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HERE’S !The Next AI Debate Is About Geopolitics

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Geopolitical challenges for next govt · India’s West Asia security dynamics · Myanmar and regional security · Nationalism and democracy .oip

Where industrial revolutions happen can reshape global affairs. Britain’s Industrial Revolution made London the center of an empire upon which the sun never set. The digital age took off in Silicon Valley, making the United States home to world-leading technology companies. But if AI leads to the next industrial revolution, that revolution will have been global from the beginning. And in the most chaotic period in world affairs since at least the Cold War, building the infrastructure to sustain the AI revolution is a geopolitical test that companies and countries alike will need to pass.

“Europe has never been so prosperous, so secure nor so free. The violence of the first half of the 20th century has given way to a period of peace and stability unprecedented in European history.” From today’s perspective, the optimism of the opening paragraph of the 2003 European Security Strategy sounds like something from the distant past. The ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is a daily reminder that peace in Europe cannot be taken for granted any longer.qwer

Crude oil prices plunged by more than 5% before paring losses during the Asian session on Monday, following news that Israel had avoided targeting Iran’s oil or nuclear facilities in retaliation for Iran’s ballistic missile attack on 1 October. Iran’s state media reported that its oil production was functioning normally.vnju

HERE’S Stevie Nicks on ‘The Lighthouse’ her rallying cry for women’s rights

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On a trip to New York City earlier this month to appear on “Saturday Night Live” for the first time since 1983, Stevie Nicks said she was scared to death. She said her first reaction when she got the call to appear on “SNL” was, “Absolutely not. Because I was terrified to do it, ’cause it goes out live!”

She says the inspiration for her latest song, a rallying cry for women’s rights, came a few months after Roe v. Wade was overturned, and it took her less than a day to write and record the song.

Stevie Nicks recently made a triumphant return to “Saturday Night Live,” marking her first appearance since 1983. Despite her initial fears about performing live, she captivated audiences with her powerful rendition of “The Lighthouse,” a song inspired by the fight for women’s rights. How does a rock legend tackle such a pressing issue?

She says the inspiration for her latest song, a rallying cry for women’s rights, came a few months after Roe v. Wade was overturned. Wade, and it took him less than a day to write the song and record it.

Smith asked: “It takes some courage to enter the waters of the abortion debate. Why take the risk?”

“Because everyone kept saying, ‘Well, someone has to do something. Someone has to say something,’” Nicks responded. “And I said, ‘Well, I have a platform. I tell a good story. So maybe I should try to do something.’ I was there too. been there, done that.“

HERE’S Israeli attacks rock Beirut, kill 3 Lebanese soldiers in south

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Germany has said it will give Lebanon a further €96 million ($103.57 million) in humanitarian and development aid.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said at least one person was killed and five wounded as Israel carried out at least 17 attacks on Beirut’s southern suburbs overnight, levelling six buildings in raids that began without warning.

A Lebanese officer was among three soldiers killed in an Israeli raid in southern Bint Jbeil, Lebanon’s military said.

Speaking ahead of an aid conference for Lebanon in the French capital, Paris, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Germany wanted to show it was responding actively to the current Middle East crisis.

“We are making it clear that we not only see the suffering in Lebanon these days, we are taking action; we are supporting the people on the ground who, for the most part, want only one thing: to live in safety and peace in the future, just like so many people in Israel,” Baerbock said.

The German foreign minister added that “everything must be done” to prevent a new war breaking out between Israel and Lebanon.

“That is exactly what we are continuing to work on, even if it has become much more difficult,” she said.

Here’s Blinken urges Israel to ‘capitalize’ on Sinwar death and reach Gaza truce

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tuesday to seize on the killing of Hamas’s leader to work towards a Gaza ceasefire.

Blinken also pressed for more aid to be allowed into the Palestinian territory as concerns rise for tens of thousands of civilians trapped by fighting in the hard-to-reach north.Blinken urges Israel to ‘capitalize

Blinken “underscored the need to capitalise on Israel’s successful action to bring Yahya Sinwar to justice by securing the release of all hostages and ending the conflict in Gaza in a way that provides lasting security for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said after the talks in Jerusalem.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tuesday to seize on the killing of Hamas’s leader to work toward a Gaza ceasefire.

Blinken also pressed for more aid to be allowed into the Palestinian territory as concerns rise for tens of thousands of civilians trapped by fighting in the hard-to-reach north.

Blinken “underscored the need to capitalize on Israel’s successful action to bring Yahya Sinwar to justice by securing the release of all hostages and ending the conflict in Gaza in a way that provides lasting security for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said after the talks in Jerusalem.

Blinken also “emphasized the need for Israel to take additional steps to increase and sustain the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza and ensure that assistance reaches civilians throughout Gaza,” Miller said.

HERE’S Israel strikes Lebanon, Gaza as Hezbollah steps up rocket fire

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At least 33 Palestinians are killed in Israeli attacks throughout the Gaza Strip since dawn, medical sources say, including 18 in Jabalia refugee camp as the forced expulsion by troops in the north continues.HERE’S Israel strikes Lebanon, Gaza as Hezbollah steps up rocket fire

A few blocks away, in the Beirut suburb known as the Dahieh, Mehdi Moussawi thought his own building was falling down.

From his balcony, the 45-year-old taxi driver and his wife Zahraa – who asked that their names be changed for this story – watched as a thick blanket of smoke and dust enveloped everything around them. In the distance, they could hear debris raining down, and overhead the familiar buzz of an Israeli drone.

Medical sources tell Al Jazeera that at least 640 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began its military operation in northern Gaza 17 days ago.

New footage shows hundreds of people queuing among the debris to leave Jabalia, in northern Gaza, and head southwest.

Reports from Reuters said that Israeli soldiers rounded up men and ordered women to leave the refugee camp.

Filmed from an Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) armoured vehicle, it appears that men are being split up from women and children.

ID cards are seemingly being inspected.

The scenes in the background of the video reflect the level of destruction in many places in Gaza.

We reported in our 1.25pm post about how Israeli operations had deepened in northern Gaza.

The IDF claims that Hamas forces are operating from the region.

Further drone footage shows the sheer number of people involved as the line stretches a long way down the demolished street.

HERE’s THAAD anti-missile system ‘in place’ in Israel, US says

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THAAD anti-missile system ‘in place’ in Israel, US says THAAD, or the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, is a critical part of the US military’s layered air defence systems and adds to Israel’s already formidable anti-missile defences.

“The THAAD system is in place,” Austin said, speaking to reporters before his arrival in Ukraine on Monday.

The U.S. military has rushed its advanced anti-missile system to Israel and it is now “in place”, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said. THAAD, or the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, is a critical part of the U.S. military’s layered air defense systems and adds to Israel’s already formidable anti-missile defenses.

 

THAAD anti-missile system ‘in place’ in Israel, US says

He declined to say whether it was operational, but added: “We have the ability to put it into operation very quickly and we’re on pace with our expectations.”

The US military has rushed its advanced anti-missile system to Israel and it is now “in place,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Monday.

THAAD, or the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, is a critical part of the US military’s layered air defense systems and adds to Israel’s already formidable anti-missile defenses.

The U.S. military has swiftly deployed its advanced anti-missile system, THAAD, to Israel, according to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. This move is aimed at bolstering Israel’s defenses after over 180 missiles were fired at it by Iran. Around 100 U.S. soldiers have also been deployed to support Israel amid escalating tensions in the region.

 

HERE’S Netanyahu says Iran-backed Hezbollah tried to kill him

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Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday accused Iran-backed Hezbollah of trying to assassinate him, with the Middle East already on edge after Israel had vowed retaliation for an Iranian missile barrage.

Israel said a drone targeted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence on Saturday, as Hezbollah launched a barrage of projectiles into Israel from its northern neighbor Lebanon.

Hassan Alik, fleeing escalating violence in the Israel-Hezbollah war, left Lebanon on Saturday aboard a ship to avoid Beirut’s airport, which he feared “could be bombed” at any moment.

The 31-year-old traveled to the northern port of Tripoli, on Lebanon’s Mediterranean coast, which has so far been spared Israeli airstrikes during a month of intense fighting across much of the tiny country.

Fresh Israeli Strikes In Lebanon As Netanyahu Vows ‘Heavy Price’ For Attempted ‘Assassination’ By Hezbollah The conflict over the past year has caused direct Iranian-Israeli confrontations, including missile attacks on Israel in April and on October 1. Netanyahu has vowed to respond to the October attack.

“The attempt by Iran’s proxy Hezbollah to assassinate me and my wife today was a grave mistake,” Netanyahu said in a statement.Netanyahu says Iran-backed Hezbollah tried to kill him

There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah on any drone attack targeting Netanyahu’s house in the northern Israeli town of Caesarea, which the prime minister said was aimed at killing him and his wife. However, Netanyahu described it as an assassination attempt by “Iran’s proxy Hezbollah” and called it a “grave mistake”, as Israel hit Iran-backed group Hezbollah’s arms facilities in Beirut and “Hamas terror target” in Gaza.Netanyahu says Iran-backed Hezbollah tried to kill him

“Anyone who tries to harm Israel’s citizens will pay a heavy price,” he said in comments directed at Tehran and “its proxies”, which include Lebanon’s Hezbollah, a group Israel has been at war with since late September.Netanyahu says Iran-backed Hezbollah tried to kill him

Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister and his wife were not at their residence in the central town of Caesarea during the drone attack and there were no injuries. Earlier, the military said a drone launched from Lebanon had “hit a structure” in Caesarea.Netanyahu says Iran-backed Hezbollah tried to kill him

The Lebanese group, armed and financed by Iran, did not acknowledge the attack, but late on Saturday Iran’s United Nations mission said “this action was taken” by Hezbollah.Netanyahu says Iran-backed Hezbollah tried to kill him

 

HERE’S ‘Poppa’s House’ BTS Preview Reveals First Look at Wendy Raquel Robinson’s Character (VIDEO)

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Poppa’s House has a merry band of comedy legends in its cast, and we’re not just talking about Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. Wendy Raquel Robinson of The Game, The Steve Harvey Show, Martin, and more was previously announced as a recurring guest star in the new CBS sitcom, but her character hasn’t been seen until now. Robinson is seen in character as Catherine in a behind-the-scenes preview of the Poppa’s House debut season, above.

“There’s something so special about them being father and son in real life,” she says. “They bring so much of that to the screen.” As Atkins later adds, “This is extra special because we’re actually working with a family.” The family bonds extend behind the camera, too. Wayans family members work on the series behind the scenes.

“In real life, our language that we speak to each other is comedy,” Wayans Sr. says with his son by his side. Geoffrey Owens, who plays Nina’s father, J.J., then pipes in and says that the set is “the most affectionate, supportive, encouraging environment I’ve ever been on.”

Wayans Sr. stars as Poppa, a legendary talk radio host and happily divorced man who has his point of view challenged at work when Ivy (Essence Atkins), a new female cohost, is hired, and at home where he finds himself still parenting his adult son, Junior (Wayans Jr.), a brilliant dreamer who is trying to pursue his passion while being a responsible father and husband to Nina (Tetona Jackson).

OTHER:

On Friday’s (October 18) new live episode, the hosts of The View had a lot to say about Donald Trump‘s appearance at Thursday’s Al Smith dinner in New York. The annual event is a fundraiser by the Catholic Church that raises money for children in need, and Trump was a featured speaker.

About that, Joy Behar joked, “I’ve got a good one: A felon, a liar, and a traitor walk into a Catholic event. That’s the joke!”

After she and the other panelists debated the wisdom and appropriateness of having Trump at the event, given his indictments and alleged indiscretions, they also discussed whether it was enough for Kamala Harris to submit a recorded video while she kept on the campaign trail. After a commercial break, they then turned to the specific comments he made about The View during his address.

Calling it a “stupid show,” Trump said in the clip they reviewed. “The View is so bad now that the other day I was watching, thinking to myself, ‘You know what?’ They really need to bring Rosie O’Donnell back … The show is bad. The people are bad. I know every one of them, I want to tell you, and it doesn’t do very well. I always like to say ratings are very important, when they don’t do well, it doesn’t do very well.”

The brothers fatally shot Rickey J. Lathan, 35, on July 12, 2022, in front of Lathan’s two children.

Lathan had been standing outside in his bathrobe that night, setting off fireworks in the 2500 block of Semple Avenue. Lathan’s 10-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter were with him.

A wayward firecracker exploded across the street near where Devin and Davon lived with their grandfather.

The grandfather, Ronald Curry Sr., confronted Lathan and told him to shoot fireworks on a vacant lot instead. Suddenly, the Griffin-Curry brothers ran outside and began firing shots from 9 mm guns, police said.

Here’s Way The US Navy says fighter jet with two on board crashed in Washington state during training

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Here’s Way The US Navy says fighter jet with two on board crashed

The U.S. Navy was searching Wednesday for two aviators who went missing after their plane crashed during a routine training flight, according to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

The U.S. Navy says a fighter jet with two on board crashed in Washington state during training. The U.S. Navy was searching Wednesday for two aviators whose plane crashed during a routine training flight.

 

Here’s Way The US Navy says fighter jet with two on board crashed in Washington state during training

The EA-18G Growler jet from the Electronic Attack Squadron crashed east of Mount Rainier at about 3:23 p.m. Tuesday, according to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. Search teams, including a U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopter, launched from NAS Whidbey Island to try to find the crew and examine the crash site.

The EA-18G Growler is similar to the F/A-18F Super Hornet and includes sophisticated electronic warfare devices. Most of the Growler squadrons are based at Whidbey Island. One squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.

 

Here’s Israeli strike hits municipal building in south Lebanon, five dead says ministry

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Multiple Israeli air strikes target Beirut as Benjamin Netanyahu rejects calls for ceasefire The Lebanese capital was hit by Israeli bombardment on Wednesday, with at least 11 strikes reported across southern Beirut.

An Israeli air strike on the municipal building in Nabatieh, a major town in southern Lebanon, which serves as a provincial capital, killed at least six people including the mayor, two security sources said.

The strike came despite U.S. concerns about rising death tolls and fears of a wider regional escalation.
Hours earlier at least one Israeli strike hit Beirut’s southern suburbs, Reuters witnesses said, after the U.S. said it opposed the scope of Israeli attacks in Lebanon’s capital.

Reuters witnesses heard two blasts and saw plumes of smoke emerging from two separate neighbourhoods. It came after Israel issued an evacuation order early on Wednesday, which mentioned only one building.

The Israeli military has in recent weeks carried out strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, the stronghold of Iran-backed Hezbollah, without advance warnings, or with a warning for one area while striking more broadly.

Multiple Israeli air strikes have hit Beirut’s southern suburbs, according to witnesses and local authorities, after days of the area being spared.

Israeli military strikes kill at least 40 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip as Israeli forces tighten their squeeze around Jabalia in the north of the enclave, amid fierce battles with Hamas-led fighters.

“For now, 11 strikes have mainly hit Nabatiyeh but also its surroundings,” Nabatiyeh governor Howaida Turk said, adding that the intense raids “formed a kind of belt of fire” in the area.