The FBI reported an attack in Boulder, Colorado, where a man armed with a makeshift flamethrower injured six individuals during a gathering aimed at raising awareness for Israeli hostages in Gaza. The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, reportedly yelled "Free Palestine" before throwing an incendiary device into the crowd. The injuries sustained by the victims, who ranged in age from 67 to 88, varied from serious to minor, with some suffering from burns. Law enforcement officials noted that the FBI is investigating the incident as a terrorist act, highlighting a concerning trend of violence amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
This incident occurred in the Pearl Street pedestrian mall, a popular location in downtown Boulder, and follows an earlier attack in Washington, D.C. where a man shouting "Free Palestine" was charged with killing two Israeli embassy staffers. Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Denver field office, expressed alarm over the increasing frequency of violent acts across the country, emphasizing the threats posed to communities.
In international news, a Ukrainian drone attack reportedly destroyed over 40 Russian aircraft deep within Russian territory. The operation was supervised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and involved significant logistical planning over a year and a half. The drones were strategically concealed and then deployed to target Russian bombers, marking a notable escalation in the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, Russia retaliated with missile strikes and drone attacks on Ukrainian positions, occurring just before peace talks scheduled to take place in Istanbul.
In Gaza, health officials and witnesses reported that at least 31 Palestinians were killed and over 170 injured while heading to an aid distribution site. The violence allegedly stemmed from Israeli gunfire directed at civilians, which the Israeli military denied, claiming that warning shots were fired at advancing suspects instead. The incident marked the deadliest occurrence in the newly established aid distribution system, which had only been operational for a week. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has heightened tensions and prompted a series of fierce accusations between the involved parties.
Domestically, Poland faced a tightly contested presidential runoff, with exit polls indicating a statistical tie between liberal candidate Rafal Trzaskowski and conservative candidate Karol Nawrocki. Initial polls showed Trzaskowski holding a slight lead, but late updates indicated Nawrocki was ahead with 50.7% to Trzaskowski's 49.3%. Both candidates claimed victory to their supporters, but the official outcome remained uncertain.
In the realm of U.S. economic policy, President Donald Trump is confronted with skepticism regarding his ambitious tax cut proposals as concerns rise about the national debt. Financial analysts highlight a lack of significant progress on reducing deficits since his 2017 tax cuts. The White House has adamantly defended the administration's fiscal policies but faces persistent doubts from Republican senators, investors, and notable figures like Elon Musk.
On a lighter note, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) fans celebrated their team’s recent victory by welcoming the players home after winning the Champions League. The players were greeted with enthusiasm from the crowd at Parc des Princes as they displayed the trophy, marking a historic achievement for the club.
In Canada, over 25,000 residents were evacuated across three provinces due to active wildfires that have deteriorated air quality in both Canada and parts of the U.S. Officials declared states of emergency in Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, citing the potential health risks posed by wildfire smoke. Emergency crews and firefighting resources from various regions are being deployed to combat the fires.
Lastly, a new study indicated that a three-year exercise program significantly improved survival outcomes for colon cancer patients, suggesting that exercise may be as effective as certain medications in reducing cancer recurrence. Experts are advocating for exercise coaching to be integrated into standard care for survivors as a result of these promising findings.
