Gaza toll rises as Israel launches intense strikes
The death toll in Gaza rose sharply yesterday, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, after Israel said it had struck hundreds of targets in the territory in one of the biggest barrages of airstrikes in recent days.
The Gaza health ministry said yesterday that Israeli airstrikes had killed at least 436 people “in the past hours,” bringing the death toll to more than 5,000 since Oct. 7, when Israel began launching airstrikes in retaliation for an attack by the Hamas militant group that killed 1,400 people.
Hamas released two additional hostages yesterday, according to the group and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Their release, which Hamas said was for “humanitarian and health reasons,” came three days after the group set free an Israeli-American mother and daughter. More than 200 others are believed to still be held.
U.S. officials said that the Biden administration had advised Israel to delay a ground invasion of Gaza, to allow more time for negotiations to release the more than 200 people being held hostage by Hamas and other groups in Gaza, and for more humanitarian aid to reach the territory.
Teenager reported brain-dead by Iran state media
Armita Geravand, the Iranian girl who was dragged out of a subway car unconscious shortly after entering it with her hair uncovered earlier this month, has been pronounced brain-dead, Iran’s state media reported on Sunday.
The authorities in Iran, who have not released videos from inside the subway car, said that Geravand collapsed because she had skipped breakfast and her blood sugar dropped. People familiar with the episode said she was pushed by an officer, hit her head and suffered cerebral hemorrhaging.
Geravand’s case has given rise to accusations that she was harmed by agents enforcing Iran’s hijab rules, evoking parallels to Mahsa Amini. Last year, Amini died in the custody of Iran’s morality police after being accused of violating the country’s dress code, prompting nationwide anti-government protests.
Chevron acquires Hess for $53 billion
Chevron, the second-largest U.S. oil giant, said yesterday that it had agreed to acquire Hess, a medium-size rival, in an all-stock deal valued at $53 billion. It’s the second energy megadeal this month.
The deal marks a further consolidation of the energy industry, especially in the U.S., where smaller companies appear to be taking advantage of relatively high oil prices to join forces with bigger players. The transaction follows Exxon Mobil’s $60 billion purchase of shale driller Pioneer Natural Resources, another sign of confidence in the future of fossil fuels as policymakers promote cleaner sources.
THE LATEST NEWS
Around the World
What happens when a distinctive, exotic color meets one of the most beloved athletes of his generation? You end up with the hottest piece of sports merchandise on the planet. As stocks of Lionel Messi’s pink Inter Miami jersey evaporate from stores — even David Beckham had trouble getting ahold of one — hustling hawkers and counterfeiters have stepped in to meet the shortfall.
Lives lived: Dr. Roland A. Pattillo, who treated female cancers for decades and worked to honor Henrietta Lacks, the woman whose cells have led to striking medical advances, died at 89.
ARTS AND IDEAS
Baba Maal’s Dakar
The musician Baaba Maal, the “voice of Wakanda” whom fans know from the soundtracks of “Black Panther” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” originally moved to Dakar, Senegal’s capital, to pursue a law degree. Once he arrived, he knew his life would take a different course.
“If I wanted to be an artist, I said, ‘This is where I’m going to start a career,’” he said when he first arrived, and he has. This year alone, Maal, 70, has released his 14th studio album, “Being,” to critical acclaim and has begun preparations for his Blues du Fleuve festival, which will take place in early December.
These are his five favorite places in Dakar, the city where he found his voice.
