80 countries at a Swiss conference agree that 'territorial integrity' of Ukraine must be basis of any peace agreement — ABC — 16 June 2024 (LINK)

India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates didn't sign the final document addressing nuclear safety, food security, and prisoner exchange. — ground.news: 21 media reports — 16 June 2024 (LINK)

Ukraine conference joint communiqué: full text — Reuters ● — (LINK)

Swiss right-wing leader calls Ukraine summit an 'embarrassment', reflecting the view that the talks are damaging for Switzerland's traditional neutrality. — Reuters ● — (LINK)

— Leading figures in the party have argued Switzerland should not have hosted this weekend's summit without Russia, and Nils Fiechter, chief of the SVP's youth wing, delivered a damning verdict on the talks to Russian broadcaster RT. "The conference will achieve nothing," Fiechter told RT on the eve of the talks, in comments picked up by Swiss media on Sunday. "The whole thing is an absolute farce and an embarrassment for our country."

Yellen says G7 $50B loan to Ukraine is legal, not 'theft' as Putin claims — thehill — 16 June 2024 (LINK)

— "There is no sense at all in which it's theft," Yellen told ABC News's Jonathan Karl when asked on "This Week" whether she has concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin calling the loan "theft" and saying it "will not go unpunished."

— Members states of G7 announced Thursday an agreement to move forward with a $50 billion loan to Ukraine, financed by the interest generated on frozen Russian assets in Europe and the U.S. The proposal was led by the U.S.

— The proposal would use the interest generated on the frozen assets, which is about $2.6 billion to $3.6 billion a year, to pay back a $50 billion loan to provide to Ukraine immediately.

— "Russia's funds are sitting in cash, but they're generating income for the institution, which Russia has no claim on," Yellen said, "so there's no legal issue here. sAnd our allies, our partners, the G7 will provide Ukraine a $50 billion loan, which will be repaid over time from these proceeds," she added.

Israeli military announces 'tactical pause' in attempt to increase flow of aid into hard-hit Gaza — ground.news: 23 media reports — 16 June 2024 (LINK)

Global surge in infectious diseases as over 40 countries report outbreaks 10-fold over pre-pandemic levels: measles, whooping cough, tuberculosis and polio, as well as dengue and cholera — Airfinity and Bloomberg News — 16 June 2024 (LINK)

Mexico reported nearly 1.4 million irregular migrants heading to the U.S. so far in 2024 — ground.news: 13 media reports — 17 June 2024 (LINK)

North Korea building roads, walls inside demilitarized zone — ground.news: 26 media reports — 16 June 2024 (LINK)

Low snow on the Himalayas threatens water security: study — AFP — 16 June 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 22 media reports (LINK)

Ukraine rejects Russia's demands it drop NATO ambitions and hand over four provinces: "On the eve of the [Swiss] summit [..] he speaks as though he is issuing some sort of ultimatum" — Zelenskyy — abc.net.au — 15 June 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 22 media reports (LINK)

China’s new rules allow detention of foreigners in South China Sea — ground.news: 24 media reports — 15 June 2024 (LINK)

8 Israeli soldiers killed in southern Gaza in deadliest attack on Israeli forces in months — AP — 15 June 2024 (LINK)

Gang-ravaged Haiti to replace national police head Frantz Elbe with former chief — Reuters ● — 14 June 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 50 media reports (LINK)

— "The results of Elbe at the helm of the police are catastrophic," RNDDH (Human Rights network) director Pierre Esperance told Reuters, saying he believed Elbe should be prosecuted. "He spent his whole time establishing relationships with the gangs, reinforcing the gangs and preventing cops from doing their job and risking their lives."

G7 leaders accuse China of ‘enabling’ Russia war on Ukraine in stark warning — ground.news: 20 media reports — 14 June 2024 (LINK)

Pentagon ran secret 2020-2021 anti-vax campaign in Philippines, Southeast Asia, Central Asia and Middle East to undermine reputation of Chinese Sinovac vaccine during pandemic — payback for Beijing's efforts to blame Washington for the pandemic — Reuters ● — 14 June 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 22 media reports (LINK)

— A key part of the Middle East strategy: amplify the disputed contention that, because vaccines sometimes contain pork gelatin, China's shots could be considered forbidden under Islamic law.

— The military program started under former President Donald Trump and continued months into Joe Biden's presidency, Reuters found — even after alarmed social media executives warned the new administration that the Pentagon had been trafficking in COVID misinformation.

G7 leaders tackle the issue of migration on the second day of their summit in Italy — source — 14 June 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 52 media reports (LINK)

The United Nations has paused its work with the pier after a June 8 operation by Israeli security forces that rescued four Israeli hostages and killed more than 270 Palestinians — AP — 14 June 2024 (LINK)

WHO calls "for the immediate and active protection of civilians and health care in the West Bank" — AFP — 14 June 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 19 media reports (LINK)

A surge of attacks by Russian forces on the Kharkiv area of Ukraine is causing significant civilian casualties, as well as the destruction of homes and of crucial infrastructure, the top UN official in Ukraine Denise Brown said in Geneva ia plea to not "normalize" the dire conditions for Ukrainian civilians. ssShe echoed the position of the UN Secretary-General to say that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is "a violation of the UN Charter". — coindesk — 14 June 2024 (LINK)

— A total of nearly ten million people — children included — are estimated by the World Health Organization to be at risk of acute Post-Traumatic Syndrome Disease (PTSD) in Ukraine. Meanwhile, some four million children across the country have had their education disrupted, and 600,000 of them are unable to access in-person school at all, according to UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund. In the city of Kharkiv, the only way children can safely study is in the subterranean tunnels of the metro, Ms. Brown said, having witnessed this recently, when she visited the underground with the city's mayor.

World leaders call for urgent action to advance social justice at the Inaugural Forum of the Global Coalition for Social Justice — ilo.org — 14 June 2024 (LINK)

— The Presidents of Brazil and Nepal joined the Inaugural Forum, which was held during the 112th Session of the International Labour Conference.

Niger’s highest court lifts immunity of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, allowing the military junta to prosecute him for alleged high treason — ground.news: 48 media reports — 14 June 2024 (LINK)

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reelected by lawmakers for a second term — ground.news: 119 media reports — 14 June 2024 (LINK)

South Africa's ANC reaches deal with opposition to form unity government — BBC — 14 June 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 20 media reports (LINK)

Delhi Lt Governor okays prosecution of author Arundhati Roy under anti-terror law for allegedly making provocative speeches in 2010 that suggested separating Kashmir from India — ground.news: 15 media reports — 14 June 2024 (LINK)

Pope Francis becomes first pontiff to address a G7 summit, raises alarm about AI — ground.news: 65 media reports — 14 June 2024 (LINK)

Judge rejects bankruptcy plan for Alex Jones' Infowars but allows him to liquidate his personal assets — CNN — 14 June 2024 (LINK)

Trump celebrates 78th birthday in West Palm Beach as Rubio makes surprise appearance — CBS — 14 June 2024 (LINK)

US Navy faces its most intense combat since World War II against Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels — AP — 14 June 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 13 media reports (LINK)

U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Trump-era ban on bump stock weapons, enabling semi-automatic weapons to fire rapidly like machine guns — ground.news: 255 media reports — 14 June 2024 (LINK)

US woman airline passenger, who was duct-taped for violent behavior and tried to open plane door in mid-flight in 2021, sued for failing to pay record $81,950 fine — people.com — 14 June 2024 (LINK)

— The woman is being charged fine up to $45,000 for assaulting and threatening crew members and posing "an imminent threat to the safety of the aircraft, crew and passengers", $27,950 for attempting to open the cabin door in-flight and $9,000 for interfering with the crew member's duties, the USA Today reported.

Zurich art museum to remove suspected 5 Nazi-looted works: by Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin, among others — swissinfo — 14 June 2024 (LINK)

G7 summit in Bari opens with deal to use Russian assets for Ukraine as EU's traditional powers recalibrate — AP — 13 June 2024 (LINK)

Ukraine hits Russia's newest communication station for first time, military says — kyivindependent.com — 13 June 2024 (LINK)

UN Security Council adopts a resolution demanding that Sudan's paramilitary force halt its siege of Darfur capital — ground.news: 47 media reports — 13 June 2024 (LINK)

South Africa's health authorities report 2 deaths from mpox this week, after 5 previous, and warn of local transmission — ground.news main source: AP, 33 media reports — 13 June 2024 (LINK) — ground.news (LINK)

Tesla shareholders officially approve all company proposals, backing the board on almost everything — electrek.co — 13 June 2024 (LINK)

— There was no surprise at Tesla's annual shareholders meeting – mainly because CEO Elon Musk had leaked the results from the two main proposals: the ratification of his 2018 CEO compensation package and the incorporation move to Texas. Tesla's IR confirmed that all board proposals have passed, including the board reelection of Kimbal Musk, Elon's brother, and James Murdoch.

— Tesla shareholders also shut down most shareholder proposals, but they did approve two of them that the board recommend against: reduction of director terms from 3 years to one, if properly presented, and simple majority voting provisions if properly presented.

Tesla shareholders vote to reinstate Elon Musk's $56 billion pay package — ground.news: 100 media reports — 13 June 2024 (LINK)

Iranian authorities release French national Louis Arnaud, imprisoned for over 20 months for alleged involvement in nationwide protests — ground.news: 42 media reports — 13 June 2024 (LINK)

U.S. Supreme Court rejects challenge to abortion drug mifepristone — BBC — 13 June 2024 (LINK)

Students at Grand Canyon University, Arizona, the largest Christian college in U.S., allege they were duped into enrolling through racketeering scheme — marketwatch — 13 June 2024 (LINK)

— Grand Canyon University was recently fined by the government over similar allegations. It's pushing back. Students signed up to earn their graduate degrees with promises they could complete school quickly and affordably. But they wound up mired in extra courses and on the hook for thousands of dollars more than they were told.

South Florida condo owners are dumping their homes after getting slapped with six-figure special assessments — and now the once-hot market is floundering — moneywise.com — 13 June 2024 (LINK)

Switzerland: M-Budget and Coop's Prix Garantie products have prices that match "hard discounters" but Coop's Qualité & Prix products are 71% more and M-Classics cost 50% plus than their discount range — bonasavoir ● in French — 13 June 2024 (LINK)

UN refugee agency says record 117 million people forcibly displaced in 2023, growing for the 12th year in a row — ground.news: 57 media reports — 12 June 2024 (LINK)

Drug-resistant "dual mutant" flu strains now being tracked in U.S., CDC says — ground.news: 10 media reports — 12 June 2024 (LINK)

Long COVID finally gets a universal definition: The new description includes more than 200 symptoms and doesn’t put limits on when they start — sciencenews.org — 12 June 2024 (LINK)

Switzerland's parliament defies European Court of Human Rights and female climate activists — BBC — 12 June 2024 (LINK)

— The ECHR in April in response to women "climate seniors" did not tell Switzerland exactly what it had to do to tackle climate change, it simply said it had to do more. The court’s rulings are binding for member states, and this decision was unprecedented. Switzerland's parliament voted on 12 June to reject a ECHR ruling, suggesting it was not "ignoring" it, as some critics have claimed, but rather that Switzerland did not need to react as it already had an effective climate change strategy.

UN double standards on staff torture claims: Ethiopa vs Gaza — thenewhumanitarian — 12 June 2024 (LINK)

— Ethiopia: “dysfunctional” and “unaccountable” UN leadership team: "few, if any, collective statements against the blockade imposed against Tigray, the harassment, arbitrary arrests and detentions or torture of UN and non-UN humanitarian staff, or the practice of starvation as a weapon of war"

— Gaza's UN staff, UNRWA immediate report: "severe physical beatings and treatment akin to waterboarding… beatings by doctors when referred for medical assistance; exposure to and being attacked by dogs; threats of rape and electrocution; threats of violence with guns pointed at them; verbal and psychological abuse; threats of murder, injury or harm to family members; humiliating and degrading treatment; being forced to strip naked and being photographed while they are undressed; and being forced to hold stress positions."

UNCTAD: With record public debt levels, governments are spending more on interest than they do on healthcare, education, or other services that might help communities withstand crises. 55 countries spent more than 10% of their revenue on interest payments. Several are at high or very high risk from emergencies that could overwhelm national response resources.

At least 55% of all structures in Gaza are destroyed or damaged, according to a recent satellite analysis — and Gaza is running out of tents.

More than 80 travelers have died in Congo after their boat capsized on 10 June, the president says. 185 managed to swim ashore — ground.news: 30 media reports — 12 June 2024 (LINK)

Fire in Kuwaiti building housing workers kills 41, deputy PM says — ground.news: 41 media reports — 12 June 2024 (LINK)

In initial win for Argentine President Milei, senators approve his key reform bills by 37-36 after violent protests — ground.news: 46 media reports — 12 June 2024 (LINK)

— The Republican-controlled chamber passed its resolution by a 216-207 vote, with only one Republican siding with the united Democratic opposition. Mr Garland refused to turn over interview tapes from a justice department probe of President Joe Biden's handling of classified documents.

Attorney General Merrick Garland held in contempt of US Congress — BBC — 12 June 2024 (LINK)

Original Blair Witch Project cast call out studio: 'Their behavior has been reprehensible': The trio are calling on Lionsgate for compensation and 'meaningful consultation' on future projects — independent.co.uk — 13 June 2024 (LINK)

— The actors each made $300,000 from a buyout of their ownership points on the film, which went on to gross $248m worldwide.

Private pilates, sugar-free meals and views over the Swiss Alps: what really happens during a stay at Clinic Les Alpes, the luxury rehab ‘where Princess Charlene of Monaco was treated for profound fatigue’ — tatler.com — 12 June 2024 (LINK)

— The recommended 28-day stay coss £157,000.

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