UN humanitarian teams providing support at the Syrian border to aid refugees fleeing the escalating Israeli airstrikes.
Urgent
Hamas leader in Lebanon killed in Israeli airstrike
Damaged buildings and scenes of devastation following a recent airstrike amid the growing conflict in the region.
The Israeli airstrike killed the Hamas leader in Lebanon and several family members. Tensions rise as weeks of conflict and escalating violence continue in the region.
The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) confirmed on Monday the death of its leader in Lebanon, Fatah Sharif, also known as 'Abu al-Amin,' in an airstrike carried out by the Israeli army on Lebanese territory. The attack also claimed the lives of several members of his family.
"We mourn the death of the movement's leader in Lebanon and member of its foreign leadership, the martyr Fatah Sharif," the group stated, adding that the airstrike targeted his home in the Al-Bass camp in southern Lebanon.
Hamas detailed that alongside Sharif, his wife, Umaya Ibrahim Abdulhamid; his son, Amin Fatah Sharif; and his daughter, Wafa Fatah Sharif, were also killed, as reported by the Palestinian newspaper 'Filastin,' which is affiliated with Hamas.
"Brother 'Abu Amin' has died as a martyr in the sacred 'Al-Aqsa Flood' battle, following the path of our movement's leaders and our martyred people, after a career dedicated to serving the Palestinian people, their legitimate struggle, and their just cause," the statement concluded.
Islamic Jihad also extended its condolences and condemned the "terrorist bombing" carried out by Israel against Sharif's residence. "This heinous crime, executed by enemy forces against a home and its residents in the heart of a civilian area, is sheer hatred happening in front of the whole world, which fails to lift a finger," it emphasized, underscoring that international inaction "encourages the enemy to continue its crimes."
Lebanese authorities reported on Sunday the death of at least 105 people as a result of Israeli airstrikes carried out during that day, amid a surge in Israeli attacks for nearly two weeks that have left hundreds dead, thousands wounded, and hundreds of thousands displaced.
This escalation is part of ongoing hostilities over the past year, following Hezbollah's attack on Israeli territory a day after the attacks carried out on October 7, 2023, by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and other Palestinian factions, which prompted Israel to launch a brutal offensive against the Gaza Strip.
Economy
U.S. consumer spending rises moderately in August, signaling continued economic momentum
Moderate rise in spending reflects economic momentum, with wage gains and higher savings supporting consumer confidence.
Consumer spending rises by 0.2% in August, supported by wage growth, easing inflation, and higher savings, signaling steady economic momentum.
Consumer spending in the United States increased moderately in August, suggesting that the economy maintained some of its strong momentum from the third quarter, while inflationary pressures continued to ease.
Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity, rose by 0.2% last month following an unrevised 0.5% increase in July, as reported by the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Commerce Department on Friday. Economists polled by Reuters had estimated a 0.3% rise.
Consumer spending remains supported by still solid wage gains, despite a significant slowdown in the labor market.
Annual revisions of national accounting data released on Thursday indicated higher growth in wages and salaries in the second quarter than previously estimated. The savings rate was also greater than initially thought. The increase in income and savings bodes well for consumer spending for the remainder of the year. There had been concerns that consumers would dip into their savings to finance spending. Nervousness in the labor market, with an unemployment rate above 4%, had raised fears of precautionary savings that could undermine spending.
Last week, the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark overnight interest rate by 50 basis points to the 4.75%-5% range, marking the first reduction in credit costs since 2020. According to Fed Chair Jerome Powell, this move aimed to demonstrate the monetary policymakers' commitment to maintaining a low unemployment rate.
Growth estimates for the third quarter stand at an annualized rate of around 2.9%, with consumer spending expected to match the pace of the April-June quarter. The economy expanded at a rate of 3.0% in the second quarter.
Cinema
Will Ferrell’s 'Will & Harper' explores friendship and gender transition in heartfelt documentary
A journey exploring friendship and identity as two friends navigate new dynamics during a life-changing road trip.
"Will & Harper" follows the journey of Will Ferrell and Harper Steele as they navigate a cross-country road trip post-Harper's transition.
Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com joined Scott Thompson on "The Morning Mess" on WBGR-FM in Monroe, Wisconsin, on September 26th to review the film "Will & Harper." This documentary explores the story of Will Ferrell and his friend Andrew Steele, a former "Saturday Night Live" writer, who, at the age of 61, decides to transition to female and takes on the name Harper Steele.
The film captures their road trip across America as they navigate the changes in their friendship and experience the country's reactions to Harper's transition. It provides a deep look into the evolving dynamics of their relationship and how society views their journey.
Rated "R," "Will & Harper," directed by Josh Greenbaum, is currently available in theaters and has been streaming on Netflix since September 27th. HollywoodChicago.com’s Oscarman gives it a rating of 4.0 out of 5.0.
Cinema
Francis Ford Coppola's 'Megalopolis' receives critical acclaim for its visionary storytelling
Coppola's latest film captivates audiences with its bold themes, stunning visuals, and masterful storytelling.
"Megalopolis," directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is praised for its bold vision, capturing the imagination of audiences and critics worldwide.
Francis Ford Coppola has once again proven his mastery of filmmaking with his latest work, "Megalopolis." The film, released earlier this week, has garnered widespread acclaim for its ambitious narrative and stunning visuals. Critics have described it as a "cinematic masterpiece," praising Coppola's bold exploration of urban development and the human pursuit of utopia.
Set in a near-futuristic city, "Megalopolis" takes viewers on a visual journey that challenges societal norms while delivering a compelling story. Coppola’s direction, known for his unique storytelling style, shines through, providing audiences with a thought-provoking experience that pushes the boundaries of cinema.
This project marks Coppola’s return to the director's chair after a long hiatus, with many in the industry calling it one of his best works to date. The film's reception is already generating buzz for potential award nominations, solidifying Coppola's status as one of the greatest directors in cinematic history.
Cinema
‘Beverly Hills Cop’ actor John Ashton passes away at 76
Celebrated actor known for his iconic roles in film and television has passed away, leaving a legacy in Hollywood.
John Ashton, famed for his role in "Beverly Hills Cop," leaves behind a legacy of remarkable performances in film and TV, passing away at 76.
John Ashton, the actor beloved for his role as Sergeant Taggart in the "Beverly Hills Cop" series, has passed away at the age of 76. Ashton's performance in the iconic film series left an indelible mark on Hollywood and established him as a memorable presence on screen.
With a career spanning decades, Ashton appeared in numerous films and TV shows, showcasing his versatile talent and dedication to his craft. His other notable works include roles in films like "Midnight Run" and television series such as "The A-Team." Throughout his career, Ashton earned admiration for his strong character portrayals, endearing him to fans and colleagues alike.
News of his passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from those who worked with him in the industry, as well as from fans who fondly remember his performances. Ashton's passing is not just a loss to Hollywood but also a reminder of the lasting impact that talented actors have on the film and television landscape.
His legacy lives on through his numerous film and TV roles, leaving a treasure trove of work that fans can continue to enjoy and appreciate.
Urgent
Israeli airstrikes target civilian facilities, resulting in deaths and injuries
Aerial operation leaves destruction, sparking widespread condemnation and raising concerns over escalating tensions.
The strikes targeted power plants and a port used for oil imports, with Israeli forces citing a response to recent cross-border aggression.
MADRID, 30 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) - At least four people have died and 49 others have been injured in a wave of Israeli bombings against civilian facilities in the port of Hodeida, Yemen, according to the initial assessment by Houthi authorities.
Specifically, three engineers from Al Hali Electricity and a port worker were killed in the attack, in addition to the 49 injured, according to the official report.
The Israeli Armed Forces have confirmed "a large-scale air operation" against the Houthis in Yemen, about 1,800 kilometers from Israel's borders. Dozens of Israeli fighter jets, supported by refueling and reconnaissance aircraft, have attacked "military targets of the Houthi terrorist regime" in the regions of Ras Issa and Hodeida.
In particular, they targeted power plants and a seaport used for importing oil. "Through the infrastructures and ports attacked, the Houthi regime introduces Iranian weapons and supplies for military needs, including oil," explains the Israeli statement.
This Israeli attack is "in response to the latest attacks carried out by the Houthi regime against the State of Israel," following the launch of several long-range projectiles from Yemeni territory toward Israel.
Israel claims that the Houthis act "under the direction and funding of Iran" and in collaboration with Iraqi militias "to harm the State of Israel, undermine regional order, and disrupt global freedom of navigation."
"The Israel Defense Forces are determined to continue acting against anyone who poses a threat to the citizens of the State of Israel, at any distance necessary," the text concludes.
RESERVOIRS EMPTIED
Houthi-affiliated Yemeni media have confirmed the Israeli attacks, particularly the bombing of fuel reservoirs at the port of Ras Issa in Hodeida, as well as the city's main port.
Additionally, the Al Hali, Ras Kazib, and Mina power plants, also in Hodeida, have been bombed, according to the Yemeni news agency Saba.
However, Houthi sources have claimed that they had taken "precautions" and emptied the fuel reservoirs of Ras Issa and Hodeida, reports the pan-Arab television channel Al Jazeera.
The Houthi-supported Supreme Political Council --equivalent to the Presidency-- has condemned the Israeli "brutal aggression" in Hodeida. "Although we know that this enemy tramples on international laws and norms with total savagery, with that savagery, they expose themselves to responses they cannot bear," it warned.
The attack on the power plants "aims to double the suffering of the Yemeni people and prevent the Republic of Yemen from supporting the Palestinian people and the just and legitimate Palestinian cause." "This aggression will not go unanswered," it warned, while emphasizing that it "increases the determination of the people of Yemen to continue in their stance."
ATTACK IN COORDINATION WITH THE U.S.
Israeli sources have highlighted that the attack was carried out in coordination with the United States Armed Forces' Central Command, according to the U.S. news portal Axios.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized after the attack that "there is no place that is too far" from Israel's military capability.
The minister published a message on his account on the social network X that begins with a biblical quote: "I pursue my enemies, I overtake them, I do not turn back until they are destroyed. Psalms 18, 38." "I have followed the attack against the Houthis from the Air Force control room. The message is clear. No place is too far," he added.
Similarly, Air Force Commander Tomer Bar stressed that "we will reach anyone who tries to harm the citizens of the State of Israel."
International
Car bomb explosion outside restaurant leaves multiple dead and injured
Emergency teams assist the injured following a car bomb explosion outside a busy location during peak hours.
The explosion struck during a busy period, leaving several casualties. Authorities suspect a terrorist group's involvement and have increased public security.
A devastating car bomb blast rocked Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, on Saturday, resulting in at least seven fatalities and twelve critically injured. The explosion occurred outside a bustling restaurant around midday, one of the busiest times of day for the establishment, according to Somali news outlet Raxanreeb.com. As of now, no group has officially claimed responsibility for the attack.
Authorities acted swiftly, ordering increased security in public areas as they launched an investigation into the incident. Emergency services arrived promptly at the scene, with the help of local residents and workers assisting the injured before they were rushed to the hospital. Given the severity of some injuries, officials warn that the death toll could rise.
Speculation is mounting, with indications pointing towards Al Shabaab, a group notorious for carrying out attacks in crowded civilian areas. Despite the absence of an official claim, the group's history of violence in Somalia places them high on the list of suspects. Al Shabaab, linked to Al Qaeda, dominates large swathes of the southern and central regions of the country and is responsible for some of the deadliest acts of terror in Somalia's history.
In recent years, the Somali government, bolstered by the support of local clans and militias, has escalated efforts to combat Al Shabaab, particularly since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's rise to power in May 2022. The attack serves as a grim reminder of the persistent threat posed by these groups, as authorities work tirelessly to identify those behind this tragic bombing.
Urgent
Israeli airstrike targets suspected Hamas command center in former school
Images of an airstrike impact following intelligence reports pointing to suspicious activities at the targeted site.
The airstrike was based on intelligence reports. Israel claims the facility was used by Hamas to coordinate terrorist operations against the state.
Israeli military aircraft have struck an old school in northern Gaza, suspected of being a command center for the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). So far, there are no reports on potential casualties.
Israel has described the attack as "selective," carried out based on intelligence information against "terrorists operating within the command and control complex of the Hamas terrorist organization" at the former Am el Fahm School.
The Israeli Army stated that this complex was used by Hamas to plan and execute operations against Israeli military forces and the State of Israel. Before the attack, measures were taken to minimize harm to civilians, including the use of precision weaponry and additional intelligence. Israel has accused Hamas of "systematically violating international law" by using civilians and civil institutions as human shields for "terrorist" purposes.
Science
Strong El Niño events linked to short-term spikes in atmospheric CO2, new study reveals
Extreme weather events play a crucial role in the short-term fluctuations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Study finds that El Niño events, not long-term climate changes, cause short-term CO2 fluctuations, highlighting uncertainties in climate projections.
Strong El Niño events may be responsible for short-term fluctuations in atmospheric CO2 levels, according to a new study that challenges previous assumptions about the link between CO2 and tropical temperatures. The research, conducted by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry and the University of Leipzig, suggests that these extreme weather phenomena could explain observed CO2 sensitivity in recent decades.
Between 1959 and 2011, the atmospheric CO2 content responded twice as strongly to tropical temperatures as it had in previous years. While this increase was often attributed to rising droughts in the tropics and changes in the carbon cycle due to climate change, the new study proposes a different explanation. The research points to strong El Niño events as a significant factor in this increased sensitivity.
Published in the journal Science Advances, the findings question prior assumptions about the relationship between atmospheric CO2 and tropical temperature. The study highlights the importance of El Niño events, which occur in irregular intervals, leading to significant changes in global climate patterns.
Both tropical and non-tropical ecosystems absorb large amounts of carbon, which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere through human CO2 emissions. Globally, terrestrial ecosystems act as a carbon sink, absorbing roughly one-third of human-generated CO2 emissions. These ecosystems thus play a vital role as a natural buffer against climate change.
In the 1980s and 1990s, researchers noticed an increase in the fluctuations of global carbon storage on land. The growth rate of atmospheric CO2 appeared to be particularly sensitive to tropical temperatures. Researchers from Jena and Leipzig found that this "doubling" of sensitivity was due to the increased occurrence of El Niño events during the 1980s and 1990s compared to the period from 1960 to 1979.
Vegetation Releases Large Amounts of CO2
This includes the extreme El Niño events of 1982/83 and 1997/98, which caused severe droughts and heatwaves in the tropics. These conditions negatively affected plant growth, reducing carbon absorption. During El Niño periods, vegetation can even release significant amounts of carbon that would otherwise remain sequestered in soil or forests, leading to a rise in atmospheric CO2.
The study’s authors emphasize that this increase in CO2 is due to internal climate variability, rather than a systematic change in the carbon cycle caused by climate change. "Our results show that this doubling of sensitivity is not necessarily an indication of a fundamental change in the carbon cycle's response to climate change," explains Na Li, from the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry and lead author of the study. Instead, it is caused by the combination of extreme El Niño events and their global impact.
Professor Ana Bastos of the University of Leipzig, the study's principal investigator, adds, "Thanks to our work, we were also able to demonstrate that this phenomenon is related to the 'slow-in, fast-out' dynamics of the carbon cycle. This means that carbon is absorbed slowly by ecosystems but can be released suddenly and rapidly during extreme weather events like strong El Niño events."
Implications for Climate Projections
The study's findings are important because they highlight uncertainties in future climate projections. Until now, it was assumed that greater sensitivity of CO2 increases to tropical temperatures was due to long-term, climate-related changes in the carbon cycle and the global climate system. However, this research shows that extreme events can cause short-term fluctuations that do not necessarily indicate permanent changes in the carbon cycle.
"These new findings could help develop more accurate climate models and reduce uncertainties in predicting future climate scenarios," states Professor Sebastian Sippel from the University of Leipzig. He further asserts the need to better understand how extreme climate events, such as El Niño, affect carbon dynamics to make more reliable forecasts for the future.
Science
Northern elephant seals show genetic effects of near-extinction despite population recovery
Marine mammals face long-term challenges as researchers study the impacts of historical population declines.
A study reveals that the near-extinction of northern elephant seals has led to a significant loss of genetic diversity, raising concerns for their long-term health.
Northern elephant seals have made a remarkable recovery after nearly being hunted to extinction for their blubber oil, but a new study reveals enduring genetic impacts on the current population.
Historically, the population of northern elephant seals in the Pacific Ocean was in the hundreds of thousands. However, genetic analyses suggest that by the early 20th century, hunting had reduced this population to fewer than 25 individuals. Since then, the population has rebounded to approximately 225,000, but this drastic decline has left lasting marks on their genetic pool.
The research, led by the Universities of York and Bielefeld (Germany) and published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, indicates that this near-extinction event resulted in the loss of numerous genes from the northern elephant seal's gene pool. This loss has significantly reduced their genetic diversity, potentially affecting their overall health and future adaptability.
The researchers conducted the study by combining genetic data, health records, population size models, and genetic simulations. Interestingly, they did not observe a similar genetic pattern in the southern elephant seal, a closely related species that did not experience such a drastic population decline.
The findings demonstrate how severe population declines can reduce a species' genetic diversity, increasing the risk of inbreeding and threatening its long-term survival. These insights are crucial for species conservation and ecosystem management.
The study's lead author, Professor Kanchon Dasmahapatra from the Department of Biology at the University of York, explained, "Our study illustrates how the unique population history of a species shapes its genetic diversity. The highly reduced genetic diversity, including the loss of copies of beneficial genes, may hinder the northern elephant seals' ability to cope with future environmental changes, including those caused by anthropogenic climate change, habitat alterations, or even natural threats such as disease outbreaks."
Professor Joseph Hoffman from Bielefeld University, a co-author of the study, added, "All individuals of a species carry some harmful mutations, although their effects are usually hidden. However, inbred individuals may face health issues as these mutations become exposed. We observed several key health traits in these seals, including body weight, blubber thickness, and susceptibility to diseases. Surprisingly, we found no signs of health problems related to inbreeding. We believe that the severe population decline might have removed many harmful mutations."
The research emphasizes the complex relationship between population history and genetic health in species. While the northern elephant seals have shown an impressive comeback in terms of numbers, the genetic consequences of their near-extinction may pose challenges to their future adaptability and survival.
This study highlights the importance of maintaining genetic diversity within species, offering critical information for future conservation efforts and ecosystem management strategies to ensure the resilience of wildlife populations.
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Founded on April 9, 2010, Diario Salto Al Día is a Uruguayan news outlet dedicated to national and international news coverage.