Butler, Pennsylvania, July 2024 – Law enforcement officials have revealed to The Associated Press that bomb-making materials were discovered inside the vehicle of the man suspected in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally. Additional bomb-making materials were also found at his home.
The two officials, who requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly, confirmed these details to The Associated Press.
Speculations and Military Service Inquiry
The range from which 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks fired, along with his clothing, led to early speculations that the shooter had military experience. However, following a thorough records search by all branches of the military, it was confirmed that there were no records of Crooks serving in any military capacity.
“We’ve confirmed with each of the military service branches that there is no military service affiliation for the suspect with that name or date of birth in any branch, active or reserve component in their respective databases,” Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated.
International Reactions
Global leaders have condemned the assassination attempt targeting former U.S. President Donald Trump at the rally in Pennsylvania, expressing their relief that the situation did not result in more casualties and emphasizing the importance of maintaining security and peace.
Nairobi, Kenya, July 2024 – Officers at a police station near a rubbish dump where dismembered body parts were found have been transferred, according to Kenya’s acting Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja Kiricho. Kiricho confirmed on Sunday that so far, eight female bodies had been retrieved from the site in the capital, Nairobi, Kenya.
Kenya’s police watchdog had previously announced it was investigating whether there was police involvement in these gruesome deaths, which are linked to allegations of widespread human rights abuses by officers during recent anti-government protests.
Kiricho stated that officers from Kware Police Station were being moved to ensure “fair and unbiased investigations” into the “heinous” deaths. Detectives have been searching the site in the Mukuru slum since Friday when the corpses of six women were found in sacks floating in a sea of rubbish. On Saturday, five other bags containing body parts were recovered.
Preliminary reports indicate that the bodies were in various stages of decomposition and that the deceased were aged between 18 and 30. Officers said some of the bags included severed legs and torsos, speculating that the deaths could be related to the activities of cults or serial killers.
At the site in Mukuru, IPOA investigators found several sacks containing human remains. The bodies in the bags were secured by nylon ropes, and had “multiple cuts and mutilation.”
Detectives and IPOA are continuing their investigation to determine whether there is any connection between the police and these deaths. More officers are expected to be moved from Kware Police Station as the investigation progresses.
London, July 2024 – Carlos Alcaraz is one set away from claiming his second consecutive Wimbledon title. The young Spanish sensation leads Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-2 in the men’s final on Centre Court, having broken his opponent twice in each set.
Carlos Alcaraz
Sunday’s final at the All England Club is a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s thrilling contest, where Alcaraz triumphed over Djokovic in five sets.
Kate, the Princess of Wales, was spotted sitting in the Royal Box at Centre Court, making a rare public appearance since her cancer diagnosis.
Novak Djokovic
The 37-year-old Djokovic is vying for his eighth Wimbledon title, a victory that would tie him with Roger Federer for the most by a man at the grass-court major. A win would also bring Djokovic his 25th Grand Slam singles title, more than any other player in tennis history.
Djokovic’s appearance in the final is particularly remarkable given that he underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee just over a month ago, following an injury sustained during the French Open.
Meanwhile, 21-year-old Alcaraz is continuing his meteoric rise in the tennis world. He captured the trophy at Roland Garros in June, marking his third major championship. This victory made him the youngest man to win a Grand Slam title on grass, clay, and hard courts.
Los Angeles, July 2024 – Shannen Doherty, the iconic star of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” whose life and career were marked by illness and tabloid stories, has died at the age of 53. The actress passed away after a long battle with breast cancer, according to a statement from her publicist, Leslie Sloane.
“The devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace,” Sloane said on Sunday. The news was first reported by People magazine.
Doherty’s illness became publicly known through a 2015 lawsuit she filed against her former business managers, accusing them of mismanaging her money and allowing her health insurance to lapse. She later shared intimate details of her treatment, including a single mastectomy. In December 2016, she posted a photo of her first day of radiation therapy, describing the experience as “frightening.”
In February 2020, Doherty revealed that her cancer had returned and she was at stage four. She said she disclosed her condition because she feared her health issues would come out in court. Doherty had sued insurance giant State Farm after her California home was damaged in a 2018 fire.
“I have no idea how long I’m going to be on the chemo for. … That’s not something that I can predict, it’s not something my doctors can predict. And it’s scary, it’s like a big wake-up call,” Doherty said in a late June episode of her podcast “Let’s Be Clear.” She added that recent changes in her cancer cells meant there were new treatment protocols to try. “For the first time in a couple of months probably, I feel hopeful because there are so many more protocols now, and I think the hope is that … but I was still getting prepared.”
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Doherty moved to Los Angeles with her family at a young age and quickly became an actor. She rose to fame as Brenda Walsh on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” a role that earned her a Teen Choice Award and cemented her place in pop culture. Doherty also starred in the supernatural drama “Charmed” and other television and film projects.
In addition to her acting career, Doherty was an advocate for cancer awareness, sharing her journey with fans and raising awareness about the disease. She was a symbol of strength and resilience to many who followed her story.
Butler, Pennsylvania, July 2024- Early on Sunday, July 14, the FBI identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the man who opened fire at a Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The bureau has classified the incident as an “assassination attempt.”
According to voter records, Crooks was a registered Republican, but he was too young to have ever voted in a presidential election, according to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and The New York Times.
In 2021, Crooks made a $15 donation to ActBlue, a political action committee that supports Democratic politicians. The donation was earmarked for the Progressive Turnout Project, which aims to increase voting among Democrats. At the time of the donation, Crooks was too young to vote himself.
Bethel Park is approximately 50 miles from Butler, where the shooting occurred. Crooks graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022, as reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. In 2022, Crooks received a National Math & Science Initiative Star Award, which came with a $500 prize.
CNN reported that they briefly spoke with Crooks’ father, Matthew Crooks, late on July 13. Matthew Crooks said he was still trying to find out “what the hell is going on,” and declined to talk further about his son until he had spoken with law enforcement.
The Secret Service stated after the shooting that the shooter was neutralized and that there was no further danger. One person at the rally was killed and two others were critically injured before the assailant was stopped by Secret Service agents.
Busa Buji, Nigeria, July 2024- Rescue workers are in a desperate race to find students buried under the rubble after a two-story school building collapsed during morning classes on Friday in north-central Nigeria, killing 22 students.
Authorities reported that they are searching for more than 100 people believed to be trapped in the debris. The Saints Academy College in Plateau state’s Busa Buji community collapsed shortly after classes began, trapping many students aged 15 years or younger.
“As of this morning, we have a total of 22 lives lost, many are still in hospital, but we thank God, the casualties could have been more because yesterday we understand that quite a number of the final year students did not come to school,” said Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
Initially, 154 students were reported to be trapped in the rubble. Plateau police spokesperson Alfred Alabo later stated that 132 had been rescued and were receiving treatment for injuries in various hospitals.
Dozens of villagers gathered near the school, some weeping and others offering assistance, as excavators worked through the debris from the collapsed building.
Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed that rescue and health workers, along with security forces, were deployed to the scene immediately after the collapse, launching a search for the trapped students.
The state government attributed the tragedy to the school’s “weak structure and location near a riverbank.” It has urged other schools facing similar issues to shut down immediately.
Building collapses are becoming alarmingly common in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, with more than a dozen incidents recorded in the last two years. Authorities often cite poor enforcement of building safety regulations and inadequate maintenance as the primary causes of such disasters.
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.
