While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Aug 19
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A man walks past a wall displaying posters of hostages in Tel Aviv, Israel.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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Hamas says new Gaza proposal too close to Israel’s demands
The Palestinian group Hamas said on Sunday that a new proposal meant to bridge the gaps between Israel and the Islamist armed group over a Gaza ceasefire were too close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent positions.
Hamas’ statement came only hours after U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken arrived in Israel in a bid to secure a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, dimming hopes for an imminent breakthrough in negotiations.
Hamas received the new proposal from mediators, Qatar, Egypt and the United States, following a two-day round of talks in Doha.
Israeli dies from wounds sustained in West Bank attack, hospital says
NYT
An Israeli man died from wounds sustained in an attack in the occupied West Bank on Aug 18, according to a spokesperson at Israel’s Beilinson Hospital.
The military said earlier the man was attacked by a Palestinian militant who stole his weapon. No Palestinian group had so far claimed responsibility.
Violence in the West Bank has escalated since the war in Gaza between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas broke out in October in 2023.
Poland seeks to contain toxic algae as tons of fish die in Oder basin
REUTERS
Poland has taken steps to contain the spread of toxic golden algae in the river Oder’s tributary system to prevent a repeat of the pollution crisis that hit the waterway in 2022, the climate ministry said on Aug 18.
Hydrogen peroxide has been pumped in at the junction of the Gliwice Canal and the Klodnica river, helping to reduce the algae by over 90 per cent, the ministry said in a statement.
Between Aug 3 and 16 some 77 tons of fish have died in the affected section of the canal and in nearby lake Dierzno Duze. The risk related to the algae remains critical in the canal, it said.
Climate activists delay cruise ship arriving in Amsterdam
Environmental activists tied themselves to a lock on Aug 18 at the Port of Amsterdam, halting an incoming cruise ship for several hours, the port and the climate group said.
The Serenade of the Seas with a thousand cabins was finally able to resume its route to the popular tourist desination, according to Carlijn van Essen, a spokeswoman for the Port of Amsterdam. An oil tanker was also prevented from docking.
“Oil kills, stop cruise ships”, the activists spray-painted on the doors of the lock they had tied themselves to, according to footage broadcast live online on their video stream, XRTV.
Manchester City start title defence with 2-0 win over Chelsea
REUTERS
Erling Haaland scored his 91st goal in his 100th appearance for Manchester City on Aug 18 as the champions kicked off their Premier League title defence with a lively 2-0 away win over Chelsea.
The big Norwegian, fed by Bernardo Silva, forced his way between Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana and finished neatly past Robert Sanchez in the 18th minute.
“Three points, a perfect start,” Haaland told Sky Sports.
