Officials report that over 1,000 pilgrims lost their lives during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
CAIRO (AP) — The Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia claimed the lives of more than 1,000 individuals due to extreme high temperatures at Islamic holy sites in the desert kingdom. The death toll has not been confirmed by Saudi Arabia amidst the sweltering heat experienced during the pilgrimage, which is mandatory for every capable Muslim to perform at least once in their lifetime. An Egyptian official disclosed that over half of the deceased were from Egypt. The Egyptian government has shut down the licenses of 16 travel agencies that facilitated the transportation of unauthorized pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. The casualties include 165 pilgrims from Indonesia, 98 from India, and numerous others from Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and Malaysia, according to statistics compiled by the Associated Press. Additionally, two U.S. pilgrims were also among those who passed away.
Netanyahu reiterates his claim that the U.S. is withholding arms shipments, despite denials from Washington
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed his Cabinet of a significant reduction in U.S. weapons deliveries to support Israel’s activities in Gaza. Netanyahu doubled down on his accusations that the United States, his country’s prominent ally, is holding back weapon shipments, contrary to statements from the Biden administration. The decline in arms shipments allegedly began four months ago, although the specific types of weapons were not specified. This ongoing dispute underscores the strained relationship between Israel and Washington throughout the conflict in Gaza. Netanyahu’s earlier assertions regarding the arms shipments last week sparked controversy among critics in Israel and were met with rebuttal and ambiguity from White House officials.
Democrats grapple with the decision of attending Netanyahu’s Congressional address amid widespread plans to boycott
WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 60 Democrats opted out of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s previous address to the U.S. Congress nine years ago, perceiving it as a slight to then-President Barack Obama during negotiations over the Iran nuclear deal. As Netanyahu gears up to speak to U.S. lawmakers on July 24, it is anticipated that a far greater number will choose to boycott this time. Congressional Democrats are wrestling with the dilemma of whether to attend or not. Many find themselves torn between their historic support for Israel and their distress over Israel’s military operations against Hamas in Gaza. Some Democrats have decided to attend out of respect for Israel, while others are firm in their decision to abstain from Netanyahu’s address.
Flooding displaces residents in certain parts of Iowa as scorching heat persists across much of the United States
Parts of Iowa have been evacuated due to flooding caused by weeks of incessant rain. Meanwhile, a significant portion of the United States yearns for relief from yet another bout of extreme heat on Saturday. Sirens blared post-midnight in Rock Valley, Iowa, prompting residents in hundreds of homes to evacuate as the Rock River reached its capacity. Elsewhere in the country, the unforgiving heat and humidity persist. The National Weather Service reported that around 15 million people are under a heat warning, while an additional 90 million are under a heat advisory.
FBI offers a reward for information on the fatal wildfires in southern New Mexico
RUIDOSO, N.M. (AP) — Federal authorities have announced a reward for individuals with information regarding the origins of two wildfires in southern New Mexico that resulted in the loss of two lives and the destruction of numerous homes. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for details related to the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire in southern New Mexico, which forced thousands to flee. Progress has been made by firefighters due to rain and cooler weather near Ruidoso. Officials have advised the public to be cautious of downed power lines, damaged water and sewer lines, gas leaks, flooding in burn areas, and other potential hazards. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has pledged support for recovery efforts after meeting with the governor of New Mexico, Ruidoso’s mayor, and the president of the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
Russia escalates tensions with the West over Ukraine through a new agreement with North Korea
During President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea, a strong message was sent: The Russian leader is now prepared to challenge Western interests more aggressively than ever in the escalating confrontation over Ukraine. The agreement he signed with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un involves mutual military support between Moscow and Pyongyang. Putin also mentioned the possibility of supplying weapons to North Korea, a move that could unsettle the Korean Peninsula and have widespread repercussions. He portrayed the arms delivery as a response to NATO providing Ukraine with advanced weapons to target Russia and bluntly stated that Moscow is willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve its objectives in Ukraine.
Iran-backed fighters express willingness to join Hezbollah in their conflict against Israel
BEIRUT (AP) — Iran-backed factions in the Middle East have announced that numerous fighters are prepared to travel to Lebanon and collaborate with the militant group Hezbollah in their battle with Israel. This pledge follows growing concerns that the situation could spiral into a full-scale war along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, which has witnessed almost daily hostilities since the Hamas attack in southern Israel early in October. Groups supported by Iran from Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and other nations fought alongside Syrian government forces during the 13-year civil war in Syria. Despite this, Hezbollah’s leader has stated that the group possesses enough fighters and does not require foreign reinforcements. Israeli officials have issued warnings about a potential military offensive in Lebanon unless there is a diplomatic resolution to push Hezbollah away from the border.
Abortion rights have garnered public support during ballot initiatives, but half of the states lack this option
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Abortion-rights advocates in several states have utilized the citizen initiative process to safeguard access to abortion in the two years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to the procedure. However, voters in half of the states do not have the ability to do so, including many Republican-led states in the South that have enacted near-total bans on abortion following the court’s ruling. Citizen initiatives serve as means of direct democracy that have allowed voters to bypass legislative obstacles and uphold abortion and other reproductive rights in various states over the past two years.
Trump encourages evangelical Christians to vote in the upcoming election and endorses displaying the Ten Commandments in schools
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump recently addressed a group of evangelical Christians, urging them not to abstain from the 2024 election and emphasizing the importance of their vote. He also voiced support for exhibiting the Ten Commandments in schools and other public spaces. Speaking to a politically influential evangelical audience in Washington, Trump garnered applause when he mentioned a new law introduced in Louisiana that mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms, referring to opposition against it as indicative of a “crazy world.”
UK election betting scandal expands as a fourth Conservative Party official is under investigation
LONDON (AP) — Reports from British media indicate that the chief data officer of Britain’s Conservative Party has taken a leave of absence amidst mounting allegations of members using privileged information to place bets on the date of Britain’s upcoming national election on July 4. The U.K.’s Gambling Commission is reportedly investigating Nick Mason, making him the fourth Conservative official implicated in alleged betting on the election date before it was officially announced. According to claims by The Sunday Times, numerous bets were placed, offering potential payouts in the thousands of pounds. This widening scandal deals a fresh blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party, which is widely predicted to lose to the Labour Party in the upcoming election.
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