The annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca commences amidst a history of tragic incidents, including stampedes, attacks, and fires. Last year, over 1,300 pilgrims died due to extreme heat. This year, with temperatures expected to exceed 40°C, Saudi authorities have deployed 250,000 personnel from forty agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of over a million pilgrims.
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Zaur Aleksandrovich Gurtsiev, a Russian deputy mayor and Ukraine war veteran, was killed in Stavropol by a homemade bomb, prompting a terrorism investigation potentially linked to Ukraine. Gurtsiev, known for his role in the Mariupol siege and missile technology advancements, is the latest in a series of attacks targeting Russian military figures.
Donald Trump defended his administration's attempt to block foreign students from Harvard, criticizing the university's demographics and funding. He claimed American taxpayers shouldn't subsidize the high number of foreign students and alleged antisemitism. This came after Homeland Security revoked Harvard's ability to enroll foreign nationals, a decision challenged in court and temporarily suspended by a judge.
Ken Miyagishima, former Las Cruces mayor, has launched his campaign for New Mexico governor, focusing on public safety, affordable housing, and healthcare workforce improvements. He aims to succeed Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, addressing public concerns about crime and education. Miyagishima emphasizes border enforcement and economic cooperation, while also proposing a state "metro" police force to combat crime in cities like Albuquerque.
Clean energy investments in the U.S. face setbacks, with over $14 billion in projects canceled or delayed due to concerns surrounding President Trump's policies and potential tax credit cuts. This has resulted in an estimated loss of 10,000 jobs. While other nations advance green initiatives, the U.S. navigates uncertainty, impacting states heavily invested in EV and battery production.
Italy's foreign minister on Wednesday again urged Israel to stop its strikes on Gaza, while warning that expelling Palestinians from the territory "is not and never will be an acceptable option". "I want to reiterate today in this chamber with the utmost clarity -- the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza is not and will never be an acceptable option," Tajani said.
A minor earthquake, registering a magnitude of 2.4, struck Long Beach at 11.34 pm Pacific time on Sunday night. The US Geological Survey reported the quake originated at a depth of 7.6 miles, with its epicenter situated less than a mile from Los Angeles. The region typically experiences around 59 similar-sized earthquakes annually.
The UN warns of a high probability that average global warming will surpass the 1.5 degrees Celsius benchmark between 2025 and 2029, following record-breaking temperatures in recent years. The report highlights the increasing negative impacts on economies, daily lives, and ecosystems, emphasizing the urgent need to cut fossil fuel emissions and transition to clean energy to mitigate dangerous levels of warming.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national and "illegal alien," was arrested after allegedly setting fire near a pro-Israel group in Colorado. Soliman entered the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa that expired in February 2023 but remained after filing a claim with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.