Emergency workers in southern Italy are searching for six people missing after a tornado sank a luxury yacht off the coast of Sicily. Fifteen people were rescued, and one body was recovered. Among the missing are two Americans and four Britons, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and Morgan Stanley International chairman Jonathan Bloomer. Rescue efforts face challenging conditions, with divers limited to 12 minutes underwater at the wreck site, located 50 meters deep. The yacht, “Bayesian,” was anchored near Porticello when a waterspout likely capsized it amid severe weather. Noah Prescott 21/08/2024 1:00 pm
Noa Argamani, a young Israeli woman taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, shared her harrowing experience, saying she feared each night could be her last. Speaking in Tokyo with her father, she expressed disbelief at her survival and described her rescue as miraculous. Argamani, abducted from the Nova music festival, was freed in June after special forces clashed with militants in Gaza. She met with G7 diplomats in Tokyo on August 21, 2024. Noah Prescott 21/08/2024 1:00 pm
Moscow faced one of its largest Ukrainian drone attacks since 2022, with Russian authorities claiming all drones were destroyed before reaching the capital. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin credited strong defenses for downing 45 drones, including 11 over Moscow. Videos showed air defense systems destroying drones, triggering car alarms. In the Bryansk region, Governor Alexander Bogomaz reported 23 drones destroyed. Ukraine’s drone attacks, targeting oil refineries and airfields, have boosted morale and altered the conflict dynamics despite ongoing land battles in eastern Ukraine. Noah Prescott 21/08/2024 1:00 pm
A year ago, President Putin commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Battle of Kursk, addressing soldiers recently returned from Ukraine. Now, as Russia marks the 81st anniversary, Kursk is in the news due to a Ukrainian offensive that seized villages and captured prisoners, catching Russia unprepared. Putin, known for slow crisis responses, has downplayed the attack. At an Aug. 12 security meeting, he appeared uneasy, interrupting the acting regional governor detailing the Ukrainian gains. Noah Prescott 21/08/2024 1:00 pm
Masked police officers in Romania raided the home of internet influencer Andrew Tate, who is awaiting trial for human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal gang. Romania’s anti-organized crime agency, DIICOT, searched four homes in Bucharest and Ilfov, investigating human trafficking, trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor, influencing statements, and money laundering. Tate’s spokesperson confirmed suspicions of human trafficking and money laundering but did not address allegations involving minors. Tate and his brother Tristan, both former kickboxers, were arrested in 2022 and formally indicted last year. Noah Prescott 21/08/2024 1:00 pm
The IDF spokesperson announced that the IAF destroyed two Hezbollah launchers in southern Lebanon, near a UNIFIL base, raising questions about UNIFIL’s effectiveness. Geo-analyst Ben Tzion Macales noted Hezbollah’s tactic of hiding weapons among civilians, citing recent IDF strikes on weapons warehouses in the Bekaa Valley and Tyre, which risk civilian safety. Another warehouse was targeted in June near Wadi Jilou. Penelope Kingsley 21/08/2024 1:00 pm
Selina Cheng, a Hong Kong-based reporter for the Wall Street Journal, was terminated shortly after being elected chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA). Cheng believes her termination is linked to her new role, as she faced pressure from her employer to quit the association. Her supervisors had directed her to withdraw her candidacy and leave the HKJA board, which she refused. The Wall Street Journal stated that employees should not advocate for press freedom in Hong Kong. Dow Jones confirmed “personnel changes” but did not comment on specifics. Noah Prescott 17/07/2024 7:30 pm
Keir Starmer, Britain’s new prime minister, presented his agenda as an antidote to populism, focusing on housebuilding, crime, illegal migration, and public trust during the King’s Speech. King Charles III opened the new parliamentary session, highlighting Starmer’s “national renewal” slogan with pledges to nationalize railways, address the housing crisis, and combat illegal migration. Starmer criticized previous Tory governments and populism, advocating for pragmatism and problem-solving. His 40-bill agenda aims to appeal to a broad voter coalition and counteract populism’s divisive effects. Ava Sinclair 17/07/2024 4:00 pm
Bangladesh will indefinitely shut down all universities from Wednesday after deadly protests against a government job quota system left six dead and scores injured. The protests, driven by high youth unemployment and a 30% job reservation for families of 1971 War of Independence fighters, intensified after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina refused to meet demands, labeling opponents as “razakar.” Clashes between anti-quota protesters and the ruling party’s student wing led to police using rubber bullets and tear gas. Amnesty International urged the government to ensure protesters’ safety. Riot police and paramilitary forces have been deployed to maintain order. Noah Prescott 17/07/2024 4:00 pm
Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah threatened to target new Israeli towns if Israel’s military continues striking civilians in southern Lebanon. His speech, marking Ashura, comes amid increased border clashes and fears of Gaza’s war expanding. Nasrallah warned of severe consequences if Israeli tanks enter Lebanon. Fighting began after Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack, with Hezbollah supporting Hamas, leading to casualties and evacuations. Both sides prefer a diplomatic solution, but Hezbollah insists attacks will continue until a Gaza cease-fire is achieved. Penelope Kingsley 17/07/2024 4:00 pm
