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BEIRUT — Israel's military launched airstrikes across Lebanon on Monday, unleashing explosions throughout the country and killing at least 31 while Israeli leaders appeared to be closing in on a negotiated ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group. Israeli strikes hit commercial and residential buildings in Beirut as well as in the port city of Tyre. Military officials claimed they targeted areas known as Hezbollah strongholds. They issued evacuation orders for Beirut's southern suburbs, and strikes landed across the city, including meters from a Lebanese police base and the city's largest public park. The barrage came as officials indicated they were nearing agreement on a ceasefire, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Security Cabinet prepared to discuss an offer on the table. Bulldozers remove the rubble of a destroyed building Monday that was hit in an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. Foreign ministers from the world’s leading industrialized nations also expressed cautious optimism Monday about possible progress on a ceasefire. People are also reading... “Knock on wood,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said as he opened the Group of Seven meeting outside Rome. “We are perhaps close to a ceasefire in Lebanon," he said. "Let's hope it's true and that there's no backing down at the last-minute.” A ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon was foremost on the agenda of the G7 meeting in Fiuggi, outside Rome, that gathered ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, in the last G7 encounter of the Biden administration. For the first time, the G7 ministers were joined by their counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as well as the Secretary General of the Arab League. Thick smoke, flames and debris erupt Monday from an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in Tayouneh, Beirut, Lebanon. Meanwhile, massive explosions lit up Lebanon's skies with flashes of orange, sending towering plumes of smoke into the air as Israeli airstrikes pounded Beirut's southern suburbs Monday. The blasts damaged buildings and left shattered glass and debris scattered across nearby streets. Some of the strikes landed close to central Beirut and near Christian neighborhoods and other targets where Israel issued evacuation warnings, including in Tyre and Nabatiyeh province. Israeli airstrikes also hit the northeast Baalbek-Hermel region without warning. Lebanon's Health Ministry said Monday that 26 people were killed in southern Lebanon, four in the eastern Baalbek-Hermel province and one in Choueifat, a neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburbs that was not subjected to evacuation warnings on Monday. The deaths brought the total toll to 3,768 killed in Lebanon throughout 13 months of war between Israel and Hezbollah and nearly two months since Israel launched its ground invasion. Many of those killed since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah have been civilians, and health officials said some of the recovered bodies were so severely damaged that DNA testing would be required to confirm their identities. Israel claims to have killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Lebanon's Health Ministry says the war has displaced 1.2 million people. Destroyed buildings stand Monday in the area of a village in southern Lebanon as seen from northern Israel. Israeli ground forces invaded southern Lebanon in early October, meeting heavy resistance in a narrow strip of land along the border. The military previously exchanged attacks across the border with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group that began firing rockets into Israel the day after the war in Gaza began last year. Lebanese politicians have decried the ongoing airstrikes and said they are impeding ceasefire negotiations. The country's deputy parliament speaker accused Israel of ramping up its bombardment to pressure Lebanon to make concessions in indirect ceasefire negotiations with Hezbollah. Elias Bousaab, an ally of the militant group, said Monday that the pressure has increased because "we are close to the hour that is decisive regarding reaching a ceasefire." Israeli officials voiced similar optimism Monday about prospects for a ceasefire. Mike Herzog, the country's ambassador to Washington, earlier in the day told Israeli Army Radio that several points had yet to be finalized. Though any deal would require agreement from the government, Herzog said Israel and Hezbollah were "close to a deal." "It can happen within days," he said. Israeli officials have said the sides are close to an agreement that would include withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and a pullback of Hezbollah fighters from the Israeli border. But several sticking points remain. A member of the Israeli security forces inspects an impact site Sunday after a rocket fired from Lebanon hit an area in Rinatya, outskirts of Tel Aviv, Israel. After previous hopes for a ceasefire were dashed, U.S. officials cautioned that negotiations were not yet complete and noted that there could be last-minute hitches that either delay or destroy an agreement. "Nothing is done until everything is done," White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Monday. The proposal under discussion to end the fighting calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. The withdrawals would be accompanied by an influx of thousands more Lebanese army troops, who have been largely sidelined in the war, to patrol the border area along with an existing U.N. peacekeeping force. Western diplomats and Israeli officials said Israel demands the right to strike in Lebanon if it believes Hezbollah is violating the terms. The Lebanese government says such an arrangement would authorize violations of the country's sovereignty. Shoppers say they want eco-friendly products, so why aren't they buying them? Shoppers say they want eco-friendly products, so why aren't they buying them? On paper, being more sustainable and eco-friendly while shopping sounds great—so why don't more people do it? There is growing consumer consciousness about the environmental impact of where people choose to shop and the sustainability of the products they buy. According to McKinsey, over 60% of individuals surveyed in 2020 said they would be willing to pay more for a product that is packaged in an eco-friendly way. Since 2019, products marketed as being environmentally sustainable have seen a 28% growth in revenue compared to 20% for products with no such marketing, a 2023 McKinsey and NielsenIQ report found. Much of this is thanks to the preferences and attitudes of Gen Z, who, on average, care more than their older counterparts about being informed shoppers. The younger generation also has more social justice and environmental awareness altogether. Shoppers are willing to spend around 9.7% more on a product they know is sourced or manufactured sustainably, with 46% saying they would do so explicitly because they want to reduce their environmental footprint, according to a 2024 PwC report. Sustainable practices consumers look for from companies include production methods, packaging, and water conservation. But despite the growing consciousness around being more environmentally responsible, consumer actions don't always align with their values. In psychology, this is defined as the "say-do gap": the phenomenon wherein people openly express concern and intention around an issue, but fail to take tangible action to make a change. According to the Harvard Business Review in 2019, most consumers (65%) say they want to buy from brands that promote sustainability, but only 1 in 4 follow through. So why don't people actually shop sustainably, despite how much they express a preference for eco-friendly products—and how can we close the gap? The RealReal examined reports from the Harvard Business Review and other sources to explore why some shoppers want to buy sustainably but struggle to follow through. This lack of action isn't due to a lack of caring—in many cases, it's hard to know how to be a sustainable consumer and other factors are often outside of shoppers' control. But the more people shop sustainably, the easier and more accessible that market will be for everyone—making it much easier for folks to buy aligned with their values. Barriers to sustainable shopping There are many obstacles preventing shoppers from upholding eco-friendly habits as much as they may want to—but not all of these barriers are necessarily real, or accurately understood. Shopping sustainably simply isn't convenient or accessible for many. Those who live in apartment buildings are 50% less likely to recycle , according to Ipsos. Reasons for this can vary from lack of space to buildings being excluded altogether because of recycling contamination issues. Many believe that sustainable products are too expensive or of a lower quality. The former is often true, which does create a hurdle for many: The manufacturing processes and materials for sustainable products are pricey. For instance, organic cotton requires an intensive production process free of certain chemicals or pesticides; by definition, true eco-friendly products can't be mass-produced, further upping their price tag. Using recycled materials for packaging, or obtaining an eco certification, can also be expensive. However, although the narrative of eco-friendly products being more expensive is true, there is often more of an effort to use better quality materials that last longer than their noneco-friendly counterparts. This could end up saving consumers money in the long run: By paying more upfront, they can get more wear out of sustainable fashion, for instance. There is also undeniable political rhetoric surrounding eco-friendly products—however, despite many Conservative politicians decrying sustainable products, members of all generations are increasingly choosing to prioritize shopping sustainably regardless of their political affiliation, according to research from NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business . This finding shows a trend toward seeing sustainability as a nonpartisan subject everyone can benefit from, no matter where they lie on the political spectrum. Some might think eco-friendly clothing, in particular, is not fashion-forward; after all, many of the top clothing retailers in the world partake in fast fashion. However, brands are increasingly being recognized as 'cool' and 'trendy' for supporting environmentally ethical practices, particularly as younger generations prioritize sustainability, as noted before. Many increasingly popular online stores are taking advantage of this paradigm shift by offering secondhand shopping options that are not only fashionable, but also more affordable, like ThredUp or Poshmark. Additionally, many legacy large-name brands are hopping on the sustainability movement and are gaining appreciation from loyal customers. Amazon's Climate Pledge Friendly program partners with third-party certification bodies to make it easier for shoppers to identify eco-friendly products as they browse the website. H&M's newly launched H&M Rewear program debuts a resale platform that allows the resale of all clothing brands—not just their own. Similarly, Patagonia's Worn Wear program allows shoppers to trade in and buy used gear and clothing. The federal government is also working to close this gap. The Environmental Protection Agency's Safer Choice program is attempting to make sustainable shopping easier for consumers and companies alike. It includes a directory of certified products, a list of safer chemicals to look out for on labels, a "Safer Choice" label that products can earn to denote they are eco-friendly, and resources for manufacturers looking to adopt more sustainable practices. Most of all, though, the biggest way shoppers can shift toward sustainable shopping is through their behaviors and attitudes amongst their peers and communities. Studies show that humans largely care what others think of their actions; the more shoppers make environmentally conscious shopping the norm, the more others will follow suit. From an economic perspective, the more consumers shop eco-friendly, the more affordable and accessible these products will become, too: Sustainable products are currently more expensive because they are not in high demand. Once demand rises, production rates and prices can lower, making these products more accessible for all. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. This story originally appeared on The RealReal and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!NoneHow McDonald’s was involved in almost every major news story in 2024
FORT THOMAS, Ky. — The Cooper at Highlands football regular-season showdown had plenty on the line in late September. And yet Cooper’s three-point win doesn’t compare to what’s at stake this Friday night in a Class 5A state semifinal in Union. “It’s a big moment, big game,” Highlands junior quarterback Mario Litmer said. “Obviously they got us once this season so really hoping to get them back.” Undefeated Cooper (13-0) plays host to its fourth consecutive postseason game when it goes against District 6 rival Highlands (11-2) at 7 p.m. Friday. The winner advances to play South Warren (12-1) or Bowling Green (11-2) in the Class 5A state final at 8 p.m. Dec. 7 at Kroger Field in Lexington. This is the second straight season that Cooper and Highlands will meet in the state semifinals. Cooper was a Class 5A state runner-up in 2023. Cooper coach Randy Borchers admits that the Bluebirds should’ve won the regular-season matchup this season. He had an inkling the teams could face each other again in a state semifinal. Although both teams aren’t dwelling on the regular season or the 2023 state semifinal. Cooper is ranked No. 1 in the Class 5A state poll, while Highlands is No. 4. “Our kind of philosophy is we’re 0-0 and we want to go 1-0 with a win,” Borchers said. Highlands and Cooper coaches are complimentary of the opposing program. There is a deal of mutual respect. And there is no doubt the teams will be ready to compete Friday night. “Two really good football teams with playmakers,” Borchers said. The Jaguars are led by several players including junior quarterback Cam O’Hara, who has thrown for 3,070 yards and 45 touchdowns. Junior running back Keegan Maher has rushed for 1,433 yards and 22 touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Isaiah Johnson has 56 receptions for 1,089 yards and 22 touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Jaiden Combs has 40 receptions for 815 yards and seven touchdowns. Senior tight end/defensive end Austin Alexander has 37 receptions for 615 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also has 10 sacks on defense. Defensively, junior safety Ryker Campbell has a team-high 91 tackles (75 solo) and a team-high six interceptions. Borchers likes the fact that the Jaguars have reduced the number of penalties since earlier this season. “Randy (Borchers) has done a fabulous job over there,” Highlands coach Bob Sphire said. “That group can really, really play. Hopefully it’s a great game.” Highlands has won seven consecutive games since the 24-21 loss to visiting Cooper Sept. 28. Litmer has thrown for 2,528 yards and 31 touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Adam Surrey has 54 receptions for 932 yards and 10 touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Jackson Arnold has 51 receptions for 827 yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, senior linebacker Thomas Hicks has a team-high 95 tackles. Sophomore defensive back Gabe Williams has a team-high five interceptions. If recent history is any indication, Friday’s game should be very close on the scoreboard. “We’re trying to get to the state championship and win it,” Arnold said. “It doesn’t matter who we’re playing. We’ve got one goal and we’re trying to get there.”\ SIGN UP: Subscribe to our high school sports newsletterWhat We Learned: Loss to ECU showed UNT's defensive issues persistThe rail stocks have been chugging lower in recent months, thanks in part to temporary setbacks (think work stoppages, strikes, etc.). With high barriers to entry into the rail business and the steady, predictable dividend (and earnings) growth trajectories, Canada’s top rail stocks seem poised to get back on their feet after suffering a few stumbles of late. Indeed, the Canadian and U.S. economies need rails to transport massive amounts of goods in order to stay well-oiled. While the odd rail strike, derailment, or even environmental factors like forest fires could take a great deal away from a quarter, I’d argue that it’s the long-term game that counts when it comes to the top rails. At the end of the day, trucks cannot step in for the top rails when bulk shipments need to go from one coast to another. Either way, let’s have a closer look at Canada’s top two rail stocks to see which, if either, is a tempting buy on recent weakness for 2025 and beyond. It’s been a forgettable year for both railways, but as Canada’s economy and the TSX Index attempt to heat up in the new year, perhaps value may wish to give the following names a second look while they’re still down and out. CN Rail ( ) stock is ready to end off what’s been a relatively muted year. Indeed, some headwinds hurt the quarterly results a bit. While you can’t fault management for any setbacks, I think some big changes will be needed if the still-robust railway is to reclaim its title of North America’s most efficient railway. Though CN Rail isn’t operating poorly, given the unfortunate circumstances (think numerous disruptions), I do believe there is low-hanging fruit to go after to improve upon the rail’s efficiency metrics. Either way, I do see ample value in the name today as the stock continues trending lower. Whether the current management team can effectively unlock such value, however, remains the big question going into 2025. Year to date, the stock is down around 7%. With a padded 2.22% dividend yield that’s scheduled to grow every single year, I’d not be afraid to chase the dividend growth stock on the way down. At $155 per share, I think you’re getting a fantastic deal as the railway looks to move past work stoppages and other disruptions that took away from what could have been an up year for the stock. CP Rail (or CPKC) ( ) has been known as CPKS (Canadian Pacific Kansas City) for a while now. Whatever you still call the firm, it’s a dominant rail player that has what it takes to go full speed ahead over the longer term. Going into 2025, though, I’d temper my expectations on the rail firm despite its resilience amid industry headwinds. Though there are potential growth drivers to be had around the Mexican border, I can’t say I’m enthused to pay a 28.3 times trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple for CP shares when CNR is going for just 18.4 times trailing P/E. Sure, there’s more growth in CP, but I think you’re paying way too high a premium to get such growth. As such, I view CNR stock as the far better option in 2025. There’s also a nicer dividend (2.22% yield vs. CP’s 0.72%) to collect while you wait patiently for the rails to hit the high track again.
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Buffett refines fortune plans, donates more sharesNEWCASTLE, England (AP) — Newcastle’s winning run in the English Premier League came to an abrupt end when goals from Thomas Souček and Aaron Wan-Bissaka gave West Ham a surprise 2-0 win at St. James’ Park on Monday. The Hammers rose into 14th place and the pressure on coach Julen Lopetegui was eased. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a week
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Traccom Inc. (Pink Open Market Symbol: TRCC) is pleased to announce that on November 13, 2024 , it acquired all of the capital stock of Vulcain, Inc. ("Vulcain"). As a result of the acquisition, Vulcain has become a wholly owned and main operating subsidiary of Traccom effective immediately. Upon completion of the transaction on November 13, 2024 , Vulcain shareholders were issued 117,813,680 shares of common stock of Traccom in exchange for the acquisition of 100% of the capital stock of Vulcain. This represents 95% of the fully diluted shares of Traccom after the issuance thereof. With the transaction, Vulcain added three members to the Traccom board of directors, with Greg Duffell as CEO, President and CFO, Peter Stockmann as President of the Americas, and replaced Traccom's management. This marks a significant milestone for Vulcain. The company will broaden its market presence in the growing opportunity for Artificial Intelligence (AI) based data solutions. "Trading as a public entity on the Pink Open Market is an important step for Vulcain as we continue to evolve and expand our reach within the Causal AI and Knowledge Management sector," said Greg Duffell , CEO of Traccom. "This transaction will provide us with greater access to capital, enhance our visibility in the marketplace, and allow more investors to participate in our growth story." Becoming a publicly traded company will allow Vulcain to enhance their visibility. This reflects the company's commitment to increasing shareholder value and advancing its corporate growth strategy in Causal AI and Knowledge Management space. Former Traccom CEO and continuing Board member, Harry Steck stated, "For Traccom's shareholders, this transaction provides the opportunity to be invested in one of today's most exciting industries with an impressive technology and management team." Vulcain has commercialized casual AI solutions across various industries including leading US brands in the Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) sector to generate annual recurring revenues (ARR) for the company. Vulcain is planning a next phase of expansion into Insurance, Healthcare, Financial Services and other industries. Vulcain uses causal machine learning algorithms and human domain experts to provide high quality causal features necessary for an accurate AI solution. Vulcain's Causal AI Platform includes causal reasoning models to provide predictive outcomes that identify and explain event risks and opportunities for businesses. Vulcain will continue to focus on bringing human domain knowledge into AI solutions and driving value for organizations seeking to unleash the knowledge from their vast amounts of data, content and domain expertise. Key Highlights: Trading Symbol: TRCC Market Segment: Pink Open Market Sector: Technology, AI About Traccom, Inc. The company is at the intersection of human and artificial intelligence, leading the charge to AI 3.0 with high value feature solutions for business. Vulcain's Causal AI platform is used for harmonizing, testing, and validating data for extracting and commercializing knowledge. The Vulcain platform combines hundreds of millions of AI ready data sets and human domain knowledge to provide a ready to use solution that can be customized, scaled and adapted for customer use-cases and human intervention. With a commitment to human-AI, excellence, sustainability, and customer-centric solutions, the company believes that it is poised for long-term growth and success in the global AI marketplace. For more information about the company and its wholly owned subsidiary Vulcain, Inc., visit www.vulcain.ai . Forward-Looking Statements This press release may include ''forward-looking statements.'' All statements pertaining to our future financial and/or operating results, future events, or future developments may constitute forward-looking statements. The statements may be identified by words such as "expect," "look forward to," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "estimate," "will," "project," or words of similar meaning. Such statements are based on the current expectations and certain assumptions of our management, of which many are beyond our control. These are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and factors. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying expectations not occur or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results, performance, or our achievements may (negatively or positively) vary materially from those described explicitly or implicitly in the relevant forward-looking statement. We neither intend, nor assume any obligation, to update or revise these forward-looking statements in light of developments which differ from those anticipated. You are urged to carefully review and consider any cautionary statements and the Company's other disclosures filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the document in which they are contained. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Traccom Inc
Tesla Stock Falls As Analyst Says 'Animal Spirits' Spur Post-Election Rally, Not FundamentalsFerguson is already one of the FTC’s five commissioners, which is currently made up of three Democrats and two Republicans. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Middle East concluded its landmark 2024 Year-End Conference “Qatar: Morphogenesis of a Pearl”, with the announcement that host venue Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) has won the AIA Middle East Award for Urban Design and Planning Excellence. The recognition underscores Msheireb’s transformative approach to smart sustainable urban development, blending traditional Qatari heritage with innovative architectural practices, a statement said Sunday. “At Msheireb Properties, we have always sought to create developments that honour our heritage while addressing the needs of the future,” said Msheireb Properties chief executive engineer Ali al-Kuwari. “Winning the AIA Middle East Award speaks to the success of Msheireb Downtown Doha in setting a new benchmark for urban design and sustainability that can be replicated globally.” The conference, held over two days and concluding on Saturday, showcased the MDD’s distinctive architectural style and innovative sustainable practices. All buildings in the district have achieved either LEED Gold or Platinum certification, demonstrating the highest standard of environmental sustainability in real estate development. The conference united top architects, urban planners, and design professionals from renowned firms including Pei Architects, Foster + Partners, ISOZAKI + HuQian Partners, and Zaha Hadid to explore Qatar’s architectural evolution, spotlighting the transformative role Msheireb Downtown Doha has played in promoting architectural innovation and smart design. US embassy chargé d’affaires Stefanie Altman-Winans emphasised architecture’s role in cultural dialogue: “Architecture has always been more than just buildings – it is the physical embodiment of our values, aspirations, and shared future.” “I have witnessed firsthand how architecture serves as a powerful instrument of public diplomacy, creating spaces that foster dialogue, understanding, and cultural exchange,” the official added. Li Chung “Sandi” Pei, founding partner of Pei Architects, offered unique perspectives on architectural heritage and innovation. “The past holds invaluable lessons in craftsmanship, materials, cultural context, and the evolving relationship between humans and their built environments,” he said. “By this means, architects can draw inspiration from time-tested solutions to contemporary challenges – whether it’s sustainability, space efficiency, or creating spaces that foster community and connection.” The judges were impressed with Msheireb Properties’ commitment to reviving the historic heart of Doha through a modern lens. Guided by a groundbreaking architectural framework, the “Seven Principles”, Msheireb Downtown Doha represents a seamless integration of Qatari architectural traditions with contemporary urban planning principles. It focuses on principles such as continuity between past and present, nurturing community development through harmonious urban design, and leveraging technology to maximise energy efficiency while respecting Qatar’s climate and resident needs. “This year’s conference in Doha proved to be an extraordinary success, showcasing a city whose architectural evolution is a testament to its rapid growth and bold vision for the future,” said AIA Middle East executive director Sherif W Anis. “The diverse range of speakers and topics highlighted Qatar’s journey from its traditional roots to its current position as a global architectural hub.” Related Story Al-Attiyah wins 51st Cyprus Rally; al-Kuwari becomes Middle East Rally Champions Qatar Tourism celebrates Global Exhibitions Day for first time in Middle EastA graffiti attack has been condemned as the latest hate crime designed to strike fear into Jewish communities, as leaders worry about how the attacks could escalate. Login or signup to continue reading The overnight incident in Sydney's eastern suburbs is an "abhorrent anti-Semitic hate crime" following similar incidents across the country, the prime minister says. Graffiti including 'Kill Israiel' (sic) was sprayed on buildings and footpaths in Woollahra, a suburb known for its Jewish community, in the early hours of Wednesday. A car, believed to be stolen, which the perpetrators drove to the scene was set on fire on Magney Street, NSW police said. Resources have been increased as officers follow all leads, Commissioner Karen Webb told reporters. "What happened last night is disgusting, and there's no place for hate of this nature in Sydney or anywhere in Australia," she said. Premier Chris Minns said it was a hate crime. "A violent act of destruction, clearly anti-Semitic, designed to strike fear into the community that lives in this part of Sydney," he told reporters. The perpetrators, believed to be two males of slim build, aged between 15 and 20, wore face coverings and dark clothing. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was an "anti-Semitic attack". "This isn't an attack on a government, this is an attack on people because they happen to be Jewish," he told ABC radio. "This is a hate crime, it's as simple as that." Mr Albanese said the perpetrators committed "abhorrent criminal behaviour". "This does not change anything that is occurring on the ground in the Middle East," he said. "This is an attack against their fellow Australians." Foreign Minister Penny Wong said acts of hate had no place in Australia and anti-Semitism was condemned wherever it occurred. "Australian Jewish communities have a right to be and feel safe," she said on social media. The attack comes after the Adass Israel Synagogue at Ripponlea in Melbourne's southeast was set alight in a pre-dawn attack on Friday while a number of people were inside. Australian Federal Police have set up a special operation in response to the "likely" act of terrorism, which will investigate threats, violence and hatred towards the Jewish community and parliamentarians. It will also investigate Wednesday's attack, the second recent incident in Woollahra after buildings and vehicles were targeted in November. A ute was set on fire, and multiple cars, a restaurant and other buildings were graffitied with anti-Israel messages. Two men are in custody, charged over that attack. Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said it was designed to terrorise Jewish Australians. "The Jewish community again wakes to scenes of terror and devastation," he said. "How long will this continue and with what horrors will it end?" Australian Associated Press DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. 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