The assistance is expected to be used to restock ammunition for Ukrainian artillery systems, including the HIMARS launchers that Kyiv's forces have used to great effect.
On the ground, fighting has slowed in recent days, with a much anticipated Ukrainian advance on the southern city of Kherson stalled due to poor weather.
Source-BBC
Facebook owner dive 20% as investors lose faith
Shares in Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, have plunged more than 20% after a downbeat set of results from the tech giant.
It comes as investors doubt Mark Zuckerberg's vision for future growth, and revenues and profits decline.
Meta's sales shrank by 4% in the three months ending in September to $27.7bn (£24bn), while profits halved.
The fall in shares is set to wipe $78bn off the firm's market value if the losses hold until the end of Thursday.
A year ago, Mark Zuckerberg declared virtual reality the next frontier to drive Facebook's growth. But so far, there has been very little of it.
The company, which also owns WhatsApp, is struggling as companies cut advertising budgets in the face of economic uncertainty, changes to Apple's privacy settings hurt its targeted ads, and competition from rivals such as TikTok heats up.
Mr. Zuckerberg, who founded Facebook at university almost two decades ago, acknowledged the firm faced "near-term challenges".
Source-BBC
Taylor Swift edits Anti-hero video
Taylor Swift has edited a music video days after its release, following backlash over one of the scenes.
In the original video for Anti-hero, the singer steps onto a scale that reads "FAT", as she alter ego shakes her head, seemingly in disappointment.
Critics said the scene was "fatphobic" and reinforced negative connotations with the word "fat".
Swift is the latest singer to make changes to new music - after Lizzo and Beyonce edited-out derogatory lyrics.
The anti-hero is one of the tracks off Swift's new album, Midnights. Released last week, it has already broken the record for the most-streamed albums on Spotify in one day.
However, its success is, in some parts, being overshadowed by the debate and criticism of the Anti-hero video, which Swift wrote and directed.
"Watch my nightmare scenarios and intrusive thoughts play out in real-time," Swift tweeted when revealing the video.
However, the singer also received praise and support, with many online saying she was simply expressing her own experiences with body image struggles.
"So finally when she is opening up about her insecurities they made her feel like she needs to shut up about them again I hate this world," one Twitter user wrote.
Sunny Hostin, co-host of the US talk show The View said critics "missed the point".
"She was describing a personal experience, and quite frankly, it's a personal experience a lot of women experience."
The 11-time Grammy winner has been open in the past about her struggles with body image and an eating disorder. Swift's Netflix documentary Miss Americana features a montage of derogatory comments about her appearance - highlighting the intense scrutiny she faces.
Beat, an eating disorder charity in the UK said it welcomed the edit of the video.
"When public figures like Taylor Swift choose to speak about their own journeys with an eating disorder, it can have a positive influence," said Tom Quin, Director of External Affairs at Beat.
"However, we'd also urge them to be mindful of the effect their depictions could have and to do so sensitively."
Taylor Swift is the latest A-list celebrity who has been pressured to make changes to their work recently.
In June, Lizzo change the lyrics to her song Grrrls to remove an ableist slur, and a few weeks later Beyonce did the same thing to her track Heated.
Source-BBC
Rishi Sunak set to become first British Asian PM
Rishi Sunak will become the UK's first British Asian prime minister after his only remaining rival pulled out of the Tory leadership contest.
Almost 200 Conservative MPs publicly backed the former chancellor ahead of the nomination deadline on Monday.
Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt dropped out after failing to secure enough support among MPs.
It means Mr. Sunak will succeed Liz Truss to become the youngest PM for more than 200 years.
The new PM is expected to take office within the next few days now the result of the Tory leadership contest has been confirmed.
Mr. Sunak is due to make a speech to MPs after the result was announced by Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 committee of backbench Tory MPs, at 14:00 BST on Monday.
King Charles III will appoint Mr. Sunak, who will take over from Ms. Truss following her resignation just 45 days into her tumultuous premiership last week.
Ms. Sunak's effective coronation as Tory leader caps a rapid political comeback by the former chancellor after he lost out to Ms. Truss in the last leadership contest during the summer.
Opposition parties have been clamoring for a general election, arguing that Mr. Sunak does not have a democratic mandate to become prime minister.
The next general election is not due to take place until at least 2024 after the Conservatives won a landslide majority in the last one in 2019.
Source-BBC
Brazil politician throws grenades at police in Rio de Janeiro
A Brazilian politician is in custody after throwing grenades at police officers who came to his house in Rio de Janeiro state to arrest him.
Roberto Jefferson, an ally of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, wounded two officers before surrendering on Sunday.
A Supreme Court judge earlier ordered his detention for insulting Chief Justice Cármen Lucía. He was already under house arrest for threatening her.
Mr. Bolsonaro reacted by saying those who fired at police should be arrested.
The two officers were wounded by shrapnel from a grenade during the attack in Comendador Levy Gasparian, north of the state capital Rio de Janeiro. They were taken to the hospital and later discharged.
Mr. Jefferson, the 69-year-old former leader of the PTB political party, also fired a number of shots from a rifle, shattering the windshield of a police car.
Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes had ordered the politician to be detained on the grounds that he violated the conditions of house arrest.
Political tensions are high in Brazil ahead of Sunday's presidential election run-off between Mr. Bolsonaro and left-winger Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Lula - who is still seen as the front-runner - fell short of the 50% of valid votes needed to prevent a run-off in the first round earlier this month.
Ministry of Home Affairs representatives attend The Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association 31st Annual Conference
Honorable Otis Morris, Minister of Home Affairs, Transportation, Broadcasting, Energy and Utilities, and Telecommunications Commission accompanied by Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr. Fredrico Johnson were among officials from around the region who attended The Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association 31st Annual Conference and Exhibition.
The Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) is a regional non-governmental organization established by an Act of Parliament in Trinidad & Tobago in 1991.
The CWWA is a grouping of water, wastewater, and solid waste professionals in the public and private sectors. CWWA brings together the water and sanitation community in the Caribbean towards the protection of public health and the promotion of sustainable development. Through collective leadership, CWWA positively influences advancements in technology, education, science, management, and country and regional policies in the water and sanitation field.
The conference allowed the team to meet with various vendors as well as regional experts to discuss best practices and be introduced to innovations within the Industry which will enhance the production of clean potable water for persons that are in dire need.
Hon. Otis Morris, Minister of Home Affairs, commenting on the event said “It was an honor to represent the Turks and Caicos Islands at this year’s conference which gave me the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialog with my Ministerial colleagues from around the region. During this forum, it was realized that the challenges that we face regarding Water within our country, especially on the sister islands are not unique to us and can be seen regionally. We got a chance to Discuss with the Caribbean Development Bank and other key agencies how we can rectify the issue of getting clean and safe potable water to every household within the region.
I would like to also take this time to thank the Bahamian Government for the great hospitality received during our visit.”
Barbados first wind energy farm on verge of completion
Barbados’ first commercial wind energy farm will be in full swing in a matter of weeks.
Pavana Energy Ltd., the first company to be granted a licence to erect wind turbines here, is putting the final touches on the one-megawatt wind farm located on approximately 10 acres at Ashford Dairy Farm in Guinea, St John, according to Chief Executive Officer Donnie Prescott.
The project consists of four 250-kilowatt Vergnet wind turbines and is expected to produce enough electricity that could power in excess of 1,200 households.
Prescott gave Barbados TODAY insight into the progress of the project that has been in planning for close to a decade but began around mid-March last year.
“At this point now, we are on track for it to be commissioned. Commissioning will take about four weeks. We are still waiting on one or two shipments but we should be on track once everything comes into play, by mid- to the end of November,” said Prescott, who declined to disclose the level of investment in the project at this stage.
“We had delays in the shipping of materials and so on. So that delayed us. We really would have liked for it to be commissioned since January this year, but due to the [COVID-19] pandemic, shipping and then the war [in Ukraine], the shipping has been a nightmare; getting materials has been a nightmare.”
Prescott said despite a lot of “back and forth”, meetings and transfer of information, the process which involved Barbados Light and Power Company (BLPC) and the relevant government departments was a relatively smooth one.
“We are now getting to the point where we will be getting connection to the grid so we can complete the commissioning. So, that process has started and they [BLPC] have come and done some work on the pole already,” he said.
Jobs for more than 20 people were created at various stages of the project, the official disclosed.
Prescott said the Pavana team was keen on taking on the challenge of trying something that has never been done in Barbados on such a large scale, as he noted that wind energy was one of the main ways the island could reach its 2030 target of becoming carbon neutral.
“Everybody else is doing solar and we need to be different and we want to try something else. The wind is interesting and it is also more challenging than solar. In order to be fossil fuel free by 2030 or 2035, we can’t do it with all solar. We need a mix,” he said.
The wind turbines are to be raised in the coming weeks.
Source-Barbados Today
Alicia Keys announces Santa Baby holiday album
Alicia Keys is looking to add some merry & bright to this holiday season.
The Grammy winner announced her first holiday album, Santa Baby, will be released November 4 exclusively on Apple Music.
The album, which was recorded while on her sold-out European tour this summer, will feature seven reimagined holiday classics, as well as four original songs written by Keys. The first single, "December Back 2 June," will be released Friday, October 28.
"I love this music! It feels so good!" Keys said. "I picked each song based on my all-time favorites and I wrote the new ones based on real holiday emotions and stories. The holidays are such a beautiful time to slow down, be with the ones you love and make meaning! Santa Baby is definitely going to be the perfect holiday soundtrack. I can’t wait for you to fall in love with it."
To ring in the holiday season, Keys will perform live music from Santa Baby on national TV. More information on the performances to be announced soon.
Source-ABC
Silence is Not an Option- The Elected Government Must Use its Voice
At a time when our people desperately need leadership and for its elected government to bring a sense of hope. It appears the PNP administration, is providing the most deafening silence; especially the leadership of the Progressive National Party.
It seems as if a conscious decision has been taken by the party now to refrain from commenting on any incident or activity involving crime, particularly ones as sensitive as the recent gun violence which claimed 14 in a six-week timeframe; mostly our young males.
Premier Misick is apparently more concerned about his image than our sons whose blood runs in our streets. It appears that a stern message has gone down the party ranks to not do or say anything that can catch local news or international attention and “embarrass” him or his government.
For example, none of the government’s elected or appointed members of parliament has spoken directly to the nation, the constituencies, or the people who elected them. They shirk their responsibility to be accountable running away from the press on their government’s reaction, response, opinion, or position on the current activities in fighting crime. Additionally, when finally addressing the crime issue last month, the Premier’s response in the press conference was evasive at best.
It seems as if this government doesn’t know how to talk to speak to the people, they found so easily prior to the elections. Even in a nation like ours where there is a strong tradition of accessibility to government officials, this government has chosen to stop talking to our people about the most troubling political issues. At a time when our people need a government that is responsive and stands with them at a time like this.
People feel more powerless and fearful now than at any time in recent history. Recently, I was in a conversation with several people, ages 22 to 55, from 5 different constituencies. I was saddened to hear that all of them shared the same experience – “we do not feel represented by our governments, and we feel powerless to affect immediate change.” They feel that far too many decisions are being made without consultation and accountability to our people. They expressed that they are thankful that the Governor is seeking to do this task, however, His Excellency is accountable to the Foreign Commonwealth Office and Britain’s Parliamentarians, and our elected government to we the people. This elected government lack direction or a path to bring about a positive resolution.
I had no informed answer for them, primarily listening, seeking to provide some hope to them.
As the Leader of the Peoples’ Democratic Movement, and Opposition Leader, I urge the Government to act urgently in updating and responding to, the people of the Turks and Caicos on the recent activities being taken to address the unprecedented surge in gun violence in the country.
The elected government cannot be a passive bystander of such matters, during which the lives of our people, and others, have been taken or put at risk through violent and unlawful repression.
I hope that the Leadership of the country is cognizant of the lessons from this experience of unprecedented violence, and where it exists, taking note of the good practices and effective methods of the imported crime-fighting officers.