An Israeli airstrike hits central Beirut for the first time in nearly a year of conflict — 30 September 2024 (LINK)

US opts out of running for reelection on UN Human Rights Council — 30 September 2024 (LINK)

— The administration had made U.S. membership on the Geneva-based council a priority when it took office in 2021 after former President Donald Trump had withdrawn from the body, citing anti-Israel bias. Since returning to the council, the administration has frequently taken issue with its votes on the Middle East and other issues. "We decided not to seek another (term) on the Human Rights Council at this time because we are engaged with our allies about the best way to move forward," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

Top Hamas commander killed in Lebanon was UNRWA employee placed on administrative leave — 30 September 2024 (LINK)

CERN to expel 500 Russian scientists from 20 November — 30 September 2024 (LINK)

— Around 100 have joined non-Russian institutes in order to continue their physics research work with Europe's particle-physics laboratory. This measure has already been in force since June 27 for Russian-ally Belarus, affecting a dozen researchers. Very few of the Russian and Belarusian scientists are based in Geneva.

Hurricane Helene's devastation of a small town in North Carolina could spell disaster for global automotive industry: Spruce Pine, North Carolina is the world's leading source of high-purity quartz for semiconductors, and it's been horribly impacted by hurricane — 30 September 2024 (LINK)

US official says could be up to '600 lost lives' from Hurricane Helene: current death toll 100 — 30 September 2024 (LINK)

New NATO chief Mark Rutte inherits multiple security headaches — 30 September 2024 (LINK)

OpenAI reportedly slated for $500 million investment from Japan's SoftBank — 30 September 2024 (LINK)

X is now worth less than 25% of what Elon Musk paid for it — 30 September 2024 (LINK)

Another top aide to New York City mayor quits in wake of corruption indictment — 30 September 2024 (LINK)

DirecTV to acquire Dish in merger of satellite TV rivals through deal valued at nearly $10 billion — which would create the U.S.'s largest pay-TV provider — 30 September 2024 (LINK)

— DirecTV will acquire EchoStar's video distribution business, including Dish TV and Sling TV, in exchange for a "nominal consideration" of $1 — plus the assumption of the Dish unit's net debt with a total face value of approximately $9.75 billion. The companies expect the deal to close in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Russia downs over 100 Ukrainian drones in one of the largest barrages of the war. Volgograd badly hit. 16 civilians were injured in an overnight barrage on the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia — 29 September 2024 (LINK)

Israel says it has struck dozens of Iranian-allied Houthi targets in western Yemen — 29 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 155 media reports (LINK)

Ali Karaki, commander of Hezbollah's southern front, killed in same strikes that assassinated leader Hassan Nasrallah — 29 September 2024 (LINK)

Nepal closes schools as deaths from heavy rains hit 170 — 29 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 99 media reports (LINK)

Rescue crews rush to North Carolina mountain towns cut off by worst flooding in a century: In Atlanta, Georgia, 11.12 inches (28.24 centimeters) of rain fell over 48 hours, the most the city has seen over two days since record keeping began in 1878 — 29 September 2024 (LINK)

— With at least 25 killed in South Carolina, Helene is the deadliest tropical cyclone for the state since Hurricane Hugo killed 35 people when it came ashore just north of Charleston in 1989. Deaths also have been reported in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.

— Moody's Analytics said it expects $15 billion to $26 billion in property damage. AccuWeather's preliminary estimate of the total damage and economic loss from Helene in the U.S. is between $95 billion and $110 billion.

— Helene was the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1.

Catholic Belgian university 'deplores' comments by Pope Francis moments after speech: UCLouvain staff and students express 'incomprehension and disapproval' over pope's views on role of women — 29 September 2024 (LINK)

— "A woman within the People of God is a daughter, a sister, a mother," he said, adding "womanhood speaks to us of fruitful welcome, nurturing and life-giving dedication". The university statement called the pope's position on women's roles in society "deterministic and reductive". "We are really shocked," said Valentine Hendrix, a 22-year-old student. "He reduces us to a role of childbearer, mother, wife, everything we want to emancipate ourselves from."

Common stomach bacteria linked to Alzheimer's disease ( Helicobacter pylori /H. pylori) — affecting 40 million people globally: suggests new directions for exploring the role of infections in Alzheimer's and developing preventive measures — 29 September 2024 (LINK)

— The research team analyzed health data from over 4 million individuals aged 50 and older in the United Kingdom, covering the years from 1988 to 2019. Individuals with symptomatic H. pylori infections faced an 11% higher risk of developing Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia. Eradication programs to reduce H. pylori infections could be a vital step in combating Alzheimer's disease.

CNN: Fact check: To attack Harris, Trump falsely describes new stats on immigrants and homicide — 29 September 2024 (LINK)

— Trump falsely claimed Friday and Saturday that the statistics are specifically about criminal offenders who entered the US during the Biden-Harris administration; in reality, the figures are about offenders who entered the US over multiple decades, including during the Trump administration. And Trump falsely claimed that the statistics are specifically about people who are now living freely in the US; the figures actually include people who are currently in jails and prisons serving criminal sentences.

Leaked JD Vance dossier has been blocked on Threads, Instagram, and Facebook — 29 September 2024 (LINK)

— Meta's policies do "not allow content from hacked sources or content leaked as part of a foreign government operation to influence US elections," said a spokesperson.

Over 1,000 take part in memorial ride for deceased Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer, 18, killed in World Cycling Championships the day before — 29 September 2024 (LINK)

Melting glaciers force Italy and Switzerland to redraw border — 29 September 2024 (LINK)

Marco Campanella named Switzerland's 'Chef of the Year 2025' by GaultMillau Switzerland — 30 September 2024 (LINK)

— He works in both canton Ticino and Graubünden and has received a score of 19 out of 20. In total, seven chefs across Switzerland have achieved this score. "It had been five years since any new chef had obtained a score of 19 out of 20, but this year, we have finally found the next great culinary talent of Switzerland," said Urs Heller, director of GaultMillau Switzerland.

— The 32-year-old chef divides his time between two establishments. In summer, he cooks at Eden Roc in Ascona, in canton Ticino, while in winter, he is in the kitchen at 'Tschuggen' in Arosa, in canton Graubünden. According to the guide, "his cuisine is particularly distinguished by its vegetarian and vegan dishes".

Politico: The main body charged with protecting the planet is struggling to function: Not even the Justice League could save this UN — 28 September 2024 (LINK)

Hezbollah confirms its leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike: vows to "continue the holy war against the enemy and in support of Palestine" — 28 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 513 media reports (LINK)

Flooding in Nepal's capital kills at least 66 people and 69 missing — 28 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 158 media reports (LINK)

Tens of thousands of court divorce rulings, including for child brides, revoked since the Taliban took control of the country three years ago this month — 28 September 2024 (LINK)

North Carolina's Asheville devastated after Helene's damage cuts power, floods roads: at least 10 dead — 28 September 2024 (LINK)

For first time ever, more Americans are Republican than Democrat — 28 September 2024 (LINK)

— Based on an average of polls between July and September, the pollster Gallup found that 48 percent of U.S. adults say they at least lean toward the Republican Party, whereas only 45 percent say the same for the Democratic Party.

BBC: Advice on avoiding mid-flight rows over seat use — 28 September 2024 (LINK)

SpaceX launches rescue mission for 2 NASA astronauts who are stuck in space until next year: two passengers on board, leaving two seats empty to return American astronauts who have been stranded for months on the International Space Station — 28 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 304 media reports (LINK)

The best and most recognizable 'Emily In Paris' filming locations you can visit across Europe — 28 September 2024 (LINK)

Crows are even smarter than we thought: they can memorize the shape and size of an object after it is taken away, i.e. a small piece of colored paper, and reproduce one like it — 28 September 2024 (LINK)

UN Secretary-General: Reprisals by States against people who assist UN human rights work: 32 countries in all regions, smaller than in previous years — 27 September 2024 (LINK)

— "At least 32 individuals, including 22 women and young people — concerning six Member States — could not be included in this report, at the request of victims who feared that they could still be identifiable, even if their allegations were reported anonymously; and due also to the severity of the reprisals they feared. Four Member States in respect of which allegations have been verified could not be included in the report for this reason. [...] 75 per cent of the cases had to be anonymized due to protection concerns for those concerned, including women and young people."

— "Of particular concern, allegations of reprisals against young people — leaders and policy makers of the future — were documented for the first time in this report, affecting at least 20 young men and women."

— "Once again, incidents of intimidation and reprisals were reported in connection to Indigenous Peoples' participation in United Nations spaces devoted to furthering Indigenous Peoples' issues and rights, notably the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples."

— "Another global trend and matter of continued concern is the online and offline surveillance of those who cooperate or seek to cooperate with the United Nations, which was reported in one-third of the Member States included in the present report."

— Listed countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, France, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Israel, Libya, Nicaragua, Philippines, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, State of Palestine.

Belgian PM blasts Pope Francis for Catholic Church's sex abuse cover-up legacy in blistering welcome — 27 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 109 media reports (LINK)

Switzerland supports the "peace initiative" of China and Brazil towards Ukraine although it does not mention the United Nations Charter or make a direct reference to the territorial integrity of Ukraine — 27 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 6 media reports (LINK)

Russian colonel, head of drone center 'eliminated' by special ops near Moscow, HUR Says — 27 September 2024 (LINK)

Japan's ruling party elects Shigeru Ishiba as new prime minister — 27 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 20 media reports (LINK)

— Ishiba, 67, beat hawkish Sanae Takaichi, who would have been the country's first ever woman leader, in a run-off.

FoxNews: Tens of thousands of illegal immigrants with sexual assault, murder convictions in US: ICE data — 27 September 2024 (LINK)

Newsweek: ICE releases damning border report amid Kamala Harris visit — (LINK)

— ICE deputy director Patrick Lechleitner said that 425,431 convicted criminals were in this category, as well as 222,141 with pending criminal charges. Alex Nowrasteh, of the Cato Institute public policy think tank added that the ICE report on illegal criminal convictions covers decades and not just the last few years.

Don't open an email if you see these warning signs — because it could drain your bank account, new research reveals: money, investment, credit, billion, free, loan, debt, cash, cost, income — 27 September 2024 (LINK)

Federal government posts $7.3bn deficit between April and July, compared with a $1.2 billion deficit over the same period last year — 27 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 15 media reports (LINK)

17 people killed in 2 mass shootings in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, South Africa: victims 15 women and two men: Local media reported that the people were attending a family gathering at the time of the shooting, but the motive for the killings remains unknown — 27 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 115 media reports (LINK)

At least 15 people killed as landslide hits illegal gold mine in Indonesia — 27 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 71 media reports (LINK)

Artificial Intelligence detects new archaeological sites in the Empty Quarter of the Arabian Desert using data from site of 5,000-year-old human activity — 27 September 2024 (LINK)

The 10 best countries for expats according to a new InterNations' Expat Insider survey — 27 September 2024 (LINK)

— An impressive 82% of expats in Panama are satisfied with their lives, and Indonesia saw a dramatic rise to 3rd place from 13th the previous year, thanks to improved working conditions.

Judge rules 'Baby Reindeer' was not a 'true story,' allows real Martha to sue Netflix — 27 September 2024 (LINK)

— The woman, Fiona Harvey, alleged that the series, created by Richard Gadd, falsely implied that she sexually assaulted Gadd and gouged his eyes, and had been sent to prison for stalking him.

— In his ruling on Friday, Judge Gary Klausner noted that the series opens with the line "This is a true story," inviting the viewer to take what follows as fact. But he found that Martha's behavior on the show is significantly worse than what Harvey is accused of in real life.

— The Sunday Times reported in June that Gadd had reservations about including the line "This is a true story," but that it was included at Netflix' request. The judge noted that article in his ruling, arguing that it could show "actual malice" — that is, that Netflix knew the show was fictionalized, but consciously chose to represent it otherwise.

— Klausner did dismiss Harvey's claims for negligence, violation of her publicity rights, and for punitive damages. But the judge allowed her to pursue a claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress, which applies to "extreme and outrageous" false statements.

— The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Navy ships shoot down 'complex' barrage of Houthi missiles and drones in the Red Sea, Pentagon says — 26 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 33 media reports (LINK)

Dollar drops as data boost fades; Swiss franc gains by 0.55% to 0.846 CHF/$1 following 0.25% rate cut — 26 September 2024 (LINK)

Sudan military offensive sparks new fighting in Khartoum as cholera outbreak worsens — 26 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 28 media reports (LINK)

Haiti says it supports a UN peacekeeping mission to fight the country's violent gangs — 26 September 2024 (LINK)

Free COVID-19 tests are now available in the U.S. — 26 September 2024 (LINK)

At least 46 people, including 37 children, drown during Hindu festival in India — 26 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 34 media reports (LINK)

Eswatini opposition leader in critical condition after alleged poisoning in Pretoria exile on 24 September — 26 September 2024 (LINK)

NYC Mayor Eric Adams is indicted on bribery and fraud charges — 26 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 7 media reports (LINK)

World's longest-serving death row inmate, 88, acquitted in Japan, released in 2014 after 1966 conviction — 26 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 89 media reports (LINK)

US seizes crypto domains tied to $800 million in illicit transactions: 2 Russian nationals have been charged by the DOJ for laundering billions in illicit proceeds through three crypto exchanges — 26 September 2024 (LINK)

US offers $20m bounty for Iranian accused of plans to kill Trump aide John Bolton — 26 September 2024 (LINK)

Alabama has executed Alan Eugene Miller, the second inmate known to die by nitrogen gas — 26 September 2024 (LINK)

WIPO: Switzerland remains 'world's most innovative country' — 26 September 2024 (LINK)

— But it is no longer in the lead for the political environment for business, where it comes behind Singapore for the first time, or for patents.

Giuliani permanently disbarred in DC over effort to overturn 2020 election — 26 September 2024 (LINK)

— In a one-page ruling, the Washington, D.C. Court of Appeals permanently revoked Giuliani's law license, finding that the former federal prosecutor and personal attorney for Trump failed to explain why he should not be subject to reciprocal punishment after the New York Supreme Court's Appellate Division disbarred him in July for lying about the 2020 election.

Zermatt restaurateurs sentenced for defying Covid-19 measures in 2021 — 27 September 2024 (LINK)

— Their restaurant, the Walliserkanne, was closed for two weeks at the end of October 2021 by order of the Valais government. The three landlords, a married couple and their son, have received conditional fines between CHF7,680 and 9,750 with a probation period of two or three years. Staff were not wearing face masks and were not checking customers' contact details and Covid certificates.

— Immediately after the public reading of the verdict by the district court in Visp in Valais, the lawyers for the three defendants announced that their clients would appeal to the cantonal court.

Swiss government launches attempt to secure 2038 Winter Olympics — 27 September 2024 (LINK)

Switzerland has adapted its borders with Italy and France. The changes with Italy are linked to melting glaciers, while those with France concern a new tram line and rivers in the Geneva region. — 27 September 2024 (LINK)

A 46-year-old Swiss man has received a three-year sentence, including nine months in jail, for exploiting, locking up and handcuffing two housekeepers he brought to Switzerland from the Philippines and Brazil between 2018 and 2019. He was also fined and must undergo a course of therapy. The Zurich court handed a one-year sentence to his Filipino wife, of which four months were suspended, for complicity in kidnapping; she also received a fine. The court was more severe than the prosecutor, who had requested a ten-month suspended sentence. The 32-year-old was also expelled from Europe's Schengen area for five years. — 26 September 2024 (LINK)

— The defendant has already served five months of his nine-month prison sentence and paid CHF16,000 in compensation to his two victims. However, the court said that, based on the man's statements, it doubted whether he really understood the reasons for his conviction and the seriousness of his actions.

US, allies call for 'immediate' 21-day cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah — 25 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 237 media reports (LINK)

Paul Schindman: Hezbollah has violated a major UN resolution since October — and no one cares — 25 September 2024 (LINK)

— Resolution 1701, 2006: Two paragraphs in the UNSC resolution appeared to have been directly aimed at Hezbollah [emphasis added], the first providing for: "security arrangements to prevent the resumption of hostilities, including the establishment between the Blue Line and the Litani river of an area free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the Government of Lebanon and of UNIFIL" and
"full implementation of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, and of (UNSC) resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006), that require the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, so that, pursuant to the Lebanese cabinet decision of 27 July 2006, there will be no weapons or authority in Lebanon other than that of the Lebanese State."

— Hezbollah is funded, trained, and armed by Iran. The terrorist group is not under the control of the Lebanese government and is not part of the Lebanese Armed Forces, and thus considers itself not obligated at all to the document. Its terrorist activities have been documented for years.

— In practice, the Resolution proved to be toothless. At the time, experts at the respected Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) in Tel Aviv concluded that Resolution 1701 "provides no effective mechanism for action to disarm Hezbollah or terminate its existence as a state within a state."

— Thirteen years after Resolution 1701 was passed, Hezbollah is not only armed, but its weapons inventory has been greatly increased and it remains fully deployed south of the Litani River — as if the UN Security Council Resolution never happened.

ITC Trade for Sustainable Development: calls for concerted action for a sustainable future — issued 25 September 2024 (LINK)

— The annual flagship sustainability event of the International Trade Centre (ITC), the Trade for Sustainable Development (T4SD) Forum 2024, highlighted solutions to support small businesses to contribute to sustainable development in the context of geopolitical and regulatory challenges.

— The conference brought together 115 people in-person in Bern, and over 1,000 viewers online to discuss the evolving needs of small businesses as sustainability requirements rise alongside concerns related to environmental sustainability and climate change. ITC co-organized the Forum with the Swiss State Secretarial for Economic Affairs this year, on 12 September.

— During the event, through the panel discussions and keynotes, the following key messages emerged:

• Pivoting to value addition, away from commodity extraction, is critical to supporting small businesses of developing countries in the long run, enabling them to move up the value chain to earn higher incomes and create jobs.
• A combination of policies and business support services that open up access to markets and financing, for example, can create enabling conditions for entrepreneurship support growth of small businesses.
• Empowerment of women entrepreneurs ultimately empowers communities.
• Building the capacity of business support organizations so they can provide timely information and training to small businesses helps creates a more conducive business environment.
• Private sector partnerships work best when there is a clear understanding of every step of the value chain, particularly with small-scale farmers since challenges at every level vary greatly, depending on the sector.
• Legal frameworks that support sustainability and create a level playing field is key, along with promoting innovation and sustainability through financial support initiatives.
• Capacity building for small businesses in developing markets should be complemented with the use of global public goods, like the ITC Standards Map or Global Trade Helpdesk, which help tackle challenges related to data fragmentation and market entry.
• Capacity building for small businesses in developing markets should be complemented with the use of global public goods, like the ITC Standards Map or Global Trade Helpdesk, which help tackle challenges related to data fragmentation and market entry.

U.S. Congress passes stopgap bill to avoid government shutdown, 22% pay cut for feds overseas — 25 September 2024 (LINK)

Chief economists worried that public debt burdens represent a threat to macroeconomic stability in both advanced (53%) and developing (64%) economies — 25 September 2024 (LINK)

— The main obstacles to achieving better balance are a lack of domestic political consensus or will (91%), and a lack of global collaboration (67%). Almost 40% of chief economists expect defaults to rise in developing economies over the next year.

US warns of travel dangers for Caribbean nations: nixes Venezuela, says "steer clear" of Haiti, issues warning for Panama, particularly Mosquito Gulf on the Caribbean coast and the Darién Region near the border with Colombia — 25 September 2024 (LINK)

Jordan Chiles' attorneys file second appeal over loss of Olympic bronze with Swiss federal supreme court, say documentary footage proves decision to strip her bronze medal rests on a 'factual error' — 25 September 2024 (LINK)

UN debates green transition as energy reshapes global economies — 24 September 2024 (LINK)

— Three years after President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) unleashed billions of dollars in green energy and infrastructure investments, global leaders are weighing whether the energy transition will be marked by competition or cooperation.

— U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said that "epic transformations" were underway.

Climate goal to triple global renewable energy by 2030 within reach, IEA says — 24 September 2024 (LINK)

Heather Cox Richardson: President Joe Biden spoke to the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. Earlier in the day, Secretary General António Guterres of Portugal warned that "our world is in a whirlwind" and, having lost the "hot lines, red lines and guard rails" of the Cold War, is dangerous and adrift. In contrast, Biden in his final speech before the body offered optimism. — 24 September 2024 (LINK)

WEF Chair Klaus Schwab: It took just under 4 years to connect 1B people to vital digital services. We must redouble our efforts as the world enters the age of AI — 24 September 2024 (LINK)

Iran was behind thousands of text messages calling for revenge over Quran burnings, Sweden says — 24 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 99 media reports (LINK)

FCC Fast-Tracks George Soros Purchase of 220+ Radio Stations Before Election — 24 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 25 media reports (LINK)

Several people detained over death of woman, 64, in 'suicide capsule' in Switzerland — 24 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 129 media reports (LINK)

Telegram to disclose phones, IP addresses at authorities' requests — 24 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 163 media reports (LINK)

WEF expects 23% of jobs will change by 2027 because of AI and economic trends — 24 September 2024 (LINK)

Caroline Ellison gets 2 years for covering up Sam Bankman-Fried's FTX fraud — 24 September 2024 (LINK)

Lebanon sees deadliest day of conflict since 2006 as Israeli strikes kill 492 — 23 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 323 media reports (LINK)

Biden proposes banning Chinese vehicles, Russian software from US roads in software crackdown to protect national security — 23 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 207 media reports (LINK)

Sri Lanka's Marxist-leaning Dissanayake sworn in as new president — 23 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 223 media reports (LINK)

Japan protests airspace 'violation' by Russian patrol plane — 23 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 78 media reports (LINK)

California sues Exxon, claiming oil giant deceived public on how much plastic can be recycled — 23 September 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 138 media reports (LINK)