Sunday, 31 August 2025

More than 800 killed and nearly 3,000 injured after strong quake hits eastern Afghanistan on 31 August — UN (LINK) 1 September 2025

Yemen's Houthi rebels raid UN premises in Sanaa and detain at least 11 employees (LINK) — ground.news: 257 media reports (LINK) 31 August 2025

U.S. judge blocks Trump administration move to deport Guatemalan children (LINK) 31 August 2025

— Judge issued a 14-day restraining order after advocacy groups claimed around 600 children were at risk of deportation. The Trump administration claimed the children were being repatriated for family reunifications, but advocacy groups disputed this claim.

US reportedly suspends visa approvals for nearly all Palestinian passport holders (LINK) 31 August 2025

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UK to make it harder for refugees to bring family members to country (LINK) 31 August 2025

— This move is part of a package of measures aimed at strengthening border security and addressing the issue of irregular migration. The number of people who entered on visas has risen sharply since 2022, with just over 20,000 being granted in the year to June 2025 — a 30% rise on the previous 12 months. The changes are expected to include setting a minimum period refugees must be settled before being allowed to invite their families, as well as removing the power of judges to hear appeals in asylum cases. The government aims to close asylum hotels and increase returns, but critics argue that the new policies will harm refugees and breach human rights.

Aid ship carrying Greta Thunberg, Susan Sarandon and other activists, sets sail to Gaza (LINK) 31 August 2025

Trump to order voter ID for every vote, 'no exceptions' (LINK) 31 August 2025

The steps the Health and Human Services secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took during his push to fire scientist and career public servant CDC Director Susan Monarez (LINK) 31 August 2025

— "What has always been my line in the sand is if I felt that ideology was going to compromise the science so that that science could be weaponized to an ideological end," said Demetre Daskalakis, who served as the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases director until he resigned minutes after news of the effort to oust Monarez broke. "I think in the last couple of weeks, it has been clear that that is the intent." HHS posted on the social media platform X that she was “no longer director” of the agency. Three top CDC leaders, including Daskalakis, resigned minutes later, unleashing a torrent of criticism of Kennedy and what they suggested was his politicized leadership of the agency.

After three and a half months Hamas confirms death of its military leader Mohammed Sinwar (LINK) — ground.news: 35 media reports (LINK) 31 August 2025

UK to make it harder for refugees to bring family members to country (LINK) 31 August 2025

— This move is part of a package of measures aimed at strengthening border security and addressing the issue of irregular migration. The number of people who entered on visas has risen sharply since 2022, with just over 20,000 being granted in the year to June 2025 — a 30% rise on the previous 12 months. The changes are expected to include setting a minimum period refugees must be settled before being allowed to invite their families, as well as removing the power of judges to hear appeals in asylum cases. The government aims to close asylum hotels and increase returns, but critics argue that the new policies will harm refugees and breach human rights.

Clopidogrel, a commonly prescribed blood thinner, is more effective than aspirin at preventing heart attacks and strokes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) (LINK) 31 August 2025

— The study, which analyzed nearly 29,000 patients, found that clopidogrel reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events by 14% compared to aspirin, without increasing the risk of major bleeding. This discovery could transform health guidelines worldwide and lead to a shift in treatment standards for patients with CAD. The findings suggest that clopidogrel should be considered the preferred long-term anti-platelet medication for patients with CAD.

Tempers are flaring on a daily basis at the US Open (LINK) 31 August 2025

Saturday, 30 August 2025

Paramilitary RSF's Hemedti sworn in as head of parallel Sudanese government (LINK) — ground.news: 9 media reports (LINK) 30 August 2025

Yemen's Houthi rebel movement confirm self-proclaimed prime minister killed in Israeli strike against Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on 28 August (LINK) 30 August 2025

Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida has been killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, according to Israel (LINK) 30 August 2025

— The strike targeted a residential building, killing at least seven people and injuring 20, including children. Israel's Defence Minister congratulated the IDF and Shin Bet for the "flawless execution" of the operation, which was made possible by prior intelligence gathering.

Prominent Ukrainian politician Andriy Parubiy shot dead in Lviv (LINK) 30 August 2025

Ukraine War, day 1,284: Trump officials blame Europe for Putin refusal of ceasefire (LINK) 30 August 2025

— The Kremlin is maintaining its ultimata for Ukraine’s capitulation. It is not only demanding that its seizure of parts of four Ukrainian regions — Donetsk and Luhansk in the east and Zaporizhzhia and Kherson in the south — as well as Crimea be recognized; it is also insisting on Ukraine hands over the rest of Donetsk, a fortified, industrial belt of towns and cities in the north of the region.

Modi reaffirms India's support for Ukraine peace settlement during call with Zelenskyy (LINK) — ground.news: 30 media reports (LINK) 30 August 2025

— Zelenskyy, speaking in his nightly video address, said Modi supported Ukraine's call for a ceasefire in the war with Russia.

US revokes and denies visas for PLO/PA leaders, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, ahead of UN General Assembly (LINK) — ground.news: 17 media reports (LINK) 30 August 2025

— At General Assembly next month several countries including France, Canada and the U.K. are expected to formally recognize a Palestinian state. A State Department official accused the Palestinians of undermining the prospects for peace in Gaza.

UK anti-slavery commissioner launches investigation into 'pimping websites' (LINK) 30 August 2025

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani was seriously injured in a car accident near Manchester, New Hampshire, on Saturday evening (LINK) 30 August 2025

— His rented vehicle was struck from behind at high speed, resulting in a fractured thoracic vertebrae, multiple lacerations, consions, and injuries to his left arm and lower leg. Giuliani, 81, is in good spirits and recovering well, according to his security team. The incident is not believed to be a targeted attack, and it is unrelated to a separate domestic violence incident earlier in the day in which Giuliani offered assistance to a woman.

Bruce Willis' dementia brings to light eating habits doctors say could be early signs (LINK) 31 August 2025

— Frontotemporal dementia, a brain disorder characterized by the degeneration of the front and sides of the brain, affects eating habits in various ways. Some patients become fixated on specific foods, such as bananas, while others develop obsessive behaviors like eating non-food items. The condition can also lead to overeating or undereating due to the brain's inability to regulate appetite.

Scientists say they may have just figured out the origin of life: it comes down to some "very simple chemistry" (LINK) 30 August 2025

Stunning discovery of hydrothermal vents deep in the Pacific Ocean dwarfs the famous Atlantic 'Lost City' (LINK) 30 August 2025

— At 11.1 square kilometres, the newly discovered hydrothermal field is over a hundred times larger than its Atlantic counterpart. The 'Lost City', with its jagged landscape of towers and turrets, was discovered near the mid-Atlantic ridge in 2000, and it was once the largest field of hydrothermal vents known anywhere in the world.

Friday, 29 August 2025

Volodymyr Zelensky rejects proposals for buffer zone to end fighting (LINK) 29 August 2025

— "Only those who do not understand the technological state of today's war propose a buffer zone," he told reporters on Friday.

Ukraine war latest: Europe 'considering post-war buffer zone'; US approves potential missile sale (LINK) 29 August 2025

Federal appellate court upholds ruling striking down Trump's tariffs (LINK) 29 August 2025

— In late May, the Court of International Trade ruled Trump did not have the authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs, as he has done this year. The court said it did not reach a conclusion on whether a president could authorize any tariffs under the emergency powers, only that Trump's reasoning for the tariffs did not constitute an emergency and went beyond the president's authority. The tariffs "are unbounded in scope, amount and duration," the ruling says. They "assert an expansive authority that is ... beyond the authority delegated to the President by IEEPA."

Thai court dismisses prime minister over compromising phone call with Cambodian leader (LINK) 29 August 2025

Trump ends Secret Service protection for Harris (LINK) 28 August 2025

Israel recovers body of hostage and remains of another, declares Gaza City a 'dangerous combat zone' (LINK) 29 August 2025

Trump administration faces rare bipartisan pushback for firing CDC director (LINK) 29 August 2025

FIFA loses multi-million lawsuit against Sepp Blatter and Markus Kattner after 10-year case (LINK) 29 August 2025

— The former FIFA officials do not have to pay back their own bonuses or the bonus totalling CHF23 million ($28.7 million) paid to another FIFA official to FIFA. According to the court, the defendants were entitled to assume "in good faith" that FIFA would authorise the bonus payments that had already been made. The decision is not yet final.

Swiss Federal Court upholds conviction of Geneva-based Islamic academic, Tariq Ramadan, for rape: In 2024, a Geneva court found him guilty of rape and sexual coercion of a woman he met in a Geneva hotel in 2008, and he was sentenced to three years in jail, one of which was suspended (LINK) 29 August 2025

Geneva company M3 reported on brink of collapse: in 2022 had 1500 employees, now 150 (LINK) 29 August 2025

The 220 Zurich airport strikers will still lose their jobs as baggage handlers (LINK) 29 August 2025

— A deal was reached securing severance payments for all affected staff. Union leaders say that without the strike, there would have been no severance cash.

Thursday, 28 August 2025

Russian strikes hit British Council and EU offices in deadly attack on Kyiv: UK and EU summon top Russian diplomats: European leaders condemn 'deliberate' targeting of civilians and institutions: overnight raid kills more than a dozen people (LINK) 28 August 2025

White House chooses Robert F Kennedy Jr deputy to run CDC: Backlash (LINK) 28 August 2025

Massive CDC walkout erupts amid internal chaos (LINK)

The new head of the CDC has no training in medicine and once helped Peter Thiel develop man-made islands floating outside U.S. territory (LINK)

Trump ends Secret Service protection for Harris (LINK) 28 August 2025

Gulf Stream 'could collapse in our lifetime', warns EU climate chief after Dutch scientists found key ocean currents are weakening faster than thought (LINK) 28 August 2025

Microplastics found in highest amounts in these popular drinks: hot tea: 49 to 81 MPs per litre, soft drinks only 13 to 21 MPs per litre (LINK) 28 August 2025

United Nations says children make up 50 percent of gang members in Haiti: US and Panama have proposed a security force meant to counter gangs, despite setbacks with an existing Kenya-led policing operation (LINK) 28 August 2025

Wednesday, 27 August 2025

Return of UN nuclear inspectors to Iran met with protests by MPs: some Iranian officials say readmission breaches law passed after Israel and the US attacked the country in June (LINK) 27 August 2025

CDC erupts in chaos after ousted chief Susan Monarez refuses to resign: Lawyers for Monarez say she was ‘targeted’ for 'protecting the public' by not endorsing 'unscientific' orders (LINK) 27 August 2025

CDC vaccine chief Demetre Daskalakis slams Kennedy in scathing resignation post: said there had been an "intentional eroding of trust in low-risk vaccines" (LINK) 27 August 2025

Denmark summons top US diplomat over alleged influence operation (LINK) 27 August 2025

UN nuclear watchdog chief said to receive 24/7 security detail due to Iranian threat (LINK) 27 August 2025

Donald Trump's 50% tariff on India kicks in as PM Modi urges self-reliance (LINK) 27 August 2025

Trump Media launches Nasdaq-listed CRO strategy, token skyrockets (LINK) 27 August 2025

Scientist warns that new synthetic "mirror" lifeforms could spell doom for humankind: most scientists agree that the technology is at least a decade away, perhaps three (LINK) 27 August 2025

Deforestation has killed half a million people in past 20 years, study finds: localized rises in temperature caused by land clearance cause 28,330 heat-related deaths a year, researchers find (LINK) 27 August 2025

Van Gogh museum warns of closure risk without state support for renovations: attracts some 1.8 million visitors a year (LINK) 27 August 2025

Medvedev fined $42,500 after US Open meltdown after a meltdown sparked by a photographer walking on to the court during his defeat by France's Benjamin Bonzi (LINK) 27 August 2025

— He was docked $30,000 for unsportsmanlike behaviour and another $12,500 for obliterating a racket against a chair. It means the Russian will have to forfeit about 40% of the first-round prize money he received. Medvedev, who won the New York title in 2021, was incensed when umpire Greg Allensworth awarded another first serve to Bonzi following the bizarre moment. Staring defeat in the face, Medvedev marched over to the official and incited a frenzied New York crowd before shouting at Allensworth. The match was delayed for more than six minutes before the crowd calmed down sufficiently for Bonzi to resume.

Ostapenko and Townsend confront each other after US Open match with American's upset win: Ostapenko 'said I had no education'. Ostapenko denies comments had racial undertones (LINK) 27 August 2025

Tuesday, 26 August 2025

One in four still lacks access to safe drinking water and sanitation (LINK) 26 August 2025

UPU, the United Nations agency that coordinates international mail deliveries, says it's working to get small parcels dispatched to the United States again by resolving confusion over the pending elimination of U.S. tariff exemption from Friday (LINK) 26 August 2025

— The postal service operators of more than 30 countries, including almost all of the ones in Europe, have limited or stopped shipping all or most U.S.-bound parcels valued at $800 or less, which has been the cutoff for imported goods to escape customs charges.

Some FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) staff are put on leave after signing dissent letter with ex-staff (35 signed their names while 141 signed anonymously): at least 2 received suspension notices (LINK) 26 August 2025

Australia expels Iranian ambassador over antisemitic attacks (LINK) 26 August 2025

Quantum myths, e.g. Einstein hated entanglement (LINK) 26 August 2025

Monday, 25 August 2025

More than a dozen people killed in Israeli strikes on hospital in southern Gaza, including journalists (LINK) 25 August 2025

1 in 4 people globally still lack access to safe drinking water — WHO, UNICEF (LINK) 25 August 2025

Al Jazeera: Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,279 (LINK) 25 August 2025

Trump orders removal of Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook (LINK) 25 August 2025

— In response, Cook has said Trump has no authority to fire her and she will not resign. It is an unprecedented move for the president to dismiss a member of the central bank's leadership. The president had called for her resignation last week over the allegation of mortgage fraud, which was first made in a public letter from housing finance regulator, Bill Pulte, a Trump ally, to Attorney General Pam Bondi. Cook told the BBC in a statement last week that she learned of the allegations from the media, and the matter stemmed from a mortgage loan application she made four years ago before she joined the central bank.

Judge halts Trump administration from deporting Kilmar Ábrego García for now (LINK) 25 August 2025

Ranked: countries with the highest wealth per person in 2025: Switzerland 1 at $678K per adult on average but 7th with $182K for median wealth (middle value of weath distribution) (LINK) 25 August 2025