JAIPUR, India (BN24) — At least four children were killed and 17 others injured when the roof of a school building collapsed in India’s northwestern state of Rajasthan on Friday, according to local news reports and officials. Authorities fear dozens of students may still be trapped under the debris as emergency crews race against time in the ongoing rescue operation.
The incident occurred shortly after morning prayers at the school in Rajasthan’s Alwar district, where around 25 to 30 children had gathered in one of the classrooms. Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar confirmed the timing of the collapse during an interview with AajTak news channel.
A senior police officer, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the building was old and vulnerable to structural failure. Heavy rainfall in the region is believed to have weakened the roof and contributed to the collapse.
Television footage showed chaotic scenes at the site, with distraught family members wailing as rescuers worked amid the wreckage. A crane was deployed to lift mangled sections of the roof as authorities dug through rubble with hopes of finding survivors.
Local media outlets reported that 32 children had been rescued alive by early Friday evening. However, there was no official word yet on how many might still be trapped beneath the debris.
“The injured are being provided proper treatment,” Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma wrote on X (formerly Twitter), expressing his condolences and promising swift medical assistance for those hurt.
According to police official Amit Kumar, several of the injured children were in critical condition and receiving care at nearby hospitals. Kumar’s remarks were reported by the PTI news agency and published by the Economic Times.
As rescue workers continued their efforts through the afternoon, residents of the village remained on edge, with fears that the death toll could rise. The collapse has reignited concerns over the condition of aging school buildings in rural India, especially during the monsoon season when infrastructure is often strained.
Authorities have launched an inquiry into the incident and pledged to assess the structural safety of other schools in the region.
UBON RATCHATHANI, Thailand (BN24) — A border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has erupted into deadly armed conflict, forcing tens of thousands of civilians to flee their homes and prompting urgent international appeals for restraint and peace talks.
The fighting, now in its second day, has already claimed at least 14 lives on the Thai side and one in Cambodia, according to officials. The violence began after five Thai soldiers were injured by a land mine explosion near the disputed border, igniting fierce military exchanges that have escalated into what some fear could become a broader regional conflict.
As of Friday, Thailand’s Health Ministry reported that more than 58,000 people had been evacuated from four provinces bordering Cambodia, with temporary shelters overwhelmed. Cambodian officials said over 4,000 villagers had fled border zones in Oddar Meanchey province and nearby areas.
Artillery and Rocket Fire Engulf Border Villages
Clashes have been reported across several flashpoints, including Chong Bok and Phu Makhuea in Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province, Phanom Dong Rak in Surin, and areas surrounding the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple, a longstanding source of dispute between the two countries.
Thai military officials say Cambodian forces used heavy artillery and BM-21 multiple rocket launchers in Thursday and Friday’s attacks. Thailand responded with what it called “appropriate supporting fire,” including two airstrikes conducted by F-16 fighter jets on Cambodian positions, after reports of truck-mounted rocket attacks.
The violence has resulted in multiple civilian casualties, including children. Thai authorities confirmed the deaths of 13 civilians and one soldier, with at least 45 others injured. Cambodia’s provincial military commander, Gen. Khov Ly, said a man was killed Thursday when a Thai rocket struck a Buddhist pagoda sheltering villagers.
Cambodia has accused Thai forces of striking near the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site central to past disputes. Phnom Penh released photos showing alleged structural damage to the temple and has vowed to seek international accountability.
Mass Civilian Displacement and Desperation
On both sides of the border, residents have been fleeing en masse. In Thailand’s Surin province, hundreds of evacuees took shelter at a local university gymnasium, where families gathered on blankets, clutching bags of essentials and food supplies.
Seamstress Pornpan Sooksai, who escaped the shelling near Ta Muen Thom with her four cats in cloth cages, recalled the chaos: “I just heard boom, boom. We had everything ready, and we ran. I was frightened.”
Another evacuee, Rattana Meeying, who had survived the 2011 clashes, said this outbreak was far worse. “Children, old people—were hit out of the blue. I never imagined it would be this violent,” she said.
In Cambodia, deserted villages in Oddar Meanchey province revealed the fear gripping communities. Residents had dug makeshift underground shelters and were seen fleeing on foot, by motorbike, or riding makeshift tractors loaded with possessions.
Several hundred Cambodian evacuees sought refuge at a remote Buddhist temple surrounded by rice paddies, where women rocked infants in hammocks and plastic tents were hastily assembled under trees. Veng Chin, 74, said: “Please let both governments negotiate so I can go home and work on my farm again.”
Diplomatic Fallout and Regional Alarm
The fighting has prompted swift international concern. The U.N. Security Council was scheduled to hold an emergency meeting Friday in New York, while U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres called for immediate restraint and dialogue.
The crisis also raised alarms within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Malaysia, the current chair of the bloc, expressed deep concern and offered to mediate. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he had spoken with both Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, urging both sides to pursue diplomatic solutions.
“This is a time for peaceful dialogue and not military confrontation,” Anwar said.
Escalating Tensions and Political Repercussions
Tensions had been simmering for months, especially since May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in an earlier confrontation. Although both sides initially pledged to de-escalate, continued military posturing, trade restrictions, and travel warnings kept friction high.
Wednesday’s land mine incident marked a tipping point. Thailand responded by expelling Cambodia’s ambassador and sealing all border crossings. Seven Thai airlines were placed on standby to evacuate Thai citizens from Cambodia.
Phnom Penh retaliated by downgrading diplomatic relations and withdrawing its diplomatic staff from Bangkok.
The conflict has also sent ripples through Thai politics. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from office on July 1, amid scrutiny over a phone call with Cambodia’s former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who still wields considerable influence. Thai investigators are probing whether the call violated official ethics guidelines.
Historical Flashpoint
The 800-kilometer (500-mile) Thai-Cambodian border has long been contested, with previous flare-ups occurring in 2008 and 2011. The latter left 20 people dead and saw similar scenes of evacuation and international mediation. However, analysts warn the current escalation—marked by airstrikes, rocket attacks, and mounting casualties—represents one of the most serious confrontations in recent years.
As villagers continue to flee and shells fall near cultural heritage sites, pressure is building on both nations to step back from the brink and re-engage through diplomacy.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — Former President Barack Obama has seen a dramatic rise in death threats and online calls for his imprisonment after President Donald Trump and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard accused him of treason linked to alleged manipulation of intelligence about Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
A new report by the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE) documents a surge in violent rhetoric across social media platforms including Truth Social, Gab, and Telegram. Between July 17 and July 20, the number of posts referring to Obama as “treasonous” and demanding his imprisonment or execution spiked by over 1,100%, rising from just three to 36 on Truth Social alone.
The rise in threats followed Gabbard’s release of a report last Friday in which she accused Obama and senior members of his administration of “manufacturing intelligence” about Russian election interference to pave the way for what she characterized as a “yearslong coup” against Trump. Gabbard said the matter would be referred to the Department of Justice for possible prosecution.
Obama has denied the allegations. His office did not respond to a request for comment from Newsweek.
On Sunday, Trump amplified the accusations by posting an AI-generated video on Truth Social showing Obama being arrested and jailed. The provocative video circulated widely and appears to have further inflamed calls for violence online.
While the former president has frequently been the target of fringe conspiracy theories, researchers say the coordinated accusations from high-ranking officials have fueled a new wave of extremist threats.
“President Trump and the entire administration strongly condemn all forms of violence,” said White House spokesperson Davis Ingle. “The Trump administration also believes in accountability and that individuals who participate in criminal activity should be held to the fullest extent of the law.”
A spokesperson for DNI Gabbard issued a similar statement, saying, “Director Gabbard strongly condemns all forms of violence. The Director also believes in shining light on the truth, investigating wrongdoing, and holding those who participate in criminal activities accountable.”
GPAHE warned that posts featuring violent language or imagery involving Obama were also gaining traction on far-right forums and encrypted platforms, where moderation is minimal or absent.
While law enforcement has not commented publicly on any investigation into the threats, the spike comes amid heightened political tensions and increased use of AI-generated content in political messaging.
The accusations have further deepened partisan divides over the legacy of the Russia investigation, which has long been a flashpoint in U.S. politics. Critics of the recent allegations have dismissed them as politically motivated attempts to rewrite the narrative of Trump’s first campaign and its aftermath.
BANGKOK (BN24) — A deadly flare-up in a longstanding territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has left at least 12 people dead, mostly civilians, and reignited fears of further conflict between the Southeast Asian neighbors. Thai officials said the clashes erupted early Thursday along the disputed border, with both sides exchanging gunfire and blaming each other for initiating the violence.
According to Thailand’s military, the majority of the casualties were civilians from the border provinces of Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, and Srisaket. Among the dead were an eight-year-old child and a 15-year-old teenager. One Thai soldier was also killed. Cambodia has not yet confirmed its casualties.
The violence marks the most serious escalation between the two countries in over a decade, rooted in a border disagreement dating back to colonial-era demarcations. Tensions have periodically boiled over, particularly since 2008 when Cambodia’s move to register an 11th-century Khmer-Hindu temple as a UNESCO World Heritage Site drew a sharp rebuke from Thailand.
Thai officials claim the latest round of hostilities was sparked when Cambodian troops deployed drones to spy on Thai military positions. Cambodia, however, accused Thailand of violating a standing agreement by advancing toward the disputed Preah Vihear temple, triggering an exchange of fire. What began as localized skirmishes quickly escalated, with Thailand accusing Cambodia of firing rockets and, in response, launching airstrikes on Cambodian military positions.
In response to the clashes, Thailand closed its border with Cambodia and evacuated more than 40,000 civilians from vulnerable areas. Cambodia downgraded diplomatic relations with Bangkok and denounced Thailand’s military for what it called “excessive force.”
“This is really serious. We’re in the middle of evacuating,” said Sutian Phiwchan, a resident of Ban Dan district in Thailand’s Buriram province, near the Cambodian frontier.
Both governments have issued conflicting accounts of the incident, deepening the rift and stalling immediate diplomatic resolution. The border dispute has historical roots stemming from France’s colonial occupation of Cambodia, during which unclear border demarcations sowed confusion and rival claims.
While the Preah Vihear temple was ruled in Cambodia’s favor by the International Court of Justice in 1962, surrounding areas remain contested, and have repeatedly been the flashpoint of deadly confrontations.
Tensions have steadily increased in recent months. In May, a Cambodian soldier was killed in a border skirmish, worsening relations. Since then, both countries have enforced mutual restrictions, with Cambodia banning imports of Thai agricultural goods and halting Thai-supplied electricity and internet services. Both nations have also reinforced their troop presence along the border.
As the latest violence underscores the volatility of the dispute, international observers are urging restraint and renewed diplomatic engagement to prevent a wider conflict.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — The United States and Israel have withdrawn their negotiating teams from ceasefire talks in Qatar, accusing Hamas of failing to demonstrate serious intent to end the ongoing war in Gaza. The decision marks a major setback to international diplomatic efforts aimed at halting nearly 10 months of devastating conflict.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff abruptly ended his participation in the talks Thursday, citing what he called “a lack of desire” by Hamas to pursue a truce. “While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith,” Witkoff said in a sharply worded statement. “We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.”
Shortly before Witkoff’s announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Israel was also recalling its delegation from Doha. The moves followed Hamas’ latest response to a ceasefire framework negotiated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States. The contents of that response remain undisclosed, but both Washington and Tel Aviv deemed it unsatisfactory.
Hamas expressed surprise at the abrupt withdrawals, asserting that it remains committed to reaching an agreement. “The movement affirms its keenness to continue negotiations and engage in them in a manner that helps overcome obstacles and leads to a permanent ceasefire agreement,” Hamas said in a statement released late Thursday.
The ceasefire framework reportedly under discussion would include a 60-day halt in fighting, the release of 10 living Israeli captives and the remains of 18 others, the return of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, both sides have clashed over what follows such a truce — a dispute that continues to stall progress.
Israel has signaled that it plans to maintain a military presence in Gaza even after a ceasefire, insisting on Hamas’ total defeat. Meanwhile, critics have condemned reported Israeli proposals, such as the forced relocation of Palestinians to so-called “humanitarian cities,” as violations of international law.
Pressure continues to mount internationally as Gaza faces one of the worst humanitarian crises in decades. At least 115 people have reportedly died from malnutrition since the war began, mostly in recent weeks. More than 100 aid organizations have accused Israel of weaponizing humanitarian aid, blaming its blockade for “mass starvation” in the enclave.
Al Jazeera correspondent Shihab Rattansi, reporting from Washington, said it was still unclear whether the U.S. decision to pull out was a tactical move or a signal that the negotiations had collapsed entirely. “It’s a very sternly worded tweet, talking about ‘alternative options for a more stable environment for the people of Gaza,’” Rattansi noted, adding that President Donald Trump has not ruled out controversial measures such as forced deportation of Palestinians.
Since the Hamas-led attack on October 7 that killed at least 1,139 people in southern Israel, the Israeli military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 59,587 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. As the war grinds on, the prospects for a diplomatic resolution remain bleak.
Boston, Mass. (BN24) – Kristin Cabot, the woman seen in a viral “kiss cam” moment during a Coldplay concert, has resigned from her role as chief people officer at Astronomer, the data software company confirmed Thursday. Her departure comes just days after the company’s CEO, Andy Byron—also seen in the same video—stepped down amid mounting scrutiny.
Cabot did not respond to requests for comment.
The now-viral clip, taken during a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts last week, shows Cabot and Byron on the stadium’s big screen attempting to hide their faces when featured on the “kiss cam.” Coldplay frontman Chris Martin playfully remarked from the stage that the couple might be either camera-shy or involved in an affair. The video exploded across social media platforms, especially X and TikTok, quickly generating widespread speculation and online detective work that identified the pair as executives at Astronomer.
On Saturday, the company said Byron had resigned following an internal review that began after he was placed on leave. Pete DeJoy, Astronomer’s co-founder and chief product officer, has been appointed interim CEO.
In a LinkedIn post on Monday, DeJoy acknowledged the unprecedented media storm surrounding the company. “The spotlight has been unusual and surreal for our team,” he wrote. “While I would never have wished for it to happen like this, Astronomer is now a household name.”
The Coldplay concert saga, which began at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, even prompted Martin to jokingly warn the audience during a later show’s “kiss cam” segment to avoid any awkward moments, in an apparent nod to the viral incident.
Neither Byron nor Cabot has publicly addressed the controversy or clarified the nature of their relationship. Their resignations, however, underscore the reputational impact that viral moments can have on corporate leadership, especially in the age of social media virality.
New York (BN24) – Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, suffered a widespread outage Thursday that left tens of thousands of users offline, marking one of the most significant disruptions in the service’s history.
The company acknowledged the network failure in a post on X, formerly Twitter, writing: “Starlink is currently in a network outage and we are actively implementing a solution.” The outage began around 3:13 p.m. ET and appeared to affect users globally.
Musk also addressed the issue directly on X, saying, “Service will be restored shortly. Sorry for the outage. SpaceX will remedy root cause to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
According to Downdetector, which tracks service disruptions via user reports and real-time status indicators, there were at least 25,767 reports of Starlink service problems by 4:18 p.m. ET. Reports spanned North America, Europe, and other regions served by the satellite-based provider.
Doug Madory, director of internet analysis at Kentik, told Reuters the service appeared to be experiencing a “total outage” during the initial phase. “They haven’t had one like this in a long time,” he said, adding that the scale and suddenness of the interruption were highly unusual for the network.
While Starlink has previously faced localized disruptions, a global blackout of this magnitude is rare for the satellite-based internet platform, which boasts millions of users and plays a key role in providing broadband in remote areas, disaster zones, and military operations.
As of Thursday evening, SpaceX had not released a full technical explanation of what caused the failure, though engineers were reportedly working to restore functionality and identify any vulnerabilities in the network’s architecture.
The outage renewed concerns about the reliability of space-based communications services, especially as Starlink becomes increasingly integrated into global infrastructure, from rural connectivity and aviation to defense systems and humanitarian aid networks.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell engaged in a tense on-camera exchange during a tour of the Federal Reserve’s historic headquarters on Thursday, sparring over the cost of ongoing renovations and the independence of the central bank’s leadership.
The confrontation unfolded when Trump paused to speak with reporters during the inspection visit and summoned Powell to join him. Standing side by side, Trump alleged that the renovations to the Federal Reserve complex had ballooned to $3.1 billion — a figure higher than previously reported. As Trump made the claim, Powell visibly shook his head in disagreement.
“I’m not aware of that,” Powell said flatly, pushing back on the number. “I haven’t heard that from anybody at the Fed.”
Trump, undeterred, pulled a folded document from his coat pocket and handed it to Powell. “This just came out,” Trump said. “It came from us.”
Powell, reviewing the document, quickly pointed out the discrepancy. “You included a third building,” he said, clarifying that the additional structure was not part of the current renovation but had been built five years ago. “It’s not new.”
The third building became the centerpiece of Trump’s renewed criticism of Powell, whom he has repeatedly accused of mismanaging monetary policy and defying presidential demands for lower interest rates. Trump has also expressed frustration over the central bank’s autonomy, which prevents him from directly firing the Fed chair.
Joining Trump at the site was South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, a Republican ally, who echoed concerns about the project’s cost overruns. “It’s a lot,” Scott said, though he offered no specifics.
Asked whether the renovation would exceed its budget further, Powell said, “We don’t expect them,” but added, “we’re ready for them” if necessary, suggesting responsible contingency planning by the Fed.
Trump then turned to a sympathetic reporter, who asked how he would treat a project manager who came in over budget. “Generally speaking,” Trump said, “I’d fire him.”
As the group prepared to continue their tour, Trump added a pointed remark: “There’s something he could do to make this better. I’d love him to lower interest rates.”
Powell, who has consistently defended the Fed’s independence from political influence, has insisted that interest rate decisions are made based on economic conditions, not presidential pressure. He has also reminded critics that the law prevents the president from firing the central bank’s leader without cause.
The public spat is the latest flashpoint in the long-running tension between Trump and Powell, who have repeatedly clashed over monetary policy during Trump’s presidency. While Powell has said the Fed is prepared to adjust rates if economic conditions warrant, he has remained firm in insulating monetary policy decisions from political agendas.
LONDON, Ontario (BN24) — Five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team were acquitted Thursday in a high-profile sexual assault case, bringing a contentious and yearslong legal battle to a close. The ruling by Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia came after a detailed five-hour explanation in which she determined that the prosecution failed to meet the burden of proof required for conviction.
The judge cleared Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Callan Foote of all charges related to an alleged group sexual assault at a hotel room in London, Ontario, in the early hours of June 19, 2018. Carroccia said the credibility of the complainant’s testimony was insufficient to justify criminal convictions, noting inconsistencies and contradictions in her account, including discrepancies with surveillance footage and witness statements.
“The complainant tended to blame others for contradictions and inconsistencies in her testimony,” Carroccia said, adding that the woman “went to great lengths” to claim she was heavily intoxicated, a claim not corroborated by video evidence or other testimonies.
All five men, aged between 25 and 27, had pleaded not guilty. They were attending a gala and golf event in London that year to celebrate their gold medal at the World Junior Hockey Championship. At the time charges were filed in early 2024, four of the players were active in the NHL: Dube with the Calgary Flames, Hart with the Philadelphia Flyers, and McLeod and Foote with the New Jersey Devils. Formenton had been playing in Switzerland following his stint with the Ottawa Senators. All five took indefinite leave from professional hockey and currently remain without NHL contracts.
McLeod was also acquitted of a separate charge of being a party to the offense — a rarely used legal application more commonly seen in homicide cases.
The woman testified in May that she was intoxicated, naked, and frightened when four of the men entered her room unexpectedly and said she complied out of fear. “I made the choice to dance with them and drink at the bar. I did not make the choice to have them do what they did back at the hotel,” she told the court.
Prosecutors argued the players acted without confirming whether she was capable of or willing to give consent. However, defense lawyers painted a different picture, asserting that the woman participated willingly and even initiated some of the activity. The court viewed two short video clips recorded by McLeod that night, in which the woman is seen stating the acts were consensual — a statement she later said did not reflect how she truly felt.
Public scrutiny surrounding the case had intensified over several years. The initial police investigation was closed without charges in 2019, but the woman later filed a civil lawsuit against Hockey Canada in 2022, prompting renewed investigations by local police, Hockey Canada, and the National Hockey League. That lawsuit was settled confidentially, triggering a loss of corporate sponsors for the national hockey organization.
Protesters gathered outside the London courthouse on Thursday holding signs in support of the complainant, underscoring the case’s broader societal impact amid ongoing conversations about consent and accountability in sports culture.
The NHL began its own investigation in 2022, vowing transparency. However, Commissioner Gary Bettman has since indicated that the league’s ability to release findings may be limited due to the legal complexities surrounding the case.
The verdict leaves lingering questions about institutional accountability and the future of the players, who remain without contracts and off NHL rosters amid public and professional fallout.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a sweeping executive order intended to give cities and states broader authority to remove homeless individuals from public spaces and relocate them to treatment or housing facilities, citing concerns over public disorder and safety.
The order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to roll back court precedents and consent decrees that, according to the White House, limit the ability of local governments to commit individuals who are deemed a threat to themselves or others. It also authorizes federal funding to support transferring those with severe mental illness or addiction away from street encampments and into long-term care.
“Shifting homeless individuals into long-term institutional settings for humane treatment through the appropriate use of civil commitment will restore public order,” the order states. “Surrendering our cities and citizens to disorder and fear is neither compassionate to the homeless nor to other citizens. My Administration will take a new approach focused on protecting public safety.”
The directive also instructs Bondi to coordinate with the Departments of Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Transportation to prioritize federal grants for states and municipalities that enforce bans on illicit drug use, urban camping, and loitering in public spaces.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt framed the move as part of Trump’s broader strategy to “Make America Safe Again,” a cornerstone of his re-election campaign. “By removing vagrant criminals from our streets and redirecting resources toward substance abuse programs, the Trump administration will ensure that Americans feel safe in their own communities and that individuals suffering from addiction or mental health struggles are able to get the help they need,” she said in a statement.
The executive order marks an escalation in Trump’s long-standing campaign promise to “end homelessness across America,” and comes months after he ordered the National Park Service to clear encampments from federal lands in Washington, D.C. In March, Trump openly criticized D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser for allowing homeless encampments near federal buildings, warning that the federal government would intervene if the city failed to act.
Thursday’s order follows another directive from March in which Trump moved to dismantle the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, a bipartisan body responsible for coordinating homelessness policy across federal agencies.
During his 2024 campaign, Trump made homelessness a focal point, repeatedly promising to use “every tool, lever, and authority” to clear encampments and relocate people to treatment or housing centers. “When I am back in the White House, we will get the homeless off our streets,” he vowed in a campaign video last spring.
Advocates for the homeless have expressed concern that Trump’s policies could criminalize poverty and lead to the forced institutionalization of vulnerable populations without due process. However, administration officials insist the executive order emphasizes treatment and public safety, not punishment.
