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Argentina’s poverty rate rebounds to 32.3% as inflation outpaces wage growth
15 days ago•Source: France 24
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4.27 min•27 days ago
Sovereignty Spotlight: Macron and Carney Visit French North Atlantic Islands
France and Canada will visit Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon (Sept 19-21) to reaffirm national sovereignty after Donald Trump’s North America map post, with Macron attending the UN General Assembly. The trip, highlighting shared values in a world of power politics, also notes climate-driven challenges on the islands and recalls historic U.S.–France tensions during WWII.
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Kenscoff raid kills 47 as Haiti's gang crisis widens near Port-au-Prince
France 24•1 month ago
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US Strikes Narco Vessel in Eastern Pacific, Killing Two Amid Controversial Campaign
The US Southern Command says it conducted a lethal strike on a low-profile vessel in the Eastern Pacific, killing two men it labels narco-traffickers as part of a year-long campaign against drug trafficking at sea. The operation, which critics say lacks publicly verifiable evidence of drug involvement, follows a broader pattern of similar strikes that have destroyed boats and resulted in dozens of casualties and ongoing search-and-rescue efforts. International bodies and humanitarian groups have questioned the legality and effectiveness of the campaign, while oversight reviews and victim-family investigations continue.
El Niño drought tightens Panama Canal traffic, prompting reductions
The Panama Canal Authority will throttle daily crossings from 36 to 34 starting Sept 3, then to 32 from Sept 15, as a severe El Niño–driven drought lowers canal water levels. The agency has already implemented water-saving measures such as limiting drafts to sustain operations, a vital route that handles about 5% of global maritime trade and roughly 40% of US container traffic.
NASA's Swift telescope doomed to burn up after failed rescue mission
A $30 million NASA rescue attempt to move the Swift space telescope to a higher orbit failed when the rescue spacecraft lost control, meaning Swift will re-enter Earth's atmosphere and disintegrate later this year, though NASA will learn lessons for future satellite servicing.
Cartel feud spurs deadly trend of influencer killings in Mexico
Mexican influencer César Gastélum was shot dead during a TikTok livestream in Culiacán as rival Sinaloa Cartel factions fight; CNN notes a spike in influencer killings linked to cartel violence, with ACLED counting 20 attacks and 14 deaths in Sinaloa since 2024 (nine influencers and five related people). The killings have included other cases like beauty influencer Valeria Márquez and a Veracruz mayoral candidate, with federal authorities examining potential cartel links. Experts say influencers can be used to launder money, promote cartel personas, and send intimidation messages, illustrating how the narco-conflict is bleeding into social media.
Capital One links Trump Organization account closures to anti-money-laundering review
Capital One says it closed more than 300 Trump Organization accounts in 2021 after an anti-money-laundering review, a disclosure tying AML concerns to the Trump business for the first time. The bank argues the closures followed months of AML analysis in line with policy and regulatory guidance and is seeking to dismiss a Florida lawsuit alleging debanking for political reasons, noting the case has faced dismissals and amendments while the broader policy environment around banks remains charged.
Culver City weighs extending drive-thru ban, threatening In-N-Out plans
Culver City is debating extending a temporary moratorium on new drive-thru permits, a move that could block a planned In-N-Out Burger after a 45-day ban and a July expiry, as officials study a permanent ban amid concerns about traffic congestion and safety for nearby schoolchildren and the park.
Foot bite at Jones Beach triggers shark-safety response
A swimmer at Jones Beach State Park in New York was bitten on the foot in a suspected shark attack, with lifeguards responding and the victim taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The beach was briefly closed during an hour-long shark search before swimming was allowed again with restrictions to waist-deep water. Officials reported other shark sightings nearby at Rockaway Beach and Point Lookout on Long Island amid record heat; drones are increasingly used to monitor sharks. Shark bites are rare, with about 60–80 unprovoked bites worldwide each year.
Bolsonaro clan feud puts Flávio's presidential bid at risk
Michelle Bolsonaro publicly criticized her stepson Flávio Bolsonaro in a video, accusing him of humiliating her, a family feud within the Bolsonaro dynasty that could complicate Flávio's bid for Brazil's presidency and influence voters as Lula remains a central challenger.
Trump unveils interim Air Force One: a Qatar-gifted 747 with a luxury interior
Trump unveiled a former Qatari-owned Boeing 747 converted into a temporary Air Force One, featuring a luxury interior and bold color scheme, to serve until Boeing VC-25Bs arrive in 2028; the jet will be used for upcoming missions including a NATO summit in Ankara, while the older VC-25As remain in service and questions about accepting the foreign gift have been raised.
Oliver Tree Among Six Killed in Brazil Helicopter Collision
American singer Oliver Tree died in a midair collision between two helicopters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, along with five others including the pilot of the other helicopter; Tree, 32, was aboard the chopper with four other passengers when the crash occurred west of downtown Rio.