While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Oct 5
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US President Joe Biden responding to a question from the media, during the daily briefing at the White House, on Oct 4.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Biden warns Israel against Iran oil strikes
US President Joe Biden on Oct 4 advised Israel against striking Iran’s oil facilities, saying he was trying to rally the world to avoid the escalating prospect of all-out war in the Middle East.
Making a surprise first appearance in the White House briefing room, Mr Biden added that Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu “should remember” US support for Israel when deciding on next steps.
“If I were in their shoes, I’d be thinking about other alternatives than striking oil fields,” Mr Biden told reporters, when asked about his comments a day earlier that Washington was discussing the possibility of such strikes with its ally.
Mr Biden added that the Israelis “have not concluded how they’re what they’re going to do” in retaliation for a huge ballistic missile attack by Iran on Israel on Oct 1.
US military strikes 15 Houthi targets in Yemen
The US military said it carried out 15 strikes on Oct 4 against targets linked to Iran-aligned Houthi fighters in Yemen, where residents reported blasts at military outposts and even an airport.
Central Command, which oversees US forces in the Middle East, said the targets were tied to Houthi offensive military capabilities, but did not detail whether that included missile, drone or radar capabilities. In a post on X, Central Command said the strikes took place at about 1400 GMT (10pm in Singapore).
The Houthis have carried out nearly 100 attacks on ships crossing the Red Sea since November and say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Israel’s year-long war in Gaza. They have sunk two vessels, seized another and killed at least four seafarers.
World food price index marks biggest rise since March 2022
Global food prices saw the largest jump in 2.5 years in September, with bad weather and geopolitical risks threatening to keep consumer costs elevated for longer.
An index of food-commodity prices created by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) rose to the highest level since August 2023, according to data released on Oct 4. The 3 per cent gain in the gauge – that tracks grains, sugar, meat, dairy and vegetable oils costs – is the largest increase since March 2022.
That month, the index had jumped more than 13 per cent following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Google testing verified check marks in search results
Alphabet’s Google is testing showing check marks next to certain companies on its search results, a company spokesperson said on Oct 4, in a move aimed at helping users identify verified sources and steer clear of fake websites.
Fraudulent websites impersonating official businesses or services could creep up in online search results, leading users to view false information about the business, deceiving users and potentially harming the brand.
“We regularly experiment with features that help shoppers identify trustworthy businesses online, and we are currently running a small experiment showing checkmarks next to certain businesses on Google,” the spokesperson said.
Ratcliffe refuses to guarantee Ten Hag’s United future
Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe refused to guarantee Erik ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford as he admitted the club is not “where it should be” under the troubled boss.
Ratcliffe had a chance to quash reports that Ten Hag is in danger of the sack when he spoke ahead of United’s crucial Premier League trip to Aston Villa on Oct 6.
But the 71-year-old’s downbeat assessment of United’s predicament was hardly encouraging for Ten Hag as he fights to save his job.
