Palestinians say hundreds dead after Israeli air strike hits refugee camp!

Zechariah Wease 10/31/23

The Israeli military confirmed Tuesday that it conducted an airstrike that hit the Jabalya refugee camp in Northern Gaza, which Palestinian officials Tuesday said killed 52. The strike preceded news of Israel taking control of Hamas military strongholds in that region and reportedly killing Ebrahim Biari, the head of the Jabalya battalion of Hamas and one of the leaders of the October 7th massacre. Qatar's Foreign Ministry warned that attacks on civilians, such as those as the Jabalya refugee camp, could hurt ongoing mediation efforts, calling the airstrike "a new massacre against the defenseless Palestinian people."

Hamas leader reportedly killed as Israeli airstrike kills scores at refugee camp (msn.com) 

Hamas Claims Italy is Against Them

 Hamas says Italy 'part of aggression against us' (msn.com)

Hamas claims that Italy is 'part of aggression against us'. They claim that Italy again has chosen to be on the wrong side of history. This is due to the support Italy has given to Iseral against Hamas. They now are directly calling out Italy. 

-Julia Granquist

In Kenya, King Charles Will ‘Walk a Tightrope’ on Britain’s Past

King Charles is going on an official visit to Kenya this week. He is expected to make comments acknowledging the painful colonial past between the UK and Kenya, along with other African former colonies. While the King is expected to make these comments, he will likely simply acknowledge the history and a sense of regret but will fall short of apologizing. In recent years, many activists in former British colonies like Kenya have called for an apology from the crown and the government and reparations to those affected by the colonial past. The British government wants to avoid paying reparations and thus must avoid using language that directly accepts blame for the horrible atrocities that took place under the colonial system. If the King does issue a direct apology, then it will create a new precedence which could lead to further apologies from other British institutions and officials, along with apologies from other former colonial powers. Furthermore, if the King does apologize or even just admits regret for the colonial past, this will affect the way future royal visits work to former colonial possessions. If the King speaks one way in Kenya, he must keep that rhetoric going in every other speech he does. It is expected that the King will likely make some kind of statement simply because it is what is expected of him. While the late Queen was often revered in former colonies and wasn’t pressured as much to make apologetic statements, the King has not been given the same luxury with personal attacks being lodged against him. It is now important to decide, based on this Kenya visit, how he wants to change the conversations about both Africa and him as King. He has the opportunity to completely change the rhetoric used by the crown regarding former colonial possessions but also has the chance to maintain the status quo.

In Kenya, King Charles Will ‘Walk a Tightrope’ on Britain’s Past - The New York Times

By: Ben Pienkos

Category 5 Hurricane creates Landfall in Mexico, Killing 27 - Ferris Arreguin

27 people are dead & several are missing after Hurricane Otis devastated Mexico's Western shore on Wednesday. It has been the strongest Hurricane to hit Mexico's Pacific Coast on record, reaching up to 165 mph in wind speeds. It puts Hurricane Patricia from 2015 at 2nd in strength. There is still no data on how many deaths Hurricane Otis directly caused. 

https://abcnews.go.com/International/catastrophic-damage-hurricane-otis-makes-landfall-mexico-category/story?id=104272253

Mob in Russian Airport

A mob of Anti-Israel protestors stormed a Dagestan Airport. Members of the mob chanted antisemitic remarks while parading through the airport. Countries including the US have all commented on the protests continuing their support of the people of Israel. After news broke regarding the protest, Israel reached out to Russia asking for them to support and protect the jewish people who reside there. Protests continue to occur in Dagestan as another broke out outside the hospital where a few jewish people were staying.

Kevin Fist

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67258332

President Biden and China's Xi Jinping Expected to Meet Next Month

     According to two U.S. officials, U.S. President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet next month despite high tensions between the two countries in the recent months. These tensions stem from a possible Chinese spy balloon flying over U.S. territory and the two countries different stances on the war in Ukraine. The two leaders last spoke last November during the summit of the Group of 20 economies, making this meeting the first time the two leaders have spoken in about a year. The source claimed there was an agreement to meet in San Francisco sometime next month, no other information regarding why, where, or exactly when was given. Especially with high tensions and a lack of trust between the two countries, this meeting could be very beneficial to bring China and the United States back to better terms and start building up trust. With China's and the United States having economies that are so intertwined, building up trust and getting back on good terms is an important step that both countries are looking forward to taking. The details of this meeting were reportedly discussed this past Friday during a meeting between Chinese Foreign Prime Minister Wang Yi and White House National Security adviser Jake Sullivan. It was also reported that President Biden met with China's top diplomat for about an hour. With a lot to discuss between the two leaders, this meeting can have a huge affect on the two countries relations in the future, especially in terms of the economy and supporting each other in international situations. 

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/28/biden-expected-to-meet-with-chinas-xi-jinping-next-month.html

Written by: Tyler Surin

Acapulco death toll rises to 43 after Hurricane Otis batters resort city

 Mathis Timouk

The Mexican beach resort of Acapulco was severely impacted by hurricane Otis, with the death toll rising to 43, as conformed by the governor of Guerrero state, Evelyn Salgado. Power has been restored to 58% of Acapulco, and efforts are underway to evaluate damages. The hurricane had intense winds of 165mph and caused significant damage, including flooding, damage to buildings, and severing of communications. The security minister, Rosa Icela Rodríguez stated that most victims likely drowned due to the storm. Search and Rescue operations continue, with concerns that the death toll may rise. Over 220 000 homes, 80% of hotels and over half a million people were affected by power outages. Many residents complained about insufficient aid. The estimated cost of the damages is around one billion dollars.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/29/hurricane-otis-death-toll-mexico-coast-acapulco

Fighter Jets Intercept Aircraft near Biden residence

 American military interceptors intercepted an aircraft near the property of the U.S. President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware. According to the chief of communications, the aircraft entered restricted airspace around 2 p.m. the civilian aircraft was allowed to land in a nearby airport. however, this incident has not changed Joe Biden's plans, as he intends to stay in Delaware to finish his work.

Chrysler Strikes Deal with UAW Ending 6 Week Strike

 Recently Stellantis, Chrsyler's parent company, struck a deal with the United Auto Workers Union (UAW) which ended a 6 week strike. The UAW targeted both GM and Chrysler with these strikes, but GM continues to hold out. Chrysler will increase the wage of most employees by 25% over the next 4 years, and the company's lowest earners would have a 165% raise during the same period. The end of this strike sees 46,000 Americans return back to their jobs, and Joe Biden applauded the negotiation teams on both sides. The deal also includes the reopening of an assembly plant in Belvidere, IL which was closed earlier this year, and employs 1,200 employees.

Link: UAW strike: Stellantis and union agree pay rise in tentative deal - BBC News

By Andrew Elleson

Palestinian officials publish names of thousands killed in Gaza, after Biden expresses doubt about death toll

 After President Joe Biden questioned the actual amount of deaths from the Palestine's, the health ministry in Hamas published a report listing more than 6,000 names of people that were killed and blamed the deaths on the aggression of the Israeli's military push. The ministry believes there to be more deaths but still cannot identify everyone right now. Though Biden doesn't believe in these total number of deaths but the prime minister claims that these are the true numbers and they are getting these numbers from the hospitals in Gaza. Its not only Biden and the U.S that not believe that these numbers are way too high. 

https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/27/middleeast/gaza-death-toll-report-intl/index.html

-Simon Krugliakovas 

Turkey celebrates 100th anniversary of republic

 On Sunday, Turkey celebrated the 100th anniversary of the republic's creation after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. The celebration consisted of a fireworks and drone show as well as a parade of 100 navy ships. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey, delivered a speech thanking Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Turkey's "founding father." Despite the theatrical performances, the celebration was considered muted for such an important milestone. While the event was originally planned with grander programs, they were canceled due to the attacks in Gaza. This also comes after an earthquake devastated Malatya, Turkey, killing over 50,000 people. Some criticize Erdogan for scaling back on the celebration The same people also believe that Erdogan has shifted Turkey away from Ataturk's plans on creating a secular, western-style democracy.  However, people still hosted their own celebrations. The mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu organized a concert in celebration. Thousands of people gathered at Ataturk's mausoleum dressed in white and red. 

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/erdogan-opts-low-key-celebration-turkeys-100th-anniversary-104456831

By: Ayshe Ali

Taylor Swift speaking fluent Pǔtōnghuà or 普通话

Taylor Swift speaking fluent Pǔtōnghuà or 普通话

 

           As the author Zhao Yuanyuan  suggest “Taylor Swift can do everything … except she can’t (actually) speak Chinese [Meta-link] (at least not in this instance). In our world of deepfakes[1] eventually some clever organization would come up with a deepfake like this (access attached link[2]). Hey, if the billionaire corporate magnet  Elon Musk[3] can be successfully emulated why not Taylor Swift[4]? That said whose fair game, anyone in the public domain (who defines public domain anyway) like say politicians[5] or social media[6] influencers. But of course this tool is only going to be implemented for mundane purposes like movie translation [7]and advertising[8].

---

[1] Viliasenor, J. (2019, February 14). Artificial intelligence, deepfakes, and the uncertain future of truth. Brookings; The Brookings Institution. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/artificial-intelligence-deepfakes-and-the-uncertain-future-of-truth/

[2] Yuanyuan, Z. (2023, October 27). Deepfake Mandarin-speaking Taylor Swift goes viral in China, prompting mixed reactions. The China Project. https://thechinaproject.com/2023/10/27/deepfake-mandarin-speaking-taylor-swift-goes-viral-in-china-prompting-mixed-reactions/

[3] Musk, E. (2023, September 8). Interesting. X (Formerly Twitter). https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1700030252960121277

[4] Eras Tour success makes Taylor Swift a billionaire. (n.d.). USA TODAY | New York Post, Page 6; @ 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Retrieved October 29, 2023, from https://www.usatoday.com/videos/entertainment/celebrities/2023/10/27/taylor-swift-reaches-billionaire-status-with-eras-tour-success-report/71346768007/

[5] Marzulli, J., & Blustein Hass, D. (2023, October 18). Eastern District of New York | Social Media Influencer Douglass Mackey Sentenced after Conviction for Election Interference in 2016 Presidential Race | United States Department of Justice. Www.justice.gov; U.S. Attorney’s Office - Eastern District of New York. The Defendant: DOUGLASS MACKEY Age: 34 West Palm Beach, Florida E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-80 (AMD). https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/social-media-influencer-douglass-mackey-sentenced-after-conviction-election.

[6] Tenbarge, K. (2023, April 20). China’s crackdown on deepfakes doesn’t stop its apps from finding U.S. audience. NBC News; © 2023 NBC UNIVERSAL. https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/chinas-crackdown-deepfakes-doesnt-stop-apps-finding-us-audience-rcna77423

[7] Yan, W., Sixth Tone, & Wright (Translator), L. (2021, March 31). The complex legacy of China’s cinematic pirates | MR Online (K. O’Donnell & C. Yiwen, Eds.). Mronline.org; Monthly Review Foundation. https://mronline.org/2021/03/31/the-complex-legacy-of-chinas-cinematic-pirates/

[8] Anderson, C. W. (2021). Propaganda, misinformation, and histories of media techniques. Harvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review. https://doi.org/10.37016/mr-2020-64