General News selection of the 44th week (27 October - 3 November)

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* UNESCO report: 85 % murders of journalists worldwide go unpunished

On the International Day to Combat Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, UNESCO calls on all States to live up to their commitments and end impunity for the killing of journalists. According to New UNESCO reports the impunity rate is still a shocking 85 %, a drop of only four percentage points in six years. (more here)

* Henri Matisse: Another name for creativity is courage...

The famous French painter Henri Émile Benoit Matisse, who also distinguished himself as a graphic artist, sculptor, scenographer and architect, owes his career to chance. His career was ended by a heart attack in Nice on 3 November 1954 at his home in the Cimiez district. (more here)

* Total military aid to Kiev from February 2022 to August 2024 was $123.5 billion, according to the German Institute for the World Economy in Kiel

On 31 October 2024, the UN Security Council met to address the issue of Western arms supplies to Ukraine. The meeting was convened at the request of Russia. (more here)

* Miloš Vystrčil defended his position as Senate President, he received 62 votes

Jiří Drahoš (STAN club) will also sit as 1st Vice-Chair of the Senate, while the other Vice-Chairs will be Jitka Seitlová (KDU-ČSL and Independents club), Jiří Oberfalzer (ODS and TOP 09 club) and Ladislav Václavec (ANO 2011 club). (more here)

* China launched the Shenzhou-19 manned spacecraft for a mission to the space station

China's Shenzhou-19 crewed spacecraft was successfully launched atop a Long March-2F launch vehicle at 4:27 a.m. Wednesday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. (more here)

* Aitana Bonmatí and Rodri won the Ballon d'Or 2024, Carlo Ancelotti and Emma Hayes won the Johan Cruyff Trophy

On Monday 28 October, the 68th edition of the prestigious Ballon d'Or awards ceremony took place at the grandiose Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The Ballon d'Or, awarded annually by France Football since 1956, is the most important award a footballer can receive for his or her outstanding achievements and exceptional talent. (more here)

* President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel awarded the state decoration 

The leadership of the country should be filled with personalities who deal with real problems and have visions and plans, not those who build air castles and fight empty battles. President Petr Pavel said this in his speech before the awarding of state honours in the Vladislav Hall of Prague Castle today. (more here)