A harrowing encounter unfolded on a Melbourne freeway when a woman fended off one of the world’s most venomous snakes while driving at 50 miles per hour.

Victoria Police responded to reports of a barefoot woman frantically waving down vehicles on the Monash Freeway on Saturday. The woman recounted to officers her terrifying ordeal: she was driving at 80 kilometers per hour (50 mph) when she felt something on her foot. Looking down, she discovered a tiger snake—a species known for its potent venom—slithering up her leg.

Remarkably, she managed to fend off the snake while weaving through traffic. She then pulled over safely and leapt out of her car. Paramedics quickly arrived on the scene to assess her, confirming that she had not been bitten.

Victoria Police commended her composure, stating in a release, “Her quick thinking and calm actions likely prevented a much more serious outcome.”

Snake Safely Removed

Tim Nanninga of Melbourne Snake Control was called to handle the situation. He successfully captured and relocated the snake, which had moved to the back of the car by the time he arrived.

“It’s a miracle how she managed to safely park the car in such a dangerous situation,” Nanninga told 9News, a CNN affiliate. “Snakes in cars often find hidden spots where they can stay undetected for days. Luckily, this one became visible and was removed without further incident.”

Experts attribute the incident to Melbourne’s recent tropical weather, which has been drawing snakes out of their natural habitats, such as creeks and riverbeds.

Australia’s Dangerous Wildlife

Australia is no stranger to encounters with its diverse and deadly wildlife. The country is home to numerous venomous snakes, sharks, and two of the world’s most poisonous spiders.

In a separate incident last month, a hiker was found alive after surviving a snake bite while being lost for nearly two weeks in the Snowy Mountains.

While rare, encounters like these highlight the importance of staying alert, especially in regions where wildlife is active. Authorities remind drivers to thoroughly check vehicles if parked near natural areas and to seek immediate help in similar situations.

The woman’s extraordinary escape underscores the resilience often required when living alongside Australia’s unique and sometimes perilous fauna.

Russia’s military budget is set to soar to unprecedented levels in 2025, with spending on national defense surpassing allocations for health care, education, and social policy combined. This strategic shift underscores Moscow’s commitment to its war efforts in Ukraine as the conflict continues into its third year.

President Vladimir Putin has approved budget plans allocating 32.5% of next year’s budget—equivalent to over €137 billion—to defense. This represents a significant increase from the reported 28.3% spent on defense in 2024. The budget was formally ratified by both chambers of Russia’s parliament in recent weeks, reflecting a unified stance on bolstering the country’s military capabilities.

The war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022, remains Europe’s largest conflict since World War II, draining resources on both sides. While Kyiv receives substantial aid from Western allies, including financial and military support, Russia continues to leverage its larger and better-equipped armed forces. Recent months have seen Russian troops steadily pushing back Ukrainian forces in the contested eastern regions.

Escalating Violence on Both Sides

The conflict remains marked by deadly exchanges, with both nations employing drone strikes in increasingly aggressive tactics. On Sunday, three civilians were killed, and seven were injured in Kherson, southern Ukraine, when a Russian drone struck a minibus, according to regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin.

The aftermath of a missile strike on Dnipro on Saturday revealed a rising toll, with 24 injured, including seven in serious condition, and four fatalities, Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lysak reported.

Meanwhile, Ukraine faced an onslaught of 78 Russian drones overnight into Sunday. Ukrainian officials stated that their air force destroyed 32 drones, while 45 others were electronically jammed and neutralized.

In a retaliatory strike, Ukrainian drones targeted Russian territory, resulting in the death of a child in the Bryansk region near the border, according to Governor Alexander Bogomaz. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have intercepted 29 Ukrainian drones in four western regions, including Bryansk, Kaluga, Smolensk, and Kursk.

Economic and Strategic Implications

The record-breaking military budget highlights the strain the conflict places on Russia’s economy, as spending on domestic welfare programs diminishes. Analysts suggest the increased defense spending reflects Moscow’s aim to maintain its strategic advantage over Ukraine while preparing for a protracted conflict.

With no immediate end to the war in sight, the intensified focus on military spending signals Russia’s prioritization of its geopolitical objectives, even at significant domestic cost. As the conflict drags on, the global community remains watchful of its far-reaching consequences.

As Senegal marks the 80th anniversary of the Thiaroye massacre, the tragic events of December 1, 1944, are back in focus, highlighting long-standing tensions between Senegal and its former colonial power, France. Historians estimate that hundreds of West African riflemen, soldiers in the French Army during World War II, were killed by French troops after demanding unpaid wages.

Among those seeking answers is 86-year-old Biram Senghor, who regularly visits the anonymous graves in a military cemetery in Thiaroye, near Dakar, to honor his father, M’Bap Senghor, one of the soldiers killed that day. “I have been fighting to get answers for over 80 years,” Senghor said.

The victims were part of the Tirailleurs Sénégalais, a corps of colonial infantry that fought in both World Wars. The massacre followed disputes over unpaid wages, with unarmed African soldiers reportedly shot dead by French troops. Official French military reports initially minimized the death toll, citing 35 or 70 deaths, and labeled the killings as a response to a “mutiny.” However, many historians believe the number of victims was likely in the hundreds.

Macron Acknowledges the Massacre

French President Emmanuel Macron officially recognized the events of Thiaroye as a massacre in a letter to Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Macron acknowledged the “chain of events” that led to the killings, though he stopped short of specifying the number of victims.

Historians, including Martin Mourre, author of Thiaroye 1944, History and Memory of a Colonial Massacre, dispute claims of a mutiny, pointing to the absence of weapons among the riflemen and no injuries reported among French soldiers. “What happened on December 1st was the execution of unarmed soldiers,” Mourre asserted.

Despite Macron’s acknowledgment, transparency remains limited. While French President François Hollande transferred some archival materials to Senegal in 2014, key documents—such as the location of mass graves and the number of soldiers present—remain unavailable.

Senegal Takes Control of the Narrative

Under President Faye, Senegal is prioritizing the Thiaroye massacre in its national narrative. Major commemorations will take place from December 1, 2024, to April 2025, including public events and social media campaigns aimed at educating younger generations.

“The goal is to make Thiaroye part of Senegal’s national story,” said Babacar Ndiaye, a political analyst with the Wathi think tank.

The anniversary coincides with a broader decline in French influence in West Africa, as nations like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso distance themselves from Paris. Senegal’s president has also hinted at reevaluating the presence of French troops in the country, reflecting a growing sentiment of reclaiming sovereignty.

As commemorations unfold, Senegal’s efforts to shed light on the massacre signal a renewed commitment to historical justice and a redefinition of its post-colonial identity.