CNN reported that a new study has found that people who regularly drink coffee may have a lower risk of developing chronic liver disease. The study, which was published in the journal BMC Public Health, analyzed data from over 495,000 participants in the UK Biobank, a large-scale biomedical database. The findings showed that individuals who consumed at least one cup of coffee per day had a 21% lower risk of chronic liver disease compared to those who did not drink coffee. Furthermore, the risk decreased as the number of cups consumed per day increased. The study also found that decaffeinated coffee provided the same protective effect as regular coffee, suggesting that caffeine may not be the sole factor responsible for the beneficial effects. Although the study did not establish a direct causal relationship between coffee consumption and liver health, it adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the potential health benefits of coffee.
According to a report by The New York Times on Tuesday, Amit Soussana has made history as the first Israeli woman to publicly speak about the sexual assault and other acts of violence she endured during her 55-day captivity following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7.
Soussana, a lawyer, was released in late November 2023 as part of a prisoner exchange in Gaza. He had been kidnapped by Hamas during their attack.
The Hostages Families Forum stated that Amit Soussana’s brave testimony, which revealed the horrifying details of her captivity, is just one of the many harrowing accounts from hostages held by Hamas.
According to the statement, the organization emphasized that Amit is a hero, along with all the hostages who have been enduring this harrowing ordeal for 172 excruciating days. The organization stressed the urgency of bringing these courageous women and men back home before it becomes too late.
After a few days of being held captive, she recalled that her captor started inquiring about her sexual experiences.
According to Soussana, the guard kept questioning her about the timing of her period. She attempted to stall him by pretending to have a week-long period after it had already ended on October 18th.
According to her account, the guard, who identified himself as Muhammad, assaulted her around October 24th.
Amit’s experience is a haunting reminder of the countless individuals, both women and men, who endure the same nightmare of captivity. It is a plea, a desperate cry, for the safe return of our daughters and loved ones. Their lives hang in the balance, and we implore for their swift return before it is too late.
In March, the United Nations released a report stating that the October 7 Hamas attack involved instances of rape, gang rape, and other forms of sexual violence. The report also highlighted the presence of “clear and convincing” evidence indicating that hostages were subjected to rape while being held captive in Gaza. Disturbingly, it was further revealed that individuals who are currently held captive continue to face similar forms of abuse.
In an interview with CNN earlier this month, Hamas official Basem Naim refuted the UN report of sexual assaults.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his support for Soussana, stating that she represents the voice of those who have been silenced. He emphasized that she speaks on behalf of all victims of Hamas’ sexual crimes and abuse, as well as women worldwide. Herzog’s comments were made in response to an article published by The New York Times.
