Podcasts about palestinian health ministry

n our news wrap Thursday, the Palestinian Health Ministry says Israeli settlers shot and killed a Palestinian-American in the occupied West Bank, National Park Service workers in Philadelphia began restoring a slavery exhibit at the site of George Washington's former residence and the White House ballroom proposal has been approved by a panel whose members were handpicked by Trump himself. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

n our news wrap Thursday, the Palestinian Health Ministry says Israeli settlers shot and killed a Palestinian-American in the occupied West Bank, National Park Service workers in Philadelphia began restoring a slavery exhibit at the site of George Washington's former residence and the White House ballroom proposal has been approved by a panel whose members were handpicked by Trump himself. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The total number of people killed by Israeli attacks in Gaza since the ceasefire took place in October has reached 400, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Flooding, low temperatures and makeshift shelters have also presented issues for those in the region. We speak with a Gazan resident about what life is like now for her and her peers. Also in the programme: More children abducted from a Nigerian Catholic school last month look set to be released; CBS News faces criticism for delaying a '60 Minutes' special on the US deportation of migrants to an El Salvadoran megaprison; and Ukraine takes part in a morale-boosting Secret Santa scheme, offering gifts to soldiers on the frontline.(Photo: Mourners react during the funeral of Palestinians killed in an Israeli strike on Friday, according to medics, at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Credit: Dabou Abu Alkas, Reuters)

Saleh al-Jafarawi, one of Gaza’s most prominent influencers, reportedly killed in clashes between Hamas and rival militias as Israeli forces pull back and Donald Trump flies in to greet hostages. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode: President Donald Trump is working to arrange a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy to end the Russia-Ukraine war; European leaders also met with Trump Monday to discuss the war; huminitarian aid is on its way to Gaza; a deal has been reached in the Air Canada labor dispute; Home Depot reported earnings; and Kentucky’s governor is looking to ban a designer drug. 3 more GOP governors authorize deployment of National Guard troops as part of Trump show of force. 20 states and DC sue DOJ to stop immigration requirements on victim funds. Back in the Oval Office, Zelenskyy wears a blazer and Trump doesn't shout. Federal agent fires weapon during immigration stop in Southern California, officials say. Conservative network Newsmax agrees to pay $67M in defamation case over bogus 2020 election claims. Former Sinaloa cartel kingpin Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada set to plead guilty. 'Ketamine Queen' accused of selling fatal dose to Matthew Perry agrees to plead guilty. Texas Democrats end walkout over redistricting as California prepares to retaliate. Texas declares measles outbreak over. Shooting in a crowded New York club leaves 3 dead, 9 wounded. Wall Street holds at a standstill near its record heights. Cable's MSNBC will change its name later this year as part of corporate divorce from NBC. The majors-leading Brewers bounce back with their ace on the mound, a Phillies ace undergoes surgery for blood clot, the Browns name their starting quarterback, a pair of veteran QBs return to practice after injuries and two of the top names in tennis prevail in Cincinnati. Years after abuse reports, ex-coach at renowned US gymnastics academy is arrested by FBI. No. 1 Texas, No. 2 Penn St each place 3 players on Associated Press preseason All-America first team. Nebraska-Omaha basketball player Deng Mayar drowns in a Utah reservoir. Stronger, bigger Hurricane Erin forecast to create dangerous surf along US coast. A New Zealand soldier admits attempted espionage in the country's first spying conviction. Kim Jong Un slams South Korea-US drills during an inspection of his most powerful warship. Hamas accepts an Arab ceasefire proposal on Gaza as Palestinian death toll passes 62,000. Hong Kong court begins hearing final arguments in Jimmy Lai's national security trial. Gaza war death toll surpasses 62,000, says Palestinian Health Ministry. Israel's growing frustration over the war in Gaza erupts in nationwide protests. —The Associated Press About this program Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate. Theme music The News Tonight, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: ZR2MOTROGI4XAHRX

AP correspondent Laurence Brooks reports on the latest Palestinian death toll in Gaza.

Bombardment intensifies in Gaza as Israel strikes shelter and home Israel's latest raids in Gaza have left three more Palestinians dead and several others wounded, bringing the death toll during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr to 13. Air strikes hit a shelter in Deir al-Balah and an evacuated home in Khan Younis, while artillery and naval fire added to the casualties. Witnesses report intense Israeli bombardment across northern and southern Gaza, signaling escalating violence. Israel's genocidal war on Gaza has killed over 50,400 Palestinians and has wounded over 114,500 since October 2023, according to figures released by the Palestinian Health Ministry in the enclave. Taiwan scrambles defenses as China conducts large-scale drills Tensions skyrocket as China encircles Taiwan with extensive military drills, simulating precision strikes and a blockade. Taiwan responded by scrambling aircraft and ships, deploying missile systems in the region. The Chinese drills follow US pledges to bolster deterrence in the region, with Washington calling Beijing's actions "aggressive." The European Union has urged restraint, while tensions between China and Taiwan, fueled by history and geopolitics, remain a potential flashpoint. Myanmar earthquake death toll surpasses 2,700 as crisis deepens Tragedy unfolds in Myanmar as the death toll from Friday's catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake surpasses 2,700—and is still climbing. Thousands remain injured and missing, while rescue teams struggle against time. Miraculously, a 63-year-old woman was pulled alive from the rubble after 91 hours. Aid is trickling in, but with civil war complicating relief efforts, millions are at risk. The looming monsoon season and fears of disease outbreaks add to the crisis. US lawmaker delivers longest Senate speech to protest Trump US Senator Cory Booker made history with the longest speech in Senate history, delivering a fiery 25-hour, five-minute protest against President Donald Trump's “unconstitutional” actions. Standing firm without breaks, Booker criticised Trump's cost-cutting policies and executive overreach, warning of the damage to American democracy. The New Jersey senator, recalling the iconic scene from Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, energised his fellow Democrats while urging resistance to Trump's agenda. “The power of the people is greater than the people in power,” he concluded, igniting the opposition. SpaceX launches Fram2 mission on historic polar orbit journey SpaceX has launched the Fram2 mission, marking the first-ever crewed flight to orbit Earth's poles! Aboard the Crew Dragon, billionaire Chun Wang, filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen, robotics expert Rabea Rogge, and explorer Eric Philips are set for a thrilling three-to-five-day journey. Unlike traditional launches, this southward trajectory required extra power, pushing limits in space travel. The crew will conduct 22 experiments while braving the ultimate extreme environment. "We're not your typical NASA astronauts," Mikkelsen said. While requiring immense power, the mission promises groundbreaking polar observations and human adaptation research.

Israeli military raids on the West Bank have intensified ever since the fragile ceasefire agreement came into effect in Gaza. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, Israeli forces have killed over 70 Palestinians in the West Bank this year alone and displaced thousands from their homes. These IDF raids not only target and kill Palestinians of all ages but serve as a pretext to launch mass arrest campaigns. Jenna Abu Hasna, international advocacy officer at the Ramallah-based NGO Addameer, describes Israel's longstanding practice of mass arrests in the occupied Palestinian territories. Abu Hasna outlines Israel's systemic torture of Palestinians in Israeli jails and its widespread practice of placing Palestinians under administrative detention for months – even years - without filing formal charges. Israel's system of mass incarceration is not only a violation of international norms but serves as a tool to dispossess Palestinians of their rights, dignity, and land. 

Hamas, Israel agree to Gaza ceasefire deal "In a breakthrough, Hamas and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire and prisoner exchange after 468 days of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza. Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani announced the deal, starting with Hamas releasing 33 Israeli captives for an undisclosed number of Palestinian prisoners. Qatar, Egypt and the US will oversee the implementation. Details of second and third phases will emerge after the first phase concludes." World hails the Gaza ceasefire "The ceasefire in Gaza was hailed by world leaders, including Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, US President Joe Biden, and President-elect Donald Trump, as a step toward peace, humanitarian aid, and the release of prisoners. The UN and EU echoed their support, emphasising the urgent need for relief in Gaza. While Hamas declared the agreement a victory for Palestinian resilience, Egypt stressed the importance of swift aid delivery. Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed gratitude to American leaders for their support in the process." Gaza, West Bank face deadly Israeli air strikes after truce "Despite the ceasefire agreement, Israel continued to carry out air strikes on Palestinian territories in the region. At least 20 Palestinians, including children, were killed in besieged Gaza by Israeli bombardment. Tel Aviv also killed six Palestinians in the occupied West Bank during air strikes on the Jenin camp, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. " UN rights chief calls for lifting sanctions on Syria "During a historic visit to Syria, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk emphasised the need for justice and accountability for the grave human rights violations committed during 14 years of conflict. He called for an end to hostilities, the protection of all Syrians, and the pursuit of transitional justice, including investigating war crimes and addressing the needs of victims. Turk also urged the international community to reconsider sanctions that have exacerbated the suffering of ordinary Syrians." Joe Biden delivers his last speech from the Oval Office "Outgoing US President Joe Biden delivered an emotional farewell address from the Oval Office, marking his final days in office. He wished President-elect Donald Trump success while cautioning against a looming ""oligarchy"" threatening democracy. Despite his controversial legacy, Biden criticised social media giants for enabling misinformation and warned of the risks of concentrated wealth and power."

Kadie DiGiuseppe delivers the news on the Supreme Court upholding the TikTok ban, updates on the Los Angeles wildfires and the death toll in Gaza could be higher than the Palestinian Health Ministry says on 1/11/25.

*) Hamas calls Gaza truce proposals with Israel a 'smokescreen' Palestinian resistance group Hamas has called Gaza ceasefire proposals a “smokescreen" as they do not include an end to the Israeli war or withdrawal from the enclave. Senior Hamas member Izzat al-Rishq said ceasefire proposals floated in recent days don't include an end to the Israeli assault, withdrawal from Gaza, or the return of displaced Palestinians to their areas. He added that Hamas is positively engaged with any proposals and ideas that ensure the cessation of aggression and the withdrawal of the occupation forces from Gaza. *) Israel kills 71 in Lebanon as death toll nears 3,000 Meanwhile, in Lebanon, the Health Ministry has said Israeli air strikes killed at least 71 people and wounded 169 others. The new fatalities brought the number of people killed in Israeli attacks in the country since October 2023 to 2,968, while 13,319 others were wounded. This week Israel intensified its strikes in the eastern Lebanese region of Baalbek and displaced thousands more. *) Israel hinders polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza The emergency polio vaccination campaign in Gaza entered its second phase though areas in northern Gaza, experiencing ongoing Israeli military offensives and a humanitarian crisis, were excluded from the campaign. The initial phase of the campaign began two months ago, however, offensives in the north delayed the rollout, leading to a partial implementation. In a statement, the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that northern Gaza could not proceed with the second phase due to the ongoing hostilities, and plans for the next round of vaccinations in the north remain postponed. *) Supporters of Bolivia's ex-leader Morales detain 200 soldiers Supporters of former Bolivian president Evo Morales have taken at least 200 soldiers, hostage. Three military units in Chapare province were assaulted by irregular groups, The hostage situation marks a dramatic escalation in their standoff with the state after Morales blamed the current President for attempting to assassinate him earlier this week. The hostage situation comes nearly three weeks after backers of Morales the country's first Indigenous leader began blocking roads to prevent his arrest on what he calls trumped-up charges aimed at thwarting his political comeback. *) Hundreds of media members accuse BBC of biased Gaza coverage The BBC has been accused by more than 100 of its staffers of providing Israel favourable coverage in its reporting on the war against Gaza, calling on the broadcaster to "recommit to fairness, accuracy, and impartiality." The letter sent to BBC Director General Tim Davie was signed by more than 230 media industry members, including 101 anonymous BBC staff, journalists from other media organisations, historians, actors, academics and politicians. It criticised the news outlet for failing its editorial standards by lacking "consistently fair and accurate evidence-based journalism in its coverage of Gaza."

*) Israeli army and Zionist settlers unleash terror upon Palestine Illegal Israeli settlers have shot dead a Palestinian and wounded three others in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. This is part of more than 1,270 Zionist terror attacks targeting Palestinians since October last year. At least 680 Palestinians have since been killed and nearly 6,000 others wounded by Israeli army and the illegal settlers in the occupied territory. *) Palestine lambasts Ben-Gvir's call to build synagogue at Al-Aqsa Mosque Palestine has denounced a call by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to build a synagogue inside Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem. Palestinian Authority said it was an attempt by Ben-Gvir to drag the region into a “religious war”. The Authority added that the Palestinian people will not accept any harm to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, “which is a red line that cannot be crossed under any circumstances”. *) Turn them in now or face prison — New UK law targets ‘zombie-style' knives Police in the UK are urging owners of “zombie-style” knives and machetes to hand them in as part of a national month-long campaign launched by the government. The soon-to-be-outlawed bladed weapons can be surrendered at stations in England and Wales. The government announced on August 19th that from September 23rd, it will be a criminal offence to possess these weapons in the UK. *) Trump blames Harris and Biden for ‘humiliation' in Afghanistan Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has used the third anniversary of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan to pin the chaotic troop pullout on his Democratic rival for the White House. Trump blamed Kamala Harris, the vice president, and President Joe Biden for what he termed a “catastrophic” withdrawal. Trump said “the humiliation in Afghanistan set off the collapse of American credibility and respect all over the world.” *) Pacific Islands Forum urges polluters to pay for climate damage “If you pollute, you should pay,” Pacific leaders say. Emissions-belching nations have been challenged to stump up for climate-related damage as a key Pacific islands summit opened. The Pacific Islands Forum got underway in Tonga's capital, with leaders hoping to draw global attention to the region's worsening climate plight.

Leftist coalition wins most seats in France's snap election — pollsters An alliance of French left-wing is on course to become the biggest parliamentary bloc and beat the far right, according to shocking projected results. The New Popular Front brings together socialists, greens, communists and the hard-left into one camp and was formed last month after President Emmanuel Macron called snap elections. Marine Le Pen's National Rally party led the race after the first round on June 30 but projections for round two on Sunday showed no group on course for an absolute majority. Polls show the left-wing NFP ahead of both Macron's Ensemble and Le Pen's RN. *) Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital evacuated after Israeli army's warning Medical teams in Gaza have evacuated wounded Palestinians from al Ahli Baptist Hospital after the Israeli military issued a warning to leave some neighbourhoods of Gaza City. A medical source at the hospital said the teams transferred the wounded and other patients from the hospital to medical facilities in northern Gaza. The source said Israeli quadcopter drones were heavily present around the hospital, firing at civilians and prompting the medical teams to evacuate the hospital. *) Gaza war death toll could exceed 186,000: The Lancet Indirect deaths from disease and lack of resources in Gaza are projected to increase the total death toll to up to 186,000, or 7.9 percent of the population. This is according to a report by the medical journal The Lancet. The destruction of infrastructure in Gaza by Israeli attacks has made data collection increasingly difficult, forcing the Palestinian Health Ministry to rely on information from media sources and first responders. *) Democrats suggest VP Harris as potential alternative to Biden against Trump An embattled US President Joe Biden has faced escalating pressure from fellow Democrats worried about his candidacy. Biden has faced growing calls to end his re-election campaign after a halting performance in a June debate with Republican candidate Donald Trump, which raised questions about his ability to do the job for another four years. Democrats suggest that Vice President Kamala Harris, seen as the likeliest candidate to replace Biden in the November 5 election, could perform well. And finally… *) Flash floods and landslides lash Nepal, leaving thousands affected Lashing rains in Nepal, causing flash floods and landslides have killed at least 14 people across the country, according to police. Police are working with other agencies and locals to find nine missing people, according to a police spokesman. Those killed and missing are in multiple locations.

*) Israel killed 500+ Gaza medics since Oct 7 — health authorities https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/live-blog-israel-killed-500-gaza-medics-since-oct-7-health-authorities-18138481 Since October 7 last year, over 500 medical workers in Gaza have been killed by Israel, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in the enclave. This grim statistic was highlighted on International Nurses Day, with 138 nurses among those killed. Health Ministry spokesperson Khalil al-Daqran emphasised the challenges faced by these healthcare professionals, including injuries and detentions in Israeli prisons. *) Egypt to join genocide case against Israel at top UN court https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/egypt-to-join-genocide-case-against-israel-at-top-un-court-18131402 Egypt has announced its decision to support a genocide lawsuit against Israel, filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice. This move by Egypt is a response to what it calls the "escalating severity and scope" of Israel's offensive in Gaza, including the targeting of civilians and infrastructure. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry's statement condemned these actions as violations of international law, humanitarian law, and the Fourth Geneva Convention. *) Fight between Sudan's army, paramilitaries leave dozens dead in Darfur — UN https://www.trtworld.com/africa/fight-between-sudans-army-paramilitaries-leave-dozens-dead-in-darfur-un-18135457 Clashes between Sudan's army and rival paramilitaries have resulted in at least 27 deaths in the city of El-Fasher in one day, according to the United Nations. Eyewitnesses have described the city being battered by air strikes, artillery fire, and machine gun clashes since Friday, leading to around 850 people being displaced. The UN's ability to verify information is hindered by a communications blackout, leaving medics and human rights defenders struggling to relay news. *) Kashmiris prepare to voice discontent in India's election against Modi https://www.trtworld.com/asia/kashmiris-prepare-to-voice-discontent-in-indias-election-against-modi-18138784 India's national election has resumed, including in New Delhi-administered Kashmir, where voters are expected to express their discontent with significant changes in the disputed region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government remains popular in many parts of India and his Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is anticipated to win the election. However, Modi's decision in 2019 to bring Kashmir under direct and strict rule by New Delhi sparked resentment among Kashmiris. This election marks their first opportunity to vote since these changes were implemented. And finally... *) Turkish archer Mete Gazoz becomes European champion https://www.trtworld.com/turkiye/turkish-archer-mete-gazoz-becomes-european-champion-18131725 Turkish archer Mete Gazoz has won a gold medal in the men's recurve category at the Essen 2024 European Outdoor Championships. Gazoz defeated Slovenian Den Habjan Malavasic 6-0 in the final to become the European champion on Sunday.

*) Mass grave found at Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza Al Jazeera Arabic has reported that a mass grave at Al Shifa Hospital was discovered by the Palestinian Health Ministry and Civil Defence Forces in Gaza. The extracted bodies had not fully decomposed, suggesting that the 'executions' took place recently, possibly during Israel's two-week military invasion. The Gaza Emergency Operations Centre Director Motasem Salah said the World Health Organization and OCHA are trying "to identify the decomposed bodies and the body parts that were crushed" from their wallets and documents. *) Israeli war cabinet divided over response to Iran attack Following Iran's retaliatory strike against Israel on Saturday, Israel's Channel 12 reported that “There is consensus on the necessity of responding to the Iranian attack, but disagreements revolve around the scale and timing of the response.” The broadcaster noted that some in the war cabinet advocate for an immediate 'eye for an eye' approach, while others emphasise the importance of strategic planning for a robust response. *) What unfolded on Day 1 of Donald Trump's historic hush money trial Donald Trump has entered history as the first American president to stand trial on criminal charges. The Republican presidential candidate for the upcoming elections faces charges of falsifying business records to conceal "hush money" payments at the height of the 2016 presidential election. Trump is expected to be in court 4 days a week during the trial, which could last 6 to 8 weeks, including presentations by the parties and witness hearings. *) Crimes against Muslims in Germany have more than doubled in 2023 The German Press Agency DPA reported that the number of crimes against Muslims in Germany has more than doubled last year. According to the DPA, almost 1,500 Islamophobic crimes took place across Germany in 2023, compared to 610 hate crime incidents in 2022. The dramatic surge in anti-Muslim hate crimes could be linked to the Israeli war on Gaza, according to the report. *) Türkiye's tourism booms as millions of visitors flocking in early 2024 Türkiye's Ministry of Culture and Tourism stated that over 4.3 million tourists visited the country in the first two months of 2024. According to entry/exit statistics, the number of foreign visitors to Türkiye in the first two months increased by 12 percent compared to the same period last year. Most foreign visitors came to Türkiye from Iran, Bulgaria, and Russia.

*) Abbas names adviser Mohammed Mustafa as Palestine's PM Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has appointed Mohammed Mustafa as the new prime minister following Mohammed Shtayyeh's resignation. Mustafa, a trusted economic adviser, faces the task of forming a new government amid Israel's war on Gaza. At 69 years old, he is tasked with governing the occupied West Bank, while Hamas controls Gaza. Mustafa's extensive experience in economic affairs and governance, including roles at the World Bank and advisory positions for Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, is seen to shape his approach to addressing Palestinian Authority challenges. *) Twin Israeli attacks kill 29 besieged Palestinians awaiting aid in Gaza At least 29 Palestinians were killed in two separate attacks in Gaza while awaiting aid, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. In the first incident, eight Palestinians were killed in an airstrike on an aid distribution centre in Al Nuseirat camp. Later, at least 21 people were killed and over 155 wounded by Israeli gunfire at a northern Gaza roundabout. The Israeli military denied attacking aid centres, but residents reported ongoing aerial and ground bombardments, including in Rafah, where over a million displaced people are sheltering. *) Chuck Schumer seeks Netanyahu's ouster US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for the removal of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labelling him an "obstacle" to Middle East peace. Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the US, criticised Netanyahu's alignment with far-right extremists and tolerance of civilian casualties in Gaza. He urged Israel to hold new elections amid a growing humanitarian crisis. The move reflects that the Biden administration is running out of patience with Netanyahu's government. *) Azerbaijan is closer to ‘peace' with Armenia than ever before Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has declared the nation's triumph of "historical justice" through the liberation of the Karabakh region from decades-long occupation, stressing significant progress towards peace with Armenia. Speaking at a forum in Baku, Aliyev hailed the successes of the fall 2020 Karabakh war, asserting that the region is now closer to peace than ever before. He highlighted the conflict's impact, including counter-terrorism operations and the seizure of $6 billion worth of weapons supplied to Armenia. *) New climate commitments essential for global safety, prosperity: UN UN climate chief Simon Stiell has issued a critical call for action, urging countries to produce ambitious new emissions-cutting pledges within a year. Stressing the urgency, Stiell labelled these plans as crucial for ensuring global safety and prosperity, emphasising the need to prevent surpassing the 1.5°C warming limit. In an open letter to nearly 200 nations in UN climate negotiations, Stiell highlighted the pivotal role of these pledges in safeguarding economies, national budgets and population well-being from worsening climate impacts.

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted March 15 at 7:15 a.m. CT: WINCHESTER, Ind. (AP) — Police in Ohio confirmed two deaths resulting from a fierce storm system that unleashed suspected twisters and damaged homes and businesses in parts of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Chief Deputy Joe Kopus of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office in Ohio has confirmed the fatalities and says there likely will be more fatalities discovered following the Thursday storm, noting there was heavy damage in area communities. The Indiana State Police say there are “many significant injuries” after a tornado tore through the community of Winchester and say they are investigating reports of deaths. At a Thursday night news conference the state police said there were “no known fatalities” at the time. Forecasters plan to survey the affected areas Friday to confirm the tornado. LONDON (AP) — System failures at McDonald’s have been reported worldwide, shuttering some restaurants for hours and leading to social media complaints. The fast food chain called the problems Friday a “technology outage” that is being fixed and apologized for the inconvenience. The Chicago-based burger giant said the problems aren't related to a cybersecurity issue. McDonald’s in Japan posted on X, formerly Twitter, that “operations are temporarily out at many of our stores nationwide.” The website Downdetector also reported a spike in problems with the McDonald’s app in the last few hours. Some McDonald’s restaurants are working normally again, with people ordering and getting their food at locations in Bangkok, Milan and London. The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza is accusing Israeli forces of launching an attack near an aid distribution point in war-wracked northern Gaza, killing 20 people and wounding 155 others. The Israeli military said on Friday that Palestinian gunmen were the ones to open fire and that none of its forces had fired toward the waiting crowd or the convoy in the violence the previous night. Meanwhile, a ship loaded with some 200 tons of aid is nearing the enclave where hundreds of thousands have been driven to the brink of starvation. The aid ship left Cyprus earlier this week towing a barge laden with food. It could be seen off Gaza’s coast on Friday morning. FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge has rejected a bid by Donald Trump to throw out out his classified documents criminal case, and appeared skeptical during hours of arguments of a separate effort to scuttle the prosecution ahead of trial. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon issued a two-page order Thursday saying that though the Trump team had raised “various arguments warranting serious consideration,” a dismissal of charges was not merited. Cannon, who was nominated to the bench by Trump, is presiding over one of the four criminal cases against the 2024 presumptive Republican presidential nominee. This case involves records, some highly classified, he took with him from the White House. ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A dozen countries across Africa have suffered a major internet outage as multiple undersea telecommunication cables reported failures. Network disruptions caused by cable damage have occurred in Africa in recent years, but “today’s disruption points to something larger (and) this is amongst the most severe,” said Isik Mater, director of research at NetBlocks, a group that documents internet disruptions around the world. Internet firm Cloudflare reported a pattern in the timing of the disruptions that heavily impacted at least 10 countries in West Africa, including Ivory Coast, Liberia, Benin, Ghana, and Burkina Faso. The cause of the failure was not immediately clear. In other headlines: Prosecutors say they're open to delaying start of Donald Trump's March 25 hush-money trial. Top Democrat Chuck Schumer calls for new elections in Israel, saying Benjamin Netanyahu is an obstacle to peace. Former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin says he's putting together investor group to buy TikTok US military chief tours arms plants with GOP lawmakers to show that Ukraine aid boosts jobs at home. James Crumbley, who bought gun used by son to kill 4 students, guilty of manslaughter in Michigan. The Celtics strengthen their grip on their Eastern Conference lead, NCAA men's basketball sees conference tournament week continue, a busy night in the NHL sees twelve games on the schedule, the NFL is investigating the timing of two free agent signings, and the first round of The Players Championship is complete. —The Associated Press About this program Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate. Lee Enterprises produces many national, regional and sports podcasts. Learn more here.

The Palestinian Health Ministry says a growing number of children in Gaza are starving to death, as ceasefire negotiations hit sticking points. Nikki Haley has won her first Republican presidential primary. Some people will start being able to get over the counter birth controls pills this month. A prison escape in Haiti has caused a state of emergency. Plus, the all time scoring record has been broken in college basketball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

*) Israel kills almost 24,000 Palestinians as war hits 100-day mark Israeli attacks on Gaza have continued for over a 100 days since October 7th. During which, a total of 23,968 Palestinians have been killed and 60,582 injured by Israeli strikes, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said. And the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor estimates at least 100,000 Palestinians have been killed, wounded or reported missing in the past 100 days. *) More Palestinians killed by Israeli army fire in occupied West Bank Meanwhile in the occupied West Bank, four more Palestinians have been killed by Israeli army fire, including a 14-year-old boy. A statement by the Palestinian Health Ministry said the boy lost his life after Israeli forces opened fire in a refugee camp northwest of Jericho city. According to the state news agency Wafa, the boy was shot in the chest by Israeli forces. He was then transferred to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The ministry said another two Palestinians were killed near a town east of Al Halil, without providing any details. *) US downs missile fired from Yemen at American warship: military A US fighter aircraft has shot down an anti-ship cruise missile fired at a US Navy destroyer from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen. United States Central Command says there were no injuries or damage reported in the incident that took place in the southern Red Sea. Houthi media reported US and British strikes hit the port city of Hudaida, but a US defence official refuted the allegation. It marks the third consecutive day of reported strikes against the group over its attacks on Red Sea shipping. *) 83 countries hold Ukraine peace talks in Davos Meanwhile in the war in Ukraine, national security advisers from 83 countries have held talks seeking common ground on Ukraine's peace formula. The fourth round of discussions was based on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's 10-point proposals for peace in Ukraine, nearly two years on from Russia's full-scale offensive. Brazil, India and South Africa participated in the talks – countries that sit alongside Russia in the BRICS group. And finally… *) IMF: Artificial intelligence to impact 60 percent of advanced economy jobs Artificial intelligence will impact 60 percent of jobs in advanced economies, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has said. A new International Monetary Fund report notes that half of the jobs impacted by AI will be negatively affected, while the rest may actually benefit from enhanced productivity gains. But this number decreases to 40 percent for emerging markets and 26 percent for low-income countries, the IMF report says.

*) Israel agrees on 'little pauses' over Gaza strikes — Netanyahu Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel was open to “little pauses” in its bombardments. It was not clear whether some kind of small stoppage had been agreed to or whether the US was satisfied with the scope of the Israeli commitment. US President Joe Biden had raised the need for humanitarian pauses, but there was no agreement reached, according to the White House. Netanyahu also underlined that there would be no general ceasefire in Gaza, without the release of the hostages. *) Gaza death toll exceeds grim 10,000 mark as Israeli onslaught continues The death toll in Gaza exceeded 10,000 after one month of Israeli bombardment, the Health Ministry in the besieged enclave has said, as the offensive against the Palestinians showed signs of intensifying. Hundreds of overnight strikes pushed the death toll to 10,022, mostly women and children, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Health Ministry, told a press conference on Monday afternoon. The toll included 4,104 children and 2,641 women, according to the ministry. *) Israel minister's Gaza nuclear comment was wholly unacceptable: US The United States has condemned as "wholly unacceptable" comments by an Israeli cabinet member who appeared to voice openness to the idea of Israel carrying out a nuclear strike on Gaza. "We continue to believe that it is important for all sides of this conflict to refrain from hateful rhetoric," deputy State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel told a media briefing. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday disciplined the cabinet member in question. *) 118 aid trucks enter Gaza through Rafah crossing Palestine Red Crescent Society has announced that it had received 118 aid trucks through the Rafah border crossing, bringing the total number of trucks that entered Gaza since October 21 to 569. They said the trucks contained “food, water, relief assistance, medical supplies and medications, while fuel has not been allowed to enter as of now.” *) Russia officially withdraws from European armed forces treaty Russia has formally withdrawn from a key post-Cold War security treaty designed to de-escalate potential East-West conflicts, in a latest sign of rising tensions between Russia and NATO. The 1990 treaty, negotiated and concluded at the end of the Cold War and signed a year after the fall of the Berlin Wall, placed limits on the deployment of military equipment to maintain military balance between NATO and the then-Warsaw Pact countries. Russia suspended its participation in the treaty in 2007 and halted active participation in 2015.

Over the weekend, Israel's military exchanged gunfire with Hamas and hit targets in northern Gaza in an expanded ground operation. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, the number of people killed during Israeli strikes on Gaza since October 7th is now nearly 8,000. It's unclear if that number is verified by other sources. Meanwhile, Jewish people around the world are feeling the frustration over the conflict spill over. Hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists stormed a Russian airport, angrily kicking at doors and rushing onto a tarmac where a plane had just arrived from Israel. After careful reconsideration, the federal judge overseeing Donald Trump's 2020 election interference case is reinstating a gag order. That means Trump will have to hush up when it comes to bad mouthing prosecutors, court staff and any potential witnesses. Fundraising is a big role for the House Speaker in the 2024 election cycle and it's not looking like new Speaker Mike Johnson has had a lot of success in that department. Since his Congressional career started in 2017, Speaker Johnson has only raised $5.5 million dollars. Compare that to Speaker Kevin McCarthy's nearly $500 million during the 2022 campaign and Uh oh! Monday brings Courtney to the studio for a chilling look into a True Crime story and Karen Dawn with Dawn Watch will stop by to talk animals. The Mark Thompson Show 10/30/23

*) Israeli tanks enter Gaza from east and north Israeli tanks have attempted to enter Gaza in an effort to cut a vital road from the north to the south in the war-torn Palestinian territory, as part of their ground invasion. Witnesses reported sightings of tanks in the Zaytun district, where Israelis aimed to sever the Salah al Din (Salah Addin) road and are firing at any vehicle attempting to use it. Israel's chief military spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, stated during a regular press briefing that they are advancing gradually into Gaza and plan to escalate the offensive, based on the phases and goals of the war. But the Israeli forces encountered Palestinian fighting groups on the key road and subsequently withdrew from the area, according to a Hamas spokesman. *) Israel: Over 600 Gaza targets hit in 24 hours Israel's military has said it had struck more than 600 targets in Gaza in one day, making it one of the heaviest bombardments yet in its attacks on the Palestinian enclave. "We have hit more than 600 targets in the past 24 hours," a military spokesperson told AFP, a rise of 450 targets reported on Sunday. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza, the death toll in the enclave since October 7 has reached 8,306, including 3,457 children and 2,136 women. 21,048 people also have been wounded by Israeli bombardments. *) ICC prosecutor says hindering Gaza aid could be a crime The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor has warned that blocking humanitarian aid from entering Gaza could constitute a crime. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan told reporters in Cairo that “impeding relief supplies as provided by the Geneva Conventions may constitute a crime within the court jurisdiction.” He was speaking after a visit to Egypt's Rafah crossing, where he said trucks full of desperately needed goods remained stuck and unable to cross into Gaza. *) 47 mosques, 3 churches damaged in Gaza since October 7 Continuous Israeli attacks on Gaza have led to the destruction of 47 mosques and damage to three churches, the local government media office said. The director of the office, Salama Maarouf, told a press conference that “Israeli raids on Gaza have caused the destruction of 47 mosques and damaged three churches and 203 schools in addition to 80 government buildings.” He said the number of medical personnel killed by Israel had reached 116 along with 18 members of rescue teams and civil defense crews and 35 journalists. *) Turkish Republic embarks on the Century of Türkiye: President Erdogan As celebrations marked the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Türkiye is experiencing “a unique pride and excitement.” President Erdogan delivered his Centenary address on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye in Istanbul on Sunday. It followed the special parade by Turkish Stars, SOLOTURK and TCG Anadolu-led 100 warships' crossing the Istanbul Strait.

Gaza Health Ministry Publishes Victims' Names After Biden Doubt Death Toll Figures ~ OsazuwaAkonedo #Biden #Gaza #Hamas #Health #Israel #Joe #Palestine #USA https://osazuwaakonedo.news/gaza-health-ministry-publishes-victims-names-after-biden-doubt-death-toll-figures/30/10/2023/ Palestinian Health Ministry based in Hamas controlled Gaza territory has published names, ages and national identification numbers of people includingincluding --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/osazuwaakonedo/message

Comprehensive coverage of the day's news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. Israel escalates bombing on the Gaza strip; Palestinian Health Ministry says more than 700 Palestinians killed today in Israeli bombing. Michael Cohen testifies against Donald Trump in his New York fraud trial. House Republicans on Tuesday chose their latest nominee for the powerful position of “Speaker of the House of Representatives.” Hours later, he quit. House Republican Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota beat out 7 other Republican candidates in a series of Republican caucus votes. But hours later, he dropped out of the race, and former President Donald Trump is claiming credit for it. So after 3 weeks without a speaker, House Republicans are back to square one. Former Donald Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis pleads guilty in Georgia election trial. 41 states and the District of Columbia sue META Platforms Inc. claiming its social media platforms are addictive and harm children's mental health. Activists, residents, and business owners spoke at the San Francisco Board of Supervisors meeting today to convey their objection to the City of San Francisco's decision to host this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit and the impact it will have on San Francisco communities. Michael Cohen leaves former President Donald Trump's civil business fraud trial at New York Supreme Court, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) The post Israel escalates bombing on the Gaza strip; former Donald Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis pleads guilty in Georgia election trial – Tuesday, October 24, 2023 appeared first on KPFA.

Comprehensive coverage of the day's news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. Israel escalates bombing on the Gaza strip; Palestinian Health Ministry says more than 700 Palestinians killed today in Israeli bombing. Michael Cohen testifies against Donald Trump in his New York fraud trial. House Republicans on Tuesday chose their latest nominee for the powerful position of “Speaker of the House of Representatives.” Hours later, he quit. House Republican Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota beat out 7 other Republican candidates in a series of Republican caucus votes. But hours later, he dropped out of the race, and former President Donald Trump is claiming credit for it. So after 3 weeks without a speaker, House Republicans are back to square one. Former Donald Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis pleads guilty in Georgia election trial. 41 states and the District of Columbia sue META Platforms Inc. claiming its social media platforms are addictive and harm children's mental health. Activists, residents, and business owners spoke at the San Francisco Board of Supervisors meeting today to convey their objection to the City of San Francisco's decision to host this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit and the impact it will have on San Francisco communities. Michael Cohen leaves former President Donald Trump's civil business fraud trial at New York Supreme Court, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) The post Israel escalates bombing on the Gaza strip; former Donald Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis pleads guilty in Georgia election trial – Tuesday, October 24, 2023 appeared first on KPFA.

*) Israel kills 400 Palestinians in one day At least 400 Palestinians have been killed in intensified Israeli attacks on besieged Gaza. Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that according to medical sources, 70 percent of the death toll was women, children and elderly. Death toll of women in Israeli airstrikes has reached over 1,000 and forced displacement stands at about half a million others, according to the media office of Gaza administration. Over 4,600 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its bombardment on October 7.  *) 120 incubated newborns' lives are at risk as fuel runs out in Gaza's hospitals The UN children's agency has warned that the lives of at least 120 newborn babies on incubators in Gaza's hospitals are at risk as fuel runs out. Health care workers have warned that a dire lack of medicine, fuel and water is about to turn Gaza into a mass graveyard after Israel sealed the territory off. Palestinian Health Ministry reported Israeli strikes have already killed more than 1,750 children in retaliation for the October 7 Hamas attacks. *) Israel's 'unusual weapons' against Palestinians cause severe burns Gaza's Health Ministry has said Israel has been using “unusual weapons” that cause severe burns to the bodies of victims. Ministry spokesman Ashraf al Qudra stated that “medical staff monitored the usage of unusual weapons that caused severe burns to the bodies of the martyrs and wounded.”  Al Qudra also warned 1,000 patients could die due to kidney failure if fuel supplies are not made available to hospitals and the healthcare sector. *) Cairo's 'Summit for Peace' ends without any breakthrough on Gaza ceasefire Muslim, Arab and Western countries came together in Egypt's capital Cairo to find a solution for the ongoing conflict in Palestine's Gaza. Dubbed "Summit for Peace", the meeting was meant to be a diplomatic solution for a ceasefire but ended with no breakthrough. "The disagreement was over condemning Israel, which Western states refused to do," an Arab official said. Instead, they sought a statement that placed "responsibility for the escalation on Hamas", which Arab states refused, according to an Arab diplomat. *) Turkish presidential plane arrives in Cairo with medical aid for Gaza A Turkish presidential plane carrying vital medical equipment for Palestine's Gaza has touched down in Egypt's capital Cairo. According to Türkiye's Health Ministry, a group of 20 healthcare experts and doctors were also on board.

The Hamas-run Palestinian Health Ministry claimed earlier this week that Israel targeted a hospital in Gaza, dropped a bomb on it, and killed more than 500 people. World leaders, journalists, and activists helped fuel anti-American riots around the Middle East Tuesday evening by spreading the false claim by the Palestinian terror group Hamas that an Israeli airstrike killed 500 Palestinian civilians at a hospital in Gaza. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) confirmed Thursday he will not seek a third vote to become Speaker of the House and will back a plan to grant Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-NC) more powers. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) was slammed on Thursday night by a fellow Republican as the House remains speakerless with no signs of that changing anytime soon. A new ad released by former President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign blasted Hillary Clinton as a “genius” for "brainwashing" voters to reelect President Joe Biden. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Gaza hospital explosion. On Tuesday, reports broke that the al-Ahli Arab Hospital, founded in 1882 by the Anglican church, had been the site of a major explosion. The hospital has about 80 beds, but was being used to house civilians during Israel's aerial bombardment of Gaza. Video footage reviewed by The New York Times showed “scores of bodies strewn across the hospital's courtyard,” suggesting a high death toll from the explosion. Initially, news outlets reported that more than 500 civilians had been killed in an Israeli strike, citing the Palestinian Health Ministry, which is controlled by Hamas. You can watch the video referenced in “My Take” here. You can read today's podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠, today's Under the Radar story ⁠⁠here⁠⁠, and today's “Have a nice day” story ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.  You can also check out our latest YouTube videos, a recording of the “My Take” from Tuesday's Israel piece ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ and an interview with Christopher Dowling-Magill about conversion therapy here. Today's clickables: Quick hits (1:15), Today's story (3:15), Right's take (8:32), Left's take (12:38), Isaac's take (16:34), Listener question (23:38), Under the Radar (24:08), Numbers (24:57), Have a nice day (26:14) You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. Our podcast is written by Isaac Saul and edited by Jon Lall. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75.  Our newsletter is edited by Bailey Saul, Sean Brady, Ari Weitzman, and produced in conjunction with Tangle's social media manager Magdalena Bokowa, who also created our logo. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tanglenews/message

Jordan has cancelled a summit between President Joe Biden and Middle East leaders following a strike that is believed to have killed hundreds, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Republican Congressman Jim Jordan pushes for a second House vote to become speaker as he faces more resistance than expected. Two co-defendants in the Georgia election subversion case got their bids to dismiss their charges rejected again. Harvard University is losing a prominent donor over its initial response to Hamas' terror attacks. Lastly, we'll tell you why General Motors is putting its electric pickup expansion plans on hold. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

The Palestinian Health Ministry says at least 500 people have been killed in a bombing of a Baptist hospital in Gaza City.

Palestinian Health Ministry says an attack on a hospital in Gaza has killed hundreds of people, while Israel says its looking into who was behind the strike. Listen for more details.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Israel's military has issued a warning to 1.1 million people living in northern Gaza to evacuate amid signs that Israel is set to ramp up its retaliatory offensive against Hamas.  Also, House Republicans have picked Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) as their new speaker nominee just hours after Rep. Steve Scalise won the speaker nomination but dropped out of the race abruptly. For daily information on the Israel-Gaza conflict, check out CNN's podcast ‘Tug of War: Attack on Israel' here: https://link.chtbl.com/-lB8n-bJ To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Joy Reid leads this episode of The ReidOut with breaking coverage of the war in Israel, and the fighting that has gripped the world for the past 72 hours. Israel has declared all-out war on Hamas after the group launched a devastating surprise attack from Gaza killing 700 Israelis, many of whom were attending an outdoor concert, and abducting dozens of people, including children. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed his country today, saying his military would intensify its operations against Hamas and that its attacks on Gaza are “just the beginning." More than 680 people have died in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Eleven Americans have been killed in the conflict and more may be missing. More than 100 people have been kidnapped. Hamas has threatened to start executing hostages if Israel bombs civilian houses in Gaza without warning. Joy Reid and her expert guests bring you the latest breaking news developments.

Israel has been rocked to its core by Hamas' brutal surprise attack. At least 1,000 people have been killed in Israel since the start of the Hamas assault, Meantime the Palestinian Health Ministry says the death toll in Gaza is now more than 800, with more than 4,000 injured. The fighting continues to rage on, with the UN calling the latest developments "bone-chilling."  Ehud Barak was Israel's prime minister from 1999 to 2001. Before that he was Israel's defense minister for nearly six years. Barak tells Christiane why the Hamas attack was “the most severe blow” in Israel's “entire existence.”  Also on today's show: Abbey Onn, a relative of five of the Israeli's being held hostage; Khamis Elessi, a doctor in Gaza; Imran Ahmed, CEO, Center for Countering Digital Hate; John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communication To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

The United States and its allies have declared unwavering support for Israel after Hamas launched a surprise assault from Gaza on Saturday that killed more than 700 people, took dozens hostage and left thousands more injured. These numbers are expected to rise. Gaza is being hit with near-continuous airstrikes as Israel has declared war. So far, more than 550 Palestinians have died, with thousands more injured according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza. And there are concerns of broader conflict as the Israeli Defense Forces reveals it is also striking within Lebanese territory. Christiane presents special coverage of these unprecedented events.  Joining this show: Alexandra Ariev, whose sister was kidnapped near Gaza; Amit Ganish, who survived attack at Israeli festival; IDF spokesperson Jonathan Conricus; former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni; former Mossad Director Efraim Halevy; Oxfam humanitarian worker Omar Ghraieb; Norwegian Refugee Council Secretary General Jan Egeland To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

The death toll from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza has risen to 232, with 1,697 others injured, according to an update from the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza on Saturday.根据巴勒斯坦加沙地带卫生部门10月7日的最新消息，以色列对加沙地区的空袭造成的死亡人数已上升至232人，另有1697人受伤。The airstrikes were carried out in response to an earlier rocket attack by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).此轮空袭是对先前巴勒斯坦伊斯兰抵抗运动（哈马斯）火箭弹袭击的回应。In a rare public statement, the head of Hamas, Mohammed Deif, said that “5,000 rockets” had been fired into Israel to begin what he termed “Operation Al Aqsa Storm”.在一次罕见的公开发言中，哈马斯领导人穆罕默德·迪夫称，射向以色列的“5000枚火箭弹”开启了他口中的“阿克萨风暴”行动。Hamas, the militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, claimed to have captured a number of Israeli officers and soldiers, adding that they are being held in “safe places.”哈马斯是目前控制加沙地带的军事组织。该组织声称已捕获数名以色列官员和士兵，并补充说他们正处在“安全的地方”。In response, the Israeli military said it had targeted Hamas sites and headquarters with dozens of warplanes across various regions of the coastal enclave. Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz also said his country would cut off the power supply to the Palestinian enclave in the wake of the Hamas attack.作为回应，以色列军方称他们已针对哈马斯沿海飞地多个地区的领地和指挥部派出若干架战斗机。以色列能源部长伊色列·卡茨表示，面对哈马斯的攻击，以色列将停止对巴勒斯坦飞地供电。Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a national address that Israel was “in a state of war” and ordered “a full mobilization of reserves.”以色列总理内塔尼亚胡在一次全国讲话中表示，以色列正处于“战争状态”，需要“尽可能调动一切资源”。Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held an emergency meeting with key officials, emphasizing the right of the Palestinian people to defend themselves against Israeli forces and settlers.巴勒斯坦总统马哈茂德·阿巴斯同政府要员召开了紧急会议，强调面对以色列的军队和殖民者，巴勒斯坦人民有权捍卫自身安全。Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas)n.巴勒斯坦伊斯兰抵抗运动（哈马斯）Enclave英/ˈenkleɪv/美/ˈenkleɪv/n.飞地（指在本国境内的隶属另一国的一块领土）

This is TRT World's Daily News Brief for Tuesday, August 15th. *) Afghanistan's Taliban government marks two years of return to power Afghanistan's Taliban government has marked the second anniversary of their takeover of the country with celebrations and a public holiday, issuing a defiant statement commemorating their surge back to power. A statement from the authorities early Tuesday hailed a victory that was able to “pave the way for the establishment of the Islamic system in Afghanistan”. The international community continues to grapple with how, and if, to engage with the Taliban authorities, with restrictions on women's rights being a key obstacle. *) A rights group says it can't get access to detained officials in Niger Human rights activists in Niger say they have been unable to gain access to top political officials detained after mutinous soldiers ousted the democratically elected president nearly three weeks ago. The junta has been holding President Mohamed Bazoum, his wife and son under house arrest in their compound in the capital. Those close to Bazoum say his electricity and water have been cut off and he's running out of food. The junta says it plans to prosecute Bazoum for “high treason” and undermining state security. If convicted, he could face the death penalty, according to Niger's penal code. *) Two Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in West Bank Israeli forces have shot and killed two Palestinians, including a 16-year-old, in a military raid in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian health officials said. “Two young men were rushed to the hospital with bullets in their chests,” the Jericho Hospital's director said early Tuesday. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified those killed as Qusay al Walaji, 16, and Mohammed Nujoom, 25. The raid took place in the Jericho area, which has seen heavy fighting over the last 16 months. The Israeli military had no immediate comment. *) Russia strikes western Ukraine in deadly large-scale air attack Russia has launched a large-scale air attack on Ukraine's western region of Lviv and the northwestern region of Volyn, killing three people, injuring others and forcing evacuations, officials said. Ukrainian media reported that according to preliminary information, Tuesday's attack was the largest air assault on the Lviv region, which borders NATO member Poland, since the start of Russia's offensive. Governor of Volyn, Yuriy Poguliaiko, has said Russia's air strikes on the city of Lutsk killed three people and left several wounded in hospital. And finally… *) ​​Georgia slaps mobster law to indict Trump, others in 2020 election plot Donald Trump and 18 others have been indicted in Georgia for scheming to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. Prosecutors have turned to a statute normally associated with mobsters to accuse the former president, lawyers and other top aides. The 97-page indictment details dozens of acts by Trump and his co-defendants to undo his defeat in the battleground state. It also outlines a scheme to tamper with voting machines in one Georgia county and steal data. As indictments mount, Trump — the leading Republican candidate for president in 2024 — has been portraying himself as the victim of Democratic prosecutors during his campaigning and fundraising. And that's your daily news brief from TRT World. For more, head to trtworld.com

*) International office probing Ukraine war crimes begins An international office to investigate Russia over its assault on Ukraine opens in The Hague, in the first step towards a possible tribunal for Moscow's leadership. The International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression (ICPA) features prosecutors from Kiev, the European Union, the United States and the International Criminal Court (ICC). It will investigate and gather evidence in a move seen as an interim step before the creation of a special tribunal that could bring Kremlin officials to justice for starting the Ukraine conflict. *) Israeli strike kills, injures Palestinians in occupied West Bank's Jenin Israeli forces killed at least four Palestinians and wounded 27 others in a nighttime operation in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, the Palestinian Health Ministry has said. Seven of the injured are in critical condition, the ministry said on Monday. According to reports, Israeli warplanes targeted a home in Jenin with three missiles in what the army said was an "extensive counterterrorism effort". Following the air strike, the Israeli army conducted a raid on the city with the assistance of armoured military bulldozers and imposed a blockade on the Jenin refugee camp. *) Mayor's home attacked as violent protests continue in France The home of the mayor of a Paris suburb was attacked with a burning car in a new eruption of violence in protest against the killing of a teenager. Protesters rammed a burning car into the home of Vincent Jeanbrun, the right-wing mayor of L'Hay-les-Roses outside Paris, on Sunday with the aim of setting it on fire, prosecutors said. The government of President Emmanuel Macron has been battling five nights of violent protests since 17-year-old Nahel M. was shot dead in the Paris suburb of Nanterre on Tuesday by an officer during a traffic check. The killing of Nahel M, who was of Algerian origin, has revived long standing accusations of institutional racism within the French police, which rights groups say single out minorities during stops. *)Islamic body OIC calls for action to prevent Quran burnings The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has called for collective measures to prevent future Quran burnings, days after a copy was torched outside a Stockholm mosque. OIC urged member states to "take unified and collective measures to prevent the recurrence of incidents of desecration of copies of the" Quran. In a statement, the body's secretary general, Hissein Brahim Taha, stressed "the need to send a clear message that acts of desecrating the Quran are not mere ordinary Islamophobia incidents." *) Türkiye beats US, ranks 3rd at FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023 The Turkish Under-19 Men's National Basketball Team has beaten the United States 84-70 in the FIBA World Cup, scoring third place. In the tournament in Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday, Türkiye faced the US - the most successful team of the organisation with 8 championships. Türkiye won the bronze medal with this result for the second time in the history of the tournament, after first scoring third place in 2015.

This is Garrison Hardie with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Thursday, May 11th, 2023. https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2023/05/09/israel-kills-three-islamic-jihad-terrorist-commanders-in-strikes-on-gaza/ Israel Kills Three Islamic Jihad Terrorist Commanders in Strikes on Gaza Israel killed three senior commanders of the Iran-backed Islamic Jihad terrorist group in targeted airstrikes early Tuesday. AP reports the targeted air strikes hit the top floor of an apartment building in Gaza City and a house in the southern town of Rafah. The Palestinian Health Ministry said 20 people were wounded and ambulances were continuing to evacuate people from the targeted areas. Israel’s Home Front command ordered the closure of schools, beaches and highways in cities and towns in southern Israel, and limited public gatherings ahead of anticipated retaliatory strikes. The military said the three men targeted in the counter-terror operation had been responsible for recent rocket fire toward Israel. It identified them as Khalil Bahtini, the Islamic Jihad commander for northern Gaza Strip; Tareq Izzeldeen, the group’s intermediary between its Gaza and West Bank members; and Jehad Ghanam, the secretary of the Islamic Jihad’s military council. Their funerals were planned for later in the day. The bombings came days after Gazan terrorists led by Islamic Jihad fired 104 rockets toward Israel in response to the death of an alleged senior member of the group who had been on hunger strike in Israeli prison, the Times of Israel reports. Several rockets struck during the May 2 clash, injuring three workers and damaging homes and cars. Islamic Jihad, which is smaller than Gaza’s ruling Hamas group, confirmed the three were among the dead. The Palestinian Health Ministry said that along with the three commanders, their wives, several of their children and others nearby were also killed — 13 in all. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh warned that Israel will “pay the price” for the killings. “Assassinating the leaders with a treacherous operation will not bring security to the occupier, but rather more resistance,” Haniyeh said in a statement. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/portland-revives-police-unit-traffic-deaths-surge Portland revives police unit as traffic deaths surge Portland, Oregon, police will announce the reinstatement of their traffic division on Tuesday after facing one of its deadliest years for pedestrians in 2022. After dissolving its traffic division in 2020, traffic deaths broke a 70-year record. In 2022, 63 people were killed in traffic crashes, equal to a 30-year-high record in 2021. Those deaths included 31 pedestrians who were killed, reaching historic high levels. Police Chief Chuck Lovell blamed historically low staffing numbers and said the bureau needed to focus on 911 calls as reasons to disband the division in 2020. Lovell and Mayor Ted Wheeler were united on the narrative that cutting out the traffic division was due to staffing decreases and funding concerns. However, Jo Ann Hardesty, the former commissioner of the Portland Bureau of Transportation, saw this measure as a political measure to gather public sympathy. Hardesty described the narrative around the police as pushing that their only problem is a lack of officers and money, when the issue lies much deeper than that, pointing to a rise in violence and pushing to keep the Portland community safe. In the past, Portland has taken measures to increase pedestrian safety, including implementing a "left-turn calming" tool aimed at making intersections safer for walkers by slowing turning speeds. Starting in 2020, the initiative takes after New York City’s "turning calm" project. Lovell is expected to make an announcement Tuesday afternoon after the two-year hiatus made Portland one of the largest cities in the nation to lack a traffic division. https://thepostmillennial.com/oregonians-blast-lawmakers-over-proposed-bill-to-legalize-homeless-camps?utm_campaign=64487 Oregonians blast lawmakers over proposed bill to legalize homeless camps Oregon Democratic lawmakers have canceled a public hearing on a bill that would have allowed homeless people to camp in public places and sue if told to leave, following massive pushback. Democratic lawmakers proposed the bill that would have decriminalized camping on public property and would allow homeless individuals to sue for up to $1,000 if they are "harassed" or told to relocate. House Bill 3501, also known as the “Right to Rest Act,” was sponsored by Democratic state Reps. Farrah Chaichi and Khanh Pham. It stated that “persons experiencing homelessness” will have "a privacy interest and a reasonable expectation of privacy in any property belonging to the person, regardless of whether the property is located in a public space." The bill added that the homeless will "be permitted to use public spaces in the same manner as any other person without discrimination based on their housing status" and stated that they have a right to "move freely in public spaces without discrimination and time limitations that are based on housing status." Over 2,000 written statements in opposition were received through the legislature's website. Fahey added that the bill had become a "significant distraction" from representatives' work. Oregon's homeless population spiked approximately 22.5 percent from 2020 to 2022, Fox News reported. Portland Democratic Mayor Ted Wheeler’s office reported a 50 percent increase in homelessness from 2019 to 2022. According to census data, Portland lost 0.04 percent of its population after 30 years straight of growth; the general population has declined for three years in a row. Portland resident Jacob Adams told Fox & Friends in February "I love Portland, and I love where I live," discussing a homeless encampment next to his house, where there are regular fires and drug activity, even gunshots. "I'm asking you to please do something, so the people of the city feel safe." https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/immigration/abbott-reveals-brownsville-border-wired-shut-texas Abbott reveals Brownsville border 'wired shut' to ward off thousands of migrants Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) showed how the state is seeking to temper a rush of migrants at the southern border late Monday evening, posting a video revealing barbed wiring strung across gaps along the border. The video shows a nighttime shot of the border just two days before the expected end of the Trump-era Title 42 policy that allowed the swift expulsion of migrants on the grounds of public health. Hundreds of feet of spiraled wire can be seen along the ground, and some areas show the wire stacked to form a partition several feet tall. “This is one thing Texas is doing to secure the border,” Abbott wrote in his post sharing the video of the sprawling wire fence. “This is the area near Brownsville where migrants were crossing in large numbers a few days ago. We now have it wired shut. Other areas will surface for crossing. We will wire them shut also.” Abbott's tweet came just hours after he made his first public address over the border crisis since 34-year-old George Alvarez was arrested and charged with eight counts of manslaughter after his SUV plowed through a group of people outside Bishop Enrique San Pedro Ozanam Center, a migrant facility, on Sunday. The collision involving Alvarez is still under investigation, and a toxicology report is pending. Police revealed Monday that Alvarez has an extensive criminal history, including multiple assault charges. A witness to the collision said the driver made anti-immigrant remarks before he was detained by members of the public, according to the Independent. Additional security risks have reportedly continued at the Ozanam Center since the fatal crash. On Monday, a driver reportedly approached the migrant facility's gate with a gun and attempted to enter, according to a News Nation reporter. That facility has been operating over its intended capacity for almost a month and is planning to expand the number of sleeping spaces from 250 to 380 per night. Abbott's update comes as multiple Customs and Border Protection officials are reportedly considering "safe" street releases of immigrants to communities on the U.S. side of the border if no nongovernmental organization shelters or CBP facilities have the capacity to hold them. The Republican governor on Monday accused cartels of "working in collaboration with President Biden and the federal government to facilitate that illegal" border crossing. Thousands of migrants are lining up near various sections of the border, stretching all the way from as far south as Brownsville to the northwestern city of El Paso. There, immigration enforcement agents announced plans to target migrants crowding the city streets, according to a CBP statement. In addition to the number of migrants at the border, Republicans in border states have rallied against the persistent smuggling of deadly fentanyl into the country. Neatly 385 million fatal doses have been seized by border https://www.dailywire.com/news/sam-bankman-fried-tries-to-get-most-of-the-charges-against-him-dismissed Sam Bankman-Fried Tries To Get Most Of The Charges Against Him Dismissed Attorneys who represent former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried are attempting to dismiss 10 of the 13 charges filed against the disgraced cryptocurrency entrepreneur. Several firms controlled by Bankman-Fried imploded at the end of last year after customers and investors learned that FTX had improperly commingled funds with sister trading company Alameda Research. Lawyers for Bankman-Fried asserted in a Monday court filing that the original indictment levied against the entrepreneur came from a “classic rush to judgment” and that the case involved “civil and regulatory issues” rather than federal crimes. “Rather than wait for traditional civil and regulatory processes following their ordinary course to address the situation, the government jumped in with both feet,” the filing asserted. “Each of the charges contained boilerplate recitals of statutory language, followed by literally one sentence purportedly describing the basis for the charge.” Bankman-Fried was detained in the Bahamas and extradited to the United States in December, nearly one month after FTX collapsed and bankruptcy procedures were initiated. Attorneys contended that officials violated the extradition treaty between the two nations since the Bahamian government issued a warrant of surrender “specifying that he be tried on seven of the eight counts” in the original indictment, even as American officials later brought additional charges without the consent of authorities in the island nation. Bankman-Fried was initially charged in December with crimes such as conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the Federal Election Commission through campaign finance violations. Another superseding indictment unveiled in February added four new charges, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud and conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transfer business. Bankman-Fried was also charged in March with paying bribes to one or more members of the Chinese Communist Party. Bankman-Fried faces the charges in the Southern District of New York, which often oversees high-profile financial fraud cases. The entrepreneur, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges and currently resides with his parents in northern California, is expected to appear for trial in early October. Lawyers for the entrepreneur meanwhile claimed that the collapse of FTX occurred in the context of broader difficulties in the cryptocurrency sector. “As with a traditional bank run, numerous customers simultaneously sought to withdraw their assets, thus feeding fears that a collapse was inevitable,” the court filing said. “The market crash took down many of the major players in this sector, not just FTX.”

This is Garrison Hardie with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Thursday, May 11th, 2023. https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2023/05/09/israel-kills-three-islamic-jihad-terrorist-commanders-in-strikes-on-gaza/ Israel Kills Three Islamic Jihad Terrorist Commanders in Strikes on Gaza Israel killed three senior commanders of the Iran-backed Islamic Jihad terrorist group in targeted airstrikes early Tuesday. AP reports the targeted air strikes hit the top floor of an apartment building in Gaza City and a house in the southern town of Rafah. The Palestinian Health Ministry said 20 people were wounded and ambulances were continuing to evacuate people from the targeted areas. Israel’s Home Front command ordered the closure of schools, beaches and highways in cities and towns in southern Israel, and limited public gatherings ahead of anticipated retaliatory strikes. The military said the three men targeted in the counter-terror operation had been responsible for recent rocket fire toward Israel. It identified them as Khalil Bahtini, the Islamic Jihad commander for northern Gaza Strip; Tareq Izzeldeen, the group’s intermediary between its Gaza and West Bank members; and Jehad Ghanam, the secretary of the Islamic Jihad’s military council. Their funerals were planned for later in the day. The bombings came days after Gazan terrorists led by Islamic Jihad fired 104 rockets toward Israel in response to the death of an alleged senior member of the group who had been on hunger strike in Israeli prison, the Times of Israel reports. Several rockets struck during the May 2 clash, injuring three workers and damaging homes and cars. Islamic Jihad, which is smaller than Gaza’s ruling Hamas group, confirmed the three were among the dead. The Palestinian Health Ministry said that along with the three commanders, their wives, several of their children and others nearby were also killed — 13 in all. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh warned that Israel will “pay the price” for the killings. “Assassinating the leaders with a treacherous operation will not bring security to the occupier, but rather more resistance,” Haniyeh said in a statement. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/portland-revives-police-unit-traffic-deaths-surge Portland revives police unit as traffic deaths surge Portland, Oregon, police will announce the reinstatement of their traffic division on Tuesday after facing one of its deadliest years for pedestrians in 2022. After dissolving its traffic division in 2020, traffic deaths broke a 70-year record. In 2022, 63 people were killed in traffic crashes, equal to a 30-year-high record in 2021. Those deaths included 31 pedestrians who were killed, reaching historic high levels. Police Chief Chuck Lovell blamed historically low staffing numbers and said the bureau needed to focus on 911 calls as reasons to disband the division in 2020. Lovell and Mayor Ted Wheeler were united on the narrative that cutting out the traffic division was due to staffing decreases and funding concerns. However, Jo Ann Hardesty, the former commissioner of the Portland Bureau of Transportation, saw this measure as a political measure to gather public sympathy. Hardesty described the narrative around the police as pushing that their only problem is a lack of officers and money, when the issue lies much deeper than that, pointing to a rise in violence and pushing to keep the Portland community safe. In the past, Portland has taken measures to increase pedestrian safety, including implementing a "left-turn calming" tool aimed at making intersections safer for walkers by slowing turning speeds. Starting in 2020, the initiative takes after New York City’s "turning calm" project. Lovell is expected to make an announcement Tuesday afternoon after the two-year hiatus made Portland one of the largest cities in the nation to lack a traffic division. https://thepostmillennial.com/oregonians-blast-lawmakers-over-proposed-bill-to-legalize-homeless-camps?utm_campaign=64487 Oregonians blast lawmakers over proposed bill to legalize homeless camps Oregon Democratic lawmakers have canceled a public hearing on a bill that would have allowed homeless people to camp in public places and sue if told to leave, following massive pushback. Democratic lawmakers proposed the bill that would have decriminalized camping on public property and would allow homeless individuals to sue for up to $1,000 if they are "harassed" or told to relocate. House Bill 3501, also known as the “Right to Rest Act,” was sponsored by Democratic state Reps. Farrah Chaichi and Khanh Pham. It stated that “persons experiencing homelessness” will have "a privacy interest and a reasonable expectation of privacy in any property belonging to the person, regardless of whether the property is located in a public space." The bill added that the homeless will "be permitted to use public spaces in the same manner as any other person without discrimination based on their housing status" and stated that they have a right to "move freely in public spaces without discrimination and time limitations that are based on housing status." Over 2,000 written statements in opposition were received through the legislature's website. Fahey added that the bill had become a "significant distraction" from representatives' work. Oregon's homeless population spiked approximately 22.5 percent from 2020 to 2022, Fox News reported. Portland Democratic Mayor Ted Wheeler’s office reported a 50 percent increase in homelessness from 2019 to 2022. According to census data, Portland lost 0.04 percent of its population after 30 years straight of growth; the general population has declined for three years in a row. Portland resident Jacob Adams told Fox & Friends in February "I love Portland, and I love where I live," discussing a homeless encampment next to his house, where there are regular fires and drug activity, even gunshots. "I'm asking you to please do something, so the people of the city feel safe." https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/immigration/abbott-reveals-brownsville-border-wired-shut-texas Abbott reveals Brownsville border 'wired shut' to ward off thousands of migrants Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) showed how the state is seeking to temper a rush of migrants at the southern border late Monday evening, posting a video revealing barbed wiring strung across gaps along the border. The video shows a nighttime shot of the border just two days before the expected end of the Trump-era Title 42 policy that allowed the swift expulsion of migrants on the grounds of public health. Hundreds of feet of spiraled wire can be seen along the ground, and some areas show the wire stacked to form a partition several feet tall. “This is one thing Texas is doing to secure the border,” Abbott wrote in his post sharing the video of the sprawling wire fence. “This is the area near Brownsville where migrants were crossing in large numbers a few days ago. We now have it wired shut. Other areas will surface for crossing. We will wire them shut also.” Abbott's tweet came just hours after he made his first public address over the border crisis since 34-year-old George Alvarez was arrested and charged with eight counts of manslaughter after his SUV plowed through a group of people outside Bishop Enrique San Pedro Ozanam Center, a migrant facility, on Sunday. The collision involving Alvarez is still under investigation, and a toxicology report is pending. Police revealed Monday that Alvarez has an extensive criminal history, including multiple assault charges. A witness to the collision said the driver made anti-immigrant remarks before he was detained by members of the public, according to the Independent. Additional security risks have reportedly continued at the Ozanam Center since the fatal crash. On Monday, a driver reportedly approached the migrant facility's gate with a gun and attempted to enter, according to a News Nation reporter. That facility has been operating over its intended capacity for almost a month and is planning to expand the number of sleeping spaces from 250 to 380 per night. Abbott's update comes as multiple Customs and Border Protection officials are reportedly considering "safe" street releases of immigrants to communities on the U.S. side of the border if no nongovernmental organization shelters or CBP facilities have the capacity to hold them. The Republican governor on Monday accused cartels of "working in collaboration with President Biden and the federal government to facilitate that illegal" border crossing. Thousands of migrants are lining up near various sections of the border, stretching all the way from as far south as Brownsville to the northwestern city of El Paso. There, immigration enforcement agents announced plans to target migrants crowding the city streets, according to a CBP statement. In addition to the number of migrants at the border, Republicans in border states have rallied against the persistent smuggling of deadly fentanyl into the country. Neatly 385 million fatal doses have been seized by border https://www.dailywire.com/news/sam-bankman-fried-tries-to-get-most-of-the-charges-against-him-dismissed Sam Bankman-Fried Tries To Get Most Of The Charges Against Him Dismissed Attorneys who represent former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried are attempting to dismiss 10 of the 13 charges filed against the disgraced cryptocurrency entrepreneur. Several firms controlled by Bankman-Fried imploded at the end of last year after customers and investors learned that FTX had improperly commingled funds with sister trading company Alameda Research. Lawyers for Bankman-Fried asserted in a Monday court filing that the original indictment levied against the entrepreneur came from a “classic rush to judgment” and that the case involved “civil and regulatory issues” rather than federal crimes. “Rather than wait for traditional civil and regulatory processes following their ordinary course to address the situation, the government jumped in with both feet,” the filing asserted. “Each of the charges contained boilerplate recitals of statutory language, followed by literally one sentence purportedly describing the basis for the charge.” Bankman-Fried was detained in the Bahamas and extradited to the United States in December, nearly one month after FTX collapsed and bankruptcy procedures were initiated. Attorneys contended that officials violated the extradition treaty between the two nations since the Bahamian government issued a warrant of surrender “specifying that he be tried on seven of the eight counts” in the original indictment, even as American officials later brought additional charges without the consent of authorities in the island nation. Bankman-Fried was initially charged in December with crimes such as conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the Federal Election Commission through campaign finance violations. Another superseding indictment unveiled in February added four new charges, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud and conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transfer business. Bankman-Fried was also charged in March with paying bribes to one or more members of the Chinese Communist Party. Bankman-Fried faces the charges in the Southern District of New York, which often oversees high-profile financial fraud cases. The entrepreneur, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges and currently resides with his parents in northern California, is expected to appear for trial in early October. Lawyers for the entrepreneur meanwhile claimed that the collapse of FTX occurred in the context of broader difficulties in the cryptocurrency sector. “As with a traditional bank run, numerous customers simultaneously sought to withdraw their assets, thus feeding fears that a collapse was inevitable,” the court filing said. “The market crash took down many of the major players in this sector, not just FTX.”

This is Garrison Hardie with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Thursday, May 11th, 2023. https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2023/05/09/israel-kills-three-islamic-jihad-terrorist-commanders-in-strikes-on-gaza/ Israel Kills Three Islamic Jihad Terrorist Commanders in Strikes on Gaza Israel killed three senior commanders of the Iran-backed Islamic Jihad terrorist group in targeted airstrikes early Tuesday. AP reports the targeted air strikes hit the top floor of an apartment building in Gaza City and a house in the southern town of Rafah. The Palestinian Health Ministry said 20 people were wounded and ambulances were continuing to evacuate people from the targeted areas. Israel’s Home Front command ordered the closure of schools, beaches and highways in cities and towns in southern Israel, and limited public gatherings ahead of anticipated retaliatory strikes. The military said the three men targeted in the counter-terror operation had been responsible for recent rocket fire toward Israel. It identified them as Khalil Bahtini, the Islamic Jihad commander for northern Gaza Strip; Tareq Izzeldeen, the group’s intermediary between its Gaza and West Bank members; and Jehad Ghanam, the secretary of the Islamic Jihad’s military council. Their funerals were planned for later in the day. The bombings came days after Gazan terrorists led by Islamic Jihad fired 104 rockets toward Israel in response to the death of an alleged senior member of the group who had been on hunger strike in Israeli prison, the Times of Israel reports. Several rockets struck during the May 2 clash, injuring three workers and damaging homes and cars. Islamic Jihad, which is smaller than Gaza’s ruling Hamas group, confirmed the three were among the dead. The Palestinian Health Ministry said that along with the three commanders, their wives, several of their children and others nearby were also killed — 13 in all. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh warned that Israel will “pay the price” for the killings. “Assassinating the leaders with a treacherous operation will not bring security to the occupier, but rather more resistance,” Haniyeh said in a statement. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/portland-revives-police-unit-traffic-deaths-surge Portland revives police unit as traffic deaths surge Portland, Oregon, police will announce the reinstatement of their traffic division on Tuesday after facing one of its deadliest years for pedestrians in 2022. After dissolving its traffic division in 2020, traffic deaths broke a 70-year record. In 2022, 63 people were killed in traffic crashes, equal to a 30-year-high record in 2021. Those deaths included 31 pedestrians who were killed, reaching historic high levels. Police Chief Chuck Lovell blamed historically low staffing numbers and said the bureau needed to focus on 911 calls as reasons to disband the division in 2020. Lovell and Mayor Ted Wheeler were united on the narrative that cutting out the traffic division was due to staffing decreases and funding concerns. However, Jo Ann Hardesty, the former commissioner of the Portland Bureau of Transportation, saw this measure as a political measure to gather public sympathy. Hardesty described the narrative around the police as pushing that their only problem is a lack of officers and money, when the issue lies much deeper than that, pointing to a rise in violence and pushing to keep the Portland community safe. In the past, Portland has taken measures to increase pedestrian safety, including implementing a "left-turn calming" tool aimed at making intersections safer for walkers by slowing turning speeds. Starting in 2020, the initiative takes after New York City’s "turning calm" project. Lovell is expected to make an announcement Tuesday afternoon after the two-year hiatus made Portland one of the largest cities in the nation to lack a traffic division. https://thepostmillennial.com/oregonians-blast-lawmakers-over-proposed-bill-to-legalize-homeless-camps?utm_campaign=64487 Oregonians blast lawmakers over proposed bill to legalize homeless camps Oregon Democratic lawmakers have canceled a public hearing on a bill that would have allowed homeless people to camp in public places and sue if told to leave, following massive pushback. Democratic lawmakers proposed the bill that would have decriminalized camping on public property and would allow homeless individuals to sue for up to $1,000 if they are "harassed" or told to relocate. House Bill 3501, also known as the “Right to Rest Act,” was sponsored by Democratic state Reps. Farrah Chaichi and Khanh Pham. It stated that “persons experiencing homelessness” will have "a privacy interest and a reasonable expectation of privacy in any property belonging to the person, regardless of whether the property is located in a public space." The bill added that the homeless will "be permitted to use public spaces in the same manner as any other person without discrimination based on their housing status" and stated that they have a right to "move freely in public spaces without discrimination and time limitations that are based on housing status." Over 2,000 written statements in opposition were received through the legislature's website. Fahey added that the bill had become a "significant distraction" from representatives' work. Oregon's homeless population spiked approximately 22.5 percent from 2020 to 2022, Fox News reported. Portland Democratic Mayor Ted Wheeler’s office reported a 50 percent increase in homelessness from 2019 to 2022. According to census data, Portland lost 0.04 percent of its population after 30 years straight of growth; the general population has declined for three years in a row. Portland resident Jacob Adams told Fox & Friends in February "I love Portland, and I love where I live," discussing a homeless encampment next to his house, where there are regular fires and drug activity, even gunshots. "I'm asking you to please do something, so the people of the city feel safe." https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/immigration/abbott-reveals-brownsville-border-wired-shut-texas Abbott reveals Brownsville border 'wired shut' to ward off thousands of migrants Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) showed how the state is seeking to temper a rush of migrants at the southern border late Monday evening, posting a video revealing barbed wiring strung across gaps along the border. The video shows a nighttime shot of the border just two days before the expected end of the Trump-era Title 42 policy that allowed the swift expulsion of migrants on the grounds of public health. Hundreds of feet of spiraled wire can be seen along the ground, and some areas show the wire stacked to form a partition several feet tall. “This is one thing Texas is doing to secure the border,” Abbott wrote in his post sharing the video of the sprawling wire fence. “This is the area near Brownsville where migrants were crossing in large numbers a few days ago. We now have it wired shut. Other areas will surface for crossing. We will wire them shut also.” Abbott's tweet came just hours after he made his first public address over the border crisis since 34-year-old George Alvarez was arrested and charged with eight counts of manslaughter after his SUV plowed through a group of people outside Bishop Enrique San Pedro Ozanam Center, a migrant facility, on Sunday. The collision involving Alvarez is still under investigation, and a toxicology report is pending. Police revealed Monday that Alvarez has an extensive criminal history, including multiple assault charges. A witness to the collision said the driver made anti-immigrant remarks before he was detained by members of the public, according to the Independent. Additional security risks have reportedly continued at the Ozanam Center since the fatal crash. On Monday, a driver reportedly approached the migrant facility's gate with a gun and attempted to enter, according to a News Nation reporter. That facility has been operating over its intended capacity for almost a month and is planning to expand the number of sleeping spaces from 250 to 380 per night. Abbott's update comes as multiple Customs and Border Protection officials are reportedly considering "safe" street releases of immigrants to communities on the U.S. side of the border if no nongovernmental organization shelters or CBP facilities have the capacity to hold them. The Republican governor on Monday accused cartels of "working in collaboration with President Biden and the federal government to facilitate that illegal" border crossing. Thousands of migrants are lining up near various sections of the border, stretching all the way from as far south as Brownsville to the northwestern city of El Paso. There, immigration enforcement agents announced plans to target migrants crowding the city streets, according to a CBP statement. In addition to the number of migrants at the border, Republicans in border states have rallied against the persistent smuggling of deadly fentanyl into the country. Neatly 385 million fatal doses have been seized by border https://www.dailywire.com/news/sam-bankman-fried-tries-to-get-most-of-the-charges-against-him-dismissed Sam Bankman-Fried Tries To Get Most Of The Charges Against Him Dismissed Attorneys who represent former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried are attempting to dismiss 10 of the 13 charges filed against the disgraced cryptocurrency entrepreneur. Several firms controlled by Bankman-Fried imploded at the end of last year after customers and investors learned that FTX had improperly commingled funds with sister trading company Alameda Research. Lawyers for Bankman-Fried asserted in a Monday court filing that the original indictment levied against the entrepreneur came from a “classic rush to judgment” and that the case involved “civil and regulatory issues” rather than federal crimes. “Rather than wait for traditional civil and regulatory processes following their ordinary course to address the situation, the government jumped in with both feet,” the filing asserted. “Each of the charges contained boilerplate recitals of statutory language, followed by literally one sentence purportedly describing the basis for the charge.” Bankman-Fried was detained in the Bahamas and extradited to the United States in December, nearly one month after FTX collapsed and bankruptcy procedures were initiated. Attorneys contended that officials violated the extradition treaty between the two nations since the Bahamian government issued a warrant of surrender “specifying that he be tried on seven of the eight counts” in the original indictment, even as American officials later brought additional charges without the consent of authorities in the island nation. Bankman-Fried was initially charged in December with crimes such as conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the Federal Election Commission through campaign finance violations. Another superseding indictment unveiled in February added four new charges, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud and conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transfer business. Bankman-Fried was also charged in March with paying bribes to one or more members of the Chinese Communist Party. Bankman-Fried faces the charges in the Southern District of New York, which often oversees high-profile financial fraud cases. The entrepreneur, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges and currently resides with his parents in northern California, is expected to appear for trial in early October. Lawyers for the entrepreneur meanwhile claimed that the collapse of FTX occurred in the context of broader difficulties in the cryptocurrency sector. “As with a traditional bank run, numerous customers simultaneously sought to withdraw their assets, thus feeding fears that a collapse was inevitable,” the court filing said. “The market crash took down many of the major players in this sector, not just FTX.”

*) China will promote peace talks on Ukraine crisis — FM Qin Gang China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang said Beijing will persist in promoting peace talks for the Ukraine crisis. The country's Foreign Ministry statement said China is "willing to maintain communication and coordination with Russia to make tangible contributions to the political settlement of the crisis." The statement referred to Qin's meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Ministers' meeting in Goa, India. *) Ten killed, 15 injured in Serbia shooting: state media A gunman killed at least 10 people and injured 15 near the Serbian capital Belgrade, in the second mass shooting in the Balkan nation this week. Police arrested the suspected gunman responsible for the killing, state media reported, following an hours-long manhunt throughout the night. The back-to-back mass shootings have left the country in a state of shock, with thousands flocking to makeshift memorial sites while others have queued to donate blood. *) Israeli forces kill Palestinian woman near Nablus The Israeli army killed a Palestinian woman in a northern town of the occupied West Bank for allegedly carrying out a stabbing attack. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the woman as Iman Odeh and said she was killed by "a bullet to the chest fired by the occupation soldiers in Huwara. Eyewitnesses said that an Israeli force shot the 26-year-old woman dead and prevented Palestinians from reaching her. *) Western media's anti-Türkiye and Erdogan hostility is regrettable: Altun Turkish Communications Director Fahrettin Altun has slammed the cover of The Economist, a weekly British magazine, depicting hostility against Türkiye and its President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Altun regretted the anti-Türkiye and Erdogan hostility of the Western media before the May 14 elections. He said, "As our country gets rid of the shackles, we observe that the violence of Western-centred attacks increases, ignoring the principle of impartiality,” *) Coffee fair kicks off in Istanbul The fifth edition of the Istanbul Coffee Fair kicked off as coffee lovers and industry professionals flocked to the Halic Congress Center in the Turkish metropolis to taste a variety of coffees from different roasters. Fair Coordinator Reha Kadak said that they brought together important national and international brands of the industry at the fair. Kadak noted that nearly 20 thousand participants come to the fair every year.

*) Israeli army storms occupied West Bank's Jenin city, kills six Palestinians The Israeli army has stormed the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, killing at least six Palestinians and wounding 10 others, according to Palestinian health officials. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified one of the fatalities as 26-year-old Mohammed Ghazawi. The ministry later announced five other Palestinians were shot and killed, without giving further details. At least 26 Palestinians were also wounded during the raid, the ministry said, three of them seriously. The Israeli army said two of its soldiers were lightly wounded. *) Zelenskyy says his armed forces are resolved to stay in Bakhmut Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the Russian army would have an "open road" into eastern Ukraine if it captures the besieged city of Bakhmut. Zelenskyy told CNN that Ukraine understands that after Bakhmut Russians could go further to Kramatorsk and Sloviansk opening the road for them to other Ukrainian towns. Zelenskyy said that his armed forces were resolved to stay in Bakhmut. *) Over 232,000 buildings damaged or fit for demolition after Türkiye quakes More than 232 thousand buildings have been severely damaged or should be demolished immediately in southern Türkiye after the powerful earthquakes that struck the region, the country's environment minister Murat Kurum said. Authorities examined more than 1.7 million buildings composed of over 5.7 million independent sections in the quake-hit provinces. The damage assessment was completed in Gaziantep, Kahramanmaras, Adiyaman, Osmaniye, and Kilis provinces, Kurum added. *) Millions join protests in France over Macron's pension reform More than a million people marched in France and strikes disrupted transport and schools during mass protests against President Emmanuel Macron's plans to push back the retirement age to 64. Union organisers put the figure of the protesters at 3.5 million. Police used tear gas in Paris and some clashes took place in the western city of Nantes, but more than 260 union-organised rallies across the country were mostly peaceful. And finally… *) UNESCO-listed Mount Nemrut statues survive Türkiye quakes Several monumental stone heads located in Mount Nemrut and other UNESCO-listed statues in southeastern Türkiye have survived despite the powerful earthquakes. Fresh footage showed the massive heads, each weighing tonnes, on the eastern face of the mountain in Adiyaman province. Irfan Cetinkaya, head of a culture and tourism association, noted that the quake caused severe damage in the region adding that the statues on Mount Nemrut were not affected by the tremors.”

*) Rising toll makes quake deadliest in Türkiye's modern history Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that more than 35,000 people have died in Türkiye as a result of last week's 7.7 magnitude earthquake and powerful aftershocks. This new toll makes the quakes the deadliest such disaster since the founding of the republic 100 years ago. The fatalities already surpassed those recorded from the massive Erzincan earthquake in 1939 that killed around 33,000 people. Erdogan also said 105,505 were injured as a result of the February 6 quake centred around Kahramanmaras province and its aftershocks. *) Russia has held at least 6,000 Ukrainian children for 're-education' Russia has held at least 6,000 Ukrainian children in sites across the country, whose primary purpose appears to be political re-education, according to a US-backed report. As part of a "large-scale systematic network”, Yale University researchers identified at least 43 camps and other facilities where Ukrainian children have been held. The children included those with parents or with so-called clear guardianship, those Russia deemed orphans and those whose custody was unclear or uncertain due to the war. In response, Russia's embassy to the United States said Russia accepted children who were forced to flee with their families from shelling in Ukraine. *) Palestinian teen killed in Israeli military raid in occupied West Bank A Palestinian teen has been killed during an Israeli military raid in a refugee camp in the northern occupied West Bank, Palestinian officials said. Tuesday's death was the latest in an almost year-long surge in Israeli military raids into occupied Palestinian territory along with increasingly discriminatory policies toward Palestinians. The official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, reported that during the raid local residents clashed with Israeli soldiers, who then shot at them. The Palestinian Health Ministry said that Mahmoud al Aydi, 17, died from a bullet wound to the head. *) US still in dark over flying objects as it trades balloon claims with China The White House has responded to growing speculation over the shooting down of unidentified aerial objects in its airspace. It said the targets could be anything from commercial craft to espionage devices. After mounting pressure on President Joe Biden's administration to explain the situation, officials appeared sure of only one thing: It's not aliens. The US says the first of the four objects - a sophisticated, high-altitude balloon shot down on February 4 off the coast of South Carolina - was part of an ongoing, global "fleet" of Chinese espionage balloons. China denied this, calling the huge balloon an errant weather research craft. *) Psychological disorders mount among Türkiye, Syria earthquake survivors For earthquake survivors in Türkiye and Syria, escaping the destruction isn't the end of their trauma. The road to full physical and mental recovery is often long, especially for those who've lost family members. Doctors in a Turkish field hospital in the southern city of Iskenderun have said they are treating increasing numbers of patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and panic attacks. They said there are also growing concerns over emerging health issues linked to the cold weather, hygiene and sanitation, and the spread of infectious diseases.

*) Brazil swears in Sonia Guajajara as Indigenous Peoples Minister Influential indigenous rights activist and lawmaker Sonia Guajajara, has been sworn in to lead Brazil's Ministry of Indigenous Peoples. Guajajara was sworn in on Wednesday at the Planalto Palace in capital Brasilia in presence of President Lula da Silva, lawmakers and representatives from Brazil's Black and Indigenous movements. She also called for "effective Indigenous citizenship" that she said cannot take place without the demarcation of territories, environmental and territorial protections, continued access to free quality public education and vast coverage to comprehensive health care. *) Fate of Ukraine's Soledar uncertain as Wagner claims control Russia names a new commander for its offensive on Ukraine while mercenary Wagner Group says its capture of salt mining town Soledar in eastern Ukraine was complete, as fighting enters its 322nd day. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that fighting was still raging in a key eastern frontline city that the Russian mercenary group earlier said it controlled. And in his daily address, Zelenskyy insisted the front was "holding". *) Greece's case against migrant rescue volunteers 'farcical': rights groups A group of 24 volunteers who participated in migrant rescue operations on an eastern Greek island have gone on trial in a smuggling-related case that has been widely criticised by human rights groups. Greek police said that the volunteers had collected information about refugee flows and provided assistance to organised trafficking groups. Human Rights Watch, however, said that the charges are based on a police report, which contains “blatant factual errors”. The case was initially set to go ahead in 2021 but was postponed over procedural issues. *) Palestinian dead from injuries by Israeli army fire in occupied West Bank A Palestinian has died of injuries sustained after being wounded by Israeli army bullets in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. 21-year-old Ahmad Abu Junaid was wounded during an operation by the Israeli army in the Balata refugee camp in Nablus, where troops had surrounded a house, witnesses say. In a related development, the NGO Palestinian Prisoners Society said "the Israeli army arrested 15 Palestinians from several provinces in the West Bank." And finally… *) Nearly 160 organisations urge Biden to shut infamous Guantanamo prison More than 150 organisations have sent a letter to US President Joe Biden urging him to "prioritise closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba." The letter was signed by 159 organisations from the US and other countries who called themselves a "diverse group of non-governmental organisations" working on issues including international human rights, immigrants' rights, racial justice and combating anti-Muslim discrimination. The detention camp has held roughly 780 detainees since it was opened, most of them without charge or trial, with many said to have gone through unspeakable horrors.

*) Ceasefire takes effect between Israel, Palestinian group An Egyptian-brokered ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad has taken effect late on Sunday. The ceasefire agreement came after three days of Israeli air strikes on Gaza. The attacks left at least 44 Palestinians, including 15 children dead and over 360 others injured, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Egyptian state news agency MENA reported that Egypt was exerting efforts to release Palestinian prisoners Khalil Awawdeh and Bassam al Saadi. *) Senate Democrats pass $740B 'Inflation Reduction Act' package in US The US Senate has passed a sweeping $430 billion bill intended to fight climate change, lower drug prices and raise some corporate taxes. Amid Republican efforts to derail the package, the Senate approved the legislation known as the Inflation Reduction Act by a 51-50 party line vote. Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie-breaking ballot. That is a major victory for President Joe Biden that Democrats hope will aid their chances of keeping control of Congress in this year's elections. *) Gustavo Petro sworn in as Colombia's first leftist president Gustavo Petro has taken the oath of office as Colombia's first-ever leftist president. He was sworn in before a crowd of hundreds of thousands of people in Bogota. Petro takes over from the deeply unpopular Ivan Duque for a four-year term during which he will enjoy support from a left-leaning majority in Congress. *) Any attack on a nuclear plant in Ukraine 'suicidal' — UN Any attack on a nuclear plant is "suicidal", United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has warned. His statement comes after fresh reports suggested shelling hit a huge atomic power complex in southern Ukraine. The fighting on Friday at the plant has prompted the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency to warn of "the very real risk of a nuclear disaster". Guterres said "any attack to a nuclear plant is a suicidal thing,” adding that he hopes the “attacks will end." And finally… *) UK museum agrees to return looted Benin Bronzes to Nigeria A London museum has agreed to return a collection of Benin Bronzes looted in the late 19th century from what is now Nigeria. The decision comes after Nigeria's National Commission for Museums and Monuments formally asked for the artefacts to be returned earlier this year. Since then, cultural institutions throughout Britain have come under pressure to repatriate artefacts acquired during the colonial era.

*) Evacuation calls as Russians advance in Ukraine's Donbass Ukraine has called on civilians to urgently evacuate the Sloviansk city in the Donetsk region as Russian troops press towards it in their campaign to secure the Donbass region. The governor of the Donetsk region said at least two people have been killed and seven others wounded in an attack on a marketplace in Sloviansk. He told Ukrainian media that his "main advice is evacuate!" Sloviansk has been subjected to "massive" Russian bombardment following Russia's seizure of the Luhansk region. *) Senior UK cabinet ministers resign, plunging govt into chaos Two of the United Kingdoms' most senior ministers have resigned in a move that could spell the end of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's leadership after months of scandals. Rishi Sunak resigned as finance minister and Sajid Javid as health secretary. Both said they could no longer tolerate the culture of scandal that has stalked Johnson for months. The resignations followed the allegations that the UK PM failed to come clean about a lawmaker who was appointed to a senior position despite claims of sexual misconduct. *) Palestinian killed during Israeli raid in West Bank A Palestinian man has been killed by Israeli forces during a raid in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Health Ministry said 20-year-old Rafiq Riyad Ghannem was shot dead near the northern West Bank city of Jenin. Israel says it conducts military raids due to security risks, but rights groups argue that they have been deployed as a tool to suppress Palestinian resistance. At least 70 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli army fire since the beginning of this year. *) South Korea warns of stern retaliation in case of provocation from North South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol has ordered the military to "promptly and sternly" retaliate in case of any North Korean provocation. Yoon called for strong capabilities to deter North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes after presiding over his first meeting with top military commanders. North Korea has this year been conducting missile tests at an unprecedented pace and is believed to be preparing for its seventh nuclear test. *) Muslim pilgrims begin largest Hajj since Covid pandemic The largest Hajj pilgrimage since the pandemic took over the world has kicked off, with hundreds of thousands of worshippers expected to circle Islam's holiest site in Saudi Arabia's Mecca. This year's Hajj will commence, with 1 million fully vaccinated Muslims expected to participate. It is a major break from two years of drastically curtailed numbers due to the pandemic. The pilgrimage consists of a series of religious rites that are completed over five days in Islam's holiest city and its surroundings in western Saudi Arabia.

*) EU to give fast-tracked opinion on Ukraine membership bid The European Commission meets on Friday to give its fast-tracked opinion on Ukraine's EU bid, a step closer to membership for the country battling Russia's forces. The meeting comes a day after French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian premier Mario Draghi and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis visited Kiev. They met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who later promised that Ukraine was ready to put in the work to become an EU member. *) Israeli forces kill three Palestinians, injure eight others in raid At least three Palestinians have been killed in an Israeli raid in the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank. Eight others were injured in the raid, the Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement. Eyewitnesses said Israel's forces opened fire on a vehicle with four Palestinians. After the incident, Israeli soldiers targeted protesting Palestinians with live ammunition and tear gas grenades. *) Covid vaccines, food, fisheries figure in WTO's deals package The World Trade Organisation has concluded hard-won deals on fishing subsidies, food insecurity and Covid-19 vaccines in a landmark bundle of agreements. WTO director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the trade ministers' conference had struck an "unprecedented package of deliverables" which would "make a difference". The conference also agreed on deals on e-commerce, responding to pandemics and reforming the organisation itself. *) Two dead, one wounded in another US shooting A shooting at a church during a potluck dinner has left two people dead and one wounded in the US state of Alabama. The incident took place at St Stephen's Episcopal Church in the town of Vestavia Hills and a suspect was taken in custody, the town's police department said. The US is in the midst of a gruesome chapter of its gun violence epidemic. On May 24, a shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, killed 19 children and two teachers. And finally… *) Azteca Stadium, Los Angeles among 2026 World Cup venues Mexico City's iconic Azteca Stadium and the Los Angeles Rams' multi-billion-dollar SoFi Stadium are among 16 venues to stage games at the 2026 World Cup. The tournament will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will be the first ever World Cup shared between three nations and also the first to feature 48 teams. At a televised announcement in New York, officials confirmed 11 US cities as host venues, along with three venues in Mexico and two in Canada.

*) Ukrainians make gains in east Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Russian troops are being pushed away from Ukraine's second city Kharkiv. In his nightly address, Zelensky said "the occupiers are gradually being pushed away" from the Kharkiv region. Ukrainian authorities in the region said four villages near Kharkiv were cleared from Russian troops. "Fierce battles" were ongoing in the region, and that the city itself was under heavy fire, they added. *) US lawmakers approve $40B military, economic aid for Ukraine US lawmakers have voted to send a $40 billion aid package to Ukraine. The defence, humanitarian and economic funding passed the House of Representatives by 368 votes to 57. It will likely pass the Senate by the end of the week or next week. All the dissenting votes came from the Republican ranks. *) Israeli troops shoot dead Al Jazeera journalist in occupied West Bank Israeli forces have shot dead an Al Jazeera reporter in the occupied West Bank. Shireen Abu Akleh was killed by Israeli forces while reporting on a raid in the city of Jenin, Palestinian officials said. The Palestinian Health Ministry said a second reporter, Ali Samodi, working for the Jerusalem-based Al Quds newspaper had been wounded. Israeli army confirmed that it had conducted an operation in Jenin refugee camp, saying that reporters were hit “possibly by shoots fired by Palestinian gunmen." The occupied West Bank city of Jenin has seen intensified army raids in recent weeks as violence in the region has surged. *) UN urges restraint, calls for dialogue to quell deadly Sri Lanka unrest The UN has condemned the spiralling violence in Sri Lanka, calling on authorities to prevent further unrest and pursue “meaningful dialogue.” “I am deeply troubled by the escalation of violence in Sri Lanka after supporters of the prime minister attacked peaceful protesters in Colombo” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said. Eight people, including a parliamentarian, have been killed and over 250 wounded in initially peaceful demonstrations as the country battles its worst economic crisis in history. And, finally... *) Apple pulling the plug on iPod after 20 years Apple is discontinuing the iPod more than 20 years after the device became the face of portable music. The company said in a blog post that the current generation of iPods will only be available as long as current supplies last. The trend toward streaming music services has made devices designed just for carrying digital tunes around less enticing for customers.

*) Zelenskyy: Russia unleashes offensive into east Ukraine Russia has launched a major offensive into eastern Ukraine after days of preparation, authorities in Kiev have said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Russian troops have begun the battle for Donbass and vowed to defend the eastern region. Ahead of the widely anticipated offensive, Ukrainian authorities had urged people to flee west to escape. *) US, allies to meet over Ukraine situation US President Joe Biden will convene a meeting of allies to discuss the Ukraine conflict, the White House has said. An official said the meeting was part of a "regular coordination with allies and partners in support of Ukraine". It will also cover "efforts to hold Russia accountable", the White House said. The US and its allies have heaped pressure on Moscow via sanctions, while supporting Ukraine through military and other aid. *) Israeli warplanes bomb site in besieged Gaza Israeli warplanes have struck a site in the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza, local media and witnesses have said. The military wing of the Palestinian organisation Hamas said it has retaliated with surface-to-air missiles. No casualties or injuries have been reported by the Palestinian Health Ministry. Earlier, the Israeli army announced a rocket fired from Gaza was intercepted by its aerial defence system. *) UN: Yemen's Houthis agree to stop using child soldiers Yemen's Houthi rebels have agreed to rid their ranks of child soldiers, who have fought by the thousands during the country's seven years of civil war, the United Nations has said. The Houthis have signed an “action plan” to end and prevent recruiting or using children in armed conflict, killing or maiming children and attacking schools and hospitals. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the rebels committed to identifying children in their ranks and releasing them within six months. And, finally... *) Kenyans Chebet, Jepchirchir win Boston Marathon titles Kenya's Evans Chebet has won the men's crown at the 126th Boston Marathon. Reigning Olympic champion compatriot Peres Jepchirchir captured the women's title. Chebet won in two hours, six minutes and 51 seconds, beating 2019 Boston winner Lawrence Cherono by 30 seconds. Jepchirchir won in the final strides, taking her fifth victory in a row since 2019 in 2 hours, 21 minutes and 1 second.

*) Russian warship 'seriously damaged' in ammunition explosion The Russian navy's Black Sea flagship has been "seriously damaged" by an ammunition explosion, Russian state media has reported. It quoted the Russian defence ministry as saying that ammunition detonated on the Moskva missile cruiser as a result of a fire. Earlier, the governor of Odessa said that Ukrainian forces had hit the Moskva with missile strikes. Governor Maksym Marchenko wrote on Telegram that Neptune missiles guarding the Black Sea caused very serious damage to the Russian ship. *) Teen among several Palestinians killed by Israeli troops in West Bank Israeli troops have shot and killed three Palestinians, including a 14-year-old boy and a lawyer, the Palestinian Health Ministry has said. The three killings on Wednesday, all in separate incidents, were the latest in a wave of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Israeli troops are carrying out a days-long military operation in the occupied West Bank following a spate of deadly attacks. *) Suspect faces terror charge over New York subway shooting A 62-year-old man accused of shooting 10 people on the New York subway has been taken into custody after a day-long manhunt. Frank James is suspected of detonating two smoke canisters on the train, before firing into the crowd. He faces a federal terrorism charge. James was stopped by officers on a Manhattan street and arrested without incident, authorities say. *) Sri Lanka seeks donations from citizens abroad, offers talks to protesters Sri Lankan authorities have urged its citizens overseas to send home money to help pay for desperately needed food and fuel. The Prime Minister's office has separately offered talks with protesters calling for the government's ouster over an unprecedented economic crisis. A foreign currency shortage is stalling imports of fuel and medicines in the island nation and bringing hours of power cuts a day. And, finally... *) Liverpool, Manchester City reach Champions League semis Liverpool have drawn 3-3 with Benfica in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals and reached the semis with a 6-4 aggregate win. Another English team, Manchester City, too, have entered the semis 1-0 on aggregate. They produced a disciplined performance to secure a 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid in the second leg. City will take on Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid, while Liverpool will play against another Spanish team, Villarreal, in the semi-finals.

Hey everyone, welcome back to What a week!, I'm your host, Olivia Lee, here to deliver your weekly dose of the news. Let's get started!In Local News: Last weekend the city of Portland put out more officers on the street to respond to an increase in shootings while city leaders continued to call for an end to gun violence. Despite these efforts, there were two shootings this past Sunday which left a woman dead and a man seriously injured. While it's unclear if the two shootings are connected, they come amid an acknowledged gun violence problem in Portland. Last Sunday's shootings represented the fifth shooting homicide that police responded to this month and at least the 15th injury shooting. In-state news:https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2021/05/gov-kate-brown-outlines-path-to-reopening-when-70-of-oregon-gets-partially-vaccinated-shell-lift-most-covid-19-restrictions.htmlhttps://www.kgw.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/oregon-governor-kate-brown-covid-vaccinations-reopen-economy/283-1052dde7-0285-4bb6-86a8-509c1e8528b7Last Tuesday Gov. Kate Brown laid out a specific roadmap for fully reopening Oregon's economy and making a big step toward normalcy: When 70% of the state's residents 16 and older have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, she'll eliminate most statewide restrictions meant to reduce the spread of the disease. That includes the lifting of capacity limits on restaurants, bars, stores, gyms, sporting venues, movie theaters and limitations on the number of people who can gather indoors or out for events such as road races and festivals. No counties will remain under the current “risk level” tiers based on their rates of infections.The statewide mask mandates on indoor public spaces and physical distancing requirements could, however, remain for some time. The governor said she'd continue to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in determining when to lift mask rules.In National News:https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/tasneemnashrulla/cdc-masks-covid-guidance-vaccinated-peoplehttps://www.cnn.com/2021/05/13/health/cdc-mask-guidance-vaccinated/index.htmlLast Thursday, the CDC announced new guidelines stating  that fully vaccinated people in the US can go without a mask and stop socially distancing in almost all indoor and outdoor settings.  This marks a milestone in the coronavirus pandemic that has been ongoing in the country for more than a year now.  CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a White House Covid-19 briefing"If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic...We have all longed for this moment when we can get back to some sense of normalcy."https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/10/health/pfizer-vaccine-children-kids.htmlLast Monday, the Food and Drug Administration authorized the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds in the United States a crucial step in the nation's steady recovery from the pandemic and a boon to millions of American families eager for a return to normalcy. The authorization caps weeks of anticipation among parents, who have been grappling with how to conduct their lives when only the adults in a household are immunized. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is already available to anyone ages 16 and older.In International News:https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/16/middleeast/israel-palestinian-conflict-intl/index.htmlhttps://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/janelytvynenko/photos-pro-palestinian-protests-globalLast week, media outlets captured thousands of people across the world showing their support for Palestinians in protests amid some of the worst fighting between Israelis and Palestinians since the 2014 Gaza War, with demonstrators from Canada to Japan waving flags and chanting quote "Free Palestine". The violence first began when Israeli security forces raided Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan two weeks ago, injuring many worshippers and causing Hamas to retaliate with rocket fire. Israeli police also violently clamped down on protesters demonstrating against the expulsion of Palestinians from their homes in the neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. Most recently, Israel bombed the house of Hamas' Gaza leader and obliterated a family's home in Gaza as Hamas launched more than 100 rockets toward Israel this past Sunday, marking the deadliest day of the week-long conflict so far, according to data from the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza and Israeli authorities. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said this past Sunday morning that it had bombed the house of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' leader since 2017. IDF spokesperson told local media that Sinwar had been unhurt in the airstrike. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, two Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 43 Palestinians this past Sunday. With the latest casualties, the death toll in Gaza has climbed to a total of 197, including at least 58 children and 34 women, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Since the beginning of the Israeli airstrikes on Gaza last week, at least 1,235 Palestinians have been injured, with the number expected to rise, the health ministry said, as paramedics continue to carry out search operations. Ten Israelis have been killed by rockets fired from Gaza, according to the IDF. Lastly here is the wildcard news for the week:https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/10/media/golden-globes-nbc-diversity/index.htmlLast week, NBC will not be airing the Golden Globes next year temporarily ending a decades-long relationship between the network and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the nonprofit responsible for the awards. The network announced that it would not carry the show in 2022 after controversy surrounding the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's lack of diversity and ethical questions related to financial benefits given to some members along with forms of bribery. Well that wraps up What a Week! Stay safe and see you guys next week.