September 11, Wednesday, 2024

1. US Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump have faced off in a high-stakes televised debate in Philadelphia. Over the course of 90 minutes, the candidates sparred over key issues including immigration, foreign policy, and the US economy. 2. US pop star Taylor Swift has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the country’s next president. She posted a message to Instagram on Tuesday shortly after a televised debate between the Democratic presidential nominee and Republican opponent Donald Trump. 3. The UN General Assembly has upgraded the rights of the representative of Palestine by allowing the envoy a seat among member nations. The ambassador has observer status and has yet to be given full UN membership.

September 10, Tuesday, 2024

1. The operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has launched a trial to retrieve nuclear fuel debris from one of the plant’s crippled reactors, after a delay caused by misaligned pipes. Tokyo Electric Power Company, or TEPCO, was due to begin the experiment at the No.2 reactor on August 22, only to call it off at the last moment. The work resumed on Tuesday. 2. The Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations has hinted that Palestine may submit a draft resolution to the UN General Assembly as early as next week, calling on Israel to end its occupation of the Palestinian territories within six months.
3. At least 82 people have been confirmed dead in Vietnam, the Philippines and China as a powerful typhoon wreaked havoc in the region. Typhoon Yagi triggered landslides and floods in the region. According to media reports from the three countries, 58 people were confirmed dead in Vietnam, 20 in the Philippines and four in China.