Israeli soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in this handout picture released on December 8, 2023. Israel Defense Forces/Handout via REUTERS
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on Saturday that eight soldiers were killed in ongoing clashes in the southern Gaza Strip, specifically in Rafah. The military operations have intensified in and around Rafah, with Israeli forces advancing despite international pressure for a ceasefire.
Earlier, Hamas’ armed wing reported an ambush on an armored personnel carrier in the Tel Al-Sultan area of Rafah, resulting in casualties among Israeli soldiers. The area, heavily populated by displaced Palestinians seeking refuge, has witnessed continued Israeli tank advancements and airstrikes.
Israeli soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.
Amid growing international appeals for peace, efforts to negotiate a ceasefire remain elusive, more than eight months since the conflict erupted in October.
Israeli airstrikes targeted residential areas in Gaza City suburbs, leading to the deaths of at least 15 civilians, while four others lost their lives in separate attacks in the south, according to medical sources.
Israeli soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip.
The IDF stated that during operations in Rafah, significant quantities of weapons were seized, both above ground and within Hamas’ extensive tunnel network. The military also accused militants of launching rockets from civilian areas in central Gaza, further condemning the use of humanitarian infrastructure and civilians as shields.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Jihad’s armed wing, Al-Quds Brigades, asserted that Israel could only secure the release of its hostages in Gaza through a complete cessation of hostilities and Israeli withdrawal from the enclave. This stance complicates ceasefire negotiations, with Hamas demanding an end to the war and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza before agreeing to any truce.
Since a brief truce in November, repeated attempts to broker a ceasefire have faltered, underscoring the entrenched positions of both parties. The death toll among Palestinians continues to rise, with the Gaza health ministry reporting over 37,296 casualties, including at least 30 fatalities in the past 24 hours alone.
Israeli forces launched airstrikes on Gaza and engaged in clashes with Hamas militants on Friday, amidst stalled truce negotiations and heightened tensions along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.
Reports from witnesses indicated strikes in Rafah in southern Gaza and central areas of the strip, including near the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital where mourners gathered over the tragic death of an 11-year-old boy during bombardments.
The father of Mohammad al-Habil weeps with his relatives after his son was killed with his uncle, Abdul Muti al-Habil, in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, June 14, 2024. VOA
Meanwhile, in response to Hamas mortar fire near Tal al-Sultan, Israeli troops continued operations in central Gaza, conducting airstrikes targeting militant positions in the Zeitun area.
The conflict, sparked by Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel, has resulted in significant casualties, with Israeli sources reporting civilian deaths and hostage situations. In retaliation, Israeli military actions have led to substantial casualties in Gaza, primarily among civilians.
Palestinian children play in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip-VOA
Simultaneously, tensions flared on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon as Hezbollah fighters launched rockets, missiles, and drones targeting Israeli military sites. The Hezbollah offensive, reportedly in retaliation for the killing of one of its commanders by Israel, has prompted Israeli retaliatory strikes across the border.
The escalating violence has raised fears of a broader regional conflict, with international leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, engaging in diplomatic efforts to mitigate tensions.
Blinken, during a recent Middle East visit, emphasized the need for a Gaza ceasefire as a crucial step towards stabilizing the region and addressing the Hezbollah-Israel hostilities.
Tensions ramp up on Israel-Lebanon border as IDF warns decision is approaching on fresh offensive.
Efforts to broker a truce have been complicated by Hamas’ insistence on Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire, terms Israel has thus far rejected.
As the conflict intensifies, humanitarian agencies such as the World Food Program and the World Health Organization have highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, with reports of acute malnutrition among children and severe challenges in delivering aid amid active conflict zones.
Amidst international calls for humanitarian access and ceasefire, the situation remains volatile, impacting civilian populations on both sides of the conflict as Muslim communities prepare for Eid al-Adha.
The U.S. military carried out an airstrike in Somalia late last month, targeting Abdulqadir Mumin, the global leader of ISIS, according to three U.S. officials. However, they cannot confirm whether Mumin was among the three militants killed in the operation.
ISIS World leader Abdulqadir Mumin, aka Abdul al-Qadir Mumin
On May 31, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) released a statement saying it had conducted an airstrike against ISIS militants in a remote area 81 km (50 miles) southeast of Bosaso, Somalia, resulting in the deaths of three militants. The statement did not disclose the target or the identities of those killed, but it did report that no civilians were harmed in the strike.
Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi appears in an undisclosed location .
Two U.S. officials have revealed that Mumin, who was publicly identified as the head of the ISIS affiliate in Somalia, quietly became the worldwide leader of the terror group last year. A senior administration official confirmed the U.S. carried out a strike against a senior ISIS target in Somalia but declined to provide the individual’s name, stating that the U.S. is still working to verify the outcome.
ISIS dare devil fighters.
According to a senior defense official, ISIS in Somalia is relatively small, with only 100 to 200 total fighters, all located in northern Somalia. However, there are other small ISIS groups throughout parts of Africa, including Libya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mozambique. Despite this, ISIS still has thousands of fighters worldwide, primarily in northern Iraq and northeastern Syria, according to U.S. intelligence agencies.
The U.S. has been effective against ISIS leadership in Iraq and Syria, prompting ISIS leaders to view Africa as a place where they can invest and operate more freely. The senior defense official stated that ISIS brought the caliph to the region to expand their presence and that the cells around Africa have grown due to strategic direction from ISIS leadership.
ISIS fighters.
The official also noted that ISIS militants in Somalia operate more effectively in certain ways than other terror networks active in the country, including evading the FBI and Interpol and sharing their tactics, techniques, and procedures with one another, such as financing.
As the U.S. awaits confirmation of the outcome of the airstrike targeting Abdulqadir Mumin, the global fight against ISIS continues, with a focus on preventing the terror group from establishing strongholds in Africa and other regions around the world.
Nacho Figueras, a professional polo player and close friend of Prince Harry, has become the latest high-profile figure to showcase PR gifts sent by Meghan Markle’s brand, American Riviera Orchard. Figueras shared images of a new batch of raspberry jam and dog biscuits, thought to be from the Duchess’ company, via his Instagram Stories.
The Duchess of Sussex, 42, soft-launched her fledgling lifestyle brand earlier this year and is believed to have sent PR packages to around 50 recipients. The latest batch of jam, a new raspberry flavor, was presented to Figueras in a jar bearing the label “2 of 2.” Additionally, the package included a large glass jar of dog biscuits, a new addition to American Riviera Orchard’s product line-up, which Figueras photographed next to his dog, Nina Iggy.
Figueras’ post coincided with the Trooping the Colour event in London, marking the second year that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not invited to the annual celebration of the reigning monarch’s birthday. This follows claims that Prince Harry turned down an invitation from King Charles III to stay at a royal residence during his recent whirlwind visit to London due to security concerns.
Meghan and Harry first attended Trooping the Colour together in 2018, one month after their royal wedding in Windsor, and appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony again in 2019. However, the event was scaled down in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. In 2022, the Duke and Duchess traveled to the UK to attend the special event marking the late Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee but did not join the Royal Family on the balcony.
Figueras is among several recipients of Meghan’s jam, including celebrity pilates instructor Heather Dorak, who became the tenth person to be identified as one of Meghan’s “jamfluencers.” Other friends who have posted about receiving the jam include Kelly McKee Zajfen, Abigail Spencer, Delfina Balquier, Kris Jenner, Garcelle Beauvais, Tracy Robbins, Mindy Kaling, Chrissy Teigen, and Tracee Ellis Ross.
The Duchess of Sussex continues to build momentum for her new business venture, with a full launch expected later this year. A trademark application filed in February shows that the company plans to offer downloadable and printed recipe books, tableware, textiles, jams, and marmalades.
However, the brand has faced some challenges, with an online seller using the same name as Meghan’s lifestyle brand to sell tongue-in-cheek adult coloring books, including one labeled “Working Class Royalty.” The site, known for selling anti-monarchy products, launched after the Duchess announced her own lifestyle brand.
As Meghan Markle’s American Riviera Orchard continues to gain attention, both positive and negative, the public eagerly awaits the full launch of her lifestyle brand and the products it will offer.
In a terrifying incident, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 narrowly escaped disaster off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii, when adverse weather conditions forced a drastic course change. The plane plummeted to within a mere 400 feet of the Pacific Ocean, according to a flight memo obtained by Bloomberg News.
The incident occurred on April 11, when Southwest Flight 2786 departed from Honolulu International Airport, bound for Lihue Airport in Kauai. The aircraft experienced a sudden drop of nearly 16,000 feet, reaching an altitude of just 409 feet following an aborted landing attempt due to stormy weather.
The Southwest memo revealed that the close call was a result of poor visibility, which prevented the pilots from spotting the runway at their descent altitude. Despite the challenging weather conditions, the captain insisted that the less experienced “newer” first officer take command of the 100-mile interisland flight.
The first officer, with fewer miles under his belt, made a critical error by accidentally pushing the controls forward, throwing the plane off balance and causing a rapid descent after reducing speed. The warning system sounded off, alerting the pilot that the plane was dangerously close to the ground.
According to the memo, the captain instructed the first officer to increase engine power, forcing the aircraft into a steep climb of 8,500 feet per minute. Although the interisland trip should have taken only 22 minutes, the flight lasted nearly an hour and a half, departing at 6:45 pm and finally landing at 8:09 pm.
Fortunately, no passengers or crew members were injured during the incident. Southwest Airlines stated Fox News Digital, emphasizing their commitment to safety: “Nothing is more important to Southwest than safety. Through our robust Safety Management System, the event was addressed appropriately as we always strive for continuous improvement.”
The Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating the incident to determine the exact cause and to ensure that proper safety protocols were followed.
This near-miss serves as a stark reminder of the importance of flight safety and the need for pilots to be well-trained and prepared to handle unexpected situations. As the investigation continues, the aviation industry and the public will closely monitor the findings to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
A group of female Trump supporters say they believe there will be a ‘civil war’ if Donald Trump does not win the 2024 presidential election.
In a series of remarkable interviews in a segment shown on CNN, reporter Donie O’Sullivan spoke with supporters of the former president, who also told him they believe the U.S. is ‘not a democracy’.
‘We used to have freedom of speech and freedom of religion; we used to have that too; now they’re picking on the Christians and the Jewish people. I mean, how much more can we take?’ the unidentified woman began.
War will broke out if Trump loses, she thinks.
‘No. I think there will be a civil war. That’s what I think will happen,’ the woman responds.
‘I don’t think he lost the last election, to be honest,’ said another woman outside a Trump rally.
Trump supporters on January 6 deadly riot at the Capitol.
When asked what she thought might happen should Trump not secure victory, her prediction was ominous.
‘We’re done. We’re in trouble. We’re in big trouble. Biden talks about democracy, you know, saving democracy, but they’re the ones that are killing democracy,’ she replied.
Donald Trump used his 78th birthday party on Friday to promise deeper tax cuts if he wins the November 5 election and to make vague predictions of future terrorist attacks on U.S. soil after the arrest of Tajik nationals with suspected ISIS ties.
Speaking to thousands of supporters at a convention center in West Palm Beach, Florida, the Republican candidate vowed to further cut the corporate tax rate he lowered while president while also providing tax relief to the middle class.
Trump, who is locked in a close rematch race with Biden, did not provide specifics.
They think war might broke out if Trump loses.
Standing next to a towering cake topped with a ‘MAGA’ hat, marking his ‘Make America Great Again’ slogan, Trump spoke to a raucous crowd of supporters, many wearing red, white, and blue.
The event was organized by a group of supporters called Club 47 USA, whose name is a nod to their hopes that he becomes the 47th president.
Age and mental sharpness have been at the center of the contest between Trump and Biden, often getting more attention than substantive policy issues.
Public opinion polls show Americans are more worried about the advanced age of Biden, who is 81.
J6 rioters wearing Trump wears.
But at 78, Trump is just three and a half years younger, and he would be the oldest person ever to be inaugurated if he wins a second term.
While not explicitly taking issue with Biden’s age, Trump once again sought to portray his Democratic rival, who sometimes makes verbal mistakes and has a slowing gait, as physically frail and mentally unfit to occupy the Oval Office.
Calling Biden and his administration ‘grossly incompetent’ and ‘probably the dumbest leadership in the world,’ Trump said that ‘all presidents should have aptitude tests,’ before referring to a cognitive test he said he took during his term.
Biden has responded to questions about his age by telling voters to focus on his accomplishments in office as evidence of his acuity and strength.
He has described Trump as a threat to democracy following his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and criticized his sometimes rambling speeches as well as his use of inflammatory rhetoric against immigrants.
Former President Trump at his 78th birthday.
‘Happy 78th birthday, Donald. Take it from one old guy to another: Age is just a number,’ Biden posted to social media platform X along with a video contrasting his actions with those of Trump. ‘This election, however, is a choice.’
It is unclear to what extent age will be a factor in the final outcome. Among the issues that voters will be weighing is the strength of the economy, which overall is performing well but is beset by inflation, as well as immigration and abortion rights.
The first televised debate on June 27 will be an important test for both Biden and Trump, with voters looking for verbal slip-ups as a possible indicator that they might not be up to the task of leading the country.
The football world is in mourning as former Everton and Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell has passed away at the age of 54 after a battle with illness. Earlier in June, Everton had confirmed that their former player was “very unwell,” and tributes poured in from both the Toffees and the Gunners, as well as the wider football community.
former Everton and Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell has passed away at the age of 54.
According to Mail Sport, Campbell’s health issues began with a stroke he suffered a few months ago. He subsequently developed kidney failure, and his weight had dropped to nine stone by the time of his death. Despite his declining health, the 54-year-old tried to remain positive and had messaged his old Arsenal teammates to assure them he was fine. The news of his passing on Saturday morning has left them devastated.
Arsenal posted a heartfelt tribute to their former player, stating, “We are devastated to learn that our former striker Kevin Campbell has died after a short illness. Kevin was adored by everyone at the club. All of us are thinking of his friends and family at this difficult time. Rest in peace, Kevin.”
former Everton and Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell.
Everton also confirmed the news on social media, adding their own tribute: “Everyone at Everton is deeply saddened by the death of our former striker Kevin Campbell at the age of just 54. Not just a true Goodison Park hero and icon of the English game, but an incredible person as well – as anyone who ever met him will know. RIP, Super Kev.”
Campbell became a Merseyside legend during his six-year stint at Everton from 1999 to 2005, scoring 50 goals in 160 appearances. Many of his efforts helped the club stave off the threat of relegation at the beginning of the millennium under the management of Walter Smith, who initially brought the striker in on loan.
The forward also enjoyed success with his boyhood club Arsenal, winning the FA Cup and League Cup while making more than 200 appearances for the Gunners. He was part of the Arsenal teams that clinched a First Division title and the European Cup Winners’ Cup before departing for Nottingham Forest in 1995.
former Everton and Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell during his days with Arsenal.
Throughout his career, Campbell scored 107 goals in 394 English top-flight appearances and also played for Nottingham Forest, West Brom, Cardiff City, Leyton Orient, and Leicester City. He had a brief spell in Turkey with Trabzonspor after leaving the City Ground in 1998.
Campbell’s son, Tyrese, is also a professional footballer who most recently played for Stoke City before leaving the club at the end of the 2023-24 season.
The football community mourns the loss of Kevin Campbell, a true legend on and off the pitch, and extends its condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.
Vice President Kamala Harris took center stage at a summit on Ukraine in Switzerland on Saturday, filling in for President Joe Biden as he juggled the competing demands of his election-year agenda and the escalating 2024 campaign. Harris met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss his country’s vision for ending the war launched by Russia, while Biden wrapped up his participation in the Group of Seven summit in Italy and flew to Los Angeles for a star-studded fundraiser.
Vice President Kamala Harris.
Harris announced an additional $1.5 billion in U.S. assistance for Ukrainians through the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, including funds for energy assistance, repairing damaged energy infrastructure, helping refugees, and strengthening civilian security.
Biden’s decision to skip the Ukraine summit highlights the challenges he faces in balancing a complex domestic and foreign policy agenda while running against former President Donald Trump. It also reflects the growing profile of Vice President Harris, who has taken on a more visible role in making the case for a second Biden term as the 2024 campaign intensifies.
Some experts argue that Biden’s absence from the summit was a missed opportunity for the United States, but they acknowledge that sending the vice president and national security adviser Jake Sullivan is not a minor delegation. Harris has increasingly been called upon to reassemble the diverse coalition of voters that helped Biden beat Trump in 2020, a key factor in securing a second term.
The vice president has launched initiatives to highlight the administration’s record on issues such as abortion rights, economic development in minority communities, marijuana legislation, and gun violence. Her relative youth, gender, and race are seen as assets to the ticket, complementing Biden’s profile.
Vice President Kamala Harris.
However, like Biden, Harris has seen her favorability ratings among Americans decline. The Trump campaign has criticized her role at the Ukraine summit, with spokesperson Karoline Leavitt claiming that Harris has “failed thus far at every task she has been given.
The White House defended Biden’s decision to skip the summit, noting that he had met twice with Zelenskyy in the previous week. The talks in Switzerland are expected to focus on issues such as food security, nuclear security, and the return of prisoners and children captured during the war and taken to Russia.
As the 2024 campaign heats up, Ukrainian officials are watching the future of U.S. support in their war against Russia with a measure of uncertainty. President Zelensky emphasized the importance of sustained unity between the United States and European leaders in supporting Ukraine’s fight for democracy.
President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign is off to a strong start, with Hollywood money pouring in ahead of a major fundraising event set to take place in Los Angeles on Saturday. The campaign has already raised an impressive $28 million, setting a new record for the single largest Democratic fundraiser in U.S. history.
According to sources with direct knowledge, a significant portion of the $28 million comes from advance ticket sales for Saturday night’s event, which boasts a star-studded lineup of celebrity supporters. The event will feature appearances by George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Jimmy Kimmel, Jason Bateman, Jack Black, Kathryn Hahn, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and even former President Barack Obama.
Remarkably, several million dollars of the total raised so far have come from small-dollar donors, indicating that a substantial number of ordinary Americans have contributed to Biden’s reelection campaign.
The fundraiser is expected to cover a wide range of topics, including the various pieces of legislation Biden has successfully passed during his first term in office. Attendees can anticipate a mix of celebrity mingling and serious policy discussions.
With Los Angeles being one of the wealthiest areas in the country, Biden’s campaign is poised to raise a significant amount of money from this single event. The $28 million already raised accounts for money collected before the actual event takes place, suggesting that the President’s campaign could walk away from the fundraiser with an even more impressive sum.
The record-breaking fundraising achievement demonstrates the strong support Biden enjoys from Hollywood and the broader Democratic Party. As the 2024 election cycle begins to heat up, the President’s campaign appears well-positioned to mount a formidable reelection bid.
The success of this fundraiser is likely to set the tone for future campaign events and could serve as a rallying point for Democrats as they prepare to defend the White House in the upcoming election. With the backing of Hollywood’s elite and a growing base of small-dollar donors, Biden’s campaign is off to a promising start in its quest for a second term.
In a significant moment for the British royal family, Catherine, Princess of Wales, made her first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis at Trooping the Colour, the King’s official birthday parade in London. The Princess, popularly known as Kate, was driven in a state carriage with her three children from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade to watch the ceremony, wearing an Irish Guards regimental broach to honor her role as their honorary colonel.
The appearance marks a crucial step in Kate’s recovery, as it is her first public outing since Christmas Day, just weeks before her cancer diagnosis was announced. In an update on her health on Friday, Kate said she had made “good progress” but expected her treatment to continue for a few more months, acknowledging that she was “not out of the woods yet.”
Princess Kate seen out for the first time since cancer treatment.
King Charles III, who is also undergoing cancer treatment, participated in the event from a carriage rather than on horseback this year. He was accompanied by Queen Camilla, and their arrival was met with cheers from the crowds lining The Mall.
Trooping the Colour, a tradition dating back more than 260 years, is a magnificent military spectacle involving 1,400 officers and soldiers, 400 musicians, and 200 horses. The event celebrates the official birthday of the British sovereign, although Charles’s actual birthday is in November.
Princess Charles.
Following the parade, the royal family traditionally assembles on the famous Buckingham Palace balcony to greet cheering crowds of well-wishers below. Kate’s appearance was a topic of great interest among onlookers, with many expressing their excitement and support for the Princess.
Princess Kate and others.
This year’s proceedings have been adapted to accommodate the 75-year-old King’s ongoing cancer treatment. Doctors have been encouraged by his progress, allowing him to resume public-facing duties in April, but each engagement is reviewed and adapted as necessary.
Three of the British Army’s horses that bolted across London in April have returned to duty and are expected to participate in the birthday parade, while the two remaining horses are enjoying a summer holiday and will return to service in due course.
As the British royal family continues to navigate the challenges posed by cancer diagnoses, the public appearance of Catherine, Princess of Wales, and King Charles III at Trooping the Colour serves as a symbol of their resilience and commitment to their roles and the nation.
