WORLD BRIEFING: October 3, 2023
Police in India have raided the homes of several prominent journalists and authors in connection with an investigation into the funding of news website NewsClick. The searches took place on Tuesday in the capital Delhi, and those raided had their mobiles and laptops seized. Officials are reportedly investigating allegations that NewsClick got illegal funds from China - a charge it denies. Critics say the move is an intentional attack on press freedom - BBC
The United States military kicked off two weeks of multilateral exercises with its Philippine allies and multiple international partners on Monday amid rising tensions between Manila and Beijing over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Maritime Training Activity Sama Sama 2023 is the seventh and largest iteration of the drills as participants from Australia, Canada, France, Japan, the United Kingdom and Malaysia join the US and the Philippines, according to a US Navy press release. The exercises off the Philippine coast will include drills on anti-submarine, surface and air warfare as well as land phases, the release said - CNN
Italy will help restore the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, which was bombed by the Russian army. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani announced the signing of a corresponding agreement with Ukraine. He noted that leading Italian specialists, architects, and companies would be involved in the restoration of Odesa's historic center. President Zelensky: “I appreciate Italy for its willingness to assist in the recovery of Odesa, including the reconstruction of the Transfiguration Church and other landmarks damaged by Russian strikes.“
Burger King remains open as usual in Russia despite the brand's owner pledging to leave more than a year ago. Restaurant Brands International (RBI), which owns 15% of the fast-food's franchise business in Russia, told the BBC it had "no new updates to share at this time" on its exit. The firm said in March 2022 that it had started the process to leave Russia. Critics accused RBI of "sustaining Putin's regime" by failing to ditch its stake in its Russian business - BBC
Russia attacked civilian targets in southern Ukraine with artillery and drones over the past 24 hours, regional officials and the military said on October 3, as fighting continued in the south and east, where Ukrainian and Russian forces have been engaged for months in close-quarters combat. In the southern region of Kherson, Russian shelling has killed two people and wounded seven others over the past 24 hours, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram on October 3. "The Russian military targeted residential areas in the region, educational institutions, a church, the headquarters of a humanitarian organization, a shopping center, an auto center, a factory, and a critical infrastructure facility in Kherson [city]," Prokudin said - RFE/RL