Israeli strikes on northern Gaza have killed at least 33 people, mostly women and children, according to Palestinian officials. One dead and dozens injured as truck strikes bus stop in central Israel in suspected terror attack. — 27 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 275 media reports (LINK)

Satellite photos show Israel hit Iran former nuclear weapons test building, missile facilities, researchers say. — 27 October 2024 (LINK)

Key mediator Egypt proposes a 2-day Gaza cease-fire and the release of 4 hostages. — 27 October 2024 (LINK)

Alleging 'Russian special operation', Georgian president calls for protests over disputed election. — 27 October 2024 (LINK)

Bolivia's former President Evo Morales says vehicle fired upon as political tensions rise. — 27 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 166 media reports (LINK)

Iran's imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate hospitalized with severe health issues. — 27 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 26 media reports (LINK)

CNN Fact check: 32 false claims Trump made to Joe Rogan — 27 October 2024 (LINK)

Elon Musk fires back after Biden alleges Tesla CEO violated student visa norms, says he was allowed to work. — 27 October 2024 (LINK)

— Musk said, "I was on a J-1 visa that converted to an HI-B. They are aware of this, as they have all my documentation. Their desperation is a result of losing the election." — (LINK)

— Musk dropped out of Stanford University to work on his debut company, Zip2, which sold for about $300m four years later.Legal experts said foreign students cannot drop out of school to build a company even if they are not getting paid. — (LINK)

Heather Cox Richardson: The Madison Square Garden rallies of 1939 and 2024. — 27 October 2024 (LINK)

— The day before Trump had replaced his signature blue suit and red tie with the black and gold of the neofascist Proud Boys. That extremist group was central to the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and has been rebuilding to support Trump again in 2024. The New York Times has tended to downplay Trump's outrageous statements, but on Saturday it ran a round-up of Trump's threats in the center of the front page, above the fold.

China's September industrial profits post steepest fall of the year: -27.1% y/y vs -17.8% y/y in August. — 27 October 2024 (LINK)

Watchmakers in Switzerland cut back on working hours:Falling sales of luxury watches, particularly in China, are forcing Swiss watchmakers to reduce working hours in their workshops. — 27 October 2024 (LINK)

— The fall reached 12.4% in value terms, after a brief upturn during the summer, marked by a 6.9% rebound in August. The sector, which depends on the good health of the American (15.6% of its exports in 2023) and Chinese (10.3% for China and 8.8 % for Hong Kong) markets, has been questioning the evolution of the economic situation. In September, watch exports plunged by 49.7% in China and 34.6% in Hong Kong. Across the Atlantic, they rose by just 2.4%.

Israel launches three waves of strikes on military targets in Iran. — 26 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 546 media reports (LINK)

— Iran said its air defences had successfully countered the attack but two soldiers were killed and some locations suffered "limited damage". A semi-official Iranian news agency said there would be a "proportional reaction" to the Israeli strikes.

Three health workers injured, dozens detained at north Gaza's Kamal Adwan Hospital: WHO. — 26 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 89 media reports (LINK)

— The Palestinian enclave's health ministry said troops had detained dozens of male medical staffers and some patients including hospital director. Later the same day, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA said at least 30 people were killed in Israeli strikes on several houses in northern Gaza's Beit Lahiya.

ICC replaces on health grounds judge mulling request for Netanyahu arrest warrant — 26 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 15 media reports (LINK)

Attack on a police convoy in a restive southeastern province of Iran (Sistan and Baluchestan) kills 10 officers. — 26 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 100 media reports (LINK)

China vows countermeasures after US arms sale to Taiwan. — 26 October 2024 (LINK)

Elon Musk's conversations with Putin raise concerns over tech, diplomacy, and national security: In one instance, Putin asked Musk not to activate Starlink in Taiwan. — 26 October 2024 (LINK)

Elon Musk's X is boosting election conspiracy theories with AI-powered trending topics: the misinformation boosted by X's AI model Grok has included conspiracy theories about voter fraud and unsubstantiated smears about Vice President Kamala Harris. — 26 October 2024 (LINK)

Pope Francis' Catholic church reform process ends without giving more equity to women — 26 October 2024 (LINK)

— In a significant move, the pope said he would not issue a teaching document from the recommendations, which called for women to be allowed all opportunities that Church law already provides while leaving open the contentious question of permitting women to be ordained as deacons. As a result, it remains unclear what if any authority or impact the synod's final recommendations will have, given the purpose of the exercise was to provide the pope with specific proposals on reform.

Florida woman found guilty of murder for leaving her boyfriend to die zipped into a suitcase — 26 October 2024 (LINK)

Ex-Abercrombie CEO pleads not guilty to sex trafficking charges — 26 October 2024 (LINK)

Jamie Oliver asks cheese lovers to help catch thieves behind £300,000 cheddar scam: London's Neal's Yard Dairy swindled out of 950 wheels of award-winning cheddars delivered to alleged fraudster. — 26 October 2024 (LINK)

Global climate disaster inevitable if emissions aren't drastically reduced by 2035, U.N. warns. — 25 October 2024 (LINK)

— "To keep emissions below the critical 1.5-degree target set in Paris in 2015, countries must cut emissions by 42 percent overall by 2030 and achieve a 57 percent reduction by 2035."

Climate set to warm by 3.1 C without greater action, UN report warns. — (LINK)

Brazil reaches a $23 billion settlement with with BHP and Vale mining firms over 2015 Samarco dam environmental disaster. — 25 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 56 media reports (LINK)

— The cave-in, at an iron ore mine in the southeastern town of Mariana, unleashed a giant mudslide that killed 19 people, left hundreds homeless and polluted the length of the Doce River. The mine was owned by Samarco, a joint venture between Vale and BHP.

— The first installment of 5 billion reais is due within 30 days. The other 32 billion reais is to be allocated as compensation and resettlement costs for about 300,000 of the people affected. The total number of people impacted by the disaster is thought to be much higher.

Sri Lanka says 3 locals arrested over a possible attack on Israel tourists. — 25 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 36 media reports (LINK)

— On 23 October authorities said they raised security around Arugam Bay, a popular surfing destination in the country's east, as well as Weligama and Ella after receiving intelligence from another country about a possible threat to Israeli travelers.

Kurdish militants claim responsibility for deadly attack on Turkish defence firm. — 25 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 102 media reports (LINK)

— Defence Ministry says it hit 34 targets of the outlawed group in north Iraq as Turkey arrests 176 suspects over assault.

An Israeli airstrike on a journalist compound in southeast Lebanon kills 3 TV staffers, state news says. — 25 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 16 media reports (LINK)

G7 leaders agree to deliver $50 bln in loans to Ukraine as soon as December. — 25 October 2024 (LINK)

Iceland's economy is thriving after adopting a shorter work week with no pay loss, outperforming most of Europe, according to research. — 25 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 11 media reports (LINK)

— Productivity remained stable or improved, while workers' wellbeing increased significantly across various measures.

Taiwan wants to join the IMF to get financial protection from China. — 25 October 2024 (LINK)

King Charles tells summit the past can't be changed as leaders ask Britain to reckon with slavery, but he adds leaders could learn from history and find "creative ways to right inequalities that endure". — 26 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 75 media reports (LINK)

Senior Editor resigns, subscribers cancel as Washington Post non-endorsement for President sprompts crisis on Bezos decision. — 25 October 2024 (LINK)

MSNBC opinion: The rich owners of The Washington Post and L.A. Times just capitulated to Trump. — (LINK)

Gold firms as mideast woes, election uncertainty lift prices. Prices hit a record $2,758.37 on 23 October and logged a third straight weekly gain. — 25 October 2024 (LINK)

Oil settles up, weekly gain 4% as investors weigh Middle East risk and US election — 25 October 2024 (LINK)

After promising full self-driving updates for years, Elon Musk finally admits that most existing Teslas may never be able to drive themselves. — 25 October 2024 (LINK)

Satoshi Nakamoto statue revealed at Lugano's annual Blockchain event. — 25 October 2024 (LINK)

— The bronze statue, designed by Valentina Picozzi, aims to encapsulate both the enigma and legacy of Satoshi Nakamoto. As the observer's viewpoint shifts, the statue appears to fade.

Ex Leader of CFF catering service Elvetino faces 36-month sentence for embezzlement, passive bribery, and fraudulent mismanagement: one year in prison with two years on probation. Two colleagues received conditional sentences for their involvement in illegal financial activities, including inflated consultant fees disguised as legitimate expenses. — 25 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 5 media reports (LINK)

Catchup: Ukraine Mine Action Conference UMAC2024 — 24 October 2024 (LINK)

— Switzerland and Ukraine jointly hosted the Ukraine Mine Action Conference UMAC2024 in Lausanne on 17–18 October 2024. The 'Lausanne Call for Action' was adopted at the Conference, calling on states to take concrete action in the area of humanitarian mine clearance . This is crucial for social and economic reconstruction. Switzerland is supporting Ukraine with its expertise and contributing CHF 100 million over a four-year period to clear civilian areas of mines.

— It is estimated that almost a quarter of Ukrainian territory, an area 3.5 times the size of Switzerland, is contaminated by mines and other explosive ordnance. Due to this situation, Ukraine, known as the breadbasket of Europe, is unable to fully resume agricultural production.

Haiti: Gangs attack UN helicopter as violence surges. — 24 October 2024 (LINK)

EU fines LinkedIn $334 million for violating the General Data Protection Regulation. — 24 October 2024 (LINK)

— The decision stems from a 2018 complaint by the French non-profit organisation, La Quadrature Du Net, and an initial inquiry examining whether LinkedIn processed the personal data of its users lawfully, fairly and transparently. The matter was originally raised with the French Data Protection Authority and then transferred to the DPC as LinkedIn's European base is Ireland.

— The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) determined it had improperly conducted behavioral analyses of its members' personal data for targeted advertising. This decision argues that LinkedIn violated the GDPR by not obtaining proper consent, demonstrating legitimate interest or showing a contractual necessity to process the data it and third-parties collected.

New report reveals the shadowy money behind the plot to overturn the U.S. election: The groups pushing lies about non-citizen voting are backed by the people who brought you Project 2025 and Trump's Supreme Court. — 24 October 2024 (LINK)

Gold price (XAU/USD) reverses a part of the previous day's retracement slide from the $2,760 area, or a fresh all-time peak. The risk of a further escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, along with the US political uncertainty, turns out to be key factors offering some support to the safe-haven commodity. Furthermore, a modest pullback in the US Treasury bond yields prompts some US Dollar (USD) profit-taking slide and further benefits the non-yielding yellow metal. — 24 October 2024 (LINK)

US: Florida homeowners struggling to sell houses: house sales in Florida have reportedly fallen 10%. Those who purchased houses in 2021 are now struggling to sell their houses even after multiple price cuts and months of being on the market. — 24 October 2024 (LINK)

Florida's insurers deny over 37,000 hurricane claims. — 24 October 2024 (LINK)

Haitian gangs escalate violence and expand attacks outside the capital, top UN official says. — 23 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 21 media reports (LINK)

— 700,000 internally displaced in Haiti in a stark 22% increase in just three months.

Afro-descendants push for official recognition at UN nature talks. — 23 October 2024 (LINK)

— "Descendants of slaves and Indigenous are agents of nature conservation," Brazil's Racial Equality Minister Anielle Franco told Reuters. "In fact, agents of conservation of our planet." People of African descent occupy roughly 2 million square km (772,200 square miles) of rural land in Latin America, according to John Anton Sanchez, a researcher with the Black Communities Process (PCN), an umbrella group for community organizations. That's an area larger than Mexico and it is more than 80% preserved thanks to Afro-descendant communities, he said.

Hezbollah confirms death of Hashem Safieddine, group's next expected leader — 23 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 81 media reports (LINK)

Israeli strikes across Gaza killed 42 people on Wednesday as the military intensified a siege on northern parts of the Palestinian territory, forcing the World Health Organization to pause the latest phase of its polio vaccination campaign, medics and officials said. — 23 October 2024 (LINK)

Israeli strikes pound Lebanese coastal city of Tyre after residents evacuate. — 23 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 35 media reports (LINK)

— Tyre, a provincial capital, had largely been spared in the war, but strikes in and around the city have intensified recently. The Israeli military told residents to move north of the Awali River, dozens of kilometres to the north, claiming there were Hezbollah assets in the evacuation warning area without elaborating.

US confirms North Korea has sent troops to Russia. — 23 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 286 media reports (LINK)

— N.K. leader indicated that North Korea aims to deploy a total of 10,000 troops to Russia by December.

US finalizes $20 billion share of $50 billion G7 loan to Ukraine. — 23 October 2024 (LINK)

Three killed, 14 injured in terror attack on Turkish aerospace company. Turkey's Air Force struck Kurdish militant targets in Iraq and Syria on Wednesday in an apparent retaliation for the attack on the state-run aerospace. The defence ministry said more than 30 targets were "destroyed" in the aerial offensive, without providing details on the locations that were hit. It said "all kinds of precautions" were taken to prevent harm to civilians. — 23 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 383 media reports (LINK)

— The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) was suspected of being behind the attack. PKK is a guerrilla group dedicated to Kurdish autonomy from Turkey. Two attackers – a man and a woman – were killed in the skirmish. The attackers arrived at the entry of aerospace and defence company Tusas in a taxi. The duo then detonated an explosive device next to the taxi that caused panic in the area, allowing them to enter the facility.

Tropical storm battering Philippines leaves at least 23 people dead in flooding and landslides. — 23 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 74 media reports (LINK)

McDonald's E. coli outbreak affects 10 U.S. states — 23 October 2024 (LINK)

Malaysia charges 22 members of an Islamic business group, GISB, including its CEO, for organized crime. — 23 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 17 media reports (LINK)

— Police rescued more than 500 children from welfare homes connected to the group last month. All 22 accused, including the CEO, pleaded not guilty and face up to 20 years in jail if found guilty.

Pakistani court grants bail to the wife of imprisoned ex-Premier Khan after months of imprisonment related to corruption allegations. — 23 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 37 media reports (LINK)

Gold retreats from all-time high of $2,758 as US 10-year Treasury yields rise, reflecting fears of higher deficit spending under a potential Trump presidency. If confirmed, the yellow metal could be headed for a pullback, following the 5.96% rally that started on October 10. — 23 October 2024 (LINK)

Tesla shares jump 6% on profit beat — 23 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 12 media reports (LINK)

Polish radio station replaces journalists with AI 'presenters' to attract younger listeners. — 23 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 23 media reports (LINK)

— Boss insisted that no journalists were fired because of AI but because its listenership "was close to zero".

New York City doesn't require hotels to be licensed. That's likely changing soon — 23 October 2024 (LINK)

— In New York City, you need a license to cut hair, work as a tour guide or operate a doggy day care. But you do not need one to run a hotel.

— city lawmakers passed legislation on 23 October that would require hotels to get a license and maintain it by complying with a slate of new rules on day-to-day operations, from how often rooms are cleaned to who can staff the front desk. If signed into law by the mayor — whose office said he supports the bill — advocates say the bill will reduce criminal activity, increase cleanliness and service levels, and improve labor standards at New York City's roughly 700 hotels.

Eurovision 2025 wants to change competition, following protests against Israel. — 23 October 2024 (LINK)

Swiss conservative party submits signatures for referendum to block Eurovision 2025. — (LINK)

Swiss canton of Valais makes Lonely Planet's 'Top 10 Regions' list: noted for its efforts to "electrify in the truest sense of the word in 2025". — 23 October 2024 (LINK)

Lebanon's Hezbollah says it bombed Nirit area in Tel Aviv suburbs with missiles — 22 October 2024 (LINK)

2 US service members injured during counter-ISIS mission in Iraq. The raid resulted in the deaths of at least 7 ISIS members, including leaders, and the seizure of weapons and equipment. — 22 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 35 media reports (LINK)

Pentagon denies employee of Iranian origin leaked Israel's strike intel — 22 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 20 media reports (LINK)

World Bank to loan Argentina over $2 billion for social support — 22 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 13 media reports (LINK)

Key Atlantic current could collapse soon, 'impacting the entire world for centuries to come,' leading climate scientists warn — 22 October 2024 (LINK)

Doctors point to oral sex as the cause of throat cancer epidemic — 22 October 2024 (LINK)

Putin hosts Global South leaders at BRICS summit meant to counterbalance Western clout — 22 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 191 media reports (LINK)

— Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov touted the summit as "the largest foreign policy event ever held" by Russia, with 36 countries attending and more than 20 of them represented by heads of state.

— Proposed projects include the creation of a new payment system that would offer an alternative to the global bank messaging network SWIFT and allow Moscow to dodge Western sanctions and trade with partners.

— Putin hailed what he described as a "privileged strategic partnership" between Russia and India. During a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Russian president emphasized their shared striving for a "fair, multi-polar global order" and specifically mentioned efforts by BRICS members to create a "new independent payment system".

MEPs approve €35 billion loan for Ukraine with some far-right support — 22 October 2024 (LINK)

Hong Kong bars services like WhatsApp and Google Drive from government computers due to potential security risks. — 22 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 21 media reports (LINK)

Switzerland to close 9 centres with a total of 1,735 accommodation places for asylum-seekers as fewer people arrive than expected — 22 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 15 media reports (LINK)

— 23% fewer applications were submitted in August than in the previous year, and 40% fewer in September. Closures will save an estimated CHF40 million ($46 million) per year. Following the closure of the nine temporary locations, the SEM will have around 7,000 places available to accommodate asylum and protection seekers from the beginning of March.

Peru's ex-president Toledo gets more than 20 years in prison in case linked to corruption scandal: accused of accepting $35 million in bribes linked to highway construction. — 22 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 195 media reports (LINK)

— Toledo, 78, governed Peru between 2001 and 2006, and was first arrested in 2019 at his home in California, where he had been living since 2016. He will serve the remainder of his sentence at a prison on the outskirts of Lima that was built specifically to house former Peruvian presidents.

Rudy Giuliani ordered to turn over NYC apartment, 26 watches to Georgia election workers. — 22 October 2024 (LINK)

OpenAI has hired its first chief economist. — 22 October 2024 (LINK)

— OpenAI named Dr. Aaron "Ronnie" Chatterji as its first chief economist. In this role, he will oversee research on a range of AI-related topics, including how AI innovations may impact the global economy and how the workforce can utilize AI tools both now and in the future, according to OpenAI's press release.

As UN conference nears next week, countries have made little progress toward biodiversity goals — 21 October 2024 (LINK)

— When the agreement was signed 2 years ago, 17 percent of terrestrial and 10 percent of marine areas were protected — which hasn't changed significantly. As of this week, around 46 percent of countries have submitted targets and less than 15 precent submitted plans for reaching them.

— Australia has yet to submit its targets while India has not submitted a national plan. Brazil, which includes much of the Amazon rainforest, hasn't submitted targets or a plan. The United States, which is not party to the biodiversity convention, is not required to submit any plans. But the Biden administration has committed to protecting a third of American land and waters by 2030.

Ukraine's army facing a desertion crisis — 21 October 2024 (LINK)

— Prosecutions for desertion from Ukraine's army are thought to have hit at least 30,000 — quite possibly much more — already this year. This is several times the number in 2022, the year the war began when citizens and foreigners voluntarily poured into the military to push Russia back.

France24: 'UNRWA ID' allegedly found amidst Hamas head Sinwar's belongings: document is an expired passport belonging to a man very much alive, who has fled Gaza — 21 October 2024 (LINK)

Police in Haiti battle a gang coalition trying to seize control of the entire capital — 21 October 2024 (LINK)

Israeli minister calls for new settlements in Gaza — 21 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: media reports (LINK)

Moldova's president bet big on the EU referendum. It may cost her dearly — 21 October 2024 (LINK)

— Moldova has voted to enshrine its EU membership aspirations in the nation's constitution by a razor-thin margin after a campaign awash with accusations of Russian interference and political repression. It's an awkward moment for President Maia Sandu, who organised the vote to coincide with her own bid for re-election — and failed to win the absolute majority needed to triumph in the first round.

WHO global network expands digital health certification for Hajj pilgrims — 21 October 2024 (LINK)

Italy and France hit by severe flooding after heavy rain: Emilia-Romagna was the hardest hit. In Bologna, 160 millimetres of rain fell in just one day, 80 millimeters in just four hours. Many rivers overflowed their banks due to heavy downpours: a red or orange warning is in effect in 13 of 20 Italian regions. Flooding after heavy rainfall is also reported from Sicily, which has been affected by a severe drought in recent months — 21 October 2024 (LINK)

— Heavy downpours also caused problems in parts of France, the worst being in Limony en Ardèche, which lies on the banks of the Rhone. More than 1,000 people were evacuated from the area on Friday and are now slowly returning to their homes and starting to repair the damage. According to Prime Minister Michel Barnier, firefighters intervened in more than 2,300 interventions. According to data from the French Meteorological Agency, as much as 685.8 millimetres of rain fell in certain areas in the departments of Ardèche and Lozère in 48 hours.

Thin margin for EU membership in Moldova vote — provisional results — 21 October 2024 (LINK)

Cuban power grid collapses for fourth time as hurricane arrives — 21 October 2024 (LINK)

Tropical Storm Oscar brings winds and heavy rains to eastern Cuba — 21 October 2024 (LINK)

— The storm is expected to approach the central Bahamas on Tuesday, U.S. forecasters said.

Hurricane Oscar has formed in the Caribbean, near the Bahamas: Popular Florida restaurant burns down on day it reopened after hurricane — 21 October 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 134 media reports (LINK)

Gmail Security — viral AI hack poses critical question for 2.5 billion users — 21 October 2024 (LINK)

Emmaus Federation of Switzerland condemns the sexual abuses attributed to the late Abbé Pierre, a French Catholic priest who campaigned for the poor and homeless. The federation will no longer use his image, in a sign of solidarity with all victims, it said — 21 October 2024 (LINK)

X changed its terms of service to let its AI train on everyone's posts. Now users are up in arms — 21 October 2024 (LINK)

'Blade Runner 2049' producer sues Tesla, Elon Musk for copyright infringement: Production company claims Tesla improperly used AI-generated image based on its movie — 21 October 2024 (LINK)

McDonald's distancing itself from Donald Trump after his visit: Trump pretended to work during a closed event — 21 October 2024 (LINK)

Russian propaganda unit appears to be behind spread of false Tim Walz sexual abuse claims. — 21 October 2024 (LINK)

— The Russian-aligned network Storm-1516 has a long history of posting fake whistleblower videos—including deepfakes—to push Kremlin talking points.

Roman Polanski no longer going on trial in L.A. over alleged 1973 rape of 16-year-old — 22 October 2024 (LINK)

— The director's lawyer, Alexander Rufus-Isaacs, told French news agency AFP that the case was "settled in the summer to the parties' mutual satisfaction and has now been formally dismissed." Polanski was set to face trial in August 2025. Gloria Allred, the lawyer of the anonymous plaintiff, confirmed to Variety that "a settlement of claims was agreed to by the parties to their mutual satisfaction." The lawsuit was filed in June 2023.

— Polanski has been a fugitive from the U.S. since 1978, so would not have been able to attend the trial in person and would have needed to appear via live video feed. Polanski fled the country on the eve of sentencing for the rape of a 13-year-old girl, and has been unable to return to the country since then without fear of arrest. Over the following decades, efforts to resolve the criminal case and extradite him have been unsuccessful.

— Polanski had also recently faced a defamation trial in Paris from actor Charlotte Lewis, who alleged that he had sexually assaulted her when she was 16. In a 2019 interview with French magazine Paris Match, Polanski called Lewis' claim a "heinous lie", causing Lewis to sue him for defamation. In May, Polanski was acquitted of the charges.

Switzerland keeps its four three-star Michelin restaurants: Memories in Bad Ragaz, Hôtel de Ville de Crissier in canton Vaud, Cheval Blanc in Basel and Schloss Schauenstein in canton Graubünden — 21 October 2024 (LINK)

Hidden on the southern shores of the Swiss Lake Brienz is a charming village straight out of a storybook: Iseltwald — 21 October 2024 (LINK)