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Netanyahu faces mounting protests amid hostage deaths and ceasefire dispute

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces intense protests after six hostages were killed by Hamas, with critics accusing him of prioritizing personal interests. As calls grow for a ceasefire, Netanyahu’s refusal to withdraw troops from Gaza’s border fuels further outrage at home and abroad.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing increasing public pressure from families of hostages, political critics, and Middle Eastern leaders following the deaths of six hostages held by Hamas.

On Wednesday, protests erupted across Israel, including outside the Likud headquarters and at the homes of key lawmakers, as frustrations mounted over Netanyahu’s handling of the hostage crisis and the ongoing war in Gaza.

The protests intensified after Netanyahu publicly rejected calls to withdraw Israeli forces from the Gaza-Egypt border, a key demand in ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

The prime minister has insisted that maintaining a military presence in the so-called Philadelphi corridor is crucial to prevent Hamas from using the area for arms smuggling. His stance has been widely criticized both domestically and internationally, with many seeing it as a significant obstacle to progress in negotiations.

Families of the slain hostages have expressed their outrage after the release of a video by Hamas, showing one of the hostages, Eden Yerushalmi, accusing the Israeli government of abandoning her and other captives.

Yerushalmi, 24, who was abducted from the Nova music festival on 7 October, appeared gaunt and emotionally distressed in the two-minute video, which was posted by Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades on Monday. In the video, she pointedly blamed Netanyahu for failing to secure their release, further fueling anger among the families of hostages and the public.

The video’s release coincided with the funerals of the six hostages whose bodies were recovered from a tunnel near the Gaza-Egypt border.

Among the dead were Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alex Lobanov, Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, and Almog Sarusi. Yerushalmi’s family authorized the release of a short clip from the video, which has since been widely circulated as a grim reminder of the failed negotiations. The Hostage Families Forum condemned the video as “shocking psychological terror” aimed at inflicting further pain on the families.

Hamas also released a separate video of Lobanov and Gat, who, like Yerushalmi, criticized the Israeli government for its failure to negotiate their release. Lobanov accused Netanyahu of neglecting the hostages, referencing the Shalit deal in which Israel released over a thousand Palestinian prisoners in exchange for one Israeli soldier.

“You failed and neglected us on October 7, and now you continue to fail in every attempt to release us alive,” he said, highlighting the dire conditions under which they were held and the bombing by Israeli forces.

Similarly, Gat, who had been in captivity for nearly 11 months, pleaded with the government to stop the bombing and prioritize their release.

Both hostages called on Israeli citizens to take to the streets and protest, urging the government to act. The release of these videos has intensified public anger and fueled ongoing protests demanding action from Netanyahu’s administration.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s refusal to withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor has drawn sharp criticism from his former war cabinet colleague, Benny Gantz, and international condemnation from Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

While Gantz acknowledged the importance of the corridor for Israel’s security, he stressed that the return of hostages must be prioritized over territorial control.

Critics have also pointed out that Netanyahu’s personal interests may be at play in prolonging the conflict.

Facing charges of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust in three cases filed in 2019, Netanyahu’s continued tenure as prime minister is seen by many as a strategic move to avoid legal repercussions.

If convicted, Netanyahu could face up to 10 years in prison, and some argue that staying in power shields him from potential imprisonment.

His critics claim that Netanyahu is willing to risk regional stability and global peace to remain in office, as losing his political position could leave him vulnerable to prosecution, potentially leading to a life behind bars.

As tensions escalate, Netanyahu faces a critical test in navigating the hostage crisis and the broader conflict, with both domestic and international pressure mounting.

Many are questioning whether his decisions are driven by national security or personal survival, adding to the growing discontent within Israel and beyond.

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International

Attempted assassination on Donald Trump thwarted at Florida golf club

Former President Donald Trump is safe following an attempted assassination at his Florida golf course on 15 September. The suspect was apprehended after gunfire near Trump’s location.

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16 September 2024

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The weapon seized in the alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump on 15 September.

On 15 September 2024, former US President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt while playing golf at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The FBI is leading an investigation into the incident, with the suspect, now reportedly identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, reportedly in custody. Multiple officials have confirmed to US media outlets that Routh, a man in his late 50s, is the individual behind the failed attempt.

The incident unfolded at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time while Trump was golfing with donor Steve Witkoff.

According to law enforcement sources, a Secret Service agent on duty spotted a rifle barrel with a scope protruding from a fence as Trump moved between the fifth and sixth holes. The agent engaged the suspect, prompting him to flee the scene. Routh, later apprehended in Martin County, was reportedly between 300 and 500 yards away from Trump at the time of the incident.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw held a press conference detailing the timeline of events. A witness, who saw Routh fleeing into a black Nissan, provided critical information by photographing the vehicle’s license plate.

This led to the suspect’s swift capture by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. A long gun, identified as an AK47-style rifle with a scope, two backpacks, and a GoPro camera were recovered at the scene. The contents of the backpacks included a ceramic tile, though its significance remains unclear.

Trump was unharmed and addressed the incident in an email to his supporters shortly after the event.

“There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!” he wrote. Trump also affirmed his resolve, declaring, “Nothing will slow me down. I will never surrender!”

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were quickly briefed on the situation and expressed their relief at Trump’s safety. Harris later posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Violence has no place in America.”

Attorney General Merrick Garland has also been informed of the incident, according to the Department of Justice.

This marks the second assassination attempt targeting Trump in recent months.

On 13 July 2024, at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump was grazed by a bullet when gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks fired at him from a nearby rooftop using an AR-15-style rifle. The attack left one audience member dead, and Crooks was killed by a Secret Service sniper.

Following that incident, the US Secret Service came under scrutiny, and its then-director, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned two weeks later.

In Sunday’s incident, the quick actions of the Secret Service are again being praised. Sheriff Bradshaw explained that the agency had an agent stationed ahead of Trump’s position, who spotted the rifle barrel and acted swiftly to prevent a potential tragedy.

“The Secret Service agent on the course did a fantastic job,” Bradshaw said.

Trump’s running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, confirmed that the former president is “in good spirits” despite the close call. “I spoke to him before the news was public, and he was, amazingly, in good spirits,” Vance posted on X.

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Trump, also remarked, “He’s in good spirits and more resolved than ever to save our country.”

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International

Team Liquid wins The International 13 Dota 2 Championship, defeats Gaimin Gladiators 3-0

Team Liquid won The International 13 Dota 2 championship, defeating Gaimin Gladiators 3-0 in the grand final. The victory secured Liquid’s second TI title and over US$1.15 million in prize money, with Neta “33” Shapira becoming a two-time champion.

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6 hours ago

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16 September 2024

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Team Liquid has claimed the title of world champions at The International 13 (TI13) Dota 2 tournament, defeating Gaimin Gladiators 3-0 in the grand final. Despite entering the match as underdogs due to their history of losing grand finals, especially against Gaimin Gladiators, Liquid delivered a dominant performance to secure their second TI victory.

Dota 2, a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed by Valve, is one of the most popular esports titles in the world. In this competitive game, two teams of five players each battle to destroy the opposing team’s base, known as the “Ancient,” while defending their own. The International, Dota 2’s premier annual tournament, is widely regarded as one of the largest and most prestigious events in the esports industry.

Liquid, one of the favourites going into the event, dispelled doubts with their commanding win. This marks their second International title, the first being in 2017, and the first with their current roster. Neta “33” Shapira became one of the few players to win the tournament twice, having previously triumphed with Tundra Esports in 2022.

For their triumph, Team Liquid not only raised the coveted Aegis of Champions but also took home over US$1.15 million. Gaimin Gladiators, the runners-up, earned just over US$358,000.

Throughout the tournament, Liquid demonstrated exceptional form. They only suffered one loss during the group stage and the seeding decider phases, going on to deliver one of the most dominant performances in the history of The International. Liquid did not lose a single game in the playoff bracket, making their path to the championship flawless.

In the final, Liquid started strong despite Gaimin’s momentum after defeating Tundra Esports in the lower bracket final earlier that day. Though the 3-0 scoreline did not live up to the epic expectations of many fans, Liquid’s decisive victory brought immense satisfaction to their supporters, who had long awaited their team breaking a string of grand final losses.

Coach William Lee delivered an emotional speech after the win, expressing gratitude for the team’s perseverance through difficult years: “I feel like they took a chance on a guy who’s never coached a winning team before. We had so many losses… I’m just so glad that people like Zai, Nisha, and Boxi took a chance on us,” Lee said.

The final, while not as close as some anticipated, offered fans a deeply rewarding conclusion. After years of near-misses in major tournaments, Team Liquid finally broke their grand final curse on the biggest stage of all.

Their commanding victory, combined with their beloved status in the Dota 2 community, led to an outpouring of emotion, with many fans visibly in tears as they witnessed Liquid lift the Aegis.

Liquid’s unprecedented dominance throughout the playoffs only added to the historic nature of their win, which will go down as one of the most satisfying and celebrated moments in Dota 2 history.

The International 2024, also known as TI 13, was the thirteenth edition of Dota 2’s premier esports tournament, held in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Six teams were directly invited, while ten teams qualified through regional tournaments. Two teams each came from Western Europe, China, Southeast Asia, and South America, while Eastern Europe and North America each sent one team.

The base prize pool of the tournament was set at US$1.6 million, with an additional US$963,967 added from 25% of all Compendium sales, bringing the total prize pool to over US$2.5 million.

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