Floods kill at least 111 as northern Nigeria battles climate change, dry spells and heavy rainfall

Torrents of predawn rain unleashed flooding that killed at least 111 people in a market town where northern Nigerian farmers sell their wares to traders from the south, officials said Friday, predicting the death toll would grow.

The Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency did not immediately say how much rain fell after midnight Thursday in the town of Mokwa in the state of Niger, more than 180 miles west of Abuja, the capital of Africa's most populous nation.

SOUTHEAST MET WITH DANGEROUS FLOODING WHILE NORTHEAST BRACES FOR SNOWSTORMS

Communities in northern Nigeria have been experiencing prolonged dry spells worsened by climate change and excessive rainfall that leads to severe flooding during the brief wet season.

In videos and photos on social media, floodwaters covered neighborhoods and homes were submerged, with their roofs barely visible above the brown-colored waters. Waist-deep in water, residents tried to salvage what they could, or rescue others.

"We lost many lives, and the properties, our farm produce. Those that have their storage have lost it," Kazeem Muhammed, a Mokwa resident, said.

Besides the 111 confirmed dead, "more bodies have just been brought and are yet to be counted," Niger state emergency agency spokesman IIbrahim Audu Husseini told The Associated Press by telephone Friday afternoon.

Mokwa, nearly 380 kilometers (236 miles) west of Abuja, is a major meeting point where traders from the south buy beans, onions and other food from farmers in the north.

Mokwa community leader Aliki Musa told the AP the villagers are not used to such flooding. "The water is like spiritual water which used to come but it’s seasonal," said Musa. "It can come now (and) it will reach another twenty years before coming again."

The chairman of the Mokwa local government area, Jibril Muregi, told local news website Premium Times that construction of flood-control works was long overdue.

"This critical infrastructure is essential to mitigating future flood risks and protecting lives and property," he said.

In September, torrential rains and a dam collapse in the northeastern city of Maiduguri caused severe flooding that left at least 30 people dead and displaced millions, worsening the humanitarian crisis caused by the Boko Haram insurgency.

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Israel hostage deal in doubt as Hamas adds demands, US envoy calls terms ‘unacceptable’

Hamas has agreed to release 10 living hostages and return the bodies of 18 more, but the terms of the proposed deal have been deemed unacceptable by the U.S. and Israel.

The group, which has been on the State Department's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations since 1997, made the announcement in a statement Saturday and said it was being done on the condition that a number of Palestinian prisoners be returned in exchange as part of a means to achieve a permanent ceasefire.

Israeli media reported that Hamas added new demands to the proposal from U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, including a permanent ceasefire, complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and unrestricted humanitarian aid flow into the strip.

Witkoff's proposal did not include a full withdrawal or a ceasefire, the Jerusalem Post reported, and that Hamas added terms of its own.

In a statement posted to X on Saturday, Witkoff called Hamas' response to the American proposal "totally unacceptable" and warned it "only takes us backward." He urged the group to accept the original framework in order to begin proximity talks as early as next week, which could pave the way for a 60-day ceasefire and the return of both living and deceased hostages.

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In a statement before Witkoff's response, Hamas wrote: "After conducting a round of national consultations, and based on our immense sense of responsibility towards our people and their suffering, the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) today submitted its response to US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff's latest proposal to the mediating parties. 

"This proposal aims to achieve a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and ensure the flow of aid to our people and our families in the Gaza Strip."

Reacting to the announcement, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement that while Israel had agreed to the updated Witkoff framework, "Hamas continues to cling to its refusal." The office emphasized that Israel remains committed to bringing its hostages home and defeating Hamas, citing Witkoff’s remarks as confirmation that Hamas' latest stance undermines progress.

Hamas is holding 58 hostages in Gaza. Of these, Israeli intelligence assesses that at least 34 are deceased, leaving approximately 24 believed to be alive. More than 250 people were captured during the Hamas terror attacks on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. 

RETURN OF TRUMP GIVES FAMILIES OF GAZA HOSTAGES NEW HOPE

The latest proposal being negotiated involves the release of 10 living hostages and a number of bodies during a 60-day pause in exchange for more than 1,100 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, including 100 serving long sentences after being convicted of deadly attacks, The Associated Press reported Friday, citing a Hamas official and an Egyptian official speaking on condition of anonymity.

U.S. negotiators had not publicized the terms of the proposal.

Witkoff’s office reiterated on social media that the proposed deal could allow "half of the living hostages and half of those who are deceased" to return to their families if Hamas agrees to enter talks under the current terms. 

The statement stressed that the window to finalize the deal is narrowing, and that major negotiations could begin "in good faith" within days if Hamas accepts.

"As stated by the U.S. President’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff: Hamas’ response is unacceptable and sets the situation back," the Prime Minister’s Office said.

President Donald Trump said Friday that negotiators were nearing a deal.

"They’re very close to an agreement on Gaza, and we’ll let you know about it during the day or maybe tomorrow," Trump told reporters in Washington. Late in the evening, asked if he was confident Hamas would approve the deal, he told reporters: "They’re in a big mess. I think they want to get out of it."

Deep differences between Hamas and Israel have stymied previous attempts to restore a ceasefire that broke down in March.

Israel has insisted that Hamas disarm completely, be dismantled as a military and governing force and return all hostages still held in Gaza before it agrees to end the war. Hamas has rejected the demand to give up its weapons and says Israel must pull its troops out of Gaza and commit to ending the war.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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Hamas agrees to release 10 more hostages

Hamas has said it has agreed to release ten living hostages being held captive by the terror group and return the bodies of 18 others. 

The militant group made the announcement in a statement Saturday and said it was being done on the condition that a number of Palestinian prisoners be returned in exchange as part of a means to achieve a permanent ceasefire.

Hamas said the agreement comes after a proposal by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who has yet to comment publicly on the Hamas statement.

"After conducting a round of national consultations, and based on our immense sense of responsibility towards our people and their suffering, the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) today submitted its response to US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff's latest proposal to the mediating parties," the statement reads. 

"This proposal aims to achieve a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and ensure the flow of aid to our people and our families in the Gaza Strip."

Hamas is holding 58 hostages in Gaza. Of these, Israeli intelligence assesses that at least 34 are deceased, leaving approximately 24 believed to be alive.

"As part of this agreement, ten living prisoners of the occupation held by the resistance will be released, in addition to the return of 18 bodies, in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners," Hamas said. 

This is a breaking news story and will be updated. 

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Huckabee slams French-backed Palestinian statehood push at UN, says US-Israel are 'inseparably' linked

EXCLUSIVE - The United States will not participate in a conference next month in New York City hosted by France and Saudi Arabia aimed at promoting the recognition of a Palestinian state, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview in Jerusalem earlier this week.

"It’s incredibly inappropriate in the midst of a war that Israel is dealing with to go out and present something that I think increasingly Israelis are steadfast against.

"Oct. 7 changed a lot of things. If France is really so determined to see a Palestinian state, I have a suggestion for them–carve out a piece of the French Riviera and create a Palestinian state. They are welcome to do that, but they are not welcome to impose that kind of pressure on a sovereign nation. And I find it revolting that they think they have the right to do such a thing.

TRUMP’S MIDDLE EAST TRIP HANDED ISRAEL A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY — IF IT CHOOSES TO ACT, EXPERTS SAY

"I hope they will reconsider but the U.S. will not participate. It simply will not be a part of such a ruse," he added.

Huckabee, commenting on recently reported tensions between the two close allies, noted there may be disagreements between the Trump administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, but there should be no fear of a rupture in bilateral ties.

"I don’t think pro-Israel Americans need to be concerned that there’s some rift between the United States and Israel. Are there sometimes differences of opinion on the next steps in the war in Gaza, getting the hostages home, or maybe to avoid an all-out war with Iran? Of course, that’s natural," he said.

"But as far as the relationship between Israel and the U.S., that is not in any way at risk, nor is it in any way splintered or fractured. It’s solid, it has to be. We don’t have a choice. It’s critically important that the United States maintains its partnership—and I use that word very deliberately—it’s not a friendship, it’s not an alliance, it’s a partnership, which means we are yoked together in our intelligence sharing, military — so many ways in which our nations are linked inseparably."

On talks between Washington and Tehran, the ambassador described the Islamic Republic as "one of the if not the greatest, threats to world peace," warning that it poses a serious and immediate existential threat not only to Israel, but also to several Gulf nations and ultimately to the United States.

"The Iranians have said Israel is the ‘Little Satan,’ but America is the ‘Great Satan.’ They’ve always treated Israel as the appetizer and the United States as the entrée," he said. "It’s just important when people tell you over and over for 46 years they plan to kill you, you might want to start taking them seriously."

Nevertheless, Huckabee expressed hope that ongoing nuclear negotiations between the two nations would be successful and avoid any kind of military conflict.

IRAN WARNS ISRAEL AND US 'CAN'T DO A DAMN THING' TO THWART TEHRAN NUCLEAR AMBITIONS AS TENSIONS ESCALATE

"But when diplomacy fails, the soldiers show up," he said.

"I find it hard to believe the Iranians, after all these years of pushing towards a nuclear device that is weaponized, would suddenly come to their senses and say we've changed. We don't want that anymore, but let’s hope they do. But if they don’t, the president has been incredibly clear that Iran is not going to have a nuclear weapon."

On Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip, he emphasized that the suffering could end immediately—if Hamas chooses to act.

"All of us are hoping and praying that Hamas will finally give up all the hostages and release them, and then they will depart Gaza for good. If they do these two things, this is over," he said. "It could have been over on Oct. 8, 2023; it should have been. What they did was unthinkable, horrific, heinous, uncivilized, savage behavior."

He noted that President Donald Trump has repeatedly insisted that Hamas has no future in Gaza. "They can’t rule it, they can’t stay," said Huckabee.

"Israel has been clear that they are willing to put them on airplanes and fly them out in exile, they have a way out, but they don’t have a way in. They have to go, and all hostages living and dead have to be returned," he added.

Huckabee expressed hope that this would happen immediately.

Speaking to Fox News Digital on Thursday, he said of the hostages, "This pin that I wear on my lapel—one of the happiest days of my life will be when I can take this pin off and permanently put it away, never to wear it again, because that means all of the hostages have come home," he said. 

He also expressed confidence in the prospect of expanding the Abraham Accords, forged during Trump’s first term, which normalized relations between Israel and four Arab states: the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.

While not naming new countries considering joining, Huckabee said, "There are a number of nations that now realize that having enmity with Israel is meaningless," he said. "It is a delicate path for some countries; they can’t go faster than their people are willing to go and accept … but there is a great atmosphere and possibility that we will see some dramatic changes and big additions to the Abraham Accords."

Tessa Hoyos contributed to this report.

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Hegseth says US will bolster defenses overseas to support Indo-Pacific allies against China

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday told allies in the Indo-Pacific that the U.S. has their back against increasing military and economic pressure from China, while insisting that they also contribute more to their own defense.

Hegseth said the U.S. will bolster its defenses overseas to counter what the Pentagon views as rapidly developing threats by China, particularly toward Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own. China has conducted numerous exercises to test what a blockade of the island would look like.

The Chinese army "is rehearsing for the real deal," Hegseth said in a keynote speech at a security conference in Singapore. "We are not going to sugarcoat it — the threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent."

DEFENSE DEPARTMENT WORKERS NO LONGER REQUIRED TO SUBMIT DOGE'S WEEKLY PRODUCTION REPORTS

China has said it wants its military to be in a position to take Taiwan by force if necessary by 2027.

China is no longer building up its military forces to take Taiwan, but it is "actively training for it, every day," Hegseth said on Saturday.

Not only has China created man-made islands in the South China Sea to support new military outposts, but it has also developed highly advanced hypersonic and space capabilities, prompting the U.S. to begin creating the "Golden Dome."

HEGSETH DENIES CLAIM THAT GOLDEN DOME IS 'OFFENSIVE': 'PROTECTING THE HOMELAND'

In his speech, Hegseth called out China's ambitions in Latin America, specifically attempts to increase influence over the Panama Canal.

He also urged countries in the region to increase their defense spending to be in line with the percentage of gross domestic product that European nations are being pressed to contribute.

"We must all do our part," Hegseth said.

The European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, pushed back against Hegseth after his speech for a comment he made about European countries putting focus on defending their own region while the U.S. mostly handles the Indo-Pacific.

Kallas said European and Asian security are "very much interlinked" at the moment as North Korean troops are fighting for Russia and China is supporting Moscow.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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China launches Tianwen-2 space probe to collect samples from asteroid near Mars

China has launched a space probe that will travel to an asteroid near Mars to collect samples and find potential "groundbreaking" results.

The Tianwen-2 probe launched Thursday from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province aboard the workhorse Long March 3-B rocket, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

The target of the Tianwen-2 will be different from its predecessor, the Tianwen-1, which launched a year ago and landed on Mars.

Tianwen-2 will be aiming for the asteroid 2016 HO3, which is also known as 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, to bring back samples.

CHINA’S SECRET WEAPON IN THE SPACE RACE IS ALREADY HURTING US

The proposed 10-year plan would involve more than just this space mission as China continues to look to expand into space.

Zhang Rongqiao, chief designer of the Tianwen-1, told China Central Television he plans to implement the "Tianwen-3" Mars sampling return mission in 2028, while the "Tianwen-4" will head toward Jupiter.

According to The Associated Press, the asteroids, chosen for their relatively stable orbits, will hopefully offer clues about the formation of Earth, such as the origins of water.

US PREPARES TO DEORBIT INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION AMID CHINA COMPETITION

Samples from 2016HO3 are due to be returned in about two years. 

Even if the CNSA is going to distribute these samples to international partners like they have on previous missions, NASA wouldn’t be able to receive any samples.

A law passed in 2011, known as the Wolf Amendment, restricts NASA from having any cooperation with the CNSA.

China also operates the three-person Tiangong, or "Heavenly Palace," space station.

This gives China a step in the right direction to become a major force in the exploration of space.

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Its permanent station was created after being excluded from the International Space Station over U.S. national security concerns.

The Associated Press contributed to this story

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Macron chides Trump, China over trade, Ukraine, Gaza: policies 'will kill global order'

French President Emmanuel Macron struck a serious note on Friday in his address to a Shangri-La security forum in Singapore, in which he hit on some of the biggest crises spanning the globe and appeared to issue an indirect warning to President Donald Trump and China. 

"I will be clear, France is a friend and an ally of the United States," Macron said. "And [France] is a friend, and we do cooperate - even if sometimes we disagree and compete - with China."

"The main risk today is the division of two super-powers," he warned.

NETANYAHU ACCUSES THE UK, FRANCE AND CANADA OF 'ENABLING HAMAS'

Macron’s speech was a warning to the U.S. and China that if they force nations to choose sides as tensions remain heightened following Trump’s triple-digit tariff threat, such a move would "kill the global order."

"We will destroy methodically, all the institutions we created after the Second World War in order to preserve peace and to have cooperation on health, on climate, on human rights and so on," he added.

"We are neither China nor the U.S., we don’t want to depend on any of them," he said. "We want to cooperate. But we don’t want to be instructed on a daily basis what is allowed, what is not allowed and how our life will change because of the decision of a single person."

But the French president didn’t limit his speech to trade concerns, and chided China for aiding Russia amid its illegal invasion of Ukraine, and its refusal to play a part in stopping North Korea from sending troops to fight in the war for Moscow.

EUROPE STEPS UP TO FUND ITS OWN DEFENSE, PROVIDE SECURITY FOR UKRAINE AFTER TRUMP THREATS

"If China doesn't want NATO being involved in Southeast Asia or in Asia, they should prevent DPRK to be engaged on European soil," Macron said in reference to the formal name of North Korea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Ultimately, he warned that every conflict that is plaguing European, American, Middle Eastern and Asian partnerships -- including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza -- are interconnected and there is a "big risk" that the universal principles which connect these conflicts have been forgotten. 

"If we consider that Russia could be allowed to take a part of the territory of Ukraine without any restriction, without any constraint, without any reaction of the global order...what could happen in Taiwan? What would you do the day something happened in [the] Philippines?" the French president asked. 

"What is at stake in Ukraine is our common credibility to be sure that we are still able to preserve territorial integrity and sovereignty of people, no double standard," Macron said in a counterargument to claims that the war in Ukraine is a European issue.

This extended to the war in Gaza, and Macron argued that giving Israel "a free pass" for its military operations in Gaza that have led to a humanitarian crisis could "kill our own credibility in the rest of the world."

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Ooh la law: France snuffing out smoking in parks, beaches, more

The French government is cracking down on cigarettes in public, announcing a sweeping outdoor smoking ban that aims to clear the air for the next generation of Parisians (and everyone else).

Beginning July 1, France will ban smoking in a wide range of outdoor public areas, including beaches, public parks, gardens, bus stops, sports venues and anywhere near schools, according to reporting from the BBC and Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"Tobacco must disappear where there are children," Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin told Ouest-France, a regional French newspaper, in an interview published Thursday.

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"The freedom to smoke must end where the freedom of children to breathe fresh air begins."

Under the new rules, lighting up in these designated areas could earn violators a fine of up to $153, as reported by AFP. Enforcement will primarily be handled by regular police, though Vautrin said she’s counting on a dose of "self-regulation" from the public.

There’s a carve-out for culture, though. France’s iconic "terrasses," the bustling outdoor café seating areas, are exempt from the ban. 

Smokers can still enjoy a cigarette with their espresso and croissant, provided they’re seated at a café. The BBC confirmed that these social spaces, which are practically a national institution, won’t be affected.

SOUTH CAROLINA BILL WOULD BAN SMOKING INSIDE CARS WHILE CHILDREN ARE PASSENGERS

E-cigarettes are also currently excluded from the restrictions, but Vautrin told Ouest-France that her office is working on future limits to the nicotine levels allowed in vapes.

The move marks a significant expansion of France’s existing anti-smoking laws.

Smoking has already been banned in restaurants, nightclubs and indoor public places since 2008. Local efforts to restrict smoking in public spaces have been growing steadily. According to AFP, more than 1,500 French municipalities have already enacted their own outdoor smoking bans and hundreds of beaches have been smoke-free for years.

According to data from the French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction cited by the BBC, just 23.1% of French adults smoke daily, the lowest level ever recorded and a drop of over five percentage points since 2014.

Still, tobacco-related illnesses remain a leading cause of death. France’s National Committee Against Smoking reports that more than 75,000 people die each year from smoking, around 13% of all annual deaths in the country.

Support for the new restrictions appears strong. A report from La Ligue Contre le Cancer, a prominent French cancer association, found that nearly 80% of French citizens favor smoke-free public areas like parks, beaches and woodlands.

But while many in France welcome the move, some have raised concerns over the balance between public health and personal liberty. Conservatives may see the ban as another example of top-down government overreach.

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Be careful lighting up on your summer vacations in France this year as it may just get you a fine.

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Police investigate vessel with 11 decomposed bodies washed ashore in Caribbean

Police have launched an investigation into a vessel that washed ashore on an Eastern Caribbean island that contained human remains of at least 11 people in an advanced state of decomposition.

The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) said it received a report at about 10:45 a.m. Monday that a suspicious vessel had been discovered along the coastline of the island of Canouan near Little Bay and Cherry Hill.

Officers from the Canouan police station responded and discovered the remains of 11 people on the boat.

Police said the boat measured 45 feet long, 12 feet wide and 6 feet deep, and it was found grounded in the area.

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The remains of the people onboard were in what police called an "advanced state of decomposition," and some of the remains were not fully intact.

Investigators recovered several passports from the boat, which appear to be from the West African country of the Republic of Mali.

While passports have been recovered, police have not officially identified any of the bodies, and the investigation remains ongoing.

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The RSVGPF said it is working closely with regional and international partners to confirm the origins of the boat and the identities of those onboard.

The human remains have since been transported to the island of St. Vincent, where they are being held at the Kingstown mortuary for further forensic and investigative procedures.

"This incident is deeply concerning, and we understand the public’s interest in the matter," police said. "We assure you that the RSVGPF is treating this investigation with the utmost seriousness and sensitivity."

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The department added that it is committed to pursuing every lead and ensuring all appropriate protocols are followed.

The U.S. State Department issued a Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory for the country of Mali in July 2023.

The State Department’s reasoning for not traveling to the country is due to crime, terrorism and kidnapping.

"Violent crime, such as kidnapping and armed robbery, is common in Mali. Violent crime is a particular concern during local holidays and seasonal events in Bamako, its suburbs, and Mali’s southern regions," the advisory states. 

"Terrorist and armed groups continue plotting kidnappings and attacks in Mali," the advisory on Mali adds. "They may attack with little or no warning, targeting nightclubs, hotels, restaurants, places of worship, international diplomatic missions, and other locations frequented by foreigners. Attacks may target Malian government offices and infrastructure, in addition to locations frequented by Westerners."

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US Africa commander highlights terror growth in Sahel and competition with China for influence

A top United States military general warned Thursday that terror groups in Africa are ramping up their ability to conduct attacks in the U.S. 

Gen. Michael Langley, the four-star Marine General who leads U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), said the Sahel region of the continent is now the "flashpoint of prolonged conflict and growing instability. It is the epicenter of terrorism on the globe."

Several terror groups have expanded drastically in the last three years. Al-Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, is three times the size it was in 2022, he said, and has spread across Mali, Burkina Faso, and parts of Niger, which the U.S. military pulled out of last year. 

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Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin, a faction affiliated with Al-Qaeda, is now four times the size it was in 2022, expanding mainly in Burkina Faso.

"We're keeping a good eye on this because they could have the capacity to attack the homeland," Langley said in a call with reporters. 

"Throughout my travels across West Africa and through dialog here at the conference, the concerns shared by my peers match my own," he added. "One of the terrorist's key goals now is access to the west coast of Africa. If they gain access to the vast coastline, they can diversify their revenue streams and evolve their tactics, more easily exporting terrorism to American shores."

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He noted that the terror groups engage in illicit activity like smuggling, human trafficking and arms trading, which fund their nefarious actions and destabilize the region.

U.S. forces over the weekend conducted an airstrike against the al Qaeda-linked al-Shabab in Somalia. The East African country has been wracked for decades by attacks and insurgency from Islamist terrorists, both from ISIS and al-Shabab. 

The U.S. is in a race with China and Russia to gain influence and trust with the local governments of several African nations to help protect citizens from terror groups. 

Langley said there is an increasing concern about the number of African soldiers going to Beijing for military training and replicating a U.S. International Military Education and Training (IMET) program.

"They're trying to replicate what we do best in our IMET program," said Langley. "And then they also said they're going to increase security and training in a number of countries. So, they're trying to replicate what we do."

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Federal judge issues $20M verdict against Syria for torture of US citizen taken captive in 2019

A Washington, D.C.-based law firm secured a judgment of more than $20 million against the Syrian Arab Republic on behalf of Sam Goodwin, a St. Louis native held captive in the country’s notorious prison system for 63 days while on a trip to visit every country in the world.

U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly awarded Goodwin $20,201,620 in damages, about $10 million each in compensatory and punitive damages, in response to a lawsuit filed under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act's "state sponsor of terrorism" exception.

Roughly half of the judgment is payable through the U.S. Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund, which is financed by sanctions proceeds and other penalties. Depending on the amount of money in the fund, Goodwin could get a certain percentage of compensatory damages over several years.

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"Nations that violate international human rights standards must face consequences, and courageous survivors like Sam help ensure the world does not ignore the atrocities perpetrated by the Assad regime," said Kirby Behre, a member of Miller & Chevalier's litigation department and lead counsel for Goodwin.

"While nothing can completely compensate for Sam's suffering, this represents yet another powerful step forward in the broader effort to confront those responsible for such grave injustices."

Goodwin entered war-torn Syria from Iraq in 2019 as part of a years-long quest to visit every country in the world.

He stayed in Qamishli, a city on the Turkey-Syria border, which he believed was under the control of the U.S.-backed Kurds.

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The former Division I collegiate hockey player was detained by men in military uniforms at a roundabout not far from his hotel while on FaceTime with his mother, Ann. 

"I was taken into the basement of a facility that I now know is called Syria's Military Intelligence [Branch] number 215, a facility notoriously known for housing political prisoners, and I was held here in solitary confinement for 27 days," Goodwin told Fox News Digital last year ahead of the release of his book, "Saving Sam: The True Story of an American's Disappearance in Syria and His Family's Extraordinary Fight to Bring Him Home."

"The only human interaction I had was for a few seconds in the morning and evening when the guards who brought bread and boiled potatoes and water."

His lawyers said he was tortured at Branch 215 by the now-ousted regime of former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and subjected to prolonged interrogation. At one point, Goodwin’s interrogator threatened to hand him over to ISIS after he refused to admit to accusations of being a spy.

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His release was secured by General Abbas Ibrahim, then Lebanon’s top security official, who was put in contact with the family by Joseph Abbas, the uncle of Goodwin’s sister’s friend and former college roommate.

His family worked tirelessly to bring him home, collaborating with the FBI, CIA, State Department, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, Vatican envoys, Middle East experts and others.

"This judgment is about far more than what happened to me. It's a stand for anyone who has suffered human rights abuses around the world. I hope it gives other victims the courage to speak up and, above all, serves as a warning that such crimes will not be tolerated or forgotten," Goodwin told Fox News Digital in a statement.

Miller & Chevalier has secured other judgments against the Syrian Arab Republic, including one for approximately $50 million in 2023 for Kevin Dawes, another American citizen who was illegally arrested, imprisoned and tortured in Syria.

In July, it filed a lawsuit on behalf of the family of Dr. Majd Kamalmaz, a psychotherapist and humanitarian who was detained at a government checkpoint in Damascus, Syria, in 2017, accusing the Syrian Arab Republic of abducting, torturing and killing him.

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Prosecutors unveil rape and trafficking charges against controversial influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate

Social media influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate have been charged with a combined 21 crimes, including rape and human trafficking, in the United Kingdom, prosecutors announced Wednesday.

The Associated Press reported that the charges were authorized in January 2024, when warrants were issued for the arrests of the brothers, who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and U.K., though they moved to Romania in 2016.

While the warrants had been issued, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed the charges announced on Wednesday marked the first time the two had been criminally charged in Britain.

The brothers face a total of 21 charges, with Andrew facing 10 charges related to three women. The charges against Andrew include rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain.

ANDREW TATE, BROTHER TRISTAN LEAVE FLORIDA TO RETURN TO ROMANIAN POLICE STATION IN TRAFFICKING CASE

Tristan faces 11 charges related to one woman, which include rape, human trafficking and actual bodily harm.

The Tates are social media influencers with a following of over 10 million. They describe themselves as entrepreneurs, and Andrew is a former kickboxer and MMA fighter.

Andrew is more well-known than his brother, having drawn a larger following with his unapologetic misogyny that has drawn young men to the luxurious lifestyle he projects.

The two have been accused of luring women to Romania for sexual exploitation in a 2022 case in which prosecutors suffered a major setback after a judge found there were too many problems to bring it to trial.

ANDREW TATE SAYS HE PLANS TO LIVE IN FLORIDA DESPITE 'HEE HAW' OVER RETURN TO US SOIL AMID OVERSEAS CHARGES

In a second criminal case opened in August 2024, they are also being investigated for allegedly trafficking underage girls. 

In the U.K., they have also been accused of failure to pay taxes.

Andrew and Tristan have denied all the allegations in Romania.

Romanian courts have issued an order to extradite the two to the U.K. once their court case is concluded, British prosecutors said.

The warrant issued by Bedfordshire Police for the siblings dates back to between 2012 and 2015.

ANDREW AND TRISTAN TATE FACE FLORIDA CRIMINAL PROBE DAYS AFTER US HOMECOMING

The whereabouts of the brothers were not immediately clear. 

They were photographed a week ago outside a police station in Voluntari, Romania, where they have to report regularly while facing charges there.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Israeli ambassador slams UN's 'mafia-like' tactics against US-backed Gaza foundation

UNITED NATIONS — Israeli United Nations Ambassador Danny Danon condemned what he called a "shakedown" by the U.N. to prevent Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) from working with the new U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

While addressing the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday, Danon claimed that the world body was using "threats, intimidation and retaliation" against NGOs that dared to defy the international body’s call to boycott GHF. The Israeli diplomat described the U.N.’s response to NGOs cooperating with GHF as "mafia-like."

"Without any discussion, without due process, the U.N. removed those NGOs from the shared aid database. That database is the central system for tracking aid deliveries into Gaza," Danon told the Security Council. "This is the gravest violation of the U.N.'s own principles. It is extortion of well-meaning NGOs that refuse to kiss the ring."

In the same Security Council meeting, Acting U.S. Alternate Representative John Kelley urged the U.N. to work with GHF and Israel "to reach agreements on how to operationalize this system in a way that works for all." Kelley also emphasized the need to ensure that Hamas cannot benefit from any humanitarian aid distribution system that is established. 

NEW US-BACKED AID GROUP BEGINS DISTRIBUTING FOOD IN WAR-TORN GAZA

On Wednesday, GHF said in a statement that it had opened another secure aid distribution site "without incident." The organization also addressed some claims about its operations. GHF said that, contrary to reports, no Palestinians have been questioned or detained while receiving aid. Additionally, GHF said that no Palestinians had been shot or killed while trying to get aid.

GHF disputes reports that its sites were overrun on Tuesday: "GHF anticipated that the [safe distribution sites] may experience pressure due to acute hunger and Hamas-imposed blockades, which create dangerous conditions outside the gates.

"According to established protocol, for a brief moment the GHF team intentionally relaxed its security protocols to safeguard against crowd reactions to finally receiving food. No beneficiaries were injured, no lives were lost and all food available was distributed without interference. Order was restored without incident. As in all emergency response situations, particularly in conflict zones, this type of reaction from stressed beneficiary populations is expected and we remain prepared to continue providing lifesaving assistance should disruptions occur.

"Unfortunately, there are many parties who wish to see GHF fail. Conditions remain very difficult and the lives of both Gazans and aid workers are at stake," GHF said in a statement.

ISRAELI AMBASSADOR LASHES OUT AT UN OFFICIAL, CONDEMNS UK, FRANCE, CANADA STATEMENT ON AID

The international community has not relented in its push against GHF.

U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher — who once called the plan behind GHF a "fig leaf for further violence and displacement" of Palestinians in Gaza — has made his objections to the program clear. Fletcher made an appeal in a post on X to let the U.N. take control of aid distribution in Gaza.

"We have the supplies, plan, will, and networks to deliver massive amounts of lifesaving aid to civilians in Gaza, in line with humanitarian principles, as the world is demanding," Fletcher wrote.

ISRAEL TURNS TABLES ON UN OFFICIAL CLAIMING 'GENOCIDE' IN GAZA WITH BASIC QUESTIONS

Earlier this month, Fletcher urged the international community not to "waste time" with a new plan when the U.N. already had one in place.

On Wednesday, as Israel marked 600 days since the Oct. 7 massacre, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) noted that "121 trucks belonging to the U.N. and the international community" were allowed into the Gaza Strip. The IDF said that the trucks were carrying food and other aid.

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Explosive new intelligence report reveals Iran's nuclear weapons program still active

FIRST ON FOX — A new intelligence report claims Iran is continuing with its active nuclear weapons program, which it says can be used to launch missiles over long distances. 

The startling intelligence gathering of Austrian officials contradicts the assessment of the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).  Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told a Senate Intelligence Committee in March that the American intelligence community "continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has not authorized the nuclear weapons program he suspended in 2003."

Austria’s version of the FBI — the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution — wrote Monday in an intelligence report, "In order to assert and enforce its regional political power ambitions, the Islamic Republic of Iran is striving for comprehensive rearmament, with nuclear weapons to make the regime immune to attack and to expand and consolidate its dominance in the Middle East and beyond."

TRUMP CONFIRMS HE TOLD NETANYAHU TO BACK OFF IRAN STRIKES AMID NUCLEAR TALKS

The Austrian domestic intelligence agency report added, "The Iranian nuclear weapons development program is well advanced, and Iran possesses a growing arsenal of ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads over long distances."

According to an intelligence document obtained and reviewed by Fox News Digital, "Iran has developed sophisticated sanctions-evasion networks, which has benefited Russia." 

The Austrian intelligence findings could be an unwanted wrench in President Trump’s negotiation process to resolve the atomic crisis with Iran’s rulers because the data outlined in the report suggests the regime will not abandon its drive to secure a nuclear weapon.

In response to the Austrian intelligence, a White House official told Fox News Digital, "President Trump is committed to Iran never obtaining a nuclear weapon or the capacity to build one."

The danger of the Islamic Republic of Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism (and its illegal atomic weapons program) was cited 99 times in the 211-page report that covers pressing threats to Austria’s democracy. 

"Vienna is home to one of the largest embassies of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Europe, which disguises intelligence officers with diplomatic," the Austrian intelligence report noted.

"Iranian intelligence services are familiar with developing and implementing circumvention strategies for the procurement of military equipment, proliferation-sensitive technologies, and materials for weapons of mass destruction," the Austrian intelligence agency said.

In 2021, a Belgium court convicted Asadollah Asadi, a former Iranian diplomat based in Vienna, for planning to blow up a 2018 opposition meeting of tens of thousands of Iranian dissidents held outside Paris. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who served as President Trump’s personal lawyer at the time, attended the event in France.

IRAN FOREIGN MINISTER VOWS NUCLEAR ENRICHMENT WILL CONTINUE 'WITH OR WITHOUT A DEAL'

When asked about the differences in conclusions between the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Austrian intelligence report, David Albright, a physicist and founder and president of the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital, "The ODNI report is stuck in the past, a remnant of the fallacious unclassified 2007 NIE [National Intelligence Estimate].

"The Austrian report in general is similar to German and British assessments. Both governments, by the way, made clear to (the) U.S. IC [intelligence community] in 2007 that they thought the U.S. assessment was wrong that the Iranian nuclear weapons program ended in 2003.

"The German assessment is from BND [Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service] station chief in D.C. at that time. The British info is from a senior British non-proliferation official I was having dinner with the day the 2007 NIE was made public. The German said the U.S. was misinterpreting data they all possessed." 

The Austrian intelligence findings that Tehran is working on an active atomic weapons program "seems clear enough," said Albright.

In 2023, Fox News Digital revealed a fresh batch of European intelligence reports showed that Iran sought to bypass U.S. and EU sanctions to secure technology for its nuclear weapons program with a view toward testing an atomic bomb.

European intelligence agencies have documented prior to 2015 and after the Iran nuclear deal( JCPOA) was agreed upon that Tehran continued efforts to illegally secure technology for its atomic, biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction programs. 

The Austrian intelligence report noted that Iran provides weapons to the U.S.-designated terrorist movements Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as to Syrian militias.

A spokesperson for ODNI declined to comment. The U.S. State Department and U.S. National Security Council did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital press queries.

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Macron dismisses viral moment with wife as 'joking around' after disinformation claims backfire

French President Emmanuel Macron allegedly argued that video images showing his wife Brigitte pushing him away with both hands in the face on Monday were a pro-Russian disinformation campaign.

"Brigitte's hands #Macron brought to the PR's face at #Hanoï : the Élysée initially denied the veracity of the images, suggesting a video generated by AI and relayed by pro-Russian accounts, before finally authenticating the sequence and evoking a moment of "complicity," a post from the French outlet, Brèves de presse, claimed.

Although Macron’s office initially denied the authenticity of the images, The Associated Press later confirmed them as genuine. 

EMMANUEL MACRON'S WIFE SEEN SHOVING HIM IN THE FACE IN VIRAL CLIP AS FRANCE'S FIRST COUPLE ARRIVES IN VIETNAM

His office has continued to downplay the incident following the initial attempt to suggest a pro-Russia disinformation campaign.

"It was a moment where the president and his wife were decompressing one last time before the start of the trip by horsing around. It’s a moment of complicity. It was all that was needed to give ammunition to the conspiracy theorists," his office said.

Macron has also told reporters that the couple were just joking around.

"We are squabbling and, rather, joking with my wife," he said, adding that the incident was being overblown into "a sort of geo-planetary catastrophe."

FRANCE’S MACRON MEETS WITH TRUMP AT THE WHITE HOUSE

Video of the incident showed a uniformed man opening the plane door as Macron was seen wearing a suit and standing in the doorway. Brigitte Macron's arms – in red sleeves – could be seen reaching out and pushing Macron away, with one hand covering his mouth and part of his nose while the other was on his jaw. The French president turned his head away but suddenly noticed news cameras capturing the moment. He quickly smiled and waved before exiting the door frame.

Macron and his wife later disembarked the stairs of the aircraft together. The French president offered his arm, though the first lady – seen wearing a red blazer – did not take hold of it. 

The video quickly went viral and was mainly promoted by accounts that have been accused of being habitually hostile to the French leader.

"For three weeks … there are people who have watched videos and think I shared a bag of cocaine, that I had a fight with the Turkish president, and that now I’m having a domestic dispute with my wife," said Macron. "None of these are true. Everyone needs to calm down."

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Fit for a king? Ex-Prime Minister Trudeau wears sneakers to see King Charles' throne speech

If diplomacy is theater, Justin Trudeau walked onstage in costume to greet royalty.

The former Canadian prime minister made a head-turning entrance at Tuesday’s regal proceedings in Ottawa, attending King Charles III’s historic Speech from the Throne, not in the expected leather brogues or polished Oxfords but rather in a pair of turquoise and orange Adidas Gazelles. 

A sartorial choice that might fly in more casual settings, perhaps less so in the Senate chamber, especially when royalty are in the room.

KING CHARLES III VISITS CANADA AS SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR COUNTRY COVETED BY TRUMP

While Trudeau made headlines for his choice of footwear, King Charles III and Queen Camilla were in Canada for a significant two-day visit, his first since becoming monarch in 2022. 

The king, 76, is currently undergoing cancer treatment and has kept a limited schedule, but the decision to travel to Ottawa was widely seen as a symbolic gesture of support for Canada during a time of tension.

The visit follows repeated comments by President Donald Trump suggesting that Canada could become the 51st state of the United States, remarks that were publicly rejected by Canadian leaders. 

Prime Minister Mark Carney invited the king to open Canada’s 45th session of Parliament, making him the first monarch to do so since Queen Elizabeth II in 1977. Carney has previously stated that Canada "is not for sale now, not for sale ever," a message echoed by Canada’s envoy to the U.K., Ralph Goodale, who said the king’s visit "reinforces the power and the strength of that message."

CARNEY SAYS CANADA IS NOT FOR SALE, TRUMP REPLIES, 'NEVER SAY NEVER'

During his address in the Senate chamber, King Charles emphasized Canada’s independence and resilience. "The true north is indeed strong and free," he said.

Charles, who also held private meetings with Carney and Governor General Mary Simon, serves as Canada’s head of state, as he does for 14 other commonwealth realms. The visit comes at a time when U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is pursuing closer ties with the Trump administration on trade and international issues, including Ukraine.

While the ceremonial aspects of the visit drew attention, the event reinforced Canada’s current position on the world stage and the role of the monarchy in reinforcing that status.

Fashion-wise, Trudeau’s sneakers were at least en vogue, literally. British Vogue recently dubbed the Adidas Gazelle a perennial fashion staple, noting its '70s-inspired silhouette and quiet-cool profile. 

In an April 2024 article titled "Why Our Obsession With Adidas Gazelles Shows No Sign of Fading," Joy Montgomery called the shoe a "fashion trainer" with timeless appeal, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to royal protocol.

One onlooker quipped, "Justin Trudeau’s shoes, today, at Parliament! Also in Parliament today – King Charles," tweeted @margareta_matis. 

Emily Ferguson chimed in with a glancing blow: "Retirement runners perhaps..?" 

As if the message was unclear, Dimitris Soudas, former communications chief to Stephen Harper, delivered his verdict with silence: "I don’t know what to say."
 

In a room filled with governors general, premiers, Indigenous leaders, and military honors, Trudeau's Adidas suede also made its presence known.

King Charles opened the speech with a land acknowledgment and moved swiftly to emphasize Canada’s "unique identity" and "enduring sovereignty," subtle echoes of Prime Minister Carney’s recent message to Trump. 

Charles’s address, written mostly by the Canadian government but peppered with his own flourishes, pointed to ambitious economic goals.

"Every time I come to Canada … a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream, and from there straight to my heart," he said.

Meanwhile, Trudeau found himself seated next to Harper, his old political rival, and the two were seen in animated conversation, hands flying. It is unknown what they were discussing.

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To quote a different king, "Well, you can do anything, but stay off of my blue suede shoes."

Fox News' Landon Mion contributed to this report.

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Kennedy and Milei double down on WHO exit after meeting in Buenos Aires: 'Free from totalitarian control'

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. met with Argentine President Javier Milei on Tuesday at the Casa Rosada, where both leaders reaffirmed plans to withdraw their nations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and build a new international health framework.

The meeting brought together two strong-willed political outsiders. Milei, a libertarian economist known for cutting government spending, and Kennedy, a Trump-appointed health chief skeptical of pandemic-era mandates. Both promised to challenge what they call global overreach and politicized health policy.

Argentina officially confirmed its exit from the WHO during Kennedy’s visit, following Milei’s initial announcement in February. The move aligns with President Trump’s revived pledge to pull the U.S. out of the WHO as part of his "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) agenda.

FIERY RFK JR. FLOGS WHO FOR CAVING TO CHINA ON COVID, CELEBRATING PANDEMIC ‘FAILURES’ IN STUNNING VIDEO TO ORG

Milei’s government blasted the WHO for what it called a failed COVID response. "The WHO’s prescriptions do not work because they are not based on science but on political interests and bureaucratic structures that refuse to review their own mistakes," the government said, referring to the group’s lockdown strategy as a "caveman quarantine."

Kennedy offered support, encouraging other countries to also exit the WHO in a recent address to the World Health Assembly. He has argued the organization is compromised by foreign governments and corporate interests, and that a fresh approach is needed.

After the meeting, Kennedy posted on X: "I had a wonderful meeting with President Milei about the mutual withdrawal of our nations from the WHO and the creation of an alternative international health system... free from totalitarian impulses, corruption, and political control."

Both governments say the new alliance will prioritize real science, individual freedom, and national sovereignty, pushing back against what Milei’s team calls "interference" from global agencies.

ARGENTINA'S MILEI SHUTS UP CRITICS WITH MIRACLE TURNAROUND OF ECONOMY, STRONG SECURITY POLICIES

The meeting also highlighted shared philosophies between the two leaders. Milei took office vowing to slash Argentina’s massive public spending. He famously carried a chainsaw during his campaign to symbolize budget cuts—and has since followed through, cutting public salaries, halting state projects, and ending energy subsidies.

His tough measures have produced results: Argentina posted its first budget surplus in nearly 15 years and sharply reduced monthly inflation.

Kennedy’s MAHA campaign echoes Milei’s anti-establishment style, but in the health sector. The Trump administration’s health agenda has focused on rolling back federal overreach, enforcing science-based policy, and promoting transparency in public health.

Tuesday’s meeting marks a deeper alignment between Argentina and the current U.S. administration. Milei has welcomed top American officials in recent months and shown clear interest in building strong ties with Washington. Now, by joining the U.S. in rejecting the WHO, Milei becomes the first foreign leader to openly back Trump’s health sovereignty push.

The decision is a major departure from Argentina’s previous international partnerships and could signal a shift for other countries weighing similar moves. Both Milei and Kennedy have framed the initiative as the start of a more accountable and independent global health network.

Critics, including some in Argentina’s opposition, warn that leaving the WHO could limit access to funding and vaccines. Global health experts largely defend the WHO’s role, despite acknowledging its COVID missteps.

But Milei and Kennedy appear unfazed. Argentina’s health minister praised the shared "vision" between the two governments, emphasizing a joint commitment to transparency and reform.

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

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US warns Venezuela now poses 'highest risk' for American travelers

The United States government is advising U.S. citizens to avoid traveling to Venezuela and its borders.

Venezuela currently has the highest Travel Advisory with a level 4.

Per the U.S. Department of State, citizens are warned not to travel to Venezuela due to severe risks.

The risks include wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure.

VENEZUELA WILL FACE ‘SEVERE, AND ESCALATING SANCTIONS' IF IT DOESN'T ACCEPT ITS CITIZENS, RUBIO SAYS

Currently, more U.S. nationals are wrongfully detained in Venezuela than anywhere else in the world.

In March 2019, the DOS withdrew all diplomatic personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas and suspended operations.

This means there is no U.S. consulate operating in Venezuela and the U.S. government cannot provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Venezuela.

AMERICANS HELD CAPTIVE BY SOUTH AMERICAN DICTATOR SYMPTOM OF DEEPER THREAT, SAYS FORMER GREEN BERET

Police and security forces have instituted a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy or anti-regime demonstrations, including the use of tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets against participants, which occasionally devolve into looting and vandalism.

If you are planning to still travel to Venezuela, the State Department recommends you do the following before traveling.

Travelers should prepare a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and power of attorney.

Develop a communication plan with family or your company with a "proof of life" protocol and consider hiring a professional security detail.

Travelers should have an understanding that medical care will be limited in Venezuela, especially over-the-counter medication.

Avoid Venezuela’s border areas with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana as Colombian terrorist groups operate in those areas.

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If you choose to travel to Venezuela, the U.S. will not be able to assist you in recovering lost, stolen or expired travel documents. 

It is advised that any U.S. citizen currently in Venezuela should depart immediately.

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King Charles III visits Canada as show of support for country coveted by Trump

King Charles III arrived in Canada on Monday for a symbolic visit showing support for the country, which recognizes him as its sovereign, amid U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to acquire the North American nation as the 51st U.S. state.

Charles and his wife Queen Camilla landed at Ottawa Airport in Ontario, where the king met on the tarmac with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Governor General Mary Simon, the king's representative in Canada. The king later held separate meetings with Carney and Simon.

Charles, 76, has kept a limited schedule while undergoing cancer treatment. His two-trip to Canada signals a strong commitment to the country, which is one of 15 nations where he is monarch.

This is Charles' first visit to the former British colony since becoming king in September 2022.

KING CHARLES AND PRINCE HARRY 'EXTREMELY UNLIKELY' TO RECONCILE DESPITE MONARCH'S CANADA TRIP: EXPERT

The king accepted an invitation from Carney to open Parliament on Tuesday – the first time a British monarch has carried out the duty since his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, 68 years ago.

Carney invited Charles to Canada after Trump repeatedly suggested he wanted to annex the country, an idea fiercely rebuked by the prime minister, who secured an election win last month in part due to Canadians' disapproval of Trump's wish to make the country part of the U.S.

"The prime minister has made it clear that Canada is not for sale now, is not for sale ever," Canada's envoy to the U.K., Ralph Goodale, told reporters during a visit last week by Charles to Canada's high commission in London.

"The king, as head of state, will reinforce the power and the strength of that message," Goodale added.

Earlier this month, Carney told Trump that Canada is "not for sale" and "won't be for sale, ever" during a meeting at the White House.

Charles has made subtle signals showing his support for Canada in recent months by wearing Canadian medals, calling himself the king of Canada and describing the country's flag as "a symbol that never fails to elicit a sense of pride and admiration."

MEGHAN MARKLE AND PRINCE HARRY HOST BROOKLYN BECKHAM, NICOLA PELTZ AMID FAMILY TENSIONS ON BOTH SIDES: REPORT

The king now must perform a tricky balancing act as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is attempting to reach favorable outcomes with Trump over trade and the war in Ukraine.

When Starmer visited the White House in February, he delivered Trump an invitation from Charles for an unprecedented second state visit for the U.S. president, who has repeatedly praised the royal family.

Carney, however, said that gesture had upset Canadians.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Scientists 'strike gold' in shocking discovery from Hawaiian volcanic rocks

A German university, Göttingen University, has literally "struck gold" in recent findings from volcanic rocks.

A new study of these volcanic rocks from Hawaii, that leaked out from deep under the lithosphere, contained various precious metals.

Dr. Nils Messling of the Göttingen University’s Department of Geochemistry said in a news release they were surprised when the test results came in.

"When the first results came in, we realized that we had literally struck gold! Our data confirmed that material from the core, including gold and other precious metals, is leaking into the Earth's mantle above," Messling said.

LARGEST GOLD DEPOSIT IN THE WORLD WORTH $83 BILLION FOUND IN CHINA

Approximately 99% of the Earth’s gold is buried deep in the Earth’s Metallic Core, far out of humankind’s reach.

The gold is currently buried about 1,800 miles deep in the core.

The discovery of this ruthenium, which was formed and locked down with gold, might be a telling sign that these volcanic rocks are coming from deep within the Earth.

HAWAII'S KILAUEA VOLCANO ERUPTS WITH 1,000-FOOT ‘LAVA FOUNTAINING’

"Our findings not only show that the Earth’s core is not as isolated as previously assumed. We can now also prove that huge volumes of super-heated mantle material – several hundreds of quadrillion metric tonnes of rock – originate at the core-mantle boundary and rise to the Earth’s surface to form ocean islands like Hawaii," said Professor Matthias Willbold in a news release.

There is a way to test for isotopes of ruthenium, especially when differences are small variations of the same element.

The isotopes of ruthenium in the Earth's core are slightly different from those on the surface, with the difference being too small to really detect.

However, new procedures developed by researchers at the University of Göttingen have made it possible.

"Whether these processes that we observe today have also been operating in the past remains to be proven. Our findings open up an entirely new perspective on the evolution of the inner dynamics of our home planet," Messling said in a statement.

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With these precious metals beginning to leak to the Earth’s surface, it could suggest that the supplies of gold and others important for renewable energy came from the Earth’s core.

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Life imitates art as ceiling collapses during 'Final Destination' movie screening

A screening of the latest ‘Final Destination’ movie took a scary turn, mimicking a scene straight out of the franchise, when the theater's roof collapsed on viewers in Argentina. 

The incident occurred on May 19, when the ceiling collapsed during a showing of "Final Destination: Bloodlines," at Cinema Ocho in La Plata in Buenos Aires, according to Infobae, an Argentina-based digital news outlet.

"The truth is, we hadn’t planned to go to the movies," Fiamma Villaverde told the outlet in a translated interview. "It was my birthday. We were walking and happened upon the theater. Since the tickets were cheaper than the rest of the week, we said, ‘Shall we?’ We went in, bought some popcorn, and went into the theater. The show had just started."

The movie franchise, now in its sixth installment, follows a group of people who narrowly escape death after surviving a mass casualty event, but are then chased down by death and face bizarre, horrific fates.

ROOF COLLAPSES AT ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARTY NEAR UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH, DOZENS INJURED

Villaverde, along with her 11-year-old daughter and a friend, said near the end of the movie, they heard a loud crash.

"There was a really loud noise. At first, we thought it was part of the movie because we were so absorbed, but then a huge piece fell on me," Villaverde shared. 

MAN HIT IN HEAD BY DEBRIS FROM PHILADELPHIA PLANE CRASH THAT BROKE THROUGH DINER WINDOW

Villaverde added that a portion of the ceiling fell on her, striking her shoulder, back, knee and ankle.

Luckily, she was able to avoid more serious injuries, telling the outlet the debris missed her head because she was leaning on the armrest.

SCAFFOLDING COLLAPSE IN NYC SENDS 3 PEOPLE TO THE HOSPITAL: FDNY

"I asked for my ticket money back," Villaverde said. "While I was waiting, the theater manager came to talk to me. He asked, ‘How do you want to fix this?’ I got angry: ‘How do I want to fix this? I’m going to file a complaint. Just imagine if they hit my daughter in the head! They’re irresponsible!'"

Videos and images circulating on social media show a hole in the ceiling of the theater and pieces of debris spread all over the floor. 

"When life imitates art," one user wrote on X, attached with an image of the roof collapse.

"Several injured. No casualties. Of all the films this could’ve happened during," another user wrote.

According to several movie attendees, the recent heavy rain is alleged to have been a factor leading to the roof collapse. 

The theater has not yet issued an official statement.

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Driver arrested after vehicle plows into crowd of Liverpool soccer fans during celebration

Police arrested the driver of a minivan on Monday after he allegedly plowed into a crowd of Liverpool, United Kingdom, soccer fans who were celebrating the city’s soccer team’s Premier League Championship, according to police.

Merseyside Police said in a post on X that it was investigating reports of a collision in Liverpool city center, after being contacted after 6 p.m. on Monday that a car had collided with multiple pedestrians on Water Street.

Police added that the vehicle stopped at the scene and a man was detained.

"We would ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding tonight’s incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre," police said in another post. "We can confirm the man arrested is a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area. Extensive [inquiries] are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision."

Police asked the public to not share "distressing content" online, but instead to send the footage or information to the Merseyside Police or to Crimestoppers.

VANCOUVER DRIVER PLOWS INTO CROWD OF PEOPLE ATTENDING FILIPINO FESTIVAL, KILLING MULTIPLE VICTIMS

Video posted to social media prior to the police department’s request to not share information online, showed a gray minivan striking at least one pedestrian before veering into a larger crowd of people, carving a path through the group and pushing bodies along the street like a plow before coming to a stop.

The Associated Press spoke with Harry Rashid, who was at the Liverpool parade with his wife and two young daughters.

MINIVAN PLOWS THROUGH CROWD INJURING AT LEAST 9 IN BUSY LOS ANGELES SHOPPING DISTRICT

Rashid said the car began ramming people about 10 feet away from him.

"It was extremely fast," he said. "Initially, we just heard the pop, pop, pop of people just being knocked off the bonnet of a car."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a post on X that he was being kept up to date on developments regarding the situation and asked that police be given the space needed to conduct their investigation.

CAR RAMMING ATTACK IN MANNHEIM, GERMANY, LEAVES 1 DEAD, MULTIPLE INJURED: REPORTS

"The scenes in Liverpool are appalling – my thoughts are with all those injured or affected," he wrote. "I want to thank the police and emergency services for their swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident."

The incident came after a large celebration in the city center, where tens of thousands of dancing, scarf-and-flag-waving fans braved wet weather to line the streets and watch Liverpool’s players display the Premier League trophy from on top of two buses bearing the words, "Ours Again."

CAR DRIVER IN MUNICH PLOWS INTO CROWD 1 DAY BEFORE VANCE AND WORLD LEADERS GATHER FOR SECURITY CONFERENCE

Rashid told the AP that after the van struck its initial victims, it stopped and the crowd charged the vehicle, smashing its windows.

"But then he put his foot down again and just plowed through the rest of them, he just kept going," Rashid said, alleging the incident appeared deliberate. "It was horrible. And you could hear the bumps as he was going over the people."

"My daughter started screaming and there were people on the ground," he added. "They were just innocent people, just fans going to enjoy the parade."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Philippine lawmaker criticizes US for new travel warning: 'Unfair treatment from our number 1 ally'

A Philippine lawmaker on Sunday railed against the U.S. government for its updated travel advisory for the Asian country, with the politician arguing that the warning to American travelers is "unfair" coming from "our number one ally."

"This is an unfair shotgun warning," Philippines House of Representatives member Rufus Rodriguez said. "There are certainly many places in our country that are safe to tourists such as Cagayan de Oro City."

"The United States should review this advisory. We do not deserve this unfair treatment from our number one ally," he continued.

On May 8, the U.S. State Department issued a "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution" travel advisory for the Philippines.

CAR CRASH AT AIRPORT IN THE PHILIPPINES KILLS AT LEAST 2, INCLUDING YOUNG GIRL

"Terrorists and armed groups have carried out kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks targeting public areas like tourist sites, markets, and local government facilities in the Philippines," the advisory reads. "Violent crimes are also common in the Philippines such as robbery, kidnappings, and physical assaults. Protests happen in the Philippines and could turn violent and/or result in traffic jams and road closures with limited capacity of the local government to respond."

"Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in the Philippines must obtain special authorization to travel to certain areas of the country," it added.

The advisory cautioned against all travel to the Sulu Archipelago and Marawi City, issuing a "Level 4: Do Not Travel" warning over kidnappings and other attacks targeting foreign nationals, including Americans, in the Sulu Archipelago and the Sulu Sea and the risk of death or injury due to "ongoing clashes between terrorist group remnants and Philippine security forces in Marawi."

VANCOUVER DRIVER PLOWS INTO CROWD OF PEOPLE ATTENDING FILIPINO FESTIVAL, KILLING MULTIPLE VICTIMS

It said the U.S. government had limited resources to provide emergency services to its citizens in these areas.

A "Level 3: Reconsider Travel" advisory was issued for Mindanao island — with exceptions for Davao City, Davao del Norte Province, Siargao Island and the Dinagat Islands — due to terrorist and armed groups in Mindanao that have "historically engaged in kidnappings for ransom, in addition to bombings and other attacks." The warning said these incidents often target foreign nationals, including Americans.

Rodriguez, who represents the second district of Cagayan de Oro, a city in northern Mindanao, called on his government's Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to summon U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson to demand answers over the advisory.

The lawmaker also called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ask the DFA, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez and the Philippine Department of Tourism to explain what they have done since the U.S. State Department's warning on May 8.

Rodriguez argued that the warning places the country in a bad light for the international community.

"It discourages not only Americans but other foreign tourists as well from visiting the Philippines. It will surely hurt our tourism sector," he said. "It is likewise particularly biased against our beloved island, Mindanao."

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Russia, Ukraine swap hundreds of prisoners hours after Moscow launches massive aerial assault

Russia and Ukraine on Sunday swapped hundreds of prisoners just hours after Moscow launched one of the largest aerial assaults of the more than three-year war between the two countries. 

The prisoner swap was the third and final part of a major exchange, marking a rare moment of cooperation. 

Russia’s Defense Ministry said both sides exchanged more than 300 soldiers. This followed the release of 307 combatants and civilians each on Saturday, and 390 on Friday — the largest total swap of the war so far.

"303 Ukrainian defenders are home," Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X, confirming the exchange. 

RUSSIA LAUNCHES LARGEST AERIAL ATTACK OF UKRAINE WAR, KILLING AT LEAST 12

He said the troops returning to Ukraine were members of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service, and the State Special Transport Service.

In talks held earlier this month in Istanbul — the first face-to-face meeting between the warring sides in recent peace talks — Kyiv and Moscow agreed to swap 1,000 prisoners of war and civilian detainees each. The exchange has been the only tangible outcome from the talks.

The exchange came just hours after Russia launched a massive drone-and-missile attack targeting the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and other regions, killing at least 12 people – including three children – and injuring dozens more. 

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that air defense forces were working in the capital against enemy drones. Oleh Syniehubov, the head of the Kharkiv military administration, said Kharkiv and its suburbs were also under attack by drones. 

MAJOR RUSSIA-UKRAINE PRISONER SWAP IS UNDERWAY, OFFICIAL SAYS

Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Air Force, told The Associated Press that Russia used a total of 69 missiles of various types and 298 drones – the largest single aerial attack of the war. 

Russia's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said its air defenses shot down 110 Ukrainian drones overnight.

The latest round of violence came as President Donald Trump told reporters on Saturday he was "not happy" with Russia’s large-scale strike against Ukraine. 

Speaking at Morristown Municipal Airport in New Jersey, the president accused Putin of "killing a lot of people" in the attack. 

RUSSIA BOMBARDS UKRAINE WITH DRONES HOURS AFTER TRUMP ANNOUNCES TALKS WITH PUTIN

"I’m not happy with what Putin is doing," Trump said. "He’s killing a lot of people, and I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin." 

Later expanding on his comments in a Truth Social Post, Trump said Putin had "gone absolutely CRAZY!" 

"I’ve always said that [Putin] wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!" the social media post read. But the president also criticized Zelenskyy.   

"Likewise, President Zelenskyy is doing his Country no favors by talking the way he does. Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop," Trump wrote, concluding: "This is a War that would never have started if I were President. This is Zelenskyy’s, Putin’s, and Biden’s War, not ‘Trump’s,’ I am only helping to put out the big and ugly fires, that have been started through Gross Incompetence and Hatred." 

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