August 8 top stories
It is August 8. Here are today’s top stories.
Deadly storms hit eastern U.S.
AP News said at least two people died, thousands of U.S. flights were canceled or delayed, and more than 1.1 million homes and businesses lost power on Monday due to severe storms moving through the eastern U.S.
Almost 30 million people were under a tornado watch on Monday afternoon with storms bringing heavy rain, hail and lightning.
Tragically, a 15-year-old boy in South Carolina died after he was struck and killed by a falling tree when he arrived at his grandparent’s house during the storm.
In Alabama, a 28-year-old man was struck by lightning at a parking lot and died.
Zoom ordering employees to come to office
News reports said Zoom, the video communications company, ordered its employees who live within 50 miles of an office to show up in the office to work at least twice a week.
Zoom said it is a “structured hybrid approach” and that they believe it is most effective for the company to continue to innovate and support their customers.
Many people on social media pointed out the irony of this scenario.
“Exorcist” director William Friedkin dies at 87
William Friedkin, the director of the 1973 film “The Exorcist,” passed away on Monday. He was 87.
CNN explained that Friedkin won the Oscar for best director for “The French Connection” in 1972 and was nominated again for “Exorcist.”
Friedkin was married four times and left behind a wife and two sons.
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Russian missiles kill seven in Ukraine
Reuters reported that Russian missiles struck the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk on Monday night, destroying a popular hotel and apartments. At least seven people were killed and many others were wounded.
Witnesses said two missiles hit the center of Pokrovsk within 40 minutes of each other. Some people who responded to the first missile strike were killed and injured in the second strike.
In separate but related news, Ukrainian authorities said they detained a woman who is suspected of plotting to assassinate Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. The woman was allegedly an informant for Russia and was gathering intelligence about Zelenskyy’s planned visit to a city in southern Ukraine and was taking photographs of Ukrainian weapons.
CNN said Zelensky said in an interview that he knows that the Russian military wants to kill him but that it won’t stop him from visiting other Ukrainian cities because he wants to keep that connection with society.
Three hikers in Scotland found dead
Three hikers in Scotland were tragically found dead at a mountain called the Aonach Eagach, a very narrow and steep ridge that is about 3,600 feet high.
Police said they started a search when the three hikers, two men and a woman, did not return after sunset on Saturday.
A search helicopter spotted the bodies on Saturday night and on Sunday morning, a search and rescue crew recovered the bodies.
“The Guardian” said it is one of the worst multiple fatalities involving hikers from one incident in Scottish mountains.
$1.5B Mega Millions jackpot
Fox Business said the current Mega Millions jackpot is worth at least $1.5 billion and may be the largest in history. There have been no winners since April, which is why the jackpot has ballooned in value.
An interesting fact is that at least 62 people trying to win the jackpot have won smaller prizes of at least $1 million. That is when someone matches all five numbers but without the correct Mega Ball. They still get a million bucks.
If someone wins the $1.5 billion jackpot, they can take home about $750 million for the one-time cash payout option.
That’s all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/07/entertainment/william-friedkin-death
https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/07/europe/zelensky-assassination-plot-intl/index.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/08/08/zoom-back-to-office-mandate/