Home Blog Page 350

Gunmen Kill Three Police Officers in Dagestan as Violence Escalates in Southern Russia

admin
-
0
Gunmen Kill Three Police Officers in Dagestan as Violence Escalates in Southern Russia

MAKHACHKALA, Russia — Gunmen opened fire on police in southern Russia’s Republic of Dagestan on Monday, killing three officers and wounding at least four others in a broad daylight attack that highlights persistent instability in the volatile North Caucasus region.

The shooting unfolded around 2:20 p.m. local time in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, as officers attempted to stop a vehicle, according to regional head Sergei Melikov and Russia’s Interior Ministry.

Two assailants, both reportedly born in 2000, were shot dead at the scene, officials said. State media reported that other suspects fled the area in a vehicle, prompting an ongoing manhunt involving federal and regional law enforcement.

Footage verified by Reuters and circulating on Telegram appeared to show the aftermath of the attack, with bodies lying beside a police cruiser as gunfire echoed in the background. Bystanders can be seen standing nearby in shock.

Four people, including officers and civilians, were hospitalized following the attack, authorities confirmed. Among the injured was a 17-year-old girl. One of the injured later died in the hospital, though it was not immediately clear whether the victim was a civilian or law enforcement officer.

Dagestan authorities have opened a criminal investigation, though they have not provided a possible motive or specified the number of attackers still at large. As of Monday evening, security operations continued throughout the city and surrounding areas.

The incident marks one of the deadliest attacks on Russian law enforcement in the North Caucasus this year.

Located along the Caspian Sea, Dagestan is a predominantly Muslim republic that has experienced years of extremist-related violence, particularly from jihadist groups seeking to undermine Moscow’s control over the region.

Just last month, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced it had killed four alleged ISIS fighters accused of plotting an attack on a local Interior Ministry office in Dagestan. In June 2024, a coordinated assault by armed militants targeting synagogues, churches, and police in the region left at least 20 dead.

The most recent violence in Dagestan follows high-profile attacks across Russia, including the March 2024 massacre at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall, which killed at least 133 people. That attack was claimed by the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), though Russian officials have also floated unsubstantiated claims of Ukrainian involvement.

While Russia and the United States declared the territorial defeat of ISIS in Syria and Iraq by 2019, extremist offshoots like ISKP continue to carry out deadly attacks across Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

Security analysts warn that the North Caucasus remains a vulnerable frontier for radicalization and cross-border terrorist operations, despite heavy surveillance and counterinsurgency campaigns by Russian security forces.

Officials have not said whether Monday’s attack was linked to any broader extremist movement, but investigations are ongoing amid heightened alert levels across Dagestan.

Bandit Attack in Northeast Nigeria Leaves 19 Dead, Dozens of Livestock Stolen

admin
-
0
Bandit Attack in Northeast Nigeria Leaves 19 Dead, Dozens of Livestock Stolen

BAUCHI, Nigeria  — Armed bandits ambushed a local security patrol in Nigeria’s Bauchi state early Sunday, killing at least 19 people and stealing livestock in a brutal raid that underscores growing insecurity in the country’s northeast, police and residents said Monday.

The attack occurred around dawn in Gwana district, part of Alkaleri Local Government Area, where heavily armed gunmen laid a deadly ambush on members of a vigilante group responding to threats in the area. Several civilians from nearby villages were also killed as they attempted to flee the violence, authorities confirmed.

In a statement, Bauchi State Police Commissioner Sani-Omolori Aliyu said a tactical response unit was dispatched to the scene, where officers recovered the bodies of those killed. “A team of operational tactical teams was dispatched to the scene, where they recovered bodies of casualties,” Aliyu said.

The deadly raid is the latest in a series of violent incursions by armed criminal gangs — widely referred to as bandits — that have plagued rural communities across northern and central Nigeria, conducting mass abductions, killings, and livestock thefts with impunity.

According to Ibrahim Hussaini, a local eyewitness, a firefight erupted between the vigilantes and the assailants, resulting in multiple casualties among the security volunteers and residents caught in the crossfire.

“They came in large numbers and opened fire. Our people tried to defend themselves, but the bandits overpowered them,” Hussaini said.

Mohammed Umar, a member of the local vigilante force, said the attackers made away with a substantial number of cattle and sheep after overwhelming the defenders. “They rustled a large number of livestock and disappeared into the forest,” he told Reuters via phone.

Officials have not released the exact number of animals taken, but residents estimate the losses run into the hundreds, further crippling an already vulnerable agricultural community.

While Nigeria’s northwest remains the epicenter of banditry, with states like Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina frequently targeted, Sunday’s assault highlights the spread of such violence into northeastern territories traditionally affected by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents.

Unlike jihadist militants, bandit gangs are primarily motivated by profit — engaging in livestock theft, kidnapping-for-ransom, and extortion. However, both groups exploit the government’s limited presence in rural areas, allowing them to operate with growing sophistication and brutality.

The Nigerian military and police have launched repeated operations to root out bandit strongholds in recent years, but results have been mixed, with civilians often bearing the brunt of retaliatory attacks.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for Sunday’s ambush, and authorities say investigations are ongoing.

3 Dead, 9 Missing After Suspected Migrant Boat Capsizes Off San Diego Coast

admin
-
0
3 Dead, 9 Missing After Suspected Migrant Boat Capsizes Off San Diego Coast

SAN DIEGO  — A small vessel believed to be carrying migrants capsized off the Southern California coast early Monday, leaving three people dead and nine others missing in one of the region’s deadliest recent maritime incidents involving suspected human smuggling.

The 20-foot panga-style boat overturned just after sunrise near Torrey Pines State Beach, approximately 35 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border, according to U.S. Coast Guard officials. Four survivors were rescued and transported to nearby hospitals with injuries, while search operations continue for the missing.

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Chris Sappey confirmed that the boat is believed to have been carrying migrants, not tourists. The vessel resembled the type of open fishing boats commonly used by smugglers to evade land-based border enforcement.

“They were not tourists,” Sappey said. “They are believed to be migrants.”

Witnesses reported the capsizing around 6:30 a.m., prompting a rapid emergency response from multiple agencies, including Border Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Encinitas Fire Department. A Coast Guard helicopter and rescue boat have been deployed in the ongoing search.

Lt. Nick Backouris of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said beachgoers and hikers witnessed the capsizing, with at least one off-duty doctor attempting to provide CPR to victims. “A doctor hiking nearby called in and said, ‘I see people doing CPR on the beach, I’m running that way,’” he said.

Dangerous sea routes grow deadlier for migrants

Migrants have increasingly resorted to maritime routes to bypass heavily fortified land borders. Smugglers often launch pangas under cover of darkness from Mexico’s coastline, aiming to reach remote stretches of the Southern California shore before dawn. The journey can span hundreds of miles and is frequently undertaken in overloaded, poorly equipped vessels.

On Monday, winds were light and swells reached approximately six feet, according to meteorologist Sebastian Westerink of the National Weather Service. The water temperature hovered around 63 degrees Fahrenheit (17°C), posing hypothermia risks to those submerged.

Authorities recovered the battered boat from the beach, where a bulldozer was used to move it for inspection. The vessel, bearing scuffed blue paint and wooden plank seating, was littered with life vests, an empty waterproof cell phone pouch, bottles of water, and a pair of running shoes. Its engine appeared heavily damaged.

Tragedy echoes previous deadly maritime smuggling attempts

The incident is the latest in a string of deadly maritime smuggling cases along California’s coast. In March 2023, eight migrants died after two boats approached the San Diego shoreline during heavy fog. One vessel capsized in the surf, marking one of the deadliest smuggling events in U.S. coastal waters.

In 2022, Antonio Hurtado was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison after piloting a boat overloaded with 32 migrants into powerful surf in May 2021, resulting in three deaths and injuries to more than two dozen passengers. Prosecutors said Hurtado, high on drugs at the time, abandoned the vessel and swam to shore while instructing migrants to hide below deck. The boat broke apart as waves crashed over it.

Globally, migrant sea journeys have become increasingly perilous. According to the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration, nearly 9,000 migrants died attempting to cross borders in 2023 — the highest annual toll on record. The UN’s Missing Migrants Project estimates more than 24,500 migrants have died or gone missing in the central Mediterranean alone between 2014 and 2024, though many deaths remain unreported.

As the search continues off San Diego’s coast, U.S. authorities have not yet identified the nationalities or identities of those aboard Monday’s vessel. It remains unclear whether any additional passengers made it ashore undetected.

Trump Administration Offers $1,000 Incentive for Undocumented Immigrants to Voluntarily Self-Deport

admin
-
0
Trump Administration Offers $1,000 Incentive for Undocumented Immigrants to Voluntarily Self-Deport

WASHINGTON  — The Department of Homeland Security is launching a new incentive program aimed at encouraging undocumented immigrants to leave the United States voluntarily, offering travel assistance and a $1,000 stipend for those who use a government-issued app to report their departure.

In an announcement Monday, DHS said individuals who submit their intent to self-deport through the CBP Home mobile app will receive logistical assistance to return to their country of origin and a monetary stipend “paid after their return to their home country has been confirmed through the app.” The initiative represents a strategic pivot by the Trump administration to reduce the cost of formal deportations and bolster immigration enforcement without large-scale detentions or removals.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem framed the program as “the best, safest, and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest,” noting that each formal deportation currently costs taxpayers an estimated $17,121. By comparison, officials believe self-deportations under the new program could reduce those expenses by up to 70%, even after accounting for the financial incentive.

The announcement comes amid stagnating deportation figures during President Donald Trump’s second term, despite his repeated pledges to enact mass removals of unauthorized immigrants. With immigration policy once again a central political issue, the administration is betting that voluntary departures via digital platforms will accelerate removals while softening public scrutiny over large-scale enforcement raids.

Self-deportation through CBP Home app

The CBP Home app, launched earlier this year, is a revamped version of the Biden-era CBP One app, which had been designed to streamline legal asylum processing. Under Trump, the technology has been retooled to function as a self-reporting platform for undocumented individuals seeking to leave the U.S.

DHS officials explained that users can verify their departure through biometric and geolocation data submitted via the app. “The alien must be at least three miles outside of the United States to successfully utilize this feature,” said agency spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, adding that users must also submit a facial image to complete the verification process.

The department has not disclosed exactly how payments will be delivered or what formal documentation will be required to confirm a completed departure. However, DHS said that immigrants who initiate the process through the app will be deprioritized for detention and removal efforts, provided they can show “meaningful strides” toward leaving the country.

More than 5,000 individuals have reportedly initiated self-deportation procedures using the app since January, according to data from the Migration Policy Institute, though DHS has declined to confirm official figures. Analytics firm Appfigures said the CBP Home app has been downloaded approximately 300,000 times in 2025 alone, averaging 1,500 new users per day.

Immigrant rights groups and policy analysts have raised serious concerns about the program’s long-term implications, warning that the prospect of legal reentry for those who self-deport remains tenuous at best.

“The operative word in that quote from the secretary is ‘may,’” said Kathleen Bush-Joseph, a policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, referring to DHS statements that self-deportation “may help preserve the option for an illegal alien to re-enter the United States legally in the future.”

Heidi Altman, vice president of policy at the National Immigration Law Center, called the program potentially coercive. “Forcing or coercing people into leaving their homes and their loved ones carries political, moral, and economic costs,” she said.

$200 million campaign includes nationwide ad push

The Trump administration has invested $200 million into rebranding the app and launching a bilingual ad campaign to promote voluntary departures. Television and radio spots featuring Secretary Noem have aired across both the U.S. and Mexico, urging undocumented immigrants to “take control of their return journey.”

The ads emphasize the potential for future legal reentry and encourage users to begin the departure process promptly. But advocacy organizations remain skeptical, noting that individuals who leave the U.S. after residing unlawfully often face multi-year or permanent bans on reentry, depending on their specific immigration history.

The rollout of the stipend program marks one of the most high-profile and unconventional immigration initiatives under Trump’s current administration — a blend of technology, deterrence, and financial incentives designed to address the ongoing crisis at the southern border while minimizing the political fallout of aggressive enforcement actions.

Ukraine Launches New Kursk Offensive, Breaches Russian Border Ahead of Victory Day Ceasefire

admin
-
0
Ukraine Launches New Kursk Offensive, Breaches Russian Border Ahead of Victory Day Ceasefire

KYIV, Ukraine  — Ukrainian forces launched a new cross-border offensive into Russia’s Kursk region over the weekend, in a surprise escalation that marks a significant tactical setback for President Vladimir Putin just days ahead of Russia’s annual Victory Day commemorations.

The operation, which Ukrainian military officials confirmed on Sunday, saw coordinated armored incursions and pincer assaults that breached Russian defensive lines near the villages of Zvannoe and Tetkino. The offensive comes amid mounting pressure on the Kremlin to present a narrative of control and strength during the May 9 celebrations, a symbolic holiday marking the Soviet Union’s World War II victory over Nazi Germany.

According to reports from Ukrainian and Russian military channels, Kyiv deployed mine-clearing vehicles along two axes to open corridors for armored units carrying elite paratroopers. Intense combat erupted as Ukrainian forces pressed forward, reportedly damaging bridges, administrative buildings, and industrial sites. At least 50 Ukrainian troops are believed to have crossed into Russian territory in the initial wave.

Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky said the operation had “achieved most of its goals,” though Kyiv has not released exact casualty figures or confirmed territorial gains. Local Russian authorities acknowledged that three people were killed during the fighting, while Russian war bloggers described “heavy battles” along the border zone.

The renewed incursion comes just days before a Kremlin-backed three-day ceasefire, set to begin May 8 in observance of Victory Day, when Russia holds its annual military parade in Moscow’s Red Square. President Putin had hoped to retake all Russian territory previously occupied by Ukrainian forces ahead of the event, but Kyiv’s renewed campaign undermines those ambitions.

Russia had declared a previous Ukrainian incursion into Kursk — which began in August 2024 — to be repelled successfully last month, with Moscow claiming it had driven out the last Ukrainian troops from its soil. Kyiv dismissed the assertion as “wishful thinking.”

At the height of the 2024 offensive, Ukrainian forces temporarily controlled nearly 500 square miles of Russian territory, prompting the evacuation of an estimated 130,000 residents from border villages. The latest operation appears to revive that strategy with new momentum.

In response to past Ukrainian advances, Russia reportedly deployed thousands of North Korean troops to the region to reinforce its lines — an unusual move that underscored the scale of manpower challenges Moscow faces amid prolonged warfare.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cast doubt on the sincerity of Russia’s announced ceasefire, pointing to the failure of previous truce agreements, including one proposed over Easter that quickly collapsed.

“We understand who we are dealing with. We do not believe them,” Zelensky said in a televised address.

Critics of the Kremlin, including exiled Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, have accused Putin of using the ceasefire to shield foreign dignitaries expected to attend Victory Day events — notably Chinese President Xi Jinping — rather than to protect civilian lives. “Its goal is to shield the May celebrations, entice foreign guests to Moscow, and show the world a picture of a ‘stable Russia,’” Khodorkovsky said.

The renewed Ukrainian offensive has reverberated across Russia’s western borders, where NATO members are moving to bolster their defenses. Lithuania announced plans to allocate nearly £1 billion to reinforce its border with both Russia and Belarus, including the procurement of anti-tank mines and other deterrents.

The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense said the measures aim to “block and slow down the actions of hostile states,” amid growing fears that conflict could spill into neighboring territories.

As Russia gears up for a highly choreographed Victory Day parade intended to project national unity and military prowess, the latest developments along the Kursk front highlight the persistent vulnerability of its borderlands — and the continued unpredictability of Ukraine’s battlefield strategy.

Shoe Thrown at President William Ruto During Kenya Rally Amid Cost of Living Protests

admin
-
0
Shoe Thrown at President William Ruto During Kenya Rally Amid Cost of Living Protests

NAIROBI, Kenya  — Kenyan President William Ruto was targeted with a shoe while addressing a crowd in western Kenya, as frustrations over rising living costs continue to fuel public unrest across the country.

The incident occurred Sunday in Migori County, where Ruto was delivering a speech centered on economic reforms and government efforts to reduce the cost of essential goods like fertilizer. As the president gestured toward the audience, a shoe was hurled at him — narrowly missing his head and striking his arm, as captured in multiple videos circulating on social media. Ruto appeared unharmed and resumed his speech without interruption.

“We have said we are reducing the price of fertilizer, true or false?” he asked, moments after the shoe bounced off his arm, kicking up a puff of dust and sparking murmurs from the crowd.

The protest gesture highlights mounting public discontent in Kenya, where inflation, unemployment, and steep tax proposals have intensified criticism of Ruto’s leadership. Although the president recently rolled back proposed tax hikes and extended a rare olive branch by inviting opposition figures into cabinet roles, public dissatisfaction remains high.

Ruto’s administration has struggled to regain support in several regions, particularly in economically strained counties like Migori, where citizens have accused the government of failing to address the rising cost of food, fuel, and basic services.

Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that police had detained three individuals in connection with the disturbance, as reported by Kenya’s The Star newspaper. Authorities have yet to publicly release the identities or motivations of those arrested, though the act has been widely interpreted as a symbolic protest against economic hardship and government policy.

The government is expected to increase security around presidential events following the incident.

Throwing a shoe at a political leader is widely recognized as an expression of contempt in many cultures. The Migori incident drew comparisons online to the 2008 moment when then-U.S. President George W. Bush famously dodged a shoe thrown by an Iraqi journalist during a press conference in Baghdad — an act that became a global symbol of anti-government protest.

While no injuries were reported in Kenya, the act underscores the symbolic potency of public resistance and growing frustrations among citizens facing economic hardship.

President Ruto, who came to power in 2022 promising a “bottom-up” economic model, has seen his popularity dip amid struggles to meet those promises. His administration faces increasing scrutiny as critics accuse it of prioritizing elite interests over the needs of ordinary citizens.

Although Sunday’s rally was meant to reinforce government messaging around economic recovery, the shoe-throwing incident served as a stark reminder of the disconnect between political rhetoric and public sentiment on the ground.

Sudden Storm Capsizes Tourist Boats in Southwest China, Killing 10 in Guizhou Province

admin
-
0
Sudden Storm Capsizes Tourist Boats in Southwest China, Killing 10 in Guizhou Province

BEIJING  — A sudden and violent storm capsized four tourist boats on a river in southwest China’s Guizhou province, killing at least 10 people and injuring dozens more, Chinese state media reported Monday.

The incident occurred late Sunday afternoon when powerful winds, rain, and hail struck the upper reaches of the Wu River — a tributary of the Yangtze — in the Zhenfeng county region, a scenic area popular with tourists. More than 80 people were thrown into the river during the unexpected weather event, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Initially, authorities believed two boats had capsized. However, updated reports confirmed that four vessels were involved in the accident. Two boats were carrying passengers, while the remaining two were reportedly empty, with their seven crew members managing to escape safely.

Eyewitnesses described the chaos as the storm struck without warning. “There was a sudden downpour with hail and thick mist that blanketed the river. It became impossible to see,” one survivor told the Beijing News, a state-owned outlet. Video shared by state media showed a boat floating upside down while a man performed CPR on a victim pulled from the water.

CCTV reported that each vessel had a maximum capacity of 40 passengers and that none were overloaded at the time of the disaster. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, pulling survivors from the river and transporting at least 70 people to local hospitals, most of whom suffered minor injuries. The search and recovery operation continued through Monday.

The tragedy unfolded during a five-day national holiday in China — a peak travel period when thousands flock to picturesque destinations like Guizhou, known for its lush mountains, deep rivers, and historic villages. The Wu River, in particular, is a popular site for river cruises and sightseeing tours.

Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a directive Sunday night calling for all-out rescue efforts and enhanced medical care for the injured, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. Xi also emphasized the urgent need to tighten safety protocols at tourist sites, public venues, and transport hubs, especially during major holiday periods when large crowds increase risks.

“In light of a recent series of fatal accidents, we must strengthen the safety net across high-traffic destinations and ensure the protection of public well-being,” Xi said, as quoted by Xinhua.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the capsizing, including whether adequate weather warnings were issued before the storm. Although the vessels were reportedly within capacity limits, the sudden onset of severe weather caught both passengers and crews off guard.

The Guizhou provincial government said additional resources have been deployed to assist in the response, and weather monitoring stations across the region are being reviewed for performance and accuracy.

The Wu River disaster follows a growing number of tourism-related accidents in China that have sparked concern over safety oversight and emergency preparedness during peak travel seasons. Officials say enhanced safety inspections and enforcement measures are now being prioritized across similar high-risk areas.

As of Monday night, search operations for any missing individuals were ongoing, with local authorities not ruling out the possibility of additional casualties.

Sex Trafficking Trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Set to Begin in New York Federal Court

admin
-
0
Sex Trafficking Trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Set to Begin in New York Federal Court

NEW YORK  — Sean “Diddy” Combs, the hip-hop mogul and entertainment tycoon long surrounded by allegations of abuse, is set to face a federal jury in New York as proceedings begin Monday in a high-stakes sex trafficking and racketeering trial that could define his legacy and land him behind bars for decades.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin in the morning and could take several days, with opening arguments and witness testimony expected to start next week. The 55-year-old music entrepreneur is accused in a sweeping federal indictment of orchestrating a decades-long campaign of sexual exploitation, physical abuse, and criminal coercion — crimes prosecutors say were masked by the power and wealth of his multi-industry empire.

The 17-page indictment, unsealed earlier this year, portrays Combs as the leader of a criminal enterprise resembling a mafia syndicate, alleging that he directed a network of employees, bodyguards, and business associates to lure, manipulate, and abuse women through fear, drugs, and career-based incentives.

Federal prosecutors say Combs hosted a series of ritualized sex parties known as “Freak Offs,” where women — often under the influence of drugs or coercion — were allegedly forced to engage in group sex acts, sometimes involving paid male sex workers. Women who resisted or refused, according to the indictment, were subjected to threats, violent retaliation, and professional blacklisting.

The indictment further alleges that Combs personally engaged in beatings, kidnappings, arson, and intimidation to maintain control. In one disturbing instance, prosecutors claim he dangled a person from a balcony during a confrontation.

Combs has denied all criminal wrongdoing. Through his legal team, he argues that any sexual activity was consensual and that the accusations are false, exaggerated, or rooted in toxic but non-criminal relationships. His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, acknowledged past drug use and turbulent relationships but maintains that the allegations do not amount to criminal conduct.

Combs is no stranger to controversy or courtrooms. His legal history includes multiple high-profile incidents:

  • In 1999, he was charged with assault after attacking music executive Steve Stoute with a champagne bottle and chair. The charge was later reduced, and Combs completed anger management classes.
  • Later that year, he was arrested after fleeing a Manhattan nightclub shooting with then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez. He was acquitted of weapons charges in 2001, although rapper Jamal “Shyne” Barrow, part of his entourage, was convicted and served nearly nine years in prison.
  • In 2015, he was accused of assaulting a UCLA football coach with a kettlebell. Combs said he acted in self-defense, and prosecutors dropped the case.

Still, none of those incidents compare to the scope and severity of the current charges.

The upcoming trial is expected to last at least eight weeks. If convicted, Combs faces the possibility of decades in federal prison.

Among the most high-profile episodes likely to feature in the trial is a 2016 hotel hallway assault involving Combs and his ex-girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, born Casandra Ventura. Surveillance footage captured Combs physically assaulting her — footage that resurfaced following Cassie’s 2023 lawsuit accusing him of years of sexual and physical abuse.

Cassie, who publicly identified herself, alleged beatings, rape, and psychological torment over the course of their relationship. Combs settled the civil case out of court but admitted to the violence captured on video. His legal team insists that the rest of the relationship was consensual and disputes the claims made in the lawsuit.

The Associated Press typically does not name alleged victims of sexual abuse, but Cassie has spoken publicly and initiated litigation, making her identity a matter of public record.

As Combs returns to federal court, the proceedings mark a pivotal moment in the life of one of the most influential figures in hip-hop and pop culture. Once celebrated for building a multimedia empire spanning music, fashion, and spirits, Combs now faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison if convicted of the most serious counts.

Israel Approves Military Plan to ‘Capture’ Gaza, Intensify Offensive Against Hamas

admin
-
0
Israel Approves Military Plan to ‘Capture’ Gaza, Intensify Offensive Against Hamas

TEL AVIV, Israel  — Israel’s security cabinet has unanimously approved a sweeping military plan to expand operations in Gaza, including the “capture” and prolonged control of territory within the coastal enclave, as part of its broader campaign to dismantle Hamas and secure the return of hostages, an Israeli official said Monday.

The plan, drafted by Israeli military Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, also calls for forcibly moving much of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents toward the southern part of the Strip for what officials described as “their defense.” The strategy is expected to unfold over several months and includes the expansion of a buffer zone along the border.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the proposal a “good plan” that serves dual goals: the destruction of Hamas and the return of hostages still held in Gaza. The approval marks a major escalation following the end of a two-month ceasefire on March 18.

“The plan will include, among other things, the capture of the Strip and holding the territories, moving the Gazan population south for its defense, denying Hamas the ability to distribute humanitarian supplies, and powerful attacks against Hamas,” the unnamed Israeli official told reporters during a briefing.

Israeli media reported the strategy will unfold in phases, beginning with the seizure of additional areas in northern and central Gaza. Officials hope the military escalation will create negotiating leverage in renewed talks over a ceasefire and the release of the remaining 59 hostages held by Hamas since the October 7 attacks.

During a visit to a naval base Sunday, Lt. Gen. Zamir addressed Israeli special forces, stating that tens of thousands of reservists were being activated to reinforce and extend operations in Gaza.

“We are increasing the pressure with the aim of bringing our people home and defeating Hamas,” he said. “We will operate in additional areas and destroy all terrorist infrastructure — above and below ground.”

The cabinet also gave preliminary approval for a controversial proposal to reroute humanitarian aid through private companies, bypassing existing UN-led distribution networks. This could bring an end to a two-month aid blockade that the United Nations says has brought Gaza’s population to the brink of starvation.

However, UN agencies and humanitarian organizations have sharply criticized the plan. The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), which coordinates relief efforts in Gaza, said Sunday that Israel’s new strategy violates international law and basic humanitarian principles.

“Israeli authorities are trying to dismantle the existing aid distribution system and force delivery through Israeli-controlled hubs under military-defined conditions,” the HCT said in a statement. “This approach would drive civilians into militarized zones to collect rations, threaten humanitarian workers, and further entrench forced displacement.”

The UN also warned that the most vulnerable in Gaza — including the elderly, disabled, and internally displaced — will be unable to access aid under the new model, leaving them without food, medicine, or shelter.

Israel fully cut off humanitarian deliveries on March 2, citing Hamas interference and security risks. Since then, the UN reports that aid warehouses have been emptied, bakeries have shut down, and community kitchens are within days of closure. The health system, already strained, is reportedly near collapse due to a lack of medicine, vaccines, and equipment.

Despite international criticism, Israeli officials maintain that they are in compliance with humanitarian obligations. They argue that Hamas has exploited aid channels and must be removed from any role in distribution.

The new plan has drawn domestic criticism as well, particularly from families of hostages still held by Hamas. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum accused the government of prioritizing territorial control over human life.

“This plan is an admission that the government is choosing territory over the hostages,” the group said. “That is against the will of more than 70% of the people in Israel.”

Security cabinet member Zeev Elkin told Israel’s Kan public broadcaster there remains a narrow window to negotiate a hostage release deal, possibly before President Donald Trump’s scheduled visit to the Middle East from May 13 to 16.

“There’s still a window of opportunity — if Hamas understands that we are serious,” Elkin said.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise cross-border assault, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli authorities.

Since then, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says at least 52,567 Palestinians have been killed, including 2,459 since the offensive resumed in March.

While Israel insists it is targeting Hamas infrastructure, critics argue the high civilian toll and widespread destruction reflect a disproportionate use of force. Nearly the entire population of Gaza has been displaced, according to the United Nations.

Wisconsin Mother Missing Since 1962 Found Alive After 62 Years, Says She Has ‘No Regrets’

admin
-
0
Wisconsin Mother Missing Since 1962 Found Alive After 62 Years, Says She Has ‘No Regrets’

REEDSBURG, Wis.  — A Wisconsin woman who vanished without a trace in 1962 while raising two young children has been found alive and well in another state after investigators reopened her decades-old cold case.

Audrey Backeberg, who was 20 years old when she disappeared from her Reedsburg home on July 7, 1962, is now confirmed to be alive and living under the radar, according to the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office. She reportedly expressed no regrets about leaving her past behind and has since built a new life.

Authorities made the revelation Thursday, crediting a renewed investigation with uncovering long-buried clues in one of the state’s oldest missing persons cases. Detectives described her current status as “alive and well,” though her location remains confidential for privacy reasons.

Backeberg was living with her husband, Ronald Backeberg, and their two children when she abruptly disappeared after leaving to collect her paycheck from a local woolen mill. For years, her family and law enforcement believed she had met with foul play, but no leads ever panned out.

In March, Detective Isaac Hanson took over the cold case as part of a department-wide review of unsolved files. His work included combing through archived evidence, revisiting original witness accounts, and following digital genealogy trails — particularly through a key Ancestry.com account held by Backeberg’s sister.

“Ultimately, we came up with an address,” Hanson told WISN. “I called the local sheriff’s department and asked if someone could knock on the door. Ten minutes later, she called me.”

Hanson said the two spoke for 45 minutes. Backeberg explained she left voluntarily to escape what she described as an abusive marriage. She had married Ronald at just 15 years old and, days before her disappearance, filed a police complaint alleging he had beaten her severely and threatened to kill her.

“She sounded happy. Confident in her decision,” Hanson said. “No regrets.”

According to archived reports, Backeberg’s complaint in 1962 included accusations that Ronald had inflicted head injuries and possessed firearms while threatening her life. Despite alerting authorities, he remained in the home with her and their children.

Following her disappearance, Ronald claimed he had no knowledge of her whereabouts and tried to locate her. The family and community insisted she would never willingly abandon her children.

Initial leads suggested she may have hitchhiked to Madison before boarding a bus to Indiana. A teenage babysitter claimed to have witnessed the departure but later refused to cooperate with police. In a later interview as an adult, the woman claimed Backeberg had taken pills and possibly joined a group of construction workers heading south.

Despite conflicting narratives, authorities now say they are confident that Backeberg left by choice and was never in danger during the decades she was presumed missing.

“She was never unsafe,” Hanson confirmed. “She chose to remove herself from that situation.”

The sheriff’s office has declined to name the state where Backeberg is currently residing.

1...349350351...967Page 350 of 967