NEWTON, Kan. —The propane hazard in Newton has been mitigated and crews turned the buildings back over to business owners and cleared the road, according to Newton Fire and EMS.

On Wednesday morning, fire crews responded to&nbsp;a leak from a 500-gallon propane tank at Forest Products, in the 700 block of South Spencer. 

The road was closed and firefighters begun evacuating about a 1/2-mile radius around the site.

NEWTON, Kan. — Newton Fire crews are working a leak from a 500-gallon propane tank at Forest Products, in the 700 block of South Spencer. 

The road has been closed, and firefighters have begun evacuating about a 1/2-mile radius around the site.

Check the Post for additional detail as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701278659531.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Newton Fire" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Newton Fire</figcaption>
 </figure>NEWTON, Kan. —The propane hazard in Newton has been mitigated and crews turned the buildings back over to business owners and cleared the road, according to Newton Fire and EMS.On Wednesday morning, fire crews responded to&nbsp;a leak from a 500-gallon propane tank at Forest Products, in the 700 block of South Spencer. The road was closed and firefighters begun evacuating about a 1/2-mile radius around the site.There are no reports of injury.-----------NEWTON, Kan. — Newton Fire crews are working a leak from a 500-gallon propane tank at Forest Products, in the 700 block of South Spencer. The road has been closed, and firefighters have begun evacuating about a 1/2-mile radius around the site.Check the Post for additional detail as they become available.

Propane leak briefly caused evacuations in Newton 

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a late night arrest at Tecumseh Park.

Just before 12:30a.m. Tuesday, a sheriff's deputy made contact with the occupants of a blue 2005 Chevrolet Impala found parked after park hours at the boat ramp in the 4400 block of NE Seward Avenue, according to Deputy Shayna Anderson.

 During the investigation, a K9 Unit was utilized and illegal narcotics were located.

Deputies arrested Steven K. Schuster, 31, of Topeka, was arrested and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of felon in possession of a firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violation of park rules. 

Deputies also arrested Jasmine L. Brown, 40, of Topeka on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of park rules.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701192076409.png" alt="Brown photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Brown photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a late night arrest at Tecumseh Park.Just before 12:30a.m. Tuesday, a sheriff's deputy made contact with the occupants of a blue 2005 Chevrolet Impala found parked after park hours at the boat ramp in the 4400 block of NE Seward Avenue, according to Deputy Shayna Anderson. During the investigation, a K9 Unit was utilized and illegal narcotics were located.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701192147133.png" alt="Schuster-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Schuster-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies arrested Steven K. Schuster, 31, of Topeka, was arrested and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of felon in possession of a firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violation of park rules. Deputies also arrested Jasmine L. Brown, 40, of Topeka on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of park rules.

Deputies catch Kan. felon, friend with drugs at rural park

TOKYO (AP) — A U.S. Air Force Osprey based in Japan crashed during a training mission Wednesday off of the country's southern coast, killing at least one of the eight crew members, the Japanese coast guard said.

The cause of the crash and the status of the seven others on board were not immediately known, Japanese coast guard spokesperson Kazuo Ogawa said.

U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command said in a statement that the CV-22B Osprey belonged to the 353rd Special Operations Wing assigned to Yokota Air Base. The crash occurred “while performing a routine training mission off the shore of Yakushima Island,” the command said.

While the U.S. Marine Corps flies most of the Ospreys based in Japan, the Air Force also has some deployed there.

Air Force Special Operations Command said search and rescue operations were underway. A U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the crash could not provide further information on the crew's condition pending notification of next of kin.

The Osprey is a hybrid aircraft that takes off and lands like a helicopter, but during flight can rotate its propellers forward and cruise much faster like an airplane.

Ospreys have had a number of accidents in the past, including in Japan, where they are deployed at U.S. and Japanese military bases. In Okinawa, where about half of the 50,000 American troops are based, Gov. Denny Tamaki told reporters Wednesday that he would ask the U.S. military to suspend all Osprey flights in Japan.

Ogawa said the coast guard received an emergency call Wednesday afternoon from a fishing boat near the crash site off Yakushima, an island south of Kagoshima on the southern main island of Kyushu.

Coast guard aircraft and patrol boats found one person, identified only as male, who was later pronounced dead by a doctor at a nearby port, Ogawa said. They also found gray debris believed to be from the aircraft and an empty inflatable life raft in an area about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) off the eastern coast of Yakushima, he said.

The coast guard said it planned to continue searching through the night.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the Osprey disappeared from radar a few minutes before the coast guard received the emergency call. The aircraft requested an emergency landing at the Yakushima airport about five minutes before it was lost from radar, NHK public television and other news outlets reported.

NHK quoted a Yakushima resident as saying he saw the aircraft turned upside down, with fire coming from one of its engines, and then an explosion before it fell to the sea.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he planned to seek a further explanation from the U.S. military, but he declined to say whether he would seek a temporary suspension of Osprey operations in Japan.

Ogawa said the aircraft had departed from the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi prefecture and crashed on its way to Kadena Air Base on Okinawa.

Japanese Vice Defense Minister Hiroyuki Miyazawa said it had attempted an emergency sea landing and quoted the U.S. military as saying its pilot “did everything possible until the last minute."

Yokota Air Base is home to U.S. Forces Japan and the Fifth Air Force. Six CV-22 Ospreys have been deployed at Yokota, including the one that crashed.

In December 2016, a U.S. Marine Corps Osprey&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b5db3444ee9a4ef48387c4bc029f1ea0">crashed off the Okinawa coast</a>, injuring two of the five crew members and triggering complaints from local residents about the U.S. bases in Okinawa and the Osprey's safety record.

TOKYO (AP) — A U.S. Air Force Osprey based in Japan crashed during a training mission Wednesday off of the country's southern coast, killing at least one of the eight crew members, the Japanese coast guard said.The cause of the crash and the status of the seven others on board were not immediately known, Japanese coast guard spokesperson Kazuo Ogawa said.U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command said in a statement that the CV-22B Osprey belonged to the 353rd Special Operations Wing assigned to Yokota Air Base. The crash occurred “while performing a routine training mission off the shore of Yakushima Island,” the command said.While the U.S. Marine Corps flies most of the Ospreys based in Japan, the Air Force also has some deployed there.Air Force Special Operations Command said search and rescue operations were underway. A U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the crash could not provide further information on the crew's condition pending notification of next of kin.The Osprey is a hybrid aircraft that takes off and lands like a helicopter, but during flight can rotate its propellers forward and cruise much faster like an airplane.Ospreys have had a number of accidents in the past, including in Japan, where they are deployed at U.S. and Japanese military bases. In Okinawa, where about half of the 50,000 American troops are based, Gov. Denny Tamaki told reporters Wednesday that he would ask the U.S. military to suspend all Osprey flights in Japan.Ogawa said the coast guard received an emergency call Wednesday afternoon from a fishing boat near the crash site off Yakushima, an island south of Kagoshima on the southern main island of Kyushu.Coast guard aircraft and patrol boats found one person, identified only as male, who was later pronounced dead by a doctor at a nearby port, Ogawa said. They also found gray debris believed to be from the aircraft and an empty inflatable life raft in an area about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) off the eastern coast of Yakushima, he said.The coast guard said it planned to continue searching through the night.Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the Osprey disappeared from radar a few minutes before the coast guard received the emergency call. The aircraft requested an emergency landing at the Yakushima airport about five minutes before it was lost from radar, NHK public television and other news outlets reported.NHK quoted a Yakushima resident as saying he saw the aircraft turned upside down, with fire coming from one of its engines, and then an explosion before it fell to the sea.Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he planned to seek a further explanation from the U.S. military, but he declined to say whether he would seek a temporary suspension of Osprey operations in Japan.Ogawa said the aircraft had departed from the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi prefecture and crashed on its way to Kadena Air Base on Okinawa.Japanese Vice Defense Minister Hiroyuki Miyazawa said it had attempted an emergency sea landing and quoted the U.S. military as saying its pilot “did everything possible until the last minute."Yokota Air Base is home to U.S. Forces Japan and the Fifth Air Force. Six CV-22 Ospreys have been deployed at Yokota, including the one that crashed.In December 2016, a U.S. Marine Corps Osprey&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b5db3444ee9a4ef48387c4bc029f1ea0">crashed off the Okinawa coast</a>, injuring two of the five crew members and triggering complaints from local residents about the U.S. bases in Okinawa and the Osprey's safety record.

U.S. Air Force investigating deadly Osprey crash off Japan

Timeline may slip as local, state technology networks brought online

By TIM CARPENTER&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla Luckert said Tuesday the information system used by more than 100 district courts in Kansas crippled in an early October cyberattack could be restored by the end of December.

The judicial branch disclosed the disruption in 104 of 105 counties — Johnson County operates on an independent network — following the Oct. 12 incident. Subsequently, Supreme Court justices said the system depended on to electronically file documents and to process court cases was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/11/21/kansas-court-officials-confirm-details-of-evil-criminal-international-cyberattack/">undermined by sophisticated international criminals</a>. The judicial branch didn’t release an update of what information was stolen or whether perpetrators sought a ransom.

The state set up secure computer access last week at the Judicial Center in Topeka to provide the public appointment-only opportunities to&nbsp; search district court case information. A separate service center was established to address needs of district courts until the Kansas eCourt case management system was operational.

Luckert said the timeline outlined in the recovery plan was subject to change.

“To help us prepare our recovery timeline, we sought input from cybersecurity incident recovery experts,” she said. “While we believe our estimate is realistic, we must be prepared for fluctuations as we move forward with our plan.”

Johnson County processes cases on a standalone case management system, but the populous county has been scheduled to join the Kansas eCourt system in 2024.

The judicial branch plans to relaunch Kansas eCourt and the Kansas Courts eFiling system for district courts before turning on the District Court Public Access Portal providing the general public access to case information. The online portal would typically be used to process electronic payment of fines, fees and other costs.

The efiling and case management systems used by the Supreme Court and the Kansas Court of Appeals would be brought back online after securing operations of district court systems, officials said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662999292005.png" alt="Chief Justice Marla Luckert says information systems compromised in an October cyberattack would start to be restored in December. photo Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Chief Justice Marla Luckert says information systems compromised in an October cyberattack would start to be restored in December. photo Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Timeline may slip as local, state technology networks brought online</h2>By TIM CARPENTER&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla Luckert said Tuesday the information system used by more than 100 district courts in Kansas crippled in an early October cyberattack could be restored by the end of December.The judicial branch disclosed the disruption in 104 of 105 counties — Johnson County operates on an independent network — following the Oct. 12 incident. Subsequently, Supreme Court justices said the system depended on to electronically file documents and to process court cases was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/11/21/kansas-court-officials-confirm-details-of-evil-criminal-international-cyberattack/">undermined by sophisticated international criminals</a>. The judicial branch didn’t release an update of what information was stolen or whether perpetrators sought a ransom.The state set up secure computer access last week at the Judicial Center in Topeka to provide the public appointment-only opportunities to&nbsp; search district court case information. A separate service center was established to address needs of district courts until the Kansas eCourt case management system was operational.Luckert said the timeline outlined in the recovery plan was subject to change.“To help us prepare our recovery timeline, we sought input from cybersecurity incident recovery experts,” she said. “While we believe our estimate is realistic, we must be prepared for fluctuations as we move forward with our plan.”Johnson County processes cases on a standalone case management system, but the populous county has been scheduled to join the Kansas eCourt system in 2024.The judicial branch plans to relaunch Kansas eCourt and the Kansas Courts eFiling system for district courts before turning on the District Court Public Access Portal providing the general public access to case information. The online portal would typically be used to process electronic payment of fines, fees and other costs.The efiling and case management systems used by the Supreme Court and the Kansas Court of Appeals would be brought back online after securing operations of district court systems, officials said.

Kan. judiciary plans restoration in Dec. of IT systems hit by cyberattack

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas police dog that authorities allege was strangled after chasing a suspect into a storm drain will be remembered Wednesday in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=732899038878208&amp;set=a.302787665222683">livestreamed</a>&nbsp;memorial service, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs.&nbsp;

Click below to watch a replay of the service.

The service for Bane, an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois that the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office used in high-risk situations, will be held&nbsp;at the Extension Center located at 7001 W 21st  N in Wichita.

Kaylon Kirwood, 24, Wichitaa, is accused of killing Bane is jailed on more than $1 million bond. He made his first appearance this week on a felony count of battery against a law enforcement officer and harming or killing certain dogs, Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Dillon said in an email.

Wichita Police Department spokesperson Juan Rebolledo said police had been looking for the man in connection with a domestic battery case. When they spotted him on Nov. 16, he ran into a nearby creek bed and then entered a large storm drain, The Wichita Eagle&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/local/article282162503.html">reports</a>.

Wichita Police Lt. Aaron Moses said Bane and a Wichita police K-9 were both released on extended leashes into the storm drain.

Rebolledo said the suspect then strangled Bane. First responders tried to resuscitate Bane for 30 to 40 minutes. Moses said the other dog wasn’t injured.

Bane used to work for the Wichita Police Department. His handler there died of cancer last year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700174387964.png" alt="PSD Bane was 8 years old and has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 1 year.-photo Sedgwick Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>PSD Bane was 8 years old and has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 1 year.-photo Sedgwick Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas police dog that authorities allege was strangled after chasing a suspect into a storm drain will be remembered Wednesday in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=732899038878208&amp;set=a.302787665222683">livestreamed</a>&nbsp;memorial service, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs.&nbsp;Click below to watch a replay of the service.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSedgwickCountySheriff%2Fvideos%2F372709945211401%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=292" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The service for Bane, an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois that the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office used in high-risk situations, will be held&nbsp;at the Extension Center located at 7001 W 21st N in Wichita.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700237992193.png" alt="Kirkwood-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Kirkwood-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kaylon Kirwood, 24, Wichitaa, is accused of killing Bane is jailed on more than $1 million bond. He made his first appearance this week on a felony count of battery against a law enforcement officer and harming or killing certain dogs, Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Dillon said in an email.Wichita Police Department spokesperson Juan Rebolledo said police had been looking for the man in connection with a domestic battery case. When they spotted him on Nov. 16, he ran into a nearby creek bed and then entered a large storm drain, The Wichita Eagle&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/local/article282162503.html">reports</a>.Wichita Police Lt. Aaron Moses said Bane and a Wichita police K-9 were both released on extended leashes into the storm drain.Rebolledo said the suspect then strangled Bane. First responders tried to resuscitate Bane for 30 to 40 minutes. Moses said the other dog wasn’t injured.Bane used to work for the Wichita Police Department. His handler there died of cancer last year.

🎥 Memorial service for Kan. police dog strangled by suspect

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a Tuesday morning homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as&nbsp;as 45-year-old Calvin L. Boyles, according to KCPD&gt;

Just before 12:30a.m., police responded to a report of gunshots at 19th and Park Tower Drive, according to KCPD Captain Corey Carlisle.

First responders were notified a shooting had occurred and were directed inside an apartment where they located Boyles suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.  EMS responded to the scene and pronounced him deceased.

Police have not released any suspect details or reported an arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701174440640.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a Tuesday morning homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as&nbsp;as 45-year-old Calvin L. Boyles, according to KCPD&gt;Just before 12:30a.m., police responded to a report of gunshots at 19th and Park Tower Drive, according to KCPD Captain Corey Carlisle.First responders were notified a shooting had occurred and were directed inside an apartment where they located Boyles suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. EMS responded to the scene and pronounced him deceased.Police have not released any suspect details or reported an arrest.

Homicide: Man found dead in Kansas City apartment

TEL AVIV — Four-year-old Abigail Edan was discharged from the hospital late Tuesday night, following her release after more than 50 days as a hostage in Gaza, a spokesperson for Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petah Tikvah said.

The Israeli-American dual citizen was the first U.S. hostage to be released under the cease-fire. Abigail marked her fourth birthday in captivity.

Both of her parents were killed in the Hamas attack that started the war&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2">on Oct. 7</a>. During the rampage, she ran to a neighbor’s home for shelter, and the Brodutch family took her in before militants took the family to Gaza.

Hagar Brodutch and her three children were also released on Sunday. President Joe Biden celebrated her release, telling reporters, “I wish I were there to hold her.”

Meanwhile,&nbsp;With hours left to go before a truce in Gaza expires, international mediators worked to extend it to facilitate the release of militant-held hostages and Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The cease-fire has paused the deadliest fighting between Israel and Palestinians in decades.

Israel has agreed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-29-2023-57e73a26c647ecd97e77afe19c08e077">extend the truce</a>, which was originally set to expire on Monday, by one day for every 10 hostages freed, and Hamas is expected to release another group of hostages later Wednesday. Twelve hostages, including 10 Israelis, were released Tuesday, bringing the total number of people freed during the truce to 81.

Israel has vowed to resume the war in an effort to end Hamas' 16-year rule of Gaza, but it's facing mounting international pressure to extend the truce and spare south Gaza a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-gaza-war-humanitarian-shifa-29388314e3286b2b0f1152f7d15e2d7b">devastating ground offensive</a>&nbsp;like the one that has demolished much of the north.

Hamas' ability to negotiate and implement the cease-fire suggests that Israel's air and ground campaigns have not seriously challenged the group's control of Gaza, despite killing thousands of Palestinians and driving three out of four people in the territory from their homes.

Roughly 240 hostages were captured by Hamas in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-war-hamas-attack-border-wall-aa0b0f5f3613b6c6882cf37168e8e8ed">Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel</a>&nbsp;that ignited the war. More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Hamas-controlled Health Ministry</a>&nbsp;in Gaza. About 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, mostly during the initial incursion by Hamas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701012372596.png" alt="Abigail Edan in family hand out photo TAL EDAN VIA AP" />
 <figcaption>Abigail Edan in family hand out photo TAL EDAN VIA AP</figcaption>
 </figure>TEL AVIV — Four-year-old Abigail Edan was discharged from the hospital late Tuesday night, following her release after more than 50 days as a hostage in Gaza, a spokesperson for Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petah Tikvah said.The Israeli-American dual citizen was the first U.S. hostage to be released under the cease-fire. Abigail marked her fourth birthday in captivity.Both of her parents were killed in the Hamas attack that started the war&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2">on Oct. 7</a>. During the rampage, she ran to a neighbor’s home for shelter, and the Brodutch family took her in before militants took the family to Gaza.Hagar Brodutch and her three children were also released on Sunday. President Joe Biden celebrated her release, telling reporters, “I wish I were there to hold her.”Meanwhile,&nbsp;With hours left to go before a truce in Gaza expires, international mediators worked to extend it to facilitate the release of militant-held hostages and Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The cease-fire has paused the deadliest fighting between Israel and Palestinians in decades.Israel has agreed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-29-2023-57e73a26c647ecd97e77afe19c08e077">extend the truce</a>, which was originally set to expire on Monday, by one day for every 10 hostages freed, and Hamas is expected to release another group of hostages later Wednesday. Twelve hostages, including 10 Israelis, were released Tuesday, bringing the total number of people freed during the truce to 81.Israel has vowed to resume the war in an effort to end Hamas' 16-year rule of Gaza, but it's facing mounting international pressure to extend the truce and spare south Gaza a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-gaza-war-humanitarian-shifa-29388314e3286b2b0f1152f7d15e2d7b">devastating ground offensive</a>&nbsp;like the one that has demolished much of the north.Hamas' ability to negotiate and implement the cease-fire suggests that Israel's air and ground campaigns have not seriously challenged the group's control of Gaza, despite killing thousands of Palestinians and driving three out of four people in the territory from their homes.Roughly 240 hostages were captured by Hamas in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-war-hamas-attack-border-wall-aa0b0f5f3613b6c6882cf37168e8e8ed">Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel</a>&nbsp;that ignited the war. More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Hamas-controlled Health Ministry</a>&nbsp;in Gaza. About 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, mostly during the initial incursion by Hamas.

4-year-old American out of hospital after 50 days as hostage  

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting continue asking the public for help to find a suspect identified as 29-year-old&nbsp;Tremale M. Serrano of Topeka.

Just after 9:30 a.m., October 15, police responded to a report of an individual laying in the front yard of an address in the 1600 block of SW 21st Street, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

First responders located Jackson E. Danner, 23, of Topeka, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The investigation has led police to believe that there is a second suspect, identified as Tremale Serrano was involved.&nbsp; Anyone with information on Serrano is asked to contact police.

On November 14, police booked 33-year-old Aaron Serrano into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections in connection with Danner's death.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700082021069.png" alt="Tremale Serrano" />
 <figcaption>Tremale Serrano</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting continue asking the public for help to find a suspect identified as 29-year-old&nbsp;Tremale M. Serrano of Topeka.Just after 9:30 a.m., October 15, police responded to a report of an individual laying in the front yard of an address in the 1600 block of SW 21st Street, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.First responders located Jackson E. Danner, 23, of Topeka, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.The investigation has led police to believe that there is a second suspect, identified as Tremale Serrano was involved.&nbsp; Anyone with information on Serrano is asked to contact police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700082583370.png" alt="Aaron Serrano-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Aaron Serrano-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>On November 14, police booked 33-year-old Aaron Serrano into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections in connection with Danner's death.

Wanted Kan. suspect in October killing still hiding from police

By&nbsp;<a href="http://www.defense.gov/News/Author/71410/david-vergun/">David Vergun</a>&nbsp;, Department of Defense

The United States airlifted more than 54,000 pounds of United Nations humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza on Tuesday, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said at a Pentagon news conference.

The aid includes vitally needed medical supplies, warm clothing, food and nutrition assistance. At the request of U.S. Agency for International Development, the supplies were transported via Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft and arrived in Al-Arish, Egypt, where they will be transported via ground transportation to Gaza and distributed by U.N. agencies, Ryder said.

Additional flights are expected in the coming days, he added.

This aid is in addition to the more than 500,000 pounds of food assistance delivered by the United States last week by USAID-contracted aircraft to Al-Arish, for onward travel to Gaza, he said.

"With 1.7 million people internally displaced and 2.2 million in need of humanitarian assistance [in Gaza], increased humanitarian supplies are essential to saving lives and alleviating suffering for the most vulnerable," according to a USAID news release.

The United States has mobilized $100 million in humanitarian assistance to help civilians affected by the conflict. The aid is meant to help thousands of people during a humanitarian pause in hostilities intended to further a surge of lifesaving assistance to Palestinian civilians, said a USAID statement.

The United States will continue to lead the humanitarian response in Gaza to further support those in desperate need. The United States is by far the largest donor to the U.N.'s humanitarian efforts in Gaza, according to USAID.

"We are grateful for the additional contributions from a number of donor partners who have already pledged significant funding, and we continue to advocate for others to do the same.

"The U.N.'s global appeal in response to the crisis remains woefully underfunded with only 21% funded, and we call on the international community to urgently step-up their support and deliver on commitments pledged," said the USAID statement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701211889159.png" alt="A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III carries more than 54,000 pounds of vitally needed medical supplies, warm clothing, food and nutrition assistance to the people of Gaza from undisclosed locations throughout the Middle East, Nov. 28, 2023." />
 <figcaption>A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III carries more than 54,000 pounds of vitally needed medical supplies, warm clothing, food and nutrition assistance to the people of Gaza from undisclosed locations throughout the Middle East, Nov. 28, 2023.</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="http://www.defense.gov/News/Author/71410/david-vergun/">David Vergun</a>&nbsp;, Department of DefenseThe United States airlifted more than 54,000 pounds of United Nations humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza on Tuesday, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said at a Pentagon news conference.The aid includes vitally needed medical supplies, warm clothing, food and nutrition assistance. At the request of U.S. Agency for International Development, the supplies were transported via Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft and arrived in Al-Arish, Egypt, where they will be transported via ground transportation to Gaza and distributed by U.N. agencies, Ryder said.Additional flights are expected in the coming days, he added.This aid is in addition to the more than 500,000 pounds of food assistance delivered by the United States last week by USAID-contracted aircraft to Al-Arish, for onward travel to Gaza, he said."With 1.7 million people internally displaced and 2.2 million in need of humanitarian assistance [in Gaza], increased humanitarian supplies are essential to saving lives and alleviating suffering for the most vulnerable," according to a USAID news release.The United States has mobilized $100 million in humanitarian assistance to help civilians affected by the conflict. The aid is meant to help thousands of people during a humanitarian pause in hostilities intended to further a surge of lifesaving assistance to Palestinian civilians, said a USAID statement.The United States will continue to lead the humanitarian response in Gaza to further support those in desperate need. The United States is by far the largest donor to the U.N.'s humanitarian efforts in Gaza, according to USAID.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701211967412.png" alt="ir Force Staff Sgt. Jeanne Caron, an 89th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, coordinates the movement of humanitarian aid aboard a C-17 Globemaster III for the people of Gaza, Nov. 28, 2023. U.S. government partners will distribute these supplies to meet humanitarian needs in Gaza." />
 <figcaption>ir Force Staff Sgt. Jeanne Caron, an 89th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, coordinates the movement of humanitarian aid aboard a C-17 Globemaster III for the people of Gaza, Nov. 28, 2023. U.S. government partners will distribute these supplies to meet humanitarian needs in Gaza.</figcaption>
 </figure>"We are grateful for the additional contributions from a number of donor partners who have already pledged significant funding, and we continue to advocate for others to do the same."The U.N.'s global appeal in response to the crisis remains woefully underfunded with only 21% funded, and we call on the international community to urgently step-up their support and deliver on commitments pledged," said the USAID statement.

U.S. ships tons of medical items, food for residents of Gaza 

JOHNSON COUNTY —The FBI Kansas City Division is asking for the public’s assistance regarding an ongoing investigation into Dr. Brian Aalbers, who has been charged with one count of attempted production of child pornography.

Aalbers is a pediatric neurology specialist and is charged in US District Court. Due to the nature of Aalbers’ profession and contact with children, the FBI is seeking the public’s assistance with the investigation.

According to an affidavit, an FBI agent accused Aalbers of using hidden cameras to record thousands of videos.

Court documents say Aalbers "did knowingly employ, use, persuade, induce, entice and coerce a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct."

The affidavit says over 20,000 videos were identified on Aalbers' computer — some dating back to December 2020.

Someone found the cameras and called Kansas City police, according to the affidavit. Aalbers is currently being held in federal custody, according to the FBI.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701175340806.png" alt="Aalbers courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Aalbers courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —The FBI Kansas City Division is asking for the public’s assistance regarding an ongoing investigation into Dr. Brian Aalbers, who has been charged with one count of attempted production of child pornography.Aalbers is a pediatric neurology specialist and is charged in US District Court. Due to the nature of Aalbers’ profession and contact with children, the FBI is seeking the public’s assistance with the investigation.According to an affidavit, an FBI agent accused Aalbers of using hidden cameras to record thousands of videos.Court documents say Aalbers "did knowingly employ, use, persuade, induce, entice and coerce a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct."The affidavit says over 20,000 videos were identified on Aalbers' computer — some dating back to December 2020.Someone found the cameras and called Kansas City police, according to the affidavit. Aalbers is currently being held in federal custody, according to the FBI.

FBI: Kan. doctor used hidden cameras to create child porn 

LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations.

Just after 12:30 a.m. Monday,&nbsp;an officer with the Emporia Police Department spotted a wanted suspect identified as 36-year-old Alejandro Lara-Ceja driving a black 2008 Nissan Titan, in the southeast part of Emporia., according to Police Captain Ray Mattas

The officer attempted to stop the pickuup but Lara-Ceja fled from the officers. The pursuit covered parts of southeast and northeast Emporia and lasted approximately 6 minutes.

Police eventually made a stop and arrested Lara-Ceja for the warrants for bond revocation. He is being held on additional requested&nbsp;charges of Criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, criminal discharge of a firearm recklessly at an occupied dwelling, possession of a firearm while under the influence or alcohol or drugs, DUI, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute within 1000 ft of a school and tampering with electronic monitoring equipment.

He was also confined at the Lyon County Jail on new requested charges of felony flee and elude, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, and felon in possession of a firearm. Lare-Ceja is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701122596667.png" alt="LARA-CEJA-photo Lyon County" />
 <figcaption>LARA-CEJA-photo Lyon County</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations.Just after 12:30 a.m. Monday,&nbsp;an officer with the Emporia Police Department spotted a wanted suspect identified as 36-year-old Alejandro Lara-Ceja driving a black 2008 Nissan Titan, in the southeast part of Emporia., according to Police Captain Ray MattasThe officer attempted to stop the pickuup but Lara-Ceja fled from the officers. The pursuit covered parts of southeast and northeast Emporia and lasted approximately 6 minutes.Police eventually made a stop and arrested Lara-Ceja for the warrants for bond revocation. He is being held on additional requested&nbsp;charges of Criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, criminal discharge of a firearm recklessly at an occupied dwelling, possession of a firearm while under the influence or alcohol or drugs, DUI, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute within 1000 ft of a school and tampering with electronic monitoring equipment.He was also confined at the Lyon County Jail on new requested charges of felony flee and elude, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, and felon in possession of a firearm. Lare-Ceja is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Kansas felon accused of driving drunk with loaded gun

Mosaic Life Care officials say
there has been a dramatic increase in violence against its caregivers, and it
won’t be tolerated.

Mosaic CEO Mike Poore says the
increase in violence the last couple of years has no discernable common thread.

“We’ve had random acts of
violence in every department in the hospital,” Moore tells reporters during a
news conference at the St. Joseph hospital. “It’s increasingly frustrating.”

Those acts vary, according to
Mosaic Chief Nursing Officer Rebecca Bledsoe.

“Everything from verbal abuse,
mental abuse, and to physical abuse,” Bledsoe says. “And it’s every scenario
that you can imagine.”

While there appears to be no
common thread or discernable trend to the violence, it does seem to be on the
increase of late. &nbsp;Poore says assaults
have spiked the last two years and seem to only be increasing.

“In the last several weeks, I’ve
had a nurse punched in the face. I’ve had another caregiver who was grabbed by
the hair and her face was slammed into a table,” Poore says, adding that a security
guard suffered a broken knee cap responding to an assault.

“I’ve been in health care for 36
years. It’s just that we’ve seen it increase to a level that has not been seen
in my career,” Poore says.

Mosaic showed a video of some of the acts of violence. We have that video below.

Both Bledsoe and Poore say Mosaic
is encouraging nurses and others who are assaulted to report assaults to
police. Both add caregivers are reluctant to report.

“Deep down in their heart they
feel like it goes against what they are here to do and that’s just to provide
care to patients,” Bledsoe explains. “But the other thing is, we are very busy
in health care and there’s a lot of steps that goes into making sure we’re reporting.
And so, it is another burden that we have to go through.”

Bledsoe says Mosaic is helping
alleviate some of the burden of filing the paperwork to report workplace
violence.

The St. Joseph Police Department
pledges to investigate every report of workplace violence at Mosaic. Buchanan
County Prosecutor Michelle Davidson urges anyone assaulted to file a report.

Mosaic has hospitals in St.
Joseph, Maryville, and Albany with clinics throughout its 19-county region.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701206080410.jpeg" alt="Mosaic Life Care CEO Mike Poore addresses a St. Joseph news conference. Sitting left to right is Mosaic Chief Nursing Officer Rebecca Bledsoe, St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster, and Buchanan County Prosecutor Michelle Davidson./Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Mosaic Life Care CEO Mike Poore addresses a St. Joseph news conference. Sitting left to right is Mosaic Chief Nursing Officer Rebecca Bledsoe, St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster, and Buchanan County Prosecutor Michelle Davidson./Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMosaic Life Care officials say
there has been a dramatic increase in violence against its caregivers, and it
won’t be tolerated.Mosaic CEO Mike Poore says the
increase in violence the last couple of years has no discernable common thread.“We’ve had random acts of
violence in every department in the hospital,” Moore tells reporters during a
news conference at the St. Joseph hospital. “It’s increasingly frustrating.”Those acts vary, according to
Mosaic Chief Nursing Officer Rebecca Bledsoe.“Everything from verbal abuse,
mental abuse, and to physical abuse,” Bledsoe says. “And it’s every scenario
that you can imagine.”While there appears to be no
common thread or discernable trend to the violence, it does seem to be on the
increase of late. &nbsp;Poore says assaults
have spiked the last two years and seem to only be increasing.“In the last several weeks, I’ve
had a nurse punched in the face. I’ve had another caregiver who was grabbed by
the hair and her face was slammed into a table,” Poore says, adding that a security
guard suffered a broken knee cap responding to an assault.“I’ve been in health care for 36
years. It’s just that we’ve seen it increase to a level that has not been seen
in my career,” Poore says.Mosaic showed a video of some of the acts of violence. We have that video below.Both Bledsoe and Poore say Mosaic
is encouraging nurses and others who are assaulted to report assaults to
police. Both add caregivers are reluctant to report.“Deep down in their heart they
feel like it goes against what they are here to do and that’s just to provide
care to patients,” Bledsoe explains. “But the other thing is, we are very busy
in health care and there’s a lot of steps that goes into making sure we’re reporting.
And so, it is another burden that we have to go through.”Bledsoe says Mosaic is helping
alleviate some of the burden of filing the paperwork to report workplace
violence.The St. Joseph Police Department
pledges to investigate every report of workplace violence at Mosaic. Buchanan
County Prosecutor Michelle Davidson urges anyone assaulted to file a report.Mosaic has hospitals in St.
Joseph, Maryville, and Albany with clinics throughout its 19-county region.<div><div style="position:relative;overflow:hidden;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/L6tDrHyL-KcBmu4K3.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Mosaic Life Care on Workplace Violence" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div><div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Mosaic-working-to-solve-growing-violence-problem-in-the-hospital-e2chke2" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

"Dramatic" increase of violence in KC-area hospital group

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The latest swap of Hamas militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel took place Tuesday evening as part of an ongoing cease-fire agreement between the warring sides.

Ten Israeli hostages — nine women and a 17-year-old girl — as well as two Thais were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza and were back in Israeli territory, the military said. About an hour later, Israel released 30 Palestinian prisoners.

Israel and Hamas have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-28-2023-a909a0a0c9c76ce80d1ff3e94bbe2ec4">agreed to extend their cease-fire</a>&nbsp;until Wednesday, raising the prospect of further exchanges and a longer halt to their deadliest and most destructive war. Since last Friday, Hamas has released 81 hostages, mostly Israeli nationals, while Israel has freed 180 Palestinian prisoner.

An extended case-fire would also allow more aid into Gaza, which has been battered by weeks of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-gaza-israel-bombing-destruction-hamas-reconstruction-f299a28410b70ee05dd764df97d8d3a0">Israeli siege and bombardment</a>&nbsp;and a ground offensive that has driven three out of every four people in Gaza from their homes. The territory is home to 2.3 million people.

But Israel says it remains committed to crushing Hamas’ military capabilities and ending the group's 16-year rule over Gaza. That would likely mean&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-gaza-war-humanitarian-shifa-29388314e3286b2b0f1152f7d15e2d7b">expanding a ground offensive</a>&nbsp;from devastated northern Gaza into the south.

The cease-fire has allowed residents who remained in Gaza City and other parts of the north to venture out to survey the destruction and try to locate and bury relatives.

In northern Gaza's Jabaliya refugee camp, which Israel bombarded heavily for weeks and which troops surrounded in heavy fighting with militants, “you come across whole city blocks that have been demolished, just a pancake of concrete layered as buildings have collapsed,” said Thomas White, the Gaza director for the U.N. agency caring for Palestinian refugees.

The agency delivered six trucks of aid to the camp, including supplies for a medical center. Footage of White’s visit showed streets lined with destroyed buildings, cars, and piles of rubble.

<a href="https://sheltercluster.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/public/docs/SC-PC%20Joint%20advocacy%20note_241123-1.pdf?VersionId=kPEn3lsQx.2lA5.f5YXzNV3vuWmntrxi">A U.N.-led aid consortium</a>&nbsp;estimates that, across Gaza, over 234,000 homes have been damaged and 46,000 completely destroyed, amounting to around 60% of the territory’s housing stock. In the north, the destruction “severely compromises the ability to meet basic requirements to sustain life,” it said.

More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, roughly two-thirds of them women and minors, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza</a>, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. More than 1,200 people have been killed on the Israeli side, mostly civilians killed in the initial attack.

At least 77 soldiers have been killed in Israel’s ground offensive. Israel says it has killed thousands of militants, without providing evidence.

Authorities were able to reopen the dialysis department at Gaza City’s Shifa hospital after medical teams brought a small generator. Around 20 patients there had gone two or three weeks without dialysis, Dr. Mutasim Salah told Al-Jazeera TV from the hospital.

Two weeks ago, Israeli forces seized the hospital, which Israel had contended was used as a major base by Hamas, an accusation that the group and hospital staff deny.

Israel’s bombardment and ground offensive have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-airstrikes-gaza-hamas-war-702f447ff7e52b03476555ec2513008b">displaced more than 1.8 million people</a>, nearly 80% of Gaza’s population, with most having sought refuge in the south, according to the U.N. Hundreds of thousands of people have packed into U.N.-run schools and other facilities, with many forced to sleep on the streets outside because of overcrowding.

Though, rain and cold winds sweeping across Gaza have made conditions even more miserable.

On Tuesday, Hanan Tayeh returned to her destroyed home in the central town of Johor al-Deek, scouring for any belongings in the wreckage.

“I came to get anything for my daughters. Winter has come, and I have nothing for them to wear,” she said. “It is cold, we are homeless.”

The cease-fire has allowed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-palestinians-truce-red-cross-crescent-14cd8cae0f6e064484167c66bbcecf8f">increased aid of 160 to 200 trucks a day into Gaza</a>, bringing desperately needed food, water and medicine, as well as fuel for homes, hospitals and water treatment plants. Still, it is less than half what Gaza was importing before the fighting, even as humanitarian needs have soared.

Juliette Toma, a spokesperson for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, said people come to shelters asking for heavy clothes, mattresses and blankets, and that some are sleeping in damaged vehicles.

“The needs are overwhelming,” she told The Associated Press. “They lost everything, and they need everything.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701204582165.png" alt="Israeli soldiers look at photos of people killed and taken captive by Hamas militants during their violent rampage through the Nova music festival in southern Israel, which are displayed at the site of the event, as Israeli DJs spun music, to commemorate the October 7, massacre, near Kibbutz Re'im, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)" />
 <figcaption>Israeli soldiers look at photos of people killed and taken captive by Hamas militants during their violent rampage through the Nova music festival in southern Israel, which are displayed at the site of the event, as Israeli DJs spun music, to commemorate the October 7, massacre, near Kibbutz Re'im, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)</figcaption>
 </figure>DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The latest swap of Hamas militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel took place Tuesday evening as part of an ongoing cease-fire agreement between the warring sides.Ten Israeli hostages — nine women and a 17-year-old girl — as well as two Thais were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza and were back in Israeli territory, the military said. About an hour later, Israel released 30 Palestinian prisoners.Israel and Hamas have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-28-2023-a909a0a0c9c76ce80d1ff3e94bbe2ec4">agreed to extend their cease-fire</a>&nbsp;until Wednesday, raising the prospect of further exchanges and a longer halt to their deadliest and most destructive war. Since last Friday, Hamas has released 81 hostages, mostly Israeli nationals, while Israel has freed 180 Palestinian prisoner.An extended case-fire would also allow more aid into Gaza, which has been battered by weeks of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-gaza-israel-bombing-destruction-hamas-reconstruction-f299a28410b70ee05dd764df97d8d3a0">Israeli siege and bombardment</a>&nbsp;and a ground offensive that has driven three out of every four people in Gaza from their homes. The territory is home to 2.3 million people.But Israel says it remains committed to crushing Hamas’ military capabilities and ending the group's 16-year rule over Gaza. That would likely mean&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-gaza-war-humanitarian-shifa-29388314e3286b2b0f1152f7d15e2d7b">expanding a ground offensive</a>&nbsp;from devastated northern Gaza into the south.Roughly 240 hostages were captured by Hamas in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-war-hamas-attack-border-wall-aa0b0f5f3613b6c6882cf37168e8e8ed">Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel</a>&nbsp;that ignited the war. More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Hamas-controlled Health Ministry</a>&nbsp;in Gaza. About 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, mostly during the initial incursion by Hamas.NORTHERN GAZA IN RUINSThe cease-fire has allowed residents who remained in Gaza City and other parts of the north to venture out to survey the destruction and try to locate and bury relatives.In northern Gaza's Jabaliya refugee camp, which Israel bombarded heavily for weeks and which troops surrounded in heavy fighting with militants, “you come across whole city blocks that have been demolished, just a pancake of concrete layered as buildings have collapsed,” said Thomas White, the Gaza director for the U.N. agency caring for Palestinian refugees.The agency delivered six trucks of aid to the camp, including supplies for a medical center. Footage of White’s visit showed streets lined with destroyed buildings, cars, and piles of rubble.<a href="https://sheltercluster.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/public/docs/SC-PC%20Joint%20advocacy%20note_241123-1.pdf?VersionId=kPEn3lsQx.2lA5.f5YXzNV3vuWmntrxi">A U.N.-led aid consortium</a>&nbsp;estimates that, across Gaza, over 234,000 homes have been damaged and 46,000 completely destroyed, amounting to around 60% of the territory’s housing stock. In the north, the destruction “severely compromises the ability to meet basic requirements to sustain life,” it said.More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, roughly two-thirds of them women and minors, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza</a>, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. More than 1,200 people have been killed on the Israeli side, mostly civilians killed in the initial attack.At least 77 soldiers have been killed in Israel’s ground offensive. Israel says it has killed thousands of militants, without providing evidence.Authorities were able to reopen the dialysis department at Gaza City’s Shifa hospital after medical teams brought a small generator. Around 20 patients there had gone two or three weeks without dialysis, Dr. Mutasim Salah told Al-Jazeera TV from the hospital.Two weeks ago, Israeli forces seized the hospital, which Israel had contended was used as a major base by Hamas, an accusation that the group and hospital staff deny.FEARS FOR THE SOUTHIsrael’s bombardment and ground offensive have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-airstrikes-gaza-hamas-war-702f447ff7e52b03476555ec2513008b">displaced more than 1.8 million people</a>, nearly 80% of Gaza’s population, with most having sought refuge in the south, according to the U.N. Hundreds of thousands of people have packed into U.N.-run schools and other facilities, with many forced to sleep on the streets outside because of overcrowding.Though, rain and cold winds sweeping across Gaza have made conditions even more miserable.On Tuesday, Hanan Tayeh returned to her destroyed home in the central town of Johor al-Deek, scouring for any belongings in the wreckage.“I came to get anything for my daughters. Winter has come, and I have nothing for them to wear,” she said. “It is cold, we are homeless.”The cease-fire has allowed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-palestinians-truce-red-cross-crescent-14cd8cae0f6e064484167c66bbcecf8f">increased aid of 160 to 200 trucks a day into Gaza</a>, bringing desperately needed food, water and medicine, as well as fuel for homes, hospitals and water treatment plants. Still, it is less than half what Gaza was importing before the fighting, even as humanitarian needs have soared.Juliette Toma, a spokesperson for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, said people come to shelters asking for heavy clothes, mattresses and blankets, and that some are sleeping in damaged vehicles.“The needs are overwhelming,” she told The Associated Press. “They lost everything, and they need everything.”___

5th hostage release: 9 women, teenager and no Americans 

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the death of a young boy found in an alley in downtown Kansas City have confirmed the child fell from the apartment building.&nbsp;Surveillance footage confirms the child fell from the building. However, the circumstances surrounding how the child fell is still under investigation.

Just after 11a.m. Monday officers were dispatched to 10th and Grand Avenue, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle.

First responders located the boy who was suffering from bodily trauma. EMS pronounced him dead at the scene. Investigators believe the victim is younger than a teenager.

This case is being classified as a suspicious death investigation, according to Carlisle.

&nbsp;Police are working to identify the child and and notify the family. It may take several weeks for investigators to get reports from the Medical Examiner's office and to follow up on other leads in this investigation.&nbsp;

At the conclusion of this investigation, any potential criminal charges will be referred to the prosecutors office for review.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701117866283.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the investigation -photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the investigation -photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the death of a young boy found in an alley in downtown Kansas City have confirmed the child fell from the apartment building.&nbsp;Surveillance footage confirms the child fell from the building. However, the circumstances surrounding how the child fell is still under investigation.Just after 11a.m. Monday officers were dispatched to 10th and Grand Avenue, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle.First responders located the boy who was suffering from bodily trauma. EMS pronounced him dead at the scene. Investigators believe the victim is younger than a teenager.This case is being classified as a suspicious death investigation, according to Carlisle.&nbsp;Police are working to identify the child and and notify the family. It may take several weeks for investigators to get reports from the Medical Examiner's office and to follow up on other leads in this investigation.&nbsp;At the conclusion of this investigation, any potential criminal charges will be referred to the prosecutors office for review.

Police: Boy died in fall from Kansas City apartment building

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the cause of a Kansas house fire.

Just after 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, crews responded to a house fire located at 2017 NW Logan Street in Topeka, according to spokesperson Gretchen Spiker. First arriving crews found smoke coming from the single-story home.&nbsp;

The resident of the home was able to escape prior to the arrival of fire crews. American Medical Response transported the resident&nbsp;to a local hospital for treatment of an unrelated medical issue.

The estimated loss from this incident is approximately $20,000. The home did not have working smoke detectors.

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the cause of a Kansas house fire.Just after 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, crews responded to a house fire located at 2017 NW Logan Street in Topeka, according to spokesperson Gretchen Spiker. First arriving crews found smoke coming from the single-story home.&nbsp;The resident of the home was able to escape prior to the arrival of fire crews. American Medical Response transported the resident&nbsp;to a local hospital for treatment of an unrelated medical issue.The estimated loss from this incident is approximately $20,000. The home did not have working smoke detectors.

One hospitalized after escape from Kansas house fire

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans for Prosperity, the political arm of the powerful Koch network, formally endorsed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nikki-haley">Nikki Haley's presidential campaign</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday, promising to commit its nationwide coalition of activists — and virtually unlimited funds — to helping Haley defeat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;in the GOP primary contest.

“AFP Action is proud to throw our full support behind Nikki Haley, who offers America the opportunity to turn the page on the current political era, to win the Republican primary and defeat Joe Biden next November,” AFP president and CEO Emily Seidel wrote in a memo announcing the group's decision.

“She has what it takes to lead a policy agenda to take on our nation’s biggest challenges and help ensure our country’s best days are ahead. With the grassroots and data capability we bring to bear in this race, no other organization is better equipped to help her do it.”

The endorsement may help Haley address one of her biggest strategic liabilities.

Despite seizing some polling&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikki-haley-president-republican-desantis-trump-c93fa155032fc7e3607a54816163f2b2">momentum</a>&nbsp;in recent months, especially in early primary states, the former United Nations ambassador's campaign has been lacking significant resources on the ground to ensure her supporters turn out to vote. But now, she inherits the organizational heft of what may be the most powerful conservative grassroots organization in the nation. The Koch network, previously referred to as the Koch Brothers, has been building a network of paid conservative activists and volunteers in key states for several years.

Through last summer and the fall alone, Americans for Prosperity activists communicated with 6 million primary voters, either in person at their doors or on the phone, Seidel said.

The endorsement marks a particularly painful blow to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ron-desantis">Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis</a>, who had championed conservative priorities in Florida, but struggled to emerge as the clear Trump alternative in the 2024 GOP primary contest. It's unclear, however, whether the endorsement can help weaken Trump's grip on the Republican presidential nomination given his commanding lead over DeSantis and Haley in virtually every poll.

Back in the spring, the Koch network began running ads across Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina — the first three states on the GOP’s presidential primary calendar — focusing on questions about Trump’s electability in next fall’s general election against Biden. And still, Trump remains the overwhelming front-runner in the race.

Seidel said Tuesday that Americans for Prosperity would immediately begin refocusing its efforts on boosting Haley’s primary and general election campaigns with strategic advertising investments, mailers and voter contacts through the group’s network of thousands of conservative activists, which has spent recent months collecting information from Republican primary voters to determine the most effective arguments against Trump.

At the same time, Seidel said that her organization would focus on persuading reliable general election voters, who typically don’t vote in primaries, to show up for Haley in this year’s fast-approaching nomination contests.

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissed Americans for Prosperity as “the political arm of the China-first, America-last movement.”

“No amount of shady money from George Soros, Democrats and Never-Trump RINOs in partnership with endless-war swamp creatures in Washington will stop the MAGA movement or President Trump from being the Republican nominee and defeating Crooked Joe Biden,” Cheung wrote in a statement responding to the Haley endorsement.

The feud between Trump and the Koch network has been years in the making.

The Kochs, long demonized by Democrats for having outsize influence in Washington, refused to support Trump's reelection in 2020. The group’s leaders argued that his populist policies, especially on trade, didn’t adhere to traditional conservative values, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f548cc23360542578829834b9cc015c8">decrying</a>&nbsp;his divisive leadership style.

News of the endorsement Tuesday quickly rippled across the political world.

Speaking in Washington, Utah Sen. Mitt Romney predicted it would be a “huge boost” to Haley’s campaign.

Romney, a vocal Trump critic, said Haley has proved naysayers wrong before “and she’s doing it again." He added: "I think it’s a huge boost for her campaign and may create the kind of momentum she needs.”

In a statement, DeSantis spokesperson Andrew Romeo likened the Koch endorsement to a contribution to the Trump campaign.

“Congratulations to Donald Trump on securing the Koch endorsement. Like clockwork, the pro-open borders, pro-jail break bill establishment is lining up behind a moderate who has no mathematical pathway of defeating the former president,” Romeo wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Every dollar spent on Nikki Haley’s candidacy should be reported as an in-kind to the Trump campaign. No one has a stronger record of beating the establishment than Ron DeSantis, and this time will be no different.”

Yet the Koch network is convinced that Haley is better positioned to defeat Trump — and Biden — than DeSantis.

In a polling memo, senior adviser Michael Palmer highlighted Haley's “sustained momentum in recent months,” while noting that many primary voters in Iowa and New Hampshire are only just beginning to pay close attention to the contest.

“Gov. DeSantis has been a tremendous leader of the state of Florida," Seidel said in a Tuesday conference call. "But all of the evidence we’ve already shared on this call point to the fact that Nikki Haley is the strongest candidate in this race and that’s why we decided to support her.”

Meanwhile, Haley said she was honored to have the support of Americans for Prosperity, “including its millions of grassroots members all across the country.”

“AFP Action’s members know that there is too much at stake in this election to sit on the sidelines," she said in a statement. "This is a choice between freedom and socialism, individual liberty and big government, fiscal responsibility and spiraling debt. We have a country to save, and I’m grateful to have AFP Action by our side.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691516540473.png" alt=" Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks at U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson’s annual BBQ Bash in Cedar Rapids&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;photo by Jay Waagmeester/Iowa Capital Dispatch" />
 <figcaption> Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks at U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson’s annual BBQ Bash in Cedar Rapids&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;photo by Jay Waagmeester/Iowa Capital Dispatch</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Americans for Prosperity, the political arm of the powerful Koch network, formally endorsed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nikki-haley">Nikki Haley's presidential campaign</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday, promising to commit its nationwide coalition of activists — and virtually unlimited funds — to helping Haley defeat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;in the GOP primary contest.“AFP Action is proud to throw our full support behind Nikki Haley, who offers America the opportunity to turn the page on the current political era, to win the Republican primary and defeat Joe Biden next November,” AFP president and CEO Emily Seidel wrote in a memo announcing the group's decision.“She has what it takes to lead a policy agenda to take on our nation’s biggest challenges and help ensure our country’s best days are ahead. With the grassroots and data capability we bring to bear in this race, no other organization is better equipped to help her do it.”The endorsement may help Haley address one of her biggest strategic liabilities.Despite seizing some polling&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikki-haley-president-republican-desantis-trump-c93fa155032fc7e3607a54816163f2b2">momentum</a>&nbsp;in recent months, especially in early primary states, the former United Nations ambassador's campaign has been lacking significant resources on the ground to ensure her supporters turn out to vote. But now, she inherits the organizational heft of what may be the most powerful conservative grassroots organization in the nation. The Koch network, previously referred to as the Koch Brothers, has been building a network of paid conservative activists and volunteers in key states for several years.Through last summer and the fall alone, Americans for Prosperity activists communicated with 6 million primary voters, either in person at their doors or on the phone, Seidel said.The endorsement marks a particularly painful blow to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ron-desantis">Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis</a>, who had championed conservative priorities in Florida, but struggled to emerge as the clear Trump alternative in the 2024 GOP primary contest. It's unclear, however, whether the endorsement can help weaken Trump's grip on the Republican presidential nomination given his commanding lead over DeSantis and Haley in virtually every poll.Back in the spring, the Koch network began running ads across Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina — the first three states on the GOP’s presidential primary calendar — focusing on questions about Trump’s electability in next fall’s general election against Biden. And still, Trump remains the overwhelming front-runner in the race.Seidel said Tuesday that Americans for Prosperity would immediately begin refocusing its efforts on boosting Haley’s primary and general election campaigns with strategic advertising investments, mailers and voter contacts through the group’s network of thousands of conservative activists, which has spent recent months collecting information from Republican primary voters to determine the most effective arguments against Trump.At the same time, Seidel said that her organization would focus on persuading reliable general election voters, who typically don’t vote in primaries, to show up for Haley in this year’s fast-approaching nomination contests.Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissed Americans for Prosperity as “the political arm of the China-first, America-last movement.”“No amount of shady money from George Soros, Democrats and Never-Trump RINOs in partnership with endless-war swamp creatures in Washington will stop the MAGA movement or President Trump from being the Republican nominee and defeating Crooked Joe Biden,” Cheung wrote in a statement responding to the Haley endorsement.The feud between Trump and the Koch network has been years in the making.The Kochs, long demonized by Democrats for having outsize influence in Washington, refused to support Trump's reelection in 2020. The group’s leaders argued that his populist policies, especially on trade, didn’t adhere to traditional conservative values, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f548cc23360542578829834b9cc015c8">decrying</a>&nbsp;his divisive leadership style.News of the endorsement Tuesday quickly rippled across the political world.Speaking in Washington, Utah Sen. Mitt Romney predicted it would be a “huge boost” to Haley’s campaign.Romney, a vocal Trump critic, said Haley has proved naysayers wrong before “and she’s doing it again." He added: "I think it’s a huge boost for her campaign and may create the kind of momentum she needs.”The DeSantis camp was not pleased.In a statement, DeSantis spokesperson Andrew Romeo likened the Koch endorsement to a contribution to the Trump campaign.“Congratulations to Donald Trump on securing the Koch endorsement. Like clockwork, the pro-open borders, pro-jail break bill establishment is lining up behind a moderate who has no mathematical pathway of defeating the former president,” Romeo wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Every dollar spent on Nikki Haley’s candidacy should be reported as an in-kind to the Trump campaign. No one has a stronger record of beating the establishment than Ron DeSantis, and this time will be no different.”Yet the Koch network is convinced that Haley is better positioned to defeat Trump — and Biden — than DeSantis.In a polling memo, senior adviser Michael Palmer highlighted Haley's “sustained momentum in recent months,” while noting that many primary voters in Iowa and New Hampshire are only just beginning to pay close attention to the contest.“Gov. DeSantis has been a tremendous leader of the state of Florida," Seidel said in a Tuesday conference call. "But all of the evidence we’ve already shared on this call point to the fact that Nikki Haley is the strongest candidate in this race and that’s why we decided to support her.”Meanwhile, Haley said she was honored to have the support of Americans for Prosperity, “including its millions of grassroots members all across the country.”“AFP Action’s members know that there is too much at stake in this election to sit on the sidelines," she said in a statement. "This is a choice between freedom and socialism, individual liberty and big government, fiscal responsibility and spiraling debt. We have a country to save, and I’m grateful to have AFP Action by our side.”

Nikki Haley wins backing from Koch network as she aims to take on Trump

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A ransomware attack has prompted a health care chain that operates 30 hospitals in six states to divert patients from at least some of its emergency rooms to other hospitals, while putting certain elective procedures on pause, the company announced.

In a statement Monday, Ardent Health Services, which operates the University of Kansas Health System St. Francis hospital in Topeka, said the attack occurred Nov. 23 and the company took its network offline, suspending user access to its information technology applications, including the software used to document patient care.

The Nashville, Tennessee-based company said it cannot yet confirm the extent of any patient health or financial information that has been compromised. Ardent says it reported the issue to law enforcement and retained third-party forensic and threat intelligence advisors, while working with cybersecurity specialists to restore IT functions as quickly as possible. There's no timeline yet on when the problems will be resolved.

Ardent owns and operates 30 hospitals and more than 200 care sites with upwards of 1,400 aligned providers in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Jersey, New Mexico and Idaho.

All of its hospitals are continuing to provide medical screenings and stabilizing care to patients arriving at emergency rooms, the company said.

“Ardent’s hospitals are currently operating on divert, which means hospitals are asking local ambulance services to transport patients in need of emergency care to other area hospitals,” the company said on its website. “This ensures critically ill patients have immediate access to the most appropriate level of care.”

The company said each hospital is evaluating its ability to safely care for patients at its emergency room, and updates on each hospital's status will be provided as efforts to bring them back online continue.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. Ransomware criminals do not usually admit to an attack unless the victim refuses to pay.

A recent global study by the cybersecurity firm Sophos found nearly two-thirds of health care organizations were hit by ransomware attacks in the year ending in March, double the rate from two years earlier but a slight dip from 2022. Education was the sector most likely to be hit, with attack saturation at 80%.

Increasingly, ransomware gangs steal data before activating data-scrambling malware that paralyzes networks. The threat of making stolen data public is used to extort payments. That data can also be sold online. Sophos found data theft occurred in one in three ransomware attacks on healthcare organizations.

Analyst Brett Callow at the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft said 25 U.S. healthcare systems with 290 hospitals were hit last year while this year the number is 36 with 128 hospitals. “Of course, not all hospitals within the systems may have been impacted and not all may have been impacted equally,” he said. “Also, improved resilience may have improved recovery times.”

“We’re not in a significantly better position than in previous years, and it may actually be worse,” he said.

“We desperately need to find ways to better protect our hospitals. These incidents put patients lives at risk — especially when ambulances need to be diverted — and the fact that nobody appears to have yet died is partly due to luck, and that luck will eventually run out,” Callow added.

Most ransomware syndicates are run by Russian speakers based in former Soviet states, out of reach of U.S. law enforcement, though some “affiliates” who do the grunt work of infecting targets and negotiating ransoms live in the West, using the syndicates’ software infrastructure and tools.

The Kremlin tolerates the global ransomware scourge, in part, because of the chaos and economic damage to the West — and as long its interests remain unaffected, U.S. national security officials say.

While industries across the spectrum have been hit by ransomware, a recent attack on China’s biggest bank that affected U.S. Treasury trading represented a rare attack on a financial institution.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701191775867.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A ransomware attack has prompted a health care chain that operates 30 hospitals in six states to divert patients from at least some of its emergency rooms to other hospitals, while putting certain elective procedures on pause, the company announced.In a statement Monday, Ardent Health Services, which operates the University of Kansas Health System St. Francis hospital in Topeka, said the attack occurred Nov. 23 and the company took its network offline, suspending user access to its information technology applications, including the software used to document patient care.The Nashville, Tennessee-based company said it cannot yet confirm the extent of any patient health or financial information that has been compromised. Ardent says it reported the issue to law enforcement and retained third-party forensic and threat intelligence advisors, while working with cybersecurity specialists to restore IT functions as quickly as possible. There's no timeline yet on when the problems will be resolved.Ardent owns and operates 30 hospitals and more than 200 care sites with upwards of 1,400 aligned providers in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Jersey, New Mexico and Idaho.All of its hospitals are continuing to provide medical screenings and stabilizing care to patients arriving at emergency rooms, the company said.“Ardent’s hospitals are currently operating on divert, which means hospitals are asking local ambulance services to transport patients in need of emergency care to other area hospitals,” the company said on its website. “This ensures critically ill patients have immediate access to the most appropriate level of care.”The company said each hospital is evaluating its ability to safely care for patients at its emergency room, and updates on each hospital's status will be provided as efforts to bring them back online continue.There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. Ransomware criminals do not usually admit to an attack unless the victim refuses to pay.A recent global study by the cybersecurity firm Sophos found nearly two-thirds of health care organizations were hit by ransomware attacks in the year ending in March, double the rate from two years earlier but a slight dip from 2022. Education was the sector most likely to be hit, with attack saturation at 80%.Increasingly, ransomware gangs steal data before activating data-scrambling malware that paralyzes networks. The threat of making stolen data public is used to extort payments. That data can also be sold online. Sophos found data theft occurred in one in three ransomware attacks on healthcare organizations.Analyst Brett Callow at the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft said 25 U.S. healthcare systems with 290 hospitals were hit last year while this year the number is 36 with 128 hospitals. “Of course, not all hospitals within the systems may have been impacted and not all may have been impacted equally,” he said. “Also, improved resilience may have improved recovery times.”“We’re not in a significantly better position than in previous years, and it may actually be worse,” he said.“We desperately need to find ways to better protect our hospitals. These incidents put patients lives at risk — especially when ambulances need to be diverted — and the fact that nobody appears to have yet died is partly due to luck, and that luck will eventually run out,” Callow added.Most ransomware syndicates are run by Russian speakers based in former Soviet states, out of reach of U.S. law enforcement, though some “affiliates” who do the grunt work of infecting targets and negotiating ransoms live in the West, using the syndicates’ software infrastructure and tools.The Kremlin tolerates the global ransomware scourge, in part, because of the chaos and economic damage to the West — and as long its interests remain unaffected, U.S. national security officials say.While industries across the spectrum have been hit by ransomware, a recent attack on China’s biggest bank that affected U.S. Treasury trading represented a rare attack on a financial institution.___