US-Iraq Tensions Rise as Trump Threatens to Withdraw Support; Scandals Plague South Korean and French Politicians

In international news, tensions between the US and Iraq escalated as President Trump threatened to withdraw support if the country elected a controversial prime minister. Meanwhile, scandals continued to plague politicians in South Korea and France.

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President Trump Threatens to Withdraw US Support from Iraq

In a significant development, US President Donald Trump announced that the US would no longer help Iraq if it elected Nuri al-Maliki as its prime minister. Trump made this statement during a press conference, expressing his concerns over Maliki's controversial past and the potential instability he could bring to the region. The US president argued that Iraq would have "zero" chance of success without American support.

Abena Christine Jon'el: Embracing Disability and Ghana

Meanwhile, in a heartwarming story, Abena Christine Jon'el, a Ghanaian woman with a prosthetic leg, shared her inspiring journey of making Ghana her home and working to raise awareness about people with disabilities.

Why Trump is Hitting the Road to Rally Americans

BBC White House correspondent Bernd Debusmann explained that President Trump was refocusing his attention on the US economy and hitting the road to rally Americans ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. Trump believes that a strong economy will help secure Republican victories.

South Korea's Former First Lady Faces Court on Scandals

In South Korea, former first lady Kim Yoon-ok, the wife of disgraced former president Yoon Suk Yeol, is facing her own court proceedings on a range of charges, including embezzlement and abuse of power. Her scandals add to the ongoing political turmoil in the country.

Former French Senator Found Guilty of Drugging MP

In France, former senator Joel Guerriau was sentenced to four years in prison, with 18 months to be served behind bars, for drugging a member of parliament. This high-profile scandal could further damage the reputation of the French political establishment.

Deadly Russian Drone Strike on Ukrainian Passenger Train

Ukrainian officials reported that at least four people were killed when Russian drones targeted a packed passenger train in north-eastern Ukraine. This deadly attack comes amidst ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

Tom Homan: Trump's 'Border Tsar' Deployed to Minneapolis

The US border tsar, Tom Homan, was deployed to Minneapolis to help address the city's crime wave. Homan, a long-time defender of Donald Trump's immigration policies, is known for his hardline stance on border security.

Families Sue US over Deadly Boat Strike off Venezuela Coast

Relatives of six people, including Chad Joseph and Rishi Samaroo, who were killed when their boat was struck by a US Coast Guard vessel off the coast of Venezuela, have filed a lawsuit against the US government. The families allege that the incident was avoidable and resulted in the unnecessary loss of life.

Iran Protesters Describe Brutal Crackdown on Protests

Young Iranians shared their harrowing experiences with the BBC, describing the brutal crackdown on protests earlier this month. Witnesses reported seeing friends and other people die as security forces used excessive force to suppress the demonstrations.

Millions Left Without Power and Heating in Freezing Kyiv

Russian strikes targeting energy infrastructure have left millions in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities without power and heating in freezing temperatures. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to cause widespread suffering for civilians.

Sources:

1. BBC News, "Trump says US will 'no longer help Iraq' if it picks Maliki as PM," 11 October 2021, .
2. BBC News, "'My prosthetic leg represents my love for this country'," 11 October 2021, .
3. BBC News, "Watch: Why Trump is hitting the road to rally Americans," 11 October 2021, .
4. BBC News, "A string of scandals and luxury handbags: Who is South Korea's former first lady?," 11 October 2021, .
5. BBC News, "Former French senator found guilty of drugging MP," 11 October 2021, .
6. BBC News, "Zelensky condemns deadly Russian drone strike on passenger train," 11 October 2021, .
7. BBC News, "Who is Tom Homan, Trump's 'border tsar' deployed to Minneapolis?," 11 October 2021, .
8. BBC News, "Families sue US over deadly boat strike off Venezuela coast," 11 October 2021, .
9. BBC News, "'We all know someone who was killed' - Iran protesters tell BBC of brutal crackdown," 11 October 2021, .
10. BBC News, "'It's 2C in our flat': Inside Kyiv apartment as Russia targets power and heating," 11 October 2021, .