A three-story residential building collapsed in Egypt early Monday, killing 10 people and injuring three others, officials confirmed.
The Health Ministry said rescue teams and ambulances were deployed to Kerdasa City, located in the western part of Greater Cairo, to clear debris and search for survivors.
Giza Gov. Adel al-Naggar ordered the evacuation of nearby buildings as a precautionary measure, according to a statement released on Facebook by the Giza governorate.
Authorities received alerts about the collapse at approximately 5 a.m. Security and forensic teams are investigating the cause of the incident.
Building collapses are not uncommon in Egypt due to poor construction practices and a lack of enforcement of building regulations. Officials have yet to determine whether structural violations played a role in the disaster.
A Nigerian military airstrike targeting rebels in the country’s northwest has resulted in the deaths of several civilians, officials confirmed Monday.
The Nigerian Air Force did not disclose the number of civilian casualties in the Safana area of Katsina state, but spokesperson Olusola Akinboyewa stated that an investigation is underway to verify the extent of the losses.
Akinboyewa described reports of civilian deaths as “deeply troubling” and said the airstrike was launched in response to a rebel attack on a local police division.
Amnesty International reported at least 10 civilian deaths in a statement Sunday, condemning the incident as part of a pattern of human rights violations by the Nigerian military. The rights group called for an independent investigation into the strike.
This marks the second time this year that a military airstrike has killed civilians in Nigeria’s restive northwestern region. In January, an airstrike in Zamfara state mistakenly killed civilians working in community security groups.
Nigeria’s military frequently conducts air raids to combat extremist groups that have destabilized the northern regions. However, these operations have resulted in significant civilian casualties. According to Lagos-based research firm SBM Intelligence, Nigerian military airstrikes have killed approximately 400 civilians since 2017.
In December 2023, more than 80 civilians were mistakenly killed during a religious gathering in Kaduna state. The Nigerian military later announced that two personnel would face a court martial over the killings in May 2024, but the investigation’s findings were never made public. Rights groups have criticized the government’s handling of such incidents, citing a persistent lack of transparency.
As investigations continue into the latest airstrike, officials face mounting pressure to ensure accountability and prevent further civilian casualties in ongoing counterinsurgency operations.
Maryland State Police have arrested Jack LaSota, the alleged leader of the Zizian group, along with another member in connection to multiple killings across the United States. LaSota, 34, who is a transgender, a male now female, was taken into custody Sunday alongside Michelle Zajko, 33, of Media, Pennsylvania. Both face charges including trespassing, obstructing and hindering, and possession of a handgun in a vehicle.
Jack LaSota, the alleged leader of the Zizian group
A bail hearing for LaSota and Zajko is set for Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Allegany District Court.
Authorities have linked the Zizians to the January killing of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Maland near the Canadian border, as well as five other homicides in Vermont, Pennsylvania, and California. Maland, 44, was fatally shot during a Jan. 20 traffic stop in Coventry, Vermont, a small town near the border.
Top 3 from left: 2019 Sonoma Co. mug shots of Jack LaSota, Alexander Leatham, Emma Borhanian; bottom left, Gwen Danielson, Maximilian Snyder and Teresa Youngblut. (AP Photo)
Officials have provided limited details on the ongoing investigation, but court records and online activity suggest that the group consists of young, highly intelligent computer scientists who met online and shared anarchist ideologies. Their writings, spanning topics such as radical veganism, gender identity, and artificial intelligence, indicate an increasingly violent trajectory.
At the center of the group is “Ziz,” believed to be LaSota, who has been linked to multiple crime scenes and various suspects. LaSota maintained a blog containing dark and violent writings, including theories on the brain’s hemispheres holding separate values and genders that “often desire to kill each other.”
LaSota, who identified as a transgender woman and used she/her pronouns, frequently criticized perceived enemies, including rationalist groups focused on understanding human cognition and artificial intelligence risks.
Before the arrest, LaSota had missed court appearances in two states, leading to the issuance of bench warrants. Her attorney, Daniel McGarrigle, declined to comment on whether LaSota is connected to the homicides but confirmed he has represented her in past cases.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities working to determine the full extent of the Zizian group’s activities and motives.
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is seeking access to extensive taxpayer data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), according to two individuals familiar with the plan who spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press.
If approved, DOGE would gain access to millions of taxpayer records, including financial data and bank records. Sources said DOGE specifically aims to use the IRS’ Integrated Data Retrieval System, a tool that provides IRS employees real-time access to taxpayer accounts.
Privacy advocates have raised alarms about the potential misuse of such data, warning that unauthorized access could result in violations of taxpayer privacy and targeted actions against individuals.
Harrison Fields, a White House spokesperson, defended the move in a statement, saying, “Waste, fraud, and abuse have been deeply entrenched in our broken system for too long. It takes direct access to the system to identify and fix it.” Fields added that DOGE’s mission is to expose fraud and ensure taxpayers understand how their money is being spent.
Democratic lawmakers are pushing back against the initiative. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent a letter to acting IRS Commissioner Douglas O’Donnell on Monday, demanding records justifying DOGE’s access request. The letter also raises concerns about potential disruptions to the tax filing process, which began on Jan. 27, and could see more than 140 million returns submitted before the April 15 deadline.
“Any delay in refunds could be financially devastating to millions of Americans who plan their budgets around timely refunds every spring,” the letter states.
The Washington Post first reported DOGE’s IRS data access request on Sunday. Meanwhile, sources say the IRS is planning workforce reductions that could take effect during tax season, further complicating the situation.
In a separate legal challenge, attorneys general from 14 states filed a lawsuit last week arguing that DOGE lacks the legal authority to access IRS data, citing constitutional provisions restricting such actions to Senate-confirmed officials.
On Musk’s social media platform X, a new account titled DOGE IRS has called on the public to report instances of fraud, waste, and abuse related to the IRS. The developments add to growing tensions over government data access and taxpayer privacy.
Argentine President Javier Milei is facing impeachment calls and legal action over his promotion of a cryptocurrency that plummeted in value after he deleted a social media post endorsing it.
Milei posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday about the $LIBRA cryptocurrency, describing it as a tool to support small businesses and start-ups. The post included a link to purchase the coin, leading to a surge in its value. However, hours later, he deleted the post, and the cryptocurrency’s value crashed, resulting in heavy losses for investors.
Some members of Argentina’s Congress announced plans to initiate impeachment proceedings, while lawyers filed fraud complaints in the country’s criminal court on Sunday.
Critics accused Milei of a “rug pull,” a term used to describe a scam in which cryptocurrency promoters encourage investments before withdrawing support and profiting from the sales. Observers noted that the link shared by Milei contained a phrase he frequently uses in speeches.
In response, the presidential office stated on Saturday that the post was removed to prevent “speculation” following the public’s reaction. Officials denied Milei’s involvement in the cryptocurrency’s creation and announced that the Anti-Corruption Office would investigate whether any misconduct occurred.
Former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner criticized Milei over the controversy, calling him a “crypto scammer” in a widely viewed social media post. Argentina’s main opposition coalition labeled the situation an “unprecedented scandal” and confirmed plans to formally request impeachment proceedings.
The fallout from the crypto scandal has intensified scrutiny of Milei’s administration as calls for an official investigation grow.
Turkish OnlyFans model and adult actress Merve Taskin has been placed under house arrest after advertising a Valentine’s Day dinner date for £9,000.
Taskin, 27, was arrested on February 14 and accused of offering “obscene services” after posting an advertisement on X to her 124,000 followers. The post offered to be a fan’s “girlfriend” for an evening, complete with a dinner date.
Soon after, Turkish authorities took action, and on February 15, a judge at the Caglayan Court ordered her to remain under house arrest while her phone and social media accounts were investigated.
Taskin’s viral post listed her fee as 400,000 Turkish lira (approximately £8,770) and playfully described what her lucky suitor could expect:
– **Conversation:** “I am talkative, we can chat a lot.”
– **Beauty:** “You can create a good image with me outside.”
– **Fame:** “I am known in Turkey, you can satisfy your ego within yourself.”
– **Intelligence:** “I’m smarter than you expect, you’ll be surprised.”
She also jokingly warned:
– “Bonus: I have great manipulation skills, be careful not to fall in love.”
– “Bonus 2: If you need motivation on anything, I’m pretty good at that too.”
– “Bonus 3: I am humble.”
Following the post, Taskin was reported to the police, leading to her sudden arrest.
After her release, Taskin took to social media to describe her experience in custody. She claimed she spent a night in a “cold, stuffy, unhygienic detention cell” alongside local prostitutes.
“One of the girls was crying at first because she got locked up in the detention cell,” she wrote, “but then she started laughing when she found out that I was Turkish and that I was there because of social media.”
Expressing disbelief at the situation, she added: “Someone please tell me that they played a prank on me and none of it is real.”
This is not Taskin’s first run-in with the law. In 2021, she was sentenced to five months in prison for posting erotic photos during a trip to Amsterdam—including an infamous picture of her posing with a giant penis at the city’s Sex Museum.
Her latest legal troubles have reignited debates over Turkey’s strict laws on online content and personal freedoms.
Pope Francis remains hospitalized with a “complex clinical picture” due to a polymicrobial respiratory tract infection, the Vatican confirmed Monday, as concerns mount over the 88-year-old pontiff’s declining health.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni stated that recent medical tests indicate the infection, caused by multiple pathogens including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, required adjustments to the pope’s treatment.
While no specific timeline for his hospitalization has been provided, Bruni emphasized that the severity of the condition necessitates an “appropriate hospital stay.”
“Pope Francis is in good spirits,” Bruni said, noting that the pontiff had eaten breakfast and read newspapers after a third restful night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The Vatican did not specify whether the infection was viral or bacterial but reiterated that all tests indicate a “complex clinical picture.”
Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital on Friday in “fair condition” after struggling with a persistent bronchitis infection for over a week. Doctors have recommended complete rest, forcing him to cancel Sunday’s weekly prayer in St. Peter’s Square and a special mass for artists marking the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year.
Over the weekend, the pope expressed gratitude for the support he has received, posting on social media: “Thank you for the affection, prayer, and closeness with which you accompany me in these days.”
Reports indicate that before his hospitalization, Pope Francis was visibly struggling to complete public speeches due to shortness of breath. Despite his worsening condition, he insisted on finishing his scheduled morning audiences before leaving for the hospital.
Despite his illness, Pope Francis has continued making phone calls, including to members of a Catholic parish in Gaza, according to Italian broadcaster Mediaset. Parishioners reported that the pope called both Friday and Saturday, sounding “in good humor” but “a bit tired.”
The pope’s next official engagement is his weekly general audience scheduled for Wednesday, followed by his role in the ordination of deacons on Sunday as part of a Holy Year event. Both remain on the Vatican’s schedule but are increasingly uncertain as his recovery progresses.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Riyadh on Monday ahead of high-level talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as Washington and Moscow prepare for negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine and discussing broader U.S.-Russia relations.
Rubio’s visit to the Saudi capital comes as U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are also set to arrive for Tuesday’s talks with Russian officials. The meeting marks one of the first in-person discussions in years between senior U.S. and Russian representatives and is expected to lay the groundwork for a possible summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Lavrov and foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov were traveling to Riyadh for the discussions.
“They are expected to meet with their American counterparts on Tuesday, primarily focusing on restoring the full scope of Russian-American relations,” Peskov told reporters.
Discussions will also include preparations for potential negotiations on Ukraine and the logistics of a presidential meeting between Trump and Putin. However, Peskov declined to comment on reports that Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, would be attending or whether Trump and Putin would meet in person in Saudi Arabia later this month.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that Rubio, Waltz, and Witkoff will represent Washington in the Riyadh talks.
Trump’s directive for the negotiations follows his recent phone call with Putin, during which he instructed top officials to explore avenues to end the war in Ukraine. Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly pledged to resolve the conflict.
Saudi Arabia, which played a key role in early U.S.-Russia diplomatic contacts, facilitated a prisoner exchange between the two sides last week.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also in the region, having arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday. He has indicated plans to visit Saudi Arabia and Turkey, though no specific dates have been confirmed.
Zelenskyy dismissed speculation that he would meet U.S. or Russian officials, emphasizing that Ukraine was not invited to the Saudi-hosted talks.
“Ukraine does not recognize any negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine,” he said.
Rubio, who spoke with Lavrov by phone on Saturday, stated on Sunday that the coming weeks would determine whether Putin is genuinely open to a peace settlement.
Rubio is also expected to discuss the Gaza conflict with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), particularly Trump’s proposal for Palestinian residents of Gaza to be resettled in other Arab nations while the U.S. leads reconstruction efforts.
The proposal has sparked strong opposition across the Arab world and heightened fears among Palestinians that they could be permanently displaced.
The war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when Iran-backed Hamas militants launched an attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. Israel’s subsequent military response has resulted in more than 48,000 Palestinian casualties, according to Gaza health officials. A fragile ceasefire was reached last month.
Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations have firmly rejected any plans for Palestinian resettlement. Instead, Riyadh is leading regional efforts to propose an alternative solution, which could involve a Gulf-led reconstruction initiative and measures to sideline Hamas.
MbS has reiterated that Saudi Arabia will not normalize relations with Israel—a long-standing U.S. objective—without a clear pathway to Palestinian statehood.
During a visit to Israel on Sunday, Rubio met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reaffirmed Washington’s support for Israel in its ongoing tensions with Iran.
Britain has expressed readiness to deploy peacekeeping troops to support any future peace agreement in Ukraine, as European leaders convened in Paris on Monday to coordinate a unified strategy. Meanwhile, Russian and U.S. officials are set to hold separate discussions.
The emergency summit in Paris comes amid shifting dynamics in Ukraine’s future, following an announcement by President Donald Trump’s administration that it will engage in negotiations with Russia. Ukraine, backed militarily by the U.S., has indicated willingness to discuss an end to the ongoing war. However, Russia has ruled out territorial concessions.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized Sunday the increasing recognition among European nations that they must take greater responsibility for Ukraine’s security. The United States has urged Europe to reduce dependence on Washington for defense support.
Deploying a peacekeeping mission could heighten the risk of direct confrontation with Russia while straining European military resources, already depleted by arms supplies to Ukraine and decades of relative peace. Additionally, financial concerns loom, as some European economies are already burdened by economic challenges.
On Monday, Germany stated it “will not shy away” from contributing ground troops to a structured framework in Ukraine but clarified that no formal agreements were expected at the Paris summit.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson acknowledged the “absolute possibility” of sending Swedish peacekeepers under a clear mandate. Meanwhile, Poland, which maintains NATO’s third-largest army, announced it would provide logistical and operational support but would refrain from deploying troops.
Last week, Trump unsettled Ukraine and its European allies by revealing he had initiated direct communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin, bypassing allied consultation.
Senior U.S. and Russian officials are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, marking the highest-level in-person engagement between the two nations in years. The talks are expected to set the stage for a direct meeting between Trump and Putin.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with national security adviser Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, departed for Riyadh. The Kremlin confirmed that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov will represent Russia.
Despite continued fighting, with Russia gradually advancing on the battlefield, Lavrov reiterated that Moscow would not cede control over any of the 20 percent of Ukrainian territory it currently occupies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking from the United Arab Emirates, dismissed the upcoming Saudi talks.
“Ukraine considers any negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine to be invalid. We cannot recognize any agreements made without our participation,” Zelenskyy stated.
Trump’s Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg indicated Saturday that Europe will not be included in the negotiation process. Instead, Washington has circulated a questionnaire to European governments, inquiring about their willingness to contribute security guarantees for Ukraine, including potential troop deployments.
French President Emmanuel Macron is set to host European leaders from Germany, Italy, Britain, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark, alongside representatives from the European Union and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Although Britain is no longer an EU member, it remains a strong supporter of Ukraine. Diplomatic sources suggest that London and Paris, as Europe’s leading military powers, have been exploring ceasefire support options since November.
The European Union, despite imposing unprecedented economic and diplomatic sanctions on Russia, has struggled to take a leadership role in ending the war.
With German Chancellor Olaf Scholz facing an election on Sunday, he reaffirmed Europe’s commitment:
“We must ensure that Europe meets future challenges with strength, sovereignty, and unity,” Scholz said.
Starmer, who is expected to visit Washington for talks with Trump next week, described the situation as a “once-in-a-generation moment” for European security. He urged close cooperation with the United States and reiterated Britain’s readiness to play a leading role in security guarantees for Ukraine, including deploying troops if necessary.
“The end of this war must not become a temporary pause before Putin attacks again,” Starmer wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
Uganda has reversed its decision to hold opposition leader Kizza Besigye in a military trial, citing his deteriorating health as he remains on a hunger strike.
Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi announced late Sunday that Besigye’s case would be transferred to a civilian court. The move follows reports that the opposition leader, who has been on hunger strike, was temporarily moved to a medical facility.
Baryomunsi visited Besigye in prison earlier, urging him to end his hunger strike as authorities transferred his case. The former presidential candidate faces charges of illegal firearm possession and threatening state security.
Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, criticized the visit, calling it “highly suspicious.”
“You are not a concerned visitor. You are his captor,” Byanyima posted on X. “We will hold you and your government fully accountable for any harm that comes to him.”
A longtime critic of President Yoweri Museveni, Besigye has been detained in Kampala’s Luzira Maximum Security Prison since November. His legal team claims he was forcibly taken from Kenya and returned to Uganda against his will.
Human rights groups and opposition lawmakers have condemned his arrest. Amnesty International called his detention a “travesty of justice.”
Besigye launched his hunger strike last week in protest of what he calls an “illegal detention.” His lawyer warned Thursday that his health had deteriorated critically.
Public concern intensified after Besigye appeared frail and unable to walk in a court appearance Friday. On Sunday, he was taken in a wheelchair to a medical clinic in Kampala. A relative described his condition as “not good.”
Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, has been arrested multiple times over the years, including in 2022 on charges of inciting violence.
He has repeatedly contested President Museveni’s rule, accusing the government of election fraud and voter intimidation. Museveni has governed Uganda since 1986, and his administration has faced repeated allegations of human rights violations, illegal detentions, and extrajudicial killings.
Ugandan authorities have denied these accusations, insisting that all detainees receive due legal process. The government initially said it would ignore a Supreme Court ruling that a military trial for Besigye was unconstitutional.
