Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that the US would respond “decisively” if Iran or its proxies attack Americans, the sternest warning yet as the Biden administration tries to keep Tehran from joining the war between Israel and Hamas.

“The United States does not seek conflict with Iran,” Blinken told a UN Security Council meeting Tuesday. “We do not want this war to widen. But if Iran or its proxies attack US personnel anywhere, make no mistake: We will defend our people, we will defend our security, swiftly and decisively.”

Blinken also urged others on the 15-member Security Council, including Russia and China, to tell Iran not to open another front against Israel or attack its partners, and to hold them accountable if it does so.

“To all the members of this council: If you, like the United States, want to prevent this conflict from spreading, tell Iran, tell its proxies – in public, in private, through every means – do not open another front against Israel in this conflict. Do not attack Israel’s partners.”

Blinken’s remarks were the latest in a stepped-up US messaging campaign to call out what it says is Iran’s involvement in violence in the region against US forces, along with its support of Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon who have launched rocket attacks on Israel in recent days. On Monday, the US said it would hold Iran responsible for a spate of drone and rocket attacks on US forces in the region.

In a phone call with France’s President Emmanuel Macron on Oct. 15, Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi warned that the conflict could expand if Israel doesn’t stop what he called its crimes, “including the killing of the people and the siege of Gaza,” according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

It’s a complicated move for the Biden administration, which is flowing more forces into the Middle East, including two aircraft carrier groups, additional fighter jets and missile-defense systems. The US says the moves are aimed at making adversaries such as Iran think twice before joining the conflict, but they have also provoked fears that the US will bring about the outcome it wants to avoid by expanding its presence in a volatile situation.

Hamas fighters killed about 1,400 people and seized more than 200 hostages with an Oct. 7 raid on Israel, and Israeli forces have responded with airstrikes that have killed more than 5,000 people, according to Palestinian authorities.

Israel has vowed to wipe out Hamas – which is designated a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union – permanently through a ground campaign in Gaza. But the US, its allies and adversaries have all expressed concern that such a military move could serve as the trigger for others to enter the conflict.

In his remarks Tuesday, Blinken also called for restraint. He said Israel has the right to defend itself, but “the way it does so matters.”

Australian cricketer Fawad Ahmed has announced the death of his four-month-old baby boy. The cricketer and his wife had welcomed their second child in June this year, however, he was facing several health issues and was admitted at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne to understand the diagnosis. However, on October 23, the cricketer announced the heartbreaking news of his son’s death.

Mr Ahmed took to X, formerly Twitter and wrote, “Till we meet again my little angel, Unfortunately after a long struggle my little man has lost the painful & tough fight, I believe you are in a better place, we will miss you so much., I hope no one ever goes through this pain, Request for Prayers.” He also shared two pictures of his little boy in the hospital bed.

انااللہ وانا الیہ راجعو ن
Till we meet again my little angel ?,
Unfortunately after a long struggle my little man has lost the painful & tough fight, I believe you are in a better place,we will miss you so much?,
I hope no one ever goes through this pain,
Request for Prayers ?? pic.twitter.com/cpAn29Wvnf

— Fawad Ahmed (@bachaji23) October 23, 2023

Cricket Australia took to the microblogging website and wrote, “The thoughts of the Australian Cricket community are with former Australian spinner Fawad Ahmed after the passing of his young son. Our condolences are with Fawad, his family and friends in this terribly difficult time.”

In an interview with Cricket.com.au in September this year, the bowler opened up about going through a “tough time”. “Every day he is growing, and the bones and the joints are getting stiffer and stiffer. I said, ‘Look, I want him to hold a cricket ball and a cricket bat as soon as possible – so we need to get onto this thing quickly’,” he told the outlet.

He added, “We don’t know what’s going to happen. Neither do the doctors. It’s pretty bad. You want to know. This is something that is aching the heart. It’s something that’s so unexpected.”

As per the outlet, in August, after the baby ultimately weighed three kilograms, he underwent surgery to push forward his mouth and tongue to aid with breathing. However, his health issues remained, and his eyesight became a new concern for the family. 

Mr Ahmed said at that time, “You’re excited, you’re happy about the birth of your child, and then suddenly you go to some dark places, and you don’t know what’s going to happen. Our lives have completely changed. Every morning, we just wake up and get ready to go to the hospital. Then in the evening, we come back. That’s it, nothing else.”

At present, Mr Ahmed continues to play club cricket in Victoria and hopes to continue his career in the Big Bash League, where he recently played for the Melbourne Renegades. He has also appeared in five ODIs and two T20 Internationals for Australia in 2013.

The American Center in Chennai is gearing up to host a full-day family-friendly Halloween celebration on Saturday, October 28.

Halloween, known as a quintessential American holiday, comes alive with communities across the United States decorating their homes with carved pumpkins, quirky haunted setups, and an abundance of sweets to welcome trick-or-treating families. Yet, it’s not just about spookiness; Halloween embodies a sense of unity, fostering creativity in both children and parents.

The event, which is open to all, will be held at Chennai’s US Consulate General between from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Scott Hartmann, Public Engagement and Cultural Affairs Officer at the US Consulate General Chennai, says “Halloween is often seen as a celebration of all things spooky, but it holds a special place in the hearts of kids, families, and communities in the USA. It’s a time for us to come together, unleash our creativity, and create an enjoyable experience for our children.”

The American Center is bringing this joyous occasion to life with a myriad of exciting activities. Attendees are encouraged to don costumes inspired by their favorite storybook characters and engage in various Halloween-themed adventures.

The day’s schedule includes a DIY session (do it yourself) for crafting trick-or-treat bags, a thrilling Escape Room experience, a screening of a Halloween-themed movie and captivating storytelling for children aged 3 to 9.

Throughout the day, visitors can explore the world of 3D printing to create Halloween-themed wonders and indulge in delightful treats after browsing the American Center’s library.