Israel Urges Resumption of Ceasefire Negotiations in Gaza

By V. E. K. Madhushani, Jadetimes News

---

Image Source : Hatem Khaled

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Sends Negotiators to Discuss Hostage Release Deal with Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to send a team of negotiators to discuss a hostage release deal with Hamas.

US President Joe Biden welcomed this development, which follows Hamas's response to a Gaza ceasefire plan he outlined in late May. The last indirect talks took place in Cairo earlier that month.

Details of Hamas's latest response have not been made public, but a Palestinian official stated that the group is no longer demanding a full ceasefire at the outset of the plan presented by President Biden. A senior US administration official noted that Hamas had made "pretty significant adjustments" to its position. "We've had a breakthrough on a critical impasse," the US official said, although he emphasized that "this does not mean this deal is going to be closed in the period of days."

President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu held a phone call on Thursday, focusing on the hostages and ceasefire negotiations, according to the official.

On Wednesday, Hamas's political leadership announced it had contacted mediators from Egypt and Qatar with ideas aimed at reaching an agreement. Up to now, Hamas had demanded an end to the war and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Israel, on the other hand, has stated it will only accept temporary pauses in the fighting until it eliminates Hamas.

When President Biden announced the plan on May 31, he said it was based on a detailed Israeli proposal and involved three phases. The first phase would include a "full and complete ceasefire" lasting six weeks, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza, and the exchange of some of the hostages including women, the elderly, and the sick or wounded for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. The second phase would involve the release of all other living hostages and a "permanent end to hostilities." The third phase would initiate a major reconstruction plan for Gaza and the return of dead hostages' remains.

Following the phone call between the two leaders, the Israeli government released a statement, "Prime Minister Netanyahu updated President Biden on his decision to send a delegation to continue the hostage negotiations and reiterated the principles that Israel is committed to, especially its commitment to end the war only after all of its goals have been achieved."

Netanyahu has declared his objectives to be the return of all remaining hostages, the destruction of Hamas's military and governing capabilities, and ensuring Gaza no longer constitutes a threat to Israel.

The White House stated that President Biden "welcomed the prime minister's decision to authorize his negotiators to engage with US, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators in an effort to close out the deal." A source within the Israeli negotiating team told Reuters news agency that Hamas's response included "a very significant breakthrough" and that there was "a deal with a real chance of implementation."

A senior Palestinian official mentioned that Hamas had dropped the demand for a complete ceasefire. The new conditions, the official said, related to the withdrawal of Israeli forces from a strip of land along Gaza's southern border with Egypt, known as the Philadelphi corridor, and from the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt. The source, who was informed of the response Hamas submitted to the mediators, added that the atmosphere was positive. "We are going to a new round of negotiations soon,” the source said.

The US has accused Hamas of blocking progress towards a ceasefire. On Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Hamas was the “one exception” to international support for the ceasefire proposal. Hamas, he said, had created "gaps. in not saying yes to a proposal that everyone, including the Israelis, had said yes to."

Prime Minister Netanyahu has said he is “committed to the Israeli proposal welcomed by President Biden,” although he has not publicly endorsed the outline as it was laid out.

The war was triggered by Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, in which Hamas led gunmen killed about 1,200 people and took 251 others back to Gaza as hostages. At least 38,010 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza as a result of Israel's offensive, according to the territory's Hamas run health ministry.

Hamas and allied armed groups are believed to still be holding 116 hostages taken on October 7. At least 42 are presumed by Israeli authorities to be dead. The others have been released, rescued, or their bodies recovered. Four other Israelis have been held hostage since 2014 and 2015, two of whom are presumed dead.

Cleaning Up the UK's Waterways, Tackling Sewage Pollution with Innovative Wetlands

By D. W. G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News

---

Image Source : Elisa Chiarlitti

The Growing Problem of Sewage Pollution

As sewage and agricultural runoff continue to pollute the UK's rivers, efforts to restore water quality have become increasingly urgent. The Norfolk Broads, a renowned area in eastern England known for its rivers, lakes, and wildlife, exemplifies this crisis. Locals had long noticed the deterioration of vegetation and wildlife in the upper River Mun, leading to fish deaths in Little Broad lake. The primary culprit was identified as sewage pollution, a nationwide issue exacerbated by the increasing frequency of raw sewage spills into England’s waterways. According to the UK's Environment Agency, the hours of raw sewage discharges doubled from 1.75 million in 2022 to 3.6 million in 2023. However, even treated sewage effluent, although legal, can harm ecosystems, complicating the pollution problem.

Around the UK, communities are taking action as national systems fail to keep pace with the growing strain on the sewerage infrastructure. In Norfolk, the deteriorating conditions of the River Mun and Little Broad prompted the Norfolk Rivers Trust to seek innovative solutions. Drawing inspiration from global models, they decided to build wetlands as natural filters. These wetlands, designed to improve water quality, offer a promising approach to mitigating the impact of treated sewage effluent.

The Success of Constructed Wetlands

Constructed wetlands have proven to be an effective solution for improving river health. In 2014, the Norfolk Rivers Trust created the Frogshall Wetland using funds from the UK Environment Agency. By directing treated sewage through a series of shallow ponds filled with native vegetation, the wetland successfully reduced nutrient levels before water flowed back into the River Mun. The results were immediate and significant, vegetation previously thriving on excess nutrients diminished, invertebrate life rebounded, and phosphate and ammonia levels decreased by 70-90%. Biodiversity also flourished, with a notable increase in bird species.

The success of Frogshall Wetland spurred further projects, with the trust receiving support from Anglian Water and other agencies. Additional wetlands were built in Ingoldisthorpe, Langham, and Stiffkey, leading to substantial improvements in water quality. Ingoldisthorpe Wetland, for instance, transformed the River Ingol’s status from "bad" to "moderate" under the Water Framework Directive within two years. These projects have inspired other water companies, such as Wessex and Yorkshire Water, to develop similar wetlands.

In urban settings, wetlands also play a crucial role. In London, Enfield Council and Thames21 have collaborated to enhance river health by creating wetlands that filter urban drainage. These initiatives have demonstrated marked improvements in water quality, highlighting the potential of wetlands to address sewage pollution even in densely populated areas.

The progress made by community led projects underscores the need for a holistic approach to water management. While local initiatives are making a significant impact, broader efforts and investments are necessary to ensure the long term health of the UK’s rivers. Constructed wetlands offer a viable and sustainable solution, contributing to cleaner waterways and richer biodiversity.

The Rich History of the American Hot Dog, From Coney Island Origins to National Fame

By D. W. G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News

---

Image Source : Kostyantyn Manzhura

The Birthplace of the Hot Dog, Coney Island

As Americans gear up for Fourth of July celebrations, it's a fitting time to delve into the origins of one of the nation's beloved foods, the hot dog. The quintessential American food, these bunned frankfurters are a staple at baseball games, backyard barbecues, and roadside convenience stores nationwide. The hot dog’s story began in the 1860s, as the United States was healing from the Civil War and shaping its new identity. Despite its widespread presence today, the hot dog's iconic home remains the boardwalk of Coney Island in New York City.

On a sweltering summer day, seeking respite from Manhattan’s heat, I ventured to Coney Island. This Brooklyn amusement park, with its wooden boardwalk and golden sands, has been a haven for New Yorkers for over a century. Among the bustling attractions and food joints, the legendary Nathan’s Famous stands out. Established in 1916, Nathan’s proudly claims to be the original purveyor of world famous frankfurters.

However, just a few blocks away, another establishment, Feltman’s of Coney Island, declares itself as the true originator of the hot dog, dating back to 1867. According to Coney Island historian Michael Quinn, a German immigrant named Charles L. Feltman was serving hot dogs along the boardwalk decades before Nathan’s emerged. Feltman, who arrived in the US in 1856, initially ran a Brooklyn bakery and later started selling pies and clams from a pushcart on Coney Island. Responding to customer demand for hot food, Feltman innovated by creating a cart with a charcoal brazier and a bread warmer, leading to the sale of nearly 4,000 "Coney Island red hots" in his signature bun that summer.

Feltman’s hot dog, a convenient beachside version of the German frankfurter, quickly gained popularity. By 1871, he opened Feltman's Ocean Pavilion, and over the years, his enterprise grew into a vast amusement complex. Despite Feltman's success, Nathan Handwerker, a former employee, launched his own hot dog stand in 1916, undercutting Feltman's prices and ultimately becoming the dominant name on the Coney Island boardwalk after Feltman’s closed in 1954.

The Modern Revival and Legacy of Feltman’s and Nathan’s

Decades after Feltman’s closure, Michael Quinn, driven by his grandfather’s stories of Feltman’s superior quality, resurrected the brand. With the original spice blend recipe, Quinn reopened Feltman’s in 2015, initially operating from a takeout window in the East Village before reestablishing it in Coney Island in 2017. Today, Feltman’s hot dogs, made from premium beef and spices, are celebrated for their taste, even earning a spot among the top ten hot dogs in the US by The Daily Meal.

Feltman’s success continued despite the challenges posed by the COVID 19 pandemic, with sales soaring as people turned to supermarkets and online shopping. Meanwhile, Nathan’s has built an international empire, selling products in over 55,000 locations across more than 10 countries. The annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, held every Fourth of July, is a televised event, highlighting the brand’s enduring popularity.

While Nathan’s is synonymous with hot dogs today, some, including competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi, prefer the taste of Feltman’s franks. For those looking to experience both, Feltman’s can be found in select supermarkets and online, while Nathan’s is available globally. This Fourth of July, whether you’re at a backyard barbecue or watching a hot dog eating contest, you can appreciate the rich history and evolution of this iconic American food.