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On October 17, Yahya Sinwar, the leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas that orchestrated the attack on Israel last October, was killed by Israeli forces in southern Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that while Sinwar's death does not mean the end of the Gaza war, it signifies the beginning of its conclusion.

In footage released by the Israeli military, the 61-year-old Sinwar is seen sitting alone in a dusty chair, wearing a traditional headscarf, with severe injuries to his hands, throwing a stick at an approaching drone. The Israeli military confirmed his identity through forensic analysis, DNA testing, dental identification, and fingerprint comparison.

Hamas senior leader Osama Hamdan confirmed Sinwar's death on October 18. According to sources, Khaled Mashal, head of Hamas's overseas office, has taken over Sinwar's leadership role.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz stated that Hamas must be held accountable for the atrocities committed on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of hundreds of hostages. Sinwar's death creates an opportunity for the release of hostages and could pave the way for changing Gaza's fate.

U.S. President Joe Biden mentioned that now is the time to plan the next steps for Gaza, aiming for a political solution before Hamas regains power. He intends to discuss ways to bring back the hostages and end the war with Netanyahu and other relevant leaders. However, Hamas has stated that it will not release hostages held in Gaza until Israeli forces withdraw and cease their attacks.

As artificial intelligence technology rapidly rises, the Caribbean island of Anguilla has recently announced the sale of its national domain name, ".ai." This news has sparked significant interest from the global tech community, with many companies eager to participate.

The domain name has been assigned to Anguilla since the 1990s. Originally intended to represent websites related to specific regions or languages, it has gained popularity amidst the AI boom, attracting tech giants and startups alike, including Google and Elon Musk's Grok AI.

Despite Anguilla's small size of just 91 square kilometers and a population of approximately 16,000, with no dedicated AI industry, its economy largely relies on tourism. Many residents still live in relative poverty. Reports indicate that Anguilla's revenue from ".ai" domain registration surged to $32 million last year (around NT$1 billion), accounting for 20% of the government's total income. The government charges a renewal fee of $140 for two years and also earns additional revenue from new registrations and the sale of expired domains.

Market analysts believe that Anguilla's strategy not only enhances its visibility in the international market but may also inspire other small countries to leverage similar resources for economic gain. With the growing global demand for AI applications, the domain name trading market is becoming increasingly active, presenting new opportunities for small nations.

In May 2022, Lufthansa denied boarding to 128 Jewish passengers, resulting in a $4 million fine from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), of which $2 million will be deducted as part of a legal settlement.

The DOT's investigation report indicated that this fine is the largest issued by the agency for civil rights violations. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated, "Today's action sends a clear message to the airline industry: no one should face discrimination while traveling."

The incident arose when some passengers failed to follow crew instructions during the flight, including wearing masks and not congregating in aisles. After the captain reported the issue to Lufthansa's security department, the passengers, who were wearing "special attire typical of Orthodox Jewish men," led to all Jewish passengers dressed similarly being viewed as a group. As a result, the tickets of over a hundred Jewish passengers were withheld, and they were all prevented from boarding connecting flights.

Lufthansa issued a statement asserting, "We are committed to being a representative of goodwill, tolerance, diversity, and acceptance." The airline denied any discrimination, attributing the incident to "a series of unfortunate miscommunications, misunderstandings, and misjudgments." Lufthansa also expressed its willingness to fully cooperate with the DOT's review process and hopes to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.

Mayor Alfred Mentore of Georgetown, Guyana, center right, and Deputy Mayor Denise Miller, second from left, pose for a group photo with Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of FOWPAL, center left, and other guests in front of a peace monument outside the mayor’s office.

Suriname’s President Chandrikapersad Santokhi and Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of FOWPAL (Federation of World Peace and Love), had a dialogue of wisdom for love and peace in Paramaribo, Suriname’s capital, on October 12, 2024.

According to an Associated Press report, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is allegedly set to implement the "Generals' Plan," which aims to blockade northern Gaza and cut off humanitarian aid in order to "starve Hamas militants." The plan includes the establishment of a new government in northern Gaza, effectively dividing the region.

Public meeting records indicate that a group of retired Israeli generals and senior officials presented the "Generals' Plan" to Netanyahu and the Knesset in September. The plan calls for the evacuation of one-third of northern Gaza, including Gaza City, within a week. Afterward, a military exclusion zone would be declared, and anyone remaining in the area would be considered a combatant, allowing the Israeli military to conduct operations in northern Gaza and deny access to food, water, medicine, and fuel.

Additionally, the plan seeks to have Israel maintain indefinite control over northern Gaza, with the goal of establishing a new government without Hamas, dividing Gaza in two. Giora Eiland, a former Israeli national security advisor and the chief architect of the plan, believes that the only way to stop Hamas and end the Israel-Hamas conflict is to cut off their access to aid: "They must either surrender or starve. This doesn't necessarily mean killing everyone." He also stated that the operation might pressure Hamas to release around 100 hostages, although it is suspected that 30 have already died.

Human rights organizations warn that the plan could leave hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who are unwilling or unable to evacuate without food or water, violating international law, which prohibits the use of food as a weapon and forced evacuations. A U.S. State Department spokesperson expressed opposition to any Israeli plan for the direct occupation of Gaza.

On the holy Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, October 12th, Israel launched another offensive, striking Lebanon and the largest refugee camp in northern Gaza, resulting in dozens of deaths. On October 13th, United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon warned that the situation could escalate into a "catastrophic" regional conflict.

After five UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) Blue Helmets were injured in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told AFP that there is no military solution to the situation. He expressed concern that Israel's attacks on Hezbollah could escalate, potentially "turning into a regional conflict with catastrophic consequences for everyone." The peacekeeping outposts suffered "severe damage," and Israel is facing intense diplomatic backlash.

Lebanon's Ministry of Health reported on the 13th that Israeli airstrikes on three locations in the country had killed at least 15 people. Earlier, Israel warned residents in southern Lebanon not to return home. Since the Israeli military began fighting Hezbollah militants on September 23rd, over 1,200 people have died. Lebanese authorities stated that over 1 million people have been forced to flee their homes.

At the same time, the Israeli military also attacked the "Jabalia" refugee camp in northern Gaza, ordering Palestinians in the area to evacuate. However, Doctors Without Borders accused the military of shooting those attempting to leave. Israel claimed that over the weekend, they had struck around 280 terrorist targets in Lebanon and Gaza. Israel may further expand the conflict, as Prime Minister Netanyahu convened a cabinet meeting on the 13th to discuss retaliatory actions against Iran.

Iran is also preparing for conflict. On October 11th, President Raisi met with Russian President Putin to seek support, while on October 12th, Speaker of the Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf visited Lebanon, declaring full backing for the country. Ghalibaf stated, "The Islamic Republic of Iran will stand with the Lebanese state, government, and the resistance organization (Hezbollah) in all areas."

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of FOWPAL, led the FOWPAL delegation to Suriname to promote a culture of peace with love and conscience from October 9, 2024. They pose for a group photo in front of the Presidential Palace of Suriname. It is the 112th nation that FOWPAL has visited for cultural exchange.

The U.S. Treasury Department announced on Friday, October 11, that Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo will visit London from October 13 to 15. He will meet with senior U.K. officials to discuss imposing further sanctions on Russia and exploring the use of frozen Russian assets.

This marks the first visit by a senior U.S. Treasury official to the U.K. since Prime Minister Keir Starmer took office in July. Although Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen met the new Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves during the G20 Finance Ministers' Meeting in July, Adeyemo's visit is the first by a high-ranking U.S. financial official to the new Labour government.

According to Reuters, Adeyemo will hold talks with U.K. National Security Adviser Tim Barrow and Minister of State Stephen Doughty. The U.S. Treasury highlighted the close relationship between the two nations and their cooperation on geopolitical challenges, particularly in supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression. Discussions will also focus on the management of Russia’s frozen assets, estimated at $300 billion, following its invasion of Ukraine.

Additionally, Adeyemo's agenda includes further sanctions against Russia and ways to disrupt financial flows to Iran and its proxies. He also plans to engage with the Labour government on economic measures to promote growth, with an emphasis on strategic investments in sectors like advanced manufacturing and clean energy. The Treasury Department will share insights from the U.S. experience with the Inflation Reduction Act and other legislative initiatives.

The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was announced on the 11th, awarded to the "Nihon Hidankyo" (Japan Confederation of A-Bomb Survivors Organizations) for its long-standing efforts to promote a nuclear-free world. The Norwegian Nobel Committee stated that the organization reminds the world, through its own experiences, that nuclear weapons must never be used again, serving as a wake-up call against the current trend of nuclear armament. They urge the international community to seize this opportunity and reaffirm their commitment to abolishing nuclear weapons.

This year, a total of 286 individuals and organizations were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, including 197 individuals and 89 organizations. The Nihon Hidankyo, established in 1956, is the abbreviated name for the organization that represents the victims of the atomic bomb, officially known as the "Japan Council Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs."

The association traces its origins to August 1945, when the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, resulting in over 200,000 deaths. Eleven years later, survivors formed an organization, which has spent more than 70 years advocating for the abolition of nuclear weapons and demanding compensation and assistance for victims.

The Nobel Committee praised the organization for its commitment to achieving a nuclear-free world. In a press release, they noted that the Nihon Hidankyo is the only national organization in the world that supports A-bomb survivors. Through the extensive testimonies of survivors and by sending delegations to the United Nations and various peace conferences each year, the organization plays a crucial role in helping people understand the irreversible pain caused by nuclear weapons, and in promoting efforts to prevent and eliminate them.

The award ceremony will be held on December 10 this year in Oslo, Norway, with a prize of 11 million Swedish kronor.