The partial remains of British climber Andrew Irvine, missing on Mount Everest since 1924, were likely found by a National Geographic team. They discovered a boot with a sock and a label reading “A. C. IRVINE” on Central Rongbuk Glacier. Irvine and George Mallory disappeared while attempting to summit Everest. Mallory’s body was found in 1999, but Irvine’s fate remained unknown. This discovery could help determine if they reached the summit before Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Photographer Jimmy Chin hopes it brings closure to Irvine’s family. Noah Prescott 13/10/2024 8:30 am
The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a group of Japanese atomic bomb survivors, for advocating nuclear disarmament. Shigemitsu Tanaka, a Nagasaki bombing survivor, warned that global conflicts, including in Gaza, increase nuclear war risks. He urged nuclear abolition to prevent self-destruction. Hiroshima survivor Susumu Ogawa echoed this, emphasizing the horrors of nuclear weapons. Rising tensions, such as Russia’s nuclear threats amid the Ukraine conflict, highlight the urgency of disarmament. Noah Prescott 13/10/2024 8:30 am
Maharashtra’s former minister Baba Siddique was tragically shot dead by unidentified assailants in Mumbai’s Bandra. Bollywood celebrities, including Sanjay Dutt and Shilpa Shetty-Raj Kundra, visited Lilavati Hospital following the news. Videos on Instagram show their emotional reactions, with Shilpa Shetty breaking into tears. Siddique was attacked on October 12 while leaving his son Zeeshan’s office, suffering six gunshot wounds to the stomach and chest. Penelope Kingsley 13/10/2024 8:30 am
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reported that Russian forces attempted to dislodge Ukrainian troops from positions in Russia’s Kursk region, but Ukrainian forces maintained their lines. Russia claimed to have recaptured villages in Kursk. In Donetsk, Russian strikes killed two people near Kurakhove, with ongoing clashes reported. Ukrainian recruitment officers conducted raids in Kyiv for military conscription compliance. Meanwhile, the Kremlin criticized Kamala Harris for calling Putin a “murderous dictator,” reflecting tensions over U.S. political views. Ava Sinclair 13/10/2024 5:00 am
Alex Salmond, former first minister of Scotland and a key advocate for Scottish independence, has died at 69 in Ohrid, North Macedonia. Salmond, a pivotal figure in British politics, led Scotland to the 2014 independence referendum. Tributes came from across the political spectrum, including King Charles III and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who praised his dedication to Scotland’s heritage and culture. Salmond served as first minister from 2007 to 2014 and led the Scottish National Party twice, from 1990-2000 and 2004-2014. Noah Prescott 13/10/2024 5:00 am
Israel expanded evacuations and targeted new sites in northern Lebanon amid escalating conflict with Hezbollah. Israeli strikes killed 15 and wounded 37 in Lebanon, including a new target in Deir Billa. Hezbollah fired 320 projectiles into Israel. Israel ordered evacuations from 23 southern Lebanese villages, citing Hezbollah’s use of civilian areas for attacks. U.S. Defense Secretary Austin expressed concern over reports of Israeli fire on U.N. peacekeepers. Ava Sinclair 13/10/2024 5:00 am
A rare deluge in the Sahara desert brought unprecedented rainfall to southeastern Morocco, exceeding yearly averages in just two days. Areas like Tata and Tagounite experienced significant rainfall, with Tagounite recording over 3.9 inches in 24 hours. The storms filled Lake Iriqui, dry for 50 years, and created striking images of water in the desert. This rare event, termed an extratropical storm, may alter regional weather patterns by increasing moisture and storm activity. The rainfall could help replenish groundwater aquifers and reservoirs, though its long-term impact on drought remains uncertain. Ava Sinclair 13/10/2024 1:30 am
The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a group of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, for their activism against nuclear weapons. Known as hibakusha, they aim to convey the horrors they witnessed to younger generations. Terumi Tanaka, a 91-year-old survivor, hopes the award raises awareness about achieving a nuclear-free world. As their numbers dwindle, the survivors emphasize the importance of educating others about the impact of atomic weapons to prevent future tragedies. Penelope Kingsley 12/10/2024 10:00 pm
Labour’s first 100 days in power under Starmer have been tumultuous, marked by slips, accusations of sleaze, and international events. Despite a “choppy” start, including a row with a major investor and internal party conflicts over pension plans, there have been significant achievements like new workers’ rights. Labour argues their challenging inheritance mirrors FDR’s post-Great Depression era, with both disappointments and dream-fulfilling initiatives shaping their early tenure. Penelope Kingsley 12/10/2024 10:00 pm
Tindor Sikunyongana’s welding business in Zambia struggles due to a severe electricity crisis caused by drought. The Kariba dam, crucial for Zambia’s power, has insufficient water to run its hydroelectric turbines, reducing electricity generation to less than 10% of normal output. This crisis, worsened by El Nino and climate change, leaves Zambians with minimal daily power, forcing Sikunyongana to rely on costly diesel generators. The situation highlights the country’s heavy dependence on the dam, which supplies over 80% of its electricity. Penelope Kingsley 12/10/2024 6:30 pm
