Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday the capture of an area that he referred to as the "Morag axis" in the southern Gaza Strip This area consists mainly of agricultural land located between Khan Younis and Rafah stretching from east to west across the Gaza Strip It includes parts of what the Israeli military had previously designated as a "humanitarian zone", where they had told internally displaced Palestinians to seek refuge The area had not been identified as an "axis" The name "Morag" that Netanyahu used refers to an illegal Israeli settlement that was established in the region between 1972 and 2005 Israeli ground and aerial forces have been relentlessly attacking Rafah since they resumed bombing the besieged enclave last month.  They have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians since then Troops have raided prominent residential neighbourhoods in the city - which was densely populated before the war - and indiscriminately killed civilians, including executing medics while forcing tens of thousands to flee on foot. The military has said its aim is to "encircle" Rafah the separation of Khan Younis and Rafah is part of the military’s plan to implement US President Donand Trump’s proposal of removing Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.  A defence source told Israeli newspaper Haaretz that they were surprised by Netanyahu’s announcement that the army had seized the “Morag axis”.  The source said the military’s plan to control the area separating Rafah and Khan Younis had not been approved and that its disclosure could endanger troops It was still unclear how the route could be connected to the sea as it runs through the "humanitarian zone" Netanyahu explained that the purpose of controlling the area is to “divide” the Gaza Strip by cutting Rafah off from Khan Younis and to “increase pressure step by step so they will give us our hostages”.   It remains unclear what Netanyahu meant by "seizing" the area Israeli forces previously attempted to control east-to-west corridors in northern Gaza as part of a military strategy to increase pressure on specific regions These included the so-called Netzarim Corridor located between Gaza City and central Gaza which blocked the movement of people between the enclave's north and south Israeli forces withdrew from the corridor as part of the ceasefire agreement signed with Hamas in January a deal Israel breached on 18 March when it resumed widespread attacks on Gaza Before the ceasefire, Israeli forces controlled most of the area between Gaza City and the northern Gaza governorate, as part of the "Generals’ Plan" which sought to expel all Palestinians from northern Gaza Israeli forces control the Philadelphi Corridor along Gaza’s border with Egypt in southern Rafah According to the terms of the January ceasefire agreement Israeli forces were supposed to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor by the end of the first phase Netanyahu called the “Morag axis” the “Second Philadelphi” route.  Copyright © 2014 - 2025. Middle East Eye Only England and Wales jurisdiction apply in all legal matters Middle East Eye          ISSN 2634-2456                      '#' : location.hash;window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUQuery = location.search === '' && location.href.slice(0 location.href.length - window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUHash.length).indexOf('?') !== -1 '?' : location.search;if (window.history && window.history.replaceState) {var ogU = location.pathname + window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUQuery + window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUHash;history.replaceState(null "\/liveblog_entry\/idf-says-it-has-captured-gazas-morag-corridor-cutting-off-rafah-from-khan-younis\/?__cf_chl_rt_tk=23FS3kHgLKFWVjxd9KNyFkbkDMpI24p5KD1PZnNWUBw-1746536230-1.0.1.1-nYlYOWefIZKR3fEG9EWvSfZsDlwjIqDSxh4mkedND.s" + window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUHash);cpo.onload = function() {history.replaceState(null ogU);}}document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(cpo);}()); People take part in a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks after he took over the certificate of Honorary Citizen of the University (Civis Universitatis Honoris Causa) from Rector of the Ludovika University of Public Service at the university in Budapest Israeli tanks maneuver along the border with north of the Gaza Strip A woman holds a sign as people take part in a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip A military statement said troops with the 36th Division had been deployed or where exactly the new corridor was located Morag is the name of a Jewish settlement that once stood between Rafah and Khan Younis and Netanyahu had suggested it would run between the cities Maps published by Israeli media showed the corridor running the width of the narrow coastal strip from east to west Israel quickly reasserted control over the Netzarim corridor that cuts off the northern third of Gaza The Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors run from the Israeli border to the Mediterranean Sea and we are increasing the pressure step by step so that they will give us our hostages,” Netanyahu said Wednesday His defense minister has said Israel would seize large areas of Gaza and add them to its so-called security zones Israel has pledged to escalate the fighting with Hamas until the militant group returns the remaining hostages taken in the Oct Hamas says it will only release the remaining 59 hostages — 24 believed to be alive — in exchange for the release of more Palestinian prisoners a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza The group has rejected demands that it lay down its arms or leave the territory 7 attack on southern Israel killed about 1,200 people most of them released in ceasefire agreements and other deals More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza during Israel’s offensive It doesn’t say whether they are civilians or combatants but says the majority have been women and children Israel says it has killed around 20,000 militants The war is the deadliest and most destructive fighting ever between Israel and Hamas It has left much of Gaza devastated and most of its residents displaced Families of hostages at their weekly rally again pleaded for a ceasefire deal to bring everyone home from Gaza “Netanyahu is working hard to ensure our hostages die rather than working hard to save their lives,” said Efrat Machikawa Associated Press writer Fatima Hussein in West Palm Beach « Back Day 550: IDF makes significant gains in Rafah and takes control over Morag Corridor Iran delivering weapons to Hezbollah by sea reported Israel-Turkey coordination in Syria to support Iranian dissidents to overthrow regime 59 held captive in Gaza.35 hostages confirmed murdered held in Gaza.147 living hostages rescued.49 hostage bodies rescued.1,828 Israelis killed.413 fallen soldiers and police in the battle in Gaza.87 fallen soldiers in Northern Israel.18 fallen soldiers and police in Judea & Samaria.30,708 estimated projectiles fired at Israel.20,000 Israelis estimated displaced from their homes.1 Jewish nation united in prayer airstrikes– Iran insists negotiations will be “indirect”– Low faith in negotiations– Netanyahu outlines Israel’s requirements from Iran– Iran reestablishing defenses– Iran shipping powerful weapons to militia in Iraq– Exiled Crown Prince wants U.S Egypt is still trying to push their proposal and now adjusted it to 8 living hostages and 8 bodies of hostages in exchange for a 5-day ceasefire The ceasefire would include a heavy flow of aid into Gaza and IDF withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor The most significant problem with Egypt’s proposal: Guarantees for a second phase following the initial ceasefire which would include a full IDF withdrawal and end to the war Israel will not agree to end the war with Hamas intact in Gaza Hamas did not successfully launch any rockets into Israel today while keeping specifics about operations mute and a small but not insignificant number of terrorists remain Most terrorists are running away from IDF troops and escape by blending in with evacuating groups The IDF now fully controls the new Morag Corridor and operating in an area which was not entered until now (during this war) has reversed declarations of victory over Hamas brigades which were made before his tenure the IDF declared the Rafah brigade to be “collapsed,” and then “defeated.” One of Zamir’s first actions was to take that back Defeat won’t be declared again until the brigades are completely gone he visited troops in Rafah and the Morag Corridor and expressed his faith that they would complete the job properly have returned to fight in the Gaza Strip in a place where IDF forces are operating for the first time in an operation that surprised the enemy and led to the elimination of dozens of terrorists and the discovery of numerous combat means I expect you to defeat the Rafah Brigade and lead to victory in every place where you are fighting.” While some are happy with the pace at which the IDF is taking over Gaza others in the security establishment feel that the pressure on Hamas is not strong enough Hamas leaders still have plenty places to hide—specifically along with the hostages The IDF won’t enter areas where hostages are held because Hamas has threatened to murder the hostages if they do The IDF is also aware of the tunnels where hostages are being held This makes it difficult to completely defeat Hamas’s leadership The “Order 9” group published a document which they claim indicates that the IDF is preparing to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and says that the document doesn’t outline the transfer of aid but the movement of human international aid volunteers in and out of Gaza and other government and military officials have all stressed that the IDF won’t be delivering aid to Hamas in Gaza Note that they made sure to say “Hamas in Gaza,” and not “civilians in Gaza.” Eyal Ofer The IDF is likely preparing a new method to attempt to deliver aid only to civilians Ofer expresses that it’s nearly impossible to make a distinction between the civilians in Gaza and Hamas have a burning hatred for Israel: “When our soldiers entered homes in Gaza they told how they found weapons in every third house and Hamas propaganda in every child’s room This does not mean that every Gazan is a Hamasnik but even the few Gazans who are now protesting against the Hamas rule are angry about the results of the destruction from the war and not about the ideology that brought it about: the desire to wipe Israel off the map.” there appears to be no way to deliver aid to Gaza A female terrorist threw stones at soldiers and Israeli vehicles at the Gitai Avisar junction near Ariel Throwing stones at cars on highways is a dangerous act of terrorism The IDF has given many warnings that it won’t be tolerated there are reports that Israeli security forces entered six UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem UNRWA schools have a curriculum that idolizes terrorists The IAF struck a Hezbollah weapons warehouse the Beeqa region The Saudi Al-Hadath channel quoted a “Western source” saying that Iran is delivering weapons to Hezbollah via the sea and has been sending a significant number of weapons to Hezbollah via the port of Lebanon While Hezbollah continues effort to rearm and establish themselves in Southern Lebanon a senior Hezbollah official announced that the terror group is ready to hold talks about disarmament with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun—if Israel fully withdraws from Southern Lebanon According to the current ceasefire agreement Lebanon is supposed to be disarming Hezbollah which is why the IDF remains in 5 strategic points along Lebanon’s border and uses airstrikes to hinder Hezbollah’s rebuilding efforts Israel will need significant evidence that Lebanon is really doing their job before any withdrawal or cessation of strikes happens PM Netanyahu said today that US President Trump will talk with Turkey’s Erdogan to help prevent him from building bases in Syria that would endanger Israel Israel and Turkey are holding serious talks to coordinate moves in Syria in order to prevent clashes between the two armies The report says that Netanyahu was made aware of Turkish plans to takeover the T4 base in Syria and therefore instructed the IDF to complete all necessary airstrikes on the former base Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Reuters on Friday that “Turkey is not seeking a confrontation with Israel in Syria.” Israel has also expressed the same sentiment The US is continuing to hit the Houthis hard confirms that they have eliminated several Houthi leaders The strikes see to have an effect: There is a sharp reduction in Houthi ballistic missile attacks against Israel Following Trump’s announcement that the U.S Iran confirmed that they will be attending indirect talks Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will arrive in Oman with a team (Witkoff is simultaneously leading negotiations for a hostage deal with Hamas and a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia This addition makes for a very large load.) An Iranian official told Reuters that they have little confidence in the process Iranian officials went so far as to demand “clear gestures” from the U.S which gave a shocking amount of benefits to Iran with little to no actual supervision of their actions The Israeli security establishment is also skeptical of the talks and is continuing to plan for the likelihood of war against Iran they have not ruled out the possibility of Trump’s team making a deal The negotiations are supposed to have a 6 week time limit Netanyahu shared the principals that Israel believes must be included in a deal with Iran which are just as they were with Libya: Dismantling all nuclear facilities dismantling all supporting infrastructure (such as ballistic missiles) and removing all enriched material from Iran Each of the facilities would need to be destroyed under American supervision Netanyahu also warned Trump about the well-known Iranian method of dragging out negotiations indefinitely Iran is also continuing with a massive military buildup and reestablishment of air defense systems after Israel’s last attack Iranian sources connected to the regime report that six Iranian early detection radar systems have been deployed in sensitive areas throughout the country including near Azerbaijan (where Israel is suspected to have some sort of launching assets) The Times (UK) also reports that the Iranian regime has been supplying Shiite militias in Iraq with powerful surface-to-surface missiles however there seems to be an increase in quantity and quality the son of Iran’s former Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (who was exiled from Iran and lives in New York) has been campaigning for a different approach Pahlavi argues for a strategy of providing support for Iranian dissidents who are prepared to overthrow the regime from within Pahlavi explained his position at an FDD event: “All I’m asking is give the Iranian people a chance to put an end to all of these concerns But jumping straight from ‘diplomacy is not working’ [to] ‘let’s go bomb the hell out of them’ — once again you’re throwing the people of Iran under the bus Israel may be looking towards a hybrid solution A group of around 200 American families are suing Gazan-American billionaire Bashar Masri in a U.S alleging that he knowingly supported Hamas by aiding in the development of its terror infrastructure in Gaza citizens or first-degree relatives of 46 U.S citizens killed in the October 7th massacre The lawsuit centers on Masri’s involvement in “green development projects” in Gaza which was funded in part by USAID and intended to boost local employment The plaintiffs claim the site was only a cover used to support Hamas terror operations including providing electricity to tunnels used to hold hostages and tunnels which reached into Israeli territory and were used in the infiltration attacks Masri used American funds to profit millions for himself while also helping Hamas carry out the October 7th massacre and kidnappings Sponsored anonymously in honor of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s birthday on the 11th of Nissan and in honor of all the Chabad emissaries around the world who are making this world a better place.L”N Elisheva bas Harav Chaim Haleivi Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" First professor of children’s poetry at Cambridge dissemination and understanding of Caribbean poetry pushed forward the boundaries of academic understanding in the previously neglected fields of children’s literature and in 2011 became the first professor of children’s poetry at Cambridge University This was the crowning recognition of a distinguished career but it was made even more remarkable by her having no formal academic qualifications beyond studying for an ordinary degree Morag had a deep affinity with Caribbean poetry she was drawn to its vital connection with oral culture and the rich articulation of ordinary men and women’s creative resilience Morag was a seminal figure in putting children’s literature on the map as a field of academic enquiry She initiated an undergraduate programme in children’s literature at Homerton College with Victor Watson and Eve Bearne This was the seedbed for what became the thriving Centre for Research in Children’s Literature at Cambridge with extensive master’s and doctoral programmes attracting an international cohort of students Morag became a leading scholar in the emerging field of picture books View image in fullscreenShe organised a symposium exploring the power of picturebook images and children’s reponses librarians and publishers from around the world This was coordinated with a major exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum where a dazzling array of contemporary artists were represented Morag co-wrote the groundbreaking Children Reading Pictures (2003) reissued in several editions and updated in 2023 which opened the way for sophisticated appreciation of picturebook artistry that made understanding of children’s voices and perspectives central This was a core value underpinning all her work the daughter of Bette (nee McRobb) and Ruairidh Ross and was always proud of her Scottish heritage Her father had served as a rear gunner on Lancaster bombers in the second world war but had started a career as a tea planter in India by the time Morag was born Both parents were away in India for long periods while Morag was a child when she was brought up by relatives in Scotland She was educated at John Watson’s school and then Edinburgh University which she left before her final honours year to join her husband and who had moved to Cambridge to start a PhD Morag initially worked as a primary school teacher in Cambridge before running a variety of courses at Homerton College that eventually led to a full-time post there She was an inspirational teacher with a gift empathy and enthusiasm enabled her to connect with people of all ages and walks of life but particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds the one perhaps closest to her heart was the Caribbean Poetry Project The project was a collaboration between the University of the West Indies and Cambridge University funded by the Centre for Commonwealth Education dissemination and understanding of Caribbean poetry both in the West Indies and the UK View image in fullscreenWorking closely with Caribbean poets educators and children brought together strands of Morag’s life that she had been passionate about since her first anthology It was in many ways the perfect project to round off her professional life She poured her energy and organisational skills into it the poet Velma Pollard and Professor Beverley Bryan in Jamaica Morag was immensely hard-working and productive – brilliant at generating and directing new initiatives She brought a special kind of positive energy to groups and had a gift for bringing out potential in younger colleagues that they barely knew existed She leaves a rich legacy of achievements – “she illuminated so many corners of our literary landscape” But she always felt that her achievements sprang from being able to harness the diverse talents of those around her as much as from her own creativity and drive she threw an impromptu party (typical of Morag) for all the people she had worked with She made a speech that gave full credit to the unsung work of the administrators on all the projects she had been involved with She felt they were being honoured equally in her promotion She was keenly aware of the collective endeavour underpinning all individual achievement But it will be her personal qualities that those privileged to work closely with her will remember and cherish above all – her warmth born 19 September 1947; died 29 December 2024 Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Morag “Mo” Morrison Mo left us suddenly but peacefully surrounded by love on January 23 at 4:44 pm She devoted her life to her family and friends offering unwavering support and teaching them the values of compassion and her warm hugs and sound advice were a source of comfort for many She had a beautiful perspective on life and a truly amazing heart Her friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of Mo’s life on Friday (location to be announced) to share in the memories and love she so freely gave You touched many lives with your generous laugh and passion for life Your memory and spirit will remain in the hearts of your family and all those lucky enough to have known your kind-heartedness This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors The Israeli army has announced that its 36th Division has gained full control of the "Morag Axis" in the southern Gaza Strip and has "encircled" Rafah.  The area consists mainly of agricultural land between Khan Younis and Rafah It includes parts of what the Israeli military had previously designated as a "humanitarian zone" - an area where internally displaced Palestinians had been told to seek refuge The area had not been identified as an "axis" or a "corridor" before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement The name "Morag" that he used refers to an illegal Israeli settlement that was established in the region between 1972 and 2005 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday the capture of an area that he referred to as the "Morag axis" in the southern Gaza Strip It includes parts of what the Israeli military had previously designated as a "humanitarian zone", where they had told internally displaced Palestinians to seek refuge The Israeli army on Saturday said it launched a military offensive in the so-called “Morag Axis” in southern Gaza a move Palestinian authorities say is part of a broader plan to entrench Israeli occupation and divide the coastal enclave a strategic corridor separating the southern Gaza cities of Rafah and Khan Younis has become the latest flashpoint in Israel’s ongoing brutal military campaign Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee posted photos on X claiming they show “initial operations carried out by the 36th Division forces in the Morag Axis.” He stated the division had resumed operations in Gaza and was now active in the corridor for the first time operating “in coordination with actions on other fronts inside and outside the Strip.” Israeli forces are currently focused on the Rafah area with the stated goal of dismantling infrastructure used by Palestinian factions Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to seize control of the Morag Corridor paralleling Israel's takeover of the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border in May 2024 The Morag Corridor is named after a former Israeli settlement evacuated during Israel’s 2005 disengagement from Gaza Palestinian officials have condemned the new operation warning that it is aimed at physically dividing the Gaza Strip and ensuring continued Israeli military presence in the area More than 50,600 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in Israel's military onslaught since October 2023 The military campaign resumed in March following the collapse of a nearly two-month truce While there have been plenty of stories about male missionaries in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints rendered in film there has been a dearth in stories about Mormon sister missionaries a horror film about a pair of sister Mormon missionaries who hope to convert a reclusive man only to discover that he is pathological in addition to a respectable box office showing.  Alarmed by what they described as a graphic depiction of violence against women in the film, the LDS church shared with journalists a backgrounder about missionary safety. Meanwhile, more than a few former Mormon missionaries have noted the film’s portrayal of their experiences as realistic and nuanced. Among them, April Young-Bennett wrote “[T]he relationship between the two missionaries … seemed like a real missionary relationship to me we’re paired with another missionary as a companion and required to stay together constantly until we are reassigned to work with someone else in a different city or neighborhood a few months later We’re always working with people we haven’t known very long but we quickly develop a camaraderie because we spend all day everyday together The missionaries in Heretic seemed like that: close They were obviously products of the same culture but they were also different people with distinct personalities.” Similarly, the relationship between two sister missionaries in the upcoming premiere of Morag Shepherd’s The Big Quiet, a two-hander being staged by PYGmalion Theatre Company is realistic and subtly framed much like the one described above  — except this time 21 through March 8 in the Black Box Theatre at the Rose Wagner Center for Performing Arts the play takes place entirely in the apartment of Sister García (Juls Marino) and Sister Roberts (Lily Hilden).  Shepherd shapes a fascinating counterpoint that propels the dramatic and tense stakes involved at the narrative heart who has yet to successfully bring a convert to baptism who already has completed five cases with investigators (that is non-LDS individuals who are meeting with missionaries) women missionaries are not allowed to complete the baptismal stage of the conversion process — a ritual reserved exclusively to the men in the church Roberts is quintessentially posited as a rules-abiding missionary while García has loosened her boundaries and is comfortable with bending their expected obligations in doctrine and decorum.  said The Big Quiet is based largely on her LDS missionary experiences in San Diego “I moved the time five years later because I had specific references that I wanted to plug into the piece,” she explained a popular leader who had a relatively better grip on public image management than his successors Another was a 2004 story in Salt Lake City that gained national attention as missing but the search ended in shock when he confessed to murdering his wife As they were preparing to move across the country she had learned that he had elaborately concocted a lie about studying to become a doctor These bits serve to tint the conversations the two missionaries share building to enlightening nuances that will eventually point each woman to their respective epiphanies.  Of three Mormon-centered plays Shepherd has penned in the last decade The Big Quiet is her most inward looking script especially in balancing both characters’ respective perceptions that define their personal relationship to the LDS church “I wrote the character of Sister García as what I wished I had behaved like during my mission,” she said “I behaved more like the pent-up rule-abiding Sister Roberts.”  While she did not have a missionary companion like García it was not until later that she started to feel rebellious and question Mormonism especially after she read about the religion’s links to Freemasonry which would become part of her decision to leave the LDS faith.”I concentrated so much on my mission that even when I felt conflicted was more like García in successfully converting individuals to join the church Shepherd won the Association of Mormon Letters’ award for best drama of 2016 A classic example of how  Shepherd handles the objective of minimalism in theater Burn’s theatrical contours,were chiseled in part by the playwright’s struggles with her Mormon faith and the realization that she did not have to try to fit into a religion she didn’t fit into In 2023, Shepherd’s play Worship, in an exceptional premiere produced by Immigrant’s Daughter Theatre the script likely could have been an unconstructive polemic.  If one considers The Big Quiet as part of this trilogy the significance of this playwright’s journey is evident As noted in The Utah Review’s coverage of Worship who has been out of the Mormon faith community for quite a while continues to contemplate how and why she feared for so long becoming uncomfortable and even avoiding the risk of being ostracized as an enemy or adversary if she would have pursued questions proving whether or not what the church says is true citing how she has shaped Sister Roberts in The Big Quiet Shepherd also is wisely careful not to belittle members who believe in the church she also infuses the stage atmosphere with a distinct air of discomfort to the extent that it becomes lucid for anyone to comprehend regardless of whether or not they were ever part of the Mormon faith community.  “I do not think that Mormons who will see this show should be offended at all,” Shepherd said “It reflects my own journey and while I was angry at the time I am not so angry anymore I am trying to be fair in how both sisters express their feelings.“ Considering the play is set 20 years ago before smartphones and social media apps became omnipresent she added that rules in the 2000s were much stricter for missionaries than they are now Women no longer are required to wear skirts at all times when missionaries were restricted by how much contact they would have with their families at home the current generation is permitted to make TikTok videos In The Big Quiet as with the two other plays we are left with characters who assuredly are struggling or will do so eventually regarding their fears in probing their faith and ties to the Mormon community what makes a Shepherd play like The Big Quiet stand out is realizing that the stories and conversations the two missionaries share resemble and resonate with those which  any two young women who live together in an apartment regardless of the circumstances that led to them becoming roommates and friends in the first place Active as a playwright, director and producer, Shepherd and Immigrant’s Daughter Theatre will take My Brother Was a Vampire a play that Plan-B Theatre premiered in 2022 to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.  For tickets and more information about The Big Quiet, see the PYGmalion Theatre Company website.  MENA Metrics details a dedicated community dentist and a passionate advocate for prevention and paediatric dentistry receiving palliative care on 30 July 2024 with her husband by her side She leaves behind a legacy of unwavering commitment to her patients to Jean and Philip Curnow; the third of their four children She completed her secondary education at Perth Grammar School she soon realised her true calling lay in dentistry She graduated from the University of Edinburgh with Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) in 1980 and first registered with the General Dental Council that year She was still a registrant when she passed away Morag began her career as a Community Dental Officer in Farnborough Her career with NHS Tayside spanned over 40 years marked by her exceptional leadership and dedication Morag played a pivotal role in shaping the dental health of the region Her contributions to dental epidemiology were significant as a key figure in the National Dental Inspection Programme Her dedication to improving child dental health was evident in her PhD at the University of Dundee where her work influenced the extension of the Childsmile programme Morag was known for her selfless dedication to her patients and staff Her leadership style was characterised by support her exemplary guidance ensured the continuity of urgent dental care services in Tayside earning her immense respect across all dental disciplines Morag's leadership ensured that Tayside's Public Dental Service became a model of excellence in crisis management Morag was deeply committed to the professional development of her colleagues fostering a collaborative and supportive environment Her visionary approach led to the development of a highly skilled workforce Morag and her husband shared a love of travelling and good coffee; they fondly cared for their two rescue dogs Her legacy of compassionate care and inspirational leadership will continue to influence the dental community for years to come and friends and colleagues from Tayside Public Dental Service Reprints and permissions Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-024-7887-5 Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: a shareable link is not currently available for this article In  Morag Shepherd’s  superb two-hander The Big Quiet two Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints sister missionaries could not be more different they are closer to each other than either could ever have imagined they realize that women in the Mormon community literally will never be enough in a place where being dependent and servile is expected of them With absorbing opening night performances that crackled with perfect chamber theater chemistry,  The Big Quiet extends an outstanding string of premieres for the PYGmalion Theatre Company which has really found its groove over the last two seasons the play is set 20 years ago (2005) in San Diego and takes place entirely in the apartment of Sister García (Juls Marino) and Sister Roberts (Lily Hilden).  It was about as near-perfect as an opener could be Marino and Hilden knock homeruns out of the park in bringing crystal believability to their characters notable considering neither was ever a Mormon missionary their instincts are magnificent in responding to the material and direction of Shepherd and Howell both of whom served as church missionaries.  As noted in the preview published recently at The Utah Review Shepherd shapes a fascinating counterpoint.  Roberts but Marino melds it beautifully in setting up the scaffold for an epiphany that is built up with finely executed subtleties Ready to ditch the obligatory routines of a sister missionary García enjoys shocking and teasing her straight-laced companion who doesn’t think about food but instead talks endlessly about fasting LDS doctrine and hitting the neighborhood in the hope of finally notching a conversion.  Marino and Hilden are at their finest in elucidating the remarkable manner in which Shepherd has written dialogue that converges upon discovering that what they have believed in is nothing more than a mirage There is a wonderful bit of foreshadowing early in the play Roberts laments her lack of success in conversions and is trying to figure out what she might be doing wrong and I’ve already had five baptisms.”  six months as a missionary seems like a lifetime “I can’t believe I sincerely thought I was going to change people’s lives me was a real delulu,” Roberts shoots back But García says that her heart has changed which startles Roberts who worries constantly about being weak and lacking in qualities Roberts tries to persuade García to join her in fasting It’s because you have a little eighteen-year-old eating prob sitch.” Roberts is brought to tears when García says It’s classic.” Realizing that she may have gone too far and trying to quickly ease Roberts’ anxieties about performative perfectionism García shares something that no else knows Of the trilogy of Mormon-themed plays that Shepherd has written The Biq Quiet stands out in an already distinguished set of works A classic example of how Shepherd handles the objective of minimalism in theater Burn’s theatrical contours were chiseled in part by the playwright’s struggles with her Mormon faith and the realization that she did not have to try to fit into a religion she didn’t fit into Certainly worthy of being considered for similar honors The Big Quiet is more intimate but also more daring in its critique she was more like Roberts than García during her mission Shepherd astutely telegraphs memories of mixed feelings which include positive memories of her missionary companions the assertive and freewheeling García represents the biggest thing that Shepherd wanted to change about the experience of her younger self during her mission Audiences should be alert to the minor bits that elevate The Big Quiet One comes from a 2004 story in Salt Lake City that gained national attention was missing but the search ended in shock when he confessed to murdering his wife As they prepared to move across the country she had learned that he had elaborately concocted a lie about studying to become a doctor.  Roberts refers to the male elders and church authorities without immediately realizing how much the deck is stacked against women in the church The Hacking murder shocked Mormons and non-Mormons but it also revealed how ill-prepared LDS bishops are should a woman church member come to report domestic violence sexual abuse or situations such as those when an eventual murder victim discovered that her husband’s life was nothing but a pyramid of lies.  Women are not in the same LDS sphere as men. In a 2023 On Point radio interview, Meg Conley, editor of the Homeculture newsletter who was an LDS church member for many years before deciding to stop attending services in 2020 and the wife doesn’t … That’s a fundamental difference that plays into the way that many men treat women within the LDS church.” The Big Quiet is about an institution that thrives on secrecy which highlighted  the murder-suicide case where every member of an Enoch explained,  “It’s a complex picture because there are “There are women who are outspoken and men who appreciate outspoken women I think that it would be a mistake to not understand that complexity But I think that sometimes we are tempted to find a very neat narrative Because ultimately that makes it less scary for the people not in that community but it won’t happen here.’ But as … said at the beginning of the show Roberts understands what García already knows about an illusion designed to keep them obsessed and focused on overcoming their perceived shortcomings Is the pressure of a mission worth the price of sacrificing one’s individuality especially in a community where women will never have the authority but will always be called to serve This production should not be missed. Performances continue through March 8. For tickets and more information, see the PYGmalion Theatre Company website.  S EC Studio's Chris Zimmermann edits Rimowa's latest film the film stars French actress Garance Marillier and legendary makeup artist Morag Ross Morag recreates her famous work from ‘Orlando’ - Sally Potter’s 1992 adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s famous novel Through director Dorothy Sing Zhang vision the film evolves into a meditation on identity echoing Woolf's thoughts "I just think it's a brilliant idea for a commercial I really liked editing this with Dorothy as its a purely narrative driven piece and it has this nice backstory - it always felt like a scene from a movie to me - beautifully framed by Louis Lustermann." The Israeli army said Friday it completed the seizure of its newly established "Morag Corridor" area from the rest of the Palestinian territory Israeli Army Radio said forces completed control of the Morag Corridor area which it said extends between the Gaza-Egypt borders and the outskirts of Khan Younis in southern Gaza It added that Rafah is completely besieged by Israeli forces Israeli Army Radio noted that the army will stabilize control of the Morag Corridor area in the next stage and advance toward inside Rafah to make it "a border buffer zone" under its full control The Haaretz newspaper said Wednesday that the Israeli army is planning to incorporate the entirety of Rafah into a buffer zone being built along the border -- an area that covers 75 square kilometers (29 square miles) or around one-fifth of the Palestinian territory located between the Philadelphi Corridor to the south and the Morag route to the north was home to 200,000 Palestinians before the Israeli onslaught began in October 2023 The Israeli army renewed its assault on Gaza on March 18 19 ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement The military campaign has left the enclave in ruins and rendered it almost uninhabitable The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave British designer Morag Myerscough has once again redefined the boundaries of public art 11.5-meter-tall neon sculpture titled Love and Unity for Doncaster Minster and community collaboration to create an unforgettable installation Commissioned for Doncaster’s Festival of Light leaving an indelible mark on both its historic setting and those who experienced it Drawing inspiration from the needlepoint prayer kneelers within Doncaster Minster Love and Unity pays homage to the church’s rich history of embroidery and tapestry abstract design reflects the intricate patterns and geometric shapes found in these traditional textiles the designer mixed her own fluorescent paints to achieve the sculpture’s glowing infusing a modern twist into an age-old craft The result is a mesmerizing interplay of color and form, where neon hues illuminate the Minster’s architecture, creating a dialogue between the historic and contemporary Myerscough’s creation challenges conventional perceptions of art in religious spaces while maintaining a deep respect for tradition What sets Love and Unity apart is its deeply collaborative essence Myerscough invited the Doncaster community to take an active role in shaping the installation Local residents contributed lines to a collective poem which were later stitched onto wooden panels and displayed within the structure This poetic touch transformed the sculpture into a living tapestry of voices embodying the shared spirit of the community Myerscough partnered with Doncaster artist Doya Beardmore to craft a custom soundscape for the installation This auditory layer was created through workshops with students from Ridgewood School and incorporated archival recordings of Myerscough’s late father these components created a multi-sensory experience that resonated deeply with visitors Love and Unity marked Myerscough’s first installation in a religious building a challenge she embraced with her signature creativity The piece not only complemented the Minster’s historic grandeur but also introduced a dynamic energy that invited new interpretations of the space contemporary work within the walls of a centuries-old church Myerscough bridged the gap between past and present and community engagement encouraged reflection and dialogue—values that resonate across generations and faiths In keeping with the ethos of the Right Up Our Street arts program Love and Unity was designed with sustainability in mind materials from the sculpture were repurposed for future projects ensuring that its impact would extend far beyond the Festival of Light This commitment to sustainability aligns with the program’s mission to enrich communities through accessible and meaningful art Myerscough’s work is a testament to the transformative power of art demonstrating how bold design and community involvement can redefine the role of public installations Love and Unity isn’t just a sculpture—it’s a celebration of collective creativity and a shining example of how art can inspire For those fortunate enough to experience it firsthand the installation left an indelible impression offering a vivid reminder of the ways art can illuminate both space and spirit As its materials find new life in future projects the legacy of Love and Unity will continue to inspire reminding us all of the beauty and power of collaboration To learn more about Morag Myerscough’s innovative work and the Right Up Our Street initiative, visit Myerscough’s website or Right Up Our Street’s page Discover how bold design and community-driven art continue to transform spaces and lives Input your search keywords and press Enter Colossal Born and raised in bustling London, Morag Myerscough has always been keenly attuned to the rhythms of urban life and the patterns of community Myerscough often incorporates words that convey positive values and local pride into vividly hued affirmations part of the installation “Love Letters,” plays on the French motto “Liberté fraternity—adding fundamental societal principles like dignity phrases like “Sing,” “Play,” and “This is how I love my city” brighten up pedestrians’ routes The artist was also recently commissioned to create an expansive kinetic structure for Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April “Dancing in the Sky” invited attendees to wander through a geometric forest of columns and spires topped with contraptions that twirled in the wind Myerscough’s immersive pieces follow her philosophy that “we make belonging,” welcoming visitors into playful encounters that provoke new ways of seeing their surroundings and thinking about togetherness Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member now Join more than 200,000 subscribers and get the best of art and visual culture from Colossal Copyright © 2025 Colossal. See our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy You are viewing your 1 free article this month Simon & Schuster Children’s Books has snapped up three books from Morag Hood in a "hotly contested" auction. Picture-book publisher Helen Mackenzie Smith acquired world rights from Paul Moreton at Bell Lomax Moreton The first book in the deal Seahorse Is Furious (And There’s Nothing You Can Do About It) will publish in hardback and paperback simultaneously in June 2026 with two further picture books to follow in 2027 and 2028 The publisher has said it will be one of the UK division’s lead titles at this year’s Bologna Book Fair The synopsis reads: "In this hilarious picture book Seahorse is having a bad day in a terrible week He woke up wrong and stubbed his tail and everything is wet So don’t tell him funny stories or give him a hug and DEFINITELY don’t give him his favourite snacks on his special plate Mackenzie Smith said: "‘The minute I opened the PDF of Seahorse is Furious I knew that we HAD to publish this ludicrously funny Morag’s words and pictures make me snort with laughter and we had so much fun putting the pitch together I’m SO happy that she chose to trust us with Seahorse and I know that the team here will do her proud." Hood said: "I am really excited to be working with Simon & Schuster Children’s Books Having worked with Helen Mackenzie Smith before I am delighted to be working with her again The entire team at S&S are filled with such enthusiasm and combine creativity with a passion for the business of publishing They really understand the humour of my grumpy seahorse and their appreciation of silliness combined with attention to detail have pushed the book to be the best it can be I can’t wait to share with everyone what we have made!" Chief Product Officer at Tenable and its former SVP and GM of Cloud Security has over 25 years of experience in product management technology leadership and senior executive roles He joined Tenable upon its acquisition of Ermetic in 2023 (he was Ermetic's former CEO and co-founder) Shai also previously served as the co-founder and CEO of Secdo leading it from its inception to a successful acquisition by Palo Alto Networks Shai also served as the CEO of Integrity-Project networking and security solutions (and later acquired by Mellanox) Shai also served for 10 years as an officer in the IDF Intelligence Corps Unit 8200 holding a variety of roles in management and product development and earned an MBA from Tel Aviv University editor of the Jesuit magazine Eureka Street The news reached Australia as the evening newscasts began JERUSALEM — The Israeli army on Saturday said it has fully encircled Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip completing the construction of the Morag Corridor to sever the city from neighboring Khan Younis.“Forces of the 36th Division have completed the encirclement of Rafah,” the army said adding that troops finalized the opening of the corridor within the past 24 hours effectively cutting southern Gaza in two.The move follows reports from Israeli daily Haaretz indicating that the army plans to turn Rafah — roughly one-fifth of Gaza’s territory — into a military buffer zone prohibited to Palestinians The paper described the measure as tantamount to “the eradication of the city.”The proposed buffer zone reportedly covers 75 square kilometers between the Philadelphi Corridor on the Egypt-Gaza border and the newly created Morag Corridor.On April 2 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “We are taking control of the Morag Corridor which will be an additional Philadelphi Corridor.”Palestinian group Hamas has accused Israel of attempting to isolate Gaza from its Arab neighbors by establishing the new corridor.Israel resumed its military offensive on Gaza on March 18 ending a ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement that had held since January more than 50,900 Palestinians — mostly women and children — have been killed in the conflict according to Gaza health authorities.The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice The requested content cannot be loaded.Please try again later Nagham MohannaApril 04 The 188th Division's 36th Armored Brigade had pushed into the Morag Corridor from the northwest while the division's Golani Infantry Brigade had entered from the border to the southeast The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it has occupied the Morag Corridor in the southern Gaza Strip cutting off the city of Rafah from Khan Yunis The statement said Rafah is now completely surrounded by the army with the 36th Division guarding the Morag Corridor and the Gaza Division operating in the Philadelphia Corridor the border area between Egypt and the Strip The 188th Division’s 36th Armored Brigade had pushed into the Morag Corridor from the northwest while the division’s Golani Infantry Brigade had entered from the border to the southeast Engineer forces are now building a road along the corridor similar to other corridors in Gaza occupied by the IDF during the war The army also said it would operate inside areas of Rafah that it had not previously entered to eliminate forces of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas The IDF buffer zone in southern Gaza is expected to extend from the Egyptian border to the outskirts of Khan Yunis – more than 5 kilometers away – and will include the entire city of Rafah within it Read also other news on Nova News Click here and receive updates on WhatsApp Follow us on the social channels of Nova News on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Telegram Along the newly established Morag corridor Sisyphean work of rooting out Hamas fighters and destroying the organisation’s infrastructure named after a dismantled Jewish community in the area is intended to drive a wedge between the Rafah and Khan Yunis brigades of Hamas the impression was that the Israeli forces have succeeded in carving out a secure area from which they are now operating southwards in the direction of Rafah city dozens of fighters of Hamas’ Rafah Brigade remain Whether these actions will contribute to the final collapse of Hamas resistance in Gaza or place sufficient pressure on the Palestinian Islamist group to induce a more flexible stance on the remaining hostages (the two goals of the operation The force tasked with establishing and consolidating the Morag corridor is the 36th Armoured Division the Division has been in action since the start of the current war in October 2023 It took part in the first ground manoeuvre in Gaza in late 2023 spearheading the IDF’s entry into the Strip alongside the 162nd Division (which is now operating further south close to the Egyptian border.) The 36th then participated in the fighting in Lebanon the 188th Armoured and the 282nd Artillery Regiment have been engaged for the last three weeks in carving out the corridor and are now engaged in consolidating and broadening the 12 km corridor the intention of which is to seal in and then destroy the remnants of Hamas’ Rafah Brigade the by now familiar wartime Gaza combination of destroyed buildings and a near complete absence of civilians prevails and palls of white smoke can be seen every few minutes conducting operations into one of the three areas designated for the attention of the forces in the corridor in the coming days the hope is to trap them between two lines of IDF presence to the north and south of the city The IDF says the Rafah Brigade no longer has any discernible missile capacity Even a hierarchical structure beyond the lowest levels may no longer be fully functioning Hamas is trying to build itself up again as quickly as possible These youths are rapidly deployed and display the “professional capacities that would be expected of them,” as one IDF source put it IDF Spokesman Brigadier-General Effi Deffrin reiterated the familiar goals of the war: increasing the pressure on Hamas to ensure the release of the remaining hostages and toppling the movement militarily and politically The question of whether these goals can be achieved simultaneously is a matter Deffrin said the army will continue to put pressure on Hamas a senior IDF source in Gaza discerned signs of what he described as growing popular discontent against Hamas residents of Gaza wouldn’t have dared to raise a finger against representatives of the Islamist authority policemen were attacked by Gazans who no longer made any attempt to hide their identity when the last of Hamas’ leaders were dragged through the streets by their own people Whether the current IDF pressure will prove sufficient to increase and proliferate such scenes across Gaza remains very much to be seen Hamas has demonstrated that it is not yet broken and still has the ability to recruit new personnel and deploy them The troops now operating from the Morag corridor are engaged in the latest engagement in the battle of wills underway since October 7 I was involved in ‘rounds’ of fighting,” an IDF source in Gaza told the Jerusalem Post The difference between us and the enemy is that he is better at maintaining a facade than we are But there are demonstrations and indications of a breaking point on the other side the extension of the Morag corridor continues Tags: Gaza, Hamas, IDF, Israel The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) is the premier public affairs organisation for the Australian Jewish community © 2017-2025 AIJAC. All Rights Reserved. Site by ASCET Digital Sign in Join now, it's FREE! From being crowned Sky Arts’ Portrait Artist of the Year to earning spots on the Evening Standard’s Art Power List 2023 and Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe: Art & Culture, British artist Morag Caister‘s intimate portrait paintings have unquestionably riveted the art world’s attention Drawing and painting always felt liberating and magical when I was younger and it just felt like the best way to describe the things I understood Caister’s practice delves deeply into the intricacies of human nature and connections are forged with each painting These emotionally charged works bear truth rather than perfection her sketch-like application of paint renders her figures in a raw echoing the rebellious spirit of Expressionist painters Exaggerated lines frame an earthy palette as colors bleed into each other creating warmth and density that envelop both the sitter and surroundings surrounded by the subtle objects of their daily lives as if the world outside the canvas simply fades away drawing and painting have always been acts of liberation and transformation—a way to articulate what she understands and to bring her imagination to life—a curiosity that has continued to flow through her practice since childhood Her latest exhibition at London’s Rhodes Contemporary Gallery, Peacetime, features a series of humanizing portraits set against everyday backdrops capturing moments of stillness and acceptance amidst the chaos of contemporary life Caister speaks to a primal sense of connection, prioritizing emotional resonance over precise reality, balancing vulnerability and trust in a blend reminiscent of the intensity of Austrian Egon Schiele and the emotional honesty of American Alice Neel—yet her expression is entirely her own inviting us into the subtleties of human nature in the sense of personal space Since graduating from the University of Brighton in 2019 Now her works are now held in prominent collections like the National Portrait Gallery and Soho House solidifying her reputation as an influential and compelling voice in contemporary portraiture—definitely an artist to watch as time progresses could you share your journey into the arts Were there any moments or experiences that led you to pursue the path of an artist Morag Caister: Hello and thank you for having me It would feel kind of urgent to share certain stuff that I’d pick up on about someone or something did you notice it too?” I feel it comes from wanting to have a voice and engage with things Going to big museums and galleries that were purely there to display art was mind-blowing I thought of adults as very serious people and it was so crazy to me that they had made time and room for art but the people making the art were also adults I think it made me feel like what I was doing was worthwhile and kind of grown-up and I was lucky to be supported in going in that direction You’re mostly known for intimate portrait paintings guided and inspired by your deep interest in the intricacies of human nature Morag Caister: My practice involves painting people from live sittings using line and patches of colour to build up a composition and working with oils on paper or linen I feel it’s inspired by a love of experiencing new things and fantasising about the things that can’t be experienced or being able to make sweets appear out of thin air and my mind would be blown by the way we could never experience things from other people’s perspectives and painting people felt like a way to overcome that limit and I’m glad it didn’t happen because instead I was able to put all of the curiosity into my practice which really is still looking closely at things The interest in people and our nature comes from generally getting a lot out of understanding more about where and who we are and how everything works and painting became the perfect place for me to join these things together Elif Shafak is one of my favourite writers and in her manifesto “How to Stay Sane in an Age of Division,” she says that sharing stories brings us closer together and untold stories keep us apart It was in reference to the emotional distance we can begin to develop when we get used to hearing huge statistics rather than learning about personal stories and I get a sense of what kind of life they’ve had It’s like I’m witnessing their story and it has only ever brought me more compassion and patience for what we’re like as people and I think the sitters have a similar experience these are things that motivate and inspire my practice You describe your portrait sittings as akin to therapy sessions or confessional moments Can you elaborate on the role of the artist as a confidant or therapist in the creation of these portraits Morag Caister: I feel it’s the situation itself that becomes the confidant/therapist and it allows both me and the sitter to have that special space Often our interaction becomes frank and simpler almost like we are both committed to giving the painting the best chance of becoming filled with something truthful and that reminds me of the kind of upfront honesty people have when they’re hoping to get answers or solutions I only want to paint people when they’re at ease and sometimes that leads to emotions coming to the surface I don’t feel good about someone being uncomfortable and then painting them in that state of discomfort How do you create an environment that encourages such deep reflection and honesty from your subjects Morag Caister: I try to make it clear that acceptance and curiosity form the work you have to be exactly who you are in whatever form that is in this moment.” The person being there and allowing me to look at them closely is the act of honesty whether they are more open in conversation or on the quieter side are details of their personality and secondary elements in the work the cyclical habits and behaviours of daily life are hinted at in your paintings How do you decide which aspects of these routines to highlight and what do you believe they reveal about the human condition Morag Caister: It feels important to keep pointing out the things that we all do as if to point out the things we have always done I’ll have phases where a particular habit sort of feels like it’s shuffled to the front and I’ll delve into it for as long as it’s there Something about people at rest in the home environment is very emotive for me at the moment; in the last few years I don’t remember not having the urge to draw/paint figures lying down and stretched out It’s acknowledging the peaceful side of who we are as people seeing as everyone has a version of doing this I think it’s the needing of rest I find so moving currently because I’ve always been conscious of our capacity for conflict and this other part is evidence of our softness and it represents the possibility of peace.  like the backdrops and the subtle inclusion of domestic motifs,  seem to play an integral part in the storytelling How do these elements contribute to the overall narrative of your portraits and what do they signify about the ‘quiet disorder’ of everyday life? What importance do they hold in the overall composition Morag Caister: I started including mess in the paintings because it kind of felt like hinting at the chaos that might exist outside the edges of the paintings I liked the idea of this taking the quiet form of everyday things like crumpled towels or unfolded clothes because they felt like traces of disorder in the home environment Including them felt like addressing the possibility that hangs in the air that things could go wrong the sense that we teeter on the edge of chaos a lot of the time Those things just need keeping in check and staying on top of like laundry it taints our space and time for rest “Peacetime,” at London’s Rhodes Contemporary explores the dualities of human existence through a series of new works Could you share more about the exhibition’s essence and the featured works Morag Caister: I chose the title peacetime in the sense that when we are peaceful like the way that we go to bed at night and wake up in the morning I wanted to recognise the pushing and pulling of stillness vs movement I think I wanted to say something about us being multifaceted and our nature being capable of sliding up and down the scale and for the works to simply recognise that I’d like the work to encourage imagination and compassion in regard to others and ourselves.  Having won Sky Art’s Portrait Artist of the Year and received other recognitions such as Forbes  30 Under 30 Europe: Art & Culture and inclusion in the Evening Standard’s Art Power List 2023,  do you feel a shift in how you approach your work now compared to before these honours they have hugely shifted my confidence in my work; it’s been validating for my practice and has urged me forward to paint more ambitiously and accelerated the speed at which I can do it so it’s gifted me with more time as well as many more opportunities which I’m endlessly grateful for.  do you think these accolades influence how people interpret your art and your role as an artist Morag Caister: It has put my work in front of an audience that it wouldn’t have reached otherwise and I think it encourages those people to give it a chance.  are there any particular themes or subjects you are eager to explore in your future work I’m interested in pursuing these figurative sofa-based works and the threads that keep coming off them and I am excited for when it will become something else I have ideas for making a series of miniature works that stay in the home environment centring around themes of childhood independence and imagination as well as ideas using portraits to celebrate groups of people such as female writers or working with a charity and bringing awareness to a cause.  please share the guiding philosophy behind your art could you elaborate on art’s significant role in your life and career I think it comes from the purest part of who we are and engaging with art has brought me joy and delight throughout my life It’s helped me consider things I don’t understand and opened my eyes to the reality that different worlds exist which makes communicating with someone even more special when it works.  Len is a curator and a contributing writer at Art Plugged a platform for contemporary art; he also engages in web development Art Plugged is a contemporary platform inspired by a relationship with the broader arts communities We provide our audience with curated insight into the world of art from exhibitions to artist interviews and more We strive to showcase all mediums of art from all corners of the globe so we have you covered whether you’re a casual art lover or a serious collector TEHRAN (Defapress) - Following the collapse of the temporary ceasefire due to the actions of the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip the war in this roughly 350-square-kilometer enclave has entered a new phase with Hamas and the Zionist regime striving to gain the upper hand the Zionist regime has carried out heavy bombardments in the central and southern areas of the Gaza Strip in an attempt to destroy the Resistance of Hamas and Islamic Jihad—a tactic that has failed over the past seventeen months and will not succeed by firing dozens of rockets in the past week have demonstrated that they are on the verge of restoring their military strength and a shift in the battlefield conditions in favor of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance is taking shape The Palestinian Islamic Resistance continues to fire short-range rockets and missiles from the ruins of Gaza at Israeli positions while the Zionists have consistently claimed the destruction of the Resistance's weapons as a political and military bluff the Zionist regime is seeking the release of its captives in the Gaza Strip They have also recently threatened that if military confrontations continue they will permanently annex parts of the Gaza Strip to the occupied territories The Zionists aim to solidify their positions in the southern Gaza Strip and eliminate Hamas units in this strategic area Field reports indicate that the Zionist regime’s army has recently warned residents of Khan Younis of imminent heavy attacks in the area But the question remains: Why does the Zionist regime’s army want to destroy Hamas’ Rafah Brigade As evident from the situation on the ground in Gaza the Zionist regime has failed to stand up to Hamas in the field it is trying to force the Palestinian Islamic Resistance into surrender by bombing Gaza though this does not appear to be an easy task The Zionist regime’s army’s pretext for destroying Hamas’ Rafah Brigade is a sinister plan that would effectively partition the Gaza Strip with the strategic city of Rafah becoming a separate zone the Zionist regime aims to cut off Palestinians’ access to medical supplies The Rafah area is now surrounded on all sides by Israeli forces and the occupying forces will attempt to annex Rafah to the buffer zone as an area under occupiers’ control This 12-kilometer-long corridor separates Rafah from Khan Younis and would essentially sever Rafah from the rest of the Gaza Strip The Zionist regime’s army and its 188th Brigade recently occupied the Morag Corridor in the southern Gaza Strip effectively encircling Rafah from all directions Their likely special objective is to isolate this area to seize the initiative in the Gaza Strip If we examine the Zionist regime’s field actions we see that they are pursuing three main objectives in controlling the Morag Corridor (which connects Khan Younis and Rafah): Creating a new field reality through the involvement of the 36th Brigade Presenting Rafah as a buffer zone to ensure Zionist security expelling all Palestinian residents of Rafah and systematically demolishing all buildings (an act that constitutes a large-scale war crime which the international community must intervene to prevent) Launching a preemptive strike to gain leverage in negotiations with Hamas and Islamic Jihad it appears that Hamas can counter this plan through field Resistance and prevent its realization the Resistance in Gaza will face serious challenges the Morag Corridor must not become a tool for the Zionists in potential future negotiations Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement on Wednesday about Israel's intensifying operations in the Gaza Strip and announced that Israel will take control of an additional corridor We are also doing something else: We are seizing the Morag Corridor He explained that the reason for this is that "we are now dividing the Strip and increasing the pressure step by step And as long as they do not give them to us the pressure will increase until they do." Netanyahu affirmed: "We are determined to achieve the war's goals and we are working without rest and with a clear motive And with G-d's help and the help of our heroic soldiers - we will achieve it." The corridor that Netanyahu announced is seemingly named for the now destroyed Jewish village of Morag which was situated between Rafah and Khan Yunis If the corridor would run through the same area it would separate southern Gaza's two major cities Sign In Register members of the Unity Music Festival Association chose to recognize the many contributions of Morag Riddell in awarding their Volunteer of the Year plaque and flowers Riddell joked afterwards that it was not a big surprise since she had to sign all the winners’ certificates detailed Riddell’s involvement with the Unity Music Festival as follows Morag’s Mum was an accomplished pianist and bought the family a piano in the mid-1970s Morag grew up in Saskatoon and took piano and vocal lessons as a teenager Her first involvement with the Unity Music Festival began in 1990 Morag was teaching in Senlac and the teacher who was supposed to lead the school choir couldn’t attend the performance day “I didn’t really have a clue what I was doing.” Morag put her own choir from Senlac School into the music festival and was helped greatly by her accompanist In 1996 Morag joined the Unity Public School staff and participated in the Unity Music Festival with various classes in spoken word and diversified the festival with French spoken word and French songs Morag attended her first music festival meeting and was surprised to return home without a job Morag assumed the position of president and with Morag’s strong interest and capability in technology she pushed for online registration and started a website for the association Morag was teaching at Unity Composite High School so she also participated in the music festival with her senior French class doing French poems and [with] her English language arts class doing spoken word Morag continued with this participation until she retired from teaching in June of 2022 With music festival planning and registrations well underway the March 2020 shutdown due to Covid meant cancelling our in-person festival and pivoting to online performances In September 2020 Morag became past president but continued to use her technology expertise to help keep our music festival relevant and up to date with the rapid changes affecting our world The Carol Festival in December 2020 still could not be in person so Morag started our Facebook page to allow participants to post videos of performances for our online Carol Festival Morag returned to the role of president in September of 2023 and continues in that role today She has contributed in so many other ways to make our annual music festival a success energy and thinking ‘outside the box.’ We appreciate you very much This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page.