The GPR Digest- November 18, 2024
Jose Ibarra, Hezbollah, Jake Paul, and more!
GEORGIA
Jose Ibarra murder trial begins in Athens
The trial of Jose Ibarra— the suspect accused of killing the University of Georgia’s 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley on the university’s campus— began in Athens on Friday, November 15. Ibarra has waived his right to a jury trial and submitted himself to a bench trial before Judge Patrick Haggard.
Ibarra is facing numerous charges including malice, felony murder, aggravated assault with intent to rape, aggravated battery, hindering a person making a 911 call, and “Peeping Tom”. Ibarra is from Venezuela and entered the U.S. illegally, intensifying the debate over the country’s immigration policies. Both President Joe Biden and President-Elect Donald Trump have used Ibarra’s immigration status as part of their political campaign, inciting further controversy. Regardless, as the trial continues into the next week, Athens residents can expect further news about Ibarra’s culpability in the tragedy.
NATIONAL
2 killed in Louisville plant explosion
Around 3 P.M this Tuesday, November 12, an explosion at the Givaudan food coloring plant killed two workers, scattered debris, and blew out the windows of nearby homes and businesses. The blast was also heard from several miles away, prompting nearly 300 calls to 911. Several others were injured and taken to the hospital.
This is not the first explosion to take place at the site. Over two decades ago, another explosion at the D.D. Williamson & Co plant, the former plant on the site, killed one person and prompted a shelter-in-place order for dangers regarding ammonia solution. Current teams, led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are investigating the site to identify whether it is safe for future construction projects and surrounding communities.
INTERNATIONAL
South African volunteers enter abandoned mineshaft to aid miners
This week, dozens of volunteers entered an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein, South Africa, to help thousands of illegal miners trapped underground. About 1000 miners have emerged, many due to volunteer help, though many have required the assistance of paramedics and hospital staff.
The majority of these miners, called “zama zama” in Zulu, are undocumented migrants whose illegal activities cost the South African government hundreds of millions of dollars in lost sales each year. Originally, they entered the mine seeking gold or mineral residues for profit— hoping to sell their findings on the black market or provide for their families. They also feared deportation or arrest from the South African government.
However, the government responded harshly. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Wednesday: We are going to smoke them out. They will come out. We are not sending help to criminals. Criminals are not to be helped— they are to be persecuted”. As a result of harsh police policies blocking entrances, exits, and access to food and water, the miners have reported cases of deteriorating health, eating vinegar and toothpaste to survive. This knowledge continues to shock and appall several members of the community, who call on the government to end their restrictions.
Hezbollah media chief killed in Israeli strike
Mohammed Afif, head media chief of Hezbollah, was killed in an Israeli strike in central Beirut on Sunday, November 17. The strike hit the Baath party headquarters in Ras al-Naba, a densely populated neighborhood in the city. Reasoning for the Israeli strike likely lies with how the Lebanese Baath Party, a branch of the Syrian Baath Party, has been a long-time Hezbollah ally.
Alongside Afif, 4 others were killed, though their names have not been provided by any sources. 14 others were injured in the blast, with several trapped under the rubble of the headquarters and neighboring buildings. A later strike the same day killed 2 others and wounded 13 more on Mar Elias Street, also in central Beirut. Israel threatens further strikes, having intensified their attacks on Beirut amidst ceasefire calls by the United States. It wishes to return its displaced residents to the north of the country, which has come under fire since Hezbollah intensified attacks to support Palestine on October 7.
CULTURE
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul make it to the arena
The highly anticipated fight between social media influencer Jake Paul and Boxing Hall of Fame superstar Mike Tyson left fans on the edge of their seats on Friday, November 15. The match, which aired on Netflix and took place in the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, ended with a win for Jake Paul against an opponent whose last official match was in 2005. Since starting professional boxing in 2020, Jake Paul has maintained an 11-1 record. All three judges scored in favor of the YouTuber.
Netflix, which was experimenting with live programming, had multiple technical difficulties throughout the fight. The subscription service, which has 283 million subscribers globally, experienced problems from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Eastern. Downdetector, a site where users can report internet disruptions, received more than 500,000 complaints that users were having issues accessing Netflix’s stream.
Contributors: Sophia Nguyen, Aviella Schwartz