Israel illegal actions
A UN investigation committee probing the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land has called on all world countries to take immediate measures to bring Israel’s violations to an end. The call was made by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry. It said the Israeli occupation is illegal under international law, adding that illegal actions require legal consequences for Israel to put an end to those acts. The committee said Israel has violated and is still violating the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination through its long-term occupation, settlement and annexation of the Palestinian territories for decades. The report comes as Israel has been defiant of international calls to bring its atrocities in the occupied territories to an end.
"Empire of lies"
China has slammed the United States as "a true empire of lies" following a State Department report that accused Beijing of information manipulation. Chinese foreign ministry said the report has disregarded facts. It added the agencies of the US State Department that produced the report were the source of false information and the command post of cognitive warfare. On Thursday, the State Department accused Beijing of manipulating global media through censorship, data harvesting and covert purchases of foreign news outlets. It claimed that China has hit major setbacks when targeting democratic countries, due to local media and civil society push-back. The report comes as Beijing is seeking to combat western media which are trying to offer negative images of China.
US flash floods
Heavy rains overnight have triggered flash flooding in New York City, turning streets into fast-moving rivers and grinding subway travel to a halt. Images from around New York showed cars half-submerged and traffic snarled, with some major roads completely blocked. The subway system has also been impacted, with several lines closed in Brooklyn. A New York airport also closed one of its terminals. The city’s mayor has declared a state of emergency across the New York City, and urged people not to venture out. People complain that officials have been slow to react to the situation. New Yorkers say they are dissatisfied with transit delays. No deaths or critical injuries have been reported yet. New York City has had nearly 14 inches of rain so far this month, making it the wettest September since 1882, according to official figures. Observers have warned the flooding chaos is the result of the climate crisis.