Thirty-seven people, including three Americans, a Briton, a Belgian, and a Canadian, were sentenced to death for attempting to overthrow DR Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi. The plot involved attacks on the presidential palace and an ally’s home. Christian Malanga, the suspected leader, was killed during the attack. Among those sentenced were Malanga’s son Marcel and his friend Tyler Thompson. Fourteen people were acquitted. Although DR Congo lifted a moratorium on executions in March, no death penalties have been carried out since. Penelope Kingsley 13/09/2024 6:00 pm
Starting next year, China will gradually raise its retirement age over 15 years to address its aging population and workforce. The new policy, passed by the National People’s Congress, will increase the retirement age to 63 for men and 55 or 58 for women, depending on their jobs. The current retirement age is 60 for men and 50 or 55 for women. The change, driven by demographic pressures, will be implemented progressively based on birthdates. By 2035, China is projected to have 400 million people over 60. Penelope Kingsley 13/09/2024 2:30 pm
The death toll from Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam reached 233 as rescue workers recovered more bodies from landslides and flash floods, state media reported. Floodwaters in Hanoi are receding, but many areas remain inundated. Typhoon Yagi caused heavy rains, flash floods, and landslides, especially in northern Vietnam. Across the country, 103 people are missing, and over 800 are injured. In Lao Cai province, a flash flood devastated Lang Nu hamlet, with 48 dead and 39 missing. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh vowed continued search efforts, while villagers mourned their losses. Penelope Kingsley 13/09/2024 2:30 pm
India’s Supreme Court granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, arrested over a now-scrapped alcohol sales policy. Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) introduced the policy in 2021 to curb black market sales but withdrew it after accusations of benefiting private liquor barons. Kejriwal and AAP deny the charges, calling them politically motivated. The court directed Kejriwal to refrain from public comments and official duties. His arrest, along with other AAP leaders, has been criticized as politically motivated by opponents of the ruling BJP. Penelope Kingsley 13/09/2024 2:30 pm
Elon Musk criticized the Australian government as “fascists” over a proposed law to curb online misinformation, which could fine social media companies up to 5% of global revenue. The law mandates tech platforms to create regulator-approved codes of conduct to prevent misinformation. Australian officials accused Musk of hypocrisy, with Government Services Minister Bill Shorten and Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones defending the law as necessary for protecting Australian sovereignty and public safety. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland emphasized the serious threat misinformation poses to democracy and society. Ava Sinclair 13/09/2024 2:30 pm
President Biden is considering allowing Ukraine to use Western-provided missiles on targets deep inside Russia and will discuss this with the new British Prime Minister at the White House. While Biden is not expected to immediately approve the use of US-provided ATACMS for such strikes, the UK and France have sent long-range missiles to Ukraine, currently restricted to within Ukraine. Discussions are ongoing amid concerns about Iran supplying Russia with ballistic missiles. The Biden administration is divided on easing restrictions, with some officials wary of escalation. No policy change is expected to be announced this week. Penelope Kingsley 13/09/2024 2:30 pm
Israeli warplanes dropped three bombs on displaced people’s tents in southern Gaza, creating large craters and raising questions about using such heavy munitions in a densely populated area. The bombing of al-Mawasi killed at least 19 people, wounded many, and left 22 missing. Israel claimed the strikes targeted Hamas militants, but Palestinians and aid groups condemned it as a war crime. Witnesses described the devastation, noting the bombs seemed intended for larger structures. Al Jazeera’s verification agency suggested US-made MK-84 bombs were used, based on crater size and bomb fragments. Ava Sinclair 13/09/2024 11:00 am
China approved a plan to gradually raise its retirement age, starting January 1, 2025, to address its aging population. The retirement age for men will increase from 60 to 63 by 2040, for women in white-collar jobs from 55 to 58, and for women in blue-collar jobs from 50 to 55. This is the first change since the 1950s. The decision aims to sustain economic and social development but faces opposition due to job competition and inadequate social safety nets. China’s working-age population has been declining since 2012, with 21% of its population over 60. Noah Prescott 13/09/2024 11:00 am
In June 2023, Ukrainian brigades trained for complex breach maneuvers to penetrate fortifications for their southern counteroffensive. Last year’s attempts failed due to dense minefields and Russian artillery. On Aug. 6, Ukrainian forces launched multiple breaches in Kursk Oblast, Russia. A recent breach on Thursday initially succeeded but faltered as an engineering vehicle hit a mine. Despite clearing initial obstacles, Ukrainian measures to clear further mines were inadequate, and Russian forces, supported by aviation and artillery, repelled the attack near Novyi Put, 20 miles west of the Kursk salient. Penelope Kingsley 13/09/2024 11:00 am
Details are emerging of an Israeli special forces raid on a Hezbollah missile production facility in Syria, near Masyaf. The operation, reportedly involving air strikes and explosives, killed 18 people and injured several dozen. Israeli forces allegedly descended from helicopters, placed explosives, and removed sensitive information. The elite Shaldag unit of the Israeli Air Force is said to have carried out the raid, with prior US notification. Israel’s government has not commented, but the raid aimed to prevent Iran from supplying missiles to Hezbollah. The BBC has not independently verified these reports. Noah Prescott 13/09/2024 7:30 am
