Current Events This Week: September 2024

Updated November 21, 2024 | Infoplease Staff

World News | U.S. News | Disaster News | Science & Technology News

It's a busy world out there, so that’s why we’ve boiled it all down to our top stories for each week of September 2024.

We collect current events of the week starting and ending on a Friday, so make sure you check back at the end of every week to keep up-to-date on what's happening in the world and the U.S., including politics, disasters, science & technology, and military actions.

Our Top Stories for the Week of September 6, 2024
Our Top Stories for the Week of September 12, 2024
Our Top Stories for the Week of September 20, 2024
Our Top Stories for the Week of September 27, 2024

It’s been a busy week from the plane crash in Oregon to Brazil’s ban on X. Who has time to keep track of it all? That’s why we’ve boiled it all down to our top stories of the week.

Fatal Events

Russian Helicopter Wreckage Found: On Sunday, September 1, 2024, the Russian Emergency Ministry stated that the wreckage of a missing Russian Mi-8T helicopter in the Far East had been located, however, none of the 22 persons on board survived. The helicopter, which was carrying 19 passengers and three crew members, went missing near the Vachkazhets volcano in Kamchatka. The disaster happened in terrible weather, and the crew reported no faults.^[1]
Plane Crash In Oregon: On Sunday, September 1, 2024, a Cessna 421C crashed into townhouses at Troutdale Airport, killing three people and setting fire to many dwellings. The collision happened about 10:30 a.m. local time, displacing five households and injuring two persons. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are jointly investigating the incident, with the NTSB in control. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office said the jet hit a power pole or tower.^[2]
Russian Strike On Ukraine Kills Dozens: On Tuesday, September 3, 2024, a Russian missile assault on a military educational center in Poltava, central Ukraine, killed 51 people and injured over 200 others, making it one of the worst single strikes since Russia invaded in February 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has requested the international community to deliver air defense systems. Rescue personnel are still hunting for up to 18 persons who are believed to be trapped. At least ten residential structures were destroyed throughout the city.^[3]
School Shooting In Georgia: On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, a school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, killed four and wounded nine, making it the first school shooting of the year in the United States. The event happened just after the start of the new school year, and the issue is still under control. A 14-year-old suspect was arrested, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is probing the incident.^[4]

Sources: [1] Reuters [2] The Guardian [3] CNN [4] Reuters

U.S. Politics

Trump To Vote Against Abortion Ban: On Friday, August 31, 2024, following criticism from conservatives, former President Donald Trump stated that he would vote against a Florida ballot initiative to defend abortion rights. Trump's decision follows an NBC News interview in which he seemed to embrace the proposal, prompting outrage from anti-abortion advocates. He claims that Democrats favor abortion at all stages of pregnancy. Trump's attitude is in stark contrast to his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, who has criticized his anti-abortion stance.^[1]
Judge Orders Against Music Used At Trump’s Rallies: On Tuesday, September 3, 2024, a federal court temporarily barred Donald Trump from performing Isaac Hayes' song "Hold On, I'm Comin'" at his rallies in response to a complaint brought by Hayes' family. The injunction, issued by Thomas Thrash of Atlanta, prohibits continued usage but does not mandate video removal. The decision encourages other musicians to safeguard their work against unauthorized political usage.^[2]

Sources: [1] BBC [2] The Guardian

International Trend

Brazil Bans X: On Friday, August 30, 2024, Brazil's Supreme Court ruled that X, previously Twitter, be banned until it complies with court rulings and pays overdue penalties. The ban started in April when many X accounts were banned for disseminating misinformation. Elon Musk, X's owner, accused the court of impeding free expression. The restriction is enforced by the Brazilian telecom regulator.^[1]
Libyan Oil Fields Resume Production: On Saturday, August 31, 2024, Libya's Sarir, Messla, and Nafoura oilfields were ordered to begin production after a political deadlock. The Arabian Gulf Oil Company issued the order without citing any particular grounds. The closure was caused by a dispute over the Central Bank of Libya (CBL), with Western forces seeking to unseat Governor Sadiq al-Kabir. The eastern government requests that Western officials change their decision on CBL leadership.^[2]
Typhoon Heads For South China: On Friday, September 6, 2024, super typhoon Yagi is nearing southern China and might impact Hainan, bringing extensive disruptions and closures. The storm's intensity has risen from its earlier destruction in the northern Philippines. Hainan is already prone to typhoons, but just nine of its 106 from 1949 to 2023 were classified as super typhoons. Yagi is also likely to affect northern Vietnam.^[3]

Sources: [1] BBC [2] CNN [3] BBC

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It’s been a busy week from adjourning of hush money sentencing to floods in Nigeria. Who has time to keep track of it all? That’s why we’ve boiled it all down to our top stories of the week.

European Political Trends

Protest Over Macron’s Prime Minister: On Saturday, September 7, 2024, over 100,000 people protested Michel Barnier's appointment as prime minister in France following a contested election. The New Popular Front (NPF) was upset that their candidate, Lucie Castets, was rejected by President Emmanuel Macron. Trade unions and NPF members organized protests, accusing Macron of undermining democracy. Jean-Luc Mélenchon called for mass mobilization and accused Macron of a "coup." Barnier's potential reliance on far-right support has raised concerns.^[1]
Princess Catherine Completes Chemotherapy: On Monday, September 9, 2024, Catherine, the Prince of Wales, is focused on remaining cancer-free after undergoing preventative chemotherapy. She was relieved after the nine-month therapy, which she described as tough and frightening. Despite the lengthy road to recovery, she is determined to face each day as it comes. During her rehabilitation, she has begun working from home and intends to resume limited public engagements for the remainder of the year. Her message of perseverance and optimism reflects her dedication to personal health and public service.^[2]
Ukrainian Allies Ramp Up Sanction Against Iran: On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, The United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany placed sanctions on Iran for supplying Russia with ballistic missiles for the Ukraine crisis. The penalties include travel bans, asset freezes for Iranian military members, and limitations on Iran Air's flights to the United Kingdom and Europe. The penalties are designed to counter Russia's growing reliance on military assistance from Iran and North Korea, which breaches UN Security Council resolutions.^[3]

Sources: [1] BBC [2] The Guardian [3] BBC

U.S. Politics

Gavin Newsom Vetoes Immigrant Home Bill: On Friday, September 6, 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom rejected a measure that would offer unauthorized immigrants access to public funding for house purchases, citing financial constraints. Joaquin Arambula, a Democrat from Fresno, presented the measure to empower unauthorized immigrants with the opportunity to become homeowners. Republicans rejected the package, emphasizing its relevance in the 2017 US elections.^[1]
Hush Money Sentencing Postponed Till After Election: On Saturday, September 7, 2024, To prevent political meddling, New York Judge Juan Merchan postponed former President Donald Trump's hush money sentence until after the November 5 election. The issue concerns Trump's former lawyer paying $130,000 to conceal allegations of a sexual encounter before the 2016 election. Trump's legal team wants the lawsuit dismissed before the new sentencing date.^[2]
Trump Backs Adult Marijuana Use In Florida: On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, Donald Trump indicated support for Florida's Amendment 3, which seeks to legalize recreational marijuana for individuals aged 21 and above. He emphasized the need to halt arrests for small quantities of marijuana for personal use and supported legislation that would make it simpler for banks to service cannabis firms. If elected president, Trump will push medical research and attempt to categorize marijuana as a Schedule 3 substance, allowing for simpler regulation.^[3]

Sources: [1] Reuters [2] Reuters [3] Reuters

Fatal Events

School Fire Kills 18 People In Kenya: On Friday, September 6, 2024, A fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy in central Kenya killed 18 boys and wounded another 27. The fire damaged a dormitory that housed more than 150 boys aged 10 to 14. The origin of the fire is unclear, but the National Gender and Equality Commission has highlighted overcrowding and safety breaches as potential causes. Kenyan President William Ruto voiced his dismay and vowed to hold those involved accountable.^[1]
Flood In Nigeria Following Dam Overflow: On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, Floods in northern Nigeria killed more than 80% of the animals at a prominent zoo, inflicting damage to neighboring institutions in Maiduguri. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has conveyed his sympathies to the government and the people, especially those impacted by the Alau Dam disaster. Floods in northeastern Nigeria killed at least 49 people this month, while a flood in 2022 killed over 600. Borno state, the birthplace of the terrorist group Boko Haram, is still coping with a 15-year battle.^[2]

Sources: [1] The Guardian [2] The Guardian

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It’s been a busy week from another assassination attempt on Donald Trump to Floods In Italy. Who has time to keep track of it all? That’s why we’ve boiled it all down to our top stories of the week.

European News

Russia Revokes Accreditation Of British Diplomat: On Friday, September 13, 2024, Amid escalating tensions over Ukraine, Russia suspended the accreditation of six British diplomats stationed in Moscow, accusing them of spying. The UK was allegedly engaged in exacerbating the political and military crisis in Ukraine, according to the FSB espionage service. The diplomats had already departed Russia in reprisal, according to the Foreign Office, which rejected these accusations. The opposition leader Keir Starmer was in Washington at the same time as this diplomatic spat.^[1]
Italy Accused Of Blocking Immigrant Boats: On Sunday, September 15, 2024, Matteo Salvini, the Italian Deputy Prime Minister, faces a six-year jail term for refusing to dock a migrant boat in 2019. Salvini, then the interior minister, is accused of abduction and failure of duty but denies any involvement. He instituted a "closed ports" strategy to combat human trafficking, but the migrants' circumstances worsened, resulting in a scabies epidemic. The decision is due next month, and if convicted, Salvini may be disqualified from holding office.^[2]
Russia To Increase Army Size: On Monday, September 16, 2024, Russia's President, Vladimir Putin, authorized an increase of 180,000 military personnel, bringing the total to about 2.4 million, including 1.5 million active soldiers. This follows a Ukrainian offensive on Russia's southern Kursk area, which marks the third escalation since his invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russia has increased its attempts to oppose Ukrainian soldiers and advance into Pokrovsk in the Donbas area.^[3]

Sources: [1] The Guardian [2] BBC [3] CNN

Social Media

X Works In Brazil Despite Ban: On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, Brazilian X users restored access to the site after being blocked on August 30 owing to a migration to Cloudflare servers. This change was made because X failed to comply with a court ruling requiring legal representation, which was tied to a disagreement between Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and X owner Elon Musk. The dynamic IP approach also has an impact on other essential services in Brazil, making it more difficult to ban the app while without impacting others.^[1]
Hacked X Accounts: On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, British politicians and international organizations had their X accounts hacked, with MPs such as Shabana Mahmood and Chris Elmore sending messages using the site. The emails included a lengthy code saying that each account had been hacked to profit from the publication of a token address. This is not the first time a British politician's account on X has been compromised; Jeremy Corbyn's Twitter account was stolen in 2016. Some accounts were accessible for a lengthy period.^[2]

Sources: [1] BBC [2] The Guardian

Fatal Events

Train Collision In Egypt: On Saturday, September 14, 2024, The Zagazig train crash claimed three lives and injured forty-nine others, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Health. There are thirty ambulances and medical personnel on the scene, and rescue efforts are still underway. The event occurred on Egypt's antiquated railway network, which has suffered many fatal incidents in the last 20 years. A similar crash in 2021 claimed 32 lives, while a fire at Cairo's Ramses station in 2019 claimed 25 lives.^[1]
Floods Hit Italy: On Thursday, September 19, 2024, The Emilia-Romagna area in northern Italy has seen devastating floods and landslides, forcing over 1,000 people to flee their homes and leaving two persons missing. There are claims that the far-right government is ignoring climate-related concerns. The biggest floods to hit eastern and central Europe in twenty years caused damage worth billions of euros.^[2]

Sources: [1] CNN [2] The Guardian

United States General Elections

Harris Promises Better Employment Prospects: On Saturday, September 14, 2024, Kamala Harris, the US Vice President, intends to remove college degree requirements for some government positions if elected President. This move is part of her campaign plan for the 2024 race when she will face Republican competitor Donald Trump. Harris seeks to increase work prospects for Americans without four-year degrees, emphasizing alternative career routes like apprenticeships and technical training. Both candidates promise economic plans that will appeal to middle-class voters.^[1]
Another Assassination Attempt On Trump: On Sunday, September 15, 2024, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was uninjured in an assassination attempt while golfing at his West Palm Beach, Florida, club. Agents noticed a gunman in the bushes near the property border, who escaped but was subsequently caught. The incident followed a similar assault two months ago when Trump was shot during a campaign event in Pennsylvania. ^[2]
Teamsters Will Not Support Any Presidential Candidate: On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, The International Brotherhood of Teamsters decided that it would not support any US presidential candidate in the 2016 election, breaking from its historical tradition of backing Democratic candidates. Despite research revealing that 59.6% of its members favored Donald Trump over Kamala Harris, the union's leadership declined to support him. This ruling has substantial implications, particularly in swing states such as Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. Trump expressed pleasure with the union's impartial position.^[3]

Sources: [1] Reuters [2] Reuters [3] Reuters

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It’s been a busy week from Israel’s missile strike to the flood in Florida. Who has time to keep track of it all? That’s why we’ve boiled it all down to our top stories of the week.

International Conflicts

Israel Kills Hezbollah Commander: On Friday, September 20, 2024, An Israeli attack on Hezbollah's stronghold in southern Beirut killed at least 31 persons, including high-ranking commander Ibrahim Aqil. Aqil was accused of preparing to invade towns in northern Israel. The IDF said the hit was directed at Hezbollah leaders sheltering behind a residential structure, accusing them of using people as shields. The strike destroyed a multistorey structure, making it the deadliest since the October 7 conflict.^[1]
Russian Missile Blows Up At Launch: On Monday, September 23, 2024, Russia's Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, commonly known as Satan II, failed significantly during a test launch at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia. The RS-28 Sarmat missile is critical to Russia's nuclear arsenal upgrading since it can reach distant targets in the United States and Europe. Experts believe the malfunction happened at or soon after ignition, perhaps involving the missile's first-stage booster. The Russian military ministry has not responded to the event.^[2]
China Conducts ICBM: On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, China launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) for the first time in almost 40 years, and it did it in international seas. The test, which carried a fake warhead and landed in the South Pacific, is seen as a major demonstration of China's expanding long-range nuclear weapons, contributing to rising Indo-Pacific tensions. Despite warnings from the US, China's stockpile is still less than that of the US and Russia.^[3]

Sources: [1] CNN [2] The Guardian [3] BBC

U.S. Elections

Trump Rejects Second Debate: On Saturday, September 21, 2024, the Democratic presidential contender Kamala Harris accepted CNN's offer to a second debate with Donald Trump on October 23. Despite Trump's prior remark that he would not participate in future debates, Harris is anxious for a rematch after their first debate on September 10, where she was largely seen as the winner. Trump had previously debated Biden before Biden dropped out of the race, leaving Harris as the Democratic candidate.^[1]
Ryan Routh Indicted On Grounds Of Attempted Assassination: On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, Ryan Routh, 58, was charged with attempted assassination of Republican candidate Donald Trump at his Florida golf property. Prosecutors discovered evidence of a deliberate conspiracy to murder Trump, including a letter Routh sent months before and cell phone data showing his vicinity to Trump's home. Routh, who was previously charged with firearms crimes, will be held in custody until his trial. The attempted assassination accusation might result in a life sentence.^[2]

Sources: [1] The Guardian [2] Reuters

Global Politics

New French Government Led By Michel Barnier: On Saturday, September 21, 2024, following an inconclusive legislative election, French President Emmanuel Macron nominated conservative Prime Minister Michel Barnier to head a new administration. Barnier, who previously led Brexit talks, has been charged with developing a 2025 budget plan to solve France's financial woes. However, left-wing MPs have indicated preparations to challenge the government with a no-confidence vote. Barnier's leadership is critical to negotiating France's current political issues.^[1]
New President Elected In Sri Lanka: On Sunday, September 22, 2024, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a Marxist politician, was chosen as Sri Lanka's next president, pledging to combat corruption and accelerate economic recovery. He earned 42.3% of the vote, up significantly from 3% in the 2019 election. Dissanayake's win was a referendum on President Wickremesinghe's austerity policies, which enraged people despite criticism of the country's economic recovery.^[2]
Thailand Recognizes Same-Sex Marriages: On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, Thailand legalized same-sex marriage, making it the third Asian nation after Taiwan and Nepal. The landmark measure offers equal legal, financial, and medical rights to all partners, regardless of gender. The legislation will go into effect in 120 days, enabling LGBTQ+ couples to legally marry by January of next year. The law easily passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate, representing a huge accomplishment for love and equality.^[3]

Sources: [1] The Guardian [2] Reuters [3] CNN

In Other News

Mass Shooting In Alabama: On Sunday, September 22, 2024, A mass shooting in Birmingham, Alabama, resulted in four deaths and 18 injuries. The assailants thought to have arrived in a car, opened fire on a throng near Five Points South. Police Chief Scott Thurmond said that the shooting might have been part of a murder-for-hire plan. Four of the fatalities had life-threatening injuries. Authorities are working with federal authorities to locate the shooters and have announced a $5,000 prize for information.^[1]
Category 4 Storm In Florida: On Thursday, September 26, 2024, one of the most potent hurricanes to strike the United States this year is Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 hurricane, as it approaches the Gulf coast of Florida. It is anticipated to make landfall on Thursday night, with sustained winds of 110 mph, potentially resulting in a "nightmare" situation with a life-threatening storm surge.^[2]

Sources: [1] BBC [2] The Guardian

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Do you want to find out about the rest of the events that happened around the world in previous weeks?

For everything that happened around the world last month, check out Current Events This Week: August 2024 to discover more and keep on top of the news. And if you enjoyed this article, why not drop a line to let us know, or share it with others who are curious about the events of this week!

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