Netanyahu defiant as protesters demanding a ceasefire-for-hostages deal bring Israel to a halt
Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to Israel’s streets in fresh fury on Monday over the government’s failure to secure a ceasefire-for-hostages deal with Hamas. Demonstrations could be seen in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Caesarea and other sites across the country, fueled by the killing in Gaza of six hostages, whose bodies were retrieved by Israeli soldiers this weekend.
Several gatherings targeted the homes of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with protesters lighting fires and chanting: “You are the leader - you are guilty!” near one of Netanyahu’s private residences in Caesarea. In Tel Aviv, protesters outside the US Embassy chanted “Shame!” late into the evening, video showed.
Netanyahu has been accused of stalling efforts for a deal by some hostage families and their supporters. More than 100 hostages, including 35 believed to be dead, are still being held in Gaza – the vast majority of them taken during Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, when some 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 taken captive
The scenes outside the Israeli leader’s homes culminated a day of anger that brought much of the country to a halt, following a call by the country’s largest labor union, known as Histadrut, to shut down the “entire” economy. Flights in and out of Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport were also stopped for two hours.
But in a press conference Monday evening, the Israeli leader struck a note of defiance, batting away criticisms – including from US President Joe Biden – that he is not doing enough to secure a deal. He asked for “forgiveness” from the families of the six hostages for failing to bring them back alive, but insisted it should be Hamas that “has to make the concessions.”
He also vowed to retaliate and extract a “heavy price” from the militant group that controls Gaza, for the killing of the six hostages, whose autopsies showed they were shot at short range on Thursday or Friday morning.
Hamas meanwhile escalated its own threats on Monday, with a public warning that more hostages held in Gaza would return “inside coffins” if Israel attempts to free them militarily.
A statement released by the militant group said that its fighters guarding prisoners held in the Palestinian enclave had received “new instructions” on how to deal with hostages if Israeli forces get close, and released an illustrated poster apparently showing hostages threatened with a gun.
Monday saw the largest general strike to have taken place in Israel since March 2023, when there was a similar mass walkout over Netanyahu’s controversial attempts to overhaul the country’s judiciary.
According to union Histadrut, hundreds of thousands of Israelis joined the protests Monday, just a day after half a million took to the streets on Sunday for what protest organizers said was one of the biggest nationwide protests since the outbreak of Israel’s war on Hamas. Israeli police said they had seven demonstrators in Tel Aviv for “violating public order and disrupting traffic.”
‘Netanyahu has made it impossible’
Netanyahu’s defiant stance following the discovery of the six hostage bodies has thrown further doubt on the negotiations for a ceasefire-for-hostages deal.
Even before the killing of the six hostages, the talks had become bogged down, with one key disagreement centering on control of a border area known as the Philadelphi corridor.
Netanyahu says control of the 14-kilometer (8.7-mile) strip of land along Gaza’s border with Egypt is needed to prevent Hamas from resuming arms smuggling through tunnels underneath it. However, the deployment of Israeli troops along the corridor has been a major point of contention between Israel and Hamas in the ceasefire talks, with Hamas saying Israeli troops must withdraw from the border zone.
“Hamas doesn’t want us to be there and that’s why I insist on being there,” the Israeli leader said on Monday.
During a cabinet meeting over the weekend, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had lambasted the Israeli government for what he said was prioritizing control of the corridor over a deal to free hostages, calling it a “moral disgrace.”
The relative of one of the hostages who was shot dead in southern Gaza also blamed Netanyahu and his stance on the corridor for their deaths. Gil Dickmann, the cousin of Carmel Gat, told CNN that the Israeli government “cold-bloodedly” crossed a “red line” by prioritizing the corridor over the lives of the hostages.
“We know that Hamas has agreed to a deal at some point, and Israel was the one putting on more and more terms and actually postponing the deal,” Dickmann said on Monday. “Right now, we know the decisions that our Prime Minister Netanyahu has made it impossible for Carmel and other hostages to return and put their lives in great danger, and that’s what killed them.”
But on Monday, even as he acknowledged dissent within his cabinet, Netanyahu doubled down.
“We’re not going to withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor,” Netanyahu told a press conference on Monday evening. “The axis of evil needs the Philadelphi corridor. We need to have it under our control,” he said.
Disagreements over the corridor are only one of the splits within the cabinet over the conduct of the war that have become increasingly public and rancorous in recent months, reflecting deep divisions at the top of Israel’s government.
Just on Monday, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he was using his power to prevent a “reckless deal” and ensure “that there will be no negotiations at all.”
He was speaking to members of Gvura, a right-wing organization representing the families of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza.
But American officials described new urgency in reaching a ceasefire-for-hostages deal. US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said while meeting the families of Americans held hostage that “the next few days will be critical” in the push to free those still held by Hamas.
Alongside the strikes, the funeral of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the six hostages found dead, was held in Jerusalem on Monday. Speaking at the ceremony, Jon Goldberg-Polin said he hoped his son’s death would be “the fuel that will bring home the remaining 101 hostages.”
“Hersh, we failed you. We all failed you. You would not have failed you. You would have pushed harder for justice,” he said. “You would have worked to understand the other, to bridge differences.”
“The 23 years of life that we had with you were a blessing. We now will work to make your legacy a similar blessing,” Goldberg-Polin said. “You were a really great guy. I love you.”
Strike hits public services, schools
As well as an impact on flights, some Israeli municipalities said they joined the strike, including Tel Aviv and Haifa, according to a list from the Histadrut outlining who joined the action as well as statements from some of the cities.
The list also includes government ministries that impact a wide range of public services, the document shows, including parts of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Interior Ministry, and others. CNN has reached out to the Prime Minister’s Office for comment.
Hospitals and healthcare facilities worked on a weekend schedule and on an emergency basis, according to the statement.
The country’s teachers’ union said it would not join the strike, according to a statement from the union, though support staff at schools did.
However, Israel’s biggest universities joined the strike, including the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University.
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In the year 1971, Soviet engineers set fire to a gas-filled hole in the Turkmenistan desert, thinking it would burn out in a few days.
However, to their astonishment, the flames have persisted, and the site, known as "The Door to Hell," has been burning continuously for over 52 years
Hundreds of natural gas fires illuminate the floor and rim of the crater. The crater has been burning since the 1980s. How the crater formed is unknown, but engineers ignited the crater to prevent poisonous gases from spreading.
#World #Curiosities
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Bethesda Announces New Elder Scrolls Mobile Game Dubbed 'Spiritual Successor' To Fallout: Shelter
The Elder Scrolls fans looking for a little fun to help stay occupied until the next Skyrim platform somehow drops now have a new answer. Bethesda has just announced Elder Scrolls: Castles, a semi-idle simulator mobile game that the team directly referenced as a “spiritual successor” to its prior mobile game, Fallout: Shelter.
The Elder Scrolls: Castles does share a lot of similar traits to its “spiritual predecessor,” Fallout: Shelter, with some changes. What remains are a lot of the core gameplay system, such as unique/varying NPC “subjects,” the “room” system, and even external quests your subjects can take to level up and gather materials.
It’s definitely a lot more light-hearted and casual in presentation than just about any other Elder Scrolls franchise title in both aesthetic and gameplay style. There are more aesthetic choices that can be made, though some do seem to affect how gameplay shakes out. Players can also change the layout of the castle, which makes decision-making a little less urgent.
It seems Castles leans a lot more into certain storytelling decisions similar to the Reigns mobile series of games (or just about any decision-making game). Different choices will have different costs and outcomes, but like any choice-making game, it’ll be vital to the future of your castle.
The rogue-lite combat system also seems a bit more intensive this time around, though in a way that looks like it’ll make it more approachable and engaging on a regular basis. The actual combat has a more fleshed-out UI, and players can pick up level-ups and the like that’ll help more immediately.
The release date is sooner than it looks, being set for September 10 through Google Play and the App Store. There's also some nifty art on the official website.
SOURCE: mmorpg.com
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Samuel Benner, a farmer from the 1800s, published a book with market analysis on periods of panic, good times to buy, and good times to sell.
150 years later, his analysis has proven to be remarkably accurate.
#Interesting
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As measles outbreak grows, HHS secretary says vaccination is a personal decision that can protect individuals and communities
As a measles outbreak in Texas has grown to nearly 150 cases, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in an opinion piece on Fox News on Sunday that parents should consult with health-care providers “to understand their options to get the MMR vaccine” for their children.
Kennedy did not explicitly recommend the vaccine, but said the outbreak was a “call to action for all of us to reaffirm our commitment to public health.”
#News #Texas #CNN #FoxNews
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Woman stung by scorpion while getting luggage at Boston's Logan Airport
A woman was taken to a hospital Sunday night after a scorpion stung her at Boston Logan International Airport.
Boston Emergency Medical Services took the woman to an area hospital by ambulance just before 7 p.m., they said in a statement to NBC News.
It's not clear what kind of scorpion stung the woman or what condition she was in.
The 40-year-old woman, who identity has not been released, was retrieving her luggage from the baggage claim area of customs when she was stung, NBC Boston reported.
#NBC #News #Boston #Scorpion #Airport
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Ireland plans to buy first fighter jets in 50 years
Ireland’s planned purchase of combat jets and the development of a long-overdue national radar system mark a historic turning point in the country’s approach to air defence, ending decades of reliance on the United Kingdom to protect Irish skies.
Since 1998, when the Irish Air Corps disbanded its Light Strike Squadron, which operated aging French Fouga CM170 Magister jets, Ireland has had no combat jets. The country also lacks a primary radar system. Without these capabilities, a “secret bilateral pact” has seen the UK’s Royal Air Force (RAF) tasked with intercepting and responding to aerial threats in Irish airspace.
According to former Irish Air Corps head General Ralph James, this reliance on a foreign power, coupled with Ireland’s lack of radar coverage, has made the country “probably the most vulnerable” in Europe. Speaking at the Slándáil 2020 security summit, James warned that neutrality alone was not a defence strategy, stressing that Ireland must be able to deny its airspace to both sides in any future conflict.
#Ireland #News #AeroTime
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Russia and U.S. Held Secret Talks on Restarting Nord Stream 2 Pipeline
Russian and U.S. negotiators held secret talks on resuming gas flows to Germany via the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, the German tabloid Bild reported Sunday, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter.
The Swiss-based operator of Nord Stream 2 and other Russia-based entities linked to the $11 billion pipeline are currently under U.S. sanctions. The reported U.S.-Russia discussions on restarting the pipeline are seen as part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to rebuild ties with Russia.
According to Bild, Trump’s special envoy Richard Grenell made multiple unofficial visits to the headquarters of Nord Stream 2 AG — the pipeline’s operator, which is fully owned by Russia’s sanctioned energy giant Gazprom — in the Swiss city of Steinhausen for negotiations.
Grenell denied participating in the reported talks.
#TheMoscowTimes #News #Russia #US #Germany
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"Putin couldn't be happier" over Trump-Zelenskyy meeting, Trump's former national security adviser says
An Oval Office showdown between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would have been cheered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, who served as Mr. Trump's national security adviser during his first administration.
The U.S. imposed sanctions on Russia and provided aid to Ukraine after the war began but last month, Mr. Trump flipped U.S. policy on its head. He opened peace talks with Russia, which occupies 20% of Ukraine while bombing the rest, and did not invite Ukraine. Then on Friday, he berated Zelenskyy during an explosive Oval Office meeting.
"Vladimir Putin couldn't be happier," McMaster, who is a CBS News contributor and author of "At War with Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House," said. "Because what he sees is all of the pressure on Zelenskyy, all of the pressure on Ukraine and no pressure on him."
Trump and Russia
During his Friday Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy, Mr. Trump revealed something of a common cause with the Russian president. Mr. Trump complained that he and Putin had both been slandered for years by allegations that Russia helped Mr. Trump's campaigns, allegations the U.S. president ties to his Democratic opponents.
"Putin went through a hell of a lot with me. He went through a phony witch hunt where they used him and Russia, Russia," Mr. Trump said.
McMaster, who was ousted by Mr. Trump in 2018, said Putin has manipulated many world leaders, including the U.S. commander in chief.
#CBSNews #News
#Putin #Russia #Trump #Zelensky
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A Reflection on the Fragility and Resilience of the Earth
The image presents two identical pictures of the Earth, side by side. The first image is labeled "Earth with you," while the second is titled "Earth without you." At first glance, one might be tempted to dismiss the image as a lighthearted commentary on the vastness of the world compared to the individual. However, beneath this simple comparison lies a profound reflection on the relationship between humanity and the planet.
The Illusion of Permanence
The Earth, as depicted in both images, appears unchanged, suggesting that whether we exist or not, the planet will continue to spin on its axis, indifferent to our presence. This notion can be comforting or unsettling, depending on one's perspective. On the one hand, it reassures us that the world will endure, even in our absence. On the other hand, it highlights the seemingly insignificant impact of a single human life in the grand scheme of things.
Yet, this simplicity can be misleading. While the Earth as a physical entity may continue to exist without us, the quality and character of the planet are profoundly shaped by our actions. The environment, ecosystems, and countless species are inextricably linked to human activity. "Earth without you" might remain visually identical to "Earth with you," but the hidden implications of this absence are monumental.
The Ripple Effect
The image invites us to contemplate the broader consequences of our existence. Every decision we make—be it in our consumption habits, energy use, or interactions with nature—sends ripples through the environment. These ripples can either contribute to the preservation and flourishing of life on Earth or lead to degradation and destruction.
Consider the impact of human-driven climate change, deforestation, pollution, and species extinction. Each of these global issues stems from countless individual actions, all of which, when aggregated, have the power to alter the very fabric of the Earth. The image, though simple, subtly suggests that while the Earth may look the same with or without us, the reality of its ecosystems, climate, and biodiversity is anything but unaffected by human presence.
The Responsibility of Stewardship
The comparison also serves as a reminder of the responsibility we carry as stewards of the planet. The Earth, in its beauty and complexity, is not just a backdrop to our lives but a living system that requires care and respect. Our role is not merely to exist on this planet but to contribute positively to its well-being.
The notion that the Earth might remain unchanged without us can also inspire a deeper sense of responsibility. It is a call to action—a reminder that our time here is finite, but our impact can be enduring. We have the power to shape the future of the planet, to leave it in a better state than we found it, or to contribute to its decline.
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