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At Least 34 Dead After Torrential Rains and Flooding Sweep Beijing and Surrounding Regions

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BEIJING (BN24) — Relentless downpours and flash flooding have killed at least 34 people in Beijing and nearby regions, Chinese state media reported Tuesday, as rescue efforts intensify amid widespread devastation in the capital’s outer districts and neighboring Hebei province.

The latest tally includes 30 confirmed deaths in the Beijing municipality — 28 in the severely affected Miyun district and two in Yanqing — according to state broadcaster CCTV. Both districts lie on the city’s outskirts, far from the urban core, and were pummeled by some of the region’s heaviest rainfall in decades.

Authorities confirmed that more than 80,000 residents have been evacuated from affected parts of Beijing, including over 17,000 from Miyun alone. Additional flooding and overnight rain prompted the government to issue top-level emergency alerts and shut down schools, construction projects, and all outdoor recreational activities across the city.

The extreme weather also triggered a deadly landslide in neighboring Hebei province, where four people were killed and eight others remain missing in rural Luanping county. A local resident told Beijing News that communication lines were down and he was unable to reach family members caught in the disaster zone.

In a bid to manage rising waters, Beijing authorities released water from a reservoir in Miyun, now at its highest level since being constructed in 1959. Downstream residents were warned to stay clear of rivers as water levels surged and additional rain was forecast.

Dramatic scenes unfolded across the flood-hit region: uprooted trees lay strewn across streets in Taishitun, roughly 60 miles northeast of downtown Beijing, while submerged roads and collapsed power poles revealed the storm’s ferocity. In local shops and clinics, residents like Zhuang Zhelin and Wei Zhengming worked to clear thick layers of mud, recounting how floodwaters rushed in with little warning.

“The flood came rushing in so fast. In no time at all, the place was filling up,” Zhuang said as he shoveled sludge from his family’s building supply store. Wei, a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, described climbing upstairs to escape the rising water. “I remember thinking, if no one came to get us, we’d be in real trouble.”

The central government responded by dispatching emergency teams and allocating 50 million yuan (about $7 million) to aid relief operations in Hebei. The cities of Chengde, Baoding and Zhangjiakou were among the hardest hit. In Tianjin’s Jizhou district, more than 10,000 people were also evacuated as rivers swelled and roads disappeared beneath muddy torrents.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang called the disaster in Miyun “serious” and demanded accelerated rescue and recovery operations. The capital, still recovering from historic flooding in 2023, is once again grappling with the lethal consequences of extreme weather.

AP

3 Killed, 10 Injured in Turks and Caicos Mass Shooting as Authorities Blame Gang Violence

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands (BN24) — Three young men were killed and 10 others wounded in a mass shooting early Sunday at a popular nightspot on the island of Providenciales, marking what officials are calling the worst gun violence incident in recent memory for the British territory.

Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey said at least four suspects were involved in the shooting, though no arrests had been made as of Monday. The motive remains under investigation, but authorities strongly suspect gang-related activity.

“This is deeply disturbing,” Bailey said. “It’s a level of violence we are not accustomed to.”

Premier Charles Washington Misick condemned the violence, describing it as a “gangland-type slaying” and pointing to what he said was a troubling trend of gang activity concentrated in the territory’s Haitian community. He urged members of that community to cooperate with investigators.

“There are people who know how these illegal weapons are being brought into our country,” Misick said during a press conference. “What is happening here is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. This is not a situation we should accept.”

The shooting erupted at a local venue frequented by young residents and tourists. Authorities have not publicly identified the victims or the suspects.

The violence comes as the Turks and Caicos Islands steps up enforcement efforts against illegal immigration. The United Nations estimates that more than 10,000 Haitians live in the territory — roughly a third of its total population — with the majority residing in Providenciales. Only about 20% of them have permanent legal residency, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Acting Gov. Anya Williams said the main hospital on the island was placed on lockdown to protect victims and staff. She confirmed that two of the injured were in critical condition and had to be flown abroad for specialized medical treatment.

The government said additional security measures would be introduced across the island, including increased police patrols and intelligence-gathering operations.

The deadly shooting has left the small island nation rattled as officials grapple with the implications of rising gang violence and its ties to illegal weapons trafficking and immigration challenges.

Associated Press

2 Children Killed, 2 Critically Injured After Barge Collides With Boat at Miami Sailing Camp

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MIAMI (BN24) — Two children were killed and two others critically injured Monday when a barge collided with their small sailboat during a youth sailing camp in Biscayne Bay, authorities said. The tragic incident unfolded as six people, including five children and one adult instructor, were participating in their final week of the camp organized by the Miami Yacht Club.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the barge struck the group’s sailboat around midday, capsizing it and tossing all six occupants into the water. Emergency responders quickly pulled everyone from the bay and rushed four children to a nearby hospital, where two were pronounced dead. The two others remain in critical condition, while the remaining two individuals were reported to be in stable condition, said Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg.

“The entire MYC family is devastated by this terrible tragedy,” said Commodore Emily Copeland of the Miami Yacht Club in a statement.

The sailboat remains submerged beneath the barge in Biscayne Bay, a popular recreational waterway situated between Miami and Miami Beach, surrounded by small islands and luxury waterfront homes.

Local news footage showed a large emergency response at the scene, with boats circling the area and divers working to recover the vessel and investigate the scene. The names and ages of the victims have not yet been released, but the camp was open to children between 7 and 15 years old.

Coast Guard Sector Miami Commander Capt. Frank Florio vowed a thorough investigation into the crash. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to accountability, improvement, and the shared responsibility of ensuring safety at sea,” Florio said.

Though boating fatalities are a persistent risk nationwide — with over 550 recorded deaths in recreational boating accidents last year — only 43 were caused by vessel collisions, according to the Coast Guard.

The accident has cast a dark cloud over what was meant to be a week of fun and learning for young sailors. Community members and yacht club officials have expressed shock and sorrow as families wait for answers in the wake of the devastating crash.

2 Shot, Including Off-Duty Officer, in Midtown Manhattan Office Building; Suspect Found Dead

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NEW YORK (BN24) — An off-duty police officer and a civilian were shot outside a high-rise office tower in Midtown Manhattan on Monday in a daytime shooting that prompted a massive police response and temporarily locked down a building that houses major corporate headquarters, including Blackstone and the NFL. The suspect was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the building, according to law enforcement sources.

The shooting erupted outside 345 Park Avenue near East 52nd Street just after 9 a.m., police sources said. Surveillance footage reportedly captured the shooter outside the building wielding a long gun. The off-duty officer, who was working security at the building, and a bystander were both struck by gunfire.

After the initial shots, the suspect fled into the building and took refuge on the 33rd floor, where he appeared to have barricaded himself. He was later found dead from what investigators believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

The conditions of the two shooting victims have not yet been disclosed. Emergency services responded quickly, placing the building on lockdown and warning nearby pedestrians and workers to avoid the area.

City and federal authorities stressed that the threat was no longer active but cautioned employees inside the building to remain sheltered in place until they could be escorted out safely. A message sent to some workers in 345 Park Avenue indicated the immediate danger had passed but advised continued caution under police supervision.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams urged the public to steer clear of the area during what he called an “active shooter investigation,” while the NYPD closed off several surrounding streets. “Expect emergency vehicles and delays,” the department posted on social media.

The FBI’s New York Field Office dispatched agents and command staff to assist the NYPD at the scene. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed the agency’s involvement and said the motive behind the shooting was under investigation.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also said she had been briefed on the incident and was monitoring the situation closely.

Though the building houses high-profile tenants including investment giant Blackstone and the National Football League, authorities have not confirmed any connection between the gunman and the building’s occupants.

The incident shook a busy part of Midtown during the Monday morning rush and reignited fears about gun violence even in New York’s business core.

Gunman Kills 3, Injures Several in Shooting Outside Reno’s Grand Sierra Casino Before Arrest

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RENO, Nev. (BN24) — A gunman opened fire outside the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, early Monday morning, killing three people and wounding several others in a violent outburst that ended with the suspect being shot and arrested by police, authorities said.

The shooting occurred around 7:30 a.m. near the valet area of the resort, one of Reno’s most prominent entertainment venues and the largest casino in northern Nevada. The suspect, whose name has not yet been released, reportedly acted alone and had no known ties to the victims or the property.

According to officials, the suspect approached a group outside the casino, pulled a handgun, and attempted to fire. The weapon initially malfunctioned, but he quickly cleared it and opened fire. He then fled through the parking lot, where he exchanged gunfire with an armed casino security guard before continuing to flee.

Moments later, the suspect shot and killed a passing motorist. Officers from the Reno Police Department arrived on the scene within three minutes and engaged the shooter, who fired at them, striking a patrol vehicle. Police returned fire, critically wounding the suspect and taking him into custody. He remains hospitalized in critical condition.

“This could have been much worse,” Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve said, praising the rapid police response that prevented the gunman from entering the casino itself. “There was incredible, swift action that took place.”

In total, three people were killed and three others hospitalized. Two victims were reported in critical condition, while one was treated and released. Additionally, three others at the resort were treated for minor injuries — including a bullet graze, anxiety, and a fall while fleeing. One police officer was also injured by what is believed to be shattered glass.

Authorities have not yet determined a motive, though the suspect was found with multiple loaded magazines, indicating he may have planned a more prolonged attack.

The Grand Sierra Resort, which boasts the largest casino floor in northern Nevada and nearly 2,000 hotel rooms, has hosted numerous high-profile events — including a 2024 campaign rally by President Donald Trump. The resort is located just blocks from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport and northeast of Lake Tahoe, drawing summer tourists and gamblers alike.

Guests described scenes of chaos and fear as the shots rang out. Michael Sisco, 60, said he was moments away from heading to the valet when he heard the gunfire and looked out his hotel room window.

“I saw people running and screaming. Then I saw a man stagger and collapse next to a car,” Sisco said. “A half hour after the incident, I started shaking. I realized I could’ve been there — that’s exactly where I was going.”

Christina Martinez said she had just stepped onto the elevator when the shooting began. By the time she reached the 18th floor, guests were warning each other that the shooter had been just outside the main entrance — where she had been minutes earlier.

“I feel very blessed, but that’s kind of why I had a panic attack,” she said. “I was like, ‘Oh my God. I was just there.’”

Following the incident, police cordoned off the area leading to the valet zone inside the casino, and privacy screens were erected to block the view of the crime scene. Investigators are continuing to interview witnesses and review surveillance footage.

“This is a tragedy that no community should have to endure,” said Reno Police Chief Kathryn Nance. “Our hearts go out to the victims and their families.”

Just over a year ago, the Grand Sierra was the scene of another deadly shooting when two men were charged in connection with the murder of a guest in January 2024.

Illegal Jamaican Immigrant Working as Police Officer Arrested by ICE After Attempt to Buy Firearm in Maine

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BIDDEFORD, Maine (BN24) — A Jamaican national illegally residing in the United States was arrested Thursday after allegedly attempting to unlawfully purchase a firearm while serving as a reserve police officer in Maine, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials said.

Jon Luke Evans, who had been working for the Old Orchard Beach Police Department, was taken into custody on July 25 in Biddeford by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston, in coordination with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Evans, 33, entered the U.S. legally on a visa through Miami International Airport on Sept. 24, 2023, according to ICE. However, he overstayed his visa and failed to leave the country as required on Oct. 1 of the same year, making him unlawfully present in the country.

Authorities say Evans attempted to purchase a firearm for use in his capacity as a police officer. That attempt triggered an alert to ATF agents, who then partnered with ICE to investigate further and carry out the arrest. During questioning, Evans admitted to ICE officers that he had attempted to obtain the firearm specifically for his police work.

ICE officials expressed outrage that a local law enforcement agency had hired someone who was in the country illegally and allowed him to carry a firearm while on duty.

“Jon Luke Evans not only broke U.S. immigration law, but he also illegally attempted to purchase a firearm,” said ICE ERO Boston Acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “Shockingly, Evans was employed as a local law enforcement officer. The fact that a police department would hire an illegal alien and unlawfully issue him a firearm while on duty would be comical if it weren’t so tragic.”

Hyde added that ICE Boston would continue prioritizing public safety by identifying and removing individuals in violation of immigration law, particularly those working in sensitive roles like law enforcement.

This arrest follows a similar incident in April when ICE officers in Falmouth detained Gratien Milandou Wamba, a Congolese national who was also unlawfully present in the U.S. and employed as a corrections officer. Like Evans, Wamba had also allegedly attempted to illegally purchase a firearm.

Evans’ case has raised concerns about law enforcement hiring practices and oversight. As of Monday, the Old Orchard Beach Police Department has not issued a public statement.

ICE officials say Evans is in federal custody and is expected to face immigration proceedings.

Source: ice.gov

‘Those Children Look Very Hungry’: Trump Contradicts Israel’s Denial of Starvation in Gaza

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AYRSHIRE, Scotland (BN24) — U.S. President Donald Trump cast doubt on Israel’s assertion that there is “no starvation” in Gaza, telling reporters during a joint appearance with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday that images from the region suggest otherwise.

Speaking at Trump Turnberry in Ayrshire following bilateral discussions on the Middle East conflict, Trump responded to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that reports of widespread hunger in Gaza are “a bald-faced lie.”

“I don’t know,” Trump said when asked if he agreed with Netanyahu. “I mean, based on television, I would say, not particularly, because those children look very hungry.”

The president’s comments come amid mounting international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where food scarcity and medical shortages have worsened dramatically. Aid agencies and the United Nations have warned that famine conditions are imminent, despite ongoing international efforts to deliver emergency assistance.

Trump acknowledged the role the United States and other allies are playing in relief efforts, stating, “We’re giving a lot of money and a lot of food. And other nations are now stepping up. I know that this nation is right here.”

Prime Minister Starmer, who has been working on a UK-led peace initiative, described the situation in Gaza as “an absolute catastrophe,” emphasizing the urgent need for a ceasefire. “People in Britain are revolted at seeing what they’re seeing on their screens,” he said. “We’ve got to get to that ceasefire. Thank you, Mr President, for leading on that… America has done a lot on this. A lot of countries have done a lot.”

In recent days, Starmer has also held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The UK, in partnership with Jordan, has begun airdropping food into Gaza and evacuating children in need of medical care. British military planners have also been deployed to support logistics.

However, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, criticized such moves as insufficient, warning they serve as “distractions” from addressing systemic access and delivery barriers caused by the conflict itself.

While Netanyahu maintains that there is “no policy of starvation in Gaza,” images of emaciated children and deteriorating conditions in hospitals have increased scrutiny of Israel’s handling of the conflict. Trump, when pressed on whether Israel had done enough to prevent civilian casualties, offered a blunt assessment: “I think nobody’s done anything great over there — the whole place is a mess. It’ll get straightened out, but it’s a mess.”

Starmer is expected to call an emergency Cabinet meeting this week—unusual during Parliament’s summer recess—to address the worsening crisis and finalise the UK’s diplomatic position.

Calls are also intensifying within Britain for formal recognition of Palestinian statehood. A letter signed by 221 members of Parliament, including 131 Labour MPs, urges the UK to back Palestinian sovereignty during an upcoming UN session. France has signaled its intention to formally recognize Palestine in September.

Downing Street said the Prime Minister remains committed to a two-state solution and that recognition must be part of a broader peace plan that secures long-term safety for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also weighed in, criticizing Netanyahu’s leadership but warning against what he called the premature “rewarding” of Hamas. “Netanyahu is losing friends,” Farage said, “but we should be careful not to embolden extremism in the name of diplomacy.”

Trump Sets 10-to-12 Day Deadline for Russia to End Ukraine War, Threatens Harsh Sanctions

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EDINBURGH, Scotland (BN24)— U.S. President Donald Trump has set a sharply reduced timeline for Russia to end its war in Ukraine, giving Moscow a 10-to-12 day deadline or face a new wave of tough U.S. sanctions and trade penalties.

Trump issued the warning during a high-stakes meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland on July 28, where he expressed growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s continued military aggression in Ukraine. Speaking alongside Starmer, Trump stated, “I’m going to make a new deadline of about ten or twelve days from today. There’s no reason in waiting.”

The statement marks a significant escalation in Trump’s pressure campaign, as the president moves to scrap his earlier 50-day deadline, which he announced on July 14. That original timeline, set to expire September 2, was aimed at encouraging de-escalation efforts from both Moscow and Kyiv. The revised deadline is expected to be formally announced by July 29.

Trump said the United States would not hesitate to implement a new round of punitive economic measures if Russia fails to move toward a ceasefire, including sanctions and possibly secondary tariffs targeting nations that continue to trade with Russia.

“I want to be generous, but we just don’t see any progress being made,” Trump said. “It would be sanctions and maybe tariffs – secondary tariffs.”

The warning underscores a shift in Trump’s rhetoric since the beginning of his second term. While initially assigning equal blame to both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for prolonging the war, Trump has recently focused his criticism almost entirely on the Kremlin. He accused Putin of using back-channel diplomacy to stall for time while continuing missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities.

“He’s got to make a deal,” Trump said. “Too many people are dying. It’s a really bloody war.”

The conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has entered its third year with little sign of resolution. Trump’s increasingly hardline stance and the accelerated deadline appear designed to force a breakthrough — or to justify sweeping punitive measures aimed not just at Russia but also its economic partners.

“You would think, based on common sense, that he would want to make a deal,” Trump said. “We’ll find out.”

Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Ceasefire After Five Days of Deadly Border Clashes

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (BN24) — Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire after five days of intense fighting along their disputed border left at least 33 people dead and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes.

The breakthrough was announced Monday by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who hosted emergency peace talks in Kuala Lumpur with his Thai and Cambodian counterparts. “This is a vital first step to a de-escalation and a restoration of peace and security,” Anwar said, flanked by Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.

Shelling and rocket fire were reported even as negotiations were underway, but hostilities are set to officially cease at midnight local time. The ceasefire deal comes amid mounting international pressure, including from U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned that ongoing tariff negotiations with Thailand would be halted unless the “fighting STOPS.”

Tensions between the two Southeast Asian nations had been simmering since May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a skirmish linked to the long-standing border dispute dating back over a century. The situation rapidly escalated after a Thai soldier lost a leg in a landmine blast last week, triggering a series of military confrontations and tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions.

Thailand responded by closing multiple border crossings, imposing travel restrictions, and cutting off electricity, internet, and fruit exports to Cambodia. In turn, Cambodia banned some Thai imports and saw hundreds of thousands of its migrant workers return from Thailand amid the rising hostilities.

The border region was engulfed in violence last Thursday when both nations exchanged gunfire, each accusing the other of initiating the attack. Thai military officials reported that most of their casualties were civilians struck by rocket fire in border villages. Cambodia said 13 people had been killed on its side, including eight civilians.

Cambodia, whose forces have reportedly been pushed back by a better-equipped Thai military, had been calling for a ceasefire since Friday. Prime Minister Hun Manet described the meeting in Kuala Lumpur as a “very good” one and expressed hope that the agreement would immediately halt the violence.

Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed Thailand would honor the ceasefire. Both countries are now expected to begin drawing back troops from the heavily fortified border region and accept independent monitoring, possibly by ASEAN observers, to prevent future clashes.

Anwar confirmed that Malaysia and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) would support ceasefire enforcement and diplomatic resolution mechanisms.

The conflict, while short, has triggered one of the region’s most significant military escalations in recent years, disrupting trade, displacing tens of thousands, and raising concerns over broader instability in mainland Southeast Asia.

NSCDC Officer Stabbed to Death Outside Her Home in Abuja, Nigeria, Denied Treatment Without Police Report

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ABUJA, Nigeria(BN24) — A female officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), identified as Blessing Akpan, was stabbed to death by unknown assailants in front of her residence in the Piawe area of Bwari, Abuja, Nigeria, in the early hours of Tuesday last week.

According to witnesses and friends of the victim, Akpan was attacked near her home during what appeared to be a robbery attempt. She was reportedly on her way out when the assailants approached and stabbed her. She later died from her injuries at Bwari General Hospital, where medical personnel confirmed her death.

What has ignited public outrage is the claim that Akpan, who sustained severe injuries and was losing blood rapidly, was taken to multiple hospitals but denied immediate treatment due to the absence of a police report.

“She was dying, and yet we were told we needed a police report first,” one of Akpan’s close friends told Daily Trust on Monday, July 28, speaking anonymously. “We showed them her NSCDC identity card, and still, she was not attended to. We kept moving her from one hospital to another until she died.”

Another friend explained that the stabbing occurred during a failed robbery attempt. “Some persons tried to rob her, and I guess they had to stab her to take her belongings,” the friend said.

The death of Officer Akpan has raised fresh concerns over the protocol requiring police documentation before emergency medical care, particularly in critical situations involving violent crimes. Her friends described the situation as a tragic reflection of systemic failure.

“It is painful that we lost Officer Blessing due to a weak and uncoordinated system,” said another grieving friend. “It’s heartbreaking. She was also a security officer — how do you deny her help?”

The NSCDC and local police authorities have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the incident. As of Monday, no arrests had been made, and the identity of the attackers remains unknown.

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