September 14, 2024

*) Third man 'self-immolates' to protest Israel's Gaza genocide, US complicity Anti-war activist Matt Nelson has reportedly self-immolated in protest of US support for Israel's war in Gaza. A video surfaced on YouTube showing Nelson condemning the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s siege and violence. He said, "My name is Matt Nelson, and I am about to engage in an extreme act of protest.", calling for an end to US funding of Israel’s actions in Gaza and urging support for the ICC indictment of Benjamin Netanyahu. *) Biden, Starmer put off Ukraine missiles decision after Putin's warning British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden have postponed a decision on allowing Ukraine to fire long-range missiles into Russia, a move that sparked threats from Moscow of war with NATO. Starmer said after meeting Biden at the White House that they discussed strategy but not a specific capability. Starmer had planned to push Biden to approve sending British Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine but indicated the talks will continue at the UN General Assembly in New York next week. *) Lead author of Israeli Army's ethics code says troops violating it in Gaza As Israel’s bombing of Gaza enters its 344th day, the Israeli Army’s ethical standards face growing scrutiny. In Haaretz, Asa Kasher, the 84-year-old author of the Army’s Code of Ethics, questioned whether soldiers are ignoring the code. Kasher cautioned, "Thousands of uninvolved Gazans have died, a fact that anyone valuing human life must confront." *) Pope Francis slams Israeli strikes on Gaza schools as 'ugly' Pope Francis condemned the killing of Palestinian children in Israeli air strikes on Gaza, calling the bombing of schools to target Hamas fighters "ugly." On a flight back to Rome, he expressed doubt that Israel’s war on Gaza would end soon. "I am sorry to say this," the pope said, "but I don't think they are taking steps toward peace." *) UNESCO 'deeply concerned' about possible looting from Sudan museums Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams admitted it's been tough watching their Boeing ride leave without them, as they now face months stuck in space. They addressed the return of the problem-plagued Boeing Starliner that brought them to the ISS in June but was deemed too risky for their return. Their eight-day mission is now expected to last more than eight months.