Kesaria Abramidze, a prominent Georgian transgender model, was murdered in her Tbilisi apartment, a day after Georgia passed legislation curbing LGBTQ+ rights. The new law bans same-sex marriages, gender-affirming treatments, and allows officials to outlaw Pride events and censor media. Critics argue the law mirrors Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ measures. Abramidze’s death is seen by civil society as part of a state campaign against minorities. The EU’s top diplomat urged Georgia to withdraw the law, warning it could harm the country’s EU membership prospects. Ava Sinclair 20/09/2024 12:30 am
Lionel R, a 44-year-old supermarket worker, admitted to raping Gisèle Pelicot on 2 December 2018 after she was drugged by her husband, Dominique Pelicot, who invited strangers to rape her. Lionel expressed remorse, acknowledging he never obtained her consent and should have left when he saw she was unconscious. Gisèle Pelicot, who did not consent, requested a public trial to raise awareness about drug-facilitated sexual abuse. Lionel apologized in court, admitting his guilt and expressing regret for his actions. Noah Prescott 20/09/2024 12:30 am
The US spends more on health care than any other high-income country but ranks last in health outcomes, with Americans being sicker, dying younger, and struggling to afford care, according to a report by The Commonwealth Fund. Despite high spending, the US has lower life expectancy and higher disease rates compared to nine other nations. Top performers were Australia, the Netherlands, and the UK. Dr. Joseph Betancourt highlighted the inefficiencies and inequities in the US system, emphasizing the need for lessons from other countries to improve care delivery and outcomes. Noah Prescott 20/09/2024 12:30 am
Hezbollah continued striking military targets in northern Israel after an Israeli operation using exploding pagers injured thousands and killed several of its members. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted Hezbollah in Lebanon to degrade its terrorist capabilities, accusing the group of using civilians as human shields. The Israeli Air Force struck hundreds of rocket launchers and terrorist infrastructure. Hezbollah vowed retaliation, with leader Hassan Nasrallah calling Israel’s actions a declaration of war. Israeli officials have not claimed responsibility for the explosions, which killed 32 and wounded 3,000. The U.S. was informed by Israel 20 minutes before the operations. Noah Prescott 20/09/2024 12:30 am
Arrom Arunroj was cleaning dishes at her home in Thailand when she was bitten by a python, not a cockroach as she initially thought. The snake began constricting her, and she was trapped for nearly two hours despite her cries for help. Video footage shows rescue workers arriving and advising her to stay still. It took 30 minutes for responders to free her from the 13-foot, 44-pound python. Arrom suffered several bite wounds and recounted fighting the snake since around 8:30 PM. Penelope Kingsley 19/09/2024 9:00 pm
A 10-year-old Japanese student in China died after being stabbed near his school in Shenzhen. Japanese officials, including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, condemned the crime and urged China to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals. The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed condolences and stated the incident is under investigation, with a suspect apprehended. The stabbing’s motive remains unclear, and officials do not believe it will impact China-Japan relations. The incident coincided with the anniversary of the 1931 Mukden incident. Ava Sinclair 19/09/2024 9:00 pm
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah vowed to continue strikes on Israel despite a mass bombing on its communication devices, which he called a “severe blow.” Fresh attacks occurred as Nasrallah spoke, with Hezbollah striking northern Israel and killing two Israeli soldiers. Israeli warplanes flew over Beirut, causing panic. Israel also attacked southern Lebanon. Israeli leaders warned of a potential larger military operation against Hezbollah to ensure safety for displaced Israelis. The bombings, blamed on Israel, killed at least 37 people and wounded 3,000. Nasrallah accused Israel of intending mass casualties. Ava Sinclair 19/09/2024 9:00 pm
Israeli police and intelligence services foiled an Iranian plot to assassinate top leaders, including Prime Minister Netanyahu. Moti Maman, a 73-year-old Israeli businessman, allegedly smuggled himself into Iran twice to meet with intelligence officials. Discussions included plans to attack Netanyahu and other leaders as retaliation for the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Hanieyh. Maman was also accused of discussing acting as a money courier and recruiting a Mossad double agent. He allegedly received about $558,000 for attending these meetings and was indicted on Sept. 19. Ava Sinclair 19/09/2024 5:30 pm
Storm Boris is battering north-east and central Italy, causing severe flooding and disruption in Emilia Romagna and Marche. Over 1,000 residents have been evacuated, and schools and public facilities are closed. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced €10bn in EU funding for affected countries after meeting leaders in Wroclaw, Poland. The storm previously caused significant damage in central Europe, killing at least 23 people. Authorities in Italy have warned residents to stay out of basements and move to upper floors. Penelope Kingsley 19/09/2024 5:30 pm
The prime minister asserted he is “completely in control” amid a government row over staff pay, following revelations that Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Sue Gray, received a higher salary than him. The BBC reported fractious relationships within the government, less than three months after Labour’s election victory. Sir Keir defended accepting corporate hospitality from Arsenal, citing security costs. Ms. Gray’s £170,000 salary, higher than the PM’s, sparked controversy, with some defending her and others feeling underpaid. The PM emphasized his focus on delivering change as mandated by their election win. Penelope Kingsley 19/09/2024 5:30 pm
