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L'Orient-Le Jour
21 hours ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Israeli rights groups break taboo with accusations of genocide
When two human rights groups became the first major voices in Israel to accuse the state of committing genocide in Gaza, breaking a taboo in a country founded after the Holocaust, they were prepared for a backlash. B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights Israel released reports at a press conference in Jerusalem on Monday, saying Israel was carrying out "coordinated, deliberate action to destroy Palestinian society in the Gaza Strip". That marked the strongest possible accusation against the state, which vehemently denies it. The charge of genocide is deeply sensitive in Israel because of its origins in the work of Jewish legal scholars in the wake of the Nazi Holocaust. Israeli officials have rejected genocide allegations as antisemitic. So Sarit Michaeli, B'Tselem's international director, said the group expected to face attacks for making the claim in a country still traumatised by the deadly Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7, 2023 that triggered the war in Gaza. "We've looked into all of the risks that we could be facing. These are legal, reputation, media risks, other types of risk, societal risks and we've done work to try and mitigate these risks," said Michaeli, whose organisation is seen as being on the political fringe in Israel but is respected internationally. "We are also quite experienced in attacks by the government or social media, so this is not the first time." It's not unrealistic "to expect this issue, which is so fraught and so deeply contentious within Israeli society and internationally to lead to an even greater reaction," she said. Israel's foreign ministry and prime minister's office did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Shortly after the reports were released on Monday, government spokesperson David Mencer said: "Yes, of course we have free speech in Israel." He strongly rejected the reports' findings and said that such accusations fostered anti-semitism abroad. Some Israelis have expressed concern over Israel's military campaign in Gaza that has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, destroyed much of the enclave and led to widespread hunger. An international global hunger monitor said on Tuesday a famine scenario was unfolding in the Gaza Strip, with malnutrition soaring, children under five dying of hunger-related causes and humanitarian access severely restricted. "For me, life is life, and it's sad. No one should die there," said nurse Shmuel Sherenzon, 31. But the Israeli public generally rejects allegations of genocide. Most of the 1,200 people killed and the 251 taken hostage to Gaza in the Oct. 7 attacks in southern Israel were civilians, including men, women, children and the elderly. In an editorial titled "Why are we blind to Gaza?" published on the mainstream news site Ynet last week, Israeli journalist Sever Plocker said images of ordinary Palestinians rejoicing over the attacks in and even following the militants to take part in violence made it almost impossible for Israelis to feel compassion for Gazans in the months that followed. "The crimes of Hamas on Oct. 7 have deeply burned — for generations — the consciousness of the entire Jewish public in Israel, which now interprets the destruction and killing in Gaza as a deterrent retaliation and therefore also morally legitimate." Israel denies there is a genocide Israel has fended off accusations of genocide since the early days of the Gaza war, including a case brought by South Africa at the International Court of Justice in the Hague that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned as "outrageous". While Israeli human rights groups say it can be difficult working under Israel's far-right government, they don't experience the kind of tough crackdowns their counterparts face in other parts of the Middle East. Israel has consistently said its actions in Gaza are justified as self-defence and accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields, a charge the militant group denies. Israeli media has focused more on the plight of hostages taken by Hamas, in the worst single attack on Jews since the Holocaust. In this atmosphere, for B'Tselem's Israeli staff members to come to the stark conclusion that their own country was guilty of genocide was emotionally challenging, said Yuli Novak, the organisation's executive director. "It's really incomprehensible, it's a phenomena that the mind cannot bear," Novak said, choking up. "I think many of our colleagues are struggling at the moment, not only fear of sanctions but also to fully grasp this thing." Guy Shalev, executive director of Physicians for Human Rights Israel, said the organisation faced a "wall of denial". It has been under pressure for months and is expecting a stronger backlash after releasing its report. "Bureaucratic, legal, financial institutions such as banks freezing accounts including ours, and some of the challenges we expect to see in the next efforts will intensify," he told Reuters.
1News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- 1News
Winner of NZ's Supreme Pie Award revealed
A potato top pie has been crowned the winner at NZ's Supreme Pie Awards in Auckland last night. The swirled potato top creation with a centre core of fondant-style cooked potatoes finished in au gratin layers was created by Samraksmey (Sam) So, owner of Rosedale Bakery & Café on Auckland's North Shore. So said he developed the recipe after seeing a dish of French-style layered potatoes in a magazine. Speaking to Breakfast, So said the win was "unexpected" and "amazing". The fancy French inspired pie was crafted by Samraksmey (Sam) So, owner of Rosedale Bakery & Café in Albany on Auckland's North Shore. (Source: Supplied) ADVERTISEMENT "I feel excited," he said. He said last year his potato top pie came highly commended, and the team spent the entire year perfecting the recipe for this year's awards. "We take the time to fry the potatoes and then we put them on a tray with butter, garlic and rosemary and we bake them off. We cut them with a round cutter after baking and put them in the pie and bake again, and they look like a crispy outside." The pie had been flying out the door this morning, in the wake of last night's win. Rosedale Bakery & Café owner Samraksmey So told Breakfast the win was "unexpected" and "amazing". (Source: Breakfast) So, who owns two bakeries in Albany, Auckland, bought his first bakery in 2019 and started really making a name for himself when he won a silver award for his mince and cheese entry in the 2023 Bakels NZ Pie Awards. It was his golden pastry sausage roll though that secured his baking credibility when he won the Bakels Legendary Sausage Roll competition in the same year. ADVERTISEMENT Celebrity chef judge Nici Wickes said New Zealand bakers were great at making pies. "We saw so many pies today and really all of them were fantastic. It was very hard to choose. You cut them open dead down the centre, open them up and it was unbelievably fantastic to see the different fillings people have gone for, how innovative they've been," she said. The Café Boutique gold winner, a rhubarb and raspberry sweet pie earned an "unbelievably delicious" credit from Wickes too. Ian Moore, who has been a judge for many years and is now the chief judge, summed up the competition saying: 'The standard was amazing again as usual". "The final range is fantastic across the board and it just comes down to a half point here and a half point there. And once again those final flavours and the range had a significant difference in all of them because of their different categories. It was an amazing day and once again a great standard.' Gold winners: Bacon & Egg – Sean Vo, Levain Artisan Bakery, Blockhouse Bay Auckland ADVERTISEMENT Mince & Gravy – Sopheap Long, Euro Patisserie, Torbay, Auckland Mince & Cheese – Michael Gray, Nada Bakery, Wellington Potato Top – Samraksmey (Sam) So, Rosedale Bakery & Café, Albany, Auckland Steak & Gravy – Sok Heang Nguon, Taste Bakery and Roast, Henderson, Auckland Steak & Cheese – Sok Keo, Milldale Bakery, Wainui, Auckland Chicken & Vegetable – Mengheng (Jason) Hay, Richoux Patisserie, Ellerslie, Auckland Gourmet Meat – Buntha Meng, Wild Grain Bakery, Silverdale, Auckland ADVERTISEMENT Vegetarian – Sopheap Long, Euro Patisserie, Torbay, Auckland Café Boutique – Ellie Linton-Brown, Main Street Café, Huntly Commercial/Wholesale – Dad's Pies, Silverdale, Auckland.
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
NSW Police say they will not permit a pro-Palestinian march to cross the Harbour Bridge
New South Wales Police have said they will not grant permission for a pro-Palestinian protest to cross the Harbour Bridge on Sunday, as Sydney's Lord Mayor backs the demonstration. Acting Deputy Commissioner Peter McKenna said organisers wanted to close the bridge to allow up to 10,000 to cross, and there was not enough time to do it safely. He said that police had suggested alternative locations for the protest to take place and told reporters it was a matter of timing and public safety. "The main rationale behind that, it's quite clearly public safety," he said. "It would have a major disruption and effect on thousands of motorists … [it] would be a public safety risk that we cannot manage at this point in time." The comments came after NSW Premier Chris Minns said the protest should be held elsewhere, and Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore posting on social media that the protest should be allowed. In a social media post, the Palestine Action Group said the bridge had been closed in the past for major events and threatened to march over the bridge regardless. The backing of the Lord Mayor has infuriated many people in Sydney, with 2GB radio host Mark Levy slamming the mayor for wanting the protest to go ahead. He told listeners on his morning show 'So, Clover Moore thinks a powerful move for Sydney is a so called 'march for humanity' with pro-Palestinian activists walking over the Harbour Bridge, chanting things like 'death, death to the IDF' and holding up signs that say 'to the river to the sea."
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
SA citrus industry faces major setback with US tariff
Following a 90-day reprieve that postponed the measure earlier this year, the US will impose a 30% tariff on exports of South African citrus, among other products, from August 1. The move has sparked concern among local farmers and industry leaders, who have warned that it could cost thousands of jobs and destabilise rural communities. According to the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA), the tariff would render South African citrus uncompetitive in the US market. Speaking to Farmer's Weekly, CGA CEO Boitshoko Ntshabele said that unlike major South American competitors like Peru and Chile, which faced a 10% tariff, the 30% tariff imposed on South Africa would add approximately US$4,25 (around R75) per carton, effectively pricing local citrus out of US store shelves. Tariff could devastate rural economies In a statement, Gerrit van der Merwe, chairperson of the CGA's board and a citrus farmer in Citrusdal, Western Cape, said the tariff would wreak economic havoc on local communities. 'Towns like Citrusdal, which rely heavily on US exports, could face increased unemployment or even total economic collapse,' he explained. While the US currently accounts for 5% to 6% of South Africa's citrus exports, that relatively small market is critical for rural economies in the Western and Northern Cape. Exports to the US have nearly doubled since 2017, with more than 6,5 million cartons sent to that country annually. According to Ntshabele these exports supported 35 000 jobs in South Africa and an estimated 20 000 in the US supply chain. 'Citrus is not produced in a factory. South African citrus growers do not compete with US citrus growers. In fact, our counterseasonal supply sustains consumer interest when US citrus is out of season, eventually benefitting US growers when [our season ends],' he added. He emphasised that tariffing seasonal fresh produce like citrus could raise US food prices and harm public health. 'Citrus should be on the White House's exemption list. It is seasonal and supports both US health and the US citrus industry while helping to keep food inflation down,' Ntshabele said. 'SA government must act swiftly' The CGA has urged the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition to urgently finalise negotiations with the US before 1 August. 'There are clear and convincing arguments for why our government must act swiftly and decisively to safeguard citrus,' Ntshabele said. Van der Merwe echoed this appeal, adding that the tariff's timing could not be worse. 'We're in the middle of our 2025 harvest. Fruit is being picked, packed, and shipped. Redirecting that volume to other markets on short notice is almost impossible, and doing so could collapse prices across our entire industry,' he explained. Call for fairer trade and global market access Commenting on the tariff, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen said in a statement: 'We have noted the correspondence from the White House regarding the 30% tariff on South African exports. Thousands of agricultural jobs are at stake, particularly in citrus, grapes, wine, and nuts. 'We remain committed to urgent, constructive dialogue with our US counterparts and are working closely with other ministers to explore all avenues for a fairer trade outcome, including expanding into new and emerging markets.' According to Ntshabele, in the long term, South Africa's citrus industry was projected to create 100 000 new jobs by 2032, but only if current market access was preserved and new export opportunities to the US, China, and India were unlocked. He added that with South African citrus already facing steep tariffs in Asia, the loss of the US market could be a devastating blow, he added. 'Unless a trade solution is found soon, this winter's storm could very well be the one we'll not weather,' Van der Merwe warned. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
Boston Globe
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
A bit of dubious history for Red Sox rookie Roman Anthony
'Obviously, knowing the type of player I am and the type of hitter I am, I never want to strike out once, let alone four times,' Anthony said. 'As a young guy, it's all part of that learning curve. You go through those bumps in the road, but I'm not going to let it faze me. I'm going to continue to move on.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Does anything faze the 21-year-old rookie who, prior to Tuesday, reached base in 14 consecutive games? Advertisement 'I try not to let it faze me. This is such a hard game in particular. When you face guys like that, obviously you know what they're capable of,' said Anthony, who batted .353 with a .969 OPS during that streak. 'But I know what I'm capable of. The more I get to see guys like that, the better I'm going to get. I don't let two nights like that really throw me too much. It's a small sample size, and it's two of the best guys there are.' Related : Advertisement 'Those guys are two of the best at what they do in baseball,' Anthony said. 'They were both legit. . . . I'm excited to see those guys again, honestly.' Alex Bregman sticking to slow lane In a tight loss Monday night, Alex Bregman was deliberate in going from first to third — and stopping at third — on Anthony's double into the right-field corner. On Tuesday, on a grounder up the middle that required a diving stop by second baseman Bryson Stott , Bregman was out at first easily. Although he described himself as 'running free,' Bregman has been and will continue to be careful on the bases, he and Cora said. They view it as necessary to avoid reinjuring his right quad, which sidelined him for seven weeks. 'I still gotta be smart for the remainder of the year, but I hit 98 percent [on one play Monday] of the max speed that I ran all year,' Bregman said. Cora said: 'We'll play it safe the whole time. He's gotta be smart.' Bregman rates as a below-average runner, covering 26.2 feet per second when sprinting, according to Statcast. Average is 27. 'First of all, he's never been a fast runner,' Cora said. 'That's the reality of it. I'm not saying he's a station-to-station guy, but he's not a burner. So he understands when he has to go and when he needs to take it easy. We respect that and we'll keep him like that.' Advertisement Bregman was out of the lineup Wednesday, Kelly heads to minors Zack Kelly (right oblique strain) will begin a rehab assignment with High A Greenville on Thursday, Cora said . . . Liam Hendriks , who recently sought a second opinion regarding a core issue that is separate from the hip problem that has had him on the IL for two months, was prescribed 'a few exercises and stuff he needs to do in the gym and with the training staff, but nothing else,' Cora said. 'Hopefully this helps and moves the needle.' . . . J.C. Romero , a Red Sox reliever for part of 2007, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Citizens Bank Park. After the Sox released him in June of that championship season, the lefthander signed with the Phillies, with whom he won the 2008 World Series and spent five seasons . . . The David Ortiz , to Single A Salem. Ortiz, 21, hit .273 with a .689 OPS in the Florida Coast League. Tim Healey can be reached at
