China has announced it will end overseas adoptions, creating uncertainty for families currently in the process. The change aligns with international agreements, according to spokeswoman Mao Ning. Over 150,000 Chinese children have been adopted abroad in the past three decades, with more than 82,000 going to the US. Future adoptions will be limited to foreign nationals who are relatives. The decision has left hundreds of US families in limbo, and Washington is seeking clarification. The one-child policy led to many children, especially girls, being abandoned, prompting international adoptions since the 1990s. Penelope Kingsley 06/09/2024 2:30 pm
Israeli forces have withdrawn from Jenin city and its refugee camp in the occupied West Bank after a major nine-day operation targeting militants. The IDF cited anti-terrorism efforts, resulting in at least 36 Palestinian deaths, including children, and one Israeli soldier’s death. The operation, involving hundreds of troops and air strikes, also affected Tubas and al-Faraa refugee camp. Civilians were confined to their homes with utilities cut. Residents are now emerging to assess the extensive damage, including homes destroyed by explosions targeting suspected militant sites. Penelope Kingsley 06/09/2024 2:30 pm
Musk’s anger over Brazil’s decision is understandable as it’s X’s fifth-largest market, crucial for retaining users on the $44 billion platform. However, Musk’s free-speech stance doesn’t extend to China, where X (formerly Twitter) has been banned since 2009, just before the Tiananmen Square massacre anniversary. The contrast is due to Tesla’s reliance on China, its most important market outside the US. Tesla opened its first store in China in 2013 and built a gigafactory in Shanghai in 2019, with China contributing nearly a quarter of its $96.8 billion revenue in 2023. Ava Sinclair 06/09/2024 2:30 pm
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov vowed to enhance efforts against criminal activity on the app after French authorities charged him for allegedly allowing its misuse. Durov defended himself, arguing that holding a CEO accountable for third-party crimes is misguided. He acknowledged Telegram’s growing pains and committed to improvements. Detained in August and released on bail, Durov faces charges including facilitating child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking. He claimed Telegram has an EU representative to handle legal requests, suggesting the charges were unexpected. Noah Prescott 06/09/2024 2:30 pm
A fire at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in Nyeri county, Kenya, killed 17 boys and injured 14 others. The boys, aged 9 to 13, were sleeping in a dormitory housing 156 boys. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Government officials, including President William Ruto, have promised accountability and thorough investigation. The school has 824 students, with 316 boarders. Emergency services are providing aid and counseling, and the government is reviewing school security management. Ava Sinclair 06/09/2024 2:30 pm
New Zealand’s Māori chiefs have a new Queen, Ngā Wai hono i te pō, following the death of her father, Kiingi Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII, on Aug. 30 at age 69. She was crowned in a special ceremony on the North Island. Her grandmother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, was the first female Māori monarch. The late King was laid to rest on Mount Taupiri after a ceremonial procession along the Waikato River. Kiingi Tuheitia died following heart surgery. Noah Prescott 06/09/2024 11:00 am
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov criticized French authorities for his arrest over alleged insufficient moderation on Telegram, calling it “misguided.” Arrested on August 25, Durov denied claims that Telegram is an “anarchic paradise” and argued that holding him responsible for third-party crimes is inappropriate. He emphasized that legal actions should target the service, not the CEO. Durov acknowledged Telegram’s imperfections but highlighted its efforts to remove harmful content. Critics argue Telegram’s large groups facilitate misinformation and illegal activities, and its moderation is weaker than other platforms. Durov noted user growth has strained moderation efforts. Penelope Kingsley 06/09/2024 11:00 am
Residents of Jenin in the occupied West Bank are assessing damage after nine days of intense Israeli military operations, described as Gaza-style with severe infrastructure destruction and rationing of essentials. The UN reports it as the deadliest period in the West Bank since November. Although the military withdrew from Jenin and Tulkarem, an Israeli source indicated the operation is only paused. Dubbed Operation Summer Camps, the campaign aims to counter terrorism. Residents report significant transformation and scarring of Jenin, likening it to Gaza. Penelope Kingsley 06/09/2024 11:00 am
China has evacuated 400,000 people as super typhoon Yagi, packing winds up to 240km/h, approaches Hainan. Trains, boats, and flights are suspended, and schools are closed. Yagi, which doubled in strength after hitting the Philippines, may cause “catastrophic” damage in Hainan and Guangdong. Tourist attractions and the main bridge linking Hong Kong with Macau and Zhuhai are shut. Heavy rainfall and strong gales are expected, with rainfall up to 500mm. Yagi is predicted to be the strongest typhoon to hit southern China in a decade and will weaken before reaching northern Vietnam. Noah Prescott 06/09/2024 11:00 am
Michel Barnier, with over 50 years in politics, is best known as the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator. Born in Savoie, France, in 1951, he has been a committed conservative since his teens, joining the UDR party, now the Republicans. Despite not attending the elite École Nationale d’Administration, he became the youngest MP at 27. Barnier, married with three children, was chosen by Jean-Claude Juncker in 2016 to handle Brexit negotiations, praised for his diligence and cool-headedness. Despite initial skepticism in France, he was respected in the EU for his methodical approach during the Brexit process. Penelope Kingsley 06/09/2024 7:30 am
