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U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Ukraine on the 21st and announced a new $400 million military aid package to further strengthen U.S. support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This visit underscores the partnership between the U.S. and Ukraine and reaffirms the commitment to continue providing essential military supplies and support.

Austin met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other senior officials in the capital, Kyiv, to discuss the current situation and defense needs. The focus of this round of aid is to enhance Ukraine's air defense capabilities, improve logistical support and resupply, and further strengthen ground combat technical capabilities.

The $400 million military assistance will cover enhancements to air defense systems, replenishment of ammunition and equipment, and logistics and maintenance support. During the discussions, Austin stated that this aid package demonstrates the United States' steadfast support for the Ukrainian people. He also urged the international community to increase assistance to Ukraine, highlighting the importance of global cooperation in the current situation.

President Zelensky expressed gratitude for the aid, noting that such military support is crucial for Ukraine's defense against aggression and for maintaining national security. He reiterated Ukraine's determination to restore peace and stated that the Ukrainian military would continue to work tirelessly to defend its territorial integrity.

Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the United States has provided multiple rounds of aid to Ukraine, totaling billions of dollars. U.S. officials emphasize that this assistance is aimed at helping Ukraine protect its territory and sovereignty within the framework of international law.

Dr. César Acuña, founder of César Vallejo University in Peru, left, is presented with the FOWPAL Peace Bell Award by Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of FOWPAL, for making higher education more accessible to underprivileged communities.

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of FOWPAL, center, and FOWPAL delegates pose in front of the Ministry of Health of Suriname during their visit for cultural exchange and the promotion of conscience, love, and peace on October 11, 2024.

A helicopter crashed and exploded after hitting a radio tower in Houston, Texas, on the night of the 20th, killing all four people onboard, including one child.

According to an Associated Press report, the accident occurred around 7:54 PM local time on the 20th. A private Robinson R44 helicopter that took off from Ellington Airport collided with a radio tower near Engelke Street and North Ennis Street in the Second Ward of Houston. Surveillance footage showed the helicopter exploding instantly upon impact with the tower, which collapsed in a burst of flames.

Authorities confirmed that all four passengers, including one child, were killed in the crash. The identities and ages of the victims have not yet been released. Fire officials told The New York Times that the fire spread across two blocks, but no homes or other structures were damaged apart from the radio tower. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident in collaboration with other agencies. Authorities have urged residents near the crash site to contact 911 if they find any items that may assist in the investigation.

Israel stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Caesarea was attacked by a drone from Lebanon on the morning of the 19th, with no casualties reported. Iran claimed that the drone strike on Netanyahu's home was orchestrated by Hezbollah.

On the 19th, Netanyahu's office confirmed that a drone targeted his home in downtown Caesarea, north of Tel Aviv, while he and his wife were not present, leaving them unharmed. In a statement that day, Netanyahu said, "Iranian proxy Hezbollah attempted to assassinate me and my wife, and they have made a grave mistake." He reiterated his stance that anyone attempting to harm Israeli citizens would face severe consequences.

According to The Times of Israel, Netanyahu posted videos in both English and Hebrew on social media. In the English video, he accused Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar of being the mastermind behind terrorist acts, stating, "His thugs beheaded our men, raped our women, and buried our babies alive. We killed him, and we will continue fighting Iran’s other terrorist proxies."

In the Hebrew video, he said, "Two days ago, we eliminated the Holocaust killer Sinwar (Hamas leader). As I’ve said before, we are in a war for survival, and we will fight to the end. I am proud of our soldiers, proud of our commanders, and proud of you, the citizens of Israel."

Since late September, Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has been engaging in continued hostilities with Israel. Iran asserted that the attack on Netanyahu’s residence was orchestrated by Hezbollah. According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Tehran’s position on the incident was clarified by Iran’s delegation to the United Nations, stating, "This operation was planned by Lebanon’s Hezbollah." However, Hezbollah has not yet publicly claimed responsibility for the attack.

On October 19, 2024, Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) headquarters was the target of a violent attack. A man threw a Molotov cocktail at the LDP building, set it on fire, and then sped towards the Prime Minister’s residence, attempting a further assault.

According to local media reports, the man appeared near the LDP headquarters in the afternoon, carrying a Molotov cocktail. He threw the incendiary device at the building, causing a small fire. Although the fire was quickly extinguished, the man then drove towards the Prime Minister’s residence in Tokyo, attempting to crash into the facility. Police promptly intervened as his vehicle approached the entrance and successfully apprehended the suspect.

The attack did not result in any casualties. Authorities are investigating the motive behind the incident and whether the man has any links to extremist groups.

A government spokesperson strongly condemned the attack and reaffirmed the commitment to public safety. Security around the Prime Minister’s residence has been heightened, and citizens are urged to remain calm.

The investigation is ongoing, and police will conduct further questioning of the suspect to uncover the reasons behind the attack and any possible connections to external forces.

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.