A senior correspondent at Vox, specializing in foreign policy and international conflict, authored the 2018 book “Invisible Countries.” At the NATO 75th anniversary summit in Washington, DC, President Biden’s performance in a recent debate raised concerns about his re-election chances, potentially impacting NATO relations. Rachel Rizzo from the Atlantic Council noted European allies’ worries about Biden’s ability to win. However, national security adviser Jake Sullivan claimed allies praised Biden’s efforts to strengthen NATO. Liam Harrington 12/07/2024 5:30 pm
Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev will compete in the first men’s semifinal at Wimbledon on Friday, with a spot in the 2024 final at stake. Alcaraz recently defeated Tommy Paul in four sets, while Medvedev overcame No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner in a five-set match. The match starts at 8:30 a.m. ET. Alcaraz is favored at -350, with Medvedev as the +270 underdog. The over/under for total games is set at 39. Liam Harrington 12/07/2024 5:30 pm
Andrey Kozlov, held captive by Hamas for eight months, was rescued on June 8 by undercover Israeli commandos from the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza. Now back in Israel, Kozlov is grappling with his ordeal and advocating for other hostages. The dramatic daylight rescue, one of the deadliest of the war, involved thousands of Israeli troops and also freed Shlomi Ziv, Almog Meir Jan, and Noa Argamani. Kozlov acknowledges his luck and struggles with lingering emotional impacts. Liam Harrington 12/07/2024 4:00 pm
An Australian army private, Kira Korolev, and her husband, Igor Korolev, were denied bail on charges of preparing for espionage under Australia’s 2018 laws. The Russian-born Australian citizens allegedly sought Australian Defense Force material to provide to Russian authorities. They did not enter pleas and will appear in federal court on Sept. 20. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw stated no significant compromise had been identified, and the investigation continues. Ava Sinclair 12/07/2024 2:30 pm
Israel has ordered another evacuation of Gaza City amid renewed military action, with many residents ignoring the order due to perceived lack of safety elsewhere. The U.S. will resume shipping 500-pound bombs to Israel. Meanwhile, Biden’s poor debate performance may not have significantly impacted him. Penelope Kingsley 12/07/2024 2:30 pm
The Prime Minister of Israel insists on maintaining a presence at the Philadelphi Corridor, despite reports of potential withdrawal discussions. He has instructed negotiating teams and informed US representatives and the Security Cabinet. Israeli and Egyptian negotiators are allegedly discussing an electronic surveillance system along the Gaza-Egypt border, which could enable Israel to pull back troops if a ceasefire is agreed. The surveillance system aims to detect tunnels and smuggling activities, addressing concerns about Hamas re-arming. However, Hamas and Egypt oppose Israel’s continued presence, complicating ceasefire negotiations. Penelope Kingsley 12/07/2024 1:00 pm
The world’s population is projected to peak at 10.3 billion in the 2080s, according to a U.N. report. The 2024 World Population Prospects study predicts a decline to about 10.2 billion by the century’s end, with immigration potentially slowing the decrease. The global fertility rate is currently 2.3 births per woman. Noah Prescott 12/07/2024 1:00 pm
Palestinians returned to Shijaiyah, Gaza Strip, to find extensive destruction after a two-week Israeli offensive. Civil defense workers discovered 60 bodies in the rubble. Families who fled returned to assess their homes, finding nearly every building flattened. The area was filled with concrete debris and twisted rebar, with some gutted structures still standing. Israeli military drones buzzed overhead as people navigated dirt paths. Sharif Abu Shanab found his family’s four-story building collapsed, lamenting the loss of all possessions, including food and drink. Liam Harrington 12/07/2024 11:30 am
Andrey Kozlov, a Russian-Israeli citizen, endured severe psychological and some physical abuse during his eight-month captivity by Hamas in Gaza. Captured from the Nova music festival on October 7, he was tied up and subjected to “creative” punishments, including threats and misinformation. Kozlov struggled to disbelieve the lies, leading him to fear Israeli soldiers who eventually rescued him. The operation, which also freed Noa Argamani, resulted in significant destruction, with Gaza authorities reporting at least 274 Palestinian deaths. Noah Prescott 12/07/2024 11:30 am
U.S. intelligence warned Germany that Russia plotted to assassinate Armin Papperger, head of Rheinmetall, Europe’s largest weapons producer, amid Moscow’s sabotage campaign to deter Western support for Ukraine. The plot, part of Russia’s hybrid war, was reported by CNN. Europe faces rising Moscow-led sabotage, with Poland, Britain, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, and Germany experiencing arson attacks linked to Russian intelligence. U.S., NATO, and German officials, while not commenting on specifics, expressed concern over Russia’s destabilization efforts. Noah Prescott 12/07/2024 10:00 am
