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jili slot 777 BEIRUT — Israel's military launched airstrikes across Lebanon on Monday, unleashing explosions throughout the country and killing at least 31 while Israeli leaders appeared to be closing in on a negotiated ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group. Israeli strikes hit commercial and residential buildings in Beirut as well as in the port city of Tyre. Military officials claimed they targeted areas known as Hezbollah strongholds. They issued evacuation orders for Beirut's southern suburbs, and strikes landed across the city, including meters from a Lebanese police base and the city's largest public park. The barrage came as officials indicated they were nearing agreement on a ceasefire, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Security Cabinet prepared to discuss an offer on the table. Bulldozers remove the rubble of a destroyed building Monday that was hit in an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. Hussein Malla, Associated Press Foreign ministers from the world’s leading industrialized nations also expressed cautious optimism Monday about possible progress on a ceasefire. “Knock on wood,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said as he opened the Group of Seven meeting outside Rome. “We are perhaps close to a ceasefire in Lebanon," he said. "Let's hope it's true and that there's no backing down at the last-minute.” A ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon was foremost on the agenda of the G7 meeting in Fiuggi, outside Rome, that gathered ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, in the last G7 encounter of the Biden administration. For the first time, the G7 ministers were joined by their counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as well as the Secretary General of the Arab League. Thick smoke, flames and debris erupt Monday from an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in Tayouneh, Beirut, Lebanon. Hassan Ammar, Associated Press Meanwhile, massive explosions lit up Lebanon's skies with flashes of orange, sending towering plumes of smoke into the air as Israeli airstrikes pounded Beirut's southern suburbs Monday. The blasts damaged buildings and left shattered glass and debris scattered across nearby streets. Some of the strikes landed close to central Beirut and near Christian neighborhoods and other targets where Israel issued evacuation warnings, including in Tyre and Nabatiyeh province. Israeli airstrikes also hit the northeast Baalbek-Hermel region without warning. Lebanon's Health Ministry said Monday that 26 people were killed in southern Lebanon, four in the eastern Baalbek-Hermel province and one in Choueifat, a neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburbs that was not subjected to evacuation warnings on Monday. The deaths brought the total toll to 3,768 killed in Lebanon throughout 13 months of war between Israel and Hezbollah and nearly two months since Israel launched its ground invasion. Many of those killed since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah have been civilians, and health officials said some of the recovered bodies were so severely damaged that DNA testing would be required to confirm their identities. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts Israel claims to have killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Lebanon's Health Ministry says the war has displaced 1.2 million people. Destroyed buildings stand Monday in the area of a village in southern Lebanon as seen from northern Israel. Leo Correa, Associated Press Israeli ground forces invaded southern Lebanon in early October, meeting heavy resistance in a narrow strip of land along the border. The military previously exchanged attacks across the border with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group that began firing rockets into Israel the day after the war in Gaza began last year. Lebanese politicians have decried the ongoing airstrikes and said they are impeding ceasefire negotiations. The country's deputy parliament speaker accused Israel of ramping up its bombardment to pressure Lebanon to make concessions in indirect ceasefire negotiations with Hezbollah. Elias Bousaab, an ally of the militant group, said Monday that the pressure has increased because "we are close to the hour that is decisive regarding reaching a ceasefire." Israeli officials voiced similar optimism Monday about prospects for a ceasefire. Mike Herzog, the country's ambassador to Washington, earlier in the day told Israeli Army Radio that several points had yet to be finalized. Though any deal would require agreement from the government, Herzog said Israel and Hezbollah were "close to a deal." "It can happen within days," he said. Israeli officials have said the sides are close to an agreement that would include withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and a pullback of Hezbollah fighters from the Israeli border. But several sticking points remain. A member of the Israeli security forces inspects an impact site Sunday after a rocket fired from Lebanon hit an area in Rinatya, outskirts of Tel Aviv, Israel. Leo Correa, Associated Press After previous hopes for a ceasefire were dashed, U.S. officials cautioned that negotiations were not yet complete and noted that there could be last-minute hitches that either delay or destroy an agreement. "Nothing is done until everything is done," White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Monday. The proposal under discussion to end the fighting calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. The withdrawals would be accompanied by an influx of thousands more Lebanese army troops, who have been largely sidelined in the war, to patrol the border area along with an existing U.N. peacekeeping force. Western diplomats and Israeli officials said Israel demands the right to strike in Lebanon if it believes Hezbollah is violating the terms. The Lebanese government says such an arrangement would authorize violations of the country's sovereignty. On paper, being more sustainable and eco-friendly while shopping sounds great—so why don't more people do it? There is growing consumer consciousness about the environmental impact of where people choose to shop and the sustainability of the products they buy. According to McKinsey, over 60% of individuals surveyed in 2020 said they would be willing to pay more for a product that is packaged in an eco-friendly way. Since 2019, products marketed as being environmentally sustainable have seen a 28% growth in revenue compared to 20% for products with no such marketing, a 2023 McKinsey and NielsenIQ report found. Much of this is thanks to the preferences and attitudes of Gen Z, who, on average, care more than their older counterparts about being informed shoppers. The younger generation also has more social justice and environmental awareness altogether. Shoppers are willing to spend around 9.7% more on a product they know is sourced or manufactured sustainably, with 46% saying they would do so explicitly because they want to reduce their environmental footprint, according to a 2024 PwC report. Sustainable practices consumers look for from companies include production methods, packaging, and water conservation. But despite the growing consciousness around being more environmentally responsible, consumer actions don't always align with their values. In psychology, this is defined as the "say-do gap": the phenomenon wherein people openly express concern and intention around an issue, but fail to take tangible action to make a change. According to the Harvard Business Review in 2019, most consumers (65%) say they want to buy from brands that promote sustainability, but only 1 in 4 follow through. So why don't people actually shop sustainably, despite how much they express a preference for eco-friendly products—and how can we close the gap? The RealReal examined reports from the Harvard Business Review and other sources to explore why some shoppers want to buy sustainably but struggle to follow through. This lack of action isn't due to a lack of caring—in many cases, it's hard to know how to be a sustainable consumer and other factors are often outside of shoppers' control. But the more people shop sustainably, the easier and more accessible that market will be for everyone—making it much easier for folks to buy aligned with their values. Emanuele Cremaschi // Getty Images There are many obstacles preventing shoppers from upholding eco-friendly habits as much as they may want to—but not all of these barriers are necessarily real, or accurately understood. Shopping sustainably simply isn't convenient or accessible for many. Those who live in apartment buildings are 50% less likely to recycle , according to Ipsos. Reasons for this can vary from lack of space to buildings being excluded altogether because of recycling contamination issues. Many believe that sustainable products are too expensive or of a lower quality. The former is often true, which does create a hurdle for many: The manufacturing processes and materials for sustainable products are pricey. For instance, organic cotton requires an intensive production process free of certain chemicals or pesticides; by definition, true eco-friendly products can't be mass-produced, further upping their price tag. Using recycled materials for packaging, or obtaining an eco certification, can also be expensive. However, although the narrative of eco-friendly products being more expensive is true, there is often more of an effort to use better quality materials that last longer than their noneco-friendly counterparts. This could end up saving consumers money in the long run: By paying more upfront, they can get more wear out of sustainable fashion, for instance. There is also undeniable political rhetoric surrounding eco-friendly products—however, despite many Conservative politicians decrying sustainable products, members of all generations are increasingly choosing to prioritize shopping sustainably regardless of their political affiliation, according to research from NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business . This finding shows a trend toward seeing sustainability as a nonpartisan subject everyone can benefit from, no matter where they lie on the political spectrum. Some might think eco-friendly clothing, in particular, is not fashion-forward; after all, many of the top clothing retailers in the world partake in fast fashion. However, brands are increasingly being recognized as 'cool' and 'trendy' for supporting environmentally ethical practices, particularly as younger generations prioritize sustainability, as noted before. Many increasingly popular online stores are taking advantage of this paradigm shift by offering secondhand shopping options that are not only fashionable, but also more affordable, like ThredUp or Poshmark. Additionally, many legacy large-name brands are hopping on the sustainability movement and are gaining appreciation from loyal customers. Amazon's Climate Pledge Friendly program partners with third-party certification bodies to make it easier for shoppers to identify eco-friendly products as they browse the website. H&M's newly launched H&M Rewear program debuts a resale platform that allows the resale of all clothing brands—not just their own. Similarly, Patagonia's Worn Wear program allows shoppers to trade in and buy used gear and clothing. The federal government is also working to close this gap. The Environmental Protection Agency's Safer Choice program is attempting to make sustainable shopping easier for consumers and companies alike. It includes a directory of certified products, a list of safer chemicals to look out for on labels, a "Safer Choice" label that products can earn to denote they are eco-friendly, and resources for manufacturers looking to adopt more sustainable practices. Most of all, though, the biggest way shoppers can shift toward sustainable shopping is through their behaviors and attitudes amongst their peers and communities. Studies show that humans largely care what others think of their actions; the more shoppers make environmentally conscious shopping the norm, the more others will follow suit. From an economic perspective, the more consumers shop eco-friendly, the more affordable and accessible these products will become, too: Sustainable products are currently more expensive because they are not in high demand. Once demand rises, production rates and prices can lower, making these products more accessible for all. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. This story originally appeared on The RealReal and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group // Getty Images

President-elect Donald Trump’s social media company, Trump Media & Technology (TMTG), reportedly filed a trademark application Monday (Nov. 18) for a service called TruthFi that would be a platform for cryptocurrency payments, financial custody services and trading in digital assets. The application did not give many details about the project or when it might be launched, but it would mark a diversification of the company that is now largely focused on Truth Social , The New York Times reported Thursday (Nov. 21). Washington-based trademark lawyer Josh Gerben said in the report that while companies can use a trademark application to reserve a name for as long as a few years, they usually file for one with intent to use it. “In my experience, most of the time if a client is going to file an application , there is something going on,” Gerben said, per the report. It was reported Monday (Nov. 18) that TMTG was in advanced talks to buy cryptocurrency trading venue Bakkt . Bakkt was created and is owned by Intercontinental Exchange , the owner of the New York Stock Exchange . It was reported in June that Bakkt was working with a financial adviser to weigh strategic options. TMTG has become one of the most actively traded stocks since Trump’s election victory, and it is now valued at $6 billion — enabling it to buy other companies. Bitcoin and the global cryptocurrency market have hit record highs since the Nov. 5 election, as traders expect the crypto sector to benefit from Trump’s support of cryptocurrencies. Trump pledged during the campaign to transform the United States into the “crypto capital of the planet,” while during the President Joe Biden administration, the crypto space suffered what industry players alleged to be “regulation by enforcement” under the Securities and Exchange Commission , PYMNTS reported Nov. 6. The president-elect has promised to replace SEC Chair Gary Gensler with someone who would be more sympathetic to crypto, fueling speculation that the SEC would pivot to a more laissez-faire stance under a new chair. It was reported Monday (Nov. 18) that Trump was meeting with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong to discuss the incoming administration’s personnel appointments .

It’s looking more and more likely the Vikings will be without veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore for a second straight game. He hasn’t played since suffering a hamstring injury against the Arizona Cardinals a couple of weeks ago. Though he has an extra 24 hours to prepare this week with the Vikings set to host the Chicago Bears on Monday night at U.S. Bank Stadium, the fact that Gilmore still hasn’t practiced in any capacity isn’t a good sign. After not participating in the walkthrough on Thursday afternoon at TCO Performance Center, Gilmore was listed as a non participant in practice on Friday afternoon. It would make sense for the Vikings to be cautious with Gilmore considering how important he’s been to the secondary this season. They want to make sure he’s back at 100 percent for the playoffs. In the absence of Gilmore, veteran cornerback Fabian Moreau has logged more playing time. There also has been more responsibility placed on fellow cornerbacks Byron Murphy Jr. and Shaq Griffin, with safety Josh Metellus also mixing in at nickel. Jones at full strength It appears that edge rusher Pat Jones II is getting closer to making his return given that he was listed as a full participant in practice on Friday afternoon. He has been working through a knee injury and missed last Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. Having Jones back would be a major boost for the Vikings on defense, as he has found a role as a situational pass rusher. He has a career high 7.0 sacks this season while showcasing the ability to apply pressure off the edge or up the middle. Bynum honored by NFLPA In response to his philanthropy near and far, safety Cam Bynum has been named the NFLPA Community MVP for Week 15. Not only has Bynum regularly used his platform in the NFL to help with natural disaster relief in the Philippines, he has continued to spread joy in and around the Twin Cities through charitable events hosted by his Bynum Faith Foundation. The NFLPA will donate $10,000 to his foundation or charity of choice. In turn, Bynum will take part in a special visit to a local school, children’s hospital, or community center. The recognition also makes Bynum eligible for the Alan Page Community Award, the NFLPA’s highest player honor, which includes an additional $100,000 donation to the winner’s charities. Briefly The rest of the injury report was good news for the Vikings as running back Aaron Jones (back), tight end Josh Oliver (wrist/ankle), and edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel (hip) were all listed as full participants.

49ers look to maintain 'urgency' against rival RamsOTTAWA, ON , le 21 nov. 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- La Monnaie royale canadienne se réjouit que l'unique exemplaire de sa pièce de 10 kg en or pur à 99,99 % 2024 – The Dance Screen (The Scream Too) , un superbe hommage à l'œuvre du célèbre maître sculpteur et chef haïda 7IDANsuu (James Hart), ait trouvé preneur pour la somme de 1 561 250 dollars canadiens (droits d'acheteur compris) au terme d'enchères organisées en direct par la Maison de vente aux enchères Heffel. Ce chef-d'œuvre rarissime en or pur a été acquis par un enchérisseur anonyme le 20 novembre 2024, à un prix surpassant le record pour une pièce de monnaie vendue aux enchères au Canada , jusqu'alors détenu par la pièce de un kilo en platine pur Summum , aussi produite par la Monnaie royale canadienne. « Nous sommes ravis de constater l'intérêt des collectionneurs pour cette pièce unique en son genre et ravis de voir le savoir-faire de la Monnaie royale canadienne et le talent du chef haïda 7IDANsuu (James Hart) reconnus par l'acquéreur de cette pièce de 10 kg en or pur aussi rare que magnifique », souligne Marie Lemay, présidente de la Monnaie royale canadienne. « Ce fut un grand privilège de mettre aux enchères la pièce de 10 kg en or pur The Dance Screen (The Scream Too) », affirme David Heffel , président de la Maison de vente aux enchères Heffel. « Ce chef-d'œuvre hautement significatif, sculpté par le distingué chef James Hart et reproduit au revers de la pièce, constitue un symbole durable de l'art canadien, incarnant les riches traditions et les récits culturels de la Nation haïda. Nous sommes honorés d'avoir logé cette merveille au cœur d'une remarquable collection, et nous nous réjouissons de voir son legs continuer de susciter l'inspiration. » Impeccablement ciselée dans 10 kg d'or canadien pur à 99,99 %, la pièce The Dance Screen (The Scream Too) recrée les éléments sculptés dans le paravent en cèdre rouge d'origine par le chef 7IDANsuu . Le motif au revers de la pièce phare de la collection Opulence 2024 rassemble des personnages traditionnels haïdas dont la survie dépend fortement du Saumon : un Chaman, le Castor, le Corbeau, l'Aigle, la Grenouille, l'Épaulard ainsi que Maman Ourse et ses petits. Le Saumon y est aussi représenté dans sa forme humaine et animale le long du pourtour de la pièce. Six fragments iridescents de coquilles d'ormeaux de source responsable sont également incrustés le long du pourtour de la pièce, luisant d'un éclat nacré sous la lumière et rappelant par leur forme les boucliers en cuivre qui étaient autrefois l'étalon de la richesse chez les Haïdas. L'avers de cette pièce imposante est à l'effigie de Sa Majesté le roi Charles III, selon l'artiste canadien Steven Rosati. Le portrait du monarque est entouré d'un subtil motif gravé reproduisant une portion de l'œuvre originale. À propos de la Monnaie royale canadienne La Monnaie royale canadienne est la société d'État responsable de la production et de la distribution des pièces de circulation canadiennes. Reconnue comme l'un des établissements de monnayage les plus importants et les plus polyvalents au monde, elle produit des pièces de collection primées, des produits d'investissement de premier ordre ainsi que les prestigieuses médailles pour les honneurs militaires et civils du Canada . En tant qu'affineur certifié « bonne livraison » par la LBMA et la COMEX, la Monnaie offre aussi une gamme complète de services d'affinage de l'or et de l'argent de première qualité. Organisation qui s'efforce de mieux prendre soin de l'environnement, de cultiver des milieux de travail sécuritaires et inclusifs et d'avoir une incidence positive dans les collectivités où elle exerce ses activités, la Monnaie intègre des pratiques environnementales, sociales et de gouvernance dans tous les aspects de ses activités. Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements concernant la Monnaie et ses produits et services, visitez le www.monnaie.ca . Suivez la Monnaie sur LinkedIn , Facebook et Instagram . À propos de la Maison de vente aux enchères Heffel Depuis 1978, la Maison Heffel rassemble des collectionneurs passionnés du monde entier autour d'œuvres d'art exceptionnelles, à l'occasion de ventes totalisant à ce jour près d'un milliard de dollars. Ses bureaux à Toronto , Vancouver , Montréal, Ottawa et Calgary accueillent l'équipe de spécialistes de l'art la plus expérimentée au Canada , qui offre un service à la clientèle de qualité supérieure aux vendeurs comme aux acheteurs du monde entier. Renseignements : Monnaie royale canadienne, Alex Reeves, Chef principal, Affaires publiques, 613-884-6370, [email protected] ; Maison de vente aux enchères Heffel, Rebecca Rykiss , Directrice nationale, Image de marque et communications, 416-961-6505, poste 323, [email protected]

Romania's political landscape hangs in balance as preliminary results from the presidential election show a dead heat between Social Democrat Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and hard-right independent Calin Georgescu, both securing around 22.1% of votes. The electoral bureau data, with 80% of the votes counted, suggests a definitive outcome remains elusive, setting the stage for a potential December 8 run-off between the two leading candidates. Experts caution that the final list for the second round could alter significantly, given that votes from Romania's major cities and the diaspora will be counted later, potentially influencing the electoral dynamics. (With inputs from agencies.)How major US stock indexes fared Friday, 12/13/2024

Quebec fiscal update brings $2.1B in new spending, axes tax credit for older workersDBU pulls away late to top UT Tyler

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The game had suddenly gone sideways for the Minnesota Vikings , their 11-point lead on the Chicago Bears having evaporated in the closing seconds. They straightened it out in overtime, no sweat, because Sam Darnold simply hasn't been fazed. Save for his occasional rash of turnovers, in games the Vikings still managed to win, Darnold proved again on Sunday in defeating the Bears that he's directing a passing attack with the potential to be one of the NFL 's most potent. “I think he’s a mentally tough guy. I think he’s a physically tough guy. I think he’s confident in the guys around him, and I think he’s confident in our system,” coach Kevin O'Connell said after the 30-27 victory. “I think when he just continues to play quarterback at a high level, I think we’re a tough team.” After the defense forced the Bears to punt on the opening possession of overtime, Darnold led the Vikings on a 68-yard drive to set up the game-ending field goal while overcoming a 7-yard sack on the first play and two subsequent setbacks with a false start and a holding penalty. On third-and-10 from the 21, he hit Jordan Addison near the sideline for 13 yards. On first-and-15 from the 29, Darnold threaded a throw to Justin Jefferson for 20 yards after he'd muscled his way through Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson on a post route for the clutch catch after he'd been all but silenced all afternoon by a defense determined to constantly bracket him with double coverage. On second-and-11 from the 48, Darnold connected with a wide-open T.J. Hockenson underneath for 12 yards. Then two plays later off a second-and-8 play-action fake, he found Hockenson again on a deep corner route for 29 yards to put Parker Romo in prime position for the walk-off winner. “Just execute. It’s as simple as that. Just one play at a time," said Darnold, who went 22 for 34 for 330 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. “I think I tell the guys that every single time in the huddle, but that’s my mindset every single time I’m out there on the field, especially in that situation.” Even when Jefferson continues to draw an extraordinary amount of coverage , the Vikings with Addison, Hockenson, Aaron Jones and the rest of their crew running O'Connell's system have proven they have an offense that can go win a game when it's required. That wouldn't be possible without Darnold, whose career rebirth has helped spark the Vikings (9-2) become one of the league's biggest surprises in what's now its most difficult division. “He’s cool, calm, collected,” Hockenson said. "That’s what you want as the leader of the huddle.” The Vikings' defense ranks ninth in the league on third downs, allowing a conversion rate of 34.5% after limiting the Bears to a 6-for-17 performance. The Vikings are tied for first on fourth downs with an allowance of 36.4% after the Bears went 2 for 3. Both conversions came in the fourth quarter during touchdown drives. The Vikings also rank fourth in the NFL in opponent points per drive (1.52). The Vikings had seven possessions that crossed the 20-yard line in Chicago, but only three of them yielded touchdowns. Their lone turnover was the type of game-altering giveaways they've struggled to eliminate this month, a fumble by Aaron Jones at the 1-yard line that ruined a promising first drive. The Vikings are tied for 20th in the league in red zone touchdown rate (53.9%) and are 17th in goal-to-go touchdowns (72%). Addison had eight catches for 162 yards, both career highs, and a touchdown on nine throws from Darnold. The second-year wide receiver has had a quieter season than his rookie year, but he stepped up in a significant way on an afternoon when Jefferson was as smothered by the opposing secondary as ever. TE Johnny Mundt had the onside kick glance off his shin as he charged toward the coverage, and the first kicking team recovery in the NFL this season helped the Bears extend the game. Mundt also had the false start on the overtime drive. His lone catch was a 7-yard gain when he was stopped short of the goal line, one play before the lost fumble. Mundt played 33 of 71 snaps and Hockenson took 48 snaps with Oliver out. The Vikings lost LT Cam Robinson (foot) and LB Ivan Pace (hamstring) to injuries in the first quarter against the Bears, and O'Connell said on Monday those players were still in "evaluation mode." Oliver (ankle) will have an opportunity to return after being sidelined last week. 101.7 — Darnold's passer rating, which ranks ninth in the NFL. Darnold has posted a 100-plus passer rating in nine of 11 games this season. He had only 12 such performances in 56 career starts before joining the Vikings. The Vikings have four of their next five games at home, starting with Arizona (6-5) this week, Atlanta (6-5) on Dec. 8 and a rematch with Chicago (4-7) in a Monday night game on Dec. 16.

The 54 best Black Friday tech deals under $50Talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt have stalled since the truce expired on December 1, with Israel escalating its actions and refusing to end its aggression. On November 23, 2023 , Qatar announced that a deal was reached between Israel and Hamas, following numerous rounds of negotiations brokered by Doha and Cairo. The deal, which took effect on November 24 last year, was originally set for four days but was extended twice, ultimately lasting a total of seven days. Throughout the deal’s phases, Hamas released 109 Israelis out of some 240 captured during the surprise October 7 attack—widely known as Al-Aqsa Flood. Under the same deal, Israel released 240 Palestinians from its prisons, predominantly women and children. Israel was quick to resume its genocide on the Gaza Strip the moment the truce expired on the morning of December 1, in what marked only the beginning of its intensified war and escalated regional tensions. By the time of the deal’s expiration, Israel had killed more than 15,000 Palestinians . A year on, the figure has nearly tripled with more than 44,000 killed by Israel—although it is believed to be an undercount with thousands more still missing or trapped under the rubble. State of released prisoners Israel has carried out violations against the Palestinians released under last year’s deal, ranging from targeted killings to re-arresting them. Data obtained by Doha News from Ramallah-based Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association reveal that Israel has re-arrested 27 of those released since the deal expired. A total of 19 out of those re-arrested remain in detention, including six women and 13 minors. Qassam Iyad Nasrallah, a minor, has also been under house arrest since April 8, with his next court session scheduled for April 9, 2025. Two Palestinians are still under trial despite their release, including Fadwa Hamada and 17-year-old Nufouz Hammad, Addameer told Doha News. Hammad was first detained in 2021 from her school in occupied East Jerusalem at the age of 14 after being accused of stabbing an Israeli settler. In August, Israeli forces killed three of the minors released, including Tareq Dawood, Wael Musha, and Jibreel Ghassan Jibreel. Prolonged stalemate and assassinations The talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt have witnessed a prolonged stalemate since the truce expired on December 1, with Israel only carrying out more escalatory moves as it refuses to end its aggression. Its backer and main ally, the United States, has also blocked four out of 14 ceasefire resolutions at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). In an effort to revive negotiations, a meeting between the relevant parties took place in Poland in December, which saw a proposal for a “humanitarian pause” was discussed. This would involve the release of Israeli captives from Gaza in exchange for the release of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. However, the talks ended without a breakthrough as Israel escalated its attacks on the Gaza Strip. The same month saw Egypt present a three-phased deal that had involved a month-long pause in exchange for the release of at least 40 captives and Palestinians from Israeli prisons. The proposal, which Israel rejected, also included the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and eventually an end to the war. In a major escalation on January 2 , Israel killed senior Hamas official Saleh Al-Arouri in a drone strike on Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahiyeh. This marked the first Israeli attack on the Lebanese capital since the 2006 war. Hopes for a deal resurfaced again between late January and early February following talks in Paris, after Doha and Washington confirmed receiving a response from Hamas on a deal. Hamas’s reply outlined a three-stage plan, each lasting 45 days: releasing all Israeli captives and the bodies of those who died in Gaza, lifting the Gaza blockade, and reconstructing the territory. Netanyahu rejected the proposal yet again as the U.S. used its veto power for a third time to block a UNSC ceasefire resolution on February 20 . In April, Israel killed the children and grandchildren of former Hamas leader Haniyeh, but he insisted on continuing negotiations until a ceasefire was reached. Days later , Hamas presented mediators with a new three-phase proposal, each lasting 42 days, to pave the way for a ceasefire. On May 6, Hamas accepted a ceasefire proposed by Qatar and Egypt, but Israel rejected it and proceeded with its invasion of the Rafah Crossing. In June, U.S. President Joe Biden proposed a new plan that included the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of humanitarian aid into the enclave. Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad expressed their willingness to negotiate for an agreement. Qatar suspends mediating role Talks have continued to stall until Israel obstructed all efforts by assassinating Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31 , fueling escalations with Iran. The following month, Hamas then reiterated its demand that Israel commit to what was agreed upon in the July 2 proposal, which was based on a framework deal presented by Biden and supported by the UNSC. However, Israel further increased regional tensions by bombarding Lebanon’s capital and assassinating Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah on September 27. This prompted Iran to retaliate by launching a barrage of missiles on lands occupied by Israel. Israel then killed Haniyeh’s successor, Yahya Sinwar, on October 16 in Rafah, southern Gaza. The talks resumed in Doha by October 27, but ended without breakthrough as Israel intensified its brutal aggression on the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. Weeks without progress, Qatar announced on November 10 that its mediation stalled until both sides show a willingness to negotiate. Hamas leaders are also not present in the Gulf state, which has hosted the movement since 2012 at Washington’s request for mediation purposes. However, Qatar noted that the office has not been permanently closed. 0 0

ZURICH (AP) — Saudi Arabia scored a major win in its campaign to attract major sports events to the kingdom when it was formally appointed as the 2034 World Cup host on Wednesday. Still, many questions remain about the tournament as well as the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with three games in South America. Here are some of the key issues that need to be answered over the next decade: Saudi Arabia proposes 15 stadiums — eight still on paper — in five cities: Eight in the capital Riyadh, four in the Red Sea port city Jeddah, and one each in Abha, Al Khobar and Neom, the planned futuristic mega-project. Each would have at least 40,000 seats for World Cup games. The opening game and final are set for a 92,000-seat venue planned in Riyadh. Some designs are vivid . In Neom, the stadium is planned 350 meters (yards) above street level and one near Riyadh is designed to be atop a 200-meter cliff with a retractable wall of LED screens. Saudi Arabia aims to host all 104 games, though there has been speculation that some games could be played in neighboring or nearby countries. Surely not in the traditional World Cup period of June-July, when temperatures in Saudi Arabia routinely exceed 40 Celsius (104 degrees). FIFA moved the Qatar-hosted World Cup to November-December 2022, though those dates were not loved by most European clubs and leagues whose seasons were interrupted. Also, that slot is complicated in 2034 by the holy month of Ramadan through mid-December and Riyadh hosting the multi-sport Asian Games. January 2034 could be a possibility even though that would be just before the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The International Olympic Committee has signaled it won’t be opposed to back-to-back major events. In an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, Saudi World Cup bid official Hammad Albalawi said the precise dates of the tournament are up the world soccer body. “That’s a decision by FIFA. We stand ready to be part of this conversation. But ultimately it’s a FIFA decision together with the confederations,” Albalawi said. Giving more rights and freedoms to women in a traditionally conservative society is fundamental to Saudi messaging around the modernization program known as Vision 2030. The kingdom decided in 2017 to let women attend sports events, initially in major cities and in family zones separate from men-only sections. By 2034, at the promised pace of social reforms, female fans should not be restricted. Saudi Arabia launched a women’s professional soccer league in 2022 with players joining from clubs in Europe. They face no restrictions playing in shorts and with hair uncovered. The Saudi prohibition of alcohol is clear and understood before FIFA signs any sponsor deals for 2034. But will there be any exceptions? The alcohol issue was problematic for the World Cup in Qatar because the expectation was created that beer sales would be allowed at stadiums even before Qatar won its bid in 2010. One year later, FIFA extended a long-time deal to have Budweiser as the official World Cup beer through 2022. Qatar then backtracked on that promise three days before the first game, causing confusion and the sense of a promise broken. In Qatar, alcohol was served only at luxury suites at the stadiums. Visitors could also have a drink in some hotel bars. But Saudi Arabia has even stricter rules on alcohol — and there is no indication that will change. Albalawi noted that Saudi Arabia has successfully hosted dozens of sports events where alcohol wasn't served. “We’re creating a safe and secure family environment for fans to bring their families into our stadiums,” he said. Saudi promises to reform and enforce labor laws, and fully respect migrant workers, have been accepted by FIFA but face broad skepticism from rights groups and trade unions. A formal complaint is being investigated by the U.N.-backed International Labor Organization. Protecting the migrant workers needed to build stadiums and other tournament projects — a decade after it was a defining issue for Qatar — looms as a signature challenge for Saudi Arabia. Saudi-Israeli relations had been improving when FIFA all but gave the 2034 World Cup to the kingdom on Oct. 4 last year. Three days later Hamas attacked Israel and diplomacy got more complicated. Any soccer federation bidding to host a FIFA tournament accepts a basic principle that whichever team qualifies is welcome. That did not stop Indonesia putting up barriers last year to Israel coming for the men’s Under-20 World Cup. Indonesia does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel which had qualified through a European tournament nine months before the issue flared. FIFA moved the entire tournament to Argentina and the Israeli team reached the semifinals. Israel played at the 1970 World Cup but has never advanced through qualifying in Europe, where it has been a member of UEFA for 30 years. Europe should have 16 places in the 48-team World Cup in Saudi Arabia. Most of the attention at the FIFA Congress on Wednesday was on the Saudi decision, but the soccer body and its members also formally approved the hosts of the 2030 World Cup — the most spread out and longest ever. One game each in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, the original host in 1930, will be played from June 8-9. The tournament resumes four days later for the other 101 games shared between Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Six countries, three continents, multiple languages and currencies. Fans traveling on planes, trains, automobiles and boats across about 14 kilometers (10 miles) of water between Spain and Morocco. The final is due on July 21, 2030 and a decision on where it will be played could cause some tension between the host countries. Morocco wants it in the world’s biggest soccer venue — the planned 115,000-seat King Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca. Spain, meanwhile, has proposed to host the final in either of the remodeled home stadiums of club giants Real Madrid or Barcelona. Associated Press writer Baraa Anwer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, contributed to this report.