Want to catch up with the news quickly? Here are the top stories from Tuesday, October 10, 2023.
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1. Israel declares war on Hamas after deadly attack
Israel vowed to take "mighty revenge" after Hamas attacks over the weekend killed 900 people — most civilians. The Israeli military said on Monday that it was imposing a total blockade of the Gaza Strip, as well as calling up over 360,000 reservists. The move signaled that a ground assault may be planned in retaliation.
Since the attacks Saturday, Israel has targeted the Gaza Strip with air strikes, which have been reported to be the most devastating bombings throughout 75 years of conflict. Nearly 700 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza officials, with entire districts in the area flattened. Hamas has threatened to kill an Israeli hostage every time Israel bombs a Palestinian home without warning.
2. Israel retaliates against Palestinians in Gaza
UN Human Rights chief Volker Türk said in a statement Tuesday that Israel's retaliatory bombings and "seizes" have targeted Palestinian residential buildings and schools, as well as "premises of the UN relief and works agency, UNRWA (U.N. Palestinian refugee agency)" — actions illegal under international law, which Turk said could amount to "collective punishment."
U.N. Human Rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani later clarified that such acts may amount to a war crime, and that the review was based on reports from the agency's own monitors on the ground.
"[Israel's] imposition of sieges that endanger the lives of civilians by depriving them of goods essential for their survival is prohibited under international humanitarian law" Türk said. "This risks seriously compounding the already dire human rights and humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the capacity of medical facilities to operate, especially in light of increasing numbers of injured."
3. Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls murders related?
Police finally made an arrest in the murder of rap legend Tupac Shakur after more than 27 years. Duane “Keefe D” Davis was arrested by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department earlier this month. Retired Detective Clifford Mugg claimed during jury testimony last week that Shakur’s murder was related to the killing of East Coast rapper Biggie Smalls.
As one of the investigators in Shakur's case, Mugg testified people “associated with both murders were involved,” and that the “theory was accurate that they were related.” However, he maintained that the murders were not “perpetrated by the same individuals.”
4. Happy 20th birthday to the Pumpkin Spice Latte
In the 20 years since the very first Pumpkin Spice Latte was made, the drink has become a pop culture phenomenon. It was invented in 2003 by Peter Dukes at the research and development space in the Starbucks headquarters in Seattle.
According to Starbucks, the third-ever seasonal beverage introduced by the company, after Eggnog Latte and Peppermint Mocha. Its original name was "Fall Harvest Latte."
