Friday, 7 November 2025

Typhoon barrels towards Cambodia after killing at least 193 in Philippines and Vietnam (LINK) 7 November 2025

US taking all-or-nothing approach on its Gaza plan, warns UN truce will collapse otherwise — NYT (LINK) 7 November 2025

'Huge victory' in Portland as judge’s final order bars Trump from sending national guard (LINK) 7 November 2025

U.S. Supreme Court justice temporarily pauses order requiring Trump administration to fully fund SNAP by end of Friday (LINK) 7 November 2025

Trump Media slump after reporting wider quarterly loss as sales decline (LINK) 7 November 2025

Blatten danger zones revised: half territory (14.3ha) can be used for settlement but only 6.8ha in village instead of previous 30ha. Ried completely unrecoverable. 2029 before Blatten inhabitants can return. (LINK in French) 7 November 2025

Thursday, 6 November 2025

UN chief: Failure to contain global heating amounts to "moral failure and deadly negligence" (LINK) 6 November 2025

Triple-whammy of hottest ever years risks 'irreversible damage', says UN chief. WMO: The past 11 years, back to 2015, will also be the 11 warmest years on record (LINK) 6 November 2025

UK's Prince William announces Earthshot Prize 2025 winners in Rio ceremony: Winners include a project for making the Atlantic Forest financially viable and a global ocean treaty initiative (LINK) 6 November 2025

U.S. layoffs hit highest point in over two decades: October was the worst month for layoffs in 22 years (LINK) 6 November 2025

— Prior to the report, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the American economy was nearing a "golden age" under the Trump administration, and said that 2026 "would be a great year".

Meta projected 10% of 2024 sales came from scam, fraud ads — Reuters report (LINK) 6 November 2025

— The Reuters report cited a December 2024 document that showed how Meta each year generates roughly $7 billion in annualized sales from so-called "higher risk" scam ads, which are promotions that are clearly deceptive. Each day, Meta shows users an estimated 15 billion of these higher risk scam ads, the Reuters report said, citing a separate document.

Switzerland lowers prices of 300 drugs by an average of 12% (LINK) 6 November 2025

Wednesday, 5 November 2025

Still a chance to return to 1.5C climate goal, researchers say: Report calls for scaling-up of renewable energy and electrification of key sectors to limit peak of global heating (LINK) 6 November 2025

EU ministers agree to 90% emissions reduction by 2040 target (LINK) 5 November 2025

— Ministers battled over the degree to which carbon credits could be used to make up the reduction target. Credits allow nations to buy carbon reductions made elsewhere in projects all over the globe. While countries like Germany wanted to see only around 3% of the total offset globally through projects like reforestation or renewables, nations including France and Poland wanted to see more of the total covered by offsets, EU sources told DW.

Switzerland advances from crypto experimentation to adoption: from Crypto Valley to Institutional Centre (LINK) 6 November 2025

— Zürcher Kantonalbank, Julius Baer, PostFinance and several private banks now offer regulated crypto custody and execution services. SIX Digital Exchange (SDX), the digital arm of the Swiss stock exchange, has launched a fully regulated digital securities marketplace, with trading and settlement operating on blockchain rails but under established financial licence structures.

U.S. Supreme Court questions legality of Trump’s tariffs (LINK) 5 November 2025

Takeaways from Trump's rocky Supreme Court arguments over global tariffs (LINK) 5 November 2025

— CNN: The Supreme Court appeared deeply concerned Wednesday with President Donald Trump's reliance on a vague federal law to impose global tariffs.

The US economy added 42,000 private-sector jobs last month, more than expected (LINK) 5 November 2025

US federal government shutdown: US Army tells 37,000 soldiers in Germany to go to food bank (LINK) 5 November 2025

NPR: Kristi Noem denies ICE detaining US citizens: she is wrong: many U.S. citizens have been detained or arrested (LINK) 5 November 2025

Politico: Democrats didn’t just rebound. They dominated. (LINK) 5 November 2025

— In Virginia, whose odd-year state elections are often seen as a bellwether ahead of midterms and presidential elections, Democrats flipped at least 13 seats in the House of Delegates. In the top races — the governorships in Virginia and New Jersey, as well as the New York mayoral — all Democrats cleared 50 percent support.

IonQ and Swiss Consortium launch first citywide dedicated quantum network — in Geneva (LINK) 5 November 2025

— Landmark public-private initiative includes CERN, Rolex SA, Swiss government and academic institutions. Delivers world-class quantum infrastructure to support research, collaboration, and quantum tech awareness.

Miss Universe flap: Executive breaks down in tears after apologizing for intense exchange with Miss Mexico at Thai event: "He called me dumb." (LINK) 6 November 2025

Antarctic's Hektoria glacier collapses in record time: lost nearly half its mass (which was the size of Philadelphia)in two months in 2022-2023: experts warn that comparable events on larger Antarctic glaciers could have severe consequences for global sea level rise (LINK) 6 November 2025

Swiss economic forecast for improvement despite tariffs (LINK) 5 November 2025

— The indicator has once again reached the level of July, i.e. the level prior to the US tariff increase on Swiss imports. "Overall, expectations have never been so positive since the beginning of the year. The Swiss economy is regaining momentum," said KOF. The recovery is particularly evident in the industrial sector.

Trump holds trade talks with Switzerland — (LINK)

— United States President Donald Trump has met with high-ranking representatives of Switzerland to discuss trade issues. Trump announced the talks on his Truth Social platform. It was initially unclear where and in what setting the meeting took place and who took part. The Swiss authorities did not initially provide any information on this either. At the beginning of August, Trump announced punitive tariffs of 39% on numerous Swiss products – one of the highest rates worldwide that the US has imposed on its trading partners.

PostBus Switzerland will be trialing self-driving cars around Altstätten in canton St Gallen in December as new public transport service (LINK) 5 November 2025

Bolivian Supreme Court annuls the right-wing leader Jeanine Anez's conviction and 10-year sentence for illegally assuming presidency after 2019 ouster of Evo Morales: "violations" of due process during her trial (LINK) 5 November 2025

France blocks Shein operations after controversy over child-like sex dolls (LINK) — ground.news: 93 media reports (LINK) 5 November 2025

Morocco has declared 31 October a national holiday to mark the day the UN Security Council voted in favour of a resolution backing its plan for the disputed Western Sahara region. (LINK) 5 November 2025

France blocks Shein operations after controversy over child-like sex dolls (LINK) — ground.news: 93 media reports (LINK) 5 November 2025

Bitcoin at make or break level as China suspends 24% tariff on U.S. goods (LINK) 5 November 2025

Swiss seeking UNESCO recognition for yodeling on list of intangible cultural heritage (LINK) 5 November 2025

— The Swiss government says at least 12,000 yodelers take part through about 780 groups of the Swiss Yodeling Association. Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), which became the first Swiss university to teach yodeling about seven years ago. Some 20 Swiss school teachers know how to yodel and are trying it with their classes. UNESCO is expected to deliver a decision by year-end.

Tuesday, 4 November 2025

Sudan civil war spiralling out of control, UN secretary general says (LINK) 4 November 2025

Takeaways from Tuesday's elections: Democrats win across the spectrum as voters reject Trump (LINK) 4s November 2025

Democrats set historic records on election night. Here are six of the firsts they accomplished: (LINK) 4 November 2025

1. — First woman elected as Virginia governor: Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA operative and member of Congress
2. — First Muslim woman elected to statewide office in the US: Virginia state senator Ghazala Hashmi became the first Muslim American woman elected to statewide office anywhere in the country when she won Virginia’s lieutenant governor election
3. — First Muslim mayor of New York: 34-year-old progressive Zohran Mamdani
4. — First city or town to vote to divest from Israel: Somerville, Massachusetts
5. — First state to counter Republicans mid-cycle redistricting
6. — First woman elected mayor of Detroit: Detroit city council president Mary Sheffield

Hurricane Melissa death toll rises to 43 in Haiti as aid pours in across the northern Caribbean: flooded nearly 12,000 homes (LINK) — ground.news: 37 media reports (LINK) 4 November 2025

— In Jamaica, the hurricane killed at least 32 people and caused an estimated $6 billion in damage The U.S. State Department has committed $24 million in disaster relief funding for the Caribbean islands.

Hurricane Melissa recovery: how airlines and travel brands are helping the Caribbean (LINK) 4 November 2025

Ukrainian drones reach deep inside Russia as battle for key city rages on (LINK) 4 November 2025

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,349 (LINK) 4 November 2025

— Russia said on Monday that its troops had advanced in the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, an important transport and logistics hub that they have been trying to capture for more than a year, but Ukraine said its forces were holding on.

— Zelenskyy announced that Kyiv will set up offices for arms exports and joint weapons production in Berlin and Copenhagen this year.

— EC said in a draft text that Kyiv needed to make more progress on judicial independence, fighting organised crime and respecting civil society.

— Zelenskyy said Ukraine still needs to raise $750m to secure gas imports for the upcoming winter.

Antarctic glacier retreating at rate 10 times faster than previously measured: Study (LINK) 4 November 2025

UN: Nations well off-track of Paris climate agreement goals (LINK) 4 November 2025

— "“The bottom line is that nations have had three attempts to hit the mark with their Paris Agreement pledges, and each time they have landed off target,” says report.

Sudan's paramilitary kills at least 40 people as fighting spreads into Kordofan region (LINK) — ground.news: 22 media reports (LINK) 5 November 2025

Bolivian top court annuls former interim president sentence and orders her immediate release (LINK) — ground.news: 40 media reports (LINK) 4 November 2025

US sanctions North Korean bankers accused of laundering stolen cryptocurrency (LINK) 4 November 2025

Federal judge orders White House to restore sign language interpreters at press briefings (LINK) — ground.news: 16 media reports (LINK) 4 November 2025

The $1 billion Grand Egyptian Museum opens to the public: for the first time, visitors can see the whole collection of treasures from the tomb of the famed King Tutankhamun, which was discovered in 1922. (LINK) 4 November 2025

New Republic: The business press is in denial about Trump's UAE bribe: As Microsoft sends AI chips to the United Arab Emirates, reporters are failing to explain exactly how it was made possible (LINK) 4 November 2025

— What these stories fail to mention is that the easing of previous restrictions came just two weeks after the UAE purchased $2 billion in stablecoin from World Liberty Financial, in which the Trump family owns a large share. The purchase was, apparently, the largest crypto transaction in human history.

Switzerland more exposed to climate change than expected, compared with average global warming, says latest federal report (LINK) 4 November 2025

— While the global temperature has risen by 1.3°C, the warming compared with the pre-industrial era has already reached 2.9°C in Switzerland. According to the researchers’ calculations, in a world with a temperature rise of 1.5°C, Switzerland would experience a rise of 2.9°C. The rise in temperature will even reach 4.9°C if the planet warms up by 3°C. These figures represent an increase of 10-15% compared with previous climate scenarios for 2018. According to the report, this warming will mean more heatwaves, more droughts, heavier rainfall and less snow.

British mag names Valais resort Bruson near Verbier best in Europe (LINK in French) 4 November 2025

The magic of Switzerland in December — Xmas markets + top spots (LINK) 4 November 2025

Bill Gates defends contentious climate views: "I'm glad people are listening," he said, before adding that it was hard to convey "nuanced positions nowadays." (LINK) 4 November 2025

Trump sculpture strapped to a cross, by British artist, displayed in Basel (LINK) 4 November 2025

Monday, 3 November 2025

2017 Minamata Convention COP-6 opens in Geneva to strengthen global action on mercury pollution: 3-7 November (LINK) 3 November 2025

— COP-6 will consider measures to curb the illegal trade of mercury and strengthen control of its supply and compounds; review progress on artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), which remains the largest source of global mercury emissions, and assess the enforcement of the ban on mercury-added skin-lightening products. Parties will also discuss a proposal to phase out dental amalgam, evaluate feasible mercury-free alternatives in vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) production, and examine updates to the Convention's financial mechanism, including guidance to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Specific International Programme (SIP).

Trump says he won't sell Tomahawks to Kyiv for now after Putin threats (LINK) 3 November 2025

After mistaken deportation, Abrego Garcia fights people-smuggling charges (LINK) 3 November 2025

CNN Fact check: 18 false claims Trump made on ‘60 Minutes’ (LINK) 3 November 2025

Gold around $4,000 an ounce after a weak start on Monday, once China ended a long-standing tax rebate for some retailers in a change that could weigh on demand (LINK) 3 November 2025

The 12 worst countries for living abroad according to expats: Sweden No. 1 (LINK) 3 November 2025

Tiny red shelter in the Italian Alps blurs art and architecture (LINK) 3 November 2025

Why do giraffes have such long legs? Animal simulations reveal a surprising answer: to move their heart closer to food, using less energy (LINK) 3 November 2025

FDA's top drug regulator resigns after federal officials probe 'serious concerns' about his conduct towards drug company chair (LINK) 2 November 2025

Sunday, 2 November 2025

Drinking water in Tehran could run dry in two weeks, Iranian official says (LINK) 2 November 2025

Qatar trying to keep Israel-Hamas ceasefire from falling apart, prime minister says (LINK) 2 November 2025

60 Minutes Trump interview at Mar-a-Lago: President says he doubts US will go to war with Venezuela: "I wouldn't be inclined to say that I would do that... I'm not gonna tell you what I'm gonna do with Venezuela, if I was gonna do it or if I wasn't going to do it." (LINK) 2 November 2025

— Since early September, US strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific have resulted in the deaths of at least 64 people, according to CBS News. "We're going to test nuclear weapons like other countries do." He added: "Russia's testing, and China's testing, but they don't talk about it. I don't want to be the only country that doesn't test." Russia and China have not announced tests since 1990 and 1996 respectively.

Cambridgeshire train stabbings: 'heroic' rail staff member fighting for life after tackling knife-wielding attacker on 1 November (LINK) 2 November 2025

— A 32-year-old man from Peterborough is being interrogated following incident on a train service from Peterborough to King's Cross. Witnesses reported a "terrifying" scene involving bloody stabbing victims shortly after the train departed. The incident, which occurred on Saturday night, resulted in 11 people requiring hospital treatment after the train made an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon station.

Canada signs defence pact with the Philippines: to deter China's aggression, lets Canada and Philippines hold joint battle-readiness drills and expand security alliances: fifth country with a troop agreement with the Philippines (LINK) — ground.news: 103 media reports (LINK) 2 November 2025

Death toll rises to 35 in Central Vietnam floods: 120,000 homes hit (LINK) — ground.news: 145 media reports (LINK) 2 November 2025

Tanzania's main opposition rejects Hassan's election win after deadly protests: President Samia Suluhu Hassan declared the winner with 97.66% of the vote (LINK) — ground.news: 33 media reports (LINK) 2 November 2025

Iran's president says Tehran will rebuild its nuclear facilities (LINK) — ground.news: 55 media reports (LINK) 2 November 2025

— U.S. President Donald Trump warned he would order fresh attacks if Iran restarts nuclear facilities. On Saturday, Iran's traditional intermediary, Oman, urged Washington and Tehran to resume talks to resolve the longstanding standoff.

Britons evacuated from Jamaica as UK sends aid as part of a £7.5m regional emergency package (LINK) 2 November 2025

— Some of the funding will be used to match public donations up to £1m to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent - with King Charles and Queen Camilla among those to have donated.

Energy giant TotalEnergies hit with major French lawsuit after allegedly deceiving customers for years: 'It is neither credible nor legally safe': had to make major changes to its public messaging after a court found on 23 October that it misled consumers about its supposedly eco-friendly practices (LINK) 2 November 2025

Scientists make AI-powered breakthrough that could revolutionize solar panels: 'Has long been a missing piece' (LINK) 2 November 2025

— What makes halide perovskites so promising is that they can be used to create a flexible material suitable for everything from small cellphones to large buildings, per the outlet. Additionally, it's cost-effective and lightweight, making it a versatile contender for the future of solar. The scientists' primary concern was that the material tends to degrade quickly. By using AI, the research team was able to run larger and longer computer simulations, allowing them to mimic real-life conditions. The model indicated that the halide perovskite molecules get stuck in a semi-stable state as the material cools, impacting its stability.

Swiss precious metals trader MKS PAMP aims to help build Hong Kong as an international gold trading hub (LINK) 2 November 2025

Saturday, 1 November 2025

Bangladesh Government and UNDP collaborate in GEF-funded project to advance low-carbon urban development in major cities (LINK) 2 November 2025

Trump threatens to send US military into Nigeria, alleging mass killing of Christians (LINK) 1 November 2025

White House says it will not send any high-level officials to COP30 climate talks (LINK) 1 November 2025

Mexican Mayor of Uruapan gunned down at Day of the Dead Festival (LINK) — ground.news: 82 media reports (LINK) 1 November 2025

— Michoacán's entrenched cartel violence has long left local officials vulnerable, with Carlos Manzo denouncing the Jalisco New Generation Cartel's extortion of farmers and urging stronger federal support. Police said two suspects were arrested and one alleged attacker was killed at the scene. The killing came days after a Michoacán farmer representative, was also shot dead.

APEC leaders wrap up summit after Trump and Xi reach truce in trade war (LINK) 1 November 2025

5 climbers, including a dad and his daughter, die after being caught in Italian avalanche (LINK) 1 November 2025

Scientists just shattered a major exercise myth: New research from Australia overturns the old idea that exercise "uses up" heartbeats (LINK) 1 November 2025

— Athletes' hearts beat around 10% less daily, saving over 11,000 beats per day compared to sedentary people. This efficiency not only signals cardiovascular fitness but also translates to longer life expectancy and lower disease risk.

Number of Irish citizens deported from US up by more than 50%: between January and September 2025, 99 (LINK) 1 November 2025

Climate change won't end civilization, says Bill Gates (LINK) 28 October 2025

— He argued that tackling global disease and poverty will help prepare the planet's poorest for a warming world. But he said that while climate change will have "serious" consequences, "people will be able to live and thrive in most places on Earth for the foreseeable future." Climate change will not end civilization, limiting temperature is not the best measure of progress, and health and prosperity are the strongest defenses against climate destabilization.

8 safety items you should always keep in your car (LINK) 1 November 2025

Inside Roger Federer's legendary Rolex watch collection (including a super-rare new model) (LINK) 1 November 2025

The rugged, game-changing history behind the Rolex Explorer, the world's most perfect watch (LINK) 1 November 2025