Officials say that over 1,000 pilgrims died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia
CAIRO (AP) — This year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia resulted in over 1,000 deaths as pilgrims faced intense high temperatures at Islamic holy sites in the desert kingdom. Saudi Arabia has not commented on the death toll amid the heat during the pilgrimage, which is required of every able Muslim once in their life. An Egyptian official stated Sunday that more than half of the dead were from Egypt. The Egyptian government has taken action by revoking the license of 16 travel agencies that facilitated the travel of unauthorized pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. The fatalities included 165 pilgrims from Indonesia, 98 from India, and dozens more from Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and Malaysia, according to an Associated Press tally. Two U.S. pilgrims were also reported dead.
Some parts of Iowa are experiencing flooding, while much of the U.S. is facing extreme heat
Floodwaters have forced residents out of their homes in parts of Iowa due to weeks of rain. Meanwhile, many parts of the United States are hoping for relief from another wave of intense heat on Saturday. Sirens sounded after midnight in Rock Valley, Iowa, prompting hundreds of residents to evacuate as the Rock River reached its capacity. Elsewhere in the U.S., the scorching heat and humidity persist. The National Weather Service reports that approximately 15 million people are under a heat warning while another 90 million are under a heat advisory.
At least 39 people have been killed in Israeli strikes across northern Gaza, according to officials
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian and hospital officials have reported that at least 39 individuals lost their lives due to Israeli strikes across northern Gaza. These casualties occurred on Saturday following the deaths of at least 25 people in strikes on tent camps near the southern city of Rafah the previous day. Fadel Naem, director of the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, disclosed that more than three dozen bodies were brought to the hospital. The Palestinian Civil Defense also confirmed that a similar number of bodies were extracted from a building hit by an Israeli strike in an eastern neighborhood of Gaza City.
The FBI is offering a reward for information regarding deadly wildfires in southern New Mexico
RUIDOSO, N.M. (AP) — Federal authorities have announced a reward for any details on the individuals responsible for starting two wildfires in southern New Mexico that claimed the lives of two individuals and destroyed hundreds of homes. The FBI has put forth up to $10,000 for information related to the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire, which compelled thousands to evacuate. Rain and cooler weather have aided firefighters in combating the wildfires near Ruidoso. Officials have emphasized the importance of being cautious of various hazards including downed power lines, damaged infrastructure, and flooding in burn scars. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has pledged support for the recovery efforts in New Mexico.
Russia raises the stakes with the West over Ukraine through a new pact with North Korea
During President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea, a strong message was sent regarding the escalating confrontation with the U.S. and its allies over Ukraine. The pact signed between Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un involves mutual military assistance between Moscow and Pyongyang. Putin also mentioned the potential supply of weapons to North Korea, a move that could disrupt the Korean Peninsula and have far-reaching consequences. This decision was framed as a response to NATO providing Ukraine with advanced weaponry. Putin affirmed that Russia is willing to go “to the end” to achieve its objectives in Ukraine.
A U.S. aircraft carrier arrives in South Korea as a demonstration of force against a nuclear-armed North Korea
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier has reached South Korea for a three-way exercise that includes Japan, as they intensify military training in response to heightened threats from North Korea. The USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group’s arrival in Busan on Saturday followed South Korea summoning the Russian ambassador to protest a significant agreement between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un earlier in the week. The deal involves mutual defense assistance in the event of war, posing a security risk according to South Korea.
Thousands of Iran-backed fighters express willingness to join Hezbollah in its conflict with Israel
BEIRUT (AP) — Iran-backed groups across the Middle East have stated that thousands of their fighters are prepared to go to Lebanon to join forces with the militant group Hezbollah in its confrontation with Israel. This offer comes amidst concerns of a potential escalation into full-scale war along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, following almost daily exchanges since the Hamas attack on southern Israel in early October. Iran-backed factions from Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and other nations have fought alongside Syrian government forces during Syria’s 13-year civil war. Despite this offer, Hezbollah’s leader has asserted that they have enough fighters and do not require additional foreign aid. Israeli officials have issued a warning of a military offensive in Lebanon if there is no negotiated resolution to push Hezbollah away from the border.
Ukrainian soldiers hope for further impacts as U.S.-supplied weapons show effectiveness inside Russia
KHARKIV REGION, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine has experienced some success in halting Russia’s recent offensive in the northeast front following the decision allowing the country to utilize U.S.-supplied weapons for targeted strikes in Russian territory. Deteriorating conditions on the battlefield prompted the U.S. to authorize Ukraine to employ Western-supplied artillery and rocket systems to defend the eastern city of Kharkiv by targeting border regions where Russian forces assemble and launch attacks. The outcome was immediate: Ukrainian forces pushed back Russian positions, gained time to strengthen their defenses, and even conducted limited offensive operations. However, military leaders express frustration at not being able to utilize long-range guided missiles like ATACMS.
Trump encourages evangelical Christians to vote in November and supports displaying the Ten Commandments
WASHINGTON (AP) — During a gathering of evangelical Christians, Donald Trump emphasized the importance of actively participating in the upcoming election, urging them to vote. He also endorsed the display of the Ten Commandments in schools and other locations. Trump addressed a group of politically influential evangelical Christians in Washington on Saturday, receiving applause as he referenced a new law in Louisiana mandating the exhibition of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom, criticizing opposition to such a measure as indicative of a “crazy world.”
Abortion access has prevailed when on the ballot, but this option is unavailable in half of U.S. states
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Over the past two years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a constitutional right to abortion, abortion-rights advocates in some states have utilized the citizen initiative process to safeguard access to the procedure. However, half of the states lack this avenue, including many Republican-controlled states in the South that have enacted near-total abortion bans following the court ruling. Citizen initiatives have enabled voters to directly protect abortion and reproductive rights in several states, but this option is unavailable in several regions across the country.
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