A 64-year-old woman near Bangkok was attacked by a 13-to-16-foot python while doing dishes. The snake coiled around her, squeezing her to the floor. She cried for help for over an hour until a neighbor called authorities. Police and animal control used a crowbar to free her. She spent two hours in the python’s grip but was treated for bites and appeared otherwise unharmed. Encounters with snakes are common in Thailand, with 26 fatalities from venomous bites last year. The reticulated python, Thailand’s largest snake, can reach up to 21 feet and 165 pounds. Noah Prescott 19/09/2024 2:00 pm
Lebanon is grappling with deadly explosions of electronic devices over two days, killing at least 32 and injuring over 3,000. Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah is expected to announce the group’s response. The attacks, involving pagers and walkie-talkies, are suspected to be orchestrated by Israel’s Mossad, though Israeli authorities have not confirmed this. U.S. officials acknowledged Israel’s involvement but were not informed beforehand. Beirut’s airport has banned certain devices, and the Lebanese army is still detonating suspicious items. Taiwanese manufacturer Gold Apollo denied making the exploded pagers. Ava Sinclair 19/09/2024 2:00 pm
Icom, a Japanese telecommunications equipment maker, stated it discontinued the IC-V82 transceivers a decade ago and is investigating their involvement in recent explosions in Lebanon. The company, which shipped these radios to the Middle East until 2014, has warned of counterfeit versions. Japan’s government is also investigating. The explosions, linked to Hezbollah-owned walkie-talkies, killed at least 20 and injured over 450. Icom, founded in 1954, supplies electronics to public safety organizations and the U.S. Department of Defense. Penelope Kingsley 19/09/2024 10:30 am
The U.S. and allies seized control of a network of 260,000 internet-connected devices used by the Chinese government for espionage. The botnet, Flax Typhoon, was operated by Beijing-based Integrity Technology Group. The FBI obtained a court order to disconnect the infected devices. The devices were used to obscure cyberattacks on government and industry targets in the U.S., Taiwan, and elsewhere. FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized the ongoing threat from Chinese cyber activities. The botnet targeted critical infrastructure, causing significant harm and financial loss to victims, including a major incident in California. Ava Sinclair 19/09/2024 10:30 am
Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo González claimed he was coerced into recognizing President Nicolás Maduro as the winner of a disputed election before seeking asylum in Spain. González, in a video from Madrid, said Maduro’s aides forced him to sign a letter under duress while he was hiding in the Spanish embassy in Caracas. However, Jorge RodrĂguez, a key Maduro ally, asserted González signed willingly and threatened to release audio evidence. González, now in Spain, maintains his election victory and vows to fulfill his mandate. Prior to leaving, González faced an arrest warrant in Venezuela for alleged serious crimes. Penelope Kingsley 19/09/2024 10:30 am
The United Nations passed a historic resolution calling for the end of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, with 124 of 181 member states voting in favor. The U.S. and 13 other nations opposed it. The resolution builds on a July 19 ruling by the International Court of Justice, declaring Israel’s occupation illegal. It sets a 12-month timeframe for Israeli military withdrawal and the return of seized land. The vote saw 124 in favor, 14 against, and 43 abstentions. Jessica Peake of UCLA Law highlighted the resolution’s significance, noting broad international support against the occupation. Ava Sinclair 19/09/2024 7:00 am
The Justice Department announced a court-authorized operation that disrupted a botnet of over 200,000 consumer devices infected by PRC state-sponsored hackers from Integrity Technology Group, known as “Flax Typhoon.” The botnet included SOHO routers, IP cameras, DVRs, and NAS devices. The operation took control of the hackers’ infrastructure and sent disabling commands to the malware. An attempted DDoS attack to interfere with the FBI’s efforts was unsuccessful. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the ongoing efforts to counter PRC-backed hacking groups targeting American devices. Penelope Kingsley 19/09/2024 7:00 am
Explosions of handheld devices, including walkie-talkies, mobile phones, and laptops, killed at least 20 and injured 450 in Lebanon, following a similar incident with pagers that killed 12 and injured nearly 3,000. The latest blasts occurred in Beirut’s southern suburbs and Tyre, causing chaos and overwhelming the health sector. Images showed vehicles and buildings on fire. Health Minister Firass Abiad noted severe injuries. Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem reported witnessing a car explosion during a funeral, indicating internal device explosions rather than external attacks. Noah Prescott 19/09/2024 7:00 am
More than 100 wildfires in northern Portugal have stretched firefighters to their limits, resulting in seven deaths since the weekend. Prime Minister LuĂs Montenegro declared a state of calamity, mobilizing more resources and urging police to find the arsonists. Over 15,000 hectares have burned, affecting 210,000 people. Extreme weather conditions, including flooding in central Europe, highlight a “climate breakdown,” according to the EU. Spain, France, Italy, and Morocco have sent aid, but thick smoke hampers efforts. The risk of fires remains high for the next 48 hours. Ava Sinclair 19/09/2024 7:00 am
In Avignon, France, Gisèle Pelicot testified against her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, who admitted to drugging her and inviting men to rape her while she was unconscious over nearly 10 years. Defense lawyers questioned her habits and whether she was truly unconscious. Gisèle, who waived her anonymity, has become a symbol for rape victims. Her ex-husband and 50 other men face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Despite thousands of incriminating videos, many defendants deny the charges, claiming they were misled or believed she consented. Noah Prescott 19/09/2024 7:00 am
