Hong Kong Braces For Airport Protest

1. HONG KONG BRACES FOR AIRPORT PROTEST

Hong Kong announced new curbs on rail travel earlier today ahead of the latest in a series of planned protests targeting the airport after a night of widespread violent street clashes.

Anti-government protesters have targeted the airport before as airport according to them is the most important asset to the government, where they tried to occupy the arrivals hall, block approach roads and set street fires in the nearby town of Tung Chung.

Today’s protest is due to start at 4 pm this afternoon.

2. IRANIAN SAILOR HELD BY SOMALI PIRATES SINCE 2015 FREED

An Iranian sailor held hostage by Somali pirates for more than four years has been released with the help of the United Nations and a humanitarian group.

Thanking those involved, Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi announced the release of one of the last hostages of Somali piracy, while 3 more seafarers which are Iranians sailors were still being held.

Earlier, Iranian media reports said Panahandeh was among 21 crew members of a boat hijacked in March 2015 where eight of the hostages died, five escaped, and four were freed in a security operation by Iran.

3. LORENA WEAKENS TO A TROPICAL STORM AS IT NEARS MAINLAND MEXICO

Hurricane Lorena weakened to a tropical storm as it approached northwestern Mexico on Saturday, bringing with it heavy wind and rain.

Based on the report from the Miami-based National Hurricane Center, Lorena had maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour as it moved north on Saturday afternoon.

It said, the storm is currently crossing Baja California peninsula, and expected to reach mainland Mexico early Sunday, at which point it will likely weaken swiftly.