The Gazans struggle to survive, while Biden seeks Israel and Ukraine aid

Up First Briefing: Gazans struggle to survive; Biden seeks Israel and Ukraine aid – A no-go theorem

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza will reopen to humanitarian aid for Palestinians under siege by Israel. hundreds of thousands have been displaced in the Gaza Strip, where NPR’s Aya Batrawy speaks with people.

On Up First, Batrawy says it’s been “sheer terror and a struggle to survive,” with no guarantee of safety for those evacuating to southern Gaza. Food, water and fuel are running out. Israel’s prime minister’s office says there is no cease-fire yet, but Egypt is going to bring aid in if the border opens.

The White House wants Congress to give it billions of dollars in foreign aid for Israel and Ukraine. Jim Jordan, House speaker nominee, is one of many Republicans who have reservations about the request.

Source: Up First briefing: [Gazans struggle to survive](https://lostobject.org/2023/10/16/water-is-hard-to-find-in-gaza-and-tony-blair-is-back-in-israel/); Biden seeks Israel and Ukraine aid

The Ring of Fire in the U.S. Today: President Biden’s trip to Israel to reaffirm support for the United States and Israel

Later today, a federal court judge is expected to consider a request for a partial gag order on Donald Trump and his attorneys related to the former president’s criminal election interference trial.

Residents in parts of the U.S. saw a rare “ring of fire” in the sky this weekend during the annular solar eclipse. Next year will see a total solar eclipse in the country but it won’t be another one. You can see photos of the sky here if you cannot witness it in person.

There are classes in the US that combine math,science and reading into one class. At farm-to-school events, kids swap paper and pencils for spatulas and measuring cups as they learn to cook with ingredients they’ve grown.

President Biden plans to travel to the Middle East today to reaffirm U.S. solidarity with Israel and press for humanitarian aid to Gaza civilians. He’s going to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv and Arab leaders in Amman. Israeli forces are gathered at the Gaza border. The president will be travelling with a NPR reporter.

Body Electric: Towards Better Eyesight Measurements for the Future of the U.S. House of Representatives to the Next Legislative District

The House of Representatives is getting ready to vote on a new speaker. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, is the nominee after Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., dropped out. It’s not known if he has enough votes to get the job.

The FDA is closely reviewing a petition by groups to ban the use of synthetic food colors, such as Red 3. California banned the use of several food Additives, including the dye, last week.

Body Electric is a six-part investigation and interactive project with TED Radio Hour host Manoush Zomorodi exploring the relationship between our technology and our bodies… and how we can improve it.

Myopia (nearsightedness) rates in the U.S. have soared in the last 50 years. Many of the diagnosed are children. Experts now think that increased time spent indoors, looking at screens, could be the cause of bad eyesight.

Jakub Jzef Orliski thinks he’s the only breakdancing opera singer in the world. Opera, breakdancing, and music and personal expression were things he found interesting as a teenage extreme sports enthusiast.

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