Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the U.N. General Assembly, warning of threats from Iran and distancing himself from a U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal. He emphasized Israel’s readiness to strike Iran and highlighted ongoing conflicts with Hezbollah in Lebanon, which have resulted in over 600 deaths. The Israel-Gaza war, sparked by a Hamas attack on October 7, has led to significant regional displacement and continued violence, including the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in July 2024. Ava Sinclair 27/09/2024 2:30 pm
Satellite imagery revealed that China’s newest nuclear-powered attack submarine, the first Zhou-class, sank while under construction, a U.S. defense official reported. This setback hampers Beijing’s efforts to expand its navy amid its assertive South China Sea claims. The U.S. strengthens regional ties and conducts freedom of navigation operations, angering China. The submarine likely sank between May and June, with cranes visible in satellite images. China’s rapid naval expansion is a key U.S. security concern. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson provided no information on the incident. Penelope Kingsley 27/09/2024 2:30 pm
At least 3,661 people, including 100 children, were killed in Haiti in the first half of this year due to gang violence, according to the UN. The violence, fueled by arms trafficking from the US, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica, has worsened since February with attacks on state institutions. The UN documented severe human rights abuses and called for a global arms embargo. The violence led to the resignation of Haiti’s prime minister and the deployment of a UN-backed multinational force. The UN Security Council will vote on renewing the force’s mandate on September 30. Ava Sinclair 27/09/2024 2:30 pm
More than half of Argentina’s 46 million people are now living in poverty, with the rate rising to 52.9% in the first half of this year, up from 41.7% in late 2023. President Javier Milei’s austerity measures, including subsidy cuts and civil servant layoffs, aim to curb inflation and government spending. Despite achieving fiscal surpluses, Argentina’s inflation remains over 230%. Government spokesperson Manuel Adorni blamed previous Peronist administrations for the economic crisis. Milei’s policies face strong opposition, particularly from trade unions protesting their impact on workers’ rights. Noah Prescott 27/09/2024 2:30 pm
Poverty in Argentina surged to over 52% in the first six months of Javier Milei’s presidency, according to INDEC. By mid-2024, 52.9% of Argentines, or 15.7 million people, were living in poverty, up from 41.7% in late 2023. Milei’s drastic austerity measures aimed at eliminating the budget deficit and controlling inflation included slashing subsidies and public sector jobs. While monthly inflation dropped to 4.0% in July, annual inflation remained high at 263.4%. Milei’s devaluation of the peso by over 50% in December severely impacted purchasing power. Noah Prescott 27/09/2024 11:00 am
Edgard Leblanc Fils, head of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council, appealed for “global solidarity” at the UN General Assembly, endorsing a Biden administration push for a formal UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti. He highlighted Haiti’s historical injustices and current crises, including gang violence and child abuse, calling them “crimes against humanity.” Despite past controversies with UN missions, including sexual abuse allegations and a cholera outbreak, Leblanc emphasized the need for stable funding and expanded capabilities for the current Kenya-led security mission to ensure Haiti’s security. Penelope Kingsley 27/09/2024 11:00 am
Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo criticized Pope Francis for the Catholic Church’s history of clerical sex abuse and cover-ups, demanding “concrete steps” to prioritize victims over the institution. His speech, along with strong words from King Philippe, highlighted the ongoing impact of the abuse scandal in Belgium, which has eroded the church’s credibility. Francis, who applauded De Croo’s speech, acknowledged the shame and was expected to meet with victims privately. De Croo emphasized the need for truth, recognition of misdeeds, and transparency to move forward. Ava Sinclair 27/09/2024 11:00 am
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue “full force” strikes against Hezbollah until it stops firing rockets, dimming hopes for a cease-fire proposed by U.S. and European officials. Israel killed a senior Hezbollah commander in a new strike, while Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel. Tens of thousands near the border have been displaced. Netanyahu, in New York for the U.N. General Assembly, faces pressure for a 21-day halt to allow diplomacy. Nearly 700 people have been killed in Lebanon this week as Israel targets Hezbollah’s military capacity following Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack. Penelope Kingsley 27/09/2024 11:00 am
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, “Nigerian Prince” email scams were common, but as internet access improved in Africa, these scams evolved into more sophisticated schemes, including romance scams. CBS News has investigated the impact of these scams on Americans, revealing that fraud syndicates have extracted over $10 billion from victims. In Ghana, young men are recruited into cyber fraud by transnational criminal syndicates. CBS News went undercover in Accra to expose these operations, where scammers target lonely, older victims. A junior scammer, under anonymity, revealed insights into this billion-dollar industry. Ava Sinclair 27/09/2024 11:00 am
Shigeru Ishiba, a former defense minister, will become Japan’s new prime minister after winning the Liberal Democratic Party leadership. He succeeds Fumio Kishida, who resigned due to low approval ratings. Ishiba faces challenges including rising domestic prices, regional security threats from China, North Korea, and Russia, and potential shifts in U.S. policy if Donald Trump is reelected. Ishiba advocates for Japan to have a greater role in its security alliance with the U.S., differing from Kishida’s approach. Noah Prescott 27/09/2024 11:00 am
