UNHCR urges rescue of 185 people, believed to be Rohingya, adrift in Indian Ocean — ground.news: 19 media reports — 24 December 2023 (LINK)

Chadians have approved a new constitution with 86% in favor, seen as a move to consolidate the power of military leader Mahamat Idriss Deby — ground.news: 15 media reports — 24 December 2023 (LINK)

FIFA threatens to suspend Brazil over confederation president's removal by court — ground.news: 43 media reports — 24 December 2023 (LINK)

King Charles breaks Royal tradition with his Christmas Day message: features a living tree with natural and sustainable decorations — people.com — 24 December 2023 (LINK)

Israeli airstrike kills 76 members of one Gaza family, rescue officials say — AP — 23 December 2023 (LINK)

— Among the dead were Issam al-Mughrabi, a veteran employee of UN Development Program, his wife, and their five children. "The loss of Issam and his family has deeply affected us all. The UN and civilians in Gaza are not a target," said Achim Steiner, the head of the agency. "This war must end."

Iranian drone behind attack on chemical tanker in Indian Ocean, Pentagon says — ground.news: 62 media reports — 23 December 2023 (LINK)

UN chief says Israeli offensive creating 'obstacles' to aid distribution as strikes reported across Gaza — The Guardian UK ● — 23 December 2023 (LINK)

El Salvador court orders ex-President Alfredo Cristiani's arrest over cover-up of 1981 massacre during civil war — ground.news: 19 media reports — 23 December 2023 (LINK)

Secret schools offer 'a ray of hope' for rural Afghan girls — Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty — 23 December 2023 (LINK)

CERN publishes its environment report for 2021–2022: CERN is well on track to meet the reduction objectives set for the end of Run 3 at the end of 2025" — CERN — 23 December 2023 (LINK)

— The Laboratory is committed to limiting the rise in electricity consumption to 5%, corresponding to a target of 1314 GWh, while significantly improving the performance of its facilities. A total of 1215 GWh was consumed in 2022 and the accelerator complex is now more efficient.

CERN is committed to keeping the increase in its water consumption below 5% despite a growing demand for water cooling at its facilities. Since 2000, CERN has radically decreased its water consumption by about 80%.

With respect to direct greenhouse gas emissions, CERN’s objective is to achieve a 28% reduction by the end of Run 3, which corresponds to a target of 138 300 tCO2e. In 2022, direct emissions of 184 300 tCO2e were generated. A comprehensive programme to ensure progress towards the objective is in place, which includes increased efforts by the experiments to limit gas consumption and work towards replacing current gases with more environmentally friendly ones.

France completes military withdrawal from Niger, leaving a gap in the terror fight in the Sahel — ground.news main source: AP, 25 media reports — 22 December 2023 (LINK)

UN Security Council passes resolution to boost aid to Gaza after U.S. abstains — ground.news: 286 media reports — 22 December 2023 (LINK)

— The Palestinian Authority and Hamas issued different responses towards the UN vote. The Palestinian foreign ministry, which is part of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, called the resolution "a step in the right direction" and said it would help "end the aggression, ensure the arrival of aid and protect the Palestinian people". But Hamas, the militants who run Gaza, called the resolution an "insufficient step" for meeting the impoverished territory's needs.

The International Rescue Committee, the global humanitarian organisation, lamented the lack of a UN security council (UNSC) resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, even as it welcomed the resolution on aid. It also welcomed the call for the unconditional release of remaining hostages held by Hamas after they were snatched from southern Israel during the 7 October attack that triggered the war. "From a humanitarian point of view, the failure of the UNSC to demand an immediate and sustained ceasefire is unjustifiable," the committee said.

UN report says more than 570,000 people in Gaza, a quarter of the population, are now 'starving' due to fallout from war — ground.news: 143 media reports — 22 December 2023 (LINK)

ICRC taps new chief who quit UNRWA amid ethics, abuse & corruption scandal — unwatch — 22 December 2023 (LINK)

'Zombie deer disease' spreading across US raises concerns that humans could possibly become infected — ground.news: 8 media reports — 22 December 2023 (LINK)

Reported dengue cases spiked tenfold over the last generation, WHO says — pbs — 22 December 2023 (LINK)

Hyperloop One, the sci-fi mass-transit system pitched by Elon Musk and Richard Branson, shuts down, laying off most of its employees, and liquidating assets. — boingboing — 22 December 2023 (LINK)

— Musk "admitted to his biographer that the reason the Hyperloop was announced — even though he had no intention of pursuing it — was to try to disrupt the California high-speed rail project and to get in the way of that actually succeeding."

Elon Musk's X faces legal storm as US judge rules against unpaid bonuses — coingape — 22 December 2023 (LINK)

The GOP's case against Biden unravels in new and unfortunate ways — msnbc — 22 December 2023 (LINK)

Two Denver-area paramedics have been convicted in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain, a Black man they injected with lethal dose of ketamine — AP — 22 December 2023 (LINK)

US and Somali forces killed al-Shabaab commander with $10m bounty on head in U.S. airstrike last 17 December: responsible for attacks in Somalia and Kenya — ground.news: 14 media reports — 21 December 2023 (LINK)

Hamas says no hostage releases unless Israel stops attacks — ground.news: 35 media reports — 21 December 2023 (LINK)

The Committee to Protect Journalists: Israel-Hamas War Takes 'Record Toll' on Journalists, Press Freedom, — ground.news: media reports — 21 December 2023 (LINK)

— More media workers have been killed in the first 10 weeks of Israel's assault on Gaza than have ever been killed in a single country over an entire year: more than 90 journalists killed in the Gaza Strip. CPJ said it was particularly concerned about a pattern of targeting journalists and their families by the Israeli military.

Angola says it is leaving OPEC — ground.news: 22 media reports — 21 December 2023 (LINK)

— Angola produces 1.1 million barrels of oil per day, significantly less than the entire OPEC's production of 28 million bpd.

Czech shooting: Day of mourning declared for 23 December after 14 killed and 25 injured in Prague university — as suspect linked to separate murder — ground.news: 31 media reports — 21 December 2023 (LINK)

— The gunman, identified as 'David K', is suspected in the killing of a man and his two-month-old daughter, and also allegedly killed his father earlier that day. The suspect was a high-achieving student with no prior criminal record, owned multiple firearms legally, and acted alone.

Biden administration unveils hydrogen tax credit plan to jump-start industry — npr — 21 December 2023 (LINK)

— The U.S. credit is the most generous in the world for hydrogen production. The proposal — which is part of Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act passed last year — outlines a tiered system to determine which hydrogen producers get the most credits, with cleaner energy projects receiving more, and smaller, but still meaningful credits going to those that use fossil fuel to produce hydrogen.

The U.S. hopes to produce 50 million metric tons of hydrogen by 2050. "That's equivalent to the amount of energy currently used by every bus, every plane, every train and every ship in the US combined," Energy Deputy Secretary David M. Turk said on a 21 December call with reporters to preview the proposal.

Giuliani files for bankruptcy after judge rules Georgia election workers can collect $148m — ground.news: 291 media reports — 21 December 2023 (LINK)

China vows to keep up military pressure on the Philippines as territorial dispute grows tenser — ground.news: 21 media reports — 21 December 2023 (LINK)

OpenAI unveils framework to protect against 'catastrophic' AI risks — ground.news: 6 media reports — 20 December 2023 (LINK)

Hermes billionaire in Geneva wants to bequeath $13 billion fortune to his former gardener — CNN — 21 December 2023 (LINK)

— Nicolas Puech, 80, a fifth-generation descendant of the founder of French luxury goods company Hermes, wants to cancel a contract that would bequeath his fortune to the Isocrates Foundation, which he founded, and instead make his employee a legal heir.

Established by Puech in 2011 and funded by him since, the Isocrates Foundation supports public interest journalism and civil society organizations working toward a "healthy digital public space," according to its website. He would adopt the middle-agent servant, who is married with several children.

Nicaragua jails second Catholic bishop as crackdown intensifies — ground.news: 12 media reports — 21 December 2023 (LINK)

DR Congo elections: Voting marred by 'chaos' and lengthy delays: election extended — ground.news: 44 media reports — 21 December 2023 (LINK)

Swiss capital considers legalizing cocaine for recreational use in pilot program: 'War on drugs has failed' — nypost — 21 December 2023 (LINK)

— The proposal in Bern would be the first to make the white powder legal for recreational use, a radical step in drug policy if it goes through. Wealthy Swiss cities have some of the greatest amounts of cocaine usage among European cities, according to wastewater studies analyzing the presence of illicit drugs. Zurich, Basel and Geneva are all among the top 10 cities for cocaine use in Europe. "We have a lot of cocaine in Switzerland right now, at the cheapest prices and the highest quality we have ever seen," said Frank Zobel, deputy director at Addiction Switzerland. "You can get a dose of cocaine for about 10 francs these days, not much more than the price for a beer."

OpenAI unveils framework to protect against 'catastrophic' AI risks — ground.news: 6 media reports — 20 December 2023 (LINK)

US charges alleged Hezbollah leader over 1994 Argentina bombing — ground.news: 28 media reports — 20 December 2023 (LINK)

U.S. Congressional House committee to investigate allegations of plagiarism against Harvard president — The Hill — 20 December 2023 (LINK)

COP28 puts climate AI on global agenda — euractiv — 20 December 2023 (LINK)

— Nations are already using AI for climate objectives, from mapping the carbon absorption capacity of forests in Indonesia to providing communities in Malawi with flood warnings fifteen days in advance, enabling them to evacuate. The UN Climate Technology Mechanism has this year created a dedicated Initiative on Artificial Intelligence for Climate Action (AI4ClimateAction).

Bahamas cruise diverted to New England and Canada — CNN — 20 December 2023 (LINK)

France passes tough immigration bill amid Macron party rebellion — see_link — 19 December 2023 (LINK)

— Pressure from the right saw the government agree to water down regulations on residency permits while delaying migrants' access to welfare benefits — including for children and housing — by several years. The amendments also introduce migration quotas, make it harder for migrants' children to become French, and say that dual nationals sentenced for serious crimes against the police could be stripped of their French nationality.

It is "the most regressive bill of the past 40 years for the rights and living conditions of foreigners, including those who have long been in France", about 50 groups, including the French Human Rights League, said in a joint statement.

"With this text directly inspired by RN pamphlets against immigration, we are facing a shift in the history of the republic and its fundamental values," said French Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel.

Former Haitian senator sentenced to life in prison in 2021 assassination of Haiti's president — ground.news: 34 media reports — 19 December 2023 (LINK)

Oklahoma judge rules a man who wrongfully spent 48 years in prison for murder is innocent: According to the "The National Registry of Exonerations" project, the 71-year-old is the prisoner who has been innocent behind bars in US history for the longest time before being acquitted — ground.news: 86 media reports — 19 December 2023 (LINK)

Swedish court upholds guilty verdict in Iran executions case — ground.news: 27 media reports — 19 December 2023 (LINK)

Colorado supreme court disqualifies Trump from state's 2024 ballot under the US constitution's insurrection clause — The Guardian UK ● — 19 December 2023 (LINK)

— The ruling sets up a likely showdown in the nation's highest court to settle whether the January 6 attack on the Capitol amounted to an insurrection, and whether Trump's involvement disqualifies him from running for office.

The 4-3 decision by the Colorado supreme court marks the first time a presidential candidate has been deemed unqualified for office under a rarely used provision that bars insurrectionists from holding office.

Death toll rises to 111 after earthquake in China's Gansu, state media reports — ground.news: 292 media reports — 19 December 2023 (LINK)

Rescue efforts continue in flood-hit Far North Queensland — ground.news: 8 media reports — 19 December 2023 (LINK)

WHO warns mpox could spread around the world again — dw — 18 December 2023 (LINK)

Hamas-run Gaza health ministry says four people killed in Faraa refugee camp and 90 in Jabalia camp as Israel launches attacks up and down territory: 19,453 killed and 52,286 wounded or injured since 7 October, says ministry — The Guardian UK ● — 18 December 2023 (LINK)

Rolex fined $100 million in France for thwarting online watch sales — Bloomberg ● — 19 December 2023 (LINK)

Egypt's Sisi wins third, six-year Presidential term With 89.6% Of Vote — ground.news: 36 media reports — 18 December 2023 (LINK)

At least 11 dead, 88 badly injured after massive fuel depot explosion in Guinea's capital — ground.news: 81 media reports — 18 December 2023 (LINK)

IMO: At least 61 migrants drown after shipwreck off Libya on 14-15 December — ground.news: 181 media reports — 18 December 2023 (LINK)

Serbia's ruling populists claim sweeping election victory: Near-final results show that President Aleksandar Vucic won 47% of the vote, despite the opposition claims of voter-bullying and bribes — euronews — 18 December 2023 (LINK)

West accuses Iran at U.N. of illegally testing missiles, transferring drones to Russia, enriching uranium — ground.news main source: AP, 17 media reports — 18 December 2023 (LINK)

Hong Kong: China 'anxious' as world watches Jimmy Lai trial — dw — 18 December 2023 (LINK)

Nikola founder Trevor Milton sentenced to 4 years for defrauding investors in his electric truck company — marketwatch — 18 December 2023 (LINK)

Hackers, believed Israel-linked, claim cyberattack that hit 70% of Iran's gas stations — ground.news: 36 media reports — 18 December 2023 (LINK)

Pakistan ex-PM Khan uses AI voice clone to campaign from jail — ground.news main source: AFP, 22 media reports — 18 December 2023 (LINK)

EU launches formal probe into Musk's X over illegal content, after identifying disinformation related to Hamas's October 7 attack in Israel. — ground.news: 18 media reports — 18 December 2023 (LINK)

Google to pay $700 million in case over whether it engages in anticompetitive behavior through its Google Play store, which is how most people download apps on Android devices — npr — 18 December 2023 (LINK)

More than 300 rescued from floodwaters in northeast Australia: Cairns Airport closed — ground.news: 24 media reports — 18 December 2023 (LINK)

Why people still fall for fake news about climate change — grist.org — 18 December 2023 (LINK)

— A recent study in Nature Human Behavior found that climate change disinformation was more persuasive than scientific facts. Researchers at the University of Geneva in Switzerland had originally intended to see if they could help people fend off disinformation, testing different strategies on nearly 7,000 people from 12 countries, including the United States, India, and Nigeria. Participants read a paragraph intended to strengthen their mental defenses — reminders of the scientific consensus around climate change, the trustworthiness of scientists, or the moral responsibility to act, for example. Then they were subjected to a barrage of 20 real tweets that blamed warming on the sun and the "wavy" jet stream, spouted conspiracies about "the climate hoax devised by the U.N.," and warned that the elites "want us to eat bugs."

The interventions didn't work as hoped, said Tobia Spampatti, an author of the study and a neuroscience researcher at the University of Geneva. The flood of fake news — meant to simulate what people encounter in social media echo chambers — had a big effect. Reading the tweets about bogus conspiracies lowered people's belief that climate change was happening, their support for action to reduce emissions, and their willingness to do something about it personally. The disinformation was simply more compelling than scientific facts, partly because it plays with people's emotions, Spampatti said (eliciting anger toward elites who want you to eat bugs, for example). The only paragraph that helped people recognize falsehoods was one that prompted them to evaluate the accuracy of the information they were seeing, a nudge that brought some people back to reality.

Norman says it's crucial that any intervention to stop the spread of disinformation comes with a "weakened dose" of it, like a vaccine, to help people understand why someone might benefit from lying. For example, when the Biden administration learned of Russia's President Vladimir Putin's plans to invade Ukraine in late 2021, the White House began warning the world that Russia would push a false narrative to justify the invasion, including staging a fake, graphic video of a Ukrainian attack on Russian territory. When the video came out, it was quickly dismissed as fake news. "It was a wildly successful attempt to inoculate much of the world against Putin's preferred narrative about Ukraine," Norman said.

For climate change, that approach might not succeed — decades of oil-funded disinformation campaigns have already infected the public. "It's really hard to think about someone who hasn't been exposed to climate skepticism or disinformation from fossil fuel industries," said Emma Frances Bloomfield, a communication professor at the University of Nevada, Los Vegas. "It's just so pervasive. They have talking heads who go on news programs, they flood media publications and the internet, they pay lobbyists."