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Small plane crashes on Massachusetts highway median, killing 2 aboard and injuring motorist

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DARTMOUTH, Mass. (BN24) — A small aircraft crashed onto the median strip of Interstate 195 in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, Monday morning, killing two people aboard the plane and injuring one motorist, according to the Massachusetts State Police.

The fixed-wing aircraft went down around eight fifteen in the morning local time on the highway median between New Bedford and Fall River. The crash caused major disruptions to traffic in the area and prompted a large-scale emergency response.

Massachusetts State Police stated that two people aboard the aircraft were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities are being withheld until family members can be notified. One individual on the ground, possibly a motorist, was injured and transported by private vehicle to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford. The extent of their injuries was not immediately known.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane descending rapidly before it burst into flames upon impact. Video footage from the scene showed the main fuselage of the aircraft engulfed in flames, with debris scattered across the highway. Another burning section of the plane appeared to have landed on the opposite side of the road near the shoulder. A damaged car was also visible, though it remained unclear whether it was struck by the plane or damaged otherwise.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation confirmed that both westbound and eastbound lanes of Interstate 195 were shut down to secure the area. Initially, only the westbound lanes at Exit 19 were closed, but the closure was later extended in both directions as emergency crews arrived to handle the wreckage and fire.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have taken over the investigation into the cause of the crash. According to officials, the plane might have been attempting to land at New Bedford Regional Airport, located just a few miles away. However, it appears the pilot did not file a flight plan, and the exact number of occupants aboard remained uncertain.

Emergency personnel from Dartmouth, New Bedford and Fall River rushed to the crash site, along with Massachusetts State Police units, fire departments and EMS responders. The Westport Fire Department confirmed via Facebook that its team also assisted Dartmouth authorities in fire suppression and rescue operations.

The wreckage fire was extinguished after several minutes, but the scene remained cordoned off for hours as investigators documented debris and examined the crash pattern. State police said Interstate 195 would likely stay closed for several hours until the wreckage was cleared and the area deemed safe for reopening.

Local traffic was diverted through nearby routes, causing major congestion throughout the morning commute.

Eric Desouza, one witness traveling on Interstate 195, told NBC affiliate WJAR that he was in traffic when the plane came down. “We were coming down the highway, and suddenly everyone slammed on their brakes,” Desouza recalled. “There was smoke and fire ahead, and within minutes, police and firefighters were everywhere.”

Desouza said drivers were told to reverse their vehicles and turn around on the highway after the crash. “It’s not something you expect to see on your way to work,” he added. “No one ever imagines a plane coming down on a highway.”

Another witness described seeing a trail of smoke in the sky before the plane made an abrupt descent. “It looked like the engine was failing,” the witness said. “Then it disappeared behind the trees, and seconds later, there was an explosion.”

Residents of the Dartmouth area reported hearing a loud bang followed by plumes of black smoke visible from several miles away.

Officials have not confirmed what caused the aircraft to lose control, but engine failure or pilot error are among the early possibilities being considered. The FAA said it will analyze the wreckage, flight path data and communication logs to determine the cause of the accident.

The crash represents the latest in a series of small aircraft accidents in the northeastern United States. Federal aviation safety officials have been examining patterns in general aviation incidents to identify potential safety improvements.

The National Transportation Safety Board typically takes several months to complete investigations into aircraft accidents, issuing preliminary reports within weeks before conducting more comprehensive analyses of mechanical systems, weather conditions, pilot qualifications and other factors.

Massachusetts State Police urged anyone with additional information about the crash or who may have witnessed the aircraft’s final moments in the air to contact investigators.

All Living Israeli Hostages Freed as Hamas Completes First Phase Release, Trump Addresses Knesset

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Hamas released all twenty living Israeli hostages Monday in two separate handovers to the Red Cross, completing a critical first phase of the U.S.-backed ceasefire agreement as President Donald Trump arrived at Israel’s parliament to address the nation.

A second group of thirteen Israeli hostages was handed over to the Red Cross following an earlier release of seven hostages, according to Israeli public radio. Hamas confirmed that all living Israeli hostages have now been released, ending more than two years of captivity for the survivors.

All twenty hostages were reported to have been on their feet during the handovers, according to initial accounts. Photos were published of the first group of released hostages as they were transferred to Israeli custody.

As per the terms of the ceasefire agreement, twenty living hostages were due to be handed over Monday, with the bodies of up to twenty-eight deceased hostages also scheduled for release.

Trump’s plane overflew Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where thousands had gathered to celebrate the releases. The U.S. president later said the Gaza deal may be “the biggest thing I’ve ever done” as he arrived at the Knesset for a historic address to the Israeli parliament.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared in a post on X that “Today is the first, crucial phase in ending the war in the Middle East.” Speaking from Egypt ahead of Monday’s international summit to advance Trump’s framework, Starmer added: “Now we must deliver lasting peace and a secure future for the whole region. The United Kingdom is providing additional humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza, and we will lead efforts to accelerate its reconstruction.”

The completion of the living hostage releases marks a pivotal moment in the ceasefire implementation. Hamas held the hostages for more than two years following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed around twelve hundred people and saw two hundred fifty-one individuals taken captive.

The releases triggered scenes of jubilation in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where families of the captives have maintained a constant presence throughout the ordeal. Emotional reunions were expected at Israeli military facilities as the freed hostages underwent medical evaluations.

In exchange for the hostages, Israel is releasing nearly two thousand Palestinian detainees and convicted prisoners as part of the agreement mediated by the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey.

Trump became only the fourth U.S. president to address the Knesset, following Jimmy Carter in 1979, Bill Clinton in 1994 and George W. Bush in 2008. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greeted Trump at the airport with a hero’s welcome as Air Force One arrived.

The president will be awarded Israel’s highest civilian honor later this year, Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced.

World leaders are convening Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, for an international summit to discuss the next phases of the ceasefire agreement and plans for Gaza’s reconstruction and governance. More than twenty heads of state and government are attending the gathering.

The ceasefire agreement’s first phase calls for the release of all surviving hostages, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners, a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory.

However, significant challenges remain in implementing subsequent phases of Trump’s twenty-point plan. Those include determining Gaza’s postwar governance, addressing the future of Hamas, which has rejected Israeli demands to disarm, and resolving questions about Israeli withdrawal from the territory.

Two years of war have reduced Gaza to ruins, with nearly all of its two point two million residents homeless and facing a humanitarian catastrophe. Israeli airstrikes and ground assaults have killed more than sixty-seven thousand Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.

The conflict has also reshaped the Middle East through spillover confrontations involving Iran, Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis. The ceasefire represents the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the war began.

U.N. aid officials said Israel had approved delivery of additional emergency supplies to Gaza, where famine conditions persist in parts of the territory. The main U.N. aid agency working in Gaza, UNRWA, urged Israel to allow unhindered humanitarian operations.

Hamas’ armed wing affirmed its commitment to the ceasefire terms and timeline Monday, contingent on Israeli adherence to the agreement. The group said Israel agreed to the deal after failing to free hostages through military operations.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last year for Netanyahu for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, charges Israel denies. Israeli critics of the prime minister, including hostages’ families, have accused him of deliberately prolonging the war to satisfy far-right coalition partners crucial to his political survival.

The successful completion of the first phase hostage releases now sets the stage for more complex negotiations over Gaza’s long-term future and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hamas releases first 7 Israeli hostages as Trump arrives in Israel for historic parliamentary address

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TEL AVIV  (BN24) — Hamas handed over the first seven of twenty surviving Israeli hostages on Monday, a key step in ending two years of devastating war in Gaza under a ceasefire deal engineered by U.S. President Donald Trump, who landed in Israel to address its parliament.

Hamas released seven hostages into the custody of the Red Cross on Monday, the first to be freed as part of a breakthrough ceasefire after two years of war between Israel and Hamas in the devastated Gaza Strip. Palestinians awaited the release of hundreds of prisoners held by Israel as part of the exchange agreement.

As thousands of people cheered, hugged and wept in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, Israel’s military said it had received seven living hostages after their transfer out of the Gaza Strip by the Red Cross.

“I am so excited. I am full of happiness. It’s hard to imagine how I feel this moment. I didn’t sleep all night,” said Viki Cohen, mother of hostage Nimrod Cohen, as she traveled to Reim, an Israeli military camp where the hostages will be transferred.

The military said the Red Cross was en route to receive more of the remaining thirteen confirmed living hostages, who were all expected to be released Monday. Bodies of some of the twenty-eight dead hostages, and another two whose fate is unknown, will also be released Monday, along with nearly two thousand Palestinian detainees and convicted prisoners held in Israel.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen celebrated the release of hostages by Hamas and their return to Israel as a moment of “pure joy for those families” and “relief for the entire world.”

“It means that a page can be turned. A new chapter can begin,” von der Leyen said in a statement. “The finalization of the agreement ending the war today in Sharm el-Sheikh will be a historical milestone.”

She said the twenty-seven-nation European Union was ready to support peace efforts by the United States, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey as well as reconstruction in Gaza, especially in “support on governance and for the reform of the Palestinian Authority.”

In Gaza, about a dozen masked and black-clad gunmen, apparently members of Hamas’ armed wing, arrived at Nasser Hospital where a stage and chairs had been laid out to welcome returning Palestinian prisoners.

“I hope that these images can be the end to this war. We lost friends and relatives, we lost our houses and our city,” said Emad Abu Joudat, fifty-seven, a Palestinian father of six from Gaza City as he watched the handover preparations on his phone.

The releases are one of the most important parts of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement concluded last week in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, where Trump and more than twenty other world leaders will convene later Monday.

The United States mediated the agreement along with Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, with the next phase calling for an international body, a “Board of Peace,” led by Trump.

Trump landed in Israel shortly after the announced release of the first group of hostages to a hero’s welcome. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood waiting at the airport as Air Force One taxied in, then accompanied Trump by limousine as a band played.

Trump will become only the fourth U.S. president to address the Knesset, following Jimmy Carter in 1979, Bill Clinton in 1994 and George W. Bush in 2008. He will be awarded Israel’s highest civilian honor later this year, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said.

Progress toward lasting peace now hinges on global commitments that may be taken up at Monday’s summit, but much could yet go wrong. Further steps in Trump’s twenty-point plan have yet to be agreed by the two sides. Those include how the demolished Gaza Strip will be governed once fighting ends and the ultimate fate of Hamas, which has rejected Israel’s demands that it disarm.

The group’s appearance Monday with fighters gathered at Nasser Hospital underscored the likely difficulty of assuaging Israeli concerns about the Islamist militant group’s continued hold over Gaza, which it has ruled since 2007.

Further sticking points may include Israel’s own continued withdrawal from the Gaza Strip beyond the lines to which it pulled back in recent days and moves toward the creation of a Palestinian state, something rejected by many Israelis.

Near Israel’s Reim camp, where the hostages will be brought to be taken to hospitals, people lined the road waving Israeli flags on which a yellow ribbon, the symbol of remembrance for the hostages, was interwoven with the blue Star of David.

At Israeli prisons, some nineteen hundred sixty-six Palestinian detainees boarded buses and most were expected to be released at Gaza’s Nasser Hospital on Monday, an official involved in the operation said.

In a statement Monday, the armed wing of Hamas affirmed its commitment to the terms and timeline of the deal, contingent on Israel’s adherence. It said Israel agreed to a ceasefire and swap deal after it failed to free the hostages through its military offensive.

U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher said on X that Israel had approved the delivery of more emergency supplies and the main U.N. aid agency working in Gaza, UNRWA, urged Israel to let it work unhindered in the territory. A surge of humanitarian aid was expected into famine-stricken Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people have been left homeless.

Two years of war have reduced Gaza to a sea of rubble, with nearly all its two point two million people homeless, and caused a humanitarian disaster on a huge scale. It has also reshaped the Middle East through spillover Israeli conflicts with Iran, Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis.

The conflict was sparked by a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, that killed around twelve hundred people in Israel with two hundred fifty-one taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Israeli airstrikes and ground assaults have since devastated Gaza, killing more than sixty-seven thousand Palestinians, the enclave’s health officials say.

Israeli critics of Netanyahu, including hostages’ families, accused him of deliberately prolonging the war to placate his far-right government coalition partners, whose backing is crucial to his political survival.

The International Criminal Court last year issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, which Israel denies.

While major questions remain about the future of Hamas and Gaza, the exchange of hostages and prisoners marked a key step toward ending the deadliest war ever between Israel and the militant group. The success of the ceasefire’s first phase will determine whether negotiations can advance to address the more difficult issues of Gaza’s governance and long-term security arrangements.

AP/Reuters

Afghanistan claims 58 Pakistani soldiers killed in overnight border operations

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Afghanistan said Sunday it killed fifty-eight Pakistani soldiers in overnight border operations in response to what it called repeated violations of its territory and airspace, while Pakistan’s army gave far lower casualty figures, saying twenty-three troops were killed.

The Taliban government’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said Afghan forces captured twenty-five Pakistani army posts, leaving thirty Pakistani soldiers wounded. He spoke at a news conference in Kabul announcing what he described as successful retaliatory operations.

“The situation on all official borders and de facto lines of Afghanistan is under complete control, and illegal activities have been largely prevented,” Mujahid said.

Earlier in the week, Afghan authorities accused Pakistan of bombing the capital, Kabul, and a market in the country’s east. Pakistan did not claim responsibility for the assault.

The Taliban government’s Defense Ministry said early Sunday morning its forces had conducted “retaliatory and successful operations” along the border. “If the opposing side again violates Afghanistan’s territorial integrity, our armed forces are fully prepared to defend the nation’s borders and will deliver a strong response,” the ministry added.

Saturday night’s heavy clashes underscore deepening tensions between the neighbors. Pakistan has previously struck locations inside Afghanistan, targeting what it alleges are militant hideouts, but these have been in remote and mountainous areas. The two sides have also skirmished along the border in the past.

The Torkham crossing, one of two main trade routes between the two countries, did not open Sunday at its usual time of eight in the morning. The crossing at Chaman in southwest Pakistan was also closed. People, including Afghan refugees leaving Pakistan, were turned away due to the worsening security situation.

An Associated Press reporter in Chaman heard jets over Spin Boldak, a city in Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar province, and saw smoke rising after an explosion.

Before the Afghan claim of casualties, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the assault and said the country’s army “not only gave a befitting reply to Afghanistan’s provocations but also destroyed several of their posts, forcing them to retreat.”

Pakistani security officials shared videos purporting to show destroyed Afghan checkpoints, but the footage could not be independently verified because the media does not have access to these areas.

The Pakistani army said more than two hundred “Taliban and affiliated terrorists have been neutralized, while the number of injured is much higher.”

According to Pakistani security officials, Afghan forces opened fire in several northwestern border areas in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. One official in Islamabad told The Associated Press that Pakistan had taken control of nineteen Afghan border posts from where attacks were being launched. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

“The Taliban personnel at these posts have either been killed or fled. Fires and visible destruction have been observed at the captured Afghan posts,” the official added.

Pakistan accuses Afghan authorities of harboring members of the banned group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. Islamabad says the group carries out deadly attacks inside Pakistan, but Kabul denies the charge, saying it does not allow its territory to be used against other countries.

Pakistan is grappling with surging militancy, especially in areas bordering Afghanistan. It also accuses its nuclear-armed neighbor and rival India of backing armed groups, without providing evidence.

The overnight border clashes could fuel regional instability, as India and Pakistan came close to war earlier this year after a tourist massacre in the disputed region of Kashmir. India has also boosted its relations with Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers, most recently announcing an upgrade of its technical mission in Kabul to a full embassy.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry called for “restraint, avoidance of escalation and the adoption of dialogue and wisdom to help de-escalate tensions and maintain the security and stability of the region.” Saudi Arabia recently reached a mutual defense pact with Pakistan. Qatar also urged restraint.

Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, who is in India on an official visit, told journalists that Afghanistan respected the calls made by the two Gulf powers to stop what he called “retaliatory strikes” against Pakistan. But he also warned that Kabul reserved the right to protect itself.

“We want a peaceful resolution of the situation, but if the peace efforts don’t succeed, we have other options,” Muttaqi said.

The two countries share a twenty-six hundred eleven-kilometer border known as the Durand Line, but Afghanistan has never recognized it. The disputed boundary has been a source of friction since the line was drawn by British colonial authorities in eighteen ninety-three, dividing ethnic Pashtun populations on both sides.

The closure of the border crossings threatens to disrupt vital trade between the landlocked Afghanistan and Pakistan, which serves as a crucial transit route for Afghan commerce. The Torkham and Chaman crossings handle the bulk of trade and travel between the two nations.

Regional powers are watching the escalation with concern. The conflict comes as Afghanistan’s Taliban government seeks greater international legitimacy while Pakistan deals with increased militant violence in its border regions.

The dramatically different casualty figures reported by both sides could not be independently verified, as access to the border areas remains restricted for journalists and international observers.

AP

Plane crash near Hicks Airfield sparks massive truck fire in Fort Worth, Texas

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A small plane crashed near Hicks Airfield on Sunday afternoon, colliding with several 18-wheeler trucks and igniting a massive blaze that sent thick black smoke billowing over the Fort Worth area, authorities said.

The Fort Worth Fire Department confirmed that the aircraft struck multiple trucks and trailers at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time. The impact triggered a fire that quickly spread through a series of parked big rigs, engulfing them in flames.

Video footage shared on social media showed towering plumes of dark smoke rising into the sky as motorists drove past the crash site. At least several trucks and trailers were completely engulfed, creating a hazardous scene as emergency crews rushed to contain the fire.

Firefighters responded swiftly to extinguish the flames and secure the area. Officials have not yet released details on the type of aircraft involved or the number of people on board. There was no immediate word on casualties or injuries as investigators worked through the wreckage.

Authorities said the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash.

The area surrounding Hicks Airfield was temporarily closed as crews worked to bring the blaze under control and clear debris from the crash site.

Dailymail.com

Trump departs for Middle East to mark Gaza ceasefire deal-AP

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President Donald Trump departed for Israel and Egypt on Sunday to celebrate the U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas and urge Middle East allies to seize the opportunity to build durable peace in the volatile region.

The trip comes at a fragile moment with Israel and Hamas only in the early stages of implementing the first phase of the Trump agreement designed to bring a permanent end to the war sparked by the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas-led militants.

Trump believes there is a narrow window to reshape the Middle East and reset long-fraught relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors. The Republican president says the moment has been helped by his administration’s support of Israel’s decimation of Iranian proxies, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“Very excited about this moment in time,” Trump told reporters before Air Force One took off. He said many people in both Israel and Arab countries were “cheering” the agreement, adding that “everybody’s amazed and their thrilled and we’re going to have an amazing time.”

The White House says momentum is building because Arab and Muslim states are demonstrating renewed focus on resolving the broader, decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict and, in some cases, deepening relations with the United States.

Trump said Friday that “I think you are going to have tremendous success and Gaza is going to be rebuilt” and that “you have some very wealthy countries, as you know, over there. It would take a small fraction of their wealth to do that. And I think they want to do it.”

The first phase of the ceasefire agreement calls for release of the final forty-eight hostages held by Hamas, including about twenty believed to be alive, release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a surge of humanitarian aid to Gaza and a partial pullback by Israeli forces from Gaza’s main cities.

Israeli troops on Friday finished withdrawing from parts of Gaza, triggering a seventy-two-hour countdown under the deal for Hamas to release the Israeli hostages, potentially while Trump is on the ground there. He said he expected their return to be completed Monday or Tuesday.

Trump will visit Israel first to meet with hostage families and address the Knesset, an honor last extended to President George W. Bush during a visit in 2008. Vice President JD Vance said Sunday that Trump also was likely to meet with newly freed hostages.

“Knock on wood, but we feel very confident the hostages will be released and this president is actually traveling to the Middle East, likely this evening, in order to meet them and greet them in person,” Vance told CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

Trump then stops in Egypt, where he and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi will lead a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh with leaders from more than twenty countries on peace in Gaza and the broader Middle East.

The truce remains tenuous and it is unclear whether the sides have reached any agreement on Gaza’s postwar governance, the territory’s reconstruction and Israel’s demand that Hamas disarm. Negotiations over those issues could break down, and Israel has hinted it may resume military operations if its demands are not met.

H.R. McMaster, a national security adviser during Trump’s first term, said at an event hosted by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies on Thursday that he thought the chances of Hamas disarming itself were “pretty close to zero.” He said what probably would happen in coming months is that the Israeli military “is going to have to destroy them.”

Israel continues to rule over millions of Palestinians without basic rights as settlements expand rapidly across the occupied West Bank. Despite growing international recognition, Palestinian statehood appears exceedingly remote because of Israel’s opposition and actions on the ground.

The war has left Israel isolated internationally and facing allegations of genocide, which it denies. International arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister are in effect, and the United Nations’ highest court is considering allegations of genocide brought by South Africa.

Hamas has been militarily decimated and has given up its only bargaining chip with Israel by releasing the hostages. But the Islamic militant group remains intact and could eventually rebuild if there is an extended period of calm.

Netanyahu reiterated that Israel would continue with its demilitarization of Hamas after the hostages are returned. “Hamas agreed to the deal only when it felt that the sword was on its neck — and it is still on its neck,” Netanyahu said Friday as Israel began to pull back its troops.

Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble and rebuilding is expected to take years. The territory’s roughly two million residents continue to struggle in desperate conditions.

Under the deal, Israel agreed to reopen five border crossings, which will help ease the flow of food and other supplies into Gaza, parts of which are experiencing famine conditions.

Trump is standing up a U.S.-led civil-military coordination center in Israel to help facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid as well as logistical and security assistance into Gaza. Roughly two hundred U.S. troops will help support and monitor the ceasefire deal as part of a team that includes partner nations, nongovernmental organizations and private-sector players. U.S. troops will not be sent to Gaza, Admiral Brad Cooper, the U.S. military commander for the region, said in a social media post Saturday.

The White House has signaled that Trump is looking to quickly return attention to building on a first-term effort known as the Abraham Accords, which forged diplomatic and commercial ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco.

A permanent agreement in Gaza would help pave the path for Trump to begin talks with Saudi Arabia as well as Indonesia, the most populous Muslim country, toward normalizing ties with Israel, according to a senior Trump administration official who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity.

Such a deal with Saudi Arabia, the most powerful and wealthy Arab state, has potential to reshape the region and boost Israel’s standing in historic ways.

But brokering such an agreement remains a heavy lift as the kingdom has said it will not officially recognize Israel before a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The trip represents Trump’s most ambitious foreign policy initiative since returning to office, attempting to capitalize on the ceasefire momentum to pursue broader regional transformation. The president has cast the Gaza agreement as proof of his negotiating prowess and suggested it demonstrates renewed American influence in the Middle East.

However, significant obstacles remain. The agreement’s later phases, including discussions of Gaza’s future governance and reconstruction, have not been fully negotiated. Israeli and Hamas positions on fundamental issues remain far apart, raising questions about whether the ceasefire can evolve into lasting peace.

4 dead, 20 injured in mass shooting at South Carolina bar, officials say

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A mass shooting at a popular bar on St. Helena Island early Sunday left four people dead and at least 20 others wounded, shaking one of South Carolina’s most historic coastal communities, authorities said.

The shooting happened shortly after midnight at Willie’s Bar and Grill, a well-known gathering spot on the island. Deputies from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunfire and arrived to find a chaotic scene with numerous victims suffering from gunshot wounds.

“Multiple victims and witnesses ran to the nearby businesses and properties seeking shelter from the gun shots,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement posted on X.

Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene. At least 20 more people were taken to area hospitals for treatment, including four who were listed in critical condition, officials said. The identities of the deceased have not yet been released pending notification of their families.

“This is a tragic and difficult incident for everyone,” the sheriff’s office said. “We ask for your patience as we continue to investigate this incident. Our thoughts are with all of the victims and their loved ones.”

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace expressed condolences in a social media post Sunday morning. “COMPLETELY HEARTBROKEN to learn about the devastating shooting in Beaufort County,” she wrote on X. “Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this horrific act of violence.”

No arrests have been announced as investigators work to identify suspects and determine a motive. Authorities have not provided information on whether multiple shooters may have been involved.

St. Helena Island, located just off the South Carolina coast, is home to the largest Gullah community in the region. The island’s estimated 5,000 residents are largely descendants of enslaved Africans who worked the area’s rice plantations before emancipation during the Civil War. Its relative isolation over centuries allowed the Gullah to preserve much of their African linguistic and cultural heritage, including a unique dialect, cast-net fishing, and basket weaving traditions.

The shooting has deeply unsettled the tight-knit community, which is known more for its cultural legacy and coastal beauty than for violence.

Credit: Associated Press

Floods kill 238, displace over 135,000 across 27 states in Nigeria

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ABUJA, Nigeria (BN24) — Torrential rains and flash floods sweeping across Nigeria have killed at least 238 people and displaced more than 135,000 residents in what authorities describe as one of the worst seasonal disasters in recent years.

The data, released by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Saturday through its 2025 Flood Dashboard, paints a stark picture of widespread humanitarian need and escalating vulnerability as the country nears the end of its rainy season.

So far, the floods have affected a staggering 409,714 people nationwide. At least 826 individuals have suffered injuries ranging from minor to severe, while 115 people remain unaccounted for, their fates unknown amid submerged settlements and crumbling infrastructure.

Flood-related fatalities have been reported in multiple regions, with 27 states and 117 local government areas recording significant destruction. While no single region has been spared, the brunt of the disaster has fallen on communities in Adamawa, Lagos, and Akwa Ibom states, the three most heavily impacted zones.

In Adamawa, 60,608 people were affected by floodwaters, many forced from their homes into makeshift shelters or exposed to the elements. In Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub and most densely populated state, 57,951 residents were displaced as drainage systems were overwhelmed, leading to rapid urban flooding. Akwa Ibom, a coastal state in the Niger Delta, reported 46,233 people impacted.

Other heavily affected states include:

  • Taraba: 28,107 affected
  • Imo: 26,041
  • Kaduna: 24,240
  • Rivers: 22,345

In addition, Delta, Abia, Edo, Niger, Borno, Yobe, Bayelsa, Cross River, Sokoto, Kogi, and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) also reported significant levels of displacement, loss of property, and damage to farmland.

According to NEMA, 47,708 homes have been either destroyed or severely damaged, displacing tens of thousands of families. Compounding the crisis, about 62,653 hectares of cultivated farmland have been submerged, raising fears of increased food insecurity and economic instability, particularly in rural regions dependent on seasonal agriculture.

The loss of crops during the critical harvest period could lead to supply chain disruptions and price spikes in staple commodities, exacerbating existing inflationary pressures already affecting the nation’s food sector.

The demographic breakdown of those affected reveals the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations. Children represent the largest group, with 188,118 affected by the floods. Women follow with 125,307, and men account for 77,423.

Elderly citizens and individuals with disabilities also form a significant portion of the affected. NEMA’s report notes that 18,866 elderly persons and 2,418 persons living with disabilities are among those displaced or in urgent need of assistance.

In its situation analysis, NEMA identified the most urgent humanitarian needs: food, shelter, access to clean water and sanitation, health services, and livelihood support. Secondary priorities include education, nutrition, protection for vulnerable groups, and improved security at crowded displacement sites.

However, the agency warned that a range of challenges has significantly hampered efforts to deliver aid and conduct search-and-rescue missions. Chief among them is inaccessibility — with 63 percent of flood-affected areas cut off by washed-out roads, collapsed bridges, or impassable terrain. In some regions, responders must use canoes and boats to reach isolated communities.

Security concerns (18 percent) — including theft of relief materials and unrest in displacement camps have further complicated response efforts. In comparison, a 10 percent shortage in critical resources, including fuel, medical supplies, and personnel, has slowed the pace of humanitarian interventions.

NEMA continues to monitor the evolving situation as floodwaters in some regions begin to recede. However, officials caution that more rainfall could still occur in the coming weeks, particularly in southern states, potentially worsening the crisis.

The agency has urged state governments, local emergency committees, and international humanitarian partners to coordinate efforts to ensure aid reaches those in need swiftly.

With thousands of families still living in schools, mosques, churches, and temporary shelters, the scale of rebuilding will be enormous — both in physical infrastructure and livelihoods lost.

The 2025 flood season, though not yet over, is already being compared to past catastrophic years such as 2012 and 2022, when flooding displaced millions and triggered nationwide emergencies.

For now, the priority remains saving lives, preventing disease outbreaks, and restoring dignity to displaced citizens struggling to survive in the aftermath.

Paedophile singer Ian Watkins killed in prison attack, 2 inmates arrested for murder

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WAKEFIELD, England (BN24) — Former Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins has died following a violent assault inside HMP Wakefield, where he was serving a 29-year sentence for multiple child sex offences. West Yorkshire Police confirmed on Sunday that two male inmates, aged 25 and 43, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Watkins, 48, was found critically injured on Saturday morning after an attack at the high-security facility. Emergency services were called to the prison shortly after reports of a serious assault on an inmate, who was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The Prison Service acknowledged an “incident” had occurred at the facility but declined to offer further details, citing an ongoing police investigation.

Watkins, originally from Pontypridd in South Wales, was jailed in December 2013 after admitting to a catalogue of child sexual offences described by prosecutors as “shocking” and “beyond imagination.” Among the charges were the attempted rape of a baby, conspiracy to rape a child, sexual assault of children under 13, and possession of extreme pornographic images, including one involving an animal.

The trial revealed Watkins had used his fame as the lead singer of the multi-platinum rock band Lostprophets to manipulate fans and exploit children. He committed many of the offences with the help of two female accomplices, both mothers of children he abused. They were sentenced to 14 and 17 years in prison, respectively.

Sentencing him in 2013, Mr. Justice Royce described the case as one that “plunged into new depths of depravity,” adding that any “decent person will experience shock, revulsion and incredulity.” The judge noted Watkins’s lack of remorse and described him as having a “corrupting influence.”

Watkins had previously survived a prison attack in August 2023, during which he sustained injuries that were not life-threatening.

His death comes less than two weeks after a damning report into HMP Wakefield highlighted a sharp rise in violence at the prison. The Chief Inspector of Prisons noted that many inmates, especially older men convicted of sexual offences, reported feeling unsafe due to rising tensions with younger prisoners.

The report stated that Wakefield Prison, sometimes referred to as “Monster Mansion” due to its high-profile inmate population, had become increasingly volatile. The watchdog warned of “markedly increased” levels of violence and inadequate protection for vulnerable inmates.

Once one of Wales’ most recognisable musicians, Watkins fronted Lostprophets from its formation in 1997 until the band disbanded following his arrest in 2013. The group sold millions of albums and toured internationally before collapsing under the weight of Watkins’ criminal revelations.

The case shocked both fans and the wider public, with prosecutors accusing Watkins of being driven by power, drugs, and fame. His trial revealed the use of hard drugs like crystal meth and a pattern of calculated manipulation over vulnerable individuals.

Following his conviction, children’s charity NSPCC said Watkins had “used his status and global fame as a means to manipulate people and sexually abuse children,” reminding the public that “this case isn’t about celebrity, it’s about victims.”

As of Sunday, West Yorkshire Police said the investigation into Watkins’ death was ongoing. The two suspects remain in custody.

Messi, Alba shine as Inter Miami wins final game at Chase Stadium

By
Emmanuel
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0

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (BN24) — Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba delivered a dazzling performance Saturday night as Inter Miami CF cruised to a 4-0 victory over Atlanta United FC in their final regular-season match at Chase Stadium, sealing a crucial three points ahead of the MLS playoffs.

Messi, temporarily released from international duty with Argentina, led the Herons as captain and scored twice while setting up a goal for Alba in an emotional farewell match at the Fort Lauderdale venue. Inter Miami is set to move into its new home, Miami Freedom Park, in 2026.

The 37-year-old World Cup champion had been called up by Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni for October friendlies against Venezuela and Puerto Rico. However, Scaloni cleared him to play for Miami after deciding not to use him in Friday’s match.

“It was pretty straightforward yesterday before the game,” Miami coach Javier Mascherano said. “I spoke with Scaloni, and he told me he was going to release him. Leo was willing to play, and we saw what he did today — he helped us win. He scored, which was also important for him.”

Messi opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a trademark curling strike into the top-left corner for his 25th goal of the season. Minutes later, he turned provider, lofting a perfectly weighted ball to Alba, who chipped Atlanta goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert to make it 2-0.

Alba, 36, who will retire at the end of the 2025 MLS season, received a special tribute from Inter Miami after the final whistle. A video montage celebrated his career with messages from former coaches and teammates.

“I think I’ve had a very good career,” Alba said. “It’s been special, and I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved. Now we have the last game against Nashville, then the playoffs. Hopefully I can win them and then rest.”

Luis Suárez added Miami’s third with a clinical volley from the edge of the penalty area in the 61st minute, and Messi struck again late in the match to seal the 4-0 scoreline. His brace brought his season tally to 26 goals, moving him two ahead of LAFC striker Denis Bouanga in the MLS Golden Boot race.

“At this point in his life, winning the Golden Boot isn’t going to change him too much,” Mascherano said. “But if it’s there, he’ll go for it. It was a great night for the team, for him, for everyone.”

Several Argentina teammates, including Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Nicolás Otamendi and Giovani Lo Celso, watched from the sidelines and celebrated each goal. Messi may return to national team duty for Argentina’s upcoming friendly against Puerto Rico on Tuesday at Chase Stadium, depending on how the coming days unfold.

Miami is now tied on points with FC Cincinnati in second place heading into the final round of the regular season. The Herons will travel to face Nashville, while Cincinnati hosts Montreal. The Philadelphia Union have already secured first place in the Eastern Conference and the Supporters’ Shield for the best overall regular-season record.

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