ICYMI: News Round-Up for April 15-19, 2024

Here are just a few of the news events that took place around the world this week:

1. In a historic first, Iran launched a direct attack on Israel, using hundreds of missiles and armed drones. The attack was in response to an Israeli airstrike on Iran's consulate in Syria. The tit-for-tat would continue later in the week as Israel launched a limited retaliatory strike on Iran.
2. Flash flooding occurred in Dubai after the desert city received a year’s worth of rainfall (over 140mm) in a single day. The deluge caused chaos as streets flooded and Dubai's busy airport was knocked offline. Immediately, speculation began that the flooding was caused by cloud seeding–a method of weather modification–but experts and officials have since doused those rumours.
3. Australia unveiled a historic national defence strategy, which aligns with the U.S. "strategy of denial" in the region. The plan includes an extra $32 billion (USD) in military spending over the next decade. The plan aims to help the country "deter and project power" in the region, as tensions with China heat up.
4. Six people were killed in a knife attack at a mall in Sydney, Australia. The man, who reportedly had a history of mental health issues, appeared to target women, and was eventually shot by a police officer. A separate, unrelated knife attack at a Sydney church the next day is now being considered a “terrorist act” by authorities.
5. The world’s largest democratic election kicked off in India on Friday and is set to take place over six weeks. 970 million voters will decide the next parliament and whether Narendra Modi serves a third term as Prime Minister.
6. Toronto Raptors forward, Jontay Porter, became the first athlete banned by a major North American league since sports betting was legalised. The player was found out after a sports book flagged unusual prop betting activity and contacted the NBA.
7. A man set himself on fire by the New York City courthouse where Donald Trump’s jury selection was taking place. Maxwell Azzarello released both physical and digital versions of an anti-establishment manifesto prior to the incident, and is currently in critical condition at a nearby burn unit.