International
Team Liquid wins The International 13 Dota 2 Championship, defeats Gaimin Gladiators 3-0
Team Liquid won The International 13 Dota 2 championship, defeating Gaimin Gladiators 3-0 in the grand final. The victory secured Liquid’s second TI title and over US$1.15 million in prize money, with Neta “33” Shapira becoming a two-time champion.
Team Liquid has claimed the title of world champions at The International 13 (TI13) Dota 2 tournament, defeating Gaimin Gladiators 3-0 in the grand final. Despite entering the match as underdogs due to their history of losing grand finals, especially against Gaimin Gladiators, Liquid delivered a dominant performance to secure their second TI victory.
Dota 2, a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed by Valve, is one of the most popular esports titles in the world. In this competitive game, two teams of five players each battle to destroy the opposing team’s base, known as the “Ancient,” while defending their own. The International, Dota 2’s premier annual tournament, is widely regarded as one of the largest and most prestigious events in the esports industry.
Liquid, one of the favourites going into the event, dispelled doubts with their commanding win. This marks their second International title, the first being in 2017, and the first with their current roster. Neta “33” Shapira became one of the few players to win the tournament twice, having previously triumphed with Tundra Esports in 2022.
For their triumph, Team Liquid not only raised the coveted Aegis of Champions but also took home over US$1.15 million. Gaimin Gladiators, the runners-up, earned just over US$358,000.
Throughout the tournament, Liquid demonstrated exceptional form. They only suffered one loss during the group stage and the seeding decider phases, going on to deliver one of the most dominant performances in the history of The International. Liquid did not lose a single game in the playoff bracket, making their path to the championship flawless.
In the final, Liquid started strong despite Gaimin’s momentum after defeating Tundra Esports in the lower bracket final earlier that day. Though the 3-0 scoreline did not live up to the epic expectations of many fans, Liquid’s decisive victory brought immense satisfaction to their supporters, who had long awaited their team breaking a string of grand final losses.
Coach William Lee delivered an emotional speech after the win, expressing gratitude for the team’s perseverance through difficult years: “I feel like they took a chance on a guy who’s never coached a winning team before. We had so many losses… I’m just so glad that people like Zai, Nisha, and Boxi took a chance on us,” Lee said.
The final, while not as close as some anticipated, offered fans a deeply rewarding conclusion. After years of near-misses in major tournaments, Team Liquid finally broke their grand final curse on the biggest stage of all.
Their commanding victory, combined with their beloved status in the Dota 2 community, led to an outpouring of emotion, with many fans visibly in tears as they witnessed Liquid lift the Aegis.
Liquid’s unprecedented dominance throughout the playoffs only added to the historic nature of their win, which will go down as one of the most satisfying and celebrated moments in Dota 2 history.
The International 2024, also known as TI 13, was the thirteenth edition of Dota 2’s premier esports tournament, held in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Six teams were directly invited, while ten teams qualified through regional tournaments. Two teams each came from Western Europe, China, Southeast Asia, and South America, while Eastern Europe and North America each sent one team.
The base prize pool of the tournament was set at US$1.6 million, with an additional US$963,967 added from 25% of all Compendium sales, bringing the total prize pool to over US$2.5 million.
International
Iran fires 180 missiles at Israel in response to escalating tensions
Iran fired 180 missiles at Israel on Tuesday (1 Oct), claiming it was retaliation for Israeli airstrikes and assassinations of key figures in Gaza, Lebanon, and Tehran. Most missiles were intercepted, but Israel vowed retaliation. The United States condemned the attack as a “significant escalation,” heightening concerns of a broader conflict.
Iran launched a large-scale missile attack against Israel on Tuesday (1 Oct), escalating tensions in the already volatile region.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), around 180 projectiles were fired at Israel, prompting a coordinated missile defence effort with the United States.
Israel’s military spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, confirmed that the nation’s air defences successfully intercepted the majority of the Iranian missiles.
However, some projectiles reached central and southern Israel, causing minor injuries to two civilians.
In the West Bank, Palestinian officials reported the death of a Palestinian man near Jericho after being struck by a missile, though it remains unclear which side was responsible for that particular strike.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the strike, stating that it targeted “vital military and security installations.”
Iran claimed that Tuesday’s missile strikes were in retaliation for the recent deaths of key figures from Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Iranian military.
It specifically referenced Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Revolutionary Guard General Abbas Nilforushan, both of whom were killed in an Israeli airstrike last week in Beirut.
The operation also cited the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was reportedly killed in Tehran in a suspected Israeli attack in July.
In response to the missile strikes, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran had made a “big mistake” and would face severe consequences for the attack.
“Iran made a big mistake tonight—and it will pay for it,” Netanyahu said.
“The regime in Iran does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and retaliate against our enemies.”
His remarks strongly signaled that Israeli retaliation was imminent, increasing concerns about a potential spiral into a broader regional war.
איראן עשתה הערב טעות גדולה – והיא תשלם על כך. pic.twitter.com/B2yppgGqcE
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 1, 2024
Iran defended its actions, with President Masoud Pezeshkian posting on social media that the missile strikes were a defensive response to Israeli provocations.
“Let Netanyahu know that Iran is not a belligerent, but it stands firmly against any threat. This is only a corner of our power,” Pezeshkian stated, warning Israel not to enter into further conflict with Iran.
بر اساس حقوق مشروع و با هدف صلح و امنیت برای ایران و منطقه، پاسخ قاطع به تجاوزات رژیم صهیونیستی داده شد. این اقدام در دفاع از منافع و اتباع ایرانی بود. نتانیاهو بداند، ایران جنگطلب نیست اما در برابر هر تهدیدی قاطعانه میایستد. این تنها گوشهای از توان ماست. با ایران وارد درگیری…
— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) October 1, 2024
On the international front, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan characterized Iran’s attack as a significant escalation, but noted that it had been effectively neutralized by Israel’s missile defense systems.
“At this point this attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective,” Sullivan remarked, though he acknowledged the seriousness of the situation.
US President Joe Biden reiterated the United States’ support for Israel, but stressed that his administration was in close consultation with Israeli officials to determine an appropriate response.
“We’re going to get all the data straight,” Biden said.
“We’re in constant contact with the Israeli government and our counterparts, and that remains to be seen.”
Iran’s mission to the United Nations issued a statement on Wednesday (2 Oct) defending its missile operation as a “legal, rational, and legitimate response” to Israel’s actions.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the mission warned that any retaliatory actions by Israel would trigger a more severe Iranian response.
“Should the Zionist regime dare to respond or commit further acts of malevolence, a subsequent and crushing response will ensue,” the mission stated.
The message also advised other regional actors and supporters of Israel to distance themselves from the Israeli government.
Iran’s legal, rational, and legitimate response to the terrorist acts of the Zionist regime—which involved targeting Iranian nationals and interests and infringing upon the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran—has been duly carried out. Should the Zionist regime…
— I.R.IRAN Mission to UN, NY (@Iran_UN) October 1, 2024
Military bases in Tel Aviv, targeted in the strike, have sustained structural damage, according to the IRGC. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
Videos on X (formerly Twitter) show missiles intercepted and hitting ground targets, contrary to Israel’s claim of no damage done.
🇮🇱🇮🇷 15 minutes Iranian missiles hitting Israel … supercut pic.twitter.com/OABH2cWfb4
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) October 1, 2024
International reactions have also begun to emerge. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the continued escalation, calling for an immediate ceasefire. In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Guterres stated, “This broadening of the Middle East conflict must stop.”
International
World leaders urge Israel to halt Lebanon offensive amid escalating conflict
On 1 October 2024, Israel launched airstrikes on southern Lebanon, killing at least 95 people and injuring 172. The attacks, aimed at Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, have sparked international concern. World leaders, including US President Joe Biden, are calling for a ceasefire, warning that further escalation could lead to a regional catastrophe.
Israel launched a series of airstrikes and artillery bombardments on southern Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of at least 95 people and injuries to 172 others.
The attacks, which began early on Tuesday (1 Oct), are part of Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group that operates in Lebanon.
The strikes were aimed at Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in the region and marked a significant escalation in the hostilities between Israel and the group.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the military operation is “limited, localized, and targeted.”
The goal of the operation, according to IDF statements, is to protect Israeli citizens, particularly those residing in northern Israel, and to facilitate the return of displaced residents to their homes.
In accordance with the decision of the political echelon, a few hours ago, the IDF began limited, localized, and targeted ground raids based on precise intelligence against Hezbollah terrorist targets and infrastructure in southern Lebanon. These targets are located in villages…
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 30, 2024
This development comes amid a growing concern in the international community over the potential for a broader regional conflict, with multiple world leaders calling for a ceasefire and urging Israel to refrain from launching a ground invasion into Lebanon.
US President Joe Biden called on Israel to avoid a ground campaign in southern Lebanon during a press event at the White House on Monday (30 Sept).
Biden, while stressing the need for an immediate ceasefire, did not elaborate on any specific US actions or plans to halt the conflict.
In response to a reporter’s question, Biden expressed his awareness of the situation, stating, “I am more aware than you might know, and I am comfortable with them stopping.”
Belgium’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadja Lahbib, also expressed deep concern over the violence, particularly the loss of civilian lives.
Lahbib emphasized the importance of respecting international law, suggesting that the current crises in both Gaza and Lebanon are intertwined.
She warned that a failure to address these issues could lead to a dangerous regional escalation.
At today’s extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council dedicated to Lebanon, Belgium voiced deep concern over the escalating violence in the Middle East and the tragic loss of innocent civilian lives. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/TvJ8tqY3e2
— Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) September 30, 2024
The UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign, David Lammy, added his voice to the growing international calls for a ceasefire.
Following discussions with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Lammy reiterated the need for a political solution to the crisis.
He stressed the importance of implementing a plan that would allow displaced Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return to their homes.
Speaking to @SecBlinken this evening, we were clear on the need for a diplomatic solution in the Middle East.
The UK is calling for an immediate ceasefire and the implementation of a political plan that allows displaced Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return to their homes.
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) September 30, 2024
European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell underscored the need to avoid further military intervention in Lebanon, cautioning that any such actions could dramatically worsen the situation.
“Any further military intervention would dramatically aggravate the situation, and it has to be avoided.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also weighed in, urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent any regional escalation.
Modi highlighted the importance of ensuring the safe release of hostages and expressed India’s commitment to supporting efforts to restore peace and stability.
Spoke to Prime Minister @netanyahu about recent developments in West Asia. Terrorism has no place in our world. It is crucial to prevent regional escalation and ensure the safe release of all hostages. India is committed to supporting efforts for an early restoration of peace and…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 30, 2024
UN experts warn of regional catastrophe amid escalating Israel-Lebanon conflict
UN experts warned on Monday (30 Sept) that the escalating conflict between Israel and Lebanon could lead to a regional humanitarian and geopolitical catastrophe.
The experts expressed deep concern over the intensifying violence, with Hezbollah launching missiles indiscriminately and Israel responding with large-scale airstrikes across Lebanon.
This surge in violence is exacerbating instability and civilian suffering, particularly in Lebanon and Palestine.
The experts condemned Israel’s use of destructive force in Lebanon, similar to its actions in Gaza.
They criticised Israel for justifying attacks on civilians by claiming Hezbollah fighters hide among them, using civilians as human shields.
The experts argued that the airstrikes in densely populated areas, where residential buildings are being destroyed with little warning, violate international humanitarian law and could amount to domicide, or the mass destruction of homes.
They also highlighted the ongoing violence against Palestinians, calling it a genocidal campaign.
Referring to a recent explosion of booby-trapped electronic devices in Lebanon that caused widespread casualties, the experts condemned those who praised such tactics, calling them criminal.
The experts further warned that double standards in condemning terror while granting impunity threaten the global democratic order.
They stressed the need to address fundamental issues fueling the violence, including the illegal occupation of Palestine, arms supplies to non-state actors, and extrajudicial killings.
The experts called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged the UN Security Council to take swift action.
They emphasised the need to protect civilians, investigate crimes, and strengthen the UN’s presence in the region to prevent further escalation.
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