President Joe Biden opposes an Israeli retaliatory strike on Iranian nuclear sites after Iran’s missile attack on Israel. Tensions rose following Iran’s response to the killings of key leaders and Israel’s ground assault in Lebanon. The US urges de-escalation and seeks a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Biden, during a North Carolina visit, emphasized proportional Israeli responses, aligning with G7 leaders. The US State Department acknowledged Iran’s escalation and Israel’s right to respond, but the White House hasn’t specified a preferred Israeli action. Ava Sinclair 03/10/2024 12:00 am
On Tuesday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched a ballistic missile attack on Israel, prompting celebrations across Iran. State-organized rallies featured fireworks and songs praising Iranian forces and Hezbollah. The attack followed warnings from Iranian media about potential retaliation for Israeli actions. Despite initial restraint, Iran’s government and military united in support of the offensive. Iran warned the US and Israel’s allies against involvement, threatening further missile strikes. Concerns persist in Iran about the conflict escalating and reaching Iranian territory. Ava Sinclair 03/10/2024 12:00 am
An unexploded World War II bomb detonated at Miyazaki Airport in southwest Japan, damaging a runway and canceling over 80 flights, but causing no injuries. The explosion created a 23-foot-wide crater. The bomb, identified as a 500-pound American ordnance, was likely dropped during a WWII air raid. Miyazaki Airport, a former military airfield, has previously encountered unexploded ordnance. The airport is set to resume operations on Thursday. Unexploded bombs from WWII are common in Japan, with significant amounts still found, particularly in Okinawa. Penelope Kingsley 02/10/2024 8:30 pm
Donald Trump is facing criticism for downplaying the traumatic brain injuries suffered by 109 U.S. service members after an Iranian missile attack in 2020. At a campaign event, Trump dismissed the injuries as mere “headaches” and noted that the bombs didn’t hit the fort. The attack on al-Asad Air Base in Iraq left no fatalities but resulted in 109 traumatic brain injuries, with 29 soldiers receiving Purple Hearts. Trump had previously tweeted “All is well!” against his officials’ advice. Noah Prescott 02/10/2024 8:30 pm
Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz declared UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “persona non grata” for not condemning Iran’s missile attack on Israel. Katz accused Guterres of supporting terrorists and criticized the UN’s stance on Israel’s conflict in Gaza. Guterres condemned regional violence but didn’t mention Iran specifically. The US State Department called Israel’s move unproductive, emphasizing the UN’s crucial role in regional stability. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric labeled the declaration as a political attack on UN staff by Israel. Penelope Kingsley 02/10/2024 8:30 pm
A North Korean defector in his 30s was detained by South Korean police for attempting to cross back to the North on a stolen bus. He was caught on the Unification Bridge after crashing into a barricade. The man, who defected a decade ago, cited difficulties in the South as his reason for returning. He stole the bus from Paju and was apprehended shortly after. South Korea prohibits unauthorized border crossings, with penalties up to ten years in prison. Defectors returning to the North are rare, with only 31 cases from 2012 to 2022. Noah Prescott 02/10/2024 8:30 pm
Israel reported eight soldiers killed in Lebanon, a high toll compared to Gaza. The fighting escalated after Iran’s missile barrage against Israel, mostly intercepted with U.S. help. Netanyahu warned Iran of consequences. President Biden opposed an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear sites, advocating a proportional response and G7 sanctions on Iran. Iran’s assault was retaliation for assassinations of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. Verified videos showed missile impacts in Israel, with some damage reported. The missile attack followed Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah. Penelope Kingsley 02/10/2024 8:30 pm
An unexploded U.S. bomb from World War II detonated at Miyazaki Airport in Japan, creating a large crater and causing the cancellation of over 80 flights, but no injuries. The explosion occurred on a taxiway with no aircraft nearby. Officials confirmed it was a 500-pound bomb and are investigating the cause of the detonation. Videos showed asphalt debris and a significant crater. Miyazaki Airport, built in 1943, has a history of unexploded bombs from the war. The airport aims to resume operations by Thursday morning. Penelope Kingsley 02/10/2024 5:00 pm
The four Conservative leadership hopefuls—Tom Tugendhat, James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick, and Kemi Badenoch—outlined their visions for party reform after a historic general election defeat. At the Birmingham conference, Cleverly emphasized making the party “more normal” to regain voters, Tugendhat called for a “new Conservative revolution” focused on public services, Jenrick proposed a “new Conservative Party” with a net migration freeze, and Badenoch aimed to “reprogramme the British state” with renewed principles. The leadership contest, overshadowing the conference, will see MPs narrow the candidates to two, with the final leader chosen by members and announced on 2 November. Ava Sinclair 02/10/2024 5:00 pm
Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz declared UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres ‘persona non grata’ and banned him from entering Israel due to his failure to condemn Iran’s missile attack and Hamas’s actions. Katz criticized Guterres for not denouncing the October 7 massacre, Hamas’s sexual violence, or leading efforts to label Hamas a terrorist organization. Katz accused Guterres of supporting terrorists and called his tenure a stain on UN history. Guterres had expressed concern over Israel’s invasion of Lebanon and called for a ceasefire following Iran’s attack, without mentioning Israel. Penelope Kingsley 02/10/2024 5:00 pm
