Brazil’s Supreme Court allowed X, formerly Twitter, to resume operations after it complied with court orders. Justice Alexandre de Moraes, previously in conflict with Elon Musk, approved the decision. X had been suspended for not moderating hate speech and lacking a legal representative. Musk reversed his stance, complying with court demands, including blocking flagged accounts and paying fines. Brazil’s communication minister hailed this as a victory for law enforcement. President Lula supported the suspension, emphasizing adherence to local laws. X expressed commitment to free speech within legal boundaries. Ava Sinclair 09/10/2024 5:00 pm
Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu spoke amid tensions over a potential Israeli attack on Iran. Kamala Harris joined the call, highlighting U.S. concerns about escalating Middle East conflict and oil price impacts. Biden opposes strikes on Iranian oil or nuclear sites and seeks to avoid surprises like past Israeli actions. Their relationship has strained over Israel’s Gaza conduct, with Biden previously criticizing Netanyahu’s strategy. Meanwhile, Netanyahu also spoke with Donald Trump, who praised Israel’s actions against Hezbollah. Disagreements persist within Israel’s security cabinet regarding Iran’s missile attack response. Penelope Kingsley 09/10/2024 5:00 pm
Ursula von der Leyen criticized Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán for aligning with Putin and allowing Russian and Chinese interference, questioning his stance on historical invasions. Her remarks, applauded by pro-European groups, come as she seeks support for a second term. Orbán, surprised by the criticism, emphasized his role in representing the EU during Hungary’s Council presidency. The debate also featured Orbán’s main opponent, Péter Magyar. Penelope Kingsley 09/10/2024 1:30 pm
Four mayors in Mexico have requested federal protection following the beheading of Mayor Alejandro Arcos in Guerrero. Arcos, who had been in office for less than a week, was murdered after attending a private meeting. Federal Public Safety Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch confirmed the protection requests from Guerrero and Guanajuato, both plagued by violence. The situation in Guanajuato is dire, with four mayoral candidates killed before June elections. Drug gangs frequently target officials for extortion and influence. Arcos had previously expressed the need for more protection. Noah Prescott 09/10/2024 1:30 pm
Princeton physicist John Hopfield and Toronto computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton were awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics for their foundational work in artificial neural networks. Their research, drawing on statistical physics, underpins deep learning technologies used in AI-generated videos, fraud detection, and voice-to-text applications. Artificial neural networks are inspired by biological neurons, as initially modeled by Warren McCulloch and Walter Pitts in 1943, where neurons weigh and process signals from their neighbors to make decisions. Noah Prescott 09/10/2024 10:00 am
Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem announced support for a ceasefire in Lebanon, marking a shift from its previous stance linking it to a Gaza truce. This comes amid ongoing conflict with Israel, which began after Hezbollah’s solidarity attacks following Hamas’s assault on Israel. The ceasefire efforts are led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, with Western mediation. Despite claims of a temporary ceasefire agreement, tensions remain high, especially after Israel’s assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and his successor Hashem Safieddine. Penelope Kingsley 09/10/2024 10:00 am
The Conservative Party leadership race is nearing its conclusion, with members set to choose between the final two candidates selected by MPs. Currently, James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick, and Kemi Badenoch are in the running, but only two will advance. Cleverly has taken a significant lead with 39 votes, benefiting from his recent conference speech and support from MPs who previously backed Mel Stride. With 121 votes available, 41 votes secure a spot in the final two. The decision is crucial, determining the next Leader of the Opposition. Noah Prescott 09/10/2024 6:30 am
Israel plans to retaliate against Iran’s recent missile attack, considering options from symbolic military strikes to targeting Iran’s oil industry or nuclear program. The response’s intensity and timing were to be discussed in a now-postponed Pentagon meeting. President Biden has advised against targeting Iran’s nuclear and oil sectors. Former Israeli leaders and experts agree on the need for retaliation but differ on methods. Israel and Iran have a long-standing shadow war, with Israel often targeting Iranian-backed groups and suspected of attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities. Noah Prescott 09/10/2024 6:30 am
Donald Trump reportedly spoke with Vladimir Putin up to seven times since leaving office, according to Bob Woodward’s new book. The book also details Joe Biden’s candid reactions to global conflicts. Trump’s 2024 campaign denies Woodward’s claims, calling them fabricated. Woodward faces a $50 million lawsuit from Trump over unauthorized interview tapes. Noah Prescott 09/10/2024 6:30 am
Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel, targeting areas as far south as Haifa, prompting Israeli military action and school closures. Israel increased ground troops in southern Lebanon and reported killing a senior Hezbollah commander. Hezbollah’s acting leader, Sheikh Naim Kassem, claimed their military capabilities remain strong despite Israeli airstrikes. Israeli PM Netanyahu stated Hezbollah is weaker, claiming the deaths of its leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah. No successor has been publicly named, and Hashem Safieddine, Nasrallah’s potential heir, has not appeared publicly. Penelope Kingsley 09/10/2024 3:00 am
