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NEW YORK — Israel Vazquez, a three-time super bantamweight boxing world champion, has died from cancer at age 46. His death was announced early Tuesday morning by World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman. “Israel is finally resting in peace. May God give strength and support to his wife Laura, their children, family and friends during these difficult times,” Sulaiman wrote on social media. “Thank you champion for leaving such a special mark. You will always be ‘El Magnifico.' ” Trainer Freddie Roach mourned Vazquez on Instagram. “Forever a world champion and legend in boxing. One of the best boxers I ever had the privilege of working with,” Roached captioned a photo of them after Vazquez won the WBC title. “Israel, my friend, may you rest in peace now.” Vazquez revealed last month he’d been diagnosed with stage 4 sarcoma and was receiving treatment in Los Angeles. “He can hardly speak and, when he does, he is short of breath. He is very weak,” his wife, Laura Vazquez, told the Los Angeles Times in early November. A celebrated Mexican fighter who combined devastating punches with speed, Vazquez was most known for his rivalry with Rafael Marquez. The two faced off in four title fights, which they split. In their third fight, in 2008, Vazquez won despite suffering a detached retina which kept him out of the ring more than a year and a half. He was able to make a comeback, but lost to Marquez in what turned out to be Vazquez’s final fight. Vazquez was 44-5 in his career, with 32 knockouts. He’s survived by wife Laura, sons Israel Jr. and Anthony, daughter Zoe, his parents and sister. ©2024 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Changi Airport is often touted as one of the world's best airports. Apparently, its hospitality extends to animals as well. A video, originally posted by @moonjuice_kombucha on Instagram, has been circulating on social media — for an amusing reason. It shows a lady, who appears to be a staff member at Changi Airport, guiding a macaque towards the exit. Photo from @moonjuice_kombucha/Instagram Photo from @moonjuice_kombucha/Instagram The macaque is one of at least two monkeys spotted wandering around the Changi Airport Terminal 2 Departure Hall at around 2pm on Dec. 3. The monkey whisperer In an unfamiliar and crowded environment, it’s normal to get lost, or even separated from your travel counterparts. At such times, one can rely on the guidance of staff — as the monkey in the video seems to have done. The staff member appeared to be gesturing toward the exit, and even speaking to the monkey. To the amusement of viewers, the macaque, despite its likely confusion, seemed to mostly follow her instructions. It cautiously stepped towards where the staff member was pointing. Photo from @moonjuice_kombucha/Instagram Things seemed to be going well, but in true mischievous monkey fashion, it suddenly took a step to the right, away from the exit. Photo from @moonjuice_kombucha/Instagram According to an Instagram story by @moonjuice_kombucha, the lady was "lovely and calm" when guiding the monkey away from the crowd. Photo from @moonjuice_kombucha/Instagram "This way, sir" The staff member’s hospitality won the hearts of netizens, with many commending her on stepping up to guide the monkey. Some were most amused at her attempts to communicate with the macaque. Photo from @thesingaporeanson/TikTok Others applauded her actions, adding that her service skills are top-notch. Photo from @thesingaporeanson/TikTok Photo from @thesingaporeanson/TikTok Some added that her service is testimony to Changi deserving the title of the best airport globally. Photo from @thesingaporeanson/TikTok Best to call the authorities While the staff member’s actions were well-intentioned, it is unclear if she was aware of proper monkey guarding techniques, as some of her actions may have risked aggravating the macaque. Primatologist Andie Ang, head of primate conservation and Singapore programmes at Mandai Nature, told Mothership contacting the authorities would be the best option if personnel are unaware of proper techniques to guide the monkey out. "The last thing you [want] to do is to add to its fears and anxiety, and cause it to react to the situation," said Ang. Mothership has contacted the National Parks Board (NParks) and Changi Airport Group for comments. What to do when you encounter macaques The long-tailed macaque is one of Singapore's native primate species, and naturally inhabits forested areas, according to NParks . However, it also frequents its immediate surroundings to explore and forage for food, and is "innately curious". As such, members of the public are advised not to feed them, and to minimise contact with them, NParks said. Here are some other tips for those encountering macaques: Related stories Top image from @moonjuice_kombucha/InstagramOTTAWA — Two senior members of the federal cabinet were in Florida Friday pushing Canada's new $1.3 billion border plan with members of Donald Trump's transition team, a day after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself appeared to finally push back at the president-elect over his social media posts about turning Canada into the 51st state. Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Affair Minister Melanie Joly shared few details of their meetings in Palm Beach, simply saying in a statement the U.S. officials they met with took notes and agreed to relay messages to Trump. "Minister LeBlanc and Minister Joly had a positive, productive meeting at Mar-a-Lago with Howard Lutnick and Doug Burgum, as a followup to the dinner between the prime minister and President Trump last month," wrote Jean-Sébastien Comeau, a spokesman for LeBlanc. Lutnick is Trump's nominee for commerce secretary, and Burgum is the former governor of North Dakota and current nominee for secretary of the interior. When announcing Lutnick as his commerce pick Trump said the chief executive of the financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald would be in charge of the Trump "tariff and trade agenda." "Both Ministers outlined the measures in Canada’s Border Plan and reiterated the shared commitment to strengthen border security as well as combat the harm caused by fentanyl to save Canadian and American lives." He added the ministers agreed to continue the discussions in the coming weeks. Joly is also expected to meet in Florida with senator Lindsay Graham Friday evening. This trip comes less than four weeks before Trump is sworn in again as president. He has threatened to impose a new 25 per cent import tariff on Canada and Mexico the same day over concerns about a trade imbalance, as well as illegal drugs and migration issues at the borders. The broad strokes of Canada's new border plan were made public Dec. 17, including a new aerial intelligence task force to provide round-the-clock surveillance of the border, and improved efforts using technology and canine teams to seek out drugs in shipments leaving Canada. Comeau said earlier Friday morning the ministers would also emphasize the negative impacts of Trump's threatened tariffs on both Canada and the U.S. Comeau said the ministers were to build on the discussions that took place last month when Trudeau and LeBlanc met Trump at Mar-a-Lago just days after Trump first made his tariff threat. It was at that dinner on Nov. 29 when Trump first raised the notion of Canada becoming the 51st state, a comment LeBlanc has repeatedly since insisted was just a joke. But Trump has continued the quip repeatedly in various social media posts, including in his Christmas Day message when he said Canadians would pay lower taxes and have better military protection if they became Americans. He has taken to calling Trudeau "governor" instead of prime minister. It isn't clear if LeBlanc raised the issue with Trump's team in Palm Beach Friday. Trudeau had not directly responded to any of the jabs, but on Thursday posted a link to a six-minute long video on YouTube from 2010 in which American journalist Tom Brokaw "explains Canada to Americans." "Some information about Canada for Americans" was all he wrote in the post. The video, which originally aired during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, explains similarities between the two countries, including their founding based on immigration, their trading relationship and the actions of the Canadian Army in World War 2 and other modern conflicts. "In the long history of sovereign neighbours there has never been a relationship as close, productive and peaceful as the U.S. and Canada," Brokaw says in the video. Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, who is at the centre of some of Trudeau's recent domestic political troubles, also called out Trump's antics on X Thursday, calling it "casual disrespect" and "carrying the 'joke' too far." "Time to call it out, stand up for Canada, and build a true North American partnership," said Carney, who Trudeau was courting to join his cabinet before Chrystia Freeland resigned as finance minister last week. Freeland's sudden departure, three days after Trudeau informed her he would be firing her as finance minister in favour of Carney, left Trudeau's leadership even more bruised than it already was. Despite the expectation Carney would assume the role, he did not and has not made any statements about it. LeBlanc was sworn in as finance minister instead the same day Freeland quit. More than two dozen Liberal MPs have publicly called on Trudeau to resign as leader, and Trudeau is said to be taking the holidays to think about his next steps. He is currently vacationing in British Columbia. He did not make a public statement about the meeting as of publication. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2024. Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press
The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) stands as a powerful testament to Pakistan’s commitment to social justice and social protection. The very idea of social safety programme was conceived by ex-Prime Minister of Pakistan Mohtarma Shaheed Benazir Bhutto during her time in exile, the idea aimed to provide economic relief to the country’s most vulnerable population, particularly women, who often bore the brunt of socio-economic inequities. After her unfortunate assassination, Pakistan People’s Party-led Federal Government launched BISP in 2008 and her vision was transformed into reality under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari. Today, BISP through quarterly cash grant supports 9.6 million households, a number set to increase to 10 million by June 2025, becoming Pakistan’s largest and most influential social protection programme. This ambitious programme, designed to offer direct financial assistance to the poorest families through Benazir Kafalat programme, has been particularly transformative for women, positioning them as heads of their households in a country where women have historically been sidelined in economic, social, and political decision-making. From providing cash transfers and promoting maternal and child health through programmes like Benazir Nashonuma, to investing in education with the Benazir Taleemi Wazaif initiative, and now implementing a skill development programme to ensure poverty graduation through global employability of beneficiaries & their families, BISP continues to break barriers, offering financial inclusion and social empowerment to millions across Pakistan A journey of learning and leading Once a learner, BISP now stands as a leader in global social protection, setting an example for developing countries to follow. For years, BISP has looked beyond its borders to draw lessons from international models of social protection, adapting and refining its own initiatives. But in a remarkable turn of events, developing countries from across the globe are now visiting Pakistan to study BISP’s practices, which have gained recognition worldwide for their success in empowering marginalized populations. Recently in October, 2024, a 21-member Ugandan delegation, led by Lucy Nakyobe Mbonye, Secretary of Public Service, paid four-day study visit to the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). While briefing the delegates, Dr. Tahir Noor, Additional Secretary BISP, attributed BISP’s success to its scientific, and objective targeting, technology based payment mechanisms, the trust of international development partners, and independent third-party monitoring. Ms. Coco Ushiyama, Country Director of the World Food Programme, also commended BISP’s evidence-based database and its role in providing timely assistance during natural disasters. This shift represents a significant milestone not only for BISP but also for Pakistan’s growing influence in the global development sector. At the South-South Cooperation Forum held in Islamabad on November 14, 2024, Pakistan’s success story was showcased as a model for social protection systems across the globe. Representatives from West African nations, including Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Senegal, gathered in Islamabad to learn firsthand from Pakistan’s pioneering work in social welfare. Delegates were particularly impressed by BISP’s ability to integrate women into the economic mainstream, a critical step toward achieving long-term social and economic stability. “Today, we are not just learning from others; we are teaching others,” said Secretary BISP Amer Ali Ahmad during his address at the event. He proudly highlighted BISP’s transformation over the years—from a fledgling initiative in 2008 to a globally recognized model of inclusive social protection. The programme’s emphasis on empowering women through direct cash transfers, health and nutrition programmes, and educational incentives has not only supported millions of under-privileged but has also set a new standard for how social welfare can contribute in generating socioeconomic activities in less developed areas as major part of BISP Rs 598 billion budget is pumped into local economy through these quarterly cash grants to more than 9.6 million families across the country. BISP’s global impact: a beacon for social protection The South-South Cooperation forum, which brought together global development partners such as the World Food Programme, World Bank, UNICEF, KfW, GIZ and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), was recognition of the profound impact BISP has had, not just within Pakistan but across the world. The participating countries, each grappling with their own poverty and development challenges, came to Pakistan seeking solutions that could be adapted and implemented in their respective contexts. The delegation from Mali, led by Redouwane Mohamed Ali, Minister of Food Security, praised Pakistan for its robust social safety net, particularly BISP’s ability to deliver aid efficiently through its innovative payment mechanisms, such as biometric verification, mobile banking, and dynamic data registry mechanism. BISP’s cutting-edge approach to cash transfers has streamlined the process, combating corruption and ensuring that the right individuals benefit from the programme. BISP has advanced its digital payment systems by introducing biometric-enabled transactions in collaboration with six banks, improving security, transparency, and access for beneficiaries. Additionally, a pilot savings scheme offers a 40% quarterly bonus to encourage a culture of saving amongst these vulnerable segments of society. The future plan of BISP to phase out POS agents will empower women to independently access their social security funds, enhancing their financial autonomy. Similarly, Amedee Bamouni, Secretary of the National Council for Social Protection of Burkina Faso, commended BISP’s dynamic registry centers and national socio-economic database, which track the financial status of beneficiaries, ensuring that aid reaches the most deserving families. He emphasized how BISP’s transparent systems and use of technology could serve as a valuable blueprint for social protection programmes in Burkina Faso and other countries facing similar challenges. In addition to financial transfers, BISP’s focus on maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) was another key area of interest for the visiting delegates. The Benazir Nashonuma Programme, which provides cash incentives linked to health and nutrition outcomes, has helped combat malnutrition and stunting among new born children and has improved health of mothers, particularly in rural areas. BISP has allocated PKR 42 billion (approx. USD 144 million) to the Program, benefiting 2.6 million pregnant and lactating women, contributing to better maternal and infant health outcomes. This programme’s success, supported by the World Food Programme (WFP), has demonstrated how integrating health and nutrition with cash transfers can lead to long-term improvements in the health of entire communities. A vision for the future: expanding global cooperation As Pakistan continues to advance its social protection agenda, the importance of global collaboration cannot be overstated. The South-South Cooperation forum marks the beginning of a new chapter in Pakistan’s social welfare journey, one that involves sharing lessons learned with other developing nations while also learning from their unique challenges and solutions. The exchange of knowledge between Pakistan and West African countries promises to deepen the understanding of how social protection systems can be tailored to the needs of local populations, addressing challenges like poverty, malnutrition, and gender inequality. Through mutual cooperation, countries can build stronger, more resilient social safety nets that lift people out of poverty and empower them to contribute to their countries’ economic development. As Senator Rubina Khalid, Chairperson of BISP, aptly put it during the forum: “The success of BISP is not only a significant achievement for Pakistan, but it has also brought in international recognition as a model of effective social protection. It is a moment of immense pride for our nation to witness our social protection program being studied and admired by countries worldwide. I am delighted to see the vision of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed transforming into a tangible reality, now celebrated on the global stage. This is a testament to how visionary leadership can shape the priorities of a nation. BISP has become a flagship programme and a case study for many countries striving to establish their own social protection systems.“ The Recognition of BISP as a model for social protection is a testament to Pakistan’s ability to create meaningful change at both the national and international levels, BISP is not just shaping Pakistan’s future but also contributing to UNDP global goals of No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health, Gender Equality, Decent Work and Economic Growth & Reduced Inequalities for a more inclusive Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2024None
The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) — Zahir Abdus-Salaam ran for a touchdown and caught another as Western Michigan defeated Eastern Michigan 26-18 on Saturday to become bowl eligible, snapping a three-game losing streak. Abdus-Salaam scored on a 22-yard run for a 23-8 lead in the third quarter and he celebrated by jumping into a snowbank bordering the end zone. The Broncos (6-6, 5-3 Mid-American Conference) blocked a punt for safety that started a run of 16 points in under four minutes. Abdus-Salaam scored on a 31-yard screen pass then Joey Pope recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff to set up Jalen Buckley’s 15-yard TD run with 19 seconds before the half ended. Eastern Michigan’s Delmert Mimms II scored two third-quarter touchdowns. The teams exchanged field goals for the only fourth-quarter scoring. The Eagles got the ball back with 2:18 remaining but on their first play Bilhal Kone intercepted a tipped pass. Eastern Michigan (5-7, 2-6) lost its last five games. Abdus-Salaam rushed for 135 yards and Buckley 103 on 19 carries apiece. Hayden Wolff threw for 126 yards and a score. Abdus-Salaam had 40 yards receiving. Mimms rushed for 127 yards on 18 carries. Cole Snyder was only 7 of 22 for 91 yards passing. ___ AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football . Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Middle East latest: Israeli strikes on Gaza hospital wound 3, Netanyahu vows 'iron fist' in LebanonUS President-elect Donald Trump filed a brief Friday urging the Supreme Court to pause a law that would ban TikTok the day before his January 20 inauguration if it is not sold by its Chinese owner ByteDance. “In light of the novelty and difficulty of this case, the court should consider staying the statutory deadline to grant more breathing space to address these issues,” Trump’s legal team wrote, to give him “the opportunity to pursue a political resolution.” Trump was fiercely opposed to TikTok during his 2017-21 first term, and tried in vain to ban the video app on national security grounds. The Republican voiced concerns — echoed by political rivals — that the Chinese government might tap into US TikTok users’ data or manipulate what they see on the platform. US officials had also voiced alarm over the popularity of the video-sharing app with young people, alleging that its parent company is subservient to Beijing and that the app is used to spread propaganda, claims denied by the company and the Chinese government. Trump called for a US company to buy TikTok, with the government sharing in the sale price, and his successor Joe Biden went one stage further — signing a law to ban the app for the same reasons. Trump has now, however, reversed course. “Now (that) I’m thinking about it, I’m for TikTok, because you need competition,” he recently told Bloomberg. “If you don’t have TikTok, you have Facebook and Instagram — and that’s, you know, that’s Zuckerberg.” Facebook, founded by Mark Zuckerberg and part of his Meta tech empire, was among the social media networks that banned Trump after attacks by his supporters on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. The ban was driven by concerns that he would use the platform to promote more violence. Those bans on major social media platforms were later lifted. In the brief filed on Friday, Trump’s lawyer made it clear the president-elect did not take a position on the legal merits of the current case. “President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute,” John Sauer wrote in the amicus curiae — or “friend of the court” — brief. “Instead, he respectfully requests that the court consider staying the act’s deadline for divestment of January 19, 2025, while it considers the merits of this case, thus permitting President Trump’s incoming Administration the opportunity to pursue a political resolution of the questions at issue in the case.” With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.Middle East latest: Israel's Netanyahu announces support for a cease-fire with Hezbollah
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Safety Jonas Sanker and wide receiver Malachi Fields were Virginia’s best defensive player and offensive player, respectively, this past season. And on Tuesday, the pair of Charlottesville natives were rewarded, each voted All-ACC selections by a panel of media members and the league’s 17 head coaches. Sanker earned a spot on the All-ACC first team for the second straight year while Fields was a third-team choice. Virginia safety Jonas Sanker (20) intercepts a ball intended for Pittsburgh wide receiver Raphael Williams Jr. (5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Pittsburgh. Three others — linebacker Kam Robinson, center Brian Stevens and punter Daniel Sparks — gained honorable mention accolades. Sanker’s 66 solo tackles led the conference and were sixth most in the FBS. He topped UVa with 98 total tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss, too. He was recognized as ACC Defensive Back of the Week four times this season. His fumble recovery and 40-yard return for a touchdown helped the Cavaliers secure a victory against Boston College in early October. And in UVa’s win at Pittsburgh last month, on three consecutive defensive snaps, he had a tackle for loss, blocked field goal and interception to ignite the come-from-behind triumph. “I thought he played a really good football game, but that’s what he’s been doing all year,” Hoos coach Tony Elliott said after that win over the Panthers. “That’s Jonas being Jonas and I’m glad he’s on our team.” Fields finished the year with 808 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He spent the season as the Cavaliers’ clear-cut top target. Virginia's Malachi Fields catches a pass in the University of Virginia vs. University of North Carolina football game at Scott Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. He had three 100-yard performances and had a multi-touchdown effort in UVa’s win at Coastal Carolina. Sanker, an alum on The Covenant School, earned invites to the Reese’s Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl. Fields, a graduate of Monticello High School, was also invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl. Greg Madia gmadia@dailyprogress.com @GregMadia on X Get local news delivered to your inbox! UVa sports reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.LONDON (AP) — A woman who claimed mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in a Dublin hotel penthouse was awarded nearly 250,000 Euros ($257,000) on Friday by a civil court jury in Ireland. Nikita Hand said the Dec. 9, 2018, assault after a night of partying left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced the woman to do anything against her will and said she fabricated the allegations after the two had consensual sex. His lawyer had called Hand a gold digger. The fighter, once the face of the Ultimate Fighting Championship but now past his prime, shook his head as the jury of eight women and four men found him liable for assault after deliberating about six hours in the High Court in Dublin. He was mobbed by cameras as he left court but did not comment. He later said on the social platform X that he would appeal the verdict and the “modest award.” Hand's voice cracked and her hands trembled as she read a statement outside the courthouse, saying she would never forget what happened to her but would now be able to move on with her life. She thanked her family, partner, friends, jurors, the judge and all the supporters that had reached out to her online, but particularly her daughter. “She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years throughout this nightmare to keep on pushing forward for justice,” she said. “I want to show (her) and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and justice will be served.” The Associated Press generally does not name alleged victims of sexual violence unless they come forward publicly, as Hand has done. Under Irish law, she did not have the anonymity she would have been granted in a criminal proceeding and was named publicly throughout the trial. Her lawyer told jurors that McGregor was angry about a fight he had lost in Las Vegas two months earlier and took it out on his client. “He’s not a man, he’s a coward,” attorney John Gordon said in his closing speech. “A devious coward and you should treat him for what he is.” Gordon said his client never pretended to be a saint and was only looking to have fun when she sent McGregor a message through Instagram after attending a Christmas party. He said Hand knew McGregor socially and that they had grown up in the same area. She said he picked her and a friend up in a car and shared cocaine with them, which McGregor admitted in court, on the way to the Beacon Hotel. Hand said she told McGregor she didn't want to have sex with him and that she was menstruating. She said she told him “no” as he started kissing her but he eventually pinned her to a bed and she couldn't move. McGregor put her in a chokehold and later told her, “now you know how I felt in the octagon where I tapped out three times,” referring to a UFC match when he had to admit defeat, she said. Hand had to take several breaks in emotional testimony over three days. She said McGregor threatened to kill her during the encounter and she feared she would never see her young daughter again. Story continues below video Eventually, he let go of her. “I remember saying I was sorry, as I felt that I did something wrong and I wanted to reassure him that I wouldn’t tell anyone so he wouldn’t hurt me again,” she testified. She said she then let him do what he wanted and he had sex with her. A paramedic who examined Hand the next day testified that she had never before seen someone with that intensity of bruising. A doctor told jurors Hand had multiple injuries. Hand said the trauma of the attack had left her unable to work as a hairdresser, she fell behind on her mortgage and had to move out of her house. Police investigated the woman’s complaint but prosecutors declined to bring charges, saying there was insufficient evidence and a conviction was unlikely. McGregor, in his post on X, said he was disappointed jurors didn't see all the evidence prosecutors had reviewed. He testified that the two had athletic and vigorous sex, but that it was not rough. He said “she never said ‘no’ or stopped” and testified that everything she said was a lie. “It is a full blown lie among many lies,” he said when asked about the chokehold allegation. “How anyone could believe that me, as a prideful person, would highlight my shortcomings.” McGregor’s lawyer told jurors they had to set aside their animus toward the fighter. “You may have an active dislike of him, some of you may even loathe him – there is no point pretending that the situation might be otherwise,” attorney Remy Farrell said. “I’m not asking you to invite him to Sunday brunch.” The defense said the woman never told investigators McGregor threatened her life. They also showed surveillance video in court that they said appeared to show the woman kiss McGregor’s arm and hug him after they left the hotel room. Farrell said she looked “happy, happy, happy.” McGregor said he was “beyond petrified” when first questioned by police and read them a prepared statement. On the advice of his lawyer, he refused to answer more than 100 follow-up questions. The jury ruled against Hand in a case she brought against one of McGregor’s friends, James Lawrence, whom she accused of having sex with her in the hotel without consent.None
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he would recommend his Cabinet adopt a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as Israeli warplanes struck across Lebanon, killing at least 23 people. The Israeli airstrikes and evacuation warnings were in a sign that Netanyahu aims to inflict punishment on Hezbollah in the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. Hezbollah, meanwhile, had resumed its rocket fire into Israel, triggering air raid sirens across the country's north. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Hezbollah began attacking Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, a day after Hamas’ attack on southern Israel, in support of the Palestinian militant group. That has set off more than a year of fighting escalated into all-out war in September with massive Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon and an Israeli ground invasion of the country’s south. Hezbollah has fired thousands of rockets into Israeli military bases, cities and towns, including some 250 projectiles on Sunday. It’s not clear how the ceasefire will affect the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, where more than 44,000 people have been killed and more than 104,000 wounded in the 13-month war between Israel and Hamas, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. ——— Here's the Latest: JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he would recommend his Cabinet adopt a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as Israeli warplanes struck across Lebanon, killing at least 23 people. The Israeli military also issued a flurry of evacuation warnings — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah down to the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. For the first time in the conflict, Israeli ground troops reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River, a focal point of the emerging deal. In a televised statement, Netanyahu said he would present the ceasefire to Cabinet ministers later on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting. Netanyahu said the vote was expected later Tuesday. It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released. The deal does not affect Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, which shows no signs of ending. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s state media said Israeli strikes on Tuesday killed at least 10 people in Baalbek province the country’s east. At least three people were killed in the southern city of Tyre when Israel bombed a Palestinian refugee camp, said Mohammed Bikai, a representative of the Fatah group in the area. He said several more people were missing and at least three children were among the wounded. He said the sites struck inside the camp were “completely civilian places” and included a kitchen that was being used to cook food for displaced people. JERUSALEM — Dozens of Israeli protesters took to a major highway in Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening to call for the return of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, as the country awaited news of a potential ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Protesters chanted “We are all hostages,” and “Deal now!” waving signs with faces of some of the roughly 100 hostages believed to be still held in Gaza, at least a third of whom are thought to be dead. Most of the other hostages Hamas captured in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack were released during a ceasefire last year. The prospect of a ceasefire deal in Lebanon has raised desperation among the relatives of captives still held in Gaza, who once hoped that the release of hostages from Gaza would be included. Instead of a comprehensive deal, the ceasefire on the table is instead narrowly confined to Lebanon. Dozens of Israelis were also demonstrating against the expected cease-fire, gathering outside Israel’s military headquarters in central Tel Aviv. One of the protesters, Yair Ansbacher, says the deal is merely a return to the failed 2006 U.N. resolution that was meant to uproot Hezbollah from the area. “Of course that didn’t happen,” he says. “This agreement is not worth the paper it is written on.” FIUGGI, Italy — Foreign ministers from the world’s industrialized countries said Tuesday they strongly supported an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and insisted that Israel comply with international law in its ongoing military operations in the region. At the end of their two-day summit, the ministers didn’t refer directly to the International Criminal Court and its recent arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister over crimes against humanity . Italy had put the ICC warrants on the official meeting agenda, even though the G7 was split on the issue. The U.S., Israel’s closest ally, isn’t a signatory to the court and has called the warrants “outrageous.” However, the EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell said all the other G7 countries were signatories and therefore obliged to respect the warrants. In the end, the final statement adopted by the ministers said Israel, in exercising its right to defend itself, “must fully comply with its obligations under international law in all circumstances, including international humanitarian law.” And it said all G7 members — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States – “reiterate our commitment to international humanitarian law and will comply with our respective obligations.” It stressed that “there can be no equivalence between the terrorist group Hamas and the State of Israel.” The ICC warrants say there's reason to believe Netanyahu used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and intentionally targeted civilians in Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza — charges Israeli officials deny. BEIRUT — An Israeli strike on Tuesday levelled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded in Beirut, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. It was not immediately clear if anyone in particular was targeted, though Israel says its airstrikes target Hezbollah officials and assets. The Israeli military spokesman issued a flurry of evacuation warnings for many areas, including areas in Beirut that have not been targeted throughout the war, like the capital’s commercial Hamra district, where many people displaced by the war have been staying. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks in Lebanon during the final hours before a ceasefire is reached, sparked panic and sent residents fleeing in their cars to safer areas. In areas close to Hamra, families including women and children were seen running away toward the Mediterranean Sea’s beaches carrying their belongings. Traffic was completely gridlocked as people tried to get away, honking their car horns as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. The Israeli military also issued warnings for 20 more buildings in Beirut’s suburbs to evacuate before they too were struck — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah in the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. TEL AVIV, Israel — The independent civilian commission of inquiry into the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel has found Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly responsible for the failures leading up to the attack, alongside former defense ministers, the army chief and the heads of the security services. The civil commission presented its findings today after a four-month probe in which it heard some 120 witnesses. It was set up by relatives of victims of the Hamas attack, in response to the absence of any state probe. The commission determined that the Israeli government, its army and security services “failed in their primary mission of protecting the citizens of Israel.” It said Netanyahu was responsible for ignoring “repeated warnings” ahead of Oct. 7, 2023 for what it described as his appeasing approach over the years toward Hamas, and for “undermining all decision-making centers, including the cabinet and the National Security Council, in a way that prevented any serious discussion” on security issues. The commission further determined that the military and defense leaders bear blame for ignoring warnings from within the army, and for reducing the army’s presence along the Gaza border while relying excessively on technological means. On the day of the Hamas attack, the report says, the army’s response was both slow and lacking. The civil commission called for the immediate establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the Oct. 7 attack. Netanyahu has opposed launching a state commission of inquiry, arguing that such an investigation should begin only once the war is over. JERUSALEM -- The Israeli military says its ground troops have reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River — a focal point of the emerging ceasefire. In a statement Tuesday, the army said it had reached the Wadi Slouqi area in southern Lebanon and clashed with Hezbollah forces. Under a proposed ceasefire, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is some 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the Israeli border. The military says the clashes with Hezbollah took place on the eastern end of the Litani, just a few kilometers (miles) from the border. It is one of the deepest places Israeli forces have reached in a nearly two-month ground operation. The military says soldiers destroyed rocket launchers and missiles and engaged in “close-quarters combat” with Hezbollah forces. The announcement came hours before Israel’s security Cabinet is expected to approve a ceasefire that would end nearly 14 months of fighting. BEIRUT — Israeli jets Tuesday struck at least six buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including one that slammed near the country’s only airport. Large plumes of smoke could be seen around the airport near the Mediterranean coast, which has continued to function despite its location beside the densely populated suburbs where many of Hezbollah’s operations are based. The strikes come hours before Israel’s cabinet was scheduled to meet to discuss a proposal to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. The proposal 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. There were no immediate reports of casualties from Tuesday’s airstrikes. FIUGGI, Italy — EU top diplomat Josep Borrell, whose term ends Dec. 1, said he proposed to the G7 and Arab ministers who joined in talks on Monday that the U.N. Security Council take up a resolution specifically demanding humanitarian assistance reach Palestinians in Gaza, saying deliveries have been completely impeded. “The two-state solution will come later. Everything will come later. But we are talking about weeks or days,” for desperate Palestinians, he said. “Hunger has been used as an arm against people who are completely abandoned.” It was a reference to the main accusation levelled by the International Criminal Court in its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Borrell said the signatories to the court, including six of the seven G7 members, are obliged under international law to respect and implement the court’s decisions. Host Italy put the ICC warrants on the G7 agenda at the last minute, but there was no consensus on the wording of how the G7 would respond given the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Italy, too, has said it respects the court but expressed concern that the warrants were politically motivated and ill-advised given Netanyahu is necessary for any deal to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “Like it or not, the International Criminal Court is a court as powerful as any national court,” Borrell said. “And if the Europeans don’t support International Criminal Court then there would not be any hope for justice,” he said. Borrell, whose term ends Dec. 1, said he proposed to the G7 and Arab ministers who joined in talks on Monday that the U.N. Security Council take up a resolution specifically demanding humanitarian assistance reach Palestinians in Gaza, saying deliveries have been completely impeded. “The two-state solution will come later. Everything will come later. But we are talking about weeks or days,” for desperate Palestinians, he said. “Hunger has been used as an arm against people who are completely abandoned.” It was a reference to the main accusation levelled by the International Criminal Court in its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Borrell said the signatories to the court, including six of the seven G7 members, are obliged under international law to respect and implement the court’s decisions. Host Italy put the ICC warrants on the G7 agenda at the last minute, but there was no consensus on the wording of how the G7 would respond given the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Italy, too, has said it respects the court but expressed concern that the warrants were politically motivated and ill-advised given Netanyahu is necessary for any deal to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “Like it or not, the International Criminal Court is a court as powerful as any national court,” Borrell said. “And if the Europeans don’t support International Criminal Court then there would not be any hope for justice,” he said. (edited)Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLF) Shares Bought by Algert Global LLC