Gaza ⁤Ceasefire: ‌A Critical Window⁤ to Save Children’s Lives – UNICEF Scales Up Aid, Donations Matched

Gaza – A fragile ceasefire offers a crucial opportunity to deliver desperately needed aid​ to children in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation remains catastrophic⁣ after two years of relentless conflict. UNICEF is scaling up its response,‌ providing lifesaving support, ⁤but urgently requires ⁢continued funding to ‌reach those moast in need. For a limited time, every dollar donated will be doubled thanks to‌ a generous matching gift from ⁣Islamic Relief Australia, ​up to $500,000.

the conflict, escalating significantly⁤ in October 2023, has⁣ resulted ⁢in the tragic deaths of nearly 20,000‌ children, with tens of thousands⁢ more ‍sustaining life-altering injuries.even with the ceasefire, ‍the crisis persists. Famine‌ looms, severe malnutrition is spreading, and families face immense hardship due to displacement and the destruction of ⁣essential infrastructure.

Winter’s Harsh⁤ Reality

The onset of winter exacerbates the already dire conditions. Over 1.9 million people⁤ are displaced, ⁤many sheltering in inadequate makeshift accommodations offering little protection from⁣ the bitter cold. Urgent provision of warm clothing,​ blankets, ⁤tarpaulins, and tents is critical for child survival.

UNICEF’s On-the-Ground Response

Despite immense challenges,UNICEF⁣ teams remain steadfastly in Gaza,committed to supporting children and families for as long as it takes to recover and rebuild. Current efforts‌ include:

* ​ Essential⁢ Supplies: ⁤Distribution of winter clothing, blankets,‍ hygiene kits, and ‌sanitary ‍items.
* ⁢ ⁢ Shelter⁢ & Education: Providing tents and establishing temporary learning spaces.
* Nutrition & Health: Screening and treating children suffering from malnutrition, providing access to clean water, ​immunizations, and mental health support.
* Family Reunification: Working to ⁣reunite separated children with their families.
* ​ Direct Delivery: During previous ceasefires, UNICEF ​teams delivered aid directly to vulnerable ‍families, reaching malnourished children and pregnant women in their ​shelters.

A Glimmer of Hope, But ⁣Urgent ​action Needed

“The world must⁣ not look away as​ children in ‌Gaza struggle to survive,” a UNICEF spokesperson stated. “

Tesla Launches More Affordable Model 3, ⁣starting at €36,990

Milan, Italy – Tesla has expanded its Model 3 lineup⁢ with a new‍ Standard version, offering a⁢ lower entry point to electric vehicle ownership starting at ⁣€36,990.The announcement introduces a ⁢more accessible option alongside the existing Premium Long Range and Performance models,and⁣ provides an choice to outright ⁣purchase with monthly installments beginning at‍ €299.

The‍ new Model 3 Standard maintains key features found in higher-end trims, differentiating⁤ it from the ⁢more stripped-down approach taken with the base Model Y.Notably,it retains the glass roof and front trunk (“frunk”). The vehicle incorporates updates rolled out​ earlier this year, including a new front camera providing a wider view on the central display and the return of the steering column-mounted‌ indicator lever.

currently, the Model 3 range consists of:

* Model 3 Standard: €36,990
* Model 3 Premium Long Range RWD: €42,690
* Model 3 Premium Long Range AWD: €48,690
* ⁢ Model 3 Performance: €57,490

tesla states ‍the Standard model boasts a WLTP-rated range of 534 km and a consumption rate of 13.0 kWh/100 km, ​suggesting a battery capacity around 70 kWh – similar to the Model⁤ Y Standard. Power is delivered by a single rear electric motor ‍producing 290⁣ CV, enabling a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 6.2 seconds.

Standard features ⁤include adaptive front ⁢lights that ⁤selectively dim to avoid glare,⁤ heated and electrically adjustable front seats​ upholstered in fabric, and Tesla’s Autopilot driver ⁢assistance system with provision for future automatic driving capabilities pending regulatory approval. Leasing and financing options ‌with a final ‌maxi installment are available in addition to direct purchase.

fighting erupted in eastern Congo‍ within hours of a ‌peace deal ceremony in Washington, D.C., as clashes continued Friday ⁢along the Kaziba, Katogota and ⁣Rurambo axis in the South Kivu​ province, according to a Congolese army spokesperson. The renewed conflict‌ underscores the fragility of efforts to resolve escalating tensions between the⁤ Democratic Republic of Congo​ and Rwanda.

While U.S. diplomacy paused escalation of fighting in ⁢eastern Congo, it failed to resolve ‍core issues,‍ with neither Congo nor Rwanda fulfilling pledges made in a June agreement, analysts say. videos circulating online Friday showed dozens of displaced families fleeing‌ on foot with their belongings​ and livestock near the town of Luvungi in South Kivu province; Reuters‌ has not yet authenticated the footage.

A Congolese army spokesman​ said Rwandan forces⁣ were bombing,causing population⁤ displacement in luvungi. “There is​ population displacement in Luvungi due ‍to Rwandan Defense Force bombardment. They are bombing blindly,” ⁣he ⁣said.

Lawrence Kanyuka, the spokesperson ⁣for AFC/M23, stated, “Numerous homes have been destroyed, and women as well as children ‍have tragically lost⁤ their lives.” He added that​ forces loyal to the Congolese government “continued‍ their relentless attacks on densely populated areas ⁣of North⁤ Kivu and south Kivu, using fighter​ jets, drones and heavy artillery,” without providing ​an overall casualty toll. ⁢AFC/M23 is ⁤not bound by the terms‌ of​ any Congo-Rwanda agreement.A senior AFC/M23⁣ official, speaking anonymously, claimed rebel forces had retaken the town‍ of Luberika and shot down a Congolese army drone. “The war continues on the ground and has no connection with the signing of the agreement that took place yesterday in Washington,” he said.

Rwanda’s army and government spokespersons were not⁣ immediately available for comment. The conflict centers around the M23 rebel group, pictured in a recent photo watching ⁣over Congolese fighters, and is backed⁢ by‍ Rwanda.

New Bitcoin Bridge Design Prioritizes ‘Ownership Preservation’ to Combat Coin Tainting ‌& ​Enhance ‌NFT transfer

Geneva, Switzerland – Researchers have unveiled “Cardinal,” a novel Bitcoin bridge leveraging BitVM‌ technology designed to address growing​ concerns ‌about​ cryptocurrency custody and potential “coin tainting” resulting from cross-chain⁢ transfers. The ‌design, ⁤detailed​ in a ⁣paper released⁣ today on the Cryptology ePrint Archive (2025/2196), aims to ensure users receive ​the exact Bitcoin they initially deposited when transferring assets across blockchain networks.

The increasing popularity of cross-chain bridges – systems enabling digital asset flow⁣ between blockchains – has raised questions about ​whether coins returned to a user after a “peg-out” operation ​are, actually,⁢ the same coins they initially sent. While cryptocurrencies are​ theoretically fungible, advanced chain analytics can trace a coin’s history, possibly ‍resulting in users receiving coins associated with‍ undesirable or illicit activity. This poses risks for privacy and‍ could attract money laundering.

“When a user’s coins cross a bridge back and forth, there ⁢is a possibility that they are‍ substituted with other coins upon return,” the researchers write. “Chain analytics algorithms…can trace coins’ provenance…highlighting the⁢ possibility that users may end up with ‘tainted’ coins.”

Cardinal distinguishes itself by focusing on “ownership preservation,” a concept the team asserts‌ is lacking in existing multi-signature and BitVM bridge ‍designs. By utilizing BitVM, a layer-2 scaling solution for Bitcoin,⁢ the bridge facilitates bidirectional transfers between Bitcoin and other DeFi-supporting chains ​in‌ a trust-minimized manner while​ maintaining a verifiable⁢ link between the original and returned coins.

Notably, the researchers claim Cardinal is the ⁣first Bitcoin bridge capable of transferring Bitcoin NFTs, known as Ordinals, across ⁢chains, potentially ⁣unlocking new use cases and value for these digital assets.The team behind Cardinal includes Lukas⁤ Aumayr, Jesus Diaz‍ (Input Output), Dimitar Jetchev‌ (Microsoft, Input Output, École Polytechnique Fédérale de lausanne), and Aggelos Kiayias (University of Edinburgh, Input Output).