Latest news with #Jericho
Irish Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
‘They are very weak, they're thin, their minds have stopped': Stranded fathers' anguish over children in Gaza
Ahmed is less than 100km away from Gaza 's northern tip, but it may as well be the other side of the world. In the hot Palestinian oasis city of Jericho, he fields constant calls from his three hungry children in the Palestinian enclave. 'Imagine as a father receiving this call,' he says, pain visible on his face. 'For two years our daughters received no kind of education. They are very weak, they're thin, their minds stopped ... They can't think due to malnutrition,' Ahmed continues. 'Two million people are sleeping starving [in Gaza]. You cannot find sugary beverages or coffee, even the water is polluted. There are a number of people sleeping in the streets, even tents are not available. You can't use the toilet because the places are too crowded.' The 33-year-old was one of three Gazan labourers who met The Irish Times in Jericho, where they have been stuck for nearly two years. They spoke in the office of the Palestinian Agricultural Development Association (Parc), where they receive some support, and asked that only their first names be published for safety reasons. They agreed to the interview because they wanted to highlight the conditions their families are experiencing in Gaza. When the Hamas-led attacks happened on October 7th, 2023, there were thought to be thousands of Gazan labourers inside Israel . Their permits were cancelled, and while thousands were arrested and sent back to Gaza – some of whom alleged they were tortured – others say they were forced to go to the occupied West Bank and locked out of Gaza completely. Hundreds ended up in Jericho, where they have waited nearly 22 months as the suffering back home mounts. Some live in a remote shelter on a Palestinian security forces training base, while others rent rooms or stay with relatives. Abed (33) – who has two sons and a daughter in Gaza – lives in a refugee camp. 'If I get the chance I'd go back to Gaza and stay there,' says Ismail (30). Ahmed – whose wife and three children are in Gaza – said the men could be arrested at a checkpoint for even trying to leave Jericho and locked up in an Israeli prison for an indefinite period. Yet staying in Jericho is a form of torture for him too. His two daughters – aged eight and 10 – were injured by shrapnel during the war. All of the three men's homes were destroyed and their families live in tents with 'high temperatures, insects everywhere, no clean water', Ahmed says. He points at a tissue packet in front of him: 'for example, this tissue is not available in Gaza.' Contact can be difficult. 'Some periods the whole region is blacked out from communication and sometimes you have to try many times,' he says. The men send money, but transfer fees can be up to 50 per cent. Prices for food and other supplies have skyrocketed – that is if they are even available. Farming work in Jericho is seasonal, in an area where temperatures topped 40 degrees this month. When there is employment, the men earn about 100 shekels (€26) a day. 'My daughter is daily on a group call asking when am I coming back, blaming me,' says Ahmed. '[My children] think I ran away. I say 'inshallah' [God willing]. I explained [what happened] many times and they still just blame me. They are frustrated, they are children. I explain that I'm trying to protect them, provide them with food, with money. I just try to stop my feelings from exploding.' Some Gazans in Jericho have learned about the deaths of close family members remotely. As the death toll in the enclave approaches 60,000, according to Gazan authorities, emergency appeals are being issued. This week, more than 100 aid organisations said supplies are 'totally depleted', while the head of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, called this a man-made mass starvation. Ismail calls the current US and Israel-backed aid distribution system a 'death trap'. According to the UN, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since May while trying to access food . A Palestinian man on Wednesday inspects the damage around a house hit in an Israeli strike a day earlier in western Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. Photograph: Omar Al-Qatta/AFP via Getty Images 'The Israelis target everyone, this is a genocide,' says Ahmed, who called for countries to boycott Israeli goods and 'support the Palestinians in their global efforts and inside the UN'. Israel has denied accusations of genocide, for which it is facing a case at the International Court of Justice . Hearing about Ireland's proposed Occupied Territories Bill , Ahmed says he supports it as 'if you harm their economy they will review their policies'. Ismail also says he would like to see it introduced because 'I want to feel there's someone with us'. Ahmed's favourite memories of Gaza, from before 2023, involved the 'simple life', the sea and family gatherings. Now, many of the places he spent three decades in have been ruined. 'There's no future, the whole of Gaza is destroyed, where is the future?' he asks. 'Israeli policies are meant to displace the people. I hope I can get back but If I have any opportunity [to go abroad] I'd go.' He said he hopes a ceasefire will happen 'to meet basic needs: food, shelter, water. Then we can think about how to reconstruct our homes, streets. Even if the war continues, allow aid in.' 'To the international community as a whole: it's good if you can do anything to protect the Palestinian people,' adds Ismail, calling again for humanitarian aid to be sent to Gaza immediately. 'The images coming out of Gaza of dead children show what is happening.'
Associated Press
23-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Income Calendar Dividend Tracker Service Surpasses $1B Linked Assets
Our popular Dividend Tracker service, Income Calendar, has surpassed $1 Billion in linked assets. JERICHO, NY / ACCESS Newswire / July 23, 2025 / BNK Invest Inc. today announces that our popular Dividend Tracker service, Income Calendar, has surpassed $1 Billion in linked assets. 'The simplicity of linking brokerage accounts to our popular Income Calendar tool continues to gain traction, with over $1 billion of assets now linked,' said the company's Chief Operating Officer. Popular Income Calendar features include: Learn more about the service, watch our Demo Video, or sign up for your risk-free trial period, by visiting About BNK Invest, Inc. & Contrarian Outlook A service of online media company BNK Invest Inc., Contrarian Outlook is home to Contrarian Income Report, employing second level thinking to hunt down safe, stable, meaningful yields through a calculated contrarian strategy. Our Hidden Yields service taps into the incredible profit potential of income loopholes that are 'invisible' to 99% of investors. Learn more about these and other premium newsletters by clicking here or going to BNK provides a number of other investment research and news websites to the public, aimed at empowering investors to better research individual stocks and strategies. Learn more at and Contact Information: [email protected] SOURCE: BNK Invest, Inc. press release
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
J.S. Held Expert Teams' Work Across Six Continents Recognized as Industry Leading
JERICHO, N.Y., July 17, 2025 /CNW/ -- Global consulting firm J.S. Held celebrates numerous recognitions of our company and industry experts in this mid-year update. Across J.S. Held, a curated collection of technical, scientific, and financial expert teams with an unrivaled understanding of both tangible and intangible assets has been recognized by leading industry publications for expertise in 19 categories, including: Arbitration Expert Witnesses Asset-based Finance (ABF) Leaders & Legends Asset Recovery Enterprise Risk Management Consulting Forensics & Complex Investigations, Compliance Forensics & Complex Investigations, Litigation Support Forensic & Litigation Consulting Construction Construction & Engineering, Litigation Support Crisis & Risk Management, ESG Crisis & Risk Management, Investigative Due Diligence Crisis & Risk Management, Political Risk Data - Data Experts Intellectual Property Expert Witnesses Investigations Litigation Support, Asset Tracing & Recovery Litigation Support, Business Intelligence & Investigations Litigation Support, Forensic Accounting Transport Experts, Thought Leaders J.S. Held Experts are Trusted Advisors to Clients Across Six Continents At J.S. Held, more than 1,500 professionals serve organizations spanning six continents, including 84% of the Global 200 Law Firms, 75% of the Forbes Top 20 Insurance Companies (90% of the NAIC Top 50 Property & Casualty Insurers), and 71% of the Fortune 100 Companies. J.S. Held Applies Scientific, Financial, and Technical Rigor Across Client Engagements J.S. Held's expertise is built upon five decades of experience in the most rigorous venues – state, federal, and international courts and tribunals– spanning more than 150 different industry segments. The depth and breadth of the firm's work in the insurance market provides a strong foundation in risk assessment, data analysis, global awareness, regulatory compliance, technological adaptability, and risk mitigation. Collectively, these skills better equip J.S. Held experts to assess business risk across diverse markets, geographies, geopolitical landscapes, compliance frameworks, and digital advancements. "In a world where uncertainty is the only constant, there is a need for something solid you can hold onto," observes J.S. Held Chief Executive Officer Lee Sprier. "Our name is our promise," he adds. "Our role as a trusted advisor is emblematic of this promise, even in the face of the most daunting risks, clients have the expertise and guidance to act with confidence." J.S. Held Expertise Recognized by Global News Outlets, Ratings Agencies, and Research Firms The company and expert recognition by notable organizations such as Asset-based Finance (ABF) Journal, Chambers and Partners, Consultancy UK, IAM, Leader's League, Lexology Index, and Verdantix serves as a further testament to J.S. Held's agile, collaborative, creative, and client-centric team providing solution-forward advisory and consulting to clients across the globe, no matter the scope or complexity of a project. Learn more about J.S. Held's areas of expertise visit: About J.S. Held J.S. Held is a global consulting firm that combines technical, scientific, financial, and strategic expertise to advise clients seeking to realize value and mitigate risk. Our professionals serve as trusted advisors to organizations facing high stakes matters demanding urgent attention, staunch integrity, proven experience, clear-cut analysis, and an understanding of both tangible and intangible assets. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services, products, and data that enable clients to navigate complex, contentious, and often catastrophic situations. J.S. Held, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not certified public accounting firm(s) and do not provide audit, attest, or any other public accounting services. J.S. Held, its affiliates and subsidiaries, are not law firms and do not provide legal advice. Securities offered through PM Securities, LLC, d/b/a Phoenix IB or Ocean Tomo Investments, a part of J.S. Held, member FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved. Media Contact Kristi L Stathis, J.S. Held, +1 786 833 4864, View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE J.S. Held View original content to download multimedia:
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Ptil Tekhelet Educational Center: Israel's newest, bluest cultural venue
'The main takeaway from The Tekhelet Educational Center is the deep appreciation for a beautiful mitzvah.' You could say that Baruch Sterman has a case of the 'blues.' The doctor of physics, who worked as a hi-tech entrepreneur and technologist, founded Ptil Tekhelet – the Israel-based nonprofit Association for the Promotion and Distribution of Tekhelet – to help provide the blue dye described in the Torah for anybody who wants it. In 2012, he and wife, Judy, published The Rarest Blue. The book, which has sold more than 10,000 copies, details the search through centuries for the mysterious blue dye. Sterman's latest endeavor is the Tekhelet Educational Center in Kfar Adumim, near Jericho. The center features interactive exhibitions and activities, bringing the world of tekhelet to light through fascinating displays, videos, and active participation. At the center, visitors can explore the displays in the discovery room, enjoy multi-media presentations on the history and making of tekhelet, and actually experience the process of dying with it. 'The whole story of tekhelet brings together Jewish culture, history, archaeology, chemistry and, of course, Torah,' Sterman says. 'Discovering tekhelet and wearing it was not a possibility 40 or 45 years ago,' he says. 'There was no tekhelet except for one small sect of Hassidim, the Radzyn, who thought their rebbe had discovered it. Tekhelet had disappeared 1,300 years ago in 650 CE.' People didn't wear colored clothing in ancient times, the tekhelet expert explains. 'The colors were mostly neutrals. Here and there, flowers and berries were used to color clothes – but even still, the dyes were earth tones.' Sterman says the snail, discovered 4,000 years ago, brought a new dye and extremely vibrant blue or purple colors that didn't fade. These colors – tekhelet (blue) and argaman (purple) – became a trend in the ancient Mediterranean fashion world. The dye was worth more than 20 times its weight in gold. 'Those who could afford it were called 'the purple people,'' he says. 'The traders were called porphyra, the Greek name of the murex snail, aka hilazon [in Hebrew], and also of the dye. It is also the core of the name Phoenicia, which means 'the people who deal with purple.'' The Phoenicians went all over the Mediterranean searching for snails and making a lot of money. In the Tanach, they are closely associated with tekhelet and argaman. Both the dye and the clothing were traded throughout the world – as far as Persia. When the Mediterranean was captured by the Romans, they took over the business. When Alexander the Great raided Cyrus's tomb, he found items dyed purple and blue, Sterman says. Roman emperors coveted the rich colors, and royalty became associated as being 'born into the purple.' Purple and blue became associated with the royal house. That was the downfall of tekhelet, Sterman explains. But for Jews, tekhelet was much more than a fashion statement. 'While Roman kings and princes all wore tekhelet, when the Torah says, 'Put it on your clothes,' it is reminding us that every single Jew is a king [because] he is a representative of the King of Kings,' Sterman says. 'The Jewish religion is democratic, but it equalizes by elevating. Even the lowest people in society are elevated to the level of king and prince. The Jew has a mission: to save the world. When he looks at the tekhelet, he is being given a mission to remember all of the mitzvot and remember his personal responsibility and goal in life,' Sterman explains. 'When the Romans got their greedy little hands on the purple dying industry, it became much more expensive and harder to get,' Sterman continues. 'They passed laws saying that having tekhelet in your home is a crime against the emperor. Romans and Jews developed a smuggling network for the dye, and it became very difficult to obtain. That is when more and more people began wearing white tzitzit. Only the most devout, richest Jews had the guts to wear tekhelet.' The art of tekhelet was lost in the giant war of the 7th century between Byzantine Romans, Sasanian Persians, and the emerging Muslims, known as the Byzantine-Sasanian War of 602-628: the Last Great War of Antiquity. 'During the Dark Ages, dye houses along the Mediterranean were destroyed, and all the knowledge of identification and tekhelet production became obsolete,' Sterman says. While the Talmud, as well as Greek and Roman authors, wrote about tekhelet, it became very complicated to decipher what they wrote and understand exactly what the porphyra or the hilazon actually were. Two hundred years ago, archaeological and excavation finds were discovered. Scholars studied ancient languages, like Akkadian, and were learning more about chemistry, chipping away at the wall of obscurity of the ancient world. At the beginning of the 1800s, there was a lot of archeology research being done throughout the Middle East, and the British and French began finding treasures of the ancient world. At the same time, the world was discovering synthetic dyes. 'This was not lost on the Jews,' Sterman says. 'There were rabbis trying to find out what these ancient dyes were. Most notable among them was Rabbi Gershon Henoch Leiner from Radzyn [a town in eastern Poland]. His grandfather was the Ishbitzer Rebbe (the Mei Shiloah), who studied under the Kotzker Rebbe. Rabbi Gershon went to Italy, which had opened its first public aquarium in Naples in the 1800s, searching for the hilazon.' Secular scientists were also studying snails, honing in on specific sea snails in the murex family, says the Ptil Tekhelet founder. 'They knew these snails could make dyes. Chemists were analyzing them, and they were finding piles of ancient snail shells in Tyre, Turkey, Cyprus, Greece, Morocco, Tunisia/Carthage, and Italy.' But what did these large piles of snail shells mean? Sterman explains, 'A few piles of shells probably indicated it was somebody's supper. But a lot of snails? That's a production facility.' As scientists began experimenting with the dye, they were able to make the purple argaman color. The problem is that the chemists were only able to obtain a purple dye from the murex snails; but according to the Torah, tekhelet is supposed to remind us of the sea or the sky – so it was blue, not purple. Rabbi Yitzhak Halevi Herzog, the first chief rabbi of the State of Israel and grandfather of President Isaac Herzog, wrote a doctorate in 1914 on tekhelet at the University of London. Besides speaking 12 languages, the distinguished scholar coined the phrase 'Hebrew porphyrology,' based on the above-mentioned Greek name of the murex/hilazon snail. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to get past the purple; the trail went cold. In 1985, Prof. Otto Elsner working at Shenkar College of Fibers in Herzliya made an accidental discovery. He was researching properties of the dyes that came out of the snail and noticed that at very specific times in the dying process, if you expose the dye to sunlight, it turns blue, not purple. Although Elsner wasn't interested in tekhelet, his research was picked up by Rabbi Eliyahu Tavger, who began the process of making the ritual blue dye. While looking for scuba divers to help him find the mysterious snails, he met Sterman and dentist Ari Greenspan. The two went diving off the northern coast of Israel and found plenty of murex snails. As it turns out, the snails abound all over the Mediterranean. Sterman joined with Tavger and formed the Ptil Tekhelet nonprofit organization. With catering options and a large picnic area that can accommodate up to 100 guests, the Tekhelet Educational Center in Kfar Adumim is not only educational but has become an ideal place to celebrate bar mitzvah and hanahat tefillin ceremonies, where a 13-year-old boy comes of age and puts on tefillin for the first time. 'We had such an amazing, meaningful experience at Ptil Tekhelet today!' one patron wrote enthusiastically after celebrating his son's tefillin-laying ceremony. 'The guide was so knowledgeable, and his passion really came through. The icing on the cake was the [tekhelet-making] demo at the end. The entire group was in absolute amazement, seeing the process happen. I think this place is a must-visit for every religious boy.' Sterman concludes, 'The main takeaway from The Tekhelet Educational Center is the deep appreciation for a beautiful mitzvah.'
USA Today
13-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Longhorn Jericho Sims re-joins the Bucks on a one-year deal
After a short stint in free agency, Jericho Sims has re-signed with the Milwaukee Bucks on a two-year deal. The former Longhorn spent the first four years of his career with the Knicks before being dealt to the Bucks in February. Now, he will look to build on his success last year. Following the trade, Sims appeared in 14 games with the Bucks. He averaged 2.4 points and 3.0 rebounds a game. Due to his solid play, the former second-round time saw some action in the postseason. While Milwaukee fell short of its ultimate goal, Jericho averaged 2.8 points in five playoff games. Although Jericho's statistics may not immediately stand out, he has carved out a solid NBA career. Since being selected in the 2021 NBA Draft, he has appeared in 191 regular season games and 10 playoff games. For many Longhorns fans, his success has come as no surprise. During his college career, he averaged 9.7 points per game while calling the Forty Acres home. He made his presence felt on the glass, finishing his Longhorns career with 455 total rebounds. That is a trend that has continued in New York and Milwaukee. For a Bucks team with championship aspirations, they will need Jericho to continue being a rebound machine. When the regular season begins, the Minnesota native will likely serve as the Bucks' backup center. That was a role he showed he could fill very well last year, appearing in a career-high 53 regular season games with the Bucks and Knicks. Now that Sims can call Milwaukee home for the second two years, he can focus on improving his game while playing meaningful basketball.
