Evening Brief – 3rd of Oct

Today’s briefing covers global health, mental health policy, criminal cases, public safety and disaster preparedness.

Top Stories

1. Global Life Expectancy Nearly Rebounds to Pre-Pandemic Levels, WHO Reports – Global life expectancy rose to 73.3 years in 2023, nearly returning to its 2019 level, according to the World Health Organization.
2. US and French Authorities Arrest Suspects in Hamas Fundraising Investigation – U.S. and French authorities arrested suspects in an investigation into alleged fundraising and financial support for Hamas.
3. UN Secretary-General Calls for Shift to Community-Centred Mental Health Care – UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for mental health services to move from institutional care toward community-based support that includes people with lived experience.
4. Michigan Doctor Convicted in Telemedicine Stimulant Distribution Scheme – A federal jury convicted Michigan physician Jonathan Decker for unlawfully distributing more than 2 million stimulant pills through an online platform.
5. MSF-Supported Health Centre Looted in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province – An MSF-supported health centre in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province was looted, with essential medicines and medical supplies stolen.
6. Multiple People Injured and Driver Arrested After Vehicle Strikes Crowd Near Newcastle – Several people were injured and a driver was arrested after a vehicle struck a crowd near Wallsend in New South Wales.
7. Alleged Tren de Aragua Leader Pleads Not Guilty to ATM Jackpotting Charges in Nebraska – Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre, identified by the FBI as a wanted fugitive, pleaded not guilty to federal ATM jackpotting charges in Nebraska.
8. European Parliament Intergroup Backs UNDRR Youth Disaster Resilience Campaign – A European Parliament intergroup backed a UN campaign encouraging young people and educators to strengthen disaster preparedness and school safety.
9. Police Arrest Two Teenagers Following Armed Robberies in Melbourne’s South-East – Victoria Police arrested two teenagers after a series of alleged armed robberies in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.
10. Police Appeal for Public Assistance to Find Missing 13-Year-Old Girl Last Seen in West Ryde – New South Wales Police appealed for help locating 13-year-old Kyza Smith, who was reported missing after being last seen in West Ryde.