International News
Gaza Aid Stalls As Egypt Says Israel Isn’t Cooperating
Egypt asserted on Monday that Israel’s non-cooperation was impeding the delivery of aid to Gaza and the evacuation of foreign passport holders through the sole entry point.
The Rafah crossing, crucial for supplying the besieged Palestinian enclave, was described as technically open but non-functional due to Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza side, causing delays for hundreds of tons of supplies.
Sameh Shoukry, Egypt’s Foreign Minister, informed reporters that there is a pressing need to ease the plight of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. He expressed dissatisfaction, stating that discussions with Israel had yielded no positive outcomes.
He said “there is an urgent need to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and talks with Israel had not been fruitful.”
He added “Until now the Israeli government has not taken a position on opening the Rafah crossing from the Gaza side to allow the entrance of assistance and exit of citizens of third countries,”
Over two million Gazans have faced a prolonged siege since Israel initiated a forceful bombardment and blockade in response to an attack by Hamas Islamist militants. Despite two Egyptian security sources informing Reuters about a planned ceasefire in southern Gaza to enable aid and evacuations at Rafah on Monday morning, Israel refuted such an agreement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement denying any ongoing truce or provision of humanitarian aid in Gaza in exchange for evacuating foreigners. This was corroborated by Hamas official Izzat El-Reshiq, who shared the same information with Reuters.
According to a source on the ground at Rafah, there were no bombardments on Monday, and the Egyptian side of the crossing was prepared. Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stated Egypt’s goal is to enable the regular flow through the crossing, including Palestinians seeking medical treatment or engaging in regular travel.
Numerous tonnes of aid from NGOs and various countries remained on trucks in the nearby Egyptian town of Al-Arish, awaiting conditions that would permit entry into Gaza. This information was shared by two sources in the area and a witness.
In a separate development, a Reuters video depicted UN-flagged fuel trucks seemingly departing Gaza for Egypt through the Kerem Shalom crossing, which is under Israeli control.
International News
DOJ Confirms Federal Criminal Investigation After Agents Raid Ilhan Omar’s Home
Federal agents raided the Washington, D.C., home of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar early Monday morning as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed.
Homeland Security Investigations agents arrived at the Minnesota congresswoman’s residence at about 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time, according to a report by Fox News.
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The report said both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the DOJ are involved in the investigation.
A DOJ spokesperson confirmed the operation, stating: “Today in the Washington, D.C. area, Homeland Security Investigations executed a judicially authorized search warrant secured by the Department of Justice.”
The spokesperson added: “This enforcement action is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation.”
Details later……….
International News
Bangkok Underwater: Nearly 4,900 Evacuated as Floods Hit Thailand Capital
Heavy rains have triggered severe flooding across parts of Bangkok, Thailand, forcing nearly 4,900 residents to evacuate to shelters as floodwaters swept through roads and residential areas.
The flooding has disrupted movement across parts of the Thai capital, with motorists and pedestrians forced to navigate submerged roads and seek alternative routes.
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According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, about 52,000 households have been affected by the flooding, prompting authorities to declare a flood disaster and intensify emergency response efforts.
Emergency teams have been deployed to assist affected communities and move residents from vulnerable areas to safer locations as water levels rise.
Bangkok is accustomed to seasonal heavy rainfall, but intense downpours can overwhelm drainage systems, particularly in low-lying areas, resulting in widespread flooding and disruption.
Authorities are continuing to monitor affected locations while coordinating evacuations and other emergency measures.
For thousands of residents, the immediate priority remains securing safe shelter and protecting homes and livelihoods as authorities work to manage the situation and restore normal activities once the floodwaters recede.
International News
‘They Are Dying’ — Trump Explains Why He Rejected Iran’s Hormuz Proposal
US President Donald Trump has explained his decision to reject Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying Tehran was seeking an agreement because it was losing revenue.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said Iran wanted to immediately reopen the strategically important waterway but argued that the proposal was not acceptable to his administration.
“They want to make a deal, and I think that’s fine. I like making a deal, too, but that deal would not be acceptable,” Trump said.
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According to the US president, Iran’s push to reopen the strait was driven by the economic pressure it was facing.
“What they want to do is immediately open the Hormuz Strait. Do you know why? Because they are dying,” Trump said.
“You know why they’re dying? Because they have no money coming in, because they get their money from the Hormuz Strait.”
Trump also claimed that the US had established an unprecedented naval blockade against Iran, describing it as “a wall of steel.”
“So they outsmarted themselves. We put up the greatest blockade ever in military history. It’s a wall of steel,” he said.
“And guess what? They don’t have any money now because they wanted to close the strait.”
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy shipping route, and disruption to traffic through the waterway has significant implications for international oil markets and countries that depend on energy imports.
Trump’s remarks came amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran over the reopening of the strategic waterway and negotiations involving Iran.





