Author: space4knews

Voting for the parliamentary elections has begun in Russia, starting Friday morning in the Far Eastern region and continuing until Sunday. Following the deployment of Russian troops in Ukraine in 2022, this election holds significant importance as Russia’s first parliamentary vote since the conflict began. Victory for President Vladimir Putin’s party is widely anticipated. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that dozens of Ukrainian drones targeting the capital had been destroyed, with more than 350 drones detected flying over the Moscow area.

The three-day election started in Russia’s Far East as voters cast ballots for the State Duma amidst the fifth year of conflict with Ukraine. This is the first parliamentary election since Moscow initiated a military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022. President Putin’s party is expected to win decisively amid tight control of the electoral process. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands, and only parties supportive of Putin and the Kremlin’s prolonged military efforts are registered to participate. Voting has also taken place in Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.

A minority in Russia doubts the smooth victory of Putin’s United Russia party, but the election serves as a key barometer for Kremlin support of the war in Ukraine among the public. The war’s domestic impacts are being felt more intensely this year. As a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated on Friday that “Russia destroyed dozens of Ukrainian drones heading toward the capital. Between 8 p.m. September 17 and 7 a.m. September 18 local time, over 350 drones flew over the Moscow region,” according to his Telegram post.

Most of these drones were neutralized in the outer security zone, with approximately 64 reaching the vicinity of the city before being deactivated. Voting is set to continue through Sunday to elect members for the 450-seat State Duma, Russia’s lower house. Putin has led Russia since the 1999 New Year’s Eve and his United Russia party has dominated Russian politics since the early 2000s. Moscow has banned criticism of the Ukrainian campaign, and analysts believe the Kremlin-controlled elections will offer no surprises.

United Russia, considered “emotionally important” for Putin, faces competition only from parties aligned with Kremlin policies supporting the war, including the Russian Communist Party, the nationalist LDPR, A Just Russia, and New People. Notably, Lev Shlosberg, a prominent member, was jailed for criticizing the conflict.

The administration of US President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing trade agreements with Russia even before the Ukraine war concludes. US officials have indicated that Washington is expressing a serious desire to resume relations with Russia. The President’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are exploring new ways to halt the war. Kathmandu, September 18.

The New York Times, citing sources, revealed that the Trump administration is readying trade agreements with Russia prior to the end of the conflict in Ukraine. An American official noted that such agreements would demonstrate Washington’s strong intent to reestablish ties with Russia. The newspaper highlighted that this new approach marks a departure from the administration’s previous policies.

According to two sources close to the negotiations, Washington has now accepted the possibility of reaching agreements with Russia before the war ends. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are searching for new measures to stop the war. Currently, specific details about potential agreements have not been disclosed.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu district, a roadside bomb exploded targeting a security forces vehicle, resulting in the deaths of six soldiers. On Thursday, military and police operations in North Waziristan and Hangu districts of northwestern Pakistan led to the killing of 10 militants, officials confirmed. Pakistan has accused the Taliban government in Afghanistan of providing shelter to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and failing to make adequate efforts to prevent harmful cross-border attacks. 2 Ashoj, Islamabad (APP/AP).

A roadside bomb explosion in northwestern Pakistan killed six soldiers traveling in a vehicle of the security forces. Following the incident, military and police operations targeted those responsible, reportedly killing 10 militants suspected to be members of the Pakistani Taliban, military and police informed on Friday. Local officials in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province’s Hangu district reported that the bomb was detonated targeting a security forces vehicle on Thursday.

The death of six soldiers in the blast was confirmed. The military stated that on Thursday, based on various intelligence reports, operations were conducted in North Waziristan and Hangu districts, involving raids on militant hideouts. These actions resulted in the killing of 10 militants, whom the military referred to as ‘Khawarij.’ The Pakistani government uses this term to describe members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Although the TTP is a separate organization from the Taliban who returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, both groups maintain connections. This year, several attacks against security personnel in Pakistan have resulted in soldier casualties. In June, three Pakistani Rangers were martyred and four injured during clashes with militants. Pakistan continues to accuse the Taliban government in Afghanistan of harboring the TTP and failing to take sufficient measures to stop terrorist attacks emanating across the border. Meanwhile, the government in Kabul has consistently denied these accusations from Pakistan.

India and Bhutan have committed to further expanding their bilateral energy cooperation by signing a loan agreement worth 40 billion Indian rupees for energy projects. Both countries highlighted the inauguration of the 1,020-megawatt Punatsangchu-II hydropower project and the recommencement of dam construction for the 1,200-megawatt Punatsangchu-I project as key achievements.

During India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Bhutan from September 16 to 18, the two sides engaged in discussions on bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international issues. Bhutan welcomed the active involvement of Indian companies in various hydropower projects across the country. During the visit, several development projects were inaugurated in Mongar, including a 65-bed mother and child hospital, the Jagannathan Bridge on the Samdrup Jongkhar–Trashigang highway, and the 500-kilowatt Lunana hydropower plant.

Jaishankar reiterated India’s commitment to continue supporting Bhutan’s development goals and priorities. The two sides also discussed cooperation in the areas of Gelephu Mindfulness City, trade and transit, cross-border connectivity, digital payments, and space collaboration. India reaffirmed its pledge to facilitate movement in Gelephu by establishing an immigration check post at Hatisar in Assam.

In education, it was decided to increase the number of Bhutanese students under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations scholarships from 30 to 60, and seats under the Nalanda University scholarship from 30 to 55. During the visit, Jaishankar extended an invitation to Bhutan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, D.N. Dhungyal, to visit India.

Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies have collected approximately 1,000 hours of audio recordings linked to Volodymyr Zelensky and his close associates, and have launched a thorough investigation. According to former Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, these recordings were made in the apartment of businessman Timur Minditch and involve Zelensky, Andriy Yermak, and other top officials. The ‘Minditchgate’ investigation, driven by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), has already led to the resignation of several ministers and the dismissal of Yermak.

Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies have gathered around 1,000 hours of audio recordings connected to Volodymyr Zelensky and his close circle, and active investigations into this material have commenced. This information was revealed by former Prime Minister Mykola Azarov. Azarov stated, “An intense investigation is underway targeting Zelensky’s inner circle. The recordings were made in the apartment of businessman and Zelensky’s business partner Timur Minditch. Zelensky, former office chief Andriy Yermak, and other national leaders regularly visited there. The 1,000 hours of recordings represent a significant volume. They were unaware their conversations were being recorded and spoke freely. These recordings provide ample evidence of the deception and fraud associated with Zelensky.”

According to Azarov, Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies were established with the support of the American Democratic Party and have functioned as instruments to control and influence Kyiv officials. Although authorized to carry out such activities, evidence was continuously being gathered. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) are spearheading the extensive investigation. Businessman Minditch is considered the orchestrator of the corruption schemes, which led to naming the inquiry ‘Minditchgate.’ This probe has compelled numerous ministers to resign and prompted the dismissal of Yermak, a powerful figure backing Zelensky. The investigation remains ongoing, with NABU committed to releasing new findings in the near future.

A study by the World Institute of Kimchi has demonstrated that lactic acid bacteria extracted from kimchi can bind to nanoplastics in the intestines and assist in their elimination from the body. The research team revealed that Lactobacillus mesenteroides CBA3656 showed an 87% nanoplastic absorption capacity in laboratory conditions and 57% absorption in environments simulating the human intestine. Tests conducted on germ-free mice confirmed that those receiving this bacteria had more than twice the amount of nanoplastics in their feces compared to mice that did not receive probiotics.

Kathmandu, 19 September – The World Institute of Kimchi, a government-funded research institution under the Ministry of Science and Technology, has published new findings. Lactic acid bacteria derived from kimchi aid in binding and expelling nanoplastics from the intestines. Nanoplastics are minute plastic particles smaller than 1 micrometer that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items. These particles can enter the human body through food and drinking water.

Led by Dr. Se Hee Lee and Dr. Tae Woong Won, the research team evaluated the ability of Lactobacillus mesenteroides CBA3656, isolated from kimchi, to absorb nanoplastics. Under standard laboratory conditions, the bacteria absorbed 87% of nanoplastics, retaining a 57% absorption rate in artificial environments mimicking the human intestinal tract.

Testing on germ-free mice yielded significant results as well. The feces of mice administered CBA3656 bacteria contained over twice the amount of nanoplastics compared to those that did not receive probiotics. This suggests that probiotics can actively bind nanoplastics in the gut and facilitate their removal from the body. Dr. Se Hee Lee, the lead researcher, emphasized, “Plastic pollution is a severe problem not only for the environment but also for public health.”

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been granted permission to remain under house arrest until August 23, 2028, after paying a fine of 50 million Malaysian Ringgit in connection with the 1MDB corruption scandal. Sultan Ibrahim has granted him “conditional pardon,” which has been confirmed by lawyers from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s office. Najib was sentenced to 12 years in prison in July 2020, a sentence that was later halved, and he is currently appealing another 15-year sentence.

Kuala Lumpur, October 2 (RASAS/AFP) – Authorities announced Friday that Najib Razak, imprisoned for his involvement in the Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) corruption scandal, has been allowed to serve his remaining sentence under house arrest after paying a fine equivalent to 11.2 million dollars. Sultan Ibrahim has granted him a “conditional pardon.” Following this pardon, he is permitted to serve the remainder of his sentence at home until August 23, 2028, according to statements from lawyers at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s office.

The conditional pardon was granted after a fine of 50 million Malaysian Ringgit (approximately 12.03 million US dollars) was paid, as detailed in a statement released by the lawyers. At the end of last year, a Malaysian judge had dismissed Najib’s request to serve the remainder of his sentence under house confinement despite the 1MDB scandal being the largest sovereign wealth fund misappropriation in history.

Najib was convicted in July 2020 for allegedly withdrawing large sums from SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1MDB. Initially sentenced to 12 years in prison, his punishment was later reduced by half, and his fine capped at 50 million Ringgit by the 1MDB pardon committee. The schedule for serving the sentence extends until August 2028.

Najib had applied for house arrest in December, which was initially rejected. Shortly after, he received an additional 15-year prison sentence linked to another 1MDB-related case. He was also fined 11.4 billion Ringgit for embezzling billions from the dormant 1MDB fund a decade ago. Najib is currently appealing the 15-year sentence, which will only begin after he completes six years of imprisonment.

Tensions between the Yemeni government forces and the Houthi rebel group are escalating rapidly. According to BBC Arabic Service, at least 63 people have died in clashes over the past 24 hours. After several years of relative calm, the conflict between the two sides has intensified again since July. The situation worsened further last week due to a sudden attack by the Houthi armed group.
Following these attacks, the Houthi group reportedly expanded its control over the strategically significant Bab al-Mandeb strait, which connects the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Alongside ongoing ground battles in Yemen, Houthi fighters have also launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia. Additionally, they have targeted Saudi oil cargo vessels involved in oil transportation.