The UN warns that aid delivery in Gaza is at crisis levels due to Israel’s ongoing war and evacuation orders, forcing a pause in operations. The US, a key ally of Israel and major UN donor, has remained silent. Advocates urge the US to speak up as childhood malnutrition and polio cases rise. Legal experts suggest blocking aid and attacking workers could be war crimes. The UN’s OCHA reports a significant increase in acute malnutrition among Gaza’s children. Penelope Kingsley 29/08/2024 6:30 am
Namibia has authorized the culling of 723 animals, including elephants, to address acute food insecurity affecting half its population due to severe drought. Meat from the culled animals will be distributed as part of a drought relief program. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism stated this aligns with using natural resources for citizens’ benefit. Namibia has seen a 53% drop in cereal production and a 70% reduction in dam water levels. Professional hunters will conduct the culling in sustainable areas to provide meat and reduce drought’s impact on wildlife. Penelope Kingsley 29/08/2024 6:30 am
Ukraine’s F-16s achieved their first victory by intercepting Russia’s missile and drone barrage, according to officials. President Zelensky highlighted the jets’ effectiveness in mitigating the attack, which involved over 200 missiles and drones. He expressed gratitude for the F-16s but emphasized the need for more and additional pilot training. Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway have pledged over 80 F-16s, with the first batch arriving three weeks prior. Ukraine’s air force claimed to have shot down 102 missiles and 99 drones, though this remains unverified. Penelope Kingsley 29/08/2024 3:00 am
A 16-year-old boy, Jahmari Reid, was brutally mauled by a shark while swimming alone off Jamaica’s coast, a rare event for the island. Divers found his decapitated and mutilated body near Montego Bay. A tiger shark, seen in the area, is suspected of the attack. Jahmari’s father expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. Rescue teams attempted to shoot the shark to recover Jahmari’s missing head but were unsuccessful. Penelope Kingsley 29/08/2024 3:00 am
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to Berlin aimed to define a “reset” in UK-Europe relations. Despite the positive atmosphere, the term “reset” remains vague. Starmer and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, both center-left leaders, have met five times, but this was their first formal meeting. They discussed solidifying the Anglo-German relationship with a treaty, with Scholz expressing enthusiasm for the collaboration. Penelope Kingsley 28/08/2024 11:30 pm
A lone, sexually frustrated male bottlenose dolphin is believed to be responsible for a series of attacks on swimmers in Japan’s Fukui Prefecture. Researchers suggest the dolphin’s unusual behavior stems from loneliness after being separated from its pod. Since July 21, 18 people have been bitten, with over 45 injuries reported since 2022. Marine experts note that playful biting is common among male dolphins, who typically live in social groups. Noah Prescott 28/08/2024 11:30 pm
Israeli Bedouin Qaid Farhad Alkadi, 52, returned to Khirbet Karkur after being rescued from Gaza, receiving a hero’s welcome. However, his village faces demolition as the government deems it an illegal settlement in a protected forest. About 70% of residents have been notified of impending home razing. Despite the joyous return, the community is overshadowed by the threat of displacement. Alkadi was greeted by well-wishers and media, and celebrated with family and neighbors in a large tent. Ava Sinclair 28/08/2024 11:30 pm
At least 10 Palestinians were killed in Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Israeli forces described the operation in Jenin and Tulkarm as a “counterterrorism operation,” killing five armed terrorists and four others in an airstrike near Tubas. The violence follows a spike since Hamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October. Hundreds of Israeli forces were active in multiple cities, with significant casualties reported in Jenin and Tubas. Local journalists noted the scale of the operation was unprecedented since the second intifada. Ava Sinclair 28/08/2024 11:30 pm
Typhoon Shanshan is impacting southern Japan, with emergency warnings for torrential rain, strong winds, high waves, and storm surges in Miyazaki, Kagoshima, and Ehime prefectures, and landslide warnings in Shizuoka. The typhoon made landfall near Makurazaki in Kyushu, bringing gusts up to 85 mph and over 15 inches of rain. Previously, it reached Category 4 strength, affecting Amami Oshima Island and Kikaijima with winds near 100 mph. Storm chasers reported severe conditions, likening the scene to “Dementors” from Harry Potter. Ava Sinclair 28/08/2024 11:30 pm
Namibia plans to cull over 700 wild animals, including elephants, zebras, and hippos, to address severe food insecurity amid its worst drought in 100 years. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism announced the culling will involve professional hunters targeting animals from areas with sustainable populations. The program aims to alleviate drought impacts, reduce pressure on water resources, and minimize human-wildlife conflicts. Namibia declared a state of emergency in May, with 1.4 million people facing acute food insecurity. Meat from the culled animals will support the drought relief program. Noah Prescott 28/08/2024 8:00 pm
