A Greek-owned oil tanker, the Sounion, is on fire and adrift in the Red Sea after being attacked by gunfire and projectiles, leaving it without engine power. The attacks, condemned by Greece as violations of international law, occurred near Yemen’s Hudaydah port. No group has claimed responsibility, but Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement has a history of targeting commercial shipping in the region. Despite Western military presence, the Houthis continue their actions, claiming to support Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas conflict. There were no injuries among the 25 crew members. Ava Sinclair 22/08/2024 3:00 am
The US claims progress on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, with Israel reportedly accepting a “bridging proposal” to end nearly 11 months of fighting in Gaza. However, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu opposes concessions, and Hamas calls the deal a “reversal” of previous agreements. President Biden urged Netanyahu to compromise. Previous ceasefire talks have failed, with the last successful pause in November 2023 allowing for the exchange of hostages and prisoners. Penelope Kingsley 22/08/2024 3:00 am
Authorities identified four bodies from a sunken superyacht off Sicily: Jonathan and Judy Bloomer, and Chris and Neda Morvillo. A fifth body is spotted, and a sixth person is missing. British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah are also missing. The yacht, carrying 12 passengers and 10 crew, sank in a storm near Porticello. Of the 15 rescued, eight were hospitalized. The yacht’s chef, Recaldo Thomas, was found earlier. Lynch is known for founding Invoke Capital and co-founding Autonomy and Darktrace. Ava Sinclair 22/08/2024 3:00 am
A Gaza nurse, Ashraf El Attar, reported that his wife, Hala Khattab, and their six children, including quadruplets, were killed in an air strike on their home in Deir al-Balah. The attack occurred early Sunday morning, leaving El Attar with minor injuries. Israel has not commented on this specific incident but stated its forces were operating in the area, targeting armed groups. El Attar described waking up in severe pain to find his home in ruins. Ava Sinclair 21/08/2024 8:00 pm
The Israeli military and Hezbollah exchanged cross-border strikes on Wednesday, escalating tensions on Israel’s northern border. Israel targeted Hezbollah’s weapons storage in eastern Lebanon, killing one and injuring 30, including children. In retaliation, Hezbollah struck an Israeli military base in the Golan Heights, damaging houses in Katzrin and injuring one person. Israeli officials condemned the attacks on civilians, vowing a response. Noah Prescott 21/08/2024 8:00 pm
Masked police in Romania raided the home of internet influencer Andrew Tate, who faces charges of human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal gang. Romania’s anti-organized crime agency, DIICOT, searched four properties in Bucharest and Ilfov county, investigating human trafficking, trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor, influencing statements, and money laundering. Tate’s spokesperson, Mateea Petrescu, confirmed suspicions of human trafficking and money laundering but did not address allegations involving minors. DIICOT emphasized the presumption of innocence for the accused. Andrew and his brother Tristan, both former kickboxers, are involved. Ava Sinclair 21/08/2024 4:30 pm
The daughter of Chaim Peri, one of six Israeli hostages whose bodies were returned from Gaza, accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of prioritizing politics over a ceasefire and hostage release deal. Netanyahu claims efforts are ongoing to free remaining hostages from Hamas’s 7 October attack. A November deal saw Hamas release 105 hostages in exchange for a ceasefire and the release of 240 Palestinian prisoners. The Israeli military’s Gaza campaign followed the attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis and led to 251 hostages. Netanyahu’s stance has faced criticism from the US and his far-right allies. Ava Sinclair 21/08/2024 4:30 pm
Ukraine launched a major drone attack on Moscow, with Russian air defenses downing 11 drones over the capital and surrounding areas, including Podolsk. This is one of the largest drone assaults on Moscow, surpassing a May 2023 attack. No damage or casualties were reported. The broader offensive saw 45 Ukrainian drones destroyed overnight across various regions, including Bryansk, Belgorod, Kaluga, Kursk, and Tula. Ava Sinclair 21/08/2024 4:30 pm
A suspect who confessed to killing 42 women and was detained over dismembered bodies in Nairobi has escaped police custody, officials said. Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, along with 12 Eritrean inmates, escaped by cutting through wire mesh and scaling a wall. Disciplinary actions were taken against eight officers, including commanders. Preliminary investigations suggest insider aid in the escape. Khalusha, arrested in July after 10 bodies were found, was being held for further investigation before charges. Ava Sinclair 21/08/2024 4:30 pm
A commercial ship in the Red Sea was repeatedly attacked, likely by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, leaving it “not under command,” the British military reported. The attack involved small arms fire and three projectiles, but no casualties were reported. This incident is part of the Houthis’ ongoing campaign targeting ships in response to the Israel-Hamas war. The Houthis have not immediately claimed responsibility. Previously, they sank a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, the Tutor, in June, severing undersea communications cables but causing no fatalities. Ava Sinclair 21/08/2024 1:00 pm
