International News & Updates

Ukraine says Russian strikes have hit the city of northern city of Chernihiv. People had been attending church to celebrate a religious holiday when the strike happened. Some 117 people were injured in the attack, according to the city's acting mayor, with a six-year-old boy among those killed. Moscow is yet to comment on the alleged strike.

India has made history as its Moon mission becomes the first to land in the lunar south pole region. With this, India joins an elite club of countries to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, after the US, the former Soviet Union and China. The Vikram lander from Chandrayaan-3 successfully touched down as planned at 18:04 local time (12:34 GMT). Celebrations have broken out across the country, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying "India is now on the Moon".

Tens of thousands of people are being evacuated from the Canadian Northwestern Territories as wildfires approach its capital of Yellowknife. Yellowknife sits 100km from the next nearest populated city, making the evacuation a logistical challenge. Meanwhile, residents hoping to flee by air have been left angered by flight operators who have been turning people away from flights with some alleging price hikes for tickets by companies.

Bradley Cooper's portrayal of composer Leonard Bernstein is the latest in a line of casting controversies in Hollywood. The first trailer for Maestro, which Cooper both directs and stars in, was released earlier this week. It attracted some criticism over the size of Cooper's nose, which some social media users said played up to offensive Jewish stereotypes. Elsewhere, the casting choices for the new live-action Snow White film and Dame Helen Mirren as former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir have also been hit with backlash and criticism in recent months.

Russian officials have accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack on the business district of its capital Moscow. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine, but officials in Kyiv have never formally acknowledged launching attacks on targets in Moscow. Unverified footage on social media appeared to show thick grey smoke rising into the night sky over the city

In a dire turn of events, Canada's Northwest Territories are currently grappling with an overwhelming and unprecedented series of wildfires, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes in search of safety. These fires have ignited across vast swaths of the region, rapidly spreading due to unfavorable weather conditions and parched landscapes. The scale and intensity of these fires have earned them the description of "unprecedented." Local authorities and firefighting agencies are facing enormous challenges as they attempt to control and contain the flames. The situation is further exacerbated by the sheer number of blazes that have erupted simultaneously, stretching resources and manpower to their limits. As the fires rage on, plumes of thick smoke billow into the sky, creating hazardous air quality conditions and posing significant health risks to both the people within the affected areas and those located in neighboring regions. This unfolding catastrophe has prompted a mass evacuation effort, with thousands of residents being forced to leave behind their homes, belongings, and familiar surroundings to seek refuge in safer locales. Emergency response teams, firefighters, and other first responders are working tirelessly to combat the fires and protect communities from further destruction. The authorities are also collaborating with various agencies and neighboring provinces to coordinate relief efforts, including providing temporary shelters, medical care, and basic necessities to those displaced by the fires. The full extent of the damage caused by these wildfires is yet to be determined, as the situation remains fluid and dynamic. The plight of the affected residents, the heroic efforts of emergency personnel, and the environmental impact of these fires underscore the urgent need for heightened awareness, preparedness, and collaborative strategies to address the escalating challenges posed by wildfires in Canada's Northwest Territories.

Many Hawaii residents are returning home to find their property incinerated. It's being revealed that 17 of the 18 firefighters who live in Lahaina, Hawaii, lost their homes in the inferno. The devastating news comes as a snorkeling company is being criticized for running an excursion on August 11 in the aftermath of the fires. The boat's skipper, Spencer Erwin, tells Inside Edition that from the start it was a charity event and that money was donated directly to the Maui Food Bank.

Nurturing Life Amidst Challenges: In Brazil, where nearly 500,000 girls under 20 become mothers annually, Vitória defies the odds. A mother at 15, she now faces her second pregnancy at 17, sharing a modest home in a Rio de Janeiro favela with her boyfriend, Eduardo. Amidst the backdrop of financial strains and the stark reality of their neighborhood, they strive to build a future together. Amidst bustling corners and armed dealers, their journey is a stark contrast to the iconic Rio landscapes. With support from the Dara Institute's dedicated social workers and doctors, Vitória and Eduardo navigate this demanding path. A poignant account by Bianca Kopsch."