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A shooting on Wednesday evening outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington killed two Israeli embassy staff members.
Here is a detailed, step-by-step account of the attack:
Location
The shooting took place outside the Lillian & Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum at the junction of 3rd Street and F Street in Washington, DC.
The museum was hosting the “AJC Access Young Diplomats Reception”, organised by the American Jewish Committee, aimed at “fostering unity” among Jewish young professionals and the diplomatic community.
The theme of the meeting was “turning pain into purpose”, which organisers said focused on humanitarian crises in the Middle East and North Africa.
Timeline
9.08pm: Emergency services received reports of a shooting outside the museum.
Before that, witnesses observed a man, later identified as Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago, pacing outside the museum.
The suspect approached a group of four people leaving the event and opened fire with a handgun, shooting dead two embassy staff members – a man and a woman – according to US media.
After the shooting, he entered the museum and was detained by security. While in custody, he chanted “Free, free Palestine” and told authorities where he had discarded the weapon, which was then recovered, said US media.
Witness Yoni Kalin told Fox 5 that "the security guard happened to let this guy in, I guess they were thinking he was a victim".
"He was covered in rain, clearly in shock and trauma. Some of the people sat him down, brought him water, said 'are you OK, are you shot, what happened?'"
"About 10 minutes later when the cops came in he said: 'I did this, I’m unarmed.' He put his hands up and grabbed a red keffiyeh out of his pocket and started the 'Free Palestine' chants [and] 'there’s only one solution, intifada revolution', Mr Kalin added.
Victims
The victims were identified as Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli national, and Sarah Milgrim, an American citizen.
Both were staff members at the Israeli embassy.
Israel’s ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter said that Mr Lischinsky was going to propose to Ms Milgrim in Jerusalem next week.
Suspect
Name: Elias Rodriguez
Age: 30
Residence: Chicago
Background: Mr Rodriguez has no prior criminal record but was previously associated with the far-left Party for Socialism and Liberation and had participated in protests in Chicago, according to US media.
The Times of Israel reported that he attended a 2017 demonstration organised by the Party for Socialism and Liberation outside the house of the mayor of Chicago, who had Israeli heritage.
The Illinois University graduate is an administrative worker for the American Osteopathic Association, according to a LinkedIn page. Before that he had worked for an oral history project, an online coupon application and the how-to website wikiHow.
Investigation
The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force and local police are investigating the incident as a potential hate crime and act of terrorism. Authorities believe Mr Rodriguez acted alone.
Reaction
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed shock and ordered increased security at Israeli diplomatic missions worldwide. Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, mourned the loss of the victims and emphasised the need for justice.
US President Donald Trump condemned the attack, stating that “hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA”. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi pledged full co-operation in the investigation.
Israel's war in Gaza
The shooting occurred amid heightened tensions due to Israel’s refusal to stop its war in Gaza.
It happened hours after the Israeli army opened fire on foreign diplomats in the occupied West Bank.
The incident highlighted the increasingly precarious position of the Israeli government, which has increased the intensity of its assault in the Palestinian enclave despite mounting international calls for a ceasefire.
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- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
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India (1st innings): 215-2 (89 ov)
Agarwal 76, Pujara 68 not out; Cummins 2-40
THE SCORES
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UAE 125 for 5
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UAE won by five wickets
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Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
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Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
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Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
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Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
