Million-dollar US plane shot down in the Middle East
Iran-backed Houthi forces shot down a US Reaper MQ-9 drone on September 30 in Saada province, Yemen. This is the fourth time in September 2024 that a US aircraft has been shot down by the Houthis.
The US military confirmed the loss of a drone but did not provide further details. The MQ-9 Reaper, which costs about $30 million to produce, is one of the most expensive US weapons in the Middle East. The Houthis said their actions were aimed at pressuring Israel to stop its military operations in the Gaza Strip.
Israel-Hezbollah conflict escalates
Israel carried out heavy airstrikes on the Lebanese capital Beirut from the night of October 3 to the morning of October 4, targeting Hezbollah leader Hashem Safieddine. Safieddine was a candidate to succeed the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Air strikes caused massive explosions near Beirut International Airport. The Lebanese army confirmed that two soldiers were killed in the Israeli strikes. More than 20 towns and villages in southern Lebanon were ordered to evacuate.
Japan has a new prime minister
On October 1, the Japanese Parliament elected Shigeru Ishiba, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), as the new prime minister after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida resigned the same day.
Mr. Ishiba announced a new cabinet later in the day and planned to call a parliamentary election on October 27. He pledged to continue economic policies aimed at lifting Japan out of deflation and addressing challenges of a declining birthrate, population and resilience to natural disasters.
Taiwan (China) closed all day to cope with super typhoon
All counties and cities in Taiwan (China) are closed all day on October 2 to prepare for super typhoon Krathon. The government has canceled hundreds of flights, closed schools, offices and financial markets.
The port city of Kaohsiung has asked residents to stay home and away from dangerous areas, while more than 10,000 people have been evacuated.
US sends plane to evacuate citizens from Lebanon
The United States has flown out about 250 of its citizens this week as fighting escalates in Lebanon, but thousands of Americans remain stranded due to the suspension of commercial flights.
The US Department of Foreign Affairs has warned that government-organized evacuations will be rare and urged people to leave the area on their own. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has made the situation dangerous, threatening not only US citizens but also people from other countries.
