Sunday, 15 December 2024

Cabinet unanimously approves $11 million plan to double population of the Golan Heights. — 15 December 2024 (LINK)

Israel announces closure of Dublin embassy due to 'anti-Israel policy' of Irish government. — 15 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 294 media reports (LINK)

At least five people killed in shootings in and around French migrant camp near Dunkirk. Two migrants and two security agents are among those who have died. A 22-year-old man is said to have handed himself in to a police station. — 15 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 84 media reports (LINK)

Russian oil tankers severely damaged in Black Sea storm, causing oil spill. — 15 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 304 media reports (LINK)

5 heroin traffickers return to Australia after almost 20 years in Indonesian prisons. — 15 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 116 media reports (LINK)

Hong Kong could be first to get Swiss start-up's drug for novel diabetic eye disease treatement without injection. — 15 December 2024 (LINK)

Saturday, 14 December 2024

Egypt inaugurates UAE-built US$500 million solar power plant. — 14 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 16 media reports (LINK)

South Korean President Yoon faces second impeachment vote over his martial law order. — 14 December 2024 (LINK)

Key OpenAI whistleblower, 26, found dead in apparent suicide on 26 November. — 14 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 52 media reports (LINK)

Switzerland revokes MFN status to India, cites Supreme Court order against Nestle. — 14 December 2024 (LINK)

Trump nominates conservative culture warrior, a Sikh woman lawyer, to lead DOJ's civil rights division. — 14 December 2024 (LINK)

Woman who falsely accused Duke lacrosse players of rape in 2006 publicly admits she lied. — 14 December 2024 (LINK)

— The former Duke players were declared innocent in 2007 after her story fell apart under legal scrutiny. She was hired to perform as a stripper at a party they attended. The woman is incarcerated for fatally stabbing her boyfriend in 2011 and could be freed in 2026.

Apple will stop selling iPhone 14 to millions of users in just 14 days to meet EU regulations for USB-C connections, Report Says. — 14 December 2024 (LINK)

Friday, 13 December 2024

US unveils $500m military aid for Ukraine as Russia closes in on key city. — 13 December 2024 (LINK)

Russian forces edge closer to Pokrovsk, a key eastern Ukraine city, in intense fighting, officials say. — 13 December 2024 (LINK)

!Ukraine downs 161 of 287 Russian missiles, drones in mass aerial attack! — 13 December 2024 (LINK)

Trump transition recommends scrapping car-crash reporting requirement opposed by Elon Musk's Tesla. — 13 December 2024 (LINK)

— Tesla has reported most of the crashes — more than 1,500 — to federal safety regulators under the programme. Tesla has been targeted in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigations, including three stemming from the data.

Over 7.2M people, mainly children, at risk of drowning by 2050: WHO. — 13 December 2024 (LINK)

— The first-ever WHO report on drowning prevention said the global drowning death rate has dropped 38% since 2000, but over 7.2 million people, mostly children, could still die by 2050 if current trends continue.

Sudan: 9 dead in rocket attack on Darfur hospital, WHO says. — 13 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: media reports (LINK)

Amazon is the latest Big Tech company after Zuckerberg's Meta to donate $1mn to Trump inauguration fund. — 13 December 2024 (LINK)

Swiss government rejects proposed super-rich inheritance tax. — 13 December 2024 (LINK)

— It was responding to a submission by the Young Socialists political group earlier this year to slap a 50% levy on inheritances above CHF50 million ($56 million) to raise money for tackling climate change. The final decision will be made by voters in a ballot that has yet to be scheduled.

Switzerland greenlights use of self-driving cars on motorways from March 2025. — 13 December 2024 (LINK)

Swiss government wants to ban swastika in crackdown on extremist symbols. — 13 December 2024 (LINK)

— The Federal Council now says it wants to ban swastikas, Hitler salutes and SS insignia, and codes such as "18" and "88" as well as certain gestures, objects and greetings. When such symbols are punishable depends on the context. Anyone who flouted the law would be fined CHF200 ($225).

TikTok influencers flee Romania amid tax probe into their election role. — 13 December 2024 (LINK)

Amazon is the latest Big Tech company after Zuckerberg's Meta to donate $1mn to Trump inauguration fund. — 13 December 2024 (LINK)

Emmanuel Macron appoints François Bayrou as France's next prime minister. — 13 December 2024 (LINK)

Indonesia to pardon tens of thousands including Papua activists. — 13 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 10 media reports (LINK)

Niger junta suspends BBC accusing it of 'spreading false news' in coverage of attack. — 13 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 50 media reports (LINK)

China's military is staying silent on its large deployment of naval and coast guard ships off Taiwan. — 13 December 2024 (LINK)

— Taiwanese officials have said that China was simulating a blockade with one string of ships off the island and a second one farther out at sea, in waters between Japan's Okinawa islands and the northern Philippines.

Back trouble and brain fog bothered suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing, his posts show. — 13 December 2024 (LINK)

In a real-world example of how construction materials can be reused, a team of 230 EPFL students in Lausanne is building a community pavilion in Ecublens, near the campus, through a low-tech, participative approach. — 13 December 2024 (LINK)

— There's only a few months to go until the pavilion is complete. rebuiLT was launched at EPFL in 2022 as a MAKE project intended to promote circular economy principles. It's being carried out through an initiative involving EPFL, the municipality of Ecublens and various construction-industry organizations.

— The framework and rooftop of the main edifice — large concrete structures taken from a building slated for demolition in Renens — are in place. The walls, made of straw bale and coated in clay, went up this summer, and the windows and a sink were recently installed.

Florida's Burmese python problem: how 20ft predators are wreaking havoc. — 13 December 2024 (LINK)

— When Hurricane Andrew — a category five storm still considered among America's most costly — hit Miami in 1992, one of the buildings destroyed was a reptile breeding centre. According to a 2009 New Yorker interview with an official, escapees from the centre included hundreds of juvenile Burmese pythons. Others were released pets from earlier.

— Researchers discovered impressive maximal gapes of 26cm (10 inches), 1.5in wider than previous studies had suggested and similar to the diameter of a standard dinner plate. A study from 2012 found native populations of raccoons, opossums, and marsh rabbits had been all but wiped out since 1997.

Thursday, 12 December 2024

2024 science breakthrough of the year: an injectable drug that protects people from HIV for 6 months with each shot. — 12 December 2024 (LINK)

Ireland is asking the International Court of Justice to broaden its definition of genocide, claiming Israel has engaged in collective punishment of people in Gaza. — 12 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 21 media reports (LINK)

Syria's rebel leader vows to dissolve Assad regime security forces, close prisons. — 12 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 92 media reports (LINK)

Israeli forces responsible for a third of 54 journalists killed in 2024: Reporters Without Borders. "We don't accept these figures. We don't believe they are correct," Israeli government spokesman David Mercer told a press conference. — 12 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 90 media reports (LINK)

— After Gaza, the deadliest places for journalists in 2024 were Pakistan with seven deaths, followed by Bangladesh and Mexico with five each. In 2023, the number of journalists killed worldwide stood at 45 in the same January-December period.

South Korea's top court upholds two-year sentence for prominent opposition leader Cho Kuk for forging academic documents to secure his children's admission to prestigious schools. — 12 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 19 media reports (LINK)

Biden commutes roughly 1,500 sentences and pardons 39 people in biggest single-day act of clemency. — 12 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 123 media reports (LINK)

— He noted many of the individuals "would receive lower sentences if charged under today's laws, policies, and practices." Biden said he is also pardoning 39 people "who have shown successful rehabilitation and have shown commitment to making their communities stronger and safer." They are serving sentences for nonviolent crimes, including possession of marijuana.

— The White House said Biden is "the first President ever to issue categorical pardons to individuals convicted of simple use and possession of marijuana, and to former LGBTQI+ service members convicted of private conduct because of their sexual orientation."

Biden doubles tariffs (up to 50%) on Chinese solar panel components. — 12 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 46 media reports (LINK)

Trump invites China's Xi Jinping to attend Presidential Inauguration in an unprecedented move. — 12 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 131 media reports (LINK)

Time undercuts Trump interview with 2,300-word fact check: The magazine took aim at its honoree's statements about immigration, vaccines, and gender transition. — 12 December 2024 (LINK)

Trump nominates Florida attorney Dan Newlin as ambassador to Colombia. — 12 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 13 media reports (LINK)

— Newlin donated more than $1.2 million to political action committees that supported Trump's candidacy for president

Somaliland's new president is sworn in after elections that boosted region's drive for recognition. — 12 December 2024 (LINK)

Australia plans to tax digital platforms from 1 January if they don't pay for news. — 12 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 139 media reports (LINK)

Luigi Mangione's fellow inmates: Free him, 'conditions suck': inmates expose his "terrible" conditions during live broadcast. — 12 december 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 26 media reports (LINK)

The 'Blob,' an unprecedented marine heat wave, killed 4 million seabirds: may be the largest die-off of wildlife, specifically nonfish vertebrates, reported in the modern era. — 12 December 2024 (LINK)

Coffee prices rise to nearly 50-year high due to weather changes in Brazil. — 12 December 2024 (LINK)

— Prices are up more than 83% so far this year. The Wall Street Journal reported that raw Arabica coffee prices soared to a record high of nearly $3.44 per pound, which beat the prior record of $3.35 from 1977.

Swiss National Bank takes leap with 50-basis-point interest rate cut amid franc strength. — 12 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 46 media reports (LINK)

Ukraine to legalize cryptocurrency in first quarter 2025 with no tax breaks and digital assets regulation. — 12 December 2024 (LINK)

GM pulls plug on Cruise whose autonomous robo-taxis were banned last year from San Francisco streets. — 12 December 2024 (LINK)

Japan's Nissan reshuffles management to fix its money-losing business. — 12 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 31 media reports (LINK)

The 19 greatest Rolex watch models ever, ranked. — 12 December 2024 (LINK)

Wednesday, 11 December 2024

Officials: Fighting breaks out between Somalia's Jubbaland region and federal government: Negotiations between Jubbaland authorities and government have stalled as military forces are deployed. — 11 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 23 media reports (LINK)

Syria's rebel leader vows to dissolve Assad regime security forces, close prisons. — 11 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 92 media reports (LINK)

Syria PM al-Bashir calls on Syrians abroad to return. — 11 December 2024 (LINK)

World Central Kitchen fires 62 Gazan workers accused by Israel of terror ties. — 11 December 2024 (LINK)

— Israel has alleged that 10 per cent of UNRWa staff in Gaza have ties to terror grousps — a charge of which the agency says it has no evidence.

Dengue cases tripled to set a new record to 12.6m in the Americas this year as deaths also surge to 7,700. — 11 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 69 media reports (LINK)

— The Pan American Health Organization registered more than 12.6 million infections and 7,700 deaths in 2024, with Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico worst hit.

Romania's pro-Western parties agree to form a majority government after political turmoil. — 11 December 2024 (LINK)

Ethiopia and Somalia agree to hold 'technical talks' over breakaway Somaliland region. — 11 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 57 media reports (LINK)

Javier Milei ends budget deficit in Argentina for the first time in 123 years. — 11 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 47 media reports (LINK)

FoxNews: Argentina's Milei eliminates deficit, hailed as model for Musk's 'DOGE' — 11 December 2024 (LINK: limited)

OPEC has reduced its oil demand forecast for 2024 and 2025, marking its fifth consecutive monthly cut and the deepest reduction yet. — 11 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 74 media reports (LINK)

North Korean nationals indicted in U.S. for scheme using IT workers to funnel money for weapons programs. The FBI has published a wanted poster that names the fourteen accused — all of whom appear to be in the DPRK. — 11 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 52 media reports (LINK)

— The indictment filed in Missouri federal court alleged that the conspiracy generated at least $88 million between April 2017 and March 2023. To hide their identities from U.S. employers, the conspirators applied for jobs using stolen identities belonging to Americans, prosecutors said. Some also used their access privileges to steal info such as proprietary source code and then extort their employers with threats to expose corporate assets if not paid to keep quiet. According to the DoJ, one of the commpanies — Yanbian Silverstar — is in China, and the other — Volasys Silverstar — is in Russia.

Australia: Darlington Public School in Sydney's inner-city awarded World Building of the Year in international competition. — 11 December 2024 (LINK)

— The innovative building, which features a unique curved screen and plenty of natural light and ventilation, was designed by Australian-based company fjcstudio. It is the second time fjcstudio has won World Building of the Year, with the firm awarded for its design of the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki in 2013.

— Darlington Public School's design has sawtooth roofs to capture sunlight and glazing for filtering light. Indigenous art created by students and families connected to the school were also featured prominently in the new facility.

Fox News: Malibu wildfire surrounds Dick Van Dyke's home; 98-year-old star 'safely evacuated': many celebrities, including Cher and Barbra Streisand forced to evacuate. — 11 December 2024 (LINK)

CNN: 18,000 Malibu area residents face evacuation as Red Flag fire warnings persist. — (LINK)

Trump taps Tom Barrack, a longtime ally who faced legal scrutiny (acquitted) for his work on behalf of the United Arab Emirates, as Ambassador to Turkey. — 10 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: media reports (LINK)

— An Arabic speaker born to Lebanese parents, Barrack built relationships with Saudi government officials and businesses in the 1970s. He also helped open diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Haiti, and has ties to other Gulf monarchies. Barrack was also a friend of disgraced investor and sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein.

Luigi Mangione melts down outside court, shouts at guards and onlookers: 'Insult to the intelligence of the American people!' Not clear what he meant. Mangione, 26, was arrested Monday, Dec. 9, and accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. — 10 December 2024 (LINK)

Murdoch loses bid to change trust in real-life 'Succession' battle. — 10 December 2024 (LINK)

Israeli Navy destroys much of Syrian Fleet in Latakia. — 9 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 106 media reports (LINK)

Some 'mystery disease' patients in DRC have malaria, WHO says. — 10 December 2024 (LINK)

Russia deploys hypersonic missiles and tactical nukes in Belarus. —10 December 2024 — ground.news: 81 media reports — (LINK)

Covid-19: Study breaks down which Western European countries responded best: Countries that took measures to restrict social contact before waiting for their hospitals to become overwhelmed saved more lives and better preserved their economies, according to a ground-breaking study by the Institut Pasteur. — 9 December 2024 (LINK)

— The Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden and Denmark), along with Ireland, lead the pack, with "only" 0.5 to 1 extra death per 1,000 inhabitants. Italy was hit the hardest, with excess mortality reaching 2.7 per 1,000 inhabitants. After Italy are, in descending order of magnitude: Belgium, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain, with excess mortality between 2 and 1.7 per 1,000. Next come France, Switzerland and Germany, with excess mortality close to 1.5 per 1,000.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights press conference ahead of Human Rights Day on 10 December: Türk calls for end to senseless conflicts and suffering "at a time when human rights are not only violated, but also increasingly instrumentalized". — 9 December 2024 (LINK)

Afghanistan: UN experts reject ban on medical training for women as 'totally unjustifiable'. — 9 December 2024 (LINK)

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights press conference ahead of Human Rights Day on 10 December: Türk calls for end to senseless conflicts and suffering "at a time when human rights are not only violated, but also increasingly instrumentalized". — 9 December 2024 (LINK)

Afghanistan: UN experts reject ban on medical training for women as 'totally unjustifiable'. — 9 December 2024 (LINK)

South Korea special forces officer says he had orders to block lawmakers from entering parliament to prevent a vote on lifting martial law. — 9 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 15 media reports (LINK)

Report: Hamas submits list of names for hostage-prisoner swap, including US citizens held captives. — 9 December 2024 (LINK)

Assad regime collapses as Syrian rebels seize control of Damascus. — 8 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 985 media reports (LINK)

Statement of the U.N. Secretary-General on Syria: *After 14 years of brutal war and the fall of the dictatorial regime, today the people of Syria can seize an historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future." — 9 December 2024 (LINK)

Syrian rebels liberate thousands from Assad's notorious prisons. — (LINK)

Syria's Assad and his family are in Moscow after Russia granted them asylum. — (LINK)

Assad regime collapses as Syrian rebels seize control of Damascus. — 8 December 2024 (LINK) — ground.news: 985 media reports (LINK)

Statement of the U.N. Secretary-General on Syria: *After 14 years of brutal war and the fall of the dictatorial regime, today the people of Syria can seize an historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future." — 9 December 2024 (LINK)

Syrian rebels liberate thousands from Assad's notorious prisons. — (LINK)

Syria's Assad and his family are in Moscow after Russia granted them asylum. — (LINK)