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UN demand for Gaza cease-fire provokes strongest clash between US and Israel since war began

Israel postponed a planned diplomatic mission to Washington, DC, following the UN Security Council's adoption of a resolution demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza and the unconditional liberation of all captives. This decision came after four earlier proposals were unsuccessful.

During the vote, the United States, one of the council's 15 members, chose to abstain, allowing the resolution to pass, with all other members endorsing the legally binding mandate. This resolution advocates for a pause in the conflict throughout the remainder of Ramadan, a significant period of observance in Islam, concluding in about two weeks. The U.S. justified its abstention by pointing out the resolution's failure to criticize Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced his disappointment with the U.S. for not employing its veto power, emphasizing that the resolution did not adequately link the cease-fire with the hostages' release.

The Israeli advisory team was initially scheduled to engage with the Biden administration today to deliberate on potential military strategies in Rafah, a region where a significant number of Palestinians have sought refuge. Despite this setback, discussions are expected to proceed with Israel's defense minister, who is already scheduled to visit Washington this week.

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Dow closes more than 150 points lower as stocks take a break from their rally

On Monday, stock markets experienced a slight downturn, pausing the recent surge that had propelled Wall Street to unprecedented heights.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased by 162.26 points, a 0.41% drop, ending the day at 39,313.64. The S&P 500 fell by 0.31% to close at 5,218.19, and the Nasdaq Composite decreased by 0.27%, concluding at 16,384.47.

Intel's shares declined by 1.7% following a report by the Financial Times indicating that China's new regulations would prohibit the use of the company's processors in government servers and PCs. Meanwhile, United Airlines experienced a 3.4% drop in its stock value after the Federal Aviation Administration announced it would intensify its oversight of the airline due to recent safety concerns.

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Honey bees at risk for colony collapse from longer, warmer fall seasons

New research suggests that the renowned diligence of honey bees in pollinating crops could become their Achilles' heel as global temperatures rise.

The act of flying reduces the lifespan of honey bees, and these industrious insects will venture out to forage for nectar whenever weather conditions permit, without regard for the existing honey reserves in their hive. By integrating climate forecasts and bee demographic studies, scientists discovered that extended autumn seasons featuring favorable flying conditions heighten the risk of bee colonies failing come spring.

This investigation, detailed in Scientific Reports, initially examined bee populations in the Pacific Northwest, yet its findings are relevant for apiaries nationwide. The study proposes an effective countermeasure: relocating beehives into indoor cold storage facilities, encouraging bees to form their winter clusters sooner, and preventing premature exhaustion among the worker bees.

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