BRUSSELS (AFP) - Belgium’s police oversight body, Committee P, has received 26 complaints concerning police conduct during recent youth protests in Brussels, following two weeks of unrest that resulted in more than 250 arrests, news portal Bruzz reported Wednesday. The complaints relate to alleged police misconduct during demonstrations on Oct. 9 and Oct. 17, according to Committee P. The unrest erupted during demonstrations against austerity measures introduced by the federal government and cuts to French-speaking education. Police estimated that around 1,000 people were involved in the unrest, which resulted in extensive damage to public transport buses, shared vehicles and street furniture. Protesters also threw bricks and pyrotechnic devices at police officers.

 

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 RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s campaign team requested the disqualification of rival Flavio Bolsonaro on Tuesday over alleged election interference by tech giant Meta, a source told AFP. Lula is seeking a fourth non-consecutive term in office but is facing stiff competition from his right-wing challenger, the son of jailed ex-leader Jair Bolsonaro. Flavio Bolsonaro received 47 percent of the vote over the incumbent’s 45 percent in the first round earlier this month, and polls show a technical tie ahead of Sunday’s runoff.

 

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BEIJING (Financial Times) - China on Wednesday defended its rare-earth export restrictions on Japan, saying the measures were intended to prevent Tokyo’s “remilitarization” and efforts to acquire nuclear weapons. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular news briefing in Beijing that the restrictions were imposed in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations. Mao was responding to a Financial Times report that Japan had sought U.S. assistance in persuading Beijing to ease export controls amid dwindling supplies of yttrium, a critical rare-earth element. “China’s position on maintaining the stability and security of global critical mineral production and supply chains remains unchanged,” Mao said, adding that all parties should play a constructive role.

 

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PARIS (AFP) - A French Air Force Mirage 2000D fighter jet crashed during a training flight in northeastern France, killing its pilot and leaving the navigator missing, the French Armed Forces Ministry said Wednesday. The aircraft, operating from Nancy-Ochey air base, crashed late Tuesday in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department near the city of Nancy, according to French broadcaster BFMTV. The two-member crew consisted of a pilot and a navigator. Authorities confirmed the pilot’s death, while search operations continued for the missing navigator. The crash occurred around 11.35 pm local time (2135GMT) in an area between the villages of Rogeville, Domevre-en-Haye and Tremblecourt, north of Nancy. Henry Lemoine, mayor of nearby Pont-a-Mousson, said substantial police and firefighting resources had been deployed to the area.

 

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TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — A chemical tank exploded in Toledo, Ohio, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes or shelter in place due to fears of a toxic release, and the mayor warned Wednesday that it may still be explosive. A sheriff’s deputy was injured when he responded to the explosion around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and was able to drive himself to the hospital, Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said at a news conference Wednesday morning. MC Tank Transport said the tank contained glycidyl methacrylate, which it described as “an industrial chemical used to make certain plastics, paints and coatings perform better.” Kapszukiewicz said the chemical is liquid inside the tank but becomes a gas when released. Video from the area showed a large plume in the sky.