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In India's Darjeeling, heavy rains cause landslides and floods that kill 18 people.
Authorities said that the unrelenting rainfall in India's eastern mountain region of Darjeeling caused floods and landslides, which washed away roads, bridges and homes. In Nepal, 50 people died after flooding and landslides. Officials in the Indian state of West Bengal warned that as more information from remote areas came in, the death toll would likely rise. In a recent post, Mamata Banerjee said that two iron bridges had collapsed and several roads were damaged or flooded. Huge tracts of land... were inundated. She added that the districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong as well as Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar which have tea plantations were affected. H R Biswas is the regional weather chief in Kolkata, which is the capital of the state, and he said that more showers will be expected following the weekend's downpours, described as "extremely intense" in Darjeeling. Heavy rain caused traffic disruptions on the highways as a part of the iron bridge that crosses the Balason river linking Siliguri, in the plains, with Mirik in the hills collapsed. A local official in disaster management said that there were large amounts of debris on the roads. This made it difficult for rescuers to get to many areas. Darjeeling, a Himalayan hill station in the west of India, is famous for its tea. It also attracts tourists because of its spectacular views of Mount Kanchenjunga - the third highest peak on earth. Banerjee warned tourists to remain in place until they are safely evacuated. A spokesperson for the Armed Police Force stated that the number of deaths from floods and landslides across the border in Nepal has risen to 50. 37 people were killed in separate landslides on the Indian border in the eastern district Ilam. Bholanath Gurugain, a district official, said that rescuers were digging through the mud to search for survivors. They also cleared blocked roads, after landslides had washed homes away in several villages. (Reporting from Jatindra dash in Bhubaneswar, and Gopal Sharma at Kathmandu. Writing by Sudipto Ganuly. Editing by Clarence Fernandez.)
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Russia claims that a drone attack by Ukraine damaged the security office of Tuapse Oil Refinery
Authorities in the region said that overnight, drones from Ukraine targeted Rosneft's Tuapse refinery, located in southern Russia's Krasnodar Region. The drones caused a fire to break out at a building used by security personnel, but it was quickly put out. Ukraine has intensified its drone attacks on Russia's oil pipelines and refineries in the last two months, claiming that it is in response to Russia's attacks against its own energy infrastructure. The Russian military announced on Monday that their air defence units have been upgraded. Overnight, 251 Ukrainian drones flew over the Black Sea, 61 of which were over the southwest. One was heading toward Moscow. On the night of 6 October, drone debris fell onto the grounds of Tuapse Oil Refinery. The fire in the security building was quickly put out by local officials on Telegram. Two people were hospitalized and injured, they reported. The Tuapse export-oriented plant has a capacity of processing 240,000 barrels per day of oil (bpd). It produces naphtha as well as fuel oil, vacuum gasoline, and high-sulfur diesel. It supplies mainly China, Malaysia and Singapore. Andrew Osborn, Reporting and Editing
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NTB reports that a drone sighting temporarily disrupts the traffic at Oslo Airport, Norway.
Oslo Airport in Norway temporarily halted landings on early Monday morning after receiving a report about a drone near the airport. "One or two aircraft waited until the situation could be clarified." Avinor's spokesperson confirmed that no aircraft had left for alternate airports. Norwegian news agency quoted police as saying that they received a report at midnight from a Norwegian Air Pilot who thought he had seen three to five drones while approaching the airport. Avinor confirmed that there have been no more disruptions in air traffic. NTB reported citing the police that this observation was unverified. In recent weeks, drone sightings have caused chaos at European airports including those in Copenhagen, Oslo, and Munich. (Reporting and editing by Kim Coghill; Anna Ringstrom)
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Auckland Airport welcomes regulator’s decision that an airport investigation was not necessary
Auckland International Airport welcomed on Monday the New Zealand Commerce Commission’s decision to not launch an official inquiry into airport regulations as Air New Zealand requested. In 2024, the country's flagship airline had called for an investigation, expressing concerns about Auckland Airport's plans to redevelop and its proposal that it partially fund the project by increasing airline charges. It also argued that the airport's price framework was not subject to sufficient regulatory oversight. The competition regulator announced on Monday that it concluded such a move would be unnecessary and add to costs for the sector. The airport operator has launched a 10-year NZ$5.7bn ($3.31bn) infrastructure programme to boost capacity and improve customer experience. Air New Zealand's claims regarding the future cost of infrastructure are speculative. Carrie Hurihanganui, Chief Executive Officer of Auckland Airport, said that they have relied on conjecture in order to place a price on our draft Master Plan. ($1 = 1.7245 New Zealand dollars) Reporting by Roshan Thomsen in Bengaluru, Editing by Cynthia Osterman & Diane Craft
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Rescue of hundreds of trekkers from the Tibetan side of Mount Everest
Rescuers guided hundreds of trekkers trapped by a blizzard in Tibet near the eastern face Mount Everest to safety, Chinese state-run media reported Sunday. The Himalayas were pounded by unusually heavy rain and precipitation. China Central Television (CCTV), reported that 350 trekkers reached Qudang on Sunday. Contact was made with the other 200 trekkers. This week, China's National Day holiday allowed hundreds of people to visit the remote valley of Karma that leads to the eastern Kangshung Face of Everest. The snowfall began in the valley on Friday night and continued throughout Saturday. CCTV reported that the remaining trekkers would arrive in Qudang over a period of time, with the help and guidance of rescuers arranged by the local authorities. According to a report earlier by the state-backed Jimu News, hundreds of local villagers had been deployed and teams of rescuers to remove snow that was blocking access to this area. Jimu News reported that almost 1,000 people were trapped. The CCTV report didn't mention if the local guides and staff who supported the trekking groups had been found. Also, it was unclear whether or not trekkers in Tibet near the north face Everest had also been affected. Due to its easy accessibility by paved roads, the north face of Everest regularly attracts large numbers of tourists. The peak season is October, when the skies clear after the Indian monsoon. According to announcements posted on the official WeChat account of Tingri County Tourism Company, the sale of tickets and entry into the Everest Scenic Area was suspended as of late Saturday. Heavy rains in Nepal's south have triggered flash floods and landslides that have washed out bridges, blocked roads and killed 47 people. 35 people were killed in separate landslides that occurred in the eastern Ilam District, which borders India. Nine people are reported missing, after they were swept away in floodwaters. Three others died in lightning strikes in other parts of the country. (Reporting from Casey Hall in Shanghai, and Ryan Woo at Beijing; Editing and Lincoln Feast by Louise Heavens and Lincoln Feast)
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Russia condemns U.S. strike on alleged drug vessel near Venezuela
Russia condemned the U.S. attack on a vessel suspected of carrying illegal drugs near the Venezuelan coast and warned of the dangers of escalation by the U.S. in the Caribbean region. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Sergei Lavrov's, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs under Vladimir Putin, spoke by phone with his Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil on Sunday. The ministry reported that "Sergei Lavrov stated that Russia strongly condemned the new strike of the U.S. military on a vessel in international waters near Venezuela on October 3," The ministers "expressed serious concern over Washington's escalating action in the Caribbean Sea, which is fraught with grave consequences for the entire region," the statement said. The October 3 attack on the vessel that Washington accused of carrying "substantial quantities of narcotics" to America in order to poison its people killed four people. Moscow stated that "there is no certainty" that the United States would not link their declared war on drug cartels to the situation in Haiti. Russia has also warned against attempts to interpret a UN resolution in a broad way. Security Council Resolution to More than Double The size of a 15-month old underfunded and understaffed mission to combat armed gangs on Haiti. Russia, China, and Pakistan did not vote in favor of the measure proposed by the United States and Panama. The 13 remaining council members voted for the measure. The Russian Ministry said that "the Russian side has confirmed their full support and solidarity with the leadership of Venezuela and the people in this current context." Louise Heavens/Guy Faulconbridge edited the report by Louise Heavens.
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German Defence Minister: Build defences but avoid Putin's "escalation trap"
Germany's defence minister has said that it must improve its antidrone defences. However, he warned against an impulsive response to Russian airspace incursions as this could lead the country into "Putin’s escalationtrap". Boris Pistorius made his remarks in a Handelsblatt interview after drone sightings caused dozens of flights to be cancelled and over 10,000 passengers to be stranded at the Munich Airport this weekend. The authorities have not yet assigned blame but they have stated that Russia is responsible for the recent incursions of aircraft and sightings of these aircraft in Ukraine's European Allies airspace. "Putin is very familiar with Germany," Pistorius, who worked as a KGB agent for the Soviet Union in East Germany during the 1980s, said. "We must not fall into Putin's trap of escalation," he said. He told Handelsblatt that if we shot down an aeroplane, he'd claim it was a pilot error. The role of the state in defence companies He said that Germany must take a comprehensive view of all threats and not just drone incursions in order to make connections between events which may seem unrelated. He said: "Say that there are many forest fires in multiple regions or power outages at the same time." "All data relevant for assessing Germany’s security situation should flow into a single location." Germany should take a similar approach to France and actively manage important defense companies. He said that "firms with key technology need to be preserved." "I'm convinced that we need state shares: to keep jobs and know-how in Germany." FCAS DECISION NEEDS TO BE MADE SOON Pistorius also warned that without a clear commitment by all three governments to the joint Franco-German-Spanish warplane project FCAS, Germany would withdraw. He said: "I will talk to my counterparts once there is a French Government." "The Chancellor is in complete agreement with me that a decision must be made by the end the year... We will cut the cord if we don't." He warned Washington about rumours that its F-35 aircraft would have a "kill button" to control the way customers use it. He said: "If such limitations existed - which they do not - U.S. Industry would look unreliable and no one would buy from them." (Reporting and Editing by Ros Russel)
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Russia launches drones and missiles at western Ukraine. Poland scrambles its aircraft
NATO member Poland scrambled its aircraft early Sunday morning to ensure the safety of the air after Russia launched airstrikes against Ukraine. Ukrainian officials reported missiles and drones falling on the Lviv area near the Polish border. In a recent post, Poland's operational control said that "Polish aircraft and allied aircraft operate in our airspace while ground-based radar reconnaissance and air defence systems have been brought up to the highest level of readiness." After Poland shot down suspected Russian aircraft in its airspace, in September, eastern-flank NATO member countries are on high alert. Drone sightings and air incursions have caused chaos in European aviation, including in Copenhagen, Munich and elsewhere. Lithuania's Vilnius airport was closed overnight for several hours after reports that a series of balloons may have been heading toward the airport on Saturday evening. Flightradar24 reports that early Sunday morning, commercial flights used routes typically used during the closure of Poland's Lublin airport and Rzeszow near the Ukrainian border. Flightradar24's report could not be independently verified. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration website did not immediately post any notices about possible disruptions to flights in Rzeszow or Lublin. Eurocontrol, the European air traffic controller, has warned that delays are likely to be high in airspace controlled by Poland because of the "Ukraine Situation". All of Ukraine is under threat Ukraine's Air Force warned that all of the country is under threat from new Russian missiles at 0300 GMT. This follows hours of warnings about drones and missiles, as well as air raid alerts. Andriy Sadovyi is the mayor of Lviv, a city in western Ukraine about 70 km from the Polish border. He said that missiles were heading towards the city, after the air defence systems had already been heavily engaged to repel a Russian drone strike. Witnesses reported hearing the sound of air defence systems operating from all directions. Russia has not yet commented on the potential damage. Both sides have launched air attacks to destroy infrastructure that is deemed vital to the war effort, such as energy and transport facilities. Reporting by Lidia Kelley in Melbourne and Andriy Parun in Lviv, editing by Jamie Freed
Biya is set to serve his eighth term in Cameroon despite calls for him to step down.
Paul Biya announced his bid for an eight-term in July. He said that he heeded "numerous, insistent" requests to remain in office. However, this year's elections have also seen a number of striking calls for him to step down.
The first was Catholic Archbishop Samuel Kleda who, on French radio at Christmas last year, said that it wasn't "realistic" for Biya continue in his job.
Two cabinet members, from Cameroon’s northern regions with a high voter turnout, openly questioned Biya’s leadership ability.
Brenda Biya (27), the daughter of the president, stated on TikTok that her father had "made too many people suffer". She urged Cameroonians, therefore, to vote him out.
The post has been widely circulated among Biya detractors.
The world's oldest leader of state, despite these criticisms and a number of economic and security challenges, stands a good chance of winning when the country that produces cocoa and oil in Central Africa goes to polls on 12 October.
Analysts claim that he has been supported by factors which have kept him in power for over four decades. These include a patronage system entrenched, flawed electoral institutions and a loyal military.
"The President has been able to enforce loyalty towards him and to the system... "Very few people within the system are willing" to challenge him. Arrey Ntui is a senior analyst at International Crisis Group.
"When it's about the president, independent thinking is gone." It's just a single-line story. The president is in office, he can run again. That's all.
Health Fears Overshadow Campaign
Since he took over the presidency in 1982, he has maintained a tight hold on power. He replaced his former mentor Ahmadou Ahidjo who he forced into exile.
He was able to survive a coup in 1984, and the first multi-party election in 1992 when he only won 3 points over the second-place candidate.
Biya signed in 2008 a constitutional change that removed the two-term limitation for the presidency.
In 2011, he won by large margins, and in 2018, he did the same. He dismissed his opponents' claims of intimidation and ballot stuffing.
Biya could face a major obstacle in his health this time, as it has been for years. Last year, he was absent from the public eye for 42 days.
Last year, the government banned the public discussion on the subject.
Cameroonians are still struggling to access basic services, from water and roads to electricity and waste management.
DOUBTS RAISED ABOUT THE FAIRNESS OF VOTES
The ability of his government to influence the outcome of the elections could offset these vulnerabilities.
A court declared ineligible in July the candidature of Maurice Kamto - Biya's main opponent who came second in 2018 - stating that the party he was registered to represent already supported another candidate.
Human Rights Watch stated that the move "raises concern about the credibility of electoral processes."
Kamto, who had denounced the results of the 2018 elections as fraudulent, was arrested by security forces in January 2019, after leading protests that were dispersed using live bullets.
He was charged with insurrection before a military tribunal, which according to his lawyers could have resulted in the death penalty. However, he was freed in October 2019.
The threat or actual arrest of an opposition member has been used to keep them weak for a long time. Officials in Cameroon claim they are only enforcing laws.
Raoul Sumo Tayo is a senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria. He says that the fear of being sued for speaking up goes beyond the political classes.
"When you get into a taxi in Cameroon you never know who the driver is." He said that people are afraid to talk because of the perception that intelligence agents are everywhere.
The regime is empowered by the fact that many people in Cameroon want to see their kids grow. Reporting by Robbie Corey Boulet in Dakar, and Amindeh Atabong in Yaounde
(source: Reuters)