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Ahead of his second $1million tournament championship on Friday night, Impa Kasanganay is only going to make one big purchase with his winnings. The PFL star is taking on his fifth fight since the beginning of last year, and has transformed his life from homelessness to becoming a millionaire by winning last season’s light-heavyweight title. Between seasons, he took on Bellator champion Johnny Eblen in a lucrative Saudi Arabian bout this February. And now he is set for his second world title final on Friday night back in the Kingdom’s capital city of Riyadh. He takes on Dovlet Yagshimuradov, and insists he could have fought even more during his unprecedented period of activity. ALL ELBOWS: PFL announces major rule change three days before $1million world championship tournament finals Impa Kasanganay maintains a connection to homeless past after winning $1million prize In a recent video with on PFL social media, Impa Kasanganay returned to the area where he used to camp after going broke when he was released from the UFC . And he insists it is vitally important that he maintain a link to his difficult past now that he has found success. “There’s a verse I like that says ‘be joyful when you face trials of any kind’, so that breeds perseverance and endurance,” he told Bloody Elbow in an exclusive chat. “I believe people need that and someone told me once ‘fighters are the entertainer’s entertainer’. “Fighters help people, you watch us go into battle and everyone has felt something like that kind of during their life, right? They’re battling with something and they can relate to that. “I think God made me go through those trials. Did I choose to go through that? Did I really want to live in my car for a year? The year was cool and the car was alright but I think when you go through moments like that it’s not just about you. “God uses you to reflect him and work on your life. Now people get to use that moment as an inspiration and it’s a great honor to get to fight in Riyadh, the United States, Africa and beyond. I take that as a great responsibility. Impa Kasanganay will buy a motorcycle with second $1million PFL prize With his first $1million title win, Kasanganay invested in a media company as well as finally achieving his dream of opening a gym. ‘Impa’s Refinery’ in Florida allows beginners and professionals to train in top facilities, and was his biggest purchase after taking home the check. A second victory would appear to allow him some more flexibility with his spending, particularly after already taking a big money fight in February. But he promises that he won’t let himself get carried away after spending the past year learning about business in Harvard during his time off training. “No stupid purchases,” he insisted. “You learn a lot in a year! But I have a team, we’re building out a media company and we’re entering a film festival. I’ve got a lot of great people around and we’re doing a lot of great things. “I think you take on different challenges with success, things you plan for and things you don’t, you learn along the way. The Refinery, I put a lot back into that with trainers and a full staff, I take care of my family, bring everyone around each other. “If I win this year, I’d like a new motorcycle, that’d be about it. Anything I want to do from now on I can build, and it’s cool watching different companies and how they overcame different challenges... I want to invest in my education, maybe a new motorcycle and then hit new heights.” Impa Kasanganay plots Johnny Eblen rematch after world title clash While Kasanganay insists that he will ‘probably disappear for a little bit’ after the finals, he already has one eye on a particular rematch. The sole red mark on his record in the ten bouts since the summer of 2022 is Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen , against whom he wants to avenge his loss. The pair’s ‘Battle of the Champions’ showdown in February saw Eblen emerge victorious by a hair in a razor-close split decision. But the PFL star is confident that he did enough to win, and believes their paths may cross again some day. “I saw Johnny fight Fabian Edwards , he’s a champion and he’s a warrior,” Kasanganay continued. “He brought it to Fabian and then Fabian brought it to him at the end, then Johnny found a way to win. “I know I won that fight, I claim victory, and I’m always grateful for that. Without that fight I don’t believe I’d be the person and the fighter that I am today, this is no shot at him, we’ve had a private conversation and there’s respect. “I respect the fact that he has called me out, so soon enough that fight will come. Right now on Friday I’ll claim this victory and that’s my focus, but after that see me in January and I’m ready to go.” Who is Francis Ngannou? Inside the former UFC heavyweight champion’s journey from poverty to combat sports superstardom

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For 52 years people were removed from their homes and forced to live on an island off the Queensland coast. More than 500 people were sent to a colony on Peel Island in Moreton Bay, east of Brisbane, from 1907 until its closure in 1959. They all had one thing in common — they had been diagnosed with leprosy. For many it was a life sentence, with about 200 people buried on the island. "It wasn't a hospital. You weren't going there for treatment," Queensland Parks and Wildlife ranger Daley Donnelly said. "The people who were sent there had their freedoms taken away from them. “You were going there because you had to be isolated from society." About 160 acres of the island was proclaimed a lazaret under Queensland's Leprosy Act of 1892. Patients, including children, at lazarets on Friday Island and Stradbroke Island were transferred to the new facility. Leprosy, known as Hansen's disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria that affects the skin and peripheral nerves. There was no treatment for the condition, which can cause progressive and permanent disabilities, until the 1940s. For 31 years there was no surgery at the Peel Island lazaret. A doctor would visit patients on a regular basis, while a matron and superintendent lived on the island. Patients were treated with chaulmoogra oil, which Mr Donnelly described as a "very thick, disgusting smelling liquid" that would be pumped into people's veins. "It made them sick, and it did absolutely nothing for the symptoms that they had," he said. Living conditions an 'obvious example of racism' The Peel Island lazaret was the first mixed race isolation facility in Australia, with patients segregated by sex and race. White people were housed in individual huts, while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Melanesians and Chinese patients lived together on another part of the compound. The difference between the accommodation gives an insight into society's attitude at the time, according to University of Queensland Associate Professor Kelly Greenop. "We know that racism existed then, but it's really rare to see such an obvious case of racism in architecture where you can see different buildings being given to different people," she said. "There was not only this desire to separate people out away from each other or from the healthy population, but to break them up into racial groups to avoid this so called mixing of the races which was purported to cause the disease — which, of course, it didn't." The Queenslander newspaper described white patients' huts as lined, ventilated and furnished with a four post bed, spring mattress, table, chair and chest of drawers. Dr Greenop said the huts for people of colour were made of timber and paper bark and were not tall enough to stand in. "This is a pretty harsh way to treat people who are unwell and you do really get a very sombre sense of the history and heritage of the place when you're there," she said. In 1940, 49 Indigenous patients were transferred to Fantome Island, in the Palm Island group, leaving 32 people at Peel Island. Dr Greenop led a project UQ conducted in partnership with the CSIRO to create a digital model of the heritage-listed site using 3D laser scanning technology. This allowed the team to digitally recreate buildings that are missing to understand the scale of the operation at its height. "It's a site in decay, and it's juxtaposed with the surrounding landscape and the Moreton Bay sea scape," she said. Concerns raised by patients and families Patients and their families raised concerns over treatment and living conditions at the lazaret throughout the 52 years. In a series of letters to the state in 1908 patients asked for "food suitable for the disease", their clothes to be washed and to be given the "run of the beach for sea bathing". A South Sea Islander patient said rain would come through his bark roof. "All the other coloured lepers have the same complaints to make as I have and they also complain that some of them have no houses to live in and have to live in tents," he said in a letter. Patients also objected to the same dray carting night soil, dead bodies and provisions. In response to the concerns, medical officer Linford Elfe Row, who was stationed at Dunwich on North Stradbroke Island, told the state it was "absolutely untrue" patients weren't given proper medicine and said he visited the island at least once a week. In 1918 two inmates were reported to the Department of Public Health as missing from the lazaret with two loaves of bread. The superintendent said it was difficult to get information from other patients as "they never give each other away in anything connected with themselves". In 1921 relatives complained to the Home Secretary Office about how little time they had to visit the island. Mr Donnelly said patients had to "fight every step of the way" for improved conditions and formed their own committee. He said there were reports of two patients escaping from the island during World War II and catching a train to Canberra to speak with the federal health minister and advocate for themselves. Eric Reye became the first medical officer to live on the island in 1947 to help administer a new treatment to patients. In an interview as part of the Redland City Council's oral history project, Dr Reye said the first year with the sulfone drug Promin was difficult. He said the daily injections proved to be working and then they progressed to oral medication and "never looked back". Island a 'prison without bars' for mother June Mary Berthelsen, who was sent to the lazaret for 22 months from 1956 to 1958, described it as a "prison without bars". In an interview in 1994, as part of the Redland City Council's oral history project, she said she had sought medical treatment after developing a rash which looked like "white marbles" under her skin. Despite being a nurse herself, she had never seen anything like it. When she heard the diagnosis "everything just stopped". "My mind went blank, I couldn't think," she said. Mrs Berthelsen was told she would have to go away to Peel Island, leaving behind her husband and three children. "If we'd been in an ordinary hospital you'd have been treated at least as a human being," she said. "Over there, I always used to feel sub-human, as though I wasn't really existing. "It was a prison without bars." When asked to describe a day on the island she said: "You can't describe a day when you don't do anything". "There was just nothing to do, and nobody cared what you did, anyway." Patients hospitalised as facility closes In 1958 doctor Morgan Gabriel, who lived on the island with his young family, raised questions at an international congress in Japan about the need to isolate patients. It was recommended restrictive conditions practised in many countries be relaxed, which led to the decision to abandon the lazaret and treat patients in hospital. To be released, patients had to have 12 successive negative tissue smears each month. In 1958 this was reduced to three negative smears. The remaining patients were removed from the island on August 5, 1959, and taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in South Brisbane. The island today From 1998 the Friends of Peel Island Association took people over to the site for tours and to conduct working bees. Former president Scott Fowle said the volunteers spent up to 500 hours maintaining, cleaning and painting the buildings and tending to the cemetery up until the group disbanded in 2020. For Mr Fowle one of the most significant contributions the group made was refurbishing the Catholic Church from the 1920s, originally a female hut, in 2010 which then held up to three services a year. Mr Donnelly, who works with the QPWS heritage parks unit, said the lazaret was an important part of Queensland's history. “It's a microcosm of Queensland society in the 20th century,” he said. Peel island was declared as Teerk Roo Ra national park in 2007 and today is jointly managed by the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. While people can pull up in their boats on the island for a swim at Horseshoe Bay, the lazaret site can only be accessed on request. Mr Donnelly said this was not only for the protection of the site but also for people’s safety because of decay. “There's nothing like being in situ... and getting a sense of the different compounds, and looking out at the beautiful views of the bay and over to Moreton Island," he said. Related topics History Infectious Diseases Peel Island

3 Stocks to Watch as China Tightens Control Over Antimony Exports (MILIF, PPTA, UAMY)President-elect Donald Trump has announced many of his picks for potential nominees for his Cabinet and other White House administration roles since winning the 2024 presidential election. While the picks still have to be officially nominated and approved in many cases, voters were recently asked to share whether they approve or disapprove of his current selections. What Happened: Trump's announced picks have generated plenty of discussion on social media and across the political spectrum with the announced pick of Matt Gaetz as attorney general eventually saw the former Congressman withdraw his name due to concerns of being a distraction and fears of not getting approval. A new Morning Consult poll asked voters for their approval ratings on Trump and his picks for the new White House administration. The poll found Trump had an approval rating of 53%, down from 54% in the poll published on Nov. 17. Split by political party, Republicans gave Trump a 91% approval rating, down from 93%, Independents gave an approval rating of 44%, down from 46% and Democrats gave an approval rating of 21%, up from 20%. Personnel Pick Ratings : Here are the approval and disapproval ratings of recent personnel picks by Trump for his next White House term. Marco Rubio, Secretary of State: 45% approval, 34% disapproval, 21% no opinion Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , Health and Human Services Secretary: 44% approval, 39% disapproval, 17% no opinion Mike Huckabee, U.S. ambassador to Isreal: 44% approval, 31% disapproval, 25% no opinion Mehmet Oz, CMS administrator: 41% approval, 38% disapproval, 20% no opinion Tulsi Gabbard , Director of National Intelligence: 39% approval, 33% disapproval, 29% no opinion Pam Bondi , Attorney General: 39% approval, 29% disapproval, 33% no opinion Elise Stefanik , U.S. ambassador to the United Nations: 38% approval, 29% disapproval, 33% no opinion Kristi Noem, Homeland Security secretary: 37% approval, 33% disapproval, 30% no opinion Pete Hegseth , Defense secretary: 36% approval, 32% disapproval, 32% no opinion Linda McMahon , Education secretary: 36% approval, 36% disapproval, 28% no opinion Scott Bessent , Treasury secretary: 36% approval, 25% disapproval, 39% no opinion Doug Collins , Veterans Affairs secretary: 35% approval, 25% disapproval, 40% no opinion Doug Burgum , Interior secretary: 35% approval, 26% disapproval, 39% no opinion Janette Nesheiwat , Surgeon General: 35% approval, 25% disapproval, 40% no opinion Matt Whitake r, NATO ambassador: 34% approval, 28% disapproval, 38% no opinion Sean Duffy , Transportation secretary: 34% approval, 28% disapproval, 38% no opinion Chris Wright , Energy secretary, 34% approval, 29% disapproval, 37% no opinion Lee Zeldin , EPA administrator: 34% approval, 29% disapproval, 37% no opinion Brooke Rollins , Agriculture secretary: 34% approval, 24% disapproval, 43% no opinion Marty Makary , FDA commissioner: 33% approval, 27% disapproval, 40% no opinion Dave Weldon , CDC director: 33% approval, 27% disapproval, 40% no opinion Howard Lutnick , Commerce secretary: 33% approval, 25% disapproval, 42% no opinion Russell Vought , Office of Management and Budget director: 33% approval, 26% disapproval, 41% no opinion Scott Turne r, Housing and Urban Development secretary: 33% approval, 26% disapproval, 41% no opinion Brendan Carr , FCC chair: 32% approval, 26% disapproval, 42% no opinion The new results did not include Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, co-leaders of the Department of Government Efficiency. In the previous poll , Musk had approval rating of 45%, 40% disapproval and 15% said no opinion. Ramaswamy had a 39% approval rating, 34% disapproval and 27% said no opinion. Did You Know? Congress Is Making Huge Investments. Get Tips On What They Bought And Sold Ahead Of The 2024 Election With Our Easy-to-Use Tool Why It's Important: McMahon received a 36% approval and 36% disapproval as the only candidate to not have a higher approval than disapproval. This could be bad news for the former WWE executive as the last poll saw Gaetz as the only person with a higher disapproval than approval rating at 41% and 34% respectively. With Gaetz and Musk, who had a disapproval of 40% previously, no longer in the poll, it is Kennedy who has the highest disapproval followed by Oz and McMahon. The highest approval ratings go to Rubio, Kennedy and Huckabee. The last poll also saw Rubio and Kennedy have the highest approval ratings. Huckabee again has the highest net approval rating at 13 points, followed by Rubio at 11 points. Read Next: Trump HHS Pick Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Wealth Comes From Family, Law Practice, Oil, Bitcoin Photo: Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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Israel has agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon that will take effect at 4 a.m. Wednesday. Moments after U.S. President Joe Biden announced the ceasefire deal , which Israel's Cabinet approved late Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike slammed into the Lebanese capital. Residents of Beirut and its southern suburbs have endured the most intense day of Israeli strikes since the war began nearly 14 months ago, as Israel's nationwide onslaught of bombings signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah before the ceasefire is set to take hold. At least 42 people have killed by Israeli strikes across Lebanon on Tuesday, according to local authorities. Hezbollah also fired rockets into Israel on Tuesday, triggering air raid sirens in the country’s north. An Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza. Hezbollah began attacking Israel a day after Hamas’ attack. The fighting in Lebanon escalated into all-out war in September with massive Israeli airstrikes across the country and an Israeli ground invasion of the south. In Gaza, more than 44,000 people have been killed and more than 104,000 wounded in the nearly 14-month war between Israel and Hamas, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Here's the Latest: BEIRUT — The Health Ministry in Lebanon says 18 more people have been killed by Israeli airstrikes across the country, bringing the total death toll on Tuesday to at least 42 people. Eleven people were killed by Israeli bombing in eastern Lebanon, four were killed by strikes on border crossings between northern Lebanon and Syria, and three people were killed in southern Lebanon, the Health Ministry said early Wednesday. In the hours before a ceasefire with Hezbollah was to take effect, Israel launched its most intense wave of strikes on the capital Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict. Strikes have targeted what Israel said were Hezbollah-related targets in several other parts of the country as well. Israel’s military issued a record number of evacuation warnings in Beirut, sending people fleeing from their homes. Hezbollah also fired rockets into Israel on Tuesday, triggering air raid sirens across the country’s north. UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations chief welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, and hopes it can end the violence and suffering of people in both countries, the U.N. spokesman says. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Israel and Hezbollah to swiftly implement all commitments under the agreement, and take immediate steps toward fully implementing the 2006 U.N. Security Council resolution that ended the last Israel-Hezbollah war, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said late Tuesday. Resolution 1701 called for the deployment of Lebanese forces throughout the south, which borders Israel and is now mainly controlled by Hezbollah, and it calls for all armed groups including Hezbollah to be disarmed. Neither has happened in the past 17 years. Dujarric said U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon “both stand ready to support the implementation of this agreement, in line with their respective mandates.” WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump’s senior national security team was briefed by the Biden administration as negotiations unfolded, according to the senior U.S. official. The official, who spoke to reporters on the condition of anonymity in a White House-organized call, added that the incoming Trump administration officials were not directly involved in the talks, but that it was important that the incoming administration knew “what we were negotiating and what the commitments were.” The official said “all fire will stop from all parties” at 4 a.m. local time. The next step would be what the official described as a “phased withdrawal” by the Israeli military. As the Israelis pull back, Lebanese national forces will occupy the territories. The process is slated to finish within 60 days. Lebanese forces is supposed to patrol the area and remove Hezbollah weaponry and infrastructure there. “Hezbollah is incredibly weak at this moment, both militarily and politically,” the official said. “And this is the opportunity for Lebanon to re-establish its sovereignty over its territory.” The official said the ceasefire agreement will strengthen what’s known as the “tripartite mechanism” by including the United States and France. The goal is to address violations of the ceasefire without a return to hostilities. UNITED NATIONS – The top U.N. envoy for Lebanon welcomed the ceasefire announcement and urged Israel and Hezbollah militants to take concrete actions to fully implement the 2006 agreement that ended their last war. U.N. Special Coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said the agreement “marks the starting point of a critical process” that must see both sides fully implement U.N. Security Council resolution 1701. It called for the deployment of Lebanese armed forces in the south bordering Israel and the disarmament of all armed groups including Hezbollah – neither of which has happened in the past 17 years. “Nothing less than the full and unwavering commitment of both parties is required,” Hennis-Plasschaert said. “Neither side can afford another period of disingenuous implementation under the guise of ostensible calm.” She commended the parties for “seizing the opportunity to close this devastating chapter,” stressing that “Now is the time to deliver, through concrete actions, to consolidate today’s achievement.” UNITED NATIONS — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is calling for urgent international intervention to stop what he described as “an ongoing genocidal war” in Gaza. Abbas heads the Palestinian Authority which has limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, but not Gaza, which has been controlled by Hamas. The U.S. and others want a reinvigorated Palestinian Authority to run Gaza when the war ends. In a speech on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Abbas accused Israel of repeating what happened to the Palestinians in 1948 and 1967 – displacing them and seizing their land and resources. Abbas demanded to know how long the world will remain silent and refuse to compel Israel to abide by international law. The speech to U.N. member nations was read by Palestinian U.N. ambassador Riyad Mansour. “The only way to halt the halt the dangerous escalation we are witnessing in the region, and maintain regional and international stability, security and peace, is to resolve the question of Palestine,” Abbas' speech said. This must be done in accordance with U.N. Security Council resolutions which call for a two-state solution, he said. BEIRUT -- Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal between Israel and Hezbollah, describing it as a crucial step toward stability, the return of displaced people to their homes and regional calm. Mikati made these comments in a statement issued just after U.S. President Joe announced the truce deal. Mikati said he discussed the ceasefire agreement with Biden by phone earlier Tuesday. The prime minister reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to implementing U.N. resolution 1701, strengthening the Lebanese army’s presence in the south, and cooperating with the U.N. peacekeeping force. He also called on Israel to fully comply with the ceasefire and withdraw from southern Lebanon in accordance the U.N. resolution. JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security Cabinet has approved a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah, clearing the way for the truce to take effect. Netanyahu’s office said the plan was approved by a 10-1 margin. The late-night vote came shortly before President Joe Biden was expected to announced details of the deal in Washington. Earlier, Netanyahu defended the ceasefire, saying Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollah and could now focus its efforts on Hamas militants in Gaza and his top security concern, Iran. Netanyahu vowed to strike Hezbollah hard if it violates the expected deal. WASHINGTON — Rep. Mike Waltz, President-elect Donald Trump’s designate to be national security adviser, credited Trump’s victory with helping bring the parties together toward a ceasefire in Lebanon. “Everyone is coming to the table because of President Trump,” he said in a post on X on Tuesday. “His resounding victory sent a clear message to the rest of the world that chaos won’t be tolerated. I’m glad to see concrete steps towards deescalation in the Middle East.” He added: “But let’s be clear: The Iran Regime is the root cause of the chaos & terror that has been unleashed across the region. We will not tolerate the status quo of their support for terrorism.” BEIRUT — Israeli jets targeted a building in a bustling commercial area of Beirut for the first time since the start of the 13-month war between Hezbollah and Israel. The strike on Hamra is around 400 meters (yards) from the country’s central bank. A separate strike hit the Mar Elias neighborhood in the country’s capital Tuesday. There was no immediate word on casualties from either strike, part of the biggest wave of attacks on the capital since the war started. Residents in central Beirut were seen fleeing after the Israeli army issued evacuation warnings for four targets in the city. Meanwhile, the Israeli army carried out airstrikes on at least 30 targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including two strikes in the Jnah neighborhood near the Kuwaiti Embassy. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that 13 people were injured in the strikes on the southern suburbs. BEIRUT — Hezbollah has said it accepts the ceasefire proposal with Israel, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state.” of Lebanon, he said. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Among the issues that may remain is an Israeli demand to reserve the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations under the emerging deal. The deal seeks to push Hezbollah and Israeli troops out of southern Lebanon. JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he would recommend his Cabinet adopt a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as Israeli warplanes struck across Lebanon, killing at least 23 people. The Israeli military also issued a flurry of evacuation warnings — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah down to the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. For the first time in the conflict, Israeli ground troops reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River, a focal point of the emerging deal. In a televised statement, Netanyahu said he would present the ceasefire to Cabinet ministers later on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting. Netanyahu said the vote was expected later Tuesday. It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released. The deal does not affect Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, which shows no signs of ending. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s state media said Israeli strikes on Tuesday killed at least 10 people in Baalbek province the country’s east. At least three people were killed in the southern city of Tyre when Israel bombed a Palestinian refugee camp, said Mohammed Bikai, a representative of the Fatah group in the area. He said several more people were missing and at least three children were among the wounded. He said the sites struck inside the camp were “completely civilian places” and included a kitchen that was being used to cook food for displaced people. JERUSALEM — Dozens of Israeli protesters took to a major highway in Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening to call for the return of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, as the country awaited news of a potential ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Protesters chanted “We are all hostages,” and “Deal now!” waving signs with faces of some of the roughly 100 hostages believed to be still held in Gaza, at least a third of whom are thought to be dead. Most of the other hostages Hamas captured in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack were released during a ceasefire last year. The prospect of a ceasefire deal in Lebanon has raised desperation among the relatives of captives still held in Gaza, who once hoped that the release of hostages from Gaza would be included. Instead of a comprehensive deal, the ceasefire on the table is instead narrowly confined to Lebanon. Dozens of Israelis were also demonstrating against the expected cease-fire, gathering outside Israel’s military headquarters in central Tel Aviv. One of the protesters, Yair Ansbacher, says the deal is merely a return to the failed 2006 U.N. resolution that was meant to uproot Hezbollah from the area. “Of course that didn’t happen,” he says. “This agreement is not worth the paper it is written on.” FIUGGI, Italy — Foreign ministers from the world’s industrialized countries said Tuesday they strongly supported an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and insisted that Israel comply with international law in its ongoing military operations in the region. At the end of their two-day summit, the ministers didn’t refer directly to the International Criminal Court and its recent arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister over crimes against humanity . Italy had put the ICC warrants on the official meeting agenda, even though the G7 was split on the issue. The U.S., Israel’s closest ally, isn’t a signatory to the court and has called the warrants “outrageous.” However, the EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell said all the other G7 countries were signatories and therefore obliged to respect the warrants. In the end, the final statement adopted by the ministers said Israel, in exercising its right to defend itself, “must fully comply with its obligations under international law in all circumstances, including international humanitarian law.” And it said all G7 members — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States – “reiterate our commitment to international humanitarian law and will comply with our respective obligations.” It stressed that “there can be no equivalence between the terrorist group Hamas and the State of Israel.” The ICC warrants say there's reason to believe Netanyahu used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and intentionally targeted civilians in Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza — charges Israeli officials deny. BEIRUT — An Israeli strike on Tuesday levelled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded in Beirut, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. It was not immediately clear if anyone in particular was targeted, though Israel says its airstrikes target Hezbollah officials and assets. The Israeli military spokesman issued a flurry of evacuation warnings for many areas, including areas in Beirut that have not been targeted throughout the war, like the capital’s commercial Hamra district, where many people displaced by the war have been staying. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks in Lebanon during the final hours before a ceasefire is reached, sparked panic and sent residents fleeing in their cars to safer areas. In areas close to Hamra, families including women and children were seen running away toward the Mediterranean Sea’s beaches carrying their belongings. Traffic was completely gridlocked as people tried to get away, honking their car horns as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. The Israeli military also issued warnings for 20 more buildings in Beirut’s suburbs to evacuate before they too were struck — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah in the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. TEL AVIV, Israel — The independent civilian commission of inquiry into the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel has found Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly responsible for the failures leading up to the attack, alongside former defense ministers, the army chief and the heads of the security services. The civil commission presented its findings today after a four-month probe in which it heard some 120 witnesses. It was set up by relatives of victims of the Hamas attack, in response to the absence of any state probe. The commission determined that the Israeli government, its army and security services “failed in their primary mission of protecting the citizens of Israel.” It said Netanyahu was responsible for ignoring “repeated warnings” ahead of Oct. 7, 2023 for what it described as his appeasing approach over the years toward Hamas, and for “undermining all decision-making centers, including the cabinet and the National Security Council, in a way that prevented any serious discussion” on security issues. The commission further determined that the military and defense leaders bear blame for ignoring warnings from within the army, and for reducing the army’s presence along the Gaza border while relying excessively on technological means. On the day of the Hamas attack, the report says, the army’s response was both slow and lacking. The civil commission called for the immediate establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the Oct. 7 attack. Netanyahu has opposed launching a state commission of inquiry, arguing that such an investigation should begin only once the war is over. JERUSALEM -- The Israeli military says its ground troops have reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River — a focal point of the emerging ceasefire. In a statement Tuesday, the army said it had reached the Wadi Slouqi area in southern Lebanon and clashed with Hezbollah forces. Under a proposed ceasefire, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is some 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the Israeli border. The military says the clashes with Hezbollah took place on the eastern end of the Litani, just a few kilometers (miles) from the border. It is one of the deepest places Israeli forces have reached in a nearly two-month ground operation. The military says soldiers destroyed rocket launchers and missiles and engaged in “close-quarters combat” with Hezbollah forces. The announcement came hours before Israel’s security Cabinet is expected to approve a ceasefire that would end nearly 14 months of fighting. BEIRUT — Israeli jets Tuesday struck at least six buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including one that slammed near the country’s only airport. Large plumes of smoke could be seen around the airport near the Mediterranean coast, which has continued to function despite its location beside the densely populated suburbs where many of Hezbollah’s operations are based. The strikes come hours before Israel’s cabinet was scheduled to meet to discuss a proposal to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. The proposal calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. There were no immediate reports of casualties from Tuesday’s airstrikes. FIUGGI, Italy — EU top diplomat Josep Borrell, whose term ends Dec. 1, said he proposed to the G7 and Arab ministers who joined in talks on Monday that the U.N. Security Council take up a resolution specifically demanding humanitarian assistance reach Palestinians in Gaza, saying deliveries have been completely impeded. “The two-state solution will come later. Everything will come later. But we are talking about weeks or days,” for desperate Palestinians, he said. “Hunger has been used as an arm against people who are completely abandoned.” It was a reference to the main accusation levelled by the International Criminal Court in its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Borrell said the signatories to the court, including six of the seven G7 members, are obliged under international law to respect and implement the court’s decisions. Host Italy put the ICC warrants on the G7 agenda at the last minute, but there was no consensus on the wording of how the G7 would respond given the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Italy, too, has said it respects the court but expressed concern that the warrants were politically motivated and ill-advised given Netanyahu is necessary for any deal to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “Like it or not, the International Criminal Court is a court as powerful as any national court,” Borrell said. “And if the Europeans don’t support International Criminal Court then there would not be any hope for justice,” he said. Borrell, whose term ends Dec. 1, said he proposed to the G7 and Arab ministers who joined in talks on Monday that the U.N. Security Council take up a resolution specifically demanding humanitarian assistance reach Palestinians in Gaza, saying deliveries have been completely impeded. “The two-state solution will come later. Everything will come later. But we are talking about weeks or days,” for desperate Palestinians, he said. “Hunger has been used as an arm against people who are completely abandoned.” It was a reference to the main accusation levelled by the International Criminal Court in its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Borrell said the signatories to the court, including six of the seven G7 members, are obliged under international law to respect and implement the court’s decisions. Host Italy put the ICC warrants on the G7 agenda at the last minute, but there was no consensus on the wording of how the G7 would respond given the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Italy, too, has said it respects the court but expressed concern that the warrants were politically motivated and ill-advised given Netanyahu is necessary for any deal to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “Like it or not, the International Criminal Court is a court as powerful as any national court,” Borrell said. “And if the Europeans don’t support International Criminal Court then there would not be any hope for justice,” he said. (edited)

China-Linked Hackers Breached 8 US Telecom Companies, White House SaysSomething unexpected – but hardly unprecedented – happened in South Korea on December 3, 2024. With little warning, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared , citing the threat from “pro-North Korean anti-state forces.” The move, which appeared more about curtailing efforts by the main opposition – the center-left Democratic Party – to frustrate Yoon’s policy agenda through the DP’s control of the National Assembly, left . As one Seoul resident : “It feels like a coup d’état.” That interviewee wasn’t far off. As scholars of the of , we have spent countless hours since World War II. Yoon’s short-lived martial law declaration – it lasted just a few hours before being lifted – was an example of what political scientists call an “autogolpe,” or to give the phenomenon its English name, a “self-coup.” Our that self-coups are becoming more common, with more in the past decade compared with any other 10-year period since the end of World War II. What follows is a primer on why that’s happening, what self-coups involve – and why, unlike in around 80% of self-coups, Yoon’s gambit failed. The components of a self-coup All coup attempts share some characteristics. Each involves an attempt to seize executive power and entails a concrete, observable and illegal action by military or civilian personnel. In a regular coup, those responsible will attempt to take power from an incumbent or presumptive leader. Historically, most coups have been perpetrated, or at least supported, by military actors. A classic example is when the Chilean army under General Augusto Pinochet of Salvador Allende in 1973 and imposed military rule. Some coups, however, are led by leaders themselves. These self-coups are coups in reverse. Rather than the leader of the country being replaced in an unconstitutional manner, the incumbent executive takes or sponsors illegal actions against other people in the regime – for example, the courts or parliament – with the goal of staying in office longer or expanding power. This may take the form of a chief executive using troops to shut down the legislature, as Yoon tried unsuccessfully to do in South Korea. Others have had more success; Tunisian President orchestrated a self-coup in July 2021 by dismissing parliament and the judiciary to pave the way for expanding his presidential power. More than three years on, Saied remains in power. Alternatively, a leader may try to to overturn an election loss. We saw this happen with after the 2020 U.S. presidential election, and as such we include his attempt to pressure local officials – and then-Vice President Mike Pence – to overturn the election result in our list of “self-coup attempts.” The varieties of self-coup methods But not all are self-coups. For example, if a president gets the legislature to extend presidential term limits and the courts approve – as Bolivian President did in 2017 – this may be a blow to executive constraints and democracy, but we don’t consider it a coup since the procedure for changing the law is constitutional. In all, we have recorded 46 self-coups since 1945 by democratically elected leaders in the forthcoming dataset, including the latest attempt in South Korea. Our self-coup data was compiled over the past three years with the aid of some enterprising undergraduate students at Carnegie Mellon University. Reviewing the circumstance – and outcomes – of these incidents helps us identify the most common characteristics of self-coups. Yoon’s actions in South Korea were typical in some ways but not in others. Over half of self-coup attempts in democratic countries target the judiciary or the legislature, while around 40% explicitly seek to undermine democratic elections or prevent election winners from taking office. The rest target other regime elites or a nominal executive. Yoon declared martial law to grab executive power from an opposition-led legislature. Interestingly, only a quarter of self-coup attempts in democracies involve such emergency declarations. Much more common are attacks on opposition parties and leaders and election interference. Approximaely one in every five self-coup leaders suspends or annuls the constitution. Relatively few self-coup attempts in democracies involve attempts to evade term limits, though self-coups that result in so-called “ ” are becoming more common in Africa. Why are self-coups on the rise? Coups and self-coups are two of the most common ways democracies die, though their relative frequencies have changed over time. Whereas coups were the leading cause of democratic breakdown during the Cold War, self-coups have become the leading cause since the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. A third of all self-coup attempts by democratically elected leaders since 1946 have occurred in just the past decade. Though more research is needed to account for the recent rise of self-coups, we believe part of the answer lies in the – in which democracies punish coup leaders by withholding recognition, foreign aid or trade deals – and the globally. Why do self-coups fail? A president or prime minister who attempts a self-coup presumably thinks there is a good chance of success – otherwise, the leader probably wouldn’t attempt a coup in the first place. The fact that Yoon launched his self-coup bid seemingly is very unusual. While only half of traditional coup attempts succeed, more than four out of five self-coup attempts by democratically elected leaders succeed, according to our data. So what went wrong for Yoon in South Korea? Coup success a lot of people, including partisan allies and military elites. Although overt military support of the kind Yoon initially received is helpful, it is not always decisive. Most self-coup failures happen when military and party elites defect. The reasons for these defections tend to involve a mix of structural and contingent factors. When masses of people pour into the streets to oppose the coup, military members can get nervous and defect. And international condemnation of the coup can certainly help overturn self-coup attempts. Public support for democracy also helps. That’s why self-coups typically don’t happen in long-established democracies like the United States that have accumulated “ ” – the stock of civic and social assets that grows with a long history of democracy. South Korea, although a military dictatorship from 1961 to 1987, has had decades of democratic rule. And the system worked in South Korea when it was threatened. Party leaders united to vote against Yoon. That contrasts with successful self-coups in the country by and . What happens to failed self-coup leaders? Rarely have failed self-coup leaders remained in office for long. The self-coups may lead them to be ousted by coup, as occurred to Haiti’s Dumarsais Estimé in May 1950. Or they may be impeached, as occurred with . According to our data, only one failed self-coup leader managed to hang on to office for more than a year to the end of hia term. Though not forced from office after the flawed 1994 Dominican elections, was forced to agree to new elections in 1996 in which he would not be a candidate. Odds are, then, that President Yoon’s days in power are numbered. Following his attempted self-coup, six opposition parties submitted an impeachment motion against the president. That motion needs of the National Assembly to pass. All 190 present members voted to end martial law, including 18 of the 108 members of Yoon’s party. Only a few more of the conservative party’s legislators would have to vote against Yoon for impeachment proceedings to advance. Threatened by a self-coup, South Korea’s democratic institutions – at least for now.Wednesday, December 25, 2024 The countdown to a new year is a time of reflection, celebration, and hope. And what better way to usher in a fresh start than with a dazzling display of fireworks painting the night sky? From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, the world offers a plethora of breathtaking locations to witness this spectacular spectacle. Here’s a glimpse into some of the most unforgettable New Year’s Eve fireworks displays around the globe: 1. Sydney, Australia: A World-Renowned Spectacle Sydney consistently ranks among the top destinations to ring in the New Year. The city’s iconic harbor, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House as its majestic backdrop, provides an unparalleled stage for a truly unforgettable fireworks display. The celebrations begin early, with family-friendly shows followed by a breathtaking midnight extravaganza that illuminates the harbor with a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns. Discover everything and anything about travel , tourism , trade shows at the Travel And Tour World , including breaking travel news and weekly travel updates for travel trade , airlines , cruise , railways , technology , travel association , DMCs, and video interviews and promotional videos . 2. Times Square, New York City, USA: The Iconic Ball Drop The Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration is one of the most famous and iconic in the world. The descent of the glittering ball at midnight, accompanied by a cacophony of cheers and confetti, is a truly unforgettable experience. While the main event takes place in Times Square itself, the city offers numerous vantage points to enjoy the festivities, including rooftop bars, restaurants, and nearby parks. 3. Dubai, UAE: A Sky-High Spectacle Dubai, known for its extravagant displays, puts on a truly spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks show. The Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, serves as the centerpiece for this dazzling display, with fireworks erupting from its pinnacle and illuminating the surrounding cityscape. The city also hosts various other fireworks displays throughout the evening, creating a truly unforgettable spectacle. 4. London, England: A Royal Celebration London offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity for New Year’s Eve celebrations. The iconic London Eye provides breathtaking panoramic views of the city and a prime vantage point for the fireworks display over the River Thames. Big Ben chimes in the new year, adding to the festive atmosphere. 5. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: A Beachside Extravaganza Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach is renowned for its vibrant and energetic New Year’s Eve celebrations. Millions of people gather on the beach to witness the dazzling fireworks display that lights up the night sky. The festivities include music, dancing, and traditional rituals, creating a truly unforgettable experience. 6. Hong Kong, China: A Symphony of Lights Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour is transformed into a dazzling spectacle on New Year’s Eve. The city’s iconic skyline, illuminated by a symphony of lights, provides a breathtaking backdrop for the fireworks display. The celebrations often include cultural performances, street food vendors, and a festive atmosphere throughout the city. 7. Berlin, Germany: A Party Like No Other Berlin is known for its vibrant nightlife and energetic celebrations, and New Year’s Eve is no exception. The city hosts numerous parties and events throughout the night, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display over the Brandenburg Gate. The festive atmosphere is contagious, making it an unforgettable experience for partygoers. 8. Paris, France: A Romantic Celebration Paris, the City of Love, offers a romantic and enchanting setting for New Year’s Eve celebrations. The Eiffel Tower, illuminated with dazzling lights, provides a breathtaking backdrop for the fireworks display. The city also hosts various other events and celebrations throughout the night, creating a festive atmosphere. 9. Tokyo, Japan: A Unique Cultural Experience New Year’s Eve in Tokyo is a unique and unforgettable experience. The city’s temples and shrines come alive with festive decorations and rituals. While there are no large-scale public fireworks displays, the celebrations focus on traditional customs such as ringing temple bells 108 times to cleanse the past year and welcome the new. 10. Edinburgh, Scotland: Hogmanay Celebrations Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations are world-renowned for their energy and enthusiasm. The festivities include torchlight processions, street parties, and live music performances, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display over Edinburgh Castle. Planning Your New Year’s Eve Fireworks Adventure No matter where you choose to celebrate, planning ahead is crucial for a memorable New Year’s Eve experience. The world offers a kaleidoscope of experiences for those seeking to witness spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks displays. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, each destination offers its own unique charm and unforgettable memories. So, choose your destination, plan your journey, and get ready to ring in the new year with a bang! Discover everything and anything about travel , tourism , trade shows at the Travel And Tour World , including breaking travel news and weekly travel updates for travel trade , airlines , cruise , railways , technology , travel association , DMCs, and video interviews and promotional videos .

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