Manette Baillie, a 102-year-old British woman and World War II veteran, became the UK’s oldest skydiver after a tandem jump in eastern England. She undertook the skydive to raise funds for the East Anglian Air Ambulance, the Motor Neurone Disease Association, and her local Benhall & Sternfield Ex Servicemens Club. Baillie, who recently celebrated her birthday, encouraged older individuals to keep pursuing their passions. The club expressed immense pride in her achievement. Ava Sinclair 27/08/2024 3:00 pm
A multiple manslaughter investigation has been launched into James Cutfield, the captain of a superyacht that sank off Sicily, killing British tech magnate Mike Lynch and five others. Cutfield is also being investigated for causing a shipwreck. Sicilian prosecutors will question him again on Tuesday. Being under investigation in Italy does not imply guilt or guarantee formal charges. Notices must be sent before autopsies on the deceased can be conducted. Ava Sinclair 27/08/2024 3:00 pm
Former national security adviser H.R. McMaster stated he would not work for Donald Trump again. Promoting his book “At War With Ourselves,” McMaster claimed Russian President Putin manipulated Trump through flattery. Trump’s spokesperson dismissed the book as “fake news.” McMaster told CNN’s Anderson Cooper that while he never heard Trump call soldiers “suckers” and “losers,” he acknowledged Trump’s offensive remarks about the late Sen. John McCain. McMaster described Trump as often “offensive” and “brash.” Noah Prescott 27/08/2024 3:00 pm
Russia launched a second day of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, targeting multiple regions and killing at least four people. Two died in Kryvyi Rih and two in Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine’s air defenses, including in Kyiv, were active overnight, shooting down about 15 drones and several missiles. In total, Ukraine intercepted five missiles and 60 drones out of 91 projectiles launched by Russia. The attacks included Iranian-designed drones and involved Russian strategic bombers and interceptor aircraft. Penelope Kingsley 27/08/2024 3:00 pm
A separatist group, the Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA), claimed responsibility for multiple attacks in southwestern Pakistan, killing over 40 people, including 23 civilians and 14 security officials. The BLA warned of more intense future attacks, involving 800 fighters. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the violence, stating there would be no peace talks with insurgents. The attacks, targeting Chinese-funded development projects, drew nationwide condemnation. The bodies of the victims were sent to their home districts for burial. Ava Sinclair 27/08/2024 3:00 pm
In Feni, Bangladesh, severe flooding has submerged large parts of the city and 11 districts, affecting nearly 1.5 million people. Residents wade through chest-high floodwaters, holding their belongings above their heads. The country, reliant on its rivers for fishing and farming, is no stranger to floods and cyclones, worsened by climate change. However, this flood caught many by surprise, with locals blaming India for releasing water from the Dumbur dam in Tripura without warning. Penelope Kingsley 26/08/2024 1:30 pm
Cease-fire talks in Cairo have been constructive and will continue over the weekend, according to the White House. CIA Director William Burns and senior adviser Brett McGurk are leading the U.S. negotiations, which began Thursday amid significant differences between Israel and Hamas, particularly over Israel’s control of strategic corridors in Gaza. White House spokesman John Kirby noted progress and momentum in the discussions but did not provide specifics. The U.S. and Mideast allies are pressing both sides to reach an agreement. Noah Prescott 24/08/2024 3:00 am
A manhunt is underway after a knife-wielding attacker killed three and seriously injured four at a festival in Solingen, Germany, police told CNN. The attack occurred around 9:40 p.m. at the Fronhof square during the “Festival of Diversity,” celebrating the city’s 650th anniversary. The suspect is still at large, and special police forces are involved in the search. North Rhine-Westphalia’s interior minister, Herbert Reul, expressed his shock, calling the incident terrible. The motive remains unclear. Noah Prescott 24/08/2024 3:00 am
Elite Ukrainian units have significantly impacted the Kursk offensive using unconventional warfare tactics, writes US Special Forces officer Lt. Col. Doug Livermore. After a period of stagnation, Ukraine’s special operations forces are now active again. Kursk Oblast, a key logistical hub for Russian military activities, is ideal for their operations. By targeting Kursk, Ukrainian forces aim to stretch Russian defenses and divert resources from the frontlines. Ava Sinclair 24/08/2024 3:00 am
Venezuela’s Supreme Court, loyal to President Nicolás Maduro, ruled that he won the recent presidential election, dismissing online tallies showing a landslide loss as forged. This decision aims to counter protests and international criticism following the contested July 28 vote. Opposition claims Maduro is stealing the election, citing verified voting tallies from 80% of polling booths showing opposition candidate Edmundo González won by a 2-to-1 margin. González insists they have the records to prove their victory. Penelope Kingsley 24/08/2024 3:00 am
