Washington, D.C. – Former White House chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci addressed concerns about former President Trump’s health after a failed assassination attempt last week, noting he suffered from a “superficial wound.”
“I don’t think there is much more to it,” Fauci told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer Friday, after watching clips of Trump speaking about his ear, which was grazed by a bullet during the shooting in Pennsylvania. “I mean, from what we’ve seen and what we’ve heard, it was … a bullet shot that grazed his ear and injured his ear.”
Fauci said that according to the physicians who examined the former president, there was no further damage.
His comments come after 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks climbed a roof with a direct line to the former president and began firing off shots during a campaign stop in Butler, Pa., just outside Pittsburgh. Crooks and one event attendee were killed, and two others were critically injured, per the Secret Service, which has come under intense scrutiny following the event.
Fauci, who served under both the Trump and Biden administrations, added that he thinks the former president is “in the clear” related to the “bullet itself.”
“As far as I can see, I mean, it’s dangerous to make diagnoses from a distance. From what I’m seeing, the way he’s acting now and what his physicians report saw, it seems to have been a superficial wound to the ear that’s all,” Fauci said in comments, highlighted by Mediaite.
Just days after the assassination attempt, Trump formally accepted the GOP presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Gaza Strip – At least 13 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on homes in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza on Saturday, according to hospital officials and Gaza’s Civil Defense.
The toll came from two separate strikes in the camp, the officials said. In response to CNN’s question about the latest strikes, the Israeli Defence Source (IDF) said: “Overnight, the IDF struck terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip, including terrorists and terrorist infrastructure sites in the area of Nuseirat.
“The IDF is making significant efforts to mitigate harm to uninvolved civilians and is operating in accordance with international law against the Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip that are systematically and cynically operating from within civilian infrastructure.”
Gaza’s Civil Defense also said a residential block was hit south of Nuseirat, with hospital officials saying they received three bodies.
“A short while ago, one tower [block] was bombed,” Mahdi Abdullah, a man from northern Gaza displaced in Nuseirat, told CNN. “The situation is difficult here, and I am waiting for things to calm down so that I can return to my place.”
Nuseirat residents described living in constant fear of being bombed and a deteriorating humanitarian situation.
“The situation is scary,” said Rahma Abu Hajiaj, a 39-year-old mother of five from Nuseirat. “There are no warnings, there are no alarms when homes are bombed, we are hiding all the time and we do not know why they are targeting these homes.”
The Ministry of Health in Gaza said that 37 people have been killed and 54 injured in the past 24 hours due to ongoing Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip.
The ministry said the total number of deaths since October 7 now stands at 38,919 with another 89,622 people injured. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants killed.
Washington, D.C. – The US Treasury Department on Friday sanctioned two alleged members of a Russian cybercriminal gang that has claimed responsibility for a series of hacks against US critical infrastructure providers, including a cyberattack in January that caused a tank at a Texas water facility to overflow.
Treasury posted photos of the two alleged hackers — Yuliya Vladimirovna Pankratova and Denis Olegovich Degtyarenko — unmasking them from the anonymous social media accounts they had used to hide.
Pankratova and Degtyarenko are allegedly part of a politically motivated hacking group called Cyber Army of Russia Reborn (CARR), which has claimed credit for a series of cyberattacks against American and European organizations in support of Russia.
The string of hacks alarmed US officials because of how easily they were able to pull them off. The hackers logged into sensitive industrial software systems that are supposed to be separated from the public internet. US national security adviser Jake Sullivan appealed to state officials and water authorities to shore up their cyber defenses.
The hack in January in the small town of Muleshoe, in north Texas, wasted tens of thousands of gallons of water, according to the Treasury Department. It coincided with at least two other towns in north Texas taking precautionary defensive measures.
Sanctions against criminal hackers are increasingly common as the US government tries to deter both politically and financially motivated computer operatives.
Among CARR’s other claimed targets was a wastewater treatment plant in Indiana. The hackers tend to blend their unsophisticated hacking efforts with psychological operations designed to drum up interest in the group and spread panic among targets. They have, for example, released videos of them purporting to infiltrate water systems and disrupt critical infrastructure.
“Russia continues to provide a safe haven to cybercriminals and enable their operations that target infrastructure within the United States and its allies and partners,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement on Friday.
Shanxi, China – At least 12 people have been confirmed dead and more than 30 are missing following the collapse of a bridge in China’s northern province of Shanxi, authorities reported on Friday evening. The incident occurred in Zhanshui County, Shangluo City, amid heavy rains and flash flooding that have devastated the region.
The collapse happened around 10 p.m. local time, causing 17 cars and 8 trucks to plunge into the river below. Rescue operations were launched immediately, and as of 12 p.m. local time (12 a.m. ET) Saturday, efforts to locate and save survivors were ongoing. The national fire and rescue authority has dispatched a substantial team comprising nearly 900 personnel, 90 vehicles, 20 boats, and 41 drones to assist in the search and recovery efforts, according to reports from Reuters.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for comprehensive rescue efforts and emphasized the urgency of flood control measures. “The country is in a critical period for flood control,” President Xi stated, urging local governments to take immediate action to mitigate the disaster’s impact, as reported by local media through Reuters.
The disaster underscores the severe weather conditions plaguing China, with multiple regions grappling with the dual impacts of recent drought and now catastrophic flooding. The provinces affected have seen significant infrastructure damage, and emergency services are stretched thin.
In the neighboring Henan province, more than 100,000 residents have been evacuated from their homes due to flooding, state media reported. The extensive evacuation efforts highlight the severity of the flooding and the urgent need for effective disaster response.
Meanwhile, in the southwestern Sichuan province, flash floods have also wreaked havoc. Over 30 people are reported missing in Hanyuan County after sudden floods hit early Saturday morning, around 2:30 a.m. local time. The local emergency management agency, cited by CCTV, reported significant damage to homes, roads, and bridges.
The bridge collapse and widespread flooding have brought intense scrutiny to China’s infrastructure resilience and disaster preparedness. Authorities are working tirelessly to rescue those affected and prevent further casualties.
Sheila Jackson Lee, a longtime Democratic congresswoman from Texas who was an outspoken advocate for Black Americans for decades, has died. She was 74.
“Today, with incredible grief for our loss yet deep gratitude for the life she shared with us, we announce the passing of United States Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of the 18th Congressional District of Texas,” her family said in a statement Friday.
Jackson Lee announced in June that she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. At the time, she acknowledged that “the road ahead will not be easy” and said she had “faith that God will strengthen me.”
Her family remembered her as “a fierce champion of the people,” saying that “she was affectionately and simply known as ‘Congresswoman’ by her constituents in recognition of her near-ubiquitous presence and service to their daily lives for more than 30 years.”
Born on January 12, 1950, in Queens, New York, Jackson Lee was among the first women to graduate from Yale University and served as a Houston municipal judge and a city councilwoman before she was first elected to represent Texas’ 18th Congressional District in 1994, unseating a Democratic incumbent in the primary for the Houston-area seat.
During her congressional tenure, Jackson Lee was an outspoken advocate for marginalized communities and Black Americans. She was one of the sponsors of legislation establishing Juneteenth as a national holiday, frequently spoke out against police brutality, and advocated federal legislation to prosecute police misconduct.
She was widely admired and sometimes controversial for her opposition to the Iraq War and as a fierce critic of former President Donald Trump. She opposed the tallying of the electoral votes that certified Trump as the winner of the 2016 election, citing an unfounded claim about “massive voter suppression,” and occasionally used her position on the House Judiciary Committee to excoriate members of Trump’s circle.
While she was often unsuccessful in some of her most ambitious aims, Jackson Lee remained a prominent and vocal figure, particularly in the wake of George Floyd’s killing by a member of the police in 2020.
Days after the arrest and public display of the suspected killer of 42 people in Kenya, the New York Times, in its publication of July 19, 2024, asked a pertinent question: “Did Police in Kenya Catch a Serial Killer or Coerce a Confession?”
The authorities in Kenya announced the arrest of the man suspected of being a serial killer, linked to the gruesome discovery of at least 10 sacks filled with body parts found in an abandoned dump, according to the NYT. The suspect allegedly confessed to killing 42 women, including his own wife, over the past two years. However, questions are arising about the validity of the confession and the police’s handling of the case.
The case came to light when 26-year-old Josephine Owino, a hair braider from the Mukuru Kwa Njenga shantytown in Nairobi, disappeared one morning last month. She had left abruptly to meet someone who had just called her. Her younger sister, Peris Keya, desperate to find Josephine, approached three different police stations, pleading for help, but her cries went unheard.
The shantytown of Mukuru Kwa Njenga in Nairobi, Kenya where a man who police say confessed to being a serial killer lived in close quarters with his neighbors.
Ms. Keya’s determination led her to a startling dream in which her sister appeared, guiding her to a hill and beseeching her to search in a pool of water. Fueled by this vision, Keya persuaded local men to help her search an abandoned quarry filled with floating trash. They discovered sacks containing dismembered body parts, much to her horror.
After learning of the horrific discovery, the police launched an investigation that resulted in the arrest of Collins Jumaasi Khalusha, 33. According to the authorities, Khalusha confessed to the murder of 42 women, disposing of their bodies in a dump located disturbingly close to a police station.
However, controversy has surrounded the confession. Khalusha’s lawyer accused the police of using torture to extract the confession, casting doubt on its authenticity. The rapid progression from the discovery of the body parts to the arrest and confession of Khalusha has left many Kenyans skeptical and suspicious of the police’s methods.
The police have defended their actions, stating that they traced the suspect through forensic analysis of a cellphone belonging to one of the victims. They claim that this critical evidence links Khalusha to heinous crimes.
The corridor leading to the room that residents said Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, the accused serial killer, rented. A neighbor said it would have been impossible to kill and dismember people undetected in such close quarters.
The discovery of the body parts near a police station has sent shockwaves through the community, igniting fear and speculation about how such a prolific killer could operate unnoticed for so long. Human rights activists and critics are now demanding an independent investigation into the police’s conduct, arguing that the police might have coerced a confession from Khalusha to cover up their own negligence and failures.
This case has also brought to light the broader issue of police inefficiency and disregard for missing persons cases in Nairobi. Ms. Keya and other families have shared harrowing accounts of their attempts to report their missing relatives, only to encounter police indifference and inaction.
“I had to take matters into my own hands,” said Ms. Keya, recalling her futile pleas to the police to search for her sister. “The police kept saying they were too busy, or they would brush my sister’s toddler away when I brought him along.”
The discovery of body parts so close to a police station has sparked serious concerns about the police’s vigilance and commitment to community protection. Human rights groups are now demanding transparency and accountability, scrutinizing the police’s handling of the case to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
Kasoa, Ghana – The Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit at the Kasoa Divisional Police Command, DOVVSU Department, led by DSP Doris Laryea, has arrested three suspects for allegedly stealing a baby at Kasoa Ofaakor, Ghana.
The suspects are Magdalene Nana Adwoa Boafo, 28, Faustina Binney, 32, and Eunice Koomson, 36, a teacher at Ebenezer High Academy, a private basic school in Ofaakor.
Police sources say Nana Adwoa Boafo, the prime suspect, approached the mother of the baby, Abigail Addison, who was eight months pregnant and selling pure water in traffic at Ofaakor in the Awutu Senya East municipality. She offered to assist her financially and ensure she delivered safely.
She later introduced her to the other two suspects, Eunice Koomson and Faustina Binney, who pretended to be offering genuine support but had ulterior motives. The police report said to cover up their intentions, the suspects rented an apartment for Abigail at Kasoa Lamptey, a suburb of the Adam Nana Electoral Area.
They continued to offer the 29-year-old a little support until she delivered at the Kasoa Polyclinic on July 10, 2024.
However, the kind gesture changed when the victim and her baby were discharged from the hospital. The suspects were said to have introduced another woman to Abigail as a nurse at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital who would treat her baby for an infection. This, according to the police, was just a ploy to steal the baby.
The suspects never returned to the victim two days later, crying uncontrollably, claiming the baby had died at Korle-Bu and had been buried.
The landlord of the victims, Ebenezer Arthur, in an interview with Adom News, said he was appalled by their actions and reported the matter to Kasoa Police.
Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian government is currently grappling with a cholera outbreak that has swept through the West African nation. As authorities work tirelessly to contain the spread of this diarrheal disease, medical experts are urging residents to maintain proper hygiene when handling food and liquids.
Dr. Adewale Adeleye emphasized that thorough hand washing and safe food and water practices are crucial in preventing the spread of cholera. He advised citizens to heed all health advisories and take proactive measures, as the disease is highly transmissible. “The cause of cholera is usually the contamination of food or water by the Vibrio cholerae bacteria. Ensuring safe water, environmental hygiene, and proper hand washing are key preventive measures,” explained Dr. Adeleye. He also stressed the importance of safe food handling and preparation.
While vaccines are available for those at high risk, Dr. Adeleye noted that mass immunization is not currently advisable for cholera. “These vaccines are typically meant for specific at-risk groups, and their immunity wanes after two to three years, requiring booster doses,” he said.
In Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, authorities report progress in their efforts to combat the outbreak. Professor Akin Abayomi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, reassured residents that the situation is under control and encouraged them to continue their daily activities while adhering to recommended hygiene practices.
Jide Idris, head of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that the government is committed to minimizing the impact of cholera on citizens’ health. Since June 2024, when we alerted the public, the federal government has been actively responding to the cholera outbreak,” he said.
As of July 15, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported over 3,600 suspected cholera cases and 103 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 2.8 percent. Cholera, an acute diarrheal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae, is primarily waterborne and linked to inadequate access to clean water and sanitation facilities. It is commonly transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water, particularly affecting those in rural areas with poor hygiene practices and limited access to safe drinking water.
Abuja, Nigeria – In a bid to combat increasing crude oil theft, the Nigerian Army has reported that its operatives conducted raids across the Niger Delta region, resulting in 125 deaths, 200 arrests, and the recovery of ammunition in the past week.
This was disclosed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, on Friday, and made available to our correspondent.
Buba said the redesigned strategy of the Armed Forces aims to curb the menace of crude oil theft through a comprehensive approach.
The statement read, “During the week under review, troops neutralized 125 and arrested 200 persons. Troops also arrested 20 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 140 kidnapped hostages. In the South-South, troops denied the theft of the estimated sum of N744,153,900 million.”
The statement added, “Troops recovered 120 assorted weapons and 1,793 assorted ammunition. The breakdown is as follows: 56 AK47 rifles, 26 locally fabricated guns, 22 Dane guns, one SMG rifle, seven pump action guns, one fabricated Beretta pistol, seven locally made guns, five mortar bombs, unexploded ordinances, and two small rubber gun powder.”
Buba noted that troops discovered and destroyed 11 dugout pits, five boats, 20 storage tanks, 31 cooking ovens, five vehicles, three mobile phones, and 31 illegal refining sites, adding that 715,325 liters of stolen crude oil and 148,415 liters of illegally refined AGO were recovered.
An Alabama man has been charged with capital murder in the shooting deaths of five people, including his wife and two children, authorities said.
The quintuple homicide occurred in West Blocton in Bibb County on Thursday around 10 p.m. CT, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation.
The suspect, Brandon Kendrick, 32, is accused of fatally shooting his wife, 24-year-old Kelsey Kendrick, a 2-year-old, two 6-year-olds, and a 9-year-old, ALEA said.
Among the juvenile victims, two were the suspect’s children and two were relatives, according to ALEA.
