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Hong Kong police are investigating the deaths of four dogs in the Lok Ma Chau area, with suspicions of deliberate poisoning. The incidents, occurring over the past four days, have sparked outrage among animal welfare groups, who report a total of 13 dogs now missing or dead in the region. The investigation centers on Liu Pok Road, where the carcasses were discovered.

The initial report came on Lunar New Year’s Eve, when a resident alerted authorities to a dead dog suspected of being poisoned. Subsequent reports led to the discovery of two more carcasses on Tuesday and a fourth on Thursday. Police have stated that they believe the cases are connected, but no arrests have been made as of Friday, February 20, 2026, according to Hong Kong Free Press.

The carcasses have been sent to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) for comprehensive autopsy and toxicology testing to determine the cause of death. Authorities are seeking to identify any potential toxins used and understand the circumstances surrounding these incidents.

Narelle Pamuk, chairperson of the Sai Kung Stray Friends Foundation, described the situation as heartbreaking. According to a post on the foundation’s Facebook page, volunteers first noticed several dogs were missing, including a dog named BLui. Pamuk recounted finding BLui dead on Monday after the dog initially appeared to greet her, then suddenly ran into a marshland and collapsed. Two more dogs were found dead in a pond on Tuesday and a fourth on Thursday, all within the same area.

“What rotten human/s could do this? The dogs were healthy, desexed, vaccinated dogs aged 3.5 years and younger,” Pamuk wrote on Facebook, expressing her devastation. The Sai Kung Stray Friends Foundation has been regularly visiting the area since 2021 to care for the stray dog population.

Rising Concerns Over Animal Poisonings

This incident is not isolated. The Sai Kung Stray Friends Foundation reports at least 19 cases of suspected dog poisonings in the local area since last year, with lethal bait reportedly placed on farms in Kwu Tung and Lok Ma Chau. The South China Morning Post reports that police are investigating whether these cases are linked.

The affected dogs were described as mongrels with no obvious external injuries, raising concerns about the use of undetectable toxins. The ongoing investigation aims to determine the nature of the poison used and identify those responsible for these acts of animal cruelty.

Investigation and Community Response

Police are urging anyone with information regarding these incidents to come forward. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the motive behind these attacks and prevent further harm to animals in the area. The Standard reported the discovery of the fourth dog on February 20, 2026.

The community has expressed shock and sadness over the deaths of these animals. Animal welfare organizations are calling for increased vigilance and stricter penalties for those found guilty of animal cruelty. The Sai Kung Stray Friends Foundation continues to monitor the situation and provide support to the remaining stray dogs in the area.

As the investigation continues, authorities are appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the identification and apprehension of those responsible for these disturbing acts. The focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of animals in the Lok Ma Chau region and preventing further tragedies.

What comes next will depend on the results of the toxicology reports and the progress of the police investigation. The community awaits further updates and hopes for swift justice in this case. Share your thoughts and concerns in the comments below.

Austin, TX – NSTX, Inc., a clinical laboratory specializing in genetic testing and molecular oncology, operates a facility at 13011 McCallen Pass, Building 100, in Austin, Texas. The company provides a range of services, including molecular and cellular tumor marker analysis, and is accessible to patients seeking appointments through CoxHealth’s Find a Doctor platform.

NSTX, Inc. Is directed by Jennifer D. Keen-Kim, Ph.D., and can be reached at (650) 249-9090. The facility’s services focus on genetic testing, a rapidly evolving field with increasing applications in healthcare. The company’s location in Austin places it within a growing hub for biotechnology and medical innovation.

Location and Contact Information

The Austin facility of NSTX, Inc. Is located at 13011 McCallen Pass, Building 100, 78753. According to the NPPES NPI Registry, the organization is classified as a subpart of a larger entity as of December 30, 2025. The fax number for the facility is 650-456-2122. CoxHealth lists NSTX, Inc. As a provider available for appointment booking.

Licensing and Regulatory Information

NSTX, Inc. Holds a clinical laboratory license in California, with an expiration date of October 31, 2023, as documented in a November 1, 2022, filing. A previous license expired on October 31, 2022, as shown in a document dated November 1, 2021. The company’s Clinical Laboratory License number is COS-00800978. The facility is also identified as PFI 9456 by the Wadsworth Center .

Services Offered

NSTX, Inc. Specializes in genetic testing, with a focus on molecular oncology. Services include the analysis of molecular and cellular tumor markers, providing data relevant to cancer diagnosis and treatment. The company’s work contributes to the broader field of precision medicine, which aims to tailor medical treatment to the individual characteristics of each patient. The facility is categorized under Genetic Testing – Molecular Oncology – Molecular and Cellular Tumor Markers by the Wadsworth Center.

The company is affiliated with Natera, Inc. According to licensing documentation.

As genetic testing technologies continue to advance, companies like NSTX, Inc. Play an increasingly important role in healthcare. Further developments in this field are expected to lead to more accurate diagnoses and more effective treatments for a variety of diseases.

Disclaimer: This information is for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.

What are your thoughts on the growing role of genetic testing in healthcare? Share your comments below, and please share this article with others who may find it useful.

Gaza – Hamas has reportedly begun holding internal elections to choose a new leader at a pivotal moment for the militant Palestinian movement. The vote comes as Hamas faces critical decisions regarding its future, including potential cooperation with proposed US peace plans and the possibility of disarmament, following a devastating military campaign that has decimated its leadership ranks and left Gaza in ruins.

According to reports from the BBC and Gulf press, voting among Hamas members in Gaza has already taken place. Members in the West Bank, those held in Israeli prisons, and those in the diaspora are expected to cast ballots for delegates to the movement’s 50-member general Shura council, which will ultimately select the new politburo and interim leader. The process is anticipated to last several weeks.

The incoming leader will inherit a complex and precarious situation. The movement must navigate the terms of potential peace negotiations, determine the extent to which it will relinquish its arsenal, and assess its role in a potential new Gaza government. These decisions are unfolding against a backdrop of immense loss and destruction, with over 75,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza over the past 28 months, according to reports.

The leadership vacuum stems from a sustained Israeli military campaign that has targeted key Hamas figures. Among those killed were Yahya Sinwar, the former Gaza leader, and Mohammed Deif, the military chief responsible for the October 2023 attack on southern Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, including over 800 civilians. The Guardian reports that Israel also assassinated Saleh al-Arouri, the movement’s deputy leader, in Beirut in January 2024, and Ismail Haniyeh, the overall political leader, in Tehran in July 2024. An Israeli attempt to eliminate much of the remaining leadership in a September 2024 airstrike on Doha, Qatar, where leaders were meeting to discuss a US peace proposal, was unsuccessful.

The Frontrunners: Al-Hayya and Meshaal

Two names have emerged as leading contenders in the leadership contest: Khalil al-Hayya and Khaled Meshaal. Both survived the Doha airstrike, positioning them as potential successors with distinct visions for Hamas’s future. Al-Hayya, currently leading the Gaza wing while residing in the Gulf, is considered a hardliner and a protégé of Sinwar, with close ties to Iran, Hamas’s primary foreign sponsor.

Meshaal, a founding member of Hamas and a former overall leader for over two decades, currently heads the movement abroad and is based in Doha. He is viewed as more pragmatic, maintaining stronger relationships with Qatar and Turkey. Michael Milshtein, a former Israeli military intelligence colonel at Tel Aviv University, told The Guardian that Meshaal is open to exploring a political settlement with Israel, potentially including reconciliation with the Palestinian Authority and re-engagement within the formal Palestinian political system.

“These two represent two different camps, and different agendas about the future and the goals of Hamas,” Milshtein said.

Secrecy and Security Concerns

The election is taking place under conditions of extreme secrecy, reflecting the constant threat faced by Hamas leaders. Khaled Elgindy, a senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft in Washington, noted the inherent risk associated with assuming a leadership position. “Whoever is in the leadership – whether it’s the Shura council or the actual top leadership – the question is who wants to be in that position knowing that they will most likely be on an Israeli hitlist?”

Elgindy also emphasized the existential nature of this transition for Hamas. “It’s clear that This represents going to be a new chapter for Hamas, and it may even be existential. Will Hamas survive? What will it look like? Obviously, they’re going to do anything and everything to avoid the optics of a surrender,” he said. He added that Meshaal’s connections to Qatar and Turkey could prove valuable in navigating the complex regional dynamics, potentially diminishing Hamas’s reliance on Iran, which is currently facing its own internal challenges.

Reuters reported that Hamas has been actively rebuilding its organization in recent weeks, collecting taxes, and replacing officials in Gaza ministries.

The Path Forward

Under the Trump administration’s proposed peace plan, a group of non-affiliated Palestinian technocrats, known as the National Committee for Administration of Gaza (NCAG), is slated to assume control of Gaza and oversee Hamas’s disarmament. While Hamas leaders have reportedly signaled a willingness to consider handing over heavier weaponry to a Palestinian body, it is anticipated that fighters will resist surrendering personal firearms, citing the need for self-defense against local armed groups and criminal elements.

The outcome of this leadership election will undoubtedly shape the future trajectory of Hamas and its role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The new leader will face immense pressure to address the immediate humanitarian crisis in Gaza, navigate complex political negotiations, and determine the organization’s long-term strategy. The coming weeks will be critical in understanding how Hamas intends to respond to these unprecedented challenges.

What are your thoughts on the future of Hamas and the peace process? Share your comments below.

Fresh England residents are preparing for another round of challenging winter weather, with a storm system expected to bring a mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain, and rain across the region Friday into Saturday. The storm, following a similar pattern to one earlier this week, is forecast to intensify throughout the afternoon and evening, potentially creating hazardous travel conditions.

The approaching system carries “much more juice in the atmosphere” than Wednesday’s storm, increasing the likelihood of widespread precipitation, according to forecasters. A warm front will initially stretch across the region, setting the stage for a complex mix of precipitation types. The potential formation of a secondary low-pressure system over the ocean could further enhance snowfall totals in some areas.

Southern New England is expected to start with a wintry mix and cold rain, particularly along the coast and south of the Massachusetts Turnpike. The rain-snow line is predicted to gradually shift southward Friday evening and overnight, opening the door for potential snow accumulation. Forecasters estimate Boston could see between 1 and 3 inches of snow by noon Saturday, with higher totals north of the city.

Snowfall Forecasts Across New England

Northern New England is anticipated to receive snow from the storm’s onset, with accumulations ranging from 3 to 6 inches. Some areas in New Hampshire, Vermont, and western Maine could see up to 6 to 8 inches. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of expected snowfall totals:

• 6 to 8 inches: Central Vermont and New Hampshire, including Concord and Plymouth; Rutland, Vermont; and western Maine.
• 3 to 6 inches: Areas north of Route 2 and north of Boston (north of I-495 and even I-95); the northern half of the Berkshires, including Greenfield and North Adams; Portland, Manchester, Keene, and Bennington, Vermont; and the Augusta, Maine area.
• 1 to 3 inches: Greater Boston, the South Shore to Scituate, Worcester, Springfield, northern Rhode Island and Connecticut, and Bangor, Maine.
• Coating to 1 inch: The South Shore, Providence, Hartford, and the Outer Cape.
• Rain or wintry mix: The entire southern coast of New England, including most of Cape Cod and the islands.

Freezing rain is possible across Southern New England, particularly late Friday into Saturday morning, potentially leading to slick spots on roads, and sidewalks. Rainfall totals could reach a quarter to a half inch in the southern part of the region.

Timing and Potential Impacts

Highs on Friday are expected to reach the mid- and upper 30s across New England. The storm is forecast to impact the evening commute, with a mix of precipitation creating tough driving conditions. The rain-snow line is expected to shift throughout the day and night, influencing the type of precipitation experienced in different areas.

Winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings are in effect for much of New England from Friday into Saturday, signaling the potential for significant travel disruptions. Residents are advised to monitor local forecasts and adjust travel plans accordingly.

The storm is expected to linger into Saturday, with lingering snow showers possible throughout the day.

As conditions evolve, staying informed is crucial. You can find the latest updates and detailed forecasts from local news sources and weather services.

What comes next will depend on the track and intensity of the secondary low-pressure system. Forecasters are also monitoring the potential for a larger ocean storm to impact the region on Monday. Continued vigilance and preparedness are recommended as New England navigates this active weather pattern.

Share your weather updates and photos with us on social media, and let us know how the storm is impacting your area in the comments below.