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☆ Yemen's Houthi rebels hijacked a cargo ship in the Red Sea on Iran's orders, Israel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Yemeni Houthi rebels hijacked a cargo ship in the Red Sea on Sunday. The group has pledged to take action against Israeli ships until attacks on Gaza stopped. AdvertisementIsrael said that a cargo ship was hijacked in the Red Sea by Yemen's Houthi rebels on Iran's orders. The rebels used a helicopter raid to hijack the ship at around 1 p.m. local time, three US officials told NBC News. The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that it was not an Israeli ship, adding that the incident was "a very grave incident of global consequence."

Persons: —, Israel, Yemen's Houthi, Rami Ungar, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Yahya Sare'e Organizations: Service, Galaxy Leader, The New York Times, NBC, Israel Defense Forces, Yemeni Armed Forces Locations: Gaza, Israel, Iran, Red, Turkey, India, Bahamas, British, Yemen, Israeli, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Philippines, Mexico

☆ Israel says Houthis seize ship in Red Sea, no Israelis among owners or crew
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

JERUSALEM, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Israel said on Sunday that Yemen's Houthis had seized a British-owned and Japanese-operated cargo ship in the southern Red Sea, describing the incident as an "Iranian act of terrorism" with consequences for international maritime security. Last week, the Houthi leader said his forces would make further attacks on Israel and they could target Israeli ships in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said a ship - which it did not name - had been seized, and stressed that Israel was not involved in its ownership, operation or the make-up of its international crew. The Israeli military said in an earlier statement the ship seizure took place in the Red Sea. Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Jane Merriman and Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Israel, Yemen's Houthis, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Dan Williams, Jane Merriman, Hugh Lawson Organizations: U.S . Defense, Thomson Locations: British, Tehran, Israel, Gaza, Mandeb, belligerence, Red

An Israeli military spokesman indicated on Friday that the military operation against Hamas would advance into southern Gaza but gave no indication of timing. "They asked us, the citizens of Gaza, to go to the south. With Palestinians now effectively cornered, the second stage in Israel's military campaign is fraught with even more risks than the first. Assessing Israel's gains till now, Eiland said he believed the IDF had dealt with "something like 50%" of Hamas' military capacity. "I'm not sure that all foreigners understand the Israeli mood: Israel will not stop the operation before the hostages are back," said Eiland.

Persons: Khan Younis, Abu Mustafa, Gazans, Israel, Abu, Giora, Daniel Hagari, Hagari, Matthew Miller, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yahya Sinwar, Ahmed, Eiland, Osama Hamdan, Al Mawasi, I'm, Jonathan Saul, Nidal, Simon Lewis, Humeyra Pamuk, Matt Spetalnick, Edmund Blair, Daniel Flynn Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, Gazans, Israel Washington, Israel's National Security Council, Reuters, U.S, U.S . State Department, United Nations, IRNA, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, GAZA, Israeli, Gaza City, United States, Washington, U.S, Beirut, U.N, Egypt, Rafah, Eiland, London

[1/3] Liberia's opposition Unity Party Joseph Boakai waves to his supporters as holds his final campaign rally for the presidential elections in Monrovia, Liberia October 7, 2023. The result marks a stark turnaround from 2017, when global soccer legend Weah, buoyed by a wave of hope, trounced Boakai with 62 percent of the vote. "A few moments ago, I spoke with president elect Joseph Boakai to congratulate him on his victory," Weah said on national radio. Instead, Boakai supporters in the capital Monrovia danced, shouted and honked car horns in the rain after the near-final results were announced. Many felt that Weah did not follow through on promises to alleviate poverty and improve the country's crumbling infrastructure.

Persons: Unity Party Joseph Boakai, Carielle, Boakai, George Weah, Joseph Boakai, Weah, Sarkor, Doe, Alphonso Toweh, Edward McAllister, Anait, Louise Heavens, Jonathan Oatis, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Unity Party, Reuters, Boakai, Thomson Locations: Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa, MONROVIA, West, Central Africa

☆ Israelis are arming up in the aftermath of Hamas’ attack. Some are worried it is playing to the far right’s vision for the country
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Tara John | Adi Koplewitz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“We saw this in the first days of the war, wherever there were weapons, the scale of the disaster was smaller,” Ben Gvir said in a press release. Critics see it as part of a far-right vision to inflame Israeli-Palestinian relations in the country, especially in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Some in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet, such as Ben Gvir and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, support annexing the West Bank. When CNN asked Ben Gvir at the Caesarea event last week whether his actions were inciting violence against Palestinians, CNN was kicked out of the ceremony. He adds that arming people like that “is only showing what he (Ben Gvir) is trying to cause, which is chaos.”CNN has reached out to Eliasi for comment.

Persons: Itamar Ben Gvir, ’, “, Ben Gvir, ” Ben Gvir’s, Mariam Barghouti, Ben Gvir’s, , ”, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Bezalel Smotrich, we’re, we’ll, Itamar Ben, Gvir, William Bonnett, Amichay Eliyahu, Ben, Eliyahu, Roy Malkan, ” Malkan, Yoav Eliasi, Ori Givati, Guy Ben, Israel’s Ben, ” Ben, Porat, Liat Eisner, We’re, Eisner, she’s, Netanyahu’s, I’m Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, Ministry of National Security, West Bank, Power, New York Times, “, Jewish Power, CNN, Palestinian Ministry of Health, The United Nations, Israeli National Security, Israel Defense Forces, Heritage, ”, ” CNN, Reuters, Survey, Israel’s, Gurion University, ” Protesters, Ben, ” Security Locations: Caesarea, Jerusalem, Israel, Judea, Samaria, Palestinian, East Jerusalem, Abdelathim, Qusra, Nablus, Judaea, ”, Ben Gvir’s, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Swiss

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State Auditor Beth Wood announced on Thursday that she will resign from her elected post next month, a decision coming two days after she was indicted on charges that she misused her state-owned vehicle for personal activities. Wood, a Democrat who was first elected auditor in 2008, had already announced last week that she wouldn't seek reelection in 2024. Political Cartoons View All 1239 ImagesWood informed Cooper of her resignation decision on Thursday afternoon, the governor’s office said. Cooper “respects her decision and thanked her for her years of service to North Carolina,” spokesperson Jordan Monaghan said in a text message. The state auditor's job is one of 10 posts within the Council of State, which also includes the governor, attorney general and other statewide executive branch officials.

Persons: Beth Wood, Wood, wouldn't, “, ” Wood, Roy Cooper, Cooper, Cooper “, Jordan Monaghan, Lorrin Freeman, Les Merritt, ” Organizations: —, Democrat, Wake, State, Democratic Gov, Auditor’s Office, of State Locations: RALEIGH, N.C, Carolina, State of North Carolina, North Carolina, Wake County, Craven

☆ An Epic Pilgrimage Across Three Great Religions
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Aatish Taseer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +111 min

Before there was tourism, there was pilgrimage: a trip of endurance, hardship and ecstasy in celebration of one’s faith. On an epic pilgrimage of his own, one writer ventures into the heart of three great religions in Bolivia, Mongolia and Iraq. The Imam Hussein shrine in Karbala the day after Ashura. “They’re poor, but they come thousands of kilometers for the love of Imam Hussein.” PILGRIMAGE WAS A great equalizer. “Labaik ya Hussein,” came the solemn chorus of surrounding voices.

Persons: Eduardo Quintela Gonzáles, ” Quintela, JAN, “, ”, Quintela, Victor, Edith Turner, Chaucer, ferne, sondry londes, Vaishno Devi, Lyra Skinner, Lyra, Victoria Preston’s, —, Prophet Muhammad, Virgin Mary, Bath, Naipaul, Augustus, Ryan, garret, Virgin, Monica Machicao, Nicholas Casey, ” Monica, Casey, Evo Morales, sloughing, Columbus, Cortés, Francisco Pizarro, Monica, glitzy cholets, Peru —, Viracocha, it’s, Pablo Quisbert, Leandro Chitarroni, Eichmann, Father Chitarroni, Father Chitarroni’s, Conquistadores ”, Fernando Cervantes, Bernabé Cobo, Quisbert, Edgar Quispe, Tatiana Huayhua, Francisco Tito Yupanqui, Mary, Yupanqui’s, su, Yupanqui, Chitarroni, she’s, Friar Abelino Yeguaori, Friar Yeguaori, Friar Yeguaori’s, Irene, Juana, hajji, Waka, Aracely Alcón, Santiago, Alcón, ‘, don’t, ” Alcón, Tito Yupanqui, Uma Marka, Pachamama, haggard, Amaru Fiorilo Barrios, he’d, ” Fiorilo, Fiorilo, who’d, Valeria Alcón, Laureano Jose Quisbert, Elena Ticona Flores, Eduardo Quintela’s, Ensamble, pang, padre, consolations, Sincrético, El, Rodrigo Paz Pereira, Axel, amauta, strode, La, Aatish Taseer, Saint Helena —, Constantine I, La Paz, Orgilbaatar Tsolmon, Orgil, Genghis Khan, Edward Gibbon, ” Orgil, Araniko’s, Kublai Khan, Genghis Khan’s, Kubla Khan, Coleridge, Kublai, Stalin, sybarite, Khamar, Dalai Lama, Lama, Christopher Kaplonski, ger, I’d, banshtai tsai, Prim, Egi, Munkhdul, Gandantegchinlen, Haidav, herder, “ Um sain, boltugai, Danzanravjaa, Zanabazar’s, Erdene, Mandakhtsog Monkhbaatar, Monkhbaatar’s, Dalai Lamas, prostrated, He’d, Zuu, she’d, Santiago de, L.K, Advani, Emperor Babur, Ram, kar sevaks, Ayodhya, Narendra Modi, Munkhbaatar Batchuluun, Henry Wallace, Franklin D, Potemkin, Munkhbaatar, Gerelmaa, Giimaa, She’d, Eduardo Quintela, Aracely, Santiago’s, Joseph Brodsky’s, Muhammad’s, Hussein, William Keo, ” Khuder, pillion, Labaik, Hussein ”, O Hussein, hearkened, Prophet, Ali —, Ali, Yazid, Imam, crackling, chickpeas, Imam Ali, Imam Hussein, Saddam Hussein, Tusi, Qasim, Imam Hussein’s, Khuder, “ Will, Najaf, prestes, — I, Yasir Yaseen, Ashura, Ali Akbar, Abbas, Ali Asghar, “ We’re, Francisco Goya’s, Hussein’s, Groom, Joseph, ” Wissam, Turfi, Saddam —, Arbaeen, Saddam, “ Imam Hussein, WE, Muhammad, Barnaby Rogerson, Prophet Muhammad ”, ” Ali, Muhammad — Muhammad, formlessness, Muqtada al, Abrams, chiding, Abu Musab Al, Zarqawi, Al Qaeda, William, “ They’re, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, flagellants, ruddy, stylishly, Hussein — shahid —, Farman Ahsan, Syed Salman Raza —, Saddam’s, ” Raza, William “, Ali Zayn al, Abidin, Labaik ya Hussein, thrall —, Lloyd, Susanne Rudolph — Organizations: CITY LA, LA, LA PAZ, Virgin, Crusaders, Dolorosa, Sun, The New York Times, Bolivian, Spain, La, Cordillera, Universidad Mayor de, Catholic, Good, La Paz, Dominican, Pakistan, Caesars, Nissan, Coke, Communists, Communism, ardor, Communist, Hyundai, flails, sacra, Apache, Mahdi Army, Al, ISIS, Karachi —, Princeton Locations: Bolivia, Mongolia, Iraq, Aatish Taseer Bolivia Mongolia Iraq, CITY LA PAZ, BOLIVIA, NAJAF, IRAQ, ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA, LA PAZ, La Paz, Bolivian, Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, New York, Christian, British, sondry, India, Delhi, Varanasi, Europe, American, Mecca, Arabia, Long, Vino Tinto, Chile, Peru, Monica, Plurinational State, Bolivia —, Americas, Spain, Columbian, Aztec Mexico, Inca Peru, Calvary Hill, Virgen del Cerro, South America, Puerto Rico, Huatajata, ”, Argentine, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Mexican, revelry, Spanish, “, morena, La, “ India, multilayered, Potosí, Argentina, Warisata, Scotch, Santiago de Compostela, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Nations, El Alto, Buenos Aires, Bombay, Tibet, Bolivia’s, Yamuna Rivers, United States, Buddhist Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolian, Istanbul, Asia, Islam, China, Beijing, Dadu, Erdene Zuu, Soviet, Gobi, Los Angeles, gers, Qing China, Karnataka, Töv Province, Karakorum, Khamar, Erdene, Ukraine, Korea, Golden, Bayankhongor, Lhasa, Dalai, Inner Mongolia, Mongol, Nalaikh, Santiago, Santiago de Compostela and Canterbury, Bulgan Province, Somnath, Gujarat, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, ger, East German, Uvs Province, Pakistani, Indian, Tennessee, Najaf, Baghdad, Khuder, —, abayas, KARBALA, Kufa, Medina, Saudi Arabia, Karbala, Imam Ali, Bab, Kuwaiti, Bohras, South Asia, Tajikistan, Zaydis, Yemen, Alawites, Anatolia, Syria, Iran, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Sadr, U.S, Jordanian, Al Qaeda, Mesopotamia, Al, Multan, Pakistan, Punjab, Pakistan’s, Islamabad, Lahore, Kuwait, Karachi, Doha, Qatar

PELLA, Iowa (AP) — Voters in a small Iowa city narrowly decided not to support giving their City Council more power over their local library. Just over half the voters in Pella rejected an advisory vote on whether the City Council should have more power over how the library spends its money and whether it pulls certain books from shelves, the Des Moines Register reported Wednesday. Opponents of the Pella measure persuaded voters that it's better to keep the library somewhat insulated from politics. Like in many Iowa communities, the City Council-appointed library board has control over spending, who to hire as director and whether to remove books that are challenged. A group of residents asked the library board in late 2021 to either remove “Gender Queer” or put it behind the checkout counter where kids can't get it.

Persons: Maia Kobabe’s, Donald Trump, ”, Anne McCullough Kelly, “ It’s, equitably Organizations: — Voters, Council, Des Moines Register, American Library Association, City Council Locations: PELLA , Iowa, Iowa, Pella, City

Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip are homing in on what may be the most challenging aspect of their ground operations in the war-torn enclave: the expansive network of underground tunnels built by Hamas. The Palestinian militant group that governs Gaza has spent decades building what it says are more than 300 miles worth of tunnels in the blockaded territory, often more than 100 feet underground. The Israel Defense Forces euphemistically nicknames this underground system the "Gaza metro." The tunnels house weapons stocks, electrical generators, command and control centers undetectable from above — and likely many of the hostages that Hamas kidnapped from Israel on Oct. 7. "And our forces from the north and south are approaching them and fighting inside the built-up area."

Persons: Din, Yoav Gallant, Gallant Organizations: Hamas, Palestinian, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, ", NBC, Health Locations: Gaza, Israel

☆ ‘The reaction is extreme’: Palestinians fear arrest if they voice sympathy for Gaza civilians
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | Zeena Saifi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

“I was not even considering for a moment that they would be coming for me,” she told CNN. “When arrests are done in this way… it’s unfathomable,” he told CNN. If you want to talk about the truth here, you’re not allowed,” Adli, another Palestinian resident of Jerusalem, told CNN. Fatina Abu Sneineh, Dua’s mother, told CNN she was terrified when her daughter was taken. CNN has asked the Israel Police for comment on the arrest of Ibrahim Abu Sneineh, but has received no reply.

Persons: Dua Abu Sneineh, – barged, “, ”, Abu Sneineh, Abu, ” Abu Sneineh, Abu Sneineh’s, Pavel Nemecek, Israel, ” Abeer Baker, Baker, ” Baker, Abu Amneh, Ali Jadallah, God ”, ” Abu Amneh, Jawad Boulos, Boulos, it’s, Yasser, you’re, ” Adli, Adli, CNN, Justice Yariv Levin, Moshe Arbel, Itamar Ben, Gvir, Fatina Abu Sneineh, Dua, hasn’t, Ibrahim, ” Fatina, Aboud, Ibrahim Abu Sneineh Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, CNN, Facebook, Hamas, Israel Police, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Israel Defense Forces ’, Israel’s, Getty, Abu, Gaza, Israel, West Bank, Attorney’s, Ministry of Interior, Counter, Justice Locations: Jerusalem, East Jerusalem, Israel, Gaza, Palestinian, Ramallah, Anadolu, “, Tel Aviv, al, Aqsa

☆ Luis Díaz: Colombian guerilla group says it will release Liverpool player’s father ‘as soon as possible’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Ilse Borrero | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Barrancas, Díaz’s hometown located in northern Colombia, has never been so guarded. Relatives and friends marched in Barrancas to show solidarity with the Díaz family. Hundreds of people marched through Barrancas demanding Díaz's release. Gaby Díaz thanked the media and the citizens of Barrancas for their interest in knowing the fate of his father. Meanwhile, journalists, cameramen, and photographers from local and foreign media remain on guard outside the Díaz family residence, waiting for some reaction or news of the release of the Liverpool FC star’s father.

Persons: Colombia CNN —, Luis Díaz’s, “, ” Luis Manuel Díaz, Cilenis Marulanda, Marulanda, Santiago Ángel, Juan Carlos Cuéllar, Díaz, Luis Manuel Díaz, ”, Otty Patiño, Gaby Díaz, Lismari Machado, ” Cristian Almenares, General William René Salamanca, Guillermo Acuña, Barranco Organizations: Colombia CNN, National Liberation Army, Liverpool FC, Colombian government’s, Law, CNN, AFP, Getty, Colombian, Díaz, Police, Army, Colombian Police, ”, Liverpool FC star’s Locations: Barrancas, Colombia, Colombian, Colombia’s La Guajira, ” Salamanca

☆ Israel Is in Crisis. These Authors See Reason for Hope.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Ethan Bronner | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The citizens’ faith in their political leader, a prime minister charged with bribery and fraud, was plummeting even before the attack. The answer: a mix of risk-taking newcomers and the culture of innovation fostered among young Israelis by their mandatory military service. “Israel has been exposed to constant trauma,” the authors write, and yet the country has some of the lowest rates of alcohol abuse, opioid death and suicide in the world. Israel’s citizens also consistently rank among the happiest on the planet. They have long lives and produce, far and away, the most children per family of any rich country.

Persons: Dan Senor, Saul Singer, Israel, Singer, Israel’s, “ Organizations: Jerusalem, “, Nasdaq Locations: United States, Britain, France, Japan, “ Israel, Canada

☆ Washington judge, Georgia DA both got violent threats on heels of Trump vow to 'go after' foes, court docs allege
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A lead prosecutor and a judge involved in separate criminal cases against Donald Trump received violent threats within two days of the former president warning that he was "coming after" his foes, court documents allege. Prosecutors allege Arthur Hanson, 59, of Huntsville, Alabama, delivered the threats in voicemails left for Willis and Labat on Aug. 6. Smith cited the same post in a September court filing seeking a gag order against Trump. Later in August, Trump was booked and had his mugshot taken at Fulton County jail, which was run by Labat. Trump was already facing dozens of felony counts in three other criminal cases by the time he was charged in Georgia.

Persons: Donald Trump, Fani Willis, Sheriff Patrick Labat, Arthur Hanson, voicemails, Willis, Labat, Tanya Chutkan, Trump, Abigail Jo Shry, Jack Smith, Chutkan, Smith, Sheila Jackson Lee, Hanson, Joe Biden Organizations: Trump, Prosecutors, Labat Locations: Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, Huntsville , Alabama, Texas, U.S, Washington ,, Houston, Washington, Alvin , Texas

A family navigates the bank of the Rio Grande past razor wire while searching for an entry point into the United States from Mexico, in Eagle Pass, Texas, U.S. July 30, 2023. U.S. District Judge Alia Moses in Del Rio, Texas barred the Biden administration from cutting or removing the wire until at least Nov. 13, as she considers a lawsuit brought by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, accusing the U.S. government of illegally destroying state property. The concertina wire fencing was installed on private property by the Texas National Guard as part of Operation Lone Star, an initiative launched by Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott in 2021 aimed at deterring illegal border crossings. Texas, meanwhile, is separately defending its authority to install floating buoys in the middle of the Rio Grande to deter migrants. A federal judge at the Biden administration's request in September ordered the 1,000-foot (305-meter) barrier removed, but an appeals court allowed it to remain in place temporarily while Paxton's office pursues an appeal.

Persons: Adrees Latif, Alia Moses, Biden, Ken Paxton, Moses, Paxton, George W, Bush, Greg Abbott, Daniel Wiessner, Alexia Garamfalvi, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, Texas, U.S, Republican, State of, U.S . Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, Texas National Guard, Lone Star, Republican Texas, Customs, Border Protection, Biden, Thomson Locations: Rio, United States, Mexico, Eagle Pass , Texas, U.S, Texas, Del Rio , Texas, State of Texas, . Texas, Albany , New York

☆ Man charged with making threats against Georgia officials connected to case against Trump
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Jason Morris | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —An Alabama man has been charged with making threatening voicemails to Fulton County officials in Georgia because of their connections to the case against former President Donald Trump. Hanson, from Huntsville, Alabama, called the Fulton County government customer service line twice in August and left voicemails in which he threatened violence against the officials, according to US Attorney Ryan Buchanan. The Fulton County district attorney’s office declined to comment. Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat, center, speaks to the media June 1, 2021, in Atlanta. Ben Gray/AP“Threats of harm were directed towards me and District Attorney Willis for simply doing our job,” Labat said in a statement.

Persons: voicemails, Donald Trump, Arthur Ray Hanson II, Fani Willis, Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat, Hanson, Ryan Buchanan, Willis, Trump, you’re, ” Hanson, Labat, Ben Gray, ” Labat, “, ” Willis, Georgia’s Organizations: CNN, Fulton, Fulton County Sheriff, Justice Department, “, FBI, Trump Locations: An Alabama, Fulton County, Georgia, Atlanta, Huntsville , Alabama

☆ Top Israeli economists urge PM to cancel billions of unneeded spending
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In a letter to Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the economists - including former Bank of Israel Governor Jacob Frenkel - said expenses as a result of the conflict would cost at least tens of billions of shekels. These funds were highly contentious within the finance ministry since much of the funds were aimed at encouraging ultra-Orthodox men to not join the workforce. "The government must face the challenges as soon as possible and try to restore the citizens' trust in its ability to do so. Netanyahu's office did not immediately comment while a spokesman for Smotrich said there will be a change in reallocating state funding. ($1 = 4.0404 shekels)Reporting by Steven Scheer; editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Bezalel Smotrich, Jacob Frenkel, Smotrich, Eugene Kandel, Leo Leiderman, Bank Hapoalim, Steven Scheer, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Finance, Bank of Israel, Bank, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel

☆ US 'assault rifle' ban unlikely after Maine shooting, despite Congressman's shift
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Jeff Mason | Thomson Reuters | Jeff Mason Is A White House Correspondent For Reuters. He Has Covered The Presidencies Of Barack Obama | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"I ask for forgiveness and support as I seek to put an end to these terrible shootings." Democrats, with the support of anti-gun violence groups, have tried for years to renew a federal ban on assault-style weapons, which was first imposed in 1994 and expired in 2004. Republicans, with the financial support of a powerful gun rights lobby, largely oppose restrictions on gun ownership. The U.S. has seen multiple massacres involving assault-style weapons in recent years. For any assault-style weapons ban to pass in the future, Democrats would need to win a majority in the 435-seat House and win more seats in the 100-member Senate, which they currently control 51-49.

Persons: Jared Golden of, Jared Golden, Joe Biden's, Donald Trump, Biden, Mike Johnson, It's, Johnson, Jeff Mason, Richard Cowan, Heather Timmons, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Democratic U.S . Rep, U.S . House, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Democrat, United States Congress, Republican, Fox News, Supreme, Senate, Thomson Locations: Jared Golden of Maine, United States, Maine, Washington, Lewiston , Maine, U.S

New Delhi CNN —Qatar has sentenced eight Indian nationals to death, India’s government said, following their reported detention in Doha last year on espionage charges. In a statement Thursday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it was “deeply shocked” by the verdict and would take up the matter with Qatari authorities. “We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options,” the statement said. CNN has reached out to Qatar’s government but has not received an official comment. The eight Indians were detained by Qatari authorities on spying charges on August 2022, CNN affiliate CNN-News18 reported Thursday.

Persons: India’s, “, Manish Tewari, Tewari, Satbir Singh, ”, Singh, Narendra Modi, ” Singh, Al Dahra, News18 Organizations: New, New Delhi CNN, Qatar, India’s Ministry, External Affairs, CNN, Indian Navy, Affairs, Indian Ex, Servicemen, Qatar Naval, United Nations Locations: New Delhi, Doha, Indian, Qatar

But that outburst of direct democracy has been limited to just half the states. About 167 million people live in 25 other states where such direct democracy is not currently an option. The number of ballot measures seeking to restrict the initiative and referendum process dipped in 2016 and has since risen. Measures seeking to restrict direct democracy peaked from 1995 to 2004 but significantly outpaced those seeking to expand direct democracy throughout the entire period of 1960 through 2022. Californians have considered 391 ballot initiatives — approving 137 of them — following campaigns that in recent years have cost tens of millions of dollars.

Persons: ”, John Matsusaka, Daniel Smith, Todd Donovan, that's, it's, Matsusaka, Michael Smith, ” Donovan, It's, it’s, ” Matsusaka Organizations: Initiative, University of Southern, South, University of Florida, Western Washington University, REPUBLICAN PUSHBACK Republican, Republican, Democratic, BIG, Oregon, Voters, Emporia State University, Referendum Locations: Maine, Ohio, University of Southern California, South Dakota, Mississippi, Alaska, Wyoming, Illinois, Florida, Arizona , Arkansas , Ohio, Arizona, Oregon, California, Kansas

(CNN) – Fulton County prosecutors have discussed potential plea deals with at least six additional co-defendants charged alongside Donald Trump for attempting to subvert the 2020 presidential election, multiple sources tell CNN. Pro-Trump lawyer Robert Cheeley is among those who have been offered a plea deal in the Georgia case but, according to his lawyer, turned it down. A source with knowledge of the Fulton County DA’s strategy tells CNN that it would be open to discussing plea deals with anyone, but there is little room for compromise when it comes to the charges against Trump. To be clear, there is no indication that prosecutors or Trump’s legal team are interested in discussing a plea deal. John Eastman, who is also considered one of Trump’s most high-profile co-defendants, has not been offered a plea deal either, his lawyer told CNN.

Persons: Donald Trump, District Attorney Fani Willis, Robert Cheeley, ”, Richard Rice, Misty Hampton, Mike Roman, Willis, Trump, Jenna Ellis, Sidney Powell, Rudy Giuliani, Giuliani, Mark Meadows, Meadows, Jack Smith, John Eastman, Eastman, Willis ’, Robert James, ” James, squeal, Polantz, Paula Reid, Evan Perez Organizations: CNN, District Attorney, Trump, Fulton, White House, Georgia, Democratic, Atlanta Public Schools Locations: Fulton, Georgia, Coffee County , Georgia, Fulton County, New York, Georgia’s Dekalb County

☆ Gaza: UN agency warns its fuel to run dry on Wednesday as Palestinian officials say 700 killed in a single day
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Gaza needs at least 160,000 liters (42,267 gallons) of fuel a day for basic necessities, UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma said. Just eight out of 20 aid trucks scheduled to cross into Gaza on Tuesday made the journey, UNRWA said. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Tuesday ruled out any fuel being allowed to enter Gaza, saying Hamas would co-opt fuel for its operational infrastructure and to continue its rocket attacks. In the wake of the assault, Israel launched a sustained aerial bombardment of Gaza that Palestinian health officials say has now killed more than 5,000 people. An aid truck arrives at a UN storage facility as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, in central Gaza on October 21, 2023.

Persons: Juliette Touma, Mustafa Hassona, General Herzi Halevi, “, ”, Mohammed Salem, General António Guterres, ” Guterres, Guterres, Antonio Guterres, Seth Wenig, Gilad Erdan, Eli Cohen, ” Cohen, John Kirby, –, Cohen, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, United Nations, Vital, UN, Israel, UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, Nasser Hospital, Getty, World Health Organization, WHO, Israel Defense Forces, Hamas, Palestinian Ministry of Health, UN Security, Guterres, Twitter, US, National Security, Foreign, Israeli Locations: Gaza, East, Rafah, Khan Yunis, Anadolu, Israel, UN, Ramallah, “, United States, Qatar, Egypt, Iraq

Jenna Ellis, a pro-Trump lawyer who amplified former President Donald J. Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud as part of what she called a legal “elite strike force team,” pleaded guilty on Tuesday as part of a deal with prosecutors in Georgia. Addressing a judge in an Atlanta courtroom, she tearfully expressed regret for taking part in efforts to keep Mr. Trump in power after he lost the 2020 election. Ms. Ellis, 38, pleaded guilty to a charge of aiding and abetting false statements and writings, a felony. She is the fourth defendant to plead guilty in the Georgia case, which charged Mr. Trump and 18 others with conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Mr. Trump’s favor. She has already written an apology letter to the citizens of Georgia, and she agreed to cooperate fully with prosecutors as the case progresses.

Persons: Jenna Ellis, Donald J, ”, Trump, Ellis, Trump’s Organizations: Trump Locations: Georgia, Atlanta

Most of Gaza’s water comes from local sources – but the fuel required to pump and clean it is fast running out. As the water system collapses, some Gazans have been forced to drink dirty, salty water, sparking concerns of a health crisis and fears that people could start dying from dehydration. Without it, Gaza’s water system has crumbled. Gaza’s fuel supplies could be exhausted in as little as 48 to 72 hours, Ghunaim, from the PWA, said on Monday. Even before the conflict, many experts were saying the water situation would be “catastrophic in the future,” Hall said.

Persons: Mohammad Al Shanti, ”, Natasha Hall, Mazen Ghunaim, Mohammed Abed, Ghunaim, Richard Peeperkorn, “, Kellogg Schwab, ” Schwab, Al Shanti, Omar Shaban, COGAT, Mark Regev, Benjamin Netanyahu, Herzi Halevi, Philippe Lazzarini, ” Hall, ‘, Khan Younis, Mahmud Hams, Hall, Haitham Hassan, – Organizations: CNN, Aqsa, UNICEF, Palestinian Water Authority, UN, Health, Middle, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Oxfam, PWA, West Bank, CSIS, Johns Hopkins University ., Strategic Studies, Getty, WHO, Israel Defence Forces, UNRWA, “ Locations: Al, Gaza, Israel, Rafah, Egypt, AFP, “, Territories, Egypt’s, Khan

But the hope now is to reach a deal for a bigger group of hostages released at once. Israel is pressing for a comprehensive plan for such a release, another source said, after seeing just two sets of two hostages released so far. Israel has said there are more than 200 hostages believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza. We will not allow the fuel for Hamas so they can continue fighting against the citizens of Israel,” Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said. Determining how to release a larger round of hostages – if it were ultimately agreed upon – has been an extraordinarily complex undertaking.

Persons: CNN —, –, Mark Regev, ” Regev, “, Herzi Halevi, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, “ We’re, ”, Biden Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Hamas Locations: Gaza, United States, Israel, Qatar, Egypt

☆ Israelis are lining up to buy guns in 'unprecedented' numbers with one shop staying open on the Jewish Sabbath due to demand: report
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Paul Squire | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Israeli gun shops are seeing a surge in demand, according to the Financial Times. Long lines are keeping stores open late, with one doing business on the Jewish Sabbath. The country's right-wing national security minister loosened Israel's gun permit rules after Hamas' attacks. AdvertisementAdvertisementLast week, Israel's right-wing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir loosened Israel's previously tight restrictions on gun permits, allowing thousands more Israelis to purchase firearms in the aftermath of the attacks. The changes automatically qualify residents of Sderot, Israel, the city that was attacked by Hamas, to buy a firearm, Ben-Gvir said.

Persons: —, Mehul Srivastava, Itamar Ben, Gvir, Ben Organizations: Financial Times, Service, Hamas, United Nations, National Security, National Locations: Israel, Gaza, Holon, Sderot

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