04.14.2024 [i complete]

Marathon Monday,  April 15th, 2024 

American professional golfer Scottie Scheffler wins the Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. This win is Scheffler’s second win at the tournament. (CNN) 

Tesla CEO Elon Musk announces that more than 10% of the company’s global workforce will be laid off. (CNBC)

Japan increases its four-stage danger ranking level for most of Iran, including Tehran, to Level 3, which urges Japanese citizens to avoid all travel to Iran. (The Japan News) 

At least nine civilians are killed and sixty others are injured in a renewed offensive by the Rapid Support Forces on the city of El Fasher. (Sudan War Monitor) 

Five civilians are killed and ten others are injured in crossfire between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces in the city of El Obeid. (Sudan War Monitor) 

Donors pledge more than 2 billion euros for humanitarian aid in Sudan. (Reuters) 

The Rapid Support Forces capture Mellit, North Darfur. (Sudan War Monitor) 

The Joint Darfur Force declares war on the Rapid Support Forces and allies with the Sudanese Armed Forces. (Sudan War Monitor) 

Clashes occur in Al-Madina Arab, Gezira State, between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. (Radio Tamazuj) 

Lockheed Martin wins a $17 billion defense contract from the U.S. government to develop missile interceptors against intercontinental ballistic missiles. (Reuters) 

Thousands of people protest against a controversial foreign agent law in Tbilisi, Georgia. Georgia’s Interior Ministry reports at least 14 people have been detained. Georgian Dream parliamentary leader Mamuka Mdinaradze is punched during a debate in parliament by a member of the opposition. (DW) 

The United Kingdom sanctions Alkhaleej Bank and Al-Fakher Advanced Works, two companies financing the Rapid Support Forces, and Red Rock Mining, which finances the Sudanese Armed Forces. (Radio Tamazuj) 

Fifty-eight people have been killed in Tanzania and 13 people have been killed in Kenya in the past two weeks by flooding caused by torrential rains, with more than 125,000 people in coastal areas of East Africa affected by the flooding. Tanzania announces plans to construct fourteen dams in an attempt to reduce the damage from future floods. (AP) 

Lightning and heavy rains have killed at least 49 people across Pakistan in the past three days, mainly farmers in the eastern Punjab province. (AP) 

The death toll from landslides caused by torrential rain in Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, increases to 20, after the last missing people are found dead. (AP) 

Four people are injured, including bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, in a mass stabbing at a church in Sydney, Australia. The perpetrator is arrested. A mob clashes with police outside the church while trying to attack the detained suspect. (Sky News Australia) 

Lee Hsien Loong announces that he will resign as Prime Minister of Singapore on May 15 and will be succeeded by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong. (CNA) 

Pro-Palestinian protests in the United States stopped traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge and disrupted traffic to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. (Washington Post) 

Former Australian political staffer Bruce Lehrmann loses his defamation case against Network 10 and journalist Lisa Wilkinson for broadcasting an interview with Lehrmann’s former coworker Brittany Higgins in which she claimed that Lehrmann raped her. (The Guardian) 

Japan raises its four-stage danger ranking level for most of Iran, including Tehran, to Level 3, which urges to avoid all travel to Iran. (The Japan News) 

A magnitude 6.5 earthquake strikes West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. No damage or casualties are reported. (ABC News) 

Heavy floods in Afghanistan have killed at least 33 people and injured 27 others in three days. About 600 houses were either damaged or destroyed, and around 200 livestock died. The floods also damaged around 800 hectares of agricultural land, and more than 85 kilometers (53 miles) of roads. (AP) 

Archaeologists announce the discovery of new frescos at the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, depicting mythological ancient Greek figures. (BBC News) 

Iran launches between 400 and 500 drones and cruise missiles at Israel from Iran, Iraq, Syria, southern Lebanon, and Yemen. (ABC News) 

Heavy floods in Afghanistan have killed at least 33 people and injured 27 others in three days. About 600 houses were either damaged or destroyed, and around 200 livestock died. The floods also damaged around 800 hectares of agricultural land, and more than 85 kilometers (53 miles) of roads. (AP) 

Cyprus suspends Syrian asylum applications as it struggles with increasing refugee numbers. (Reuters) 

Three people are injured, one critically, during a shooting at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia. The perpetrator targeted his wife, who escaped unharmed. (CNA) 

U.S. naval ships mobilize to the Middle East to protect Israel against incoming missiles. (The Wall Street Journal) (News.com.au) 

In association football, Bayer 04 Leverkusen win their first Bundesliga title. (ABC News) 

The Netherlands announces that their embassy in Tehran will close on Sunday. (Al Arabiya) 

Iran seizes the MSC Aries, a Portuguese-registered, Madeira-flagged container ship owned by Zodiac Maritime which is chaired by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer. (Reuters) (Firstpost) 

Israeli settlers attack Palestinians in the West Bank after missing Jewish teenager Benjamin Achimeir is found dead. (BBC News) 

Gunmen abduct and kill nine people from a bus in Nushki DistrictBalochistanPakistan. All victims, whose bodies were found under a bridge, appear to have been shot at close range. (Reuters) 

The Russian Ministry of Defence claims that the village of Pervomaiske near Donetsk has been captured by Russian troops. (Barron’s) 

An offensive by the Rapid Support Forces begins in El Fasher(Sudan Tribune) 

At least eighteen people are killed after landslides hit South Sulawesi, Indonesia. (The Star) 

Six people are killed and seven others are injured in a mass stabbing at a shopping center in Sydney, Australia. The perpetrator is shot and killed by police. (The Guardian) (The Sydney Morning Herald) 

Simon Kennedy of the Liberal Party of Australia wins the by-election in the seat of Cook, succeeding former Prime Minister Scott Morrison(ABC News Australia) 

Hezbollah forces launch dozens of rockets into northern Israel. The militant group says that the missile barrage targeted IDF artillery positions. No casualties are reported. (Al Arabiya) 

Israel is preparing for a direct attack from Iran on southern or northern Israel as soon as the next 24 to 48 hours. A person briefed by the Iranian leadership says that while plans to attack are being discussed, no final decision has been made. (The Wall Street Journal) 

France advises its citizens to refrain from traveling to Iran, Lebanon, Israel and Palestinian territories due to the risk of military escalation. (CNN) 

The British government advises against all travel to Israel and Palestinian territories due to the imminent threat of an Iranian attack. (Middle East Monitor) 

The United States restricts travel for its embassy personnel in Israel amid fears of an attack by Iran. (BBC News) 

Germany tells its citizens to leave Iran immediately, saying that “air, land and sea transport routes” will likely be affected by military action in the region. (Reuters) 

Russia launches drone strikes across Ukraine. Critical infrastructure is damaged in Kherson Oblast and a fire occurs at the Dnieper Hydroelectric Station in Zaporizhzhia causing around half a tonne of oil products to leak into the Dnieper river. (Reuters) (Ukrainska Pravda) 

Russia successfully test-launches an intercontinental ballistic missile from the Kapustin Yar launch complex in Astrakhan Oblast. (Reuters) 

Canada pledges $132.2 million dollars to Sudan to help people affected by the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. (Global News) 

The European Union pledges €1 billion in short-term financial aid to Egypt to help stabilise the country’s economy. (Reuters) 

Dozens of Russian military instructors arrive in Niger as part of an agreement with the ruling military junta to help train Nigerien troops to fight jihadist insurgents. (BBC News) 

A shootout between three Fano members and Addis Ababa Federal Police forces resulted in death of two Fano members, including one civilian near Millennium Hall, Addis Ababa. (Washington Post) 

The military junta in Mali prohibits all forms of media from reporting on activities of political parties and associations. (NOS) 

Pakistan designates the Iranian Quds Force Liwa Zainebiyoun as a terrorist organization. (VOA) 

Hundreds of refugees cross into Thailand from Myanmar after the fall of Myawaddy to rebel forces. (Reuters) 

04.11.2024 thursday [i complete]

Archaeologists announce the discovery of new frescos at the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, depicting mythological ancient Greek figures. (BBC News) 

U.S. President Joe Biden warns that Iran is threatening to launch a significant attack against Israel and promises “ironclad U.S. support” for Israel in the event of an attack. (BBC News) 

Russia warns its citizens against travelling to the Middle East amid increasing tensions between Iran and Israel. (CNBC) 

The Netherlands increases its military budget to 2 percent of its GDP for the first time since 1994. (Algemeen Dagblad) 

South Korean prime minister Han Duck-soo and all senior advisers to President Yoon Suk Yeol resign en masse in response to the results of yesterday’s parliamentary elections. (ABC News) 

A search operation at a power plant on Lake Suviana, near Bologna, Italy, has recovered the bodies of three workers who were missing after an explosion two days ago. This brings the confirmed death toll to six. A seventh worker is still missing, while the five injured are still in critical conditions. (Il Resto del Carlino) 

Russia launches missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, damaging power facilities and causing widespread power outages for about 200,000 people. Ukraine says that the Trypilska thermal power plant in Kyiv Oblast was destroyed in an overnight attack. (Reuters) (Bloomberg) 

Robinson R22 helicopter owned by the Philippine Air Force crashes near a public market in Cavite City, Philippines, killing both pilots. (AFP via Barron’s) 

A court in Vietnam sentences tycoon Trương Mỹ Lan to death for embezzling $12.46 billion from the Sai Gon Joint Stock Commercial Bank(DW) 

At least four people are killed and five others are injured in a Russian missile strike in Mykolaiv. (Reuters) 

The Karen National Union, local PDF groups, and other Karenni organizations seize the town of Myawaddy, Kayin State, from the Tatmadaw after three days of fighting. Junta planes subsequently bomb the town, causing more than 1,000 locals to flee into neighbouring Thailand(CNN) (Radio Free Asia) 

Thirty-eight prisoners escape from a prison in MoroniComoros(Reuters) 

Cornel West names Melina Abdullah as his VP pick as part of his presidential campaign(Politico) 

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza kills three sons of Hamas chairman Ismail Haniyeh(Haaretz) 

Russian airstrikes in Kharkiv Oblast kill at least three people and injure four others. (Reuters) 

Four people are killed and seven others are injured in a Russian missile strike in Odesa. (Reuters) 

American video game company Epic Games announces that it will lay-off around 870 employees, roughly one-sixth of its workforce, due to slower growth than expected. (CBC via Yahoo! News) 

A bus carrying Eid Al-Fitr pilgrims crashes and plunges into a ditch in Balochistan, Pakistan, killing seventeen people and injuring 16 others. (AP) 

Five people are killed and 35 others are injured in a fire at the New Lucky House in Kowloon, Hong Kong. (Reuters) 

A person is killed by flooding in Mississippi, United States, as severe weather hits the Southern United States. (CBS News) 

South Koreans vote for members of the National Assembly. The opposition, primarily consisting of the Democratic Party, its alliance and the Rebuilding Korea Party, wins the election in a landslide, increasing their legislative majority but falling short of the two-thirds supermajority needed to pass constitutional amendments or override the veto of President Yoon Suk Yeol(Reuters) 

The largest humanitarian aid airdrop since the war began takes place over the northern Gaza Strip, with at least 14 aircraft from nine nations taking part in the operation. (BBC News) 

Heavy fighting and clashes occur between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in areas controlled by the RSF primarily near Wad Madani in Gezira State. (Dabanga Sudan) 

The Turkish Trade Ministry announces that it will suspend the export of 54 categories of goods to Israel in response to Israel banning Turkey from participating in humanitarian air drops over the Gaza Strip. (Al Jazeera) 

A Federation University Australia expedition confirms that bird flu is currently spreading across Antarctica, with outbreaks confirmed in wild bird populations in Beak Island, Hope Bay, Devil Island, and Paulet Island. (El Pais) 

Three people are killed, five are injured and four are missing in an explosion at a power plant on Lake Suviana, near Bologna, Italy. (AP) 

The death toll from Sunday’s ferry sinking in Mozambique increases to more than 100 people, with around 20 people still missing. (NOS) 

More than 100,000 people in Russia and Kazakhstan are ordered to evacuate amid catastrophic flooding along the Ural river. (Reuters) 

The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration reports that 38 people died when a boat, which has carried around 66 Ethiopian migrants, has sank off Godoria, Djibouti, a day before while on its way to Yemen. At least six more are still missing and presumed dead. (AFP via South China Morning Post) 

The Arizona Supreme Court upholds a law criminalizing most types of abortions in the case Planned Parenthood Arizona v. Mayes(The Guardian) 

A total solar eclipse occurs in North America for the first time since 2017. It is the last total solar eclipse to be visible in the contiguous United States until 2044(Fox Weather) 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has ordered an invasion of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip with a date “being set” for the ground offensive. (The Telegraph) (NU.nl) 

Heavy fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops takes place around the city of Chasiv Yar, with Ukraine describing the situation as “difficult” and “tense”; separately, shelling kills three civilians in Huliaipole, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. (Al Jazeera) 

Ukraine claims to have damaged the Russian Navy missile ship Serpukhov [ru] in the Baltic Sea near Kaliningrad. (Kyiv Independent) 

Khartoum reports 384 cases of dengue fever which are attributed to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan. (Al Taghyeer) 

A ferry from Lunga, Mossuril District to the Island of Mozambique capsizes off the coast of Nampula Province, Mozambique, killing at least 94 people and leaving 26 others missing. (The Guardian) 

Over 100 civilians in South Kordofan are killed after allies of the Rapid Support Forces launch attacks in villages across the state. (Dabanga Sudan) 

99 Cents Only Stores files for bankruptcy in the U.S. state of Delaware, with the intention to liquidate. (Reuters)

Protesters set fire to government buildings and dozens of vehicles in the Mexican state of Guerrero amid anger over the police killing of a college student in March and the kidnapping of 43 students in 2014. Governor Evelyn Salgado Pineda‘s office in Chilpancingo is ransacked. (AP) 

In college basketball, Connecticut repeats as national champions, becoming the first program to do so since the Florida Gators did so in 2006 and 2007. (Patch)