Month: September 2024

Hezbollah Vows Resilience Against Israel After Nasrallah’s Death

Hezbollah’s Naim Kassem promises ongoing resistance to Israel following Hassan Nasrallah’s death as the group braces for a prolonged conflict.

In a defiant speech, Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Kassem declared the group’s readiness to continue fighting Israel, even after losing key leaders and commanders.

This was Kassem’s first public statement since Hassan Nasrallah’s death, and he emphasized Hezbollah’s preparedness to defend Lebanon against any Israeli attacks.

As the interim leader, Kassem faced the harsh reality of losing Nasrallah and six other commanders due to Israeli attacks over the past ten days, which have killed over 1,000 people, including many women and children, and displaced a million.

Hezbollah has increased its rocket attacks, now hitting Israel hundreds of times a day, but has not reported any fatalities.

Kassem assured that Hezbollah is adapting to the new leadership and that Israel’s efforts to weaken them have failed.

However, the recent attack on Palestinian militants in Beirut, which Israel has not admitted to, signals that Hezbollah may be careful in its actions to avoid further escalation, especially with the threat of an Israeli invasion.

The attack, which targeted a smaller Palestinian group, comes as Israel has been bombing Hezbollah-controlled areas in Beirut, but has avoided the city’s center, possibly to avoid provoking Hezbollah into a larger conflict.

Since Hamas attacked Gaza on October 7, Hezbollah has joined in by launching rockets and missiles into northern Israel, showing support for Hamas and Iran.

They aim to keep attacking until Gaza stops fighting.

This has led to a back-and-forth, with Israel attacking Lebanon in response to Hezbollah’s attacks.

The conflict has caused people to leave their homes on both sides of the border, with Israel determined to continue until the attacks stop and people can return safely.

There have been calls for a stop to the fighting from the U.S. and its allies to avoid more violence that could involve Iran and start a bigger conflict.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not shown a willingness to stop military operations, even though he has celebrated victories over Hezbollah.

In Israel, there have been celebrations after Hezbollah leader Nasrallah’s death, with some people singing mocking songs about him.

A news anchor on a pro-Netanyahu station even celebrated the death, showing strong support for Netanyahu.

Hezbollah, known for its strong military and long-range missiles, has been a major cause of tension in the region, especially with Israel.

They faced a tough battle in 2006 but are now dealing with a new challenge after Israeli attacks have damaged their communication and leadership.

U.S. national security spokesman John Kirby is worried about Hezbollah’s ability to rebuild after these attacks and said they will be watching how they handle this leadership issue.

Britain Closes Last Coal-Fired Power Plant, Embraces Renewable Energy

Britain shuts its last coal-fired power plant, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, marking a significant transition to renewable energy, aiming for 100% by 2030.

On Monday, Britain will officially shut down its last coal-fired power plant, marking the end of a time that’s lasted 142 years and has been powering the country since the start of the Industrial Revolution.

The Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station, which is in the middle of England, will wrap up its last shift at midnight, ending over half a century of using coal.

The owner, Uniper, has said that about 170 of the workers will stay around for a long two-year cleanup.

The U.K. government is celebrating this as a big step towards its goal of using only renewable energy by 2030.

With this move, Britain is the first of the G7 big economies to officially stop using coal, even though countries like Sweden and Belgium did it before.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said, “This is the end of an era. Coal workers should be proud of their work for over 140 years. We’re really grateful to all the coal workers.”

Shanks also mentioned, “Even though we’re saying goodbye to coal, it’s also opening up new opportunities for green jobs in our country.”

The first coal-fired power plant in the world, Thomas Edison’s Edison Electric Light Station, opened in London in 1882, setting the stage for more developments.

Since it started in 1968, Ratcliffe-on-Soar has become a famous landmark, with its eight big cooling towers and a 199-meter (650-foot) tall chimney that you can see from the M1 highway or trains.

Back in 1990, coal was used to make up about 80% of the power in Britain. By 2012, that number dropped to 39%, and now, according to National Grid data, coal only makes up 1% of the country’s power.

Right now, renewable energy like wind and solar are giving more than half of the U.K.’s power, with the rest coming from natural gas and nuclear.

“Just ten years ago, coal was the main way we got our electricity, making up a third of what we used,” said Dhara Vyas, the deputy chief executive of the trade group Energy U.K.

“So, getting to this point, where clean and low-carbon energy sources have taken over coal’s job in such a short time, is pretty amazing.

As we look to do even more to change our energy sources, we should think about how people doubted if we could make these changes so quickly just ten years ago.”

Thai Court Approves Extradition of Activist Amid Human Rights Concerns

A Thai court ordered the extradition of Vietnamese activist Y Quynh Bdap, sparking fears of human rights violations if he returns to Vietnam.

On Monday, a Thai court okayed sending Vietnamese activist Y Quynh Bdap back to Vietnam, which has raised red flags for human rights groups about the risks he might face there.

The Bangkok Criminal Court said yes to Vietnam’s request to send him back, even though he was arrested in Bangkok back in June.

Y Quynh Bdap is part of the Montagnards Stand for Justice group and was given a ten-year sentence by a Vietnamese court in January without even being there.

He got this sentence for terrorism charges related to organizing protests against the government in Vietnam’s central highlands province of Dak Lak, which got really violent last June, killing nine people, including four police officers and two government officials.

Bdap’s lawyer, Nadthasiri Bergman, is working on an appeal against the decision to send him back, and they need to do it within the next 30 days.

No matter what happens in court, the Thai government can still decide not to send him back if they think it’s too risky.

“The prime minister can step in to protect human rights if he wants to,” Bergman said outside the court.

“Going back to Vietnam is a huge threat to his life, and the government should really think about that.”

Bdap is also looking for asylum in Canada and had a meeting with officials from the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok just before he got arrested, but the Canadian government hasn’t said much about what’s going on.

While in Thailand, Bdap was there during the Dak Lak riots, which were really violent and involved a lot of unrest at two local government offices.

About 100 people have been charged with being in these riots, with 53 of them convicted of terrorism.

After the verdicts, Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang brushed off any claims that the trials were used to silence the country’s ethnic minorities.

Critics of the Vietnamese government have been pointing out the bad treatment of the Montagnard community, which is made up of mostly Christian groups living in Vietnam’s central highlands and nearby Cambodia.

Human Rights Watch has said that many Montagnards have had to go to Cambodia and Thailand because they’re being threatened, arrested randomly, and treated badly by Vietnamese officials.

“Y Quynh Bdap would be in immediate danger if he went back to Vietnam,” Bryony Lau, Deputy Asia Director for Human Rights Watch, said when Bdap was arrested.

“Thai authorities need to quickly let him go as a refugee.

Sending him back would break Thailand’s legal duties under both national and international law.”

Human Rights Watch has also criticized Thailand for sending back people who are dissidents to countries like Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and China, calling this a worrying way of working together to silence people who speak out against each other.

Shigeru Ishiba Plans October 27 Election After Prime Minister Appointment

Shigeru Ishiba to call a parliamentary election for October 27 post-appointment as Japan’s prime minister, focusing on security and economic reforms.

Shigeru Ishiba, who’s about to become Japan’s new prime minister, is getting ready to call a big election on October 27.

As the leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Ishiba is pretty sure he’ll keep his job, thanks to the party’s stronghold on parliament.

Ishiba, who got the job as party leader on Friday, said he wants to have the election on Monday, right after he announced his team, setting the stage for picking his Cabinet.

Even though he hasn’t officially started yet, Ishiba stressed how important it is to let everyone know about this plan for it to work smoothly.

“I think it’s super important for the new government to get the thumbs up from the public as soon as they can,” he said.

Looking ahead at the tough election battle, he chose Shinjiro Koizumi, who came in third in the leader vote, to head the party’s campaign team.

Ishiba is planning to bring in experts in defense and trusted friends, picking Takeshi Iwaya to be the foreign minister and Gen Nakatani as the defense chief once he’s in charge.

A big deal in shaping Japan’s defense strategy, Ishiba has suggested making a group for Asia that’s like NATO to boost military teamwork in the area and also wants to talk more about how to use U.S. nuclear weapons with allies.

He’s thinking of a more team-based approach to the Japan-U.S. security deal, which includes sharing control of U.S. military bases in Japan and setting up Japanese Self-Defense Force bases in the U.S.

The LDP’s almost unbroken run in power since World War II has been about having to keep up with changing politics.

Ishiba’s more middle-of-the-road approach is seen as key to fighting off challenges from the liberal opposition and winning back the trust of voters after scandals have made Kishida look bad.

Ishiba has made it clear that Japan’s security is a top priority, pointing to recent attacks on Japanese airspace by Russian and Chinese planes and the ongoing threats from North Korea with missiles.

He’s also committed to keeping up with Kishida’s economic plans to fight deflation and help workers earn more money while tackling big issues like Japan’s falling birthrate and the rise in natural disasters.

Having been in parliament since 1986, Ishiba has a lot of experience, including times as defense and agriculture minister and has played key roles in past Cabinets, serving as LDP secretary-general under former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Fumio Kishida Steps Down as Japan’s Prime Minister; Ishiba Takes Charge

“Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida resigns, succeeded by Shigeru Ishiba, who plans a snap election for October 27 amid domestic challenges.”QuoteQ

Big news in politics: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is stepping down on Tuesday, making way for Shigeru Ishiba, who’s expected to take over as the new leader later that day.

Ishiba’s first move? He’s planning to call for a snap election on October 27.

Kishida was in charge for three years, but it was pretty rough on him because of a bunch of corruption issues that really hurt his popularity and made him decide to quit.

Critics back home said Kishida didn’t have a solid plan and often gave in to the powerful right-wingers in his own party to keep his job.

But, Kishida did get a lot of respect from the US for being tough on Japan’s defense and security.

His strong stand against Russia and China made him look like a leader ready to face the world’s problems, even though things were pretty messy at home.

As Japan gets ready for a new leader in Ishiba, we’re all hoping for some fresh ideas and a new direction.

2 People Lost as Wildfire Rages in Southern Greece

“Tragic wildfire near Xylokastro in southern Greece claims two lives. Firefighters make progress in controlling the blaze amid extreme conditions.”

Tragically, two people died overnight because of a big fire that’s been spreading through forests in southern Greece, close to the well-known beach town of Xylokastro.

The fire started on Sunday and the authorities quickly got to work.

By the morning of Monday, about 350 firefighters, along with 18 planes that drop water, had mostly brought the fire under control in the Peloponnese area.

Even though there were still some small fires, the main part of the fire was out, which was a big relief for the area.

To keep everyone safe, a few villages were evacuated at night, but the officials said Xylokastro was safe.

The fire got worse because of strong winds and dry weather from a really warm spring and summer, made even hotter by climate change, which makes fires more likely.

The two people who died were reported missing late Sunday and are thought to be from the area.

Luckily, there haven’t been any more reports of missing people or homes damaged in the area, which is about 150 kilometers (93 miles) southwest of Athens.

In another part of the country, a fire near Andravida in the western Peloponnese was also brought under control by Monday, but the firefighters are still keeping an eye out for any other fires.

Fighting wildfires in Greece is a constant battle, especially in the summer when the weather is perfect for fires to spread.

Lately, the country has had over 4,500 wildfires, which is making people worried about how bad this fire season is going to be, with some saying it’s the worst in 20 years.

The government has spent a lot of money on planes that drop water, drones to warn people, and other important gear to help put out fires quickly.

But, earlier this August, a big fire destroyed homes in the mountains north of Athens and took one life.

On the bright side, this summer’s total area burned is about 25% less than the average for the last 20 years, which is good news in the middle of all the challenges that wildfires bring to Greece and other countries in southern Europe.

Marine Le Pen’s Trial: Allegations of EU Fund Misuse Loom

Marine Le Pen faces trial over EU fund misuse, risking her political future as she aims for the 2027 French presidential election.

Marine Le Pen, the big name in France’s far-right National Rally, is in a tight spot as she’s going to trial starting Monday on big claims of stealing money from the European Union.

This big deal, which is going on for nine weeks, could really mess with her chances of running for president in 2027.

With a new mix of centrist and conservative folks in charge after the June-July elections, Le Pen’s trial is getting a lot of attention from her enemies who want to use any problems that come up against her.

People think this trial might distract her and her fellow National Rally members, including Le Pen, from doing their job as the opposition in Parliament while they’re all busy defending themselves.

Le Pen has been trying hard to make her party look better and appeal to more people since she stepped down as leader three years back.

The National Rally has done pretty well in recent elections, winning big at both the European and national levels.

But if she’s found guilty, it could really knock her out of the running for the presidency.

The National Rally and 27 top people are being accused of using money meant for EU parliamentary aides to pay for political work for the party from 2004 to 2016—which was totally against the rules back then.

Le Pen is sticking to her story that she didn’t do anything wrong, saying the case is all about politics. “Parliamentary assistants don’t work for the Parliament.

They’re political assistants to elected officials, which is what they’re supposed to do,” she said, explaining all the different jobs her assistants did, from writing speeches to handling logistics.

If she’s found guilty, Le Pen and the others could face really harsh punishments, like up to ten years in jail and huge fines of €1 million ($1.1 million) each.

They might also lose their civil rights or be banned from holding public office, which would really put a damper on Le Pen’s dreams of becoming the French president after Macron’s time.

She was the second-place finisher in both the 2017 and 2022 elections.

The National Rally has already paid back €1 million to the European Parliament, some of which was related to Le Pen’s money troubles.

This whole investigation started when Martin Schulz, the president of the European Parliament at the time, got a tip in 2015 about possible fraud with European funds used by National Front officials.

Kashmir Leader Dismisses Local Elections as Solution to Conflict

“Mirwaiz Umar Farooq critiques the ongoing local elections in Indian-administered Kashmir, asserting they won’t resolve the long-standing conflict with Pakistan.

As the big local elections in Indian-controlled Kashmir are getting closer, a well-known rebel leader is saying he’s not sure these polls will really fix the long-standing fight between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who’s been stuck at home for the last five years, pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is calling these elections a “festival of democracy,” but they won’t solve the bigger problems in the area.

In a chat with The Associated Press over the phone, Mirwaiz talked about what’s been going on in Kashmir since the Indian government took back control of the region’s semi-autonomy in 2019.

He was really upset about how the people who are against India’s rule have been silenced, making it hard for any real conversation to happen.

“These elections can’t fix the big Kashmir issue,” he said.

The elections happening right now are seen as a big deal for the area because they’re the first time in ten years that people can vote for a local government and a regional legislature with limited power.

But, a lot of people in the area see this vote as a chance to speak out against the changes made in 2019 that they’re worried might mess up the area’s population.

Mirwaiz mentioned that since the 2019 changes, the people in Kashmir haven’t really been heard, leading to a lot of feeling lost and powerless.

“You might not see the kind of chaos like before, but there’s a strong, hidden pushback,” he said, pointing out that even though they’re being silenced, that doesn’t mean they agree with what’s happening.

The sudden changes by India were a big no-no for Kashmir, with many seeing them as a threat to their identity and rights.

The response from the government led to Mirwaiz getting arrested along with thousands of other political activists.

The area has stayed on edge, with a tight grip on freedom and a limited space for the media.

Mirwaiz, who runs the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, which fights for Kashmir’s right to choose its own future, mentioned that even though they’ve been shut down, they’re still standing strong.

India and Pakistan have had a rough history over Kashmir, including three wars over the land.

After their first war in 1947, a U.N. vote to let the people of Kashmir decide if they wanted to join India or Pakistan never happened, leading to ongoing anger and a fight.

With all the complicated issues, local elections in the area have been hit with problems like violence, people being scared to vote, and cheating in the past.

But, this year, the groups fighting for freedom—mostly because they’ve been locked up—have said they’re not going to stop voting, with some even choosing to run on their own.

Even though Mirwaiz is pulling away from the elections, he’s still worried that they’re set up to help Modi’s political goals.

He points out that the government has been doing things to make sure they stay in power and change the voting areas in a way that’s good for places with a lot of Hindus.

He’s still hoping that local political groups can work together to figure out a solution for the Kashmir problem.

He highlighted that people voting is more about getting their frustrations out and asking for basic help with money, not agreeing with New Delhi’s plans.

In the end, Mirwaiz believes that having real talks, with people from all sides, is key to fixing the deep issues that are causing the Kashmir conflict.

But, the fact that there’s a big chance the elections might be rigged makes it hard to trust these results and what Kashmir’s political future will look like.

Biden and Harris to Visit Hurricane Helene Affected Areas Amid Recovery Efforts

President Joe Biden announces plans to visit regions devastated by Hurricane Helene, ensuring his presence won’t hinder restoration efforts. Vice President Kamala Harris is also set to visit shortly.

President Joe Biden is planning to head to areas hit hard by Hurricane Helene this week, but he’s going to make sure he doesn’t get in the way of the rescue and recovery work that’s already going on.

After getting another update on how bad the storm has been in the Southeast, Biden called the damage “stunning” and said the government is all in to help the states as much as possible.

On Monday, Biden is going to talk to the country about what the government is doing to help out, showing off the help that’s being given to the people who need it.

Vice President Kamala Harris is also going to check out the areas that have been hit the hardest, making sure her visit fits in with the rescue efforts.

Talking from a rally in Las Vegas on Sunday night, Harris said she’s really worried about the people affected by Helene, promising, “We’re going to stick with these communities until they can rebuild.”

Originally coming to Las Vegas for some campaign stuff, Harris changed her plans to come back to Washington early, so she could get a briefing on the damage at the FEMA headquarters.

Sadly, a county in North Carolina, which includes Asheville, has reported that 30 people have died because of the storm, bringing the total number of deaths in several states to at least 91.

On Sunday evening, Biden was in touch with local and state leaders from the areas hit by the storm, including Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp, North Carolina’s Governor Roy Cooper, and officials from Valdosta, Georgia, and Taylor County, Florida.

During these calls, he made it clear that the government is there to support these communities as long as it takes.

Even though he was spending the weekend at his beach house in Delaware, Biden stayed on top of things, getting regular updates on the storm’s aftermath from FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall.

Harris was also kept up to date through briefings while she was on Air Force Two.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has decided to visit Valdosta, Georgia, on Monday to see the damage for himself.

His campaign said he’ll be there to get a briefing, hand out some relief supplies, and talk about how the area is recovering, especially since it’s a key state in the upcoming election.

Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey Buy George Clooney’s Los Angeles Mansion

Discover how model Olivia Culpo and NFL star Christian McCaffrey became the new owners of George Clooney’s stunning Los Angeles estate. Learn about the luxurious features of their new home and their plans for the future.

Model Olivia Culpo and NFL player Christian McCaffrey have just bought George Clooney’s fancy old house in Los Angeles. According to TMZ, they snagged the place for a whopping $14.5 million.

This huge house, which is over 7,000 square feet, is a dream come true for them. It’s got six bedrooms, a super private spot, and is surrounded by lots of greenery and trees.

The backyard is huge, with a big area for guests, a pool, and a tennis court—perfect for the couple who’s always in the spotlight.

Clooney, the big movie star who’s won tons of awards for roles like “Ocean’s Eleven,” has had this house for almost 30 years.

He got it from Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks back in 1995 for just $2.2 million. That’s a lot of money, but it shows how much the house has increased in value over the years.

The Clooneys are big on real estate too, with homes in Italy, Mexico, England, New York City, and France.

Culpo and McCaffrey bought the house right after their wedding in Rhode Island and now they’re thinking about making it their forever home.

Culpo even joked about starting a family soon after they got married, saying she’s ready to have kids.

Before this, Culpo had a $3.5 million house in Encino, Los Angeles, which she used as her main home when McCaffrey played for the San Francisco 49ers.

They’ve been enjoying the quiet life there during the NFL off-season.

Culpo said she really wanted a place that felt like a peaceful getaway from the busy Hollywood life.

McCaffrey, the 28-year-old athlete, sold his North Carolina house for $12.5 million and his condo in Charlotte for $3 million, showing they’re all about making their new life in the Bay Area a success.

It’s not clear if Culpo will sell her house in Encino, but the buzz around their new place is a sign that they’re excited to start a new chapter in their lives in Hollywood’s fancy real estate world. Keep an eye out for more updates!

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