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The Russian invasion. The outside world's response

Meloni to Russian prank duo: "EU leaders tired of the war"  

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been duped by the Russian duo Vovan and Lexus. The Russians posed as representatives of the African Union and in the conversation, Meloni says that several leaders within the EU are fed up with the war in Ukraine, reports Politico. 

 

- We are approaching a point where everyone understands that we have to find a way out, she says in the conversation.  

 

Vovan and Lexus call themselves a comedy duo. They are accused of having connections to the Kremlin and have recently exposed the Swedish ministers Tobias Billström (M) and Pål Jonson (M) to similar conversations. In a statement from the Italian prime minister's office, Meloni said she regretted the call.

 

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The Israel-Hamas war The 2024 US election 

Muslim voters threaten to leave Biden - could make a big difference in swing states  

Muslim voters are threatening not to vote for Joe Biden in next year's presidential election if the US continues to support Israel in the war against Hamas. The warnings come from high-ranking Democrats, Muslim leaders and important donors, writes NBC News. 

 

In the 2020 election, Biden dominated among Muslim voters. Exactly how many voters are considering leaving him is hard to say - and the number of Jewish voters in the US is also twice as many - but in several swing states, a drop in Muslim voters could still make a big difference.  

 

In both Georgia and Arizona, the Muslim voters could theoretically swing the election either way.  

 

It would not be the first time the Muslim voters changed sides. Many voted for the Republicans and George W Bush, but left the party after the US's handling of the 9/11 attacks. 

 

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The drought in Latin America  

Panama Canal dried up - traffic cut in half  

The Panama Canal Authority will cut traffic in half this winter due to extreme drought, the Wall Street Journal reports. 

 

The changes come after the canal experienced its driest October to date. Rain levels have decreased by a third this year, according to the paper.  

 

The administration has already restricted traffic, but now even fewer freighters are allowed to travel through the canal. In October, 32 daily through journeys could be reserved, in November they shrink to 25, and in January only 20 journeys will be possible.  

 

Under normal circumstances, the canal can handle 40 through trips daily.  

 

According to the business paper, the canal handles approximately 7 percent of global seaborne trade.