August 12, 2024

Fire breaks out at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant amid Ukraine-Russia conflict A fire broke out in Europe's largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine, while the UN's atomic energy watchdog has said nuclear safety was not affected. Experts observed Sunday's "strong dark smoke" from the Zaporizhzhia power plant's northern area after explosions were heard in the evening, the International Atomic Energy Agency said on X, adding: "No impact has been reported for nuclear safety." Ukraine and Russia have been trading blame over the incident. *) US sends F-35s, submarine to Middle East amid Israeli conflict US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the deployment of a guided missile submarine to the Middle East, the Pentagon has said. In a phone call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Austin reiterated the US’s commitment to take "every possible" step to defend Israel, the Pentagon said in a statement. *) Israel wipes out three Palestinian families in brutal Gaza school attack Israel's air strike on Al-Tab'een School in Gaza killed three families whose members are believed to have "disintegrated" due to the explosions, the Gaza media office has said. "The Israeli targeting resulted in the complete loss of 3 families whose bodies have not been found so far,” the media office said in a statement on Sunday. *) DR Congo, Zambia begin talks after border closure Democratic Republic of Congo has said it had begun talks with Zambia a day after its southern African neighbour sealed their common border, blocking a key export route for Congo, the world's second-largest copper producer. Zambian Trade Minister Chipoka Mulenga announced a temporary border closure after a Congolese ban on imported soft drinks and beer led to demonstrations by Congolese transporters in the town of Kasumbalesa on the Zambian border. *) Tom Cruise steals show, ignites excitement in Paris 2024 closing ceremony Tom Cruise rappelled into the Paris Games closing ceremony, grabbed the Olympic flag, and sped off, kicking off the countdown to the 2028 Los Angeles Games. A beaming Cruise high-fived athletes after making the roughly 160-foot descent and took the flag from LA Mayor Karen Bass, who was accompanied by US gymnast Simone Biles. Cruise then disappeared beneath the stage before reemerging on a motorcycle with the flag affixed to the back and exited as the crowd at the 80,000-seat stadium roared.