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Israel Prepares to Forcibly Displace Palestinians to Southern Gaza

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Israel Prepares to Forcibly Displace Palestinians to Southern Gaza

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (BN24) — Israel said Saturday it is preparing to forcibly evacuate Palestinians from “combat zones” in northern Gaza to the south, deepening fears of mass displacement as fighting intensifies around Gaza City.

Military spokesperson Avichay Adraee announced that beginning Sunday, civilians would be moved to encampments in southern Gaza, with tents and supplies to be provided through the Karem Abu Salem, or Kerem Shalom, crossing in coordination with the United Nations and international relief groups. The UN has not confirmed its role in the relocation plan.

The announcement comes less than a week after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces had been authorized to “dismantle” what he called Hamas strongholds in Gaza City and the southern coastal strip of al-Mawasi. Gaza City, with an estimated population of one million, is at the center of the offensive, though officials have not clarified where displaced residents will be taken.

The move drew sharp condemnation from Palestinian factions. Islamic Jihad denounced the plan as “a blatant and brazen mockery of international conventions,” saying forced evacuation under bombardment and starvation amounted to “an ongoing crime against humanity.”

On the ground, Israeli operations have intensified in Gaza City neighborhoods including Zeitoun and Shujayea, where residents reported heavy shelling and drone strikes. An airstrike on a home near the al-Alami Mosque in eastern Gaza killed one person and wounded three, while a drone strike in the Asqaula area killed two and injured others, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.

The violence also reached al-Mawasi, an area previously designated by Israel as a “safe zone.” An Israeli air raid struck a tented encampment there Saturday, killing Motasem al-Batta, his wife, and their infant daughter. “Two and a half months, what has she done?” asked their neighbor, Fathi Shubeir, as he mourned the baby girl.

The toll of Israel’s war in Gaza continues to mount. The territory’s Health Ministry said Saturday that at least 61,827 people have been killed since October 2023. Malnutrition has claimed 251 lives, including 11 in the past 24 hours alone. Officials said 40,000 infants are suffering from severe malnutrition due to restrictions on aid deliveries.

Hospitals remain overwhelmed. At Gaza City’s al-Shifa Hospital, Director Mohammed Abu Salmiya said doctors were performing amputations without adequate medicine as patients succumbed to infection and hunger. The World Health Organization estimated that more than 14,800 patients require lifesaving medical care unavailable in Gaza.

Some have been flown abroad for treatment, but survival remains uncertain. Twenty-year-old Marah Abu Zuhri, evacuated to Italy on a humanitarian flight, died Friday after arriving severely emaciated, Pisa’s University Hospital said.

As Israeli forces push deeper into Gaza City, the United Nations has warned that the forced evacuation plan risks pushing families already enduring extreme deprivation “over the edge,” worsening what it calls one of the world’s most dire humanitarian crises.

Source: Aljazeera

Suspected Islamist Rebels Kill 30 in Congo’s North Kivu Province

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Suspected Islamist Rebels Kill 30 in Congo’s North Kivu Province

GOMA, Congo (BN24) — Suspected Islamist rebels aligned with the Islamic State group have killed at least 30 people in a wave of attacks on villages in Congo’s volatile North Kivu province, a military official said Saturday, underscoring the worsening security crisis in the country’s east.

The attacks struck Bapere village between Wednesday and Friday, according to Col. Alain Kiwawa, the military administrator of Lubero territory, who confirmed the death toll and warned that more than 100 people remain in rebel captivity.

“We have more than 30 people dead, and at least a hundred who are being held hostage,” Kiwawa told The Associated Press. He urged residents to remain on high alert as the violence continues.

Witnesses said victims were largely killed with knives and machetes, while several homes were set ablaze. Samuel Kaheni, head of the local Bapere civil society organization, described the assaults as “systematic and brutal,” noting that families are still searching for missing relatives.

The Allied Democratic Force (ADF), a militant group with origins in neighboring Uganda, is believed to be behind the killings. The ADF, which pledged allegiance to the Islamic State several years ago, has staged repeated massacres in eastern Congo. Just last month, the group killed nearly 40 worshippers in an attack on a Catholic church in Ituri province, again relying on machetes in its assault.

Despite joint military operations by Congolese and Ugandan forces, the ADF has intensified its attacks, targeting remote villages near the porous border region. The mounting bloodshed comes as Congo’s government is already grappling with other armed groups, including the M23 rebels, who have seized key strongholds such as Goma, further destabilizing the region.

The cycle of violence has left thousands dead and displaced millions in eastern Congo, where aid groups warn that humanitarian needs are escalating amid renewed insurgent activity.

Printout Identifying Gift, Menu at Trump-Putin Summit Accidentally Left at Hotel Printer

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Printout Identifying Gift, Menu at Trump-Putin Summit Accidentally Left at Hotel Printer

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (BN24) — An eight-page printout containing details of President Donald Trump’s planned gift for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the lunch menu for their high-profile Ukraine peace summit was accidentally left in a hotel printer in Anchorage, prompting embarrassment but no apparent security breach.

The papers, discovered hours before the summit at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, included documents outlining non-public but largely routine information, much of which had already been released by the White House. Still, the incident went viral after NPR reported that three guests at the upscale Hotel Captain Cook came across the materials in a publicly accessible printer.

Among the documents were two pages listing the menu for a lunch that never took place, which featured filet mignon with brandy peppercorn sauce and a salad with champagne vinaigrette. Another page contained a seating chart that positioned Trump and Putin at the center of a boardroom-style table for an expanded bilateral session.

The printout also revealed that Trump planned to present Putin with an American bald eagle desk statue. It included the names, photos, and roles of U.S. and Russian participants, along with phonetic instructions for staff on how to pronounce the Russian leader’s name as “POO-tihn.” Three direct phone numbers for advance staffers responsible for preparing the event were also listed.

Officials emphasized that the materials did not contain sensitive security information and that most of the planned agenda had already been publicly posted by the White House. Nonetheless, the summit itself shifted dramatically when Trump abandoned a scheduled cease-fire announcement and instead returned to Washington claiming optimism about negotiating a broader peace agreement.

The meeting between Trump and Putin comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky prepares to visit the White House on Monday. He is expected to discuss Putin’s proposal that Ukraine cede remaining territory in Donetsk province in exchange for a multinational peacekeeping force including British and French troops to deter further Russian advances.

Pakistan’s Monsoon Flooding Death Toll Climbs to 220 as More Rains Loom

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Pakistan’s Monsoon Flooding Death Toll Climbs to 220 as More Rains Loom

ISLAMABAD (BN24) — The death toll from Pakistan’s devastating monsoon floods has risen to at least 220 people after rescuers pulled dozens more bodies from homes destroyed by flash floods and landslides in the country’s northwest, officials said Saturday. Forecasters warned that more torrential rain is expected in the coming days, raising fears of further destruction.

Emergency officials said 63 additional bodies were recovered overnight in Buner district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, one of the worst-hit areas where swollen streams and sudden cloudbursts sent massive floodwaters crashing through villages. Witnesses described a terrifying surge of boulders and mud that swept away entire neighborhoods within minutes.

Local police officer Imtiaz Khan, who narrowly escaped, said a stream near Pir Baba village swelled without warning, unleashing “tons of rocks” and flattening 60 to 70 houses. “Our police station was washed away too,” he said. “If we hadn’t climbed to higher ground, we would not have survived.”

In Pir Baba and Malik Pura, the hardest-hit villages, rescue teams continued digging through rubble and collapsed homes. Residents joined in searching for missing loved ones as funeral prayers were held across the area. “Before yesterday’s floods, the area was bustling with life,” said Mufti Fazal, a local cleric who has been leading mass funerals. “Now, there is grief and sorrow everywhere.”

Doctors in Buner reported that most victims, many of them children, died before reaching hospitals. Survivors described scenes of chaos and destruction, with giant rocks filling the streets as floodwaters receded. “It was not just floodwater, it was a flood of boulders,” said Sultan Syed, who suffered a broken arm.

Officials said Pakistan has experienced higher-than-normal monsoon rainfall this year, which experts link to climate change. Since late June, more than 541 people have died in rain-related incidents nationwide, according to the National Disaster Management Authority.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari offered condolences to the families of the victims and pledged government support for rebuilding. The provincial chief minister, Ali Amin Gandapur, said efforts were underway to repair roads and restore critical infrastructure in the flood-ravaged province.

Rescue teams have also evacuated more than 3,500 stranded tourists from flood-hit areas in northern Pakistan. Despite warnings, many travelers ventured into vulnerable mountain regions. The Meteorological Department has forecast intensifying monsoon activity beginning Sunday, particularly in the north and northwest, heightening concerns of new disasters.

Pakistan, still reeling from its worst-ever monsoon season in 2022 that killed over 1,700 people and caused $40 billion in damage, once again finds itself at the mercy of extreme weather fueled by climate change.

American Woman Caught Smuggling $1M of Crack Cocaine Inside 17-Pound Parmesan Wheel

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American Woman Caught Smuggling $1M of Crack Cocaine Inside 17-Pound Parmesan Wheel

LONDON (BN24) — A 23-year-old California woman has been sentenced to more than five years in prison after authorities discovered over $1 million worth of crack cocaine hidden inside a massive Parmesan cheese wheel at London’s Heathrow Airport, British officials said.

Jamie Choi, of Los Angeles, was stopped by UK Border Force agents on May 25 after arriving on a flight from Brazil carrying a 17-pound wheel of Parmesan. The unusually heavy item raised suspicions, prompting officers to conduct further checks. Inside, investigators uncovered a sophisticated concealment containing highly pure crack cocaine.

Forensic tests revealed the drugs were 94% pure, making the stash worth more than $1 million on the street, officials said.

“We’ve seen people trying to smuggle cocaine into the UK hidden inside all manner of innocuous-looking items, but Border Force and the National Crime Agency are well-practised in finding drugs, whatever the disguise,” Barry Vinall, a senior officer with the NCA, said in a statement.

Authorities also traced Choi’s travel route in the days leading up to her arrest. Records show she departed Los Angeles for Lima, Peru, before continuing through Asuncion, Paraguay, and Sao Paulo, Brazil, prior to boarding her flight to London.

When officers examined her belongings, they also found a notebook containing a handwritten entry dated May 21. In it, Choi wrote: “I dropped out of [University of California Santa Barbara] on Monday. Currently I am in Paraguay in South America solo travelling for the first time. It’s been amazing so far.”

Choi pleaded guilty on August 6 to charges of importing Class A drugs and was sentenced to five years and three months in prison by a UK court.

The unusual case underscores the elaborate lengths international drug traffickers are taking to smuggle narcotics into Europe, even disguising shipments in seemingly harmless food products.

NewYorkPost

Seattle Jewelry Store Hit by $2 Million Smash-and-Grab in 90-Second Heist

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Seattle Jewelry Store Hit by $2 Million Smash-and-Grab in 90-Second Heist

SEATTLE (BN24) — Four masked robbers staged a brazen daytime smash-and-grab at a family-owned jewelry store in West Seattle, escaping with an estimated $2 million worth of diamonds, Rolex watches, gold, and other high-end items in a robbery that lasted less than two minutes, police said Friday.

The heist unfolded midday Thursday when the suspects shattered the store’s locked glass front door with hammers before storming inside, according to surveillance footage released by police. Once inside, the men quickly smashed open six display cases, targeting luxury timepieces and fine jewelry.

Among the stolen items was a single display containing about $750,000 worth of Rolex watches and an emerald necklace valued at $125,000, investigators said.

As the robbery unfolded, one suspect menaced employees with bear spray and a Taser. Despite the threats, no staff members were physically harmed.

“We’re pretty shook up as a staff,” said Josh Menashe, vice president of the family-run business, speaking by phone on Friday. “We’re gonna be closed for a while.” He added that workers spent much of the day clearing broken glass and assessing the scope of the losses.

Seattle police officers responded within minutes, but the suspects had already fled the scene in a waiting getaway car. A search of the surrounding area turned up no trace of the thieves, and investigators are now reviewing the store’s video evidence in hopes of identifying the crew.

The robbery adds to a growing trend of high-value smash-and-grab heists targeting jewelry stores in major U.S. cities. Police have not released descriptions of the suspects but said the speed and precision of the theft suggested the group was organized and experienced.

Liverpool Pays Emotional Tribute to Diogo Jota in Premier League Curtain-Raiser

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Liverpool Pays Emotional Tribute to Diogo Jota in Premier League Curtain-Raiser

London (BN24) – Liverpool opened the new Premier League season on Friday night with an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota, honoring the Portuguese forward just weeks after his tragic death in a car accident in northern Spain.

Jota, 28, was killed alongside his brother, André Silva, when their Lamborghini veered off the road last month. The tragedy struck just 11 days after Jota had married Rute Cardoso, the mother of his three children, deepening the heartbreak across the Liverpool community and beyond.

Anfield was draped in tributes as fans and players came together before the match against Bournemouth. A vast banner was unfurled on The Kop reading: “Rute, Dinis, Duarte, Mafalda – Anfield will always be your home. You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Supporters raised a giant mosaic of the initials and shirt numbers of both Jota and Silva, formed in the colors of the Portuguese flag, as the stadium fell silent for a minute’s reflection.

In a lasting mark of respect, Liverpool announced the retirement of Jota’s No. 20 shirt. A permanent sculpture commemorating him will be installed outside Anfield, while “Forever 20” will appear on players’ shirts and jackets throughout the season.

“The tributes that have been paid throughout the football world, and especially within the LFC community, have been truly special,” Liverpool manager Arne Slot wrote in his matchday programme notes. “I believe that Diogo’s wife, his children and his family will be in attendance, and it is important that, as a club, we show that they will always have our love and support as they deal with this most tragic of situations. We are there for them always.”

Jota joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 and quickly became a key figure in Jurgen Klopp’s side before Slot’s arrival this summer. During his five years at Anfield, he lifted the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup, and was beloved for his energy, technical brilliance, and knack for crucial goals.

The emotional evening marked not just the start of a new campaign, but a moment of unity and remembrance for a player whose impact went far beyond the pitch.

Trump and Putin’s Photocall Erupts Into Chaos as Journalists Clash With Russian Leader Ahead of Peace Talks- thesun

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Trump and Putin’s Photocall Erupts Into Chaos as Journalists Clash With Russian Leader Ahead of Peace Talks- thesun

Alaska (BN24) – A tense scene unfolded on Friday when a photocall between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spiraled into chaos, as journalists shouted pointed questions about Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

According to thesun.com the incident occurred in Alaska, where both leaders arrived for a historic peace summit. After landing, Putin appeared relaxed, flashing a thumbs-up before greeting Trump with a firm handshake on the red carpet. The two then shared a brief private ride in Trump’s presidential limousine, known as The Beast, before proceeding to the summit venue.

Inside, the leaders sat flanked by senior aides for a staged photocall. But the atmosphere quickly turned tense when members of the press pool shouted questions at Putin, pressing him on Russia’s actions in Ukraine. One journalist demanded: “How can the U.S. trust your word? Will you stop killing?”

Putin, smirking, appeared to raise his voice in an attempt to drown out the questioning before the live feed abruptly cut away. Lipreading expert Nicola Hickling told The Sun the Russian leader seemed to shout, “You are ignorant,” while Trump was caught whispering to an aide that he felt “uncomfortable” with the heated exchange.

The unscripted confrontation came as a surprise, since neither leader had been scheduled to speak before the talks began. Observers noted Putin appeared bemused by the media uproar, even as journalists pressed him over Russia’s civilian toll in Ukraine.

The encounter followed tense moments earlier on the tarmac, where reporters shouted at Putin about civilian deaths and pressed Trump on how he could place trust in the Russian leader.

The White House confirmed that the high-stakes summit would proceed under a revised format: a three-on-three meeting. Trump would be joined by Sen. Marco Rubio and businessman Steve Witkoff, while Putin would bring Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and senior adviser Yuri Ushakov.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a lengthy post on X, said he was “counting on America” to ensure the summit leads to “a real path toward a just peace and substantive discussion between leaders in a trilateral format – Ukraine, the United States, and Russia.” Zelensky stressed that “it is time to end the war,” urging Russia to take the necessary steps.

Trump, in remarks earlier this week, condemned Putin’s continued assaults in Ukraine, saying the Russian leader’s “urge to kill might be in his genes.”

The Kremlin has indicated the talks could last up to seven hours, with a press conference scheduled afterward. The opening moments of chaos underscored the high stakes of the summit, which comes amid mounting global pressure for a negotiated end to the war.

Hezbollah Warns of Dire Consequences if Lebanon Moves to Disarm Group

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Hezbollah Warns of Dire Consequences if Lebanon Moves to Disarm Group

Lebanon (BN24) – Hezbollah on Friday issued a stark warning that Lebanon “will have no life” if the government proceeds with efforts to disarm or dismantle the Iran-backed group, raising the specter of renewed civil conflict.

The remarks from Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem came as the Lebanese government, under a U.S.-backed plan, seeks to place all weapons under state control following Israel’s extended military campaign against the group. Founded four decades ago with support from Tehran’s Revolutionary Guards, Hezbollah has long resisted disarmament, insisting it will not lay down arms until Israel ends its strikes and withdraws from a southern border strip once considered a Hezbollah stronghold.

“This is our nation together. We live in dignity together, and we build its sovereignty together — or Lebanon will have no life if you stand on the other side and try to confront us and eliminate us,” Qassem said in a televised address.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described the comments as an implicit threat of civil war, calling them “unacceptable.” In remarks posted on X from an interview with the pan-Arab daily Asharq Al-Awsat, Salam reiterated that “no party in Lebanon is authorised to bear arms outside the framework of the Lebanese state.”

Qassem accused the government of carrying out “an American-Israeli order to eliminate the resistance, even if that leads to civil war and internal strife.” However, he noted that Hezbollah and its Shi’ite ally, the Amal movement, had agreed to hold off on street protests while political discussions remain possible.

“There is still room for discussion, for adjustments, and for a political resolution before the situation escalates to a confrontation no one wants,” Qassem said. “But if it is imposed on us, we are ready, and we have no other choice… At that point, there will be a protest in the street, all across Lebanon, that will reach the American embassy.”

The current standoff follows two years of Israeli military operations that have inflicted heavy losses on Hezbollah, killing senior commanders, including longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah, and thousands of fighters while destroying much of the group’s arsenal. The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel reignited in October 2023 when the group launched cross-border fire in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas during the outbreak of the Gaza war.

While Hezbollah and Amal continue to wield political influence — controlling Shi’ite seats in parliament and placing ministers in the cabinet — they no longer hold a “blocking third” of cabinet posts, a key power they previously used to veto government decisions. Support for Hezbollah remains strong among Lebanon’s Shi’ite community, but calls for disarmament have grown louder across other parts of society.

‘No Deal’: Trump Calls Putin Summit ‘Productive’ But Leaves Alaska Without Ceasefire Agreement

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‘No Deal’: Trump Calls Putin Summit ‘Productive’ But Leaves Alaska Without Ceasefire Agreement

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (BN24) — Former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met for nearly three hours Friday in a high-profile attempt to end the war in Ukraine — but walked away without announcing any agreement or ceasefire.

“There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” Trump told reporters after the closed-door meeting, which took place at a U.S. military base in Alaska. Both leaders delivered brief statements but took no questions before leaving the stage, leaving the substance of their talks unclear.

The summit, hosted by Trump, was billed as a bold first step toward halting a war that has raged for more than three years and claimed about 1.5 million lives. While Trump described the discussion as “productive” and suggested a ceasefire was still possible, he conceded that “we didn’t get there” — though he added, “we have a very good chance of getting there.”

Putin, flanked by his top aides Yuri Ushakov and Sergei Lavrov, told the press the war might not have started if Trump had been in office. Trump, joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, listened intently and nodded, but appeared subdued compared to the warm tarmac greeting he gave the Russian leader earlier in the day.

The meeting began with symbolic gestures: a red-carpet arrival, a handshake between the two leaders on the runway, and a flyover featuring a B-2 bomber and four F-35 fighter jets. Inside, they posed in front of a “Pursuing Peace” backdrop before retreating for private talks. Trump had initially said the summit would be one-on-one, but both sides brought additional officials to the table.

Ahead of the talks, Trump had tempered expectations, describing the meeting as part of a “multi-step process” and suggesting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would need to join future negotiations. Still, he made clear his desire for rapid progress, telling reporters aboard Air Force One: “I want the killing to stop.”

The war, which began with Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, has stalled into a grinding conflict. While Russia holds a slight battlefield edge, Western support has kept Ukraine in the fight. Analysts say Trump could use economic and military leverage to influence both sides — from tightening sanctions on countries buying Russian oil to limiting U.S. aid to Kyiv.

Former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor said Putin is “clearly in a weaker position” and facing a conflict that has “turned out to be a disaster for him.”

The choice of Alaska carried its own diplomatic weight. The U.S. purchased the territory from Russia in 1867, and while Russian commentators have tried to frame the venue as symbolic of former imperial glory, U.S. officials saw Putin’s visit to a onetime Russian colony as a concession in itself.

The talks took place under intense global scrutiny. Critics, including Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), warned that meeting Putin without securing concrete commitments risks legitimizing him despite accusations of war crimes.

One of the biggest sticking points remains land. Zelenskyy has repeatedly insisted Ukraine will not cede territory, while Trump has floated the idea of territorial “swaps” — a proposal Kyiv has so far rejected.

Zelenskyy posted on X before the meeting that it should “open up a real path toward a just peace” and stressed that “necessary steps must be taken by Russia.”

Despite the lack of a breakthrough, Trump hinted at further diplomacy. “We’ll probably see you again very soon,” he told Putin as they concluded the session.

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