Summary‍

The Titan submersible malfunctioned just days before its fatal dive; the Coast Guard is investigating the incident that resulted in five deaths. Israel has intensified its bombardment of Lebanon with 52 strikes targeting rocket launchers, prompting Lebanon’s prime minister to call for Security Council action, while the U.K. and U.S. advocate for a ceasefire. A 76-year-old man from Alaska has been indicted on 22 charges for threatening six Supreme Court justices and their families, having sent over 400 abusive messages, and he has pleaded not guilty. A former CIA officer, Brian Jeffery Raymond, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for drugging, filming, and sexually assaulting more than two dozen women across several countries over the past decade. In Springfield, Ohio, the mayor declared an emergency amid unfounded rumors of Haitian immigrants eating pets, which have led to over 30 bomb threats, to secure resources for public safety.

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Today's News

Hello everybody! My name is Gabe, today is Friday, September 20th, and you’re listening to Current2.

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In Must Know News:

• The Titan submersible malfunctioned mere days before the fatal dive, according to company OceanGate’s scientific director. A platform defect caused passengers onboard to be tossed around the submersible. No one was injured, but it allegedly took an hour to get the passengers out of the water. The new information was revealed during a public hearing that began Monday and is expected to continue into next week.
• The bombardment of Lebanon continues: Israel deployed 52 strikes on Lebanon late Thursday, targeting 100 rocket launcher barrels in southern Lebanon. No deaths have been reported at this time, however Lebanon’s prime minister demanded that the security council take action against Israel. Since then, the U.K. called for a ceasefire between the two and the U.S. urged a diplomatic solution, citing concern about further escalation.
• A man from Alaska was indicted on twenty-two charges alleging that he threatened to kill six Supreme Court justices and their family members over their recent controversial decisions. The man, 76-year-old Panos Anastasiou, allegedly sent over 400 racist and homophobic messages to the Supreme Court through their public website. He has pleaded not guilty.
• A long-serving CIA officer who drugged, filmed, and sexually assaulted more than two dozen women across multiple countries for over a decade was sentenced to 30 years in prison Wednesday. According to prosecutors, Brian Jeffery Raymond’s history of assaults date all the way back to 2006 and continued as his career took him to Mexico, Peru, and other countries. Good riddance. 
• Things are getting serious in Springfield, Ohio– the mayor issued an emergency proclamation Thursday over rumors of Haitian immigrants eating pets. The baseless conspiracy, peddled by Trump and V-P pick JD Vance, has led to over 30 bomb threats against public places all over the city. The emergency order is meant to allow city officials to “swiftly acquire resources needed” to keep its citizens safe.

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That’s all for today, folks! If you liked this episode, be sure to share it with your friends. Have a great weekend and thanks for listening to Current2, the easy way to stay informed!

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Sources:

Titan submersible malfunctioned days before tragic dive (AP)

Israel strikes southern Lebanon (Reuters)

Alaska man arrested in alleged plot to kill Supreme Court justices (NBC)

CIA officer sentenced to 30 years in prison (Al Jazeera)

Springfield mayor issues emergency order (Guardian)