Global Unrest: Strikes, Elections, and Peacekeeping

This article summarizes current world news, focusing on a Russian strike in Kharkiv, Kenya's mission in Haiti, Israeli strikes in Beirut and Gaza, Iranian missile shipments to Russia, Stephen Fry's new Austrian citizenship, France's new right-wing government, U.S.-Mexico tensions, Trump's debate rejection, and Sri Lanka's presidential election.

On Saturday evening, Russian forces struck a multi-storey apartment building in Kharkiv, injuring at least 12 people and prompting an evacuation of some residents, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov. Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, is frequently a target since the February 2022 invasion by Moscow.

Kenyan President William Ruto stated on his visit to Haiti that he is open to converting Kenya's anti-gang mission into a full U.N. peacekeeping operation. The Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission aims to curb gang violence in Haiti, which has caused political chaos and mass displacement.

In Beirut, rescue workers searched for survivors after an Israeli airstrike killed at least 37 people, targeting Hezbollah commanders. The attack was the deadliest in almost a year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group.

A reported Israeli strike killed at least 22 people sheltering in a school in southern Gaza City. The Israeli military stated the attack targeted a Hamas command center. The Gaza health ministry reported most victims were women and children.

Iran did not include mobile launchers with the short-range ballistic missiles it sent to Russia, according to European and U.S. sources. This decision raised questions about the operational status of the rockets.

British actor Stephen Fry praised Austria for granting him citizenship, allowing him to vote in the upcoming elections. The Austrian parliament had passed a law in 2019 enabling descendants of those who fled Nazi rule to gain citizenship.

Prime Minister Michel Barnier announced a new French government, balancing right-wingers and centrists, seeking to resolve political deadlock following recent elections.

The U.S. ambassador to Mexico refuted claims by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador that the U.S. shares responsibility for violence in Sinaloa, where cartel factions have escalated conflict since the arrest of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada.

Former President Donald Trump declined a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris scheduled by CNN. The debate was proposed for October 23, ahead of the U.S. presidential election.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sri Lanka's Marxist-leaning candidate, took an early lead in the presidential election. Dissanayake aims to lead the debt-ridden nation towards economic recovery.

(With inputs from agencies.)