Name: Houthis vow to continue attacks against Israel-linked ships in Red Sea
Uploaded: 2024-01-12T12:37:03.000+05:30
Duration: T00M32S
Channel: Editorji News Desk
Description: Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen vowed to continue targeting Israel-linked ships in the Red Sea despite overnight air strikes by US and UK.

This decision has reignited debate over the use of firing squads, a method deeply rooted in American history.

SC Revives Firing Squad Execution After 15 Years

This decision has reignited debate over the use of firing squads, a method deeply rooted in American history.

South Carolina is set to carry out its first execution by firing squad in 15 years with Brad Sigmon, convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend's parents in 2001, opting for this method over the electric chair and lethal injection.
This decision has reignited debate over the use of firing squads, a method deeply rooted in American history.
The practice dates back to colonial times, with the first recorded execution by firing squad in 1608 when Captain George Kendall was executed in Jamestown, Virginia, for mutiny. During the Civil War, both Union and Confederate forces used firing squads to execute deserters, aiming to maintain discipline through public spectacle. According to Mark Smith, a history professor at the University of South Carolina, the method was designed to shock and intimidate, often incorporating an element of uncertainty by using a blank cartridge.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Utah became a focal point for this execution method, with notable cases like the 1915 execution of labor activist Joe Hill, who was shot by firing squad in Utah State Prison.
Firing squads fell out of favor in the 1980s with the rise of lethal injection, considered then a more humane method. However, lethal injections have since faced scrutiny due to botched executions and difficulties sourcing requisite drugs. As a result, some states are reconsidering firing squads. Criminologist Deborah Denno from Fordham School of Law points out that firing squads tend to be quicker and less prone to error, with only two reported botched cases, suggesting they may be more humane.
Sigmon's choice has sparked debate about execution methods. His attorney, Gerald "Bo" King, explained that Sigmon preferred the firing squad, viewing the other options as worse. His execution will be conducted by volunteer officers, with Sigmon bound to a chair and a target placed over his heart.
The upcoming execution in South Carolina not only highlights the complexity of capital punishment in the US but also raises ethical questions about justice and the value of human life. As the nation continues to grapple with these issues, the decision to use a firing squad underscores ongoing debates surrounding execution methods.

Musk's remarks, made during a podcast with Joe Rogan, highlight concerns over the financial implications of these organizations and their potential role in global policy interference.

Musk and Trump Critique U.S. NGO Funding

Musk's remarks, made during a podcast with Joe Rogan, highlight concerns over the financial implications of these organizations and their potential role in global policy interference.

Elon Musk, who now heads the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Donald Trump administration, has criticized U.S. funding of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), labeling it as potentially "the biggest scam ever."
Musk's remarks, made during a podcast with Joe Rogan, highlight concerns over the financial implications of these organizations and their potential role in global policy interference.
Musk, who owns the social media platform X, expressed concerns over the financial practices of NGOs during the administrations of Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden. He suggested that these organizations may have been used by Washington D.C. for regime change and other global policy influences.
In his discussion, Musk pointed out startling examples where individuals received large sums, citing a case where $1.9 billion was allocated to an NGO that had minimal prior activity. He questioned the legitimacy of government-funded NGOs, describing them as an "oxymoron," and suggesting the line between government and non-profit operations has become increasingly blurred.
Musk alleged that these NGOs serve as channels for financial gains, with some individuals becoming "very wealthy" through these non-profit activities. "Government-funded NGOs allow actions that would be illegal if conducted directly by the government, yet are somehow permissible through these organizations," he noted.
The conversation also touched on previous claims made by Musk regarding departments like USAID, which he accused of financial malpractice. He described the NGO system as a "hack," allowing formation with minimal investment which could potentially lead to large-scale funding.
Additionally, Musk mentioned billionaire George Soros, describing him as a "system hacker," adept at using non-profits for financial leverage, resulting in significant influence and funding. He illustrated this by explaining how a $10 million investment in a non-profit could be transformed into a billion-dollar NGO through lobbying.
These critiques shed light on ongoing debates about the role and oversight of NGOs in international affairs, raising questions about their impact on government policy and financial accountability.

He used India as a case in point, pointing out that the country imposes auto tariffs exceeding 100 percent on U.S. vehicles.

Trump's New Reciprocal Tariffs Target India, EU

He used India as a case in point, pointing out that the country imposes auto tariffs exceeding 100 percent on U.S. vehicles.

U.S. President Donald Trump has once again voiced his dissatisfaction with what he describes as "very unfair" tariffs imposed by India and numerous other countries.
Announcing that reciprocal tariffs will come into effect on April 2, Trump intends to align U.S. import duties with the rates other countries apply to American exports.
Speaking to a Joint Session of Congress at the start of his second term, Trump declared, "For decades, other countries have taken advantage of us with their tariffs, and now it's our turn to respond in kind."
Trump specifically highlighted the European Union, China, Brazil, India, Mexico, and Canada as examples of nations that impose significantly higher tariffs on American goods.
He used India as a case in point, pointing out that the country imposes auto tariffs exceeding 100 percent on U.S. vehicles.
Trump has consistently argued that the U.S. must address what he considers to be unfair trade practices. His administration plans to soon implement reciprocal tariffs on countries like India and China, echoing earlier discussions during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Washington.
He emphasized that he communicated to PM Modi that India would not be exempt from these new tariff measures, asserting, "Nobody can argue with me on this."
Beginning April 2, the U.S. will match tariffs imposed by other countries. Trump's statement was clear: "If they tariff us, we will tariff them equally. That&rsquo;s the principle of reciprocity. If they apply non-monetary barriers to block our access to their markets, we will do the same to theirs."
This announcement follows sweeping tariffs recently placed on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China by the Trump administration, citing concerns like illegal immigration and drug trafficking. These measures have provoked strong responses from global leaders.

President Donald Trump's administration appeared to walk back an order on Tuesday that called for the mass firing of federal workers still serving their probationary periods.

OPM Halts Federal Probationary Terminations

President Donald Trump's administration appeared to walk back an order on Tuesday that called for the mass firing of federal workers still serving their probationary periods.

President Donald Trump's administration appeared to walk back an order on Tuesday that called for the mass firing of federal workers still serving their probationary periods.
The updated guidance comes days after a federal judge in California ruled that the January 20 directive from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) was "unlawful" and ordered it to be temporarily rescinded.
"Please note that, by this memorandum, OPM is not directing agencies to take any specific performance-based actions regarding probationary employees. Agencies have ultimate decision-making authority over, and responsibility for, such personnel actions," the OPM's updated guidance said Tuesday.
The memo adds that agencies now have until September 13 to devise their own proposals for implementing workforce reductions.
Responding to a case brought by employees at six government agencies, Judge Willi Judge William Alsup ruled Thursday that the directive was "unlawful, invalid, and must be stopped and rescinded." The next hearing in the case is scheduled for March 13.
"OPM's revision of its Jan. 20 memo is a clear admission that it unlawfully directed federal agencies to carry out mass terminations of probationary employees," American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley said in a statement to AFP.
"Every agency should immediately rescind these unlawful terminations and reinstate everyone who was illegally fired," he added.
Thousands of employees still in their probationary period -- meaning they were hired or promoted within the past one to two years, depending on the agency -- have already been dismissed as part of efforts by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire Elon Musk, to shrink the federal workforce.
It remains unclear what will happen next.
"Cannot wait to see if that means we can go back to work!" a scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration told AFP. The scientist was among approximately 700 people laid off from the globally renowned agency last week.
Many of those dismissed were told they were being let go due to an alleged inability to fulfill their duties, despite having received exemplary performance reviews.
The scientist, who requested anonymity, added that even if employees were only temporarily rehired only to later face termination through a traditional "reduction in force" procedure -- they would at least receive greater protections, including advanced notice and severance pay.

Imran Khan, former Pakistani PM, opposes renaming Peshawar's Arbab Niaz Stadium after him, advocating to retain its original name, as conveyed by Aleema Khan.

Imran Khan Opposes Stadium Renaming Move

Imran Khan, former Pakistani PM, opposes renaming Peshawar's Arbab Niaz Stadium after him, advocating to retain its original name, as conveyed by Aleema Khan.

Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan disapproved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government's decision to rename Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium after the cricketer-turned-politician's name, his sister said on Tuesday.
Aleema Khan, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party founder's sister, told the media after meeting her brother in jail that Khan, 72, did not like the provincial government's decision to rename the cricket stadium in Peshawar after him.
"I don't like anything to be named after me. So the stadium's name should be reverted to the original," Khan told Aleema.

Trump suspends Ukraine aid, urging peace talks with Russia. Zelensky seeks strong security guarantees. Europe proposes ceasefire.

Trump Halts Ukraine Aid, Pressures for Peace

Trump suspends Ukraine aid, urging peace talks with Russia. Zelensky seeks strong security guarantees. Europe proposes ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump suspended military aid to Ukraine on Monday, a White House official said, sharply escalating pressure on Kyiv to agree to peace negotiations with Russia. The move comes just days after a stunning public clash between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump, who is seeking a rapid end to the war. Trump earlier on Monday had declined to rule out a pause when quizzed by reporters, but any disruption in the flow of US arms to the front line would rapidly weaken Ukraine's chance of beating back Russia's invasion.
"The President has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well," a White House official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution," the official added.
Congressional Democrats immediately condemned the pause as dangerous and illegal.
"My Republican colleagues who have called Putin a war criminal and promised their continued support to Ukraine must join me in demanding President Trump immediately lift this disastrous and unlawful freeze," said Gregory Meeks, top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Trump also warned he would "not put up" much longer with Zelensky's defiance, and said Ukraine's leader should be "more appreciative" of US support. Speaking at the White House, Trump said Zelensky "won't be around very long" without a ceasefire deal with Moscow.'
The pause has gone into effect immediately and impacts hundreds of millions of dollars of weaponry in the process of being sent to Ukraine, The New York Times reported.
Zelensky for his part said Monday he was seeking for the war to end "as soon as possible."
The comment came after Zelensky accused Russia -- which invaded Ukraine in 2014 and greatly expanded the conflict in 2022 -- of not being serious about peace.
He insisted tough security guarantees were the only way to end the war.
But Trump's stance has upended US support for Ukraine, and Washington's allies more broadly, and stoked concern about Washington pivoting to Russia.
European support After weekend crisis talks in London, Britain and France are investigating how to propose a one-month Ukraine-Russia truce "in the air, at sea and on energy infrastructure" -- potentially backstopped by troops on the ground.
Zelensky said discussions were still focusing on the "first steps," adding: "An agreement on ending the war is very, very far away" -- a comment that angered Trump.
Zelensky added in a video statement that "real, honest peace" would only come with security guarantees for Ukraine, which agreed to denuclearize in 1994 only in exchange for protection provided by the United States and Britain.
"It was the lack of security guarantees for Ukraine 11 years ago that allowed Russia to start with the occupation of Crimea and the war in Donbas, then the lack of security guarantees allowed Russia to launch a full-scale invasion," Zelensky said.
Russia dismissed the comments, accusing him of not wanting peace -- echoing US criticism after he was shouted down Friday in the Oval Office.
On the ground, Ukrainian officials reported fatalities from a Russian missile strike on a military training facility some 130 kilometers (80 miles) from the front line.
A respected military blogger said between 30 and 40 soldiers were killed and 90 more wounded in the attack near Dnipro on Saturday.
'Deliberate' escalation?
Trump has previously called Zelensky, president since 2019, a "dictator" for not holding elections, even though martial law precludes any vote because of the war.
Zelensky dismissed calls for him to resign, repeating his pledge to do so only if Ukraine were given NATO membership, which Russia -- and now the United States under Trump -- opposes.
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov blamed Zelensky for Friday's blow-up with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, saying he "demonstrated a complete lack of diplomatic abilities."
"He doesn't want peace," Peskov told reporters.
On Monday, Vance told broadcaster Fox News he was confident Zelensky would "eventually" agree to peace talks with Moscow.
"I think Zelensky wasn't yet there, and I think, frankly, now still isn't there," Vance said. "But I think he'll get there eventually. He has to."
But Germany's likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said the astonishing White House clash was a "deliberate escalation" by Trump.
US and Russian officials have held talks on ending the war, enraging Kyiv and Europe for being sidelined, and prompting fears that any deal could threaten Ukraine's future.

The SUV, traveling at high speed, moved from Paradeplatz square towards Mannheim’s renowned water tower.

Mannheim SUV Incident: Injuries Reported

The SUV, traveling at high speed, moved from Paradeplatz square towards Mannheim&rsquo;s renowned water tower.

Several people were injured when a black SUV plowed into a crowd in Mannheim, Germany, according to reports by local media on Monday.
The incident happened on Planken, the city&rsquo;s main shopping thoroughfare, causing significant concern among residents.
The SUV, traveling at high speed, moved from Paradeplatz square towards Mannheim&rsquo;s renowned water tower.
As it went through the busy area, multiple pedestrians were knocked down, with many suffering severe injuries, as reported by the Mannheim24 news site.
German tabloid Bild confirmed the arrest of the vehicle's driver in connection with the incident.
The collision transpired amid celebrations across the region, marking the carnival season, which draws sizable crowds in towns and cities, including those in Germany's Rhineland area.
Authorities, responding rapidly, launched a rescue and relief operation in Mannheim&rsquo;s city center.
Residents were advised to keep away from the inner areas of the city due to the ongoing large-scale police response, as noted by police spokesman Stefan Wilhelm.
Security concerns hold a high profile in Germany following recent violent attacks. The country has witnessed several car rammings, including ones in Magdeburg in December and Munich last month, as well as a stabbing incident in Mannheim in May 2024.
German police maintained heightened vigilance during carnival parades this year, especially following social media threats linked to the Islamic State group that called for assaults on events in Cologne and Nuremberg.
This event in Mannheim follows closely after a recent car attack in Munich, where a 37-year-old woman and her two-year-old daughter lost their lives. Farhad Noori, an Afghan asylum seeker, was apprehended for that attack.

She was facing a death sentence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the alleged murder of a four-month-old child in Abu Dhabi.

Indian Woman Executed: Legal Complexities in UAE

She was facing a death sentence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the alleged murder of a four-month-old child in Abu Dhabi.

In a tragic development, the Indian Foreign Ministry has informed the Delhi High Court of the execution of Shahzadi Khan, an Indian woman from Uttar Pradesh. She was facing a death sentence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the alleged murder of a four-month-old child in Abu Dhabi. The execution took place on February 15, 2025, in line with UAE laws.
The news came to light after Shahzadi's father, Shabbir Khan, approached the court seeking information about his daughter's legal status and wellbeing. Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma noted that the Indian embassy received official confirmation of the execution on February 28.
Shahzadi Khan's Backstory
Shahzadi, 33, had been imprisoned in Abu Dhabi's Al Wathba jail. Her case stemmed from the death of an infant under her care, following routine vaccinations. Her employment in Abu Dhabi began in December 2021 to care for the child born to her employer in August 2022.&nbsp;
The case took a serious turn after a video surfaced, allegedly showing Shahzadi confessing to the homicide in December 2023. However, her father&rsquo;s plea claimed the confession was a result of torture and duress by the employer.
There were further complications: the infant's parents refused a postmortem and signed a waiver on further investigations. Despite legal counsel provided by the Indian Embassy, allegations arose of inadequate representation and coerced confessions.
Legal Proceedings and Outcome
Shahzadi&rsquo;s appeal in September 2023 was dismissed, with the death penalty upheld in February 2024. A mercy petition filed by her father in May 2024 went unanswered as her execution date approached. A brief last conversation between Shahzadi and her father hinted at her imminent execution, prompting him to seek urgent diplomatic intervention.
Assistance Post-Execution
The Foreign Ministry stated that all possible assistance is being extended, with arrangements for Shahzadi's cremation set for March 5, 2025.
The high court acknowledged the Ministry&rsquo;s submissions and labeled the case a "sad and unfortunate" incident before disposing of the plea.
This case has highlighted complex issues surrounding legal representation, embassy support, and the treatment of foreign nationals under foreign judicial systems.

U.S. tariffs on Canada and Mexico begin March 4. President Trump will decide final rates, focusing on border issues. If fentanyl trafficking decreases, tactics may change.

US Tariffs on Canada, Mexico Start March 4

U.S. tariffs on Canada and Mexico begin March 4. President Trump will decide final rates, focusing on border issues. If fentanyl trafficking decreases, tactics may change.

U.S. tariffs targeting Canada and Mexico are set to be implemented this Tuesday, March 4, as initially scheduled, though the final rate will be decided by President Donald Trump, as stated by America's Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, on Sunday.
During an interview on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures," Lutnick confirmed, "There are going to be tariffs on Tuesday on Mexico and Canada. Exactly what they are, we're going to leave that for the president and his team to negotiate."
Lutnick indicated that the situation remains "fluid," with the 30-day delay on duties&mdash;linked by President Trump to issues of illegal border crossings and fentanyl trafficking&mdash;about to end on March 4.
Although Lutnick acknowledged that Canada and Mexico have made "reasonable efforts" in securing their U.S. borders, he pointed out the continued entry of deadly fentanyl into the United States. He added that President Trump is also expected to increase tariffs on Chinese goods unless China acts to halt fentanyl trafficking.
The commerce secretary's statements mark the first hint from the Trump administration suggesting that it could reconsider the full 25% tariff threat on all imports from Mexico and non-energy imports from Canada.
Previously, President Trump created some confusion by referring to a potential April 2 deadline regarding tariffs on Canada and Mexico. However, he later reiterated the March 4 deadline and announced plans to impose an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods on Tuesday, doubling the duties first enacted on February 4.
Asked by a reporter whether the decrease in border crossings&mdash;reportedly down 90%&mdash;might prompt an extension of the tariff pause, President Trump firmly responded, "I'm not stopping the tariffs, no. Millions of people have died because of fentanyl coming over the border. They've done well, but that's also largely due to our efforts."

During the Southeast Asian country's presidential campaign, deepfakes became a prominent tool to spread misinformation both harmful and helpful to candidates.

Indonesian Prabowo Subianto Deepfake Scam Exposed

During the Southeast Asian country's presidential campaign, deepfakes became a prominent tool to spread misinformation both harmful and helpful to candidates.

Wearing a traditional Indonesian black hat and shirt, President Prabowo Subianto speaks to the camera in an Instagram video, asking his people how he can help them after his election last year.
"Who hasn't received aid from me? What are your needs right now?" Prabowo appears to ask viewers in the clip posted in November. But while the Indonesian leader's mouth moves and his eyes blink, the words he utters are part of a fraudulent deepfake scam uncovered by police last month that has swindled Indonesians across 20 provinces.
Those ensnared by the message were asked to contact a WhatsApp number and hand over between 250,000 and one million rupiah ($15-$60) as an "administrative fee" to get aid that never materialised.
Since last year's Indonesian election, experts have warned of a tidal wave of deepfakes -- audio, images and video appearing to come from a known person but which are in fact the work of scammers using artificial intelligence tools. And victims say the hoaxes are so sophisticated they leave others vulnerable to being conned too.
"People should be more careful. Don't be easily fooled by the lure of prizes," said Aryani, 56, who handed over 200,000 rupiah to fraudsters after seeing a deepfake video of a prominent Indonesian businessman.
"I need money, but instead I'm asked to send money. They even made video calls with me, as if I were talking directly to them."
During the Southeast Asian country's presidential campaign, deepfakes became a prominent tool to spread misinformation both harmful and helpful to candidates.
But now that technology has fallen into the hands of criminals looking to make cold, hard cash.
Wide circulation AFP's fact-checkers found the account behind the Prabowo clip has posted dozens of similar videos appearing to show various high-profile figures, including Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
Those videos also promote the bogus financial aid.
Police arrested a suspect who pocketed 65 million rupiah ($4,000) from the scam, Himawan Bayu Aji, director of the Indonesian National Cyber Crime Unit told reporters in February.
He said officers detained a second person involved in another scam that also used deepfake technology, without disclosing the amount raised.
AFP Fact Check's investigation found the spread of such videos had a much wider reach than the two accounts that police announced.
Deepfake videos of the president, a popular ex-general, were still circulating on social media after the arrests, including dozens on TikTok with the hashtag "Prabowo shares blessings".
At least 22 TikTok accounts were touting the same fraudulent scheme since Prabowo took office in October, AFP journalists found, with some appearing to take advantage of his recent rise to the presidency.
One account with more than 77,000 followers racked up 7.5 million views on a fabricated video of Prabowo apparently doling out financial assistance.
Another account with thousands of followers has shared 100 videos since January alone, the majority featuring deepfake videos of the president offering cash.
TikTok said it had removed one of the deepfake scam videos and the associated account, adding it would continue to remove any that violated the platform's community guidelines, which prohibit misleading posts.
Facebook parent Meta did not respond to AFP's request for comment.
AFP, along with more than 100 other fact-checking organisations, is paid by TikTok and Meta to verify social media posts that potentially contain false information.
More accessible Aribowo Sasmito, a co-founder of Indonesian fact-checking organisation Mafindo, said his team were finding new deepfake scams every week because of their prolific spread online.
"We have started to see deepfake videos since last year as AI tools have become more accessible and affordable," he told AFP.
Schemes using deepfakes of prominent figures appear to be on the rise.&nbsp;
Tech billionaire Elon Musk and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are among a string of celebrities targeted in recent years by sophisticated impersonations to push cash scams.
Aribowo said his team of fact-checkers was working harder than ever to debunk these scams using the latest technology available to criminals.
"We noticed the quality of these videos has improved over time. It has become more difficult to distinguish between fake and real videos," he added.
"The challenge is the volume of these scams."
&nbsp;

Editorji is a popular short video news and information platform based in India. It was founded in 2018 by Vikram Chandra, one of India’s leading journalists, and has risen to prominence in the digital news space in a relatively short span of time. The platform is primarily designed for mobile devices, with applications available for Android and iOS.

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Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen vowed to continue targeting Israel-linked ships in the Red Sea despite overnight air strikes by US and UK.

Iran-backed Houthis vow to continue attacks against Israel-linked ships in Red Sea

Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen vowed to continue targeting Israel-linked ships in the Red Sea despite overnight air strikes by US and UK.

Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen on January 12 vowed to continue targeting Israel-linked ships in the Red Sea despite overnight air strikes by the US and the UK. The militant group's spokesman &nbsp;Mohammed Abdulsalam said on social media X that there was no justification for the US-Britain attack on Yemen as "there was no threat to international navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas. &nbsp;The airstrikes were ordered by Joe Biden, who said that it was in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea.&nbsp;
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/red-sea-attacks-us-british-forces-bomb-multiple-houthi-locations-in-yemen-1705025650997">Red Sea attacks: US, British forces bomb multiple Houthi locations in Yemen</a> &nbsp;

However, Netanyahu appeared to have a differing interpretation, dismissing the intelligence warnings by asserting that Hamas was "deterred."

Shin Bet Warned of Hamas Threats to Israel

However, Netanyahu appeared to have a differing interpretation, dismissing the intelligence warnings by asserting that Hamas was "deterred."

Hamas's attack on Israeli territories near the Gaza Strip on October 7 was not without warning, according to Israel's internal agency, Shin Bet, which disclosed that it had alerted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the potential threat at least five months prior.
The agency reported that despite recognizing the militant group's intentions, it did not correctly gauge the scale, timing, or location of the eventual assault, which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 Israelis.
Ronen Bar, Shin Bet's chief and head of the General Security Service (GSS), reportedly cautioned Netanyahu, describing Hamas as a "challenge at its doorstep" and advised Israel to prepare for a preemptive response, as detailed by Haaretz.
However, Netanyahu appeared to have a differing interpretation, dismissing the intelligence warnings by asserting that Hamas was "deterred."
The Guardian's coverage of an eight-page summary of the agency's report suggests that Israel's "policy of quiet" toward Hamas contributed to the deadly October event.
The document criticizes Netanyahu's acceptance of Qatari financial support to Gaza, which allegedly aimed to keep Palestinians divided by empowering Hamas over the Palestinian Authority.
In response to the report, the Israeli government criticized Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, arguing that the agency's findings did not accurately reflect the severity of its shortcomings.
A statement from Netanyahu's circle accused Bar of a substantial failure to address the Hamas threat, further claiming that Shin Bet had believed Hamas preferred to maintain a low profile.
The government argued that Bar had not only recommended civilian concessions but also thought Hamas was seeking stability with economic incentives, as mentioned in an October 3 document.
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Hamas, urging the release of hostages and return of those killed.
Posting on his Truth Social platform after meeting with freed hostages, Trump demanded immediate action, threatening further destruction otherwise.
The warning followed Israel's decision to stop the entry of all goods and supplies into Gaza.
Although not all details were clear, it was understood that aid supplies had been disrupted.
Tensions lingered as the first phase of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire concluded, with Israel's prime minister's office threatening "additional consequences" should Hamas reject the US proposal for extending the ceasefire.

The Miombo woodlands, Africa's largest dry tropical forest, is vital for biodiversity and carbon storage, supporting millions of livelihoods.

Miombo Woodlands: Africa's Mighty Carbon Vault

The Miombo woodlands, Africa's largest dry tropical forest, is vital for biodiversity and carbon storage, supporting millions of livelihoods.

In our school days, many of us learned that the Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world. However, few are aware of the Miombo woodlands in Africa.
This expansive forest, roughly the size of Mexico, covers around 1.9 million square kilometers across Zimbabwe, Angola, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It comprises tropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands.
Renowned as the world's largest mammal migration hotspot from October to December, the Miombo attracts approximately 10 million bats from various parts of Africa to Zambia's Kasanka National Park.
Not only is the Miombo home to Africa&rsquo;s most iconic megafauna and the continent's endangered elephant species, but it also supports the livelihoods of over 300 million people by providing vital resources.
Between 1980 and 2020, the forest cover in the Miombo decreased by nearly a third, raising concerns about the significant carbon release that could occur if deforestation continues.
The forest has played a crucial role in mitigating global warming.
The Miombo woodlands represent a unique type of semi-deciduous forest dominated by trees from the legume family.
This ecoregion, stretching across Central and Southern Africa, is recognized as the world's largest dry tropical forest.
In Mozambique's Niassa Special Reserve, the Miombo thrives alongside diverse habitats such as rocky outcrops and seasonally flooded grassy areas, known as dambos.
The local population relies on the Miombo for essential resources, including thatching grass for roofing, poles for fencing and construction, bark for fiber production, nutrient-rich termite mound soil for agriculture, and firewood for cooking.
A recent study revealed that the Miombo forest stores over twice the carbon dioxide in its soils and trees than previously estimated, according to CNN.
It stores an additional 3.7 billion metric tons of carbon&mdash;more than what China emitted in 2023.
This extra carbon storage is crucial for combating climate change by keeping excess carbon out of the atmosphere. Edwin Tambara, director of Global Leadership at the African Wildlife Foundation, emphasized that dry forests such as the Miombo are often undervalued and understudied compared to more famous rainforests like the Amazon and the Congo Basin.

The EU faced questions on Wednesday over how much of its money goes to tech billionaire Elon Musk's companies as tensions ramp up between the new US administration and Brussels.

EU Investigates Musk's Financial Ties

The EU faced questions on Wednesday over how much of its money goes to tech billionaire Elon Musk's companies as tensions ramp up between the new US administration and Brussels.

The EU faced questions on Wednesday over how much of its money goes to tech billionaire Elon Musk's companies as tensions ramp up between the new US administration and Brussels.
The EU faced questions on Wednesday over how much of its money goes to tech billionaire Elon Musk's companies as tensions ramp up between the new US administration and Brussels.
US President Donald Trump has criticised the European Union, claiming it was "formed in order to screw the United States", and has threatened the bloc with higher tariffs.
One of Trump's biggest allies is Musk, whose social media platform X faces an EU probe. Musk has accused the EU of censorship with its content moderation rules.
German Green EU lawmaker Daniel Freund sent a letter on Tuesday to the European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, asking for "a detailed list of EU funding allocated to companies owned or controlled by Elon Musk" over the past five years.
The businesses named included SpaceX, Tesla, X, Neuralink, The Boring Company, xAI and "any other relevant entities linked" to Musk.
Freund said he wanted details of "grants, tenders, subsidies" including any money spent on advertising on social media platforms owned or controlled by him.
"Trump's MAGA crowd including Musk have the clear aim to weaken or even destroy the EU. So we should have a very close look at the EU funding we provide to them," Freund told AFP on Wednesday.
"For me it's clear: the EU should not give millions to people that want to destroy it."

UNICEF said the scale of child rape in war-ravaged Sudan was far more widespread than just the documented cases and urged all sides to end sexual violence as a war tactic.

Child Rape in Sudan: A Humanitarian Emergency

UNICEF said the scale of child rape in war-ravaged Sudan was far more widespread than just the documented cases and urged all sides to end sexual violence as a war tactic.

Children as young as one have been raped by armed men during the conflict in Sudan, the UN said on Tuesday, condemning it as a horror that should "shock anyone to their core".
UNICEF said the scale of child rape in war-ravaged Sudan was far more widespread than just the documented cases and urged all sides to end sexual violence as a war tactic.
Gender-based violence (GBV) service providers in Sudan recorded some 221 cases of child rape since the beginning of 2024.
Of those cases, 66 percent of the survivors were girls and 33 percent were boys.
There were 16 survivors under the age of five -- including four who were as young as one.
The UN children's agency recorded an additional 77 reported cases of sexual assault against children -- primarily attempted rape.
"Painstakingly verified by the United Nations, these figures provide only a partial picture of the true magnitude of violence inflicted against children," UNICEF said.
It said survivors and their families were often unwilling or unable to come forward, fearing stigma, rejection from their family or community, retribution from armed groups, confidentiality breaches, or being accused of being a collaborator.
Life-long consequences
"Children as young as one being raped by armed men should shock anyone to their core and compel immediate action," said UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell.
"Millions of children in Sudan are at risk of rape and other forms of sexual violence, which is being used as a tactic of war. This is an abhorrent violation of international law and could constitute a war crime. It must stop."
Sudan's regular army (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been locked in a battle for power since April 2023.
The fighting has plunged Sudan into what the UN calls the world's largest humanitarian catastrophe.
In its report entitled "Sudan's child rape and sexual violence crisis", UNICEF said attacks included armed men storming homes and demanding families surrender their girls; and raping girls in front of their loved ones.
The report did not single out either the SAF or the RSF as being behind particular crimes.
Victims were left with serious physical injury, including wounds, fractures, abscesses, and other complications.
"No person, no child, should have to endure these horrors," the report said.
It said sexual violence could have life-long consequences and leave survivors facing "impossible choices" such as handling a resultant pregnancy, and whether to speak out or seek health support.
'Crying and screaming'
UNICEF released clips from interviews with victims, maintaining their anonymity.
"They forced me into a big car... They took me to a place next to a railway, and three people raped me," said one 16-year-old girl.
"They were beating me and raping me and threw me next to the railway, and a woman came and helped me go home... and when I arrived, I was in a terrible condition."
The girl is now nine months pregnant.
An adult woman was held by armed men for 19 days in a room with other women and girls.
"After nine at night, someone opens the door, carrying a whip, selects one of the girls, and takes her to another room. I could hear the little girl crying and screaming. They were raping her," she said.
"Every time they raped her, this girl would come back covered in blood... They only release these girls at dawn, and they return almost unconscious."
UNICEF urged the Sudanese government and all parties to the conflict to respect their obligations to protect civilians, especially children, while those providing services to survivors must be protected.
"In decision-making on funding, GBV programmes must be treated by donors as lifesaving," the agency said.

Previously director of the defence ministry, Zamir will replace outgoing chief of staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halev, who resigned admitting he failed to fulfil his mandate.

Eyal Zamir: New Israeli Armed Forces Chief

Previously director of the defence ministry, Zamir will replace outgoing chief of staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halev, who resigned admitting he failed to fulfil his mandate.

Former tank commander Eyal Zamir will on Wednesday become Israel's new armed forces chief, inheriting the task at a crucial time for the military after it acknowledged its "complete failure" to prevent Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack.
Previously director of the defence ministry, Zamir will replace outgoing chief of staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halev, who resigned admitting he failed to fulfil his mandate.
Zamir, 59, is being sworn in at a sensitive time in Israel's war with Hamas, with the ceasefire that took effect on January 19 hanging in the balance.
Announcing his appointment last month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had high hopes that Zamir would help achieve Israel's goal of "absolute victory" against Hamas.
Zamir will also take over operations in the occupied West Bank, where the military has deployed tanks in recent weeks for the first time in 20 years.
His appointment also comes at a moment of high tension for Israel with its arch-foe Iran.
Zamir wrote in a 2022 policy paper for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy that Israel needed to adopt a tougher approach in order to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Pushing for greater cooperation with the United States against what he called the "Iran axis", Zamir advocated "offensive action" in order to guarantee success.
His position on Iran mirrors that of Netanyahu, who recently said that Israel plans to "finish the job against Iran's terror axis".
Zamir, who led key operations during the second Palestinian intifada or uprising, served as Netanyahu's military secretary from 2012 to 2015.
He is the founder of the right-wing think tank Israel Defence and Security Forum .
In contrast to Halevi, who avoided the spotlight, Zamir comes across as a powerful figure.
At a defence ministry event a day after his appointment, Zamir, a father of three, was quoted as saying that 2025 would be "a year of continued fighting".
"The war has demonstrated that we must be self-reliant," he said.
As head of the defence ministry, Zamir is credited with some of Israel's biggest and most significant defence procurements.
"He understands very well what big wars are all about and how to fight them," said Amir Avivi, a former Israeli general who now runs a network for former security officials.
'Strict'
Zamir cuts a powerful frame, his burly build sending a clear message that he means business.
Avivi, who has known Zamir for more than 20 years and spent a year with him at the Israeli College for National Security, described him as being "mission-oriented", "detail-oriented" and "strict".
He said Zamir has a "deep understanding" of the Gaza front and even authored "a very detailed plan to conquer all of Gaza" while serving as head of Southern Command from 2015 to 2018.
Saying he had spoken with Zamir since his appointment, Avivi added: "I think he has a very clear understanding that he was chosen for one thing -- to bring total victory to Israel on all fronts."
Jonathan Conricus, a former Israeli army spokesman who served with Zamir, also said the incoming chief would have to "navigate strategic challenges of the most sensitive nature", including restoring public trust.
Born in Israel's southernmost city Eilat, Zamir, whose paternal grandfather immigrated from Yemen and whose mother's family arrived from Syria, joined the military in 1984.
Unlike previous chiefs of staff, who served in the distinguished paratroopers' unit or in the Golani infantry brigade, Zamir began his career in the Armoured Corps.
He served through the first and second intifadas holding senior combat and command roles.
In 2002, he led a brigade that captured the refugee camp adjacent to the West Bank city of Jenin, a hotbed of Palestinian militancy.
The army laid siege to the camp for more than a month amid fierce fighting that saw hundreds of homes levelled, and 52 Palestinians and 23 Israeli soldiers killed.
Zamir was later appointed head of the army's southern command, where he led efforts to cut off Hamas tunnels.
From 2018 to 2021, he served as deputy chief of staff under Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi, tasked with implementing the military's multi-year plan.

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