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Occupied Ukraine encouraged to vote in Russian election by armed men

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Moscow is orchestrating a significant effort urging residents in occupied parts of Ukraine to participate in Russia’s presidential election. The election, spanning three days for the first time, is being supplemented with early voting in regions under occupation, including Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk.

Reports indicate coercion tactics, with pro-Russian collaborators and armed soldiers visiting households with ballot boxes to encourage voting. While Vladimir Putin’s victory seems assured, a high turnout would bolster Kremlin’s legitimacy and potentially justify Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Residents are pressured through various means, including home visits by electoral representatives accompanied by armed individuals, data collection, and filming. Despite resistance and attacks on election organizers, Moscow continues to promote the vote as an endorsement of Putin’s leadership, using symbols associated with the Ukraine conflict.

However, critics denounce the process as undemocratic and farcical, citing intimidation tactics, forced participation, and the absence of genuine opposition. Many residents, fearful of repercussions, reluctantly comply with the orchestrated election process.

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Oscars 2024: Zelensky hails Ukraine’s first-ever Oscar victory

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President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the historic win of Ukraine’s first-ever Oscar for the documentary “20 Days In Mariupol,” which depicts Russia’s brutal siege of the port city. Zelensky emphasized that the film reveals the truth about Russian terrorism and sheds light on the suffering endured by Mariupol’s residents during the city’s destruction.

Director Mstyslav Chernov, accepting the award for best documentary feature, expressed his honor at being Ukraine’s inaugural Oscar recipient. Despite this recognition, Chernov expressed regret, stating that he wished he had never had to make the film. He mourned the loss of Ukrainian lives due to Russia’s aggression and called for truth to prevail and the memory of Mariupol’s people to endure.

Chernov concluded his speech with the rallying cry “Slava Ukraini!” (Glory to Ukraine!), echoing the sentiment shared by millions of Ukrainians. The film’s victory is celebrated widely on Ukrainian social media, with many considering it a historic achievement. Chernov and his team risked their lives to document Mariupol’s plight, navigating Russian checkpoints to ensure their footage reached the world.

Mariupol, once a thriving port on the Sea of Azov, suffered extensive destruction at the hands of Russian forces. Despite Russia’s claim of “liberation,” the film serves as a poignant reminder of the devastation inflicted upon the city and its people.

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Iceland volcano: Emergency declared over volcano Fagradalsfjall eruption concerns

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Iceland has declared a state of emergency following a series of earthquakes that have raised concerns about a potential volcanic eruption. In response, authorities have ordered the evacuation of the southwestern town of Grindavík as a precautionary measure. The Icelandic Met Office expressed worries about the underground spread of a significant amount of magma, or molten rock, which could potentially surface in the area. The seismic activity has been centered around the Fagradalsfjall volcano on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, which had been dormant for 800 years before experiencing eruptions in 2021. The increased seismic activity prompted the closure of the nearby Blue Lagoon landmark, and over 20,000 tremors have been recorded in southwest Iceland since late October.

The Icelandic Civil Protection Agency clarified that the evacuation is a preventive measure, not an immediate emergency, and urged residents to remain calm. The agency stated that there is no immediate imminent danger, emphasizing that the evacuation is primarily aimed at ensuring the safety of Grindavík residents. The decision to evacuate came after the Icelandic Met Office could not rule out the possibility of a magma tunnel forming and reaching Grindavík. All roads into the town, home to around 4,000 people, are closed except for emergencies.

The Icelandic Met Office highlighted significant changes in seismic activity, with tremors moving towards Grindavík over the course of the day. It noted that magma likely extends beneath the town, and the exact location and timing of its emergence are uncertain. Iceland is known for its high geological activity, boasting around 30 active volcanic sites. Recent eruptions in the Fagradalsfjall area drew tourists to witness the formation of the “world’s newest baby volcano,” which had been dormant for eight centuries until the eruptions in 2021, 2022, and now 2023.

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Spanish Boy’s Miraculous Survival After Clinging to Tree During Floods Overnight

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A young boy in Spain managed to survive a deadly flood by climbing a tree and holding on throughout the night. His family’s car had been swept away into a river, and tragically, his father remains missing. The 10-year-old is now receiving treatment for hypothermia, as reported by Spanish media.

The devastating floods, caused by record rainfall, have resulted in at least three fatalities and the disappearance of three others in central Spain, according to police. Regions southwest of Madrid were particularly hard-hit, with bridges destroyed and roads transformed into muddy rivers.

The boy’s family was attempting to escape the floodwaters in a rural part of the affected area when their car was swept into the river, explained Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the head of the Madrid region. The young boy spent the entire night clinging to a tree for survival.

While the boy’s mother and sister have been located, rescue efforts are still underway to find his missing father near Aldea de Fresno, one of the three individuals swept away by the heavy rainfall, according to the civil guard police force.

Additionally, three deaths have been confirmed in the Toledo region, situated southwest of Madrid, due to the storm, as stated by the civil guard.

The Spanish weather service, Aemet, recorded record-breaking rainfall of 9cm (3.5in) in the region on Sunday.

Efforts to clean up the aftermath of the floods are ongoing, with residents working to remove mud and debris left in their wake. Regional administrations in Madrid and Castilla-La Mancha have requested that the federal government declare the affected areas as “catastrophe zones,” which would provide government funding for repairing damaged buildings.

In a first-time move, emergency text messages and loud alarms were used to warn residents about the storm on Sunday, and authorities credit people adhering to advice to stay at home and leave their vehicles behind for helping rescue services manage the thousands of calls they received.

This disaster in Spain follows an intense summer heatwave, with climate scientists warning that global warming leads to more water evaporation during the summer, resulting in more severe storms.

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Severe Rainfall in Spain Leads to Widespread Flooding

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Significant rainfall has triggered major flooding across various parts of Spain, resulting in the issuance of maximum-level red weather alerts in regions such as Madrid, Toledo, and Cádiz. The torrential rain even forced the suspension of Sunday’s Atletico Madrid vs. Sevilla football match.

Residents in Madrid have been urged to stay indoors due to the unusually heavy and exceptional rainfall, with firefighters responding to 190 calls for assistance on flooded roads within the Spanish capital alone. The majority of the rainfall has concentrated in coastal areas around Cádiz, Tarragona, and Castelló.

In Castelló, on the eastern coast, flooding led to a daring rescue mission as firefighters saved a man trapped in his car, surrounded by waist-high floodwaters. In the northeastern city of Alcanar, Tarragona, where 215 liters of rain per square meter fell in a 24-hour period, people have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel.

Witnesses have described the harrowing scenes, such as Juan Carlos Penafiel, who recounted how residents had to use improvised ropes made from towels and bedsheets to rescue two young men stranded in his second-floor apartment as floodwaters rose. Debris and mudslides have affected Spanish roads, and many vehicles have struggled to navigate through the heavily flooded areas.

This extreme weather phenomenon is attributed to a slow-moving storm system known as a “depresión aislada en niveles altos” (Dana). Some train services have been canceled across Spain, and drivers are cautioned against using specific flooded roads in severely affected regions.

These weather events follow a scorching summer in Spain and southern Europe.

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Berlin Police on the Hunt for Suspected Roaming Lion

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German authorities are conducting a search for a suspected wild lioness that has been reportedly sighted in the south-western outskirts of Berlin. The animal was first spotted chasing a boar, leading to alerts from several witnesses, including a police officer. A video on Twitter, believed to be authentic by the police, showed the lioness in a forest in Kleinmachnow. Residents have been advised to remain indoors until the animal is located.

The origin of the lioness remains unknown, as local zoos, animal sanctuaries, and circuses have confirmed that no lions have escaped from their facilities. Police have extended the warning area to the south of Berlin, covering Kleinmachnow, Teltow, and Stahnsdorf. Helicopters, veterinarians, and hunters with tranquilizer guns are involved in the search, with authorities aiming to capture the animal humanely. The lioness is suspected to be resting in a wooded area at present.

While some are skeptical about the presence of a lioness, the search continues as a precautionary measure. Residents have been urged to keep their pets indoors and avoid the forest, seeking immediate shelter if they spot the elusive animal. In case of an encounter, authorities advise individuals to remain calm, stand still, and move towards a safe area such as a car or building.

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Scorching Heatwave Sweeps Southern Europe: Cerberus Brings Onslaught of High Temperatures

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A powerful heatwave is currently sweeping across southern Europe, leading to widespread discomfort and raising concerns about the wellbeing of residents and the resilience of infrastructure. Known as “Cerberus,” this extreme weather event is characterized by a relentless onslaught of high temperatures that are significantly surpassing the seasonal norms. Several countries in the region, including Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey, are experiencing the effects of this scorching heatwave.

The heatwave has prompted authorities to issue heat alerts and take precautionary measures to safeguard vulnerable individuals from the potentially dangerous consequences of extreme heat. Both residents and tourists are struggling to cope with the oppressive weather, seeking refuge and searching for ways to stay cool amid the soaring temperatures.

The persistent and intense nature of the heatwave has sparked concerns regarding its potential impacts on various aspects of life in the affected areas. Agriculture, in particular, is at risk due to the extreme heat’s detrimental effects on crops and livestock. Water resources, already strained by the prolonged dry spell, are further under pressure as demand for water increases during the heatwave. Additionally, the heightened risk of wildfires is a significant concern, as the combination of scorching temperatures and dry conditions provides ideal conditions for fire outbreaks.

In response to these challenges, authorities are closely monitoring the situation and implementing measures to mitigate the effects of the heatwave. Efforts are focused on providing adequate support to vulnerable populations, ensuring the availability of cooling centers, and implementing fire prevention strategies.

Overall, the Cerberus heatwave is posing significant challenges to southern European countries, requiring coordinated efforts to minimize its impact on public health, infrastructure, and the environment.

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