'Keep your promise to get into NATO' - Erdogan reminds Sweden, Finland

*) Putin to annex four Ukraine territories with 'major speech' as West fumes

Russia is set to formally annex four occupied regions of Ukraine at a ceremony that the Kremlin says will feature a major speech by President Vladimir Putin.
In a presidential decree, Putin has already recognised the independence of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. He made a similar move in connection with Donetsk and Luhansk in February.
Kiev and its Western allies have denounced the annexation, describing the Moscow-backed separatist votes that preceded it as a sham and an attempt at unlawful land grab.
*) Suicide attack at tutoring centre in Afghan capital kills 19
A suicide attack at a learning centre in the Afghan capital has killed at least 19 people. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast.
The incident happened in a neighbourhood of western Kabul that is a predominantly Shia Muslim area home to the minority Hazara community.

Students were preparing for an exam when a suicide bomber struck at the educational centre, police said, adding that over 20 people have suffered injuries.
*) Hurricane Ian veers toward Carolinas after pummeling Florida
A resurgent Hurricane Ian has barrelled north toward a second landfall in South Carolina, a day after carving a path of destruction across central Florida.
Ian, which had weakened to a tropical storm, regained Category 1 hurricane strength while churning toward South Carolina above the Atlantic Ocean.
Ian first came ashore in Florida on Wednesday as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the US mainland. President Joe Biden has said that preliminary reports suggested a "substantial" loss of life.
*) Iran ups pressure on celebrities, media over Mahsa Amini protests
Iran has stepped up pressure on celebrities and journalists over the recent wave of protests, which has been backed by filmmakers, athletes, musicians and actors.
Iran’s warnings came after almost two weeks of demonstrations across Iran and a deadly crackdown that rights groups say has been marked by violence by security forces.
Public anger has flared since authorities announced the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who had been held for allegedly wearing a hijab headscarf in an improper way.

And finally…
*) FIFA World Cup: Fans won't need Covid jabs but negative tests required

Coronavirus vaccinations will not be mandatory for the million-plus fans going to Qatar for the football World Cup that starts on November 20.

But all visitors aged over six will have to produce negative Covid-19 tests before taking flights to Qatar. Players and match officials may be forced into a secure "bio-bubble" if Covid-19 cases take off again.

The tournament will be the first major global sporting event with fans since the eruption of the Covid pandemic in December 2019.

*) Kremlin proxies in Ukraine plead to Putin for annexation

Kremlin-backed officials in Ukraine have appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to annex regions under their control, after the territories held votes that Kiev and its allies denounce as a "sham".

Ukraine has called on the EU to hit Russia with more sanctions and NATO to send more weapons to the frontline, with the Moscow-backed separatist votes significantly raising the stakes.

Russia is looking to annex Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine's south, and Donetsk and Luhansk in the east. The areas represent around 15% of Ukraine’s territory.

*) US does not act fairly when it comes to NATO allies: Turkish president

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticised the US for its tilted stance amid tensions between Türkiye and Greece, calling out Washington for its unequal treatment of NATO allies.

In a TV interview, he also said that according to drone footage, there are armoured vehicles stationed on Greek islands that are supposed to be demilitarised — a move he described as "unacceptable."

Ankara has warned the US and Greece over the military deployments and sent a letter to the UN, Erdogan said, reminding the US that it “cannot find another ally like Türkiye”.

*) Iran launches deadly attacks on Kurdish region of northern Iraq

Iran's Revolutionary Guard has launched deadly attacks on the Kurdish region of northern Iraq targeting armed rebel groups, Iranian state media have reported.

Iran’s attacks targeted Koysancak (Koy-san-jak), also known as Koya — east of Iraq’s Erbil — killing at least nine people and wounding 32 others, according to Kurdish regional authorities.

The strikes come at a time when Iran is rocked by protests over the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman who was detained by the Iranian morality police.

*) Hurricane Ian pounds Florida as a monster storm

Hurricane Ian has plunged much of coastal southwest Florida into darkness, with the monster storm bringing massive storm surges, wind and flooding.

Authorities said the eye of the "extremely dangerous" hurricane made landfall just after 1900 GMT. Footage showed floodwaters surging into beachfront homes, submerging roads and sweeping away vehicles.

More than two million people are without electricity in Florida. The US Border Patrol said 20 migrants were missing after their boat sank.

*) Coolio, rapper behind hit 'Gangsta's Paradise,' dies at 59

Coolio, the US rapper best known for the chart-topping 1995 song "Gangsta's Paradise," has died, his manager has said. He was 59 years old.

The Grammy-winning musician died in Los Angeles. No cause of death was immediately provided. He was found unresponsive in the bathroom of a friend's house on Wednesday.

Born on August 1, 1963 in Pennsylvania, the artist spent most of his life in Compton, California, attending community college and working jobs including airport security before finding success in rap.

*) Russia paves way to annex parts of Ukraine after 'sham' referendums

Kremlin-supported authorities in four Ukrainian regions under Russian control have claimed victory in annexation votes, drawing global outrage.
Ukraine and its allies have denounced the so-called referendums as a "sham". Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the votes mean Kiev will not negotiate with Moscow.
Moscow hopes to annex Luhansk and Donetsk in the east and Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in the south, regions that make up about 15 percent of Ukraine.
*) Leaders blame Russia-Europe pipeline leaks on sabotage
Sabotage is the likely cause of leaks in two Baltic Sea gas pipelines between Russia and Europe, European leaders have said, while the Kremlin too has maintained that "no option can be ruled out".
Seismologists have reported explosions around the Nord Stream pipelines. Two "massive releases of energy" were recorded by the Swedish National Seismic Network shortly before the gas leaks.
The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines have been at the centre of geopolitical tensions as Russia cut gas supplies to Europe in suspected retaliation against Western sanctions over the Ukraine conflict.
*) Erdogan hits out at Western countries protecting terrorists
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticised European countries that protect terrorist organisations, including the PKK and FETO.
The murderers who shed blood are embraced in almost every country in Europe, particularly in the Lavrion camp in Greece, Erdogan told a meeting in Ankara on Tuesday.
Erdogan said he expects all countries, especially Türkiye’s neighbours, to take necessary measures against terror groups.
*) Hurricane Ian leaves Cuba without power, takes aim at Florida
Powerful Hurricane Ian has left a trail of destruction and caused widespread blackout in Cuba, while Florida residents are bracing for a direct hit from the storm.
Ian hit Cuba's western regions for more than five hours, before moving out over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
The storm damaged Cuba's power network and plunged the island into darkness, leaving it "without electrical service," state electricity company Union Electrica said on Twitter.
And finally…
*) Alzheimer's drug succeeds in 'slowing' cognitive decline


An experimental Alzheimer's drug has significantly slowed the cognitive and functional decline in a large trial of patients in the early stages of the disease.

The injected drug slowed the progress of the brain-wasting disease by 27 percent compared to a placebo, meeting the study's main goal after a trial among 1,800 patients.

It offers an apparent win for the drug manufacturers and potentially for patients and their families desperate for an effective treatment.

*) Kremlin admits call-up 'errors' but no decision to close border

The Kremlin has admitted errors during the mobilisation of reservists for the military action in Ukraine and said no decision has been taken to close Russia's borders.

It has also admitted that there have been cases when the mobilisation decree was violated, but added that the instances of non-compliance were decreasing.

President Vladimir Putin last week announced the call-up of thousands of reservists for the conflict in Ukraine, sparking protests and a rush among Russian men for the borders.

*) Greek military buildup: Türkiye won't fail to defend itself, Erdogan vows

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has slammed Greece over its latest provocations, saying his country will not fail to defend its rights and interests.

Erdogan's remarks came after Turkish army drones recorded Greek deployment of armoured vehicles on two Aegean islands — which is in violation of international law.

Türkiye has summoned the Greek ambassador and called for an end to violations on the Aegean islands and restoring their non-military status, according to the Foreign Ministry.

*) Russia school shooting kills 15, including children

At least 15 people, including 11 children, have been killed after a man opened fire at his former school in central Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced the "inhuman terrorist attack" in the city of Izhevsk (E-zeevsk), the Kremlin said.

According to investigators, the attacker — who killed himself — "was wearing a black top with Nazi symbols and a balaclava" when his body was discovered.

*) Japan holds controversial state funeral for assassinated Shinzo Abe

Japan has held a controversial state funeral for assassinated former prime minister Shinzo Abe, with thousands of mourners, including dignitaries, attending the ceremony in Tokyo.

Gatherers offered flowers and prayers in honour of Abe, even as the decision to hold a state funeral has sparked protests due to his policies panned by critics and the costs of the ceremony.

Abe was Japan's longest-serving prime minister known for cultivating international alliances and his "Abenomics" economic strategy.

And finally…

*) NASA strikes asteroid in key test of planetary defence

A NASA spaceship has struck an asteroid seven million miles away in order to deflect its orbit, succeeding in a historic test of preventing a celestial object from devastating life on Earth.

The director of NASA's planetary science division hailed a new era after its Double Asteroid Redirection Test impactor hit its target, a 530-foot space rock, at 2314 GMT on Monday.

To be sure, the asteroid posed no threat to Earth, but NASA has deemed the experiment important to carry out before an actual need is discovered.

*) Giorgia Meloni's far-right triumphs in Italy vote

Giorgia Meloni looks set to become Italy's first woman prime minister at the head of its most right-wing government since World War Two.

Near-final results show the rightist bloc should have a solid majority in both houses of parliament. Meloni has said she is ready to govern for "all Italians".

Her success in the general elections represents a seismic change in Italy — a founding member of the European Union — and for the EU, just weeks after the far-right outperformed in elections in Sweden.

*) US warns Russia of 'catastrophic' consequences of nuclear strike

The United States has warned Russia privately of "catastrophic" consequences if it uses nuclear weapons as part of the Ukraine conflict, according to top US officials.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in an interview, has confirmed reports that the US has sent private warnings to Russia to steer clear of nuclear war.

Jake Sullivan, President Joe Biden's national security advisor, has said in a separate interview that the US has warned Russia at "very high levels" against using nuclear arms.

*) Iranians protest for 10th night, defying judiciary warning

Iranians defied a warning from the judiciary and took to the streets for a 10th consecutive night on Sunday to protest the death of a young woman in the custody of morality police.

Public anger has flared since authorities announced the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who had been held for allegedly wearing a hijab headscarf in an improper way.

At least 41 people have died since the unrest began, mostly protesters but including members of Iran's security forces, according to an official toll. Other sources say the real figure is higher.

*) Five rescuers killed in Philippine typhoon

Five rescuers have been killed in the Philippines after being sent to a flooded community during a powerful typhoon, authorities have said.
The strongest storm to hit the Philippines this year has swept across the main island of Luzon, toppling trees and flooding low-lying communities.

The Philippines is regularly ravaged by storms, with scientists warning they are becoming more powerful as the world gets warmer because of the climate crisis.

*) Rihanna to headline Super Bowl halftime show

Superstar Rihanna will headline the Super Bowl halftime show in February, the main event sponsor Apple Music has announced.

The move marks a long-awaited return to performing for the Barbadian-born 34-year-old singer, who had previously turned down the gig in protest.

For the past few years, the singer behind the hits "Diamonds" and "Umbrella" has put music aside, at least publicly, to focus on her various businesses.

*) Five-day annexation polls open in Ukraine's Russian-held territories

Russia-held regions of Ukraine have begun voting on whether to become part of Russia, in referendums that Kiev and the West slam as an unlawful land grab.

The five-day votes in four regions controlled entirely or in part by Russian troops will end on September 27. The ballot covers around 15 percent of Ukraine's territory.

The regions where the voting is being held are the eastern Luhansk and Donetsk regions — which are self-proclaimed republics controlled by Moscow-backed separatists — and Kherson and Zaporizhia (zah-POH-reeja) provinces in the south.

*) Lapid calls for 'two-state solution' to end Israel-Palestine conflict

Israel's Prime Minister Yair Lapid has called for a two-state solution to end the decades-long Palestine issue.

An agreement with Palestinians, based on two states for two peoples, is the right thing for the future of our children, Lapid said at the UN General Assembly.

While Lapid was short on details, lawmakers in Israel's parliament are divided on whether they want to pursue a two-state solution with Palestine.

*) Death toll from Iran protests climbs as internet restricted

The US has placed Iran's morality police on its sanctions blacklist following the death in custody of a 22-year-old arrested for allegedly wearing her hijab headscarf improperly.

The move came as violent protests erupted across Iran following Mahsa Amini’s death last week. According to an official count, at least 17 people have died in the unrest.

With no sign of the protests easing, Iran has blocked access to Instagram and WhatsApp and imposed drastic restrictions on internet access.

*) US aircraft carrier arrives in South Korea as warning to North

A US aircraft carrier has arrived in South Korea for the first time in about four years. It is set to join other military vessels in a show of force intended to send a message to North Korea.

The USS Ronald Reagan and ships from its accompanying strike group docked at a naval base in the southern port city of Busan ahead of joint drills with South Korean forces.

Its arrival marks the most significant deployment yet under a new push to have more US "strategic assets" operate in the area to deter North Korea.

*) Djokovic has no regrets about missing Slams due to unvaccinated status

Tennis star Novak Djokovic, who missed two of this year's four Grand Slams due to not being vaccinated against the coronavirus, has said he has no regrets about his decision.

The 35-year-old Serb, who has won 21 Grand Slam titles, has not played since winning Wimbledon in July as he missed out on the US Open.

Djokovic is now awaiting word on whether he will be allowed in the Australian Open in January. He was deported from the country and received a three-year travel ban earlier this year due to his vaccination status.

*) Pressure on Putin as reservists called up for Ukraine campaign

President Vladimir Putin's decision to send reservists to Ukraine has triggered protests and arrests at home, while Western leaders have lashed out at the Russian leader at the United Nations.

Addressing the General Assembly, US President Joe Biden has accused Putin of "shamelessly" violating the UN Charter with an offensive aimed at "extinguishing Ukraine's right to exist as a state."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has demanded that the world punish Russia in a dramatic video address to the session.

*) Erdogan: Russia, Ukraine swap 200 POWs under Türkiye's mediation

Ukraine and Russia have exchanged more than 200 prisoners as a result of Türkiye's mediation and diplomatic efforts, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced.

Erdogan has told reporters in New York City that the prisoner exchange was an "important step" towards ending the conflict between the two countries.

A Ukrainian official said 215 soldiers had come home, including fighters who led a months-long defence of Azovstal steelworks in Ukraine's port city of Mariupol.

*) Biden vows solidarity with Iran women as protests spread

President Ebrahim Raisi has accused the West of hypocrisy in its criticism of Iran, where eight people were reported dead in growing protests over the death of a young woman arrested by morality police.

Public anger has flared since authorities announced the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who had been held for allegedly wearing a hijab headscarf in an improper way.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has vowed solidarity with Iranian women, and France's Emmanuel Macron has said that he asked Raisi to show "respect for women's rights."

*) Trump, children sued for 'incredible' fraud in New York

Donald Trump and family members have been accused of lying to tax collectors, lenders and insurers for years in a scheme that routinely misstated the value of his properties.

The former president provided fraudulent statements of his net worth and false asset valuations, according to a suit filed by New York's attorney general.

The sweeping investigation is one of many criminal, civil and congressional probes into Trump, who is eyeing another run for the White House in 2024.

*) Rising obesity projected to hamper developing economies: Study

Rising obesity levels are set to cost the world economy 3.3 percent of GDP by 2060, slowing development in lower-income countries, according to a study.

The peer-reviewed paper provides the first country-by-country estimate of the economic impacts of obesity, a major driver of other non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart conditions.

Globally, nearly two in three adults are now living with overweight and obesity, according to the authors, who also say projections suggest that it will change to three in four adults by 2060.