WORLD NEWS FLASH
UNITED STATES
One of the most prestigious news outlets in the region has endured one of the worst things that could happen in the field – becoming the news rather than reporting it.
That is because on Aug. 12, broadcast powerhouse Audacy announced that WCBS Newsradio 880 would cease operations on Aug. 25. The 880 AM frequency will be taken over by Good Karma Brands (GKB) and assigned to ESPN New York.
The WCBS call letters – pending approval from the FCC – will be retired, and replaced with WHSQ. The station will still be the exclusive radio home of the New York Mets.
Some local listeners, like those at “Local Talk,” first heard of the news on WCBS 880’s sister station, 1010 WINS on 92.3 FM. The 92.3 FM frequency came after that spot on the dial was occupied by everything, from classic rock to pop music to even talk radio at one point.
“New York has always been proudly unique in supporting two all-news radio brands, but the news business has gone through significant changes,” said Chris Oliviero, New York Market President, Audacy.
“The headwinds facing local journalism nationwide made it essential to strategically reimagine how we deliver the news for the most impact. WCBS 880 has been one of the most respected radio stations in history, with a legacy cemented by the hundreds of world-class journalists, on and off the air, who willed it into existence over the decades. If it happened in New York or the world, you heard about it on WCBS 880.
“Today, 1010 WINS@92.3FM, equally iconic, moves forward as New York’s only 24/7 all-news station with the best distribution platform, the largest audience and the most recognized brand in the industry. All-news is a pillar of Audacy and this decision, though difficult, fortifies that leadership position for generations to come.”
To honor WCBS 880’s meaningful impact, the station will broadcast a live commemorative special, “WCBS 880 News: The People, the Moments, and the Events that Shaped our Lives,” on August 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET. The special, which will air during the “Newsline” program helmed by former WINS reporter Brigitte Quinn, will include interviews and historical clips.
WCBS Newsradio 880 debuted in August 1967, two years after WINS, its formal rival. When the clock strikes 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 26, 1010 WINS on 92.3 FM will stand as the longest running 24 hour news outlet in the Greater New York area.
MASS SHOOTING UPDATE
Information recent as of 8-13-2024 at 12 p.m.
2024 Mass Shooting Stats: (Source: Mass Shooting Tracker – https://www.massshootingtracker.site/data/?year=2024)
- Total Mass Shootings: 396
- Total Dead: 478
- Total Wounded: 1654
- Shootings Per Day: 1.75
- Days Reached in Year 2024 as of August 13: 226
MIDDLE EAST
SCHOOL ATTACK CONDEMNED
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has deplored a deadly weekend attack on a Gaza school-turned shelter, his Office said on Aug. 12.
“The Secretary-General condemns the continued loss of life in Gaza, including women and children, as we witness yet another devastating strike by Israel on the Al-Taba’een school in Gaza City, sheltering hundreds of displaced Palestinian families, with scores of fatalities, amidst continued horror, displacement, and suffering in Gaza,” said UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq.
The incident occurred on Aug. 9 and at least 100 people were killed, according to international media reports, which cited the Gaza health authorities. At the time of the attack, people were performing the dawn prayer at the school’s prayer hall.
Casualties were brought to Al Ahli hospital – among the 16 hospitals that remain only partially functional in the Gaza Strip – which is “overwhelmed by this mass casualty incident amid shortages of medications, clean water and beds,” Mr. Haq told journalists.
Humanitarian partners on the ground helped families who returned to the school, providing drinking water, food parcels, hot meals, hygiene kits and clothing, as well as psychological first aid and psychosocial support activities for children and their parents.
According to the UN human rights office, OHCHR, this is at least the 21st strike on a school, each serving as a shelter, since July 4, which have resulted in at least 274 fatalities, including women and children.
Mr. Haq said the Secretary-General was dismayed to see that provisions of UN Security Council resolution 2735 (2024) remain unimplemented.
Adopted in June, the resolution proposes a comprehensive three-phase ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel to end the war in Gaza, now in its 10th month.
The first phase would include an immediate, full and complete ceasefire with the release of hostages; the return of the remains of some hostages who have been killed, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners, withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza, the return of Palestinian civilians to their homes, and the safe and effective distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout the enclave.
The second phase calls for a permanent end to hostilities in exchange for the release of all other hostages in Gaza and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area, while phase three would see the start of a major multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza and the returns of the remains of any deceased hostages still there to their families.
Mr. Haq said the UN chief welcomes the mediation efforts of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar leaders, and urges both sides to rejoin negotiations and conclude the ceasefire and hostages release deal.
Mr. Guterres reiterated his urgent appeal for an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages, while again underscoring the need to ensure both the protection of civilians and unimpeded and safe humanitarian access into and across Gaza.
“The Secretary-General underlines that international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions in attack, must be upheld at all times,” he concluded.
EUROPE
DOZENS ARRESTED IN UK PROTESTS
Over 150 people arrested in connection with violent protests have already faced their day in court, data released August 9th has revealed.
The rapid action taken across the justice system by police, prosecutors and those working in courts has led to 118 of those individuals being remanded into custody in a collective effort to keep communities safe and free from further violence.
More than 500 prison places are also being brought online to boost capacity over the coming weeks and ensure there are cells ready to receive all those sent to custody by the courts.
The data released shows that as of August 8:
- 176 defendants had a first hearing scheduled in the magistrates’ court and 154 have already taken place
- 6 were sentenced in the magistrates’ court
- 50 have been sent to Crown Court for sentencing
- 72 have been sent to Crown Court for trial
- 26 cases will have another hearing in the magistrates’ court
All these numbers will increase over the coming days and weeks as more and more suspects are arrested, charged and sent to court.
Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said: “The mindless minority who caused and took part in the disgraceful scenes we witnessed were warned they would soon feel the full force of the law. This data shows that many have already seen the inside of a courtroom and will see a stint behind bars too. Where they have gone, more will follow.
“I would like to pay tribute to the thousands of dedicated professionals across the criminal justice system who have worked tirelessly so such swift action could be taken.”
AFRICA
WHO MONITORING MPOX CASES
The UN World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the response to the mpox outbreak in over a dozen African countries to the highest level, mobilizing efforts across the agency.
The continent is witnessing an “unprecedented” spike in mpox cases since January, with 15 countries reporting outbreaks. As of Aug. 8, 2,030 cases and 13 deaths were confirmed this year, compared with 1,145 cases and seven deaths in the whole of 2023.
Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus (commonly abbreviated as MPXV), a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus.
Common symptoms include a skin rash or mucosal lesions that can last for two to four weeks accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.
It can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with someone who is infectious, with contaminated materials, or with infected animals.
Treatment is supportive and aimed at alleviating the symptoms. Various therapeutics that may be effective against mpox are being developed and tested.
According to WHO, the Democratic Republic of the Congo accounts the highest number (90 percent) of the reported cases, including a new variant that emerged last September. Cases from that variant have also been reported in neighboring Rwanda and Uganda, as well as Kenya, while analysis of cases is ongoing in Burundi.
Matshidiso Moeti, the agency’s Regional Director for Africa, highlighted that the “priority is to rapidly interrupt the transmission of the virus.”
“We are collaborating with partners in support of countries to reinforce outbreak control measures and ensure that communities are central to ongoing efforts to effectively end these outbreaks,” Dr. Moeti said.
WHO is working through country teams and experts deployed on the ground to support national authorities to strengthen key response areas, including disease surveillance, diagnosis testing and clinical care, infection prevention and control.
It is also working with the health authorities to access therapeutics, decentralize laboratory services for enhanced diagnostic capacities, and ramp up efforts to raise awareness about the risk of the disease among communities.
Field investigation and active case finding are also being reinforced in the affected and at-risk countries, and the UN health agency is coordinating closely to enhance contact tracing and mobilizing financial support to help countries respond.
