London, July 2024 – Nigerian-British lawmaker Kemi Badenoch is emerging as the leading candidate to become the next leader of the Conservative Party, according to a new survey.
A poll indicates that the former minister for women and equalities, who is now the shadow housing secretary, has garnered the support of 25.83% of grassroots Tories.
The survey, conducted by independent Tory news organization Conservative Home, questioned 995 grassroots members on July 8, 9, and 10 about their preferred candidate to replace former prime minister Rishi Sunak.
Among those surveyed, former immigration minister Robert Jenrick was the second favorite, securing 13.47% of the support.
Former security minister Tom Tugendhat came in third with 12.96%, followed by former home secretary Suella Braverman at 9.75%.
Shadow home secretary James Cleverly received 9.15% support, while another former home secretary, Priti Patel, garnered 3.32%.
Despite Ms. Badenoch’s lead, the survey revealed that 16% of those polled answered “Don’t know,” suggesting that the final outcome remains uncertain.
Henry Hill, Deputy Editor of Conservative Home, told The Sunday Times: “Conservative leadership contests normally end up with a candidate of the right versus a candidate of the centre, which on these results would likely mean a final round between Tom Tugendhat and either Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick.”
Gaza, July 2024 – A devastating series of Israeli airstrikes in the Muwasi area west of Khan Younis on Saturday resulted in the deaths of at least 90 people and left hundreds more injured, according to Palestinian health officials. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the operation was aimed at eliminating two high-ranking Hamas officials: Mohammed Deif, the leader of Al-Qassam Brigades, and Rafa Salama, another senior commander.
The scale of the attack has been described as one of the most severe in recent times, with Palestinian health officials labeling it a “massacre.” The widespread destruction has heightened fears that this strike will severely impact the already fragile cease-fire negotiations currently being mediated in Cairo and Doha.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and devastation. Reuters footage captured harrowing images of men, women, and children fleeing from a massive plume of smoke that rose high into the sky. Many of the fleeing civilians were seen carrying the injured on makeshift stretchers, while others bore the weight of lifeless bodies draped over their arms.
Amid the confusion and terror, a woman stood weeping by a burning, blown-out vehicle. She cried out in despair, “They’re all gone, my whole family’s gone. Where are my brothers? They’re all gone, they’re all gone. There’s no one left.”
Khalil Al-Hayya, the deputy chairman of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, vehemently dismissed Israeli claims that the strike was specifically aimed at Deif. In a statement broadcasted on Al Jazeera, he condemned the operation as a “ridiculous justification” for targeting civilians, emphasizing that such actions only exacerbate the suffering of innocent people.
In a press conference held on Saturday, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari provided details about the operation. Hagari explained that the strike targeted a Hamas compound surrounded by trees, buildings, and sheds, rather than a tent complex, as some reports had suggested. He confirmed that senior Hamas military commanders, including Mohammed Deif and Rafa Salama, were present in the area at the time of the strike. However, he refrained from sharing specific intelligence details, citing ongoing assessments and the need to protect operational security.
Hagari also underscored that the strike was part of a broader strategy to neutralize threats posed by Hamas militants who have been responsible for numerous attacks on Israeli civilians and military personnel.
The humanitarian impact of the strike has been profound. Hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed with the influx of casualties, many of whom are in critical condition. Medical supplies are running low, and healthcare workers are struggling to provide adequate care to the injured.
International reactions have been swift. Human rights organizations and several countries have called for immediate investigations into the incident. They have urged both parties to exercise restraint and return to the negotiating table to prevent further escalation.
The timing of the strike has added a significant strain to the cease-fire talks facilitated by Egyptian and Qatari mediators. The negotiations, which had shown signs of progress, are now in jeopardy as the latest violence threatens to derail the fragile peace process.
The Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis have marked a deadly escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. As the death toll rises and the humanitarian crisis deepens, the path to a sustainable cease-fire appears increasingly fraught with challenges. The international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that can bring lasting peace to a region long plagued by violence and strife.
The Euro 2024 final in Berlin on Sunday poses a pivotal question: Will Spain’s rising star Lamine Yamal and his talented teammates spoil Gareth Southgate’s moment of potential glory with England?
Lamine Yamal, who turned 17 just a day before the final, has been the breakout story of the tournament. The Barcelona prodigy became the youngest player ever to score in a European Championship with his spectacular goal against France in the semifinals. His three assists further underline his impact on Spain’s flawless campaign, where they’ve won every match en route to the final.
Yamal’s emergence epitomizes Spain’s transformation under coach Luis de la Fuente. The team has evolved from their traditional possession-heavy style to a more direct and pacey approach, with Yamal and Nico Williams providing electric performances on the wings. This tactical shift has rejuvenated Spain’s attack, making them a formidable threat to England’s aspirations.
On the other side, Gareth Southgate’s England have reached the final through a more turbulent path. After a shaky group stage, they’ve relied on moments of brilliance and resilience in the knockout rounds. Southgate, often criticized for his cautious approach, now stands on the brink of ending England’s 58-year trophy drought in major tournaments.
The contrast between Spain’s fluid, attacking football and England’s pragmatic approach sets the stage for an intriguing tactical battle. Yamal’s fearless play and ability to create chances could be the key to unlocking England’s defense, potentially derailing Southgate’s carefully laid plans.
For England, this final represents more than just a chance at silverware; it’s an opportunity to vindicate Southgate’s tenure and silence his critics. The pressure on the English side is immense, with the weight of decades of expectations on their shoulders.
As the teams prepare to clash in Berlin, the question remains: Will Lamine Yamal’s youthful exuberance and Spain’s reinvented style prove too much for England? Or will Southgate’s experience and England’s determination finally bring football home?
The stage is set for a dramatic finale, with Spain’s new generation, led by the precocious Yamal, aiming to dash England’s dreams and cement their own place in European football history. As kickoff approaches, fans around the world eagerly await the answer to this compelling narrative that has defined Euro 2024.
Butler, Pennsylvania, July 2024- In the wake of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, conspiracy theories, false claims, and unsupported assertions have rapidly proliferated online.
Wild theories about the attack, ranging from speculation about the shooter’s identity to claims of a planned incident, quickly amassed millions of views on social media platforms. The lack of concrete details about what transpired created fertile ground for conspiracy theorists, political operators, and opportunistic social media users to spread unverified and false claims. This situation has been exacerbated by the tendency of tech platforms to refrain from moderating posts about major political breaking news events.
On X (formerly Twitter), conspiracy theories and false information about the incident began to gain traction mere minutes after the incident occurred. As video footage of the shooting spread across the platform, accumulating millions of views, the word “staged” became the second-highest trending topic immediately after “Trump,” with over 228,000 posts discussing the possibility of a hoax. Within just one hour, numerous posts on X claimed the shooting was staged, with these videos being viewed several million times. Despite these assertions, there is no evidence to support claims that the shooting was staged—Trump was visibly injured, and a spectator was killed while another was injured.
Similar misinformation appeared on Meta’s Instagram and Threads, though it reached much smaller audiences. The term “Antifa” also became a top trending topic on X after posts falsely identifying the gunman as connected to the anti-fascist movement. Some users blamed a “prominent Antifa activist,” Mark Violets, for the attack, although law enforcement has not publicly identified the shooter or released any information about his background as of Saturday evening.
Miami, Florida, July 2024 – The stage is set for a thrilling Copa America final as Lionel Messi and Argentina prepare to face a formidable Colombia team at the Hard Rock Stadium. This match could mark Messi’s last appearance for his country, adding a poignant backdrop to an already highly anticipated showdown.
Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, has been instrumental in leading Argentina to the final. The Albiceleste secured their spot with a 2-0 victory over Canada, thanks to goals from Julián Álvarez and Messi himself. Argentina is on a 10-match winning streak and is aiming for a record 16th Copa America title. This would cap off a remarkable period following their 2022 World Cup triumph, as they strive to emulate Spain’s back-to-back European Championships and World Cup victories.
On the other side, Colombia has been on a meteoric rise, clinching their place in the final with a gritty 1-0 win over Uruguay. Jefferson Lerma’s decisive goal and Colombia’s resilience, especially after being reduced to 10 men, underscore their tenacity and skill. Key players like Luis Díaz have shown emotional dedication, with Díaz expressing deep admiration for teammate James Rodríguez, who has been pivotal in Colombia’s journey despite a challenging season at Sao Paulo.
The final promises to be a battle of tactical prowess and individual brilliance. Messi’s leadership and skill will be crucial against a Colombian side brimming with confidence and talent. The match has captured the global football community’s attention, not just for the potential historical significance but also for the quality of football expected.
Fans are eagerly awaiting the outcome, knowing that it could be Messi’s swansong on the international stage. With the Hard Rock Stadium as the backdrop, the final is set to be a memorable clash that could see Messi either end his international career on a high or pass the torch to the next generation of Argentine stars.
Butler, Pennsylvania, July 2024 – A man attending former President Donald Trump’s rally on Saturday recounted the harrowing moment he saw another attendee fall to the ground, dead, after being shot in the head.
NBC News spoke with the witness, identified only by his first name, Joseph, who described the chaos when shots rang out just moments after Trump began speaking.
Trump posted on Truth Social that he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.” Blood was seen on his ear and the right side of his face, and he went to the ground after the shots were fired.
Trump is safe and expected to survive, according to two senior law enforcement officials briefed on the matter.
A spectator was killed and two others were critically injured in the shooting, the Secret Service confirmed in a statement. The suspect was killed.
Joseph said he was sitting in a set of bleachers at the far left of the podium when he heard “several gunshots” ring out. He saw a man a couple of yards away fall to the bottom of the bleachers after being shot in the back of the head.
He described the scene as “rather chaotic” as he tried to determine where the gunshots were coming from. Joseph noted it seemed the shots were fired from behind the bleachers and that the man was hit from behind, in the back of the head.
Joseph said the man appeared to have been killed instantly.
Law enforcement authorities have identified the man who made an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
The FBI confirmed that the shooter, who is now deceased, was identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The motive for the attack remains unclear at this time.
The gunman was immediately “neutralized” by the Secret Service, according to Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi.
Bethel Park is a predominantly white, relatively affluent city in the southern reaches of greater Pittsburgh. The site of the rally, Butler, is about an hour’s drive north of Pittsburgh.
Pennsylvania voter records listed a Thomas Matthew Crooks with the same address and birth date as a registered Republican, though it was not clear from the records when that was last updated.
At a news conference Saturday night, law enforcement said the investigation was close to making a positive identification of the shooter, who did not have identification on him, state police Lt. Col. George Bivens said.
“The shooter has been tentatively identified,” he said. “It’s a matter of doing biometric confirmations.”
Investigators have also prioritized finding a motive and determining whether the shooter had accomplices, authorities said at the news conference.
In a pulsating Copa America 2024 third-place match, Uruguay emerged victorious over Canada in a dramatic penalty shootout at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The match, which ended 2-2 after regulation time, saw Uruguay win 4-3 on penalties, with Luis Suarez scoring the decisive spot-kick.
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess. Uruguay opened the scoring in the 8th minute through Rodrigo Bentancur, who capitalized on a corner kick situation. Canada, however, responded strongly, equalizing in the 22nd minute with a spectacular reverse kick from Ismael Kone following a corner.
The second half saw Canada take the lead in the 80th minute when Jonathan David pounced on a rebound after Sergio Rochet saved Kone’s initial attempt. Just as it seemed Canada would secure a historic third-place finish, Luis Suarez, who came on as a substitute, scored a dramatic equalizer in the 92nd minute, smashing the ball into the roof of the net.
The penalty shootout was equally thrilling. Jonathan David and Moise Bombito scored for Canada, while Federico Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur converted for Uruguay. The turning point came when Ismael Kone’s weak attempt was saved by Rochet. Luis Suarez then stepped up to score the winning penalty after Alphonso Davies’ chipped effort hit the crossbar.
The match was characterized by aggressive play from both sides, with Canada particularly impressing with their tenacity and attacking flair. Uruguay’s experience shone through in crucial moments, especially in the penalty shootout.
This result marks a successful tournament for both teams, with Uruguay securing a podium finish and Canada impressing in their first Copa America appearance. The match showcased the rising quality of Canadian soccer and reaffirmed Uruguay’s status as a South American powerhouse.
As the Copa America 2024 concludes, this third-place match will be remembered for its end-to-end action, dramatic late equalizer, and the nerve-wracking penalty shootout that decided the bronze medal winners.
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger informed PEOPLE that the shooter who opened fire at a rally for former President Donald Trump was positioned on a building “adjacent to the venue” in Butler, Pennsylvania, where the gunfire erupted.
In a post on X, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that “a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally.”
The shooter was neutralized by Secret Service agents and is now deceased, according to Guglielmi. One person at the rally was killed and two other spectators were critically injured, the Secret Service confirmed.
On Truth Social, Trump stated, “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.” Neither the shooter nor the victims have been identified as of now.
In an interview with CNN, Goldinger said the shooter was “several hundred yards” away from the rally and that hitting people with gunfire at that distance “would have required a rifle.”
Goldinger also noted that the shooting occurred outside the Secret Service’s secured zone.
“[The first responders] are the true heroes of America,” Goldinger told PEOPLE. The way they handled this, the way they got President Trump out of there and everything. Incredible. I can’t say enough about law enforcement. They should be applauded that more people weren’t hurt today because of what occurred.”
Linda De Sousa Abreu, the 30-year-old prison guard accused of having an intimate relationship with an inmate at Wandsworth jail, has broken her silence to address the proliferation of online fraudsters exploiting her identity. De Sousa Abreu, currently out on bail, faces charges of misconduct in public office following the release of an intimate video in late June.
In a TikTok video, De Sousa Abreu condemned online copycats who she claims have recreated her alleged sex tape or produced fetish content while posing as her. “I want to clarify a lot of things. There’s been a tremendous amount of fake profiles of me that have been monetising off my misfortune, a scandal that the entire world has somehow managed to be involved in,” she stated.
The Portuguese-born married mother, residing in Fulham, is accused of committing the act with prisoner Linton Weirich, who is serving a four-year sentence for burglary, between June 26 and 28. De Sousa Abreu emphasized that she has not personally profited from the scandal, urging the public to be wary of fake profiles and fundraising attempts in her name.
There’s been a lot of GoFundme pages and OnlyFans accounts that are not me, and I do apologise if you have fallen for it, from the bottom of my heart I apologise,” she said. She particularly addressed the creation of OnlyFans content impersonating her and recreating the alleged incident, describing it as “incredibly distasteful.”
De Sousa Abreu also hinted at the personal toll the scandal has taken, suggesting that the ordeal has revealed who her true friends are. “You do not know my side of the story. You don’t know who has you, you don’t know who your real friends are until s**t hits the fan,” she remarked, advising careful selection of friends and family.
The former guard is scheduled to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on July 29. Meanwhile, Weirich is reportedly not facing any repercussions for his alleged involvement in the incident.
This case has sparked discussions about prison security, staff conduct, and the broader implications of social media and online impersonation in high-profile scandals. As the legal proceedings continue, De Sousa Abreu’s public statement highlights the complex personal and social media fallout that can accompany such incidents in the digital age.
