Armed conflicts and attacks

Hamas confirms that its leader, Yahya Sinwar, was killed in action during a shootout with Israeli soldiers two days ago in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Palestine. (Al Jazeera)

• https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/10/18/live-israel-says-hamas-chief-yahya-sinwar-killed-war-on-gaza-to-continue

Disasters and accidents

A nationwide power outage occurs in Cuba following a critical failure at the Antonio Guiteras power station in Puerto Padre, Las Tunas Province. (CNN)

• https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/18/americas/cuba-blackout-power-plant-failure-intl-latam/index.html

International relations

Switzerland joins the European Sky Shield Initiative to contribute to building a pan-European air and missile defense system, while also allowing the nation to train and purchase military systems with other European nations. (Reuters)

• https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/neutral-switzerland-signs-declaration-join-european-sky-shield-initiative-2024-10-18/

International relations

Morocco rejects a proposal put forward by the UN envoy for Western Sahara Staffan de Mistura that would partition Western Sahara with the northern part being annexed by Morocco and the southern part forming an independent state controlled by the Polisario Front. (Atalayar)

• https://www.atalayar.com/en/articulo/politics/morocco-rejects-misturas-proposal-for-partition-of-western-sahara/20241018113213206388.html

Politics and elections

Kenya's National Assembly unanimously approves Interior Secretary Kithure Kindiki as the new Deputy President following his nomination by President William Ruto. However, the High Court temporarily suspends the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in order to hear challenges. (AP)

• https://apnews.com/article/kenya-deputy-president-impeachment-cf3ff53ac390215170ff1b146ba099cc