missing

Palestinians distraught over relatives missing at deadly Gaza aid sites | Israel-Palestine conflict News

As Israel’s forced starvation tightens its grip on Gaza’s entire population, an increasing number of Palestinian families are frantically searching for news of relatives who undertook perilous journeys to get food from aid distribution points, never to return.

Khaled Obaid has been searching for his beloved son, Ahmed, for two months, scanning every passing vehicle on the coastal road in Deir-el-Balah, hoping against all odds that one of them might bring him home.

The boy had left the displaced family’s tent in the central town to find food for his parents and sister, who had lost her husband during the war, and headed to the Zikim crossing point, where aid trucks enter northern Gaza.

“He hasn’t returned until now. He went because he was hungry. We have nothing to eat,” the distraught father told Al Jazeera, breaking down in tears with his wife under the blue tarpaulin where they are sheltering.

Khaled reported his son’s disappearance to the International Committee of the Red Cross, and every official body he could reach, to radio silence. To this day, he has received no answers on Ahmed’s whereabouts.

Khaled’s story is all too common under Israel’s ongoing punishing blockade of Gaza, where the largely displaced population faces a stark choice between starvation and braving the bullets fired by Israeli soldiers and United States security contractors in a bid to get food from Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) sites. These distribution points have been dubbed “death traps” and “human slaughterhouses” by the United Nations and rights groups.

It is a life-or-death gamble that has taken the lives of nearly 1,400 people, shot dead mainly by the Israeli army, at the aid sites since they started operations in late May and along food convoy routes, according to figures released by the UN last week. That is, without counting the untold numbers of missing aid seekers, like Ahmed.

Human rights monitors have been collecting harrowing firsthand accounts of people who have gone missing in Gaza, only to be found later, killed by Israeli forces.

“In many cases, those who went missing are apparently killed near the aid distribution points, but due to the Israeli targeting, their bodies remained unreachable,” Maha Hussaini, the head of media at the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, told Al Jazeera.

“Many Palestinians left home with empty hands, hoping to return with a bag of flour. But many never came back,” said Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir-el-Balah. “In Gaza, the line between survival and disappearance is now heartbreakingly thin.”

As the number of missing aid seekers mounts, famine stalks the enclave, with more than 80 adults reportedly dying of starvation over the past five weeks alone, and 93 children succumbing to man-made malnutrition since the war began.

Authorities in Gaza say an average of 84 trucks have entered the besieged enclave each day since Israel eased restrictions on July 27. But aid organisations say at least 600 aid trucks are needed per day to meet the territory’s basic needs.

‘Death circle’

On Monday, amid growing international condemnation over the mass starvation, seen by many as being deliberately engineered by Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to double down on his war goals.

Netanyahu announced that he would convene a meeting of his cabinet on Tuesday to ensure that “Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel”. Israel’s Channel 12 cited an official as saying that Netanyahu was tending towards expanding the offensive.

The announcement came on another bloody day in the Strip, with at least 74 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks since dawn on Monday, including 36 aid seekers, according to medical sources.

Among the attacks, at least three people were killed by an Israeli strike on a house in Deir el-Balah, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

A source at al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City reported that seven people were killed in Israeli shelling on multiple areas in the Shujayea neighbourhood, east of Gaza City.

Emergency services said that two were killed in an Israeli bombing of Beit Lahiya, in northern Gaza.

It also emerged on Monday that a nurse at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir el-Balah was killed when he was hit by an airdropped box of aid.

This week, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, described the dangerous airdrops as a “distraction” and smokescreen.

On Monday, UNICEF warned that 28 children – essentially an entire “classroom” – are dying each day from Israeli bombardment and lack of aid.

“Gaza’s children need food, water, medicine and protection. More than anything, they need a ceasefire, NOW,” said the UN agency on X.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called on the UN Security Council to “assume its responsibilities” by enforcing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, conducting an official visit to the territory and implementing calls at a recent UN conference in New York for a two-state solution.

In a statement posted on social media on Monday, the ministry warned that more than two million Palestinians in Gaza are “living in a tight death circle of killing, starvation, thirst, and deprivation of medicine, treatment, and all basic human rights”.



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At least 68 migrants killed, many missing after boat sinks off Yemen

Aug. 4 (UPI) — Dozens of migrants were killed off the coast of Yemen after their vessel went down in the Gulf of Aden in bad weather.

At least 68 people died and many more are missing after the boat capsized and sank late Sunday with 157 mostly Ethiopian nationals on board off the southern province of Abyan, the International Organization for Migration said.

The IOM’s Yemen chief, Abdusattor Esoev, said a major search and rescue operation by provincial authorities had plucked 12 survivors from the sea.

Abyan officials said a large number of bodies had washed up on the coast of the province. They said the vessel was overloaded.

“The bodies of the dead and at least a dozen survivors, including two Yemeni smugglers, were taken to hospitals in Abyan,” Abdul Kader Bajamel, a health official in the Abyan town of Zinjibar, told The New York Times.

“Because the hospital’s morgues could not accommodate this large number of bodies, and to avoid an environmental crisis, the governor of Abyan ordered the immediate burial of the dead and formed an emergency committee to search for the missing.”

A health official in Khanfar district said the remains of one migrant had been brought to the hospital there and doctors had treated 11 survivors, all of whom had since been discharged.

Calling for more protection for migrants and safe legal routes to prevent them falling into the hands of people-smuggling gangs, Esoev said the stricken boat was making a perilous journey in waters routinely used by smugglers.

“What we are advocating for all member states is to enhance their regular pathways so people can take legal ways in order to migrate, instead of being trapped or deceived by smugglers and taking those dangerous journeys,” he said.

IOM said the so-called Eastern Route moving migrants from countries in the Horn of Africa, including Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia, to Gulf countries, for which Yemen is the gateway, was one of “busiest and riskiest migration routes in the world,” with 60,000 making the journey last year.

Once migrants reach Yemen, they try to cross into Saudi Arabia to find employment and go underground in a huge grey economy in the oil-rich Gulf states.

More than 180 migrants were killed in March after two vessels sank in the Red Sea off the coastal town of Dhubab in western Yemen. The only survivors were two members of the crew.

IOM said it had documented the deaths or disappearance of more than 3,400 migrants undertaking the Eastern Route since 2014, of whom 1,400 had drowned.

Yemen is in the midst of a decade-long internal conflict that has seen the country carved up among several factions, notably Iran-backed Houthi rebels who seized control from the internationally recognized government, which in turn was, and continues to be, backed by a Saudi-led, U.S.-backed military coalition trying to restore it to power.

The fighting triggered one of the worst of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with almost 20 million people in need of food, medical and other assistance, more than half of them children, and more than 4.5 million people internally displaced, according to UNICEF.

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Warning to savers missing out on £100s ahead of key Bank of England decision – it takes minutes to fix

A WARNING has been issued to savers missing out on hundreds of pounds ahead of a key Bank of England (BoE) decision this week.

People risk the cash blow because they’re leaving money in low-paying easy access accounts.

The latest data from Moneyfactscompare.co.uk reveals someone with £10,000 in savings could earn an extra £300 by switching to an account with a higher interest rate.

Adam French, from the comparison site, said savers were in danger of their hard-earned cash “languishing” by making the mistake.

“Simply switching a £10,000 savings pot away from a high street bank’s easy access account to a market-leading one-year fix can leave you £300 better off in 12 months’ time.

“Not a bad return for a few minutes’ work, if you aren’t going to need access to the money sooner.”

The warning comes ahead of the BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Thursday (August 7) where it will decide what to do with the base rate.

The base rate is charged to high street banks and other lenders and usually reflected in savings and mortgage rates.

Any fall is good news for mortgage holders who tend to see rates plummet, but it spells bad news for those with savings accounts.

The bank is widely expected to cut the base rate, which currently sits at 4.25%.

The MPC, made up of nine members, last met in June when it decided to keep interest rates unchanged.

Six members voted to keep rates at the existing level while three members voted for a cut to 4%.

What is the Bank of England base rate and how does it affect me?

The BoE uses the base rate to control inflation, with a hike designed to discourage spending and keep prices in check.

The current Consumer Price Index (CPI) measure of inflation is 3.6%, over the BoE’s 2% target.

However, the MPC is under pressure to lower interest rates to get the stagnating economy growing.

How to make your savings work harder

You can’t do anything to control what the BoE does with the base rate, but you can make your savings work harder.

One way to do this is by locking your savings into a fixed-term account.

These accounts pay out an interest rate for a set period of time, from anywhere between six months and five years.

Fixed-rate savings accounts generally offer better interest rates in exchange for you not being to withdraw any cash.

Just bear in mind you may have to pay a charge for any early withdrawals.

Second, it’s worth making the most of ISAs which allow you to save money without having to pay tax on any interest earned.

You can spread a total of £20,000 across various ISA types including Cash ISAs and Stocks and Shares ISAs.

And of course, shop around for the best deals so you’re not left with a low-paying savings account.

Comparison sites like moneyfactscompare.co.uk and moneysavingexpert.com can help you find the best account suited to you.

How you can find the best savings rates

If you are trying to find the best savings rate there are websites you can use that can show you the best rates available.

Doing some research on websites such as MoneyFacts and price comparison sites including Compare the Market and Go Compare will quickly show you what’s out there.

These websites let you tailor your searches to an account type that suits you.

There are three types of savings accounts fixed, easy access, and regular saver.

fixed-rate savings account offers some of the highest interest rates but comes at the cost of being unable to withdraw your cash within the agreed term.

This means that your money is locked in, so even if interest rates increase you are unable to move your money and switch to a better account.

Some providers give the option to withdraw but it comes with a hefty fee.

An easy-access account does what it says on the tin and usually allow unlimited cash withdrawals.

These accounts do tend to come with lower returns but are a good option if you want the freedom to move your money without being charged a penalty fee.

Lastly is a regular saver account, these accounts generate decent returns but only on the basis that you pay a set amount in each month.

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Minister says lawyers missing the point on Palestinian recognition

Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has said warnings that the recognition of a Palestinian state could breach international law are “missing the point”.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced the UK would move towards recognition unless Israel met certain conditions, including agreeing a ceasefire and reviving the prospect of a two-state solution, earlier this week.

However, some of Britain’s most distinguished lawyers have warned that Palestine does not meet the legal requirements for statehood under a 1933 treaty.

Nearly 150 more than 140 of the UN’s 193 members already formally recognise a Palestinian state, with Canada, Germany and Portugal considering recognition.

Under the Montevideo Convention, signed in 1933, the criteria for the recognition of a state under international law are set out as a defined territory, a permanent population, an effective government and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.

In a letter to the government’s attorney general, Lord Hermer, first reported by the Times, 43 cross-party peers call for him to advise the prime minister against recognition.

The group includes some of the country’s top lawyers, such as former Supreme Court judge Lord Collins of Mapesbury and Lord Pannick KC.

“It is clear that there is no certainty over the borders of Palestine,” they argue, and also that “there is no functioning single government, Fatah and Hamas being enemies”.

“The former has failed to hold elections for decades, and the latter is a terrorist organisation, neither of which could enter into relations with other states,” the letter adds.

The UK did not sign the 1933 convention but the lawyers argue that it has “become part of customary law and it would be unwise to depart from it at a time when international law is seen as fragile or, indeed, at any time”.

They add: “You have said that a selective, ‘pick and mix’ approach to international law will lead to its disintegration, and that the criteria set out in international law should not be manipulated for reasons of political expedience.

“Accordingly, we expect you to demonstrate this commitment by explaining to the public and to the government that recognition of Palestine would be contrary to the principles governing recognition of states in international law.”

Lord Hermer has previously insisted that a commitment to international law “goes absolutely to the heart” of the government’s approach to foreign policy.

Jonathan Reynolds defended the plans on BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme and suggested the peers needed to “look at the levers the UK has” to deliver peace.

Asked about the signatories’ concern recognition does not align with the 1933 Montevideo Convention, Reynolds said: “I think to be honest, with respect to those colleagues, that is missing the point somewhat.”

He explained the objective was “not just a ceasefire for the conflict in Gaza but a genuine peace process, and that requires a two-state solution”.

Asked about why conditions had not been placed on Hamas, he said: “Hamas is a terrorist organisation and we don’t put conditions on those, we don’t negotiate with terrorists.

“We’ve been absolutely clear: it’s our longstanding position that the hostages have to be released. It’s also our longstanding position that Hamas can play no role in the future governance of Gaza or any Palestinian state.

“So those are our absolute condition, but we will never be willing to negotiate with Hamas because they are a terrorist organisation.”

The peers’ intervention follows condemnation of Sir Keir’s announcement by Emily Damari, a British-Israeli women who was held captive by Hamas for more than a year, who said Sir Keir is “not standing on the right side of history”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also claimed it “rewards Hamas’s monstrous terrorism”.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his country plans to recognise a Palestinian state as part of the two-state solution – that is Israel and Palestine living side-by-side.

Carney said his decision was prompted by the “catastrophe” in Gaza, and because he feared the prospect of a Palestinian state was “receding before our eyes”.

The Palestinian Authority – which runs parts of the occupied West Bank – must commit to “much-needed reform” he said, and Hamas, which controlled Gaza, “can play no part”.

The UK has said it too would recognise a Palestinian state at a UN summit in September unless Israel committed to a ceasefire.

Sir Keir has said the UK will only refrain from recognition if Israel allows more aid into Gaza, stops annexing land in the West Bank, agrees to a ceasefire, and signs up to a long-term peace process over the next two months.

He also said Hamas must immediately release all remaining Israeli hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, disarm and “accept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza”.

The question of international law has been repeatedly raised with the prime minister by more than 800 other lawyers, who allege Israel has flouted the Geneva Convention by committing war crimes including genocide in Gaza.

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At Least 8 Dead and Many Missing in Devastating Yola Flood in Nigeria

Heavy rains have swept through Yola, the Adamawa State capital in northeastern Nigeria, causing a devastating flood that residents have described to HumAngle as the first of its kind.

The rain began around 1 a.m. and intensified as the hours passed. By 3 a.m., walls and houses had begun to collapse, with water sweeping into homes in the Shagari and Sabon Pegi areas. 

HumAngle visited the affected communities and found locals carrying their luggage and children so they could reach the highlands.

While some residents blame the flooding on heavy rainfall, others argue that it was caused by water released from a dam in the Bole area, located just a few kilometres away from the affected communities.

Adamawa had been earlier identified as one of the states in Nigeria likely to be affected by flooding in 2025. Following this, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Adamawa State government, conducted a sensitisation exercise in May to address the 2025 flood risks and promote coordinated responses to mitigate climate change effects in the state.

A small house surrounded by floodwater, with a muddy yard and green plants in the foreground, under a cloudy sky.
One of the homes affected by the flood in Sabon Pegi Yola, Adamawa State. Photo: Saduwo Banyawa/ HumAngle. 

People living in flood-prone areas were said to be most affected. In Shagari phase 2, some of the access roads are also flooded. Pam Bature, a resident of the community, told HumAngle that the rain caused severe damage across the area. 

“We heard that homes were getting flooded around that time [3 a.m.], so we came out and saw houses submerged in water. We did our best to carry items within our reach and help people get to safety,” he said. 

Pam mentioned that the police came around 7 a.m. to survey the area. 

“They asked some questions, looked around the area, and left. The Red Cross people also came, but they said their vehicle could not access the area, so they turned around and drove off,” Pam added.

He also noted that while some Shagari residents were able to swim across, others are currently trapped in their houses as they are waiting for the water levels to subside. 

Flooded house with damaged walls and furniture inside. Debris and water cover the floor. Tree visible in the background.
A part of Jared Enoch’s home after the flood broke down his wall in Sabon Pegi Yola, Adamawa State. Photo: Saduwo Banyawa/HumAngle.

In Sabon Pegi, HumAngle observed that several homes were destroyed and others were submerged in water. While some people are trying to recover items from their flooded homes, others are counting their losses. 

HumAngle spoke to Jared Enock, a resident of Sabon Pegi, who lost a portion of his house in the flood. He explained that his family was woken up by a loud thud, and when he came out, he discovered that it was his wall that had just collapsed. 

“Water began to flow into the house with so much intensity the moment the wall fell. I gathered my children, and shortly after we ran out of the house, the living room collapsed with all our properties inside,” Enoch said. 

Aside from his personal belongings and his gadgets, Jared also lost all his animals, which include chickens and rabbits. He is grateful that his family made it out alive. 

Outdoor market scene with people standing around a table. A pile of dead animals lies on the ground, surrounded by scattered items.
Jared lays his dead rabbits on the sand after the whole compound was flooded in Sapon Pegi Yola, Adamawa State. Photo: Saduwo Banyawa/ HumAngle.

HumAngle learned that two people were swept away in Sapon Pegi. The victims were said to be children whose bodies were recovered by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The agency has not yet released a statement about the flooding disaster.

Flooded street with debris, broken bricks, and puddles. People in background assessing damage, overcast sky.
A destroyed home at Sabon Pegi Yola, Adamawa State. Photo: Saduwo Banyawa/ HumAngle.

Naomi Wazumtu, another resident of Sabon Pegi Yola, is still in shock. She said she never imagined that what began as an ordinary rainfall could result in a catastrophic flood. 

“My whole house is flooded. My bags of rice, maize, and all the foodstuffs in my store were submerged,” she said, sighing heavily. 

In the Ibunu Abbas community, also known as Yola bypass, the situation is worse. Locals told HumAngle that NEMA officials came with a rescue vehicle and pulled out six dead bodies. 

Flooded area with two houses, muddy water covering the ground, and a few green plants partially submerged. Overcast sky above.
A cross-section of submerged homes in Ibunu Abbas, Yola Bypass. Photo: Saduwo Banyawa/ HumAngle.

Four of the bodies were of men who were said to be workers in a bakery. The other two were children found alongside a drainage system. The bodies have been deposited at the morgue in the Moddibo Adamawa Teaching Hospital, Yola. 

On the flooded streets of Ibunu Abbas, people are seen running around, calling out for their children and loved ones who are still missing. HumAngle also observed dead animals on the streets.

Flooded yard with scattered items and muddy water. A duck and trees are visible near a house with a partially covered porch.
A flooded home in the Ibunu Abbas community of Yola, Adamawa state. Photo: Saduwo Banyawa/ HumAngle.

While residents across the affected communities are grappling with the tragedy, their basic concern is shelter and food. 

“I’m not just looking for where my family can rest our heads right now,” Jared from Sabon Pegi said. 

Grace Shombolki from Ibunu Abbas, whose entire kitchen was submerged by the flood, says her major concern is food and shelter. 

“NEMA came, carried dead bodies, and left. We are calling on them and the government to come to our aid because we lost everything,” she said. 

Severe flooding has devastated Yola, the capital of Adamawa State in northeastern Nigeria, after intense rainfall. The disaster, which began around 1 a.m., resulted in collapsed walls and houses, especially in areas like Shagari and Sabon Pegi. Residents, navigating flooded homes and streets, blame the disaster on heavy rains and potentially released dam water from nearby Bole. Yola, previously identified as flood-prone, had been part of a flood risk sensitization exercise by NEMA earlier in the year.

The flood’s impact is profound, with multiple fatalities and widespread property damage. Residents of affected areas, such as Shagari and Yola Bypass, report significant losses, including family members, livestock, and homes. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has been active in locating and retrieving bodies but has yet to address the residents’ pressing needs for shelter and sustenance. As the community struggles with immediate survival, they urgently seek governmental assistance to rebuild their lives.

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Body found in Oakmere lake in search for missing Cheshire mum

A body has been found in a lake during a search for a missing mother.

Rachel Booth, 38, disappeared in the early hours of Saturday after she was last seen by her family in the village of Barnton in Cheshire.

Cheshire Police earlier said officers had found a body which they believed to be Ms Booth in a lake in Oakmere after “extensive searches and appeals in the area”.

The body has not been formally identified but Ms Booth’s family has been informed and was being supported, the force said.

Police said there were not believed to be any suspicious circumstances and report would be prepared for the coroner.

After she disappeared, CCTV footage showed Ms Booth at Sandiway Garage of the A556 near Northwich at about 03:50 BST on Saturday.

Wild Shore Delamere, which offers outdoor activities at its lake nearby, had closed while the search commenced.

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One person killed and two missing after going over Oregon waterfall

Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Police search for survivors who went over Oregon waterfallDeschutes County Sheriff’s Office

Two people are still missing after six people were swept over the falls

One person has died and two people remain missing after a group of six people were swept over a waterfall in Oregon on Saturday afternoon, a local sheriff office said.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said it rescued three people from the Deschutes River who were transported to the hospital, while another person was declared dead at the scene.

Emergency responders used drones to look for survivors near Dillon Falls after receiving an emergency call in the afternoon and plan to resume search efforts on Sunday after pausing overnight.

Dillon Falls has a 15-foot (4.5-metre) drop that turns into “churning rapids in a quick, step ladder-like pattern”, according to Visit Central Oregon.

The falls over the Deschutes River are near the city of Bend in the Deschutes National Forest, a popular spot for visitors.

Each summer, thousands of people boat, kayak or float on inner tubes on the river, which boasts whitewater areas as well as trout and salmon fisheries.

Local fire and police officers responded to 911 calls around 15:00 PDT (21:00 BST)

Officials have yet to name the victims so they can notify family members before.

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Seven rescued, 11 missing after boat capsizes off Indonesia’s Mentawai | Shipping News

Rescue effort under way after boat carrying 18 people capsizes in bad weather off the Mentawai Islands.

Rescuers in Indonesia are searching for 11 people who went missing after a boat capsized in bad weather off the Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra province, according to a local search and rescue agency.

Dozens of rescuers and two boats were at the site of the disaster on Tuesday, and seven of the 18 people on board the boat have been rescued, the agency said in a statement.

The vessel capsized at about 11am on Monday (04:00 GMT) as it sailed around the Mentawai Islands.

It had departed Sikakap, a small town in the Mentawai Islands, and was heading to another small town, Tuapejat. Of 18 people on board, 10 were local government officials.

“Our focus is on combing the area around the estimated accident site to find all victims,” said Rudi, the head of the Mentawai search and rescue agency.

He did not give a cause for the boat capsizing, but marine accidents are a regular occurrence in the Southeast Asian archipelago of approximately 17,000 islands, in part due to lax safety standards or bad weather.

On July 3, a ferry carrying 65 people sank off the popular resort island of Bali, killing at least 18 people.

In March, a boat carrying 16 people capsized in rough waters off Bali, killing an Australian woman and injuring at least one other person.

In 2018, more than 150 people drowned when a ferry sank in one of the world’s deepest volcanic lakes on Sumatra island.

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Viktor Gyokeres: Arsenal target faces discilinary action after missing Sporting pre-season training

Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres is facing disciplinary action by his club Sporting after failing to report for pre-season training, says the Portuguese club’s president Frederico Varandas.

Varandas added that any potential transfer was now becoming “more complicated”.

BBC Sport reported last week that Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta held face-to-face talks with Sweden international Gyokeres in Portugal.

Sources have told BBC Sport that talks are ongoing with Arsenal, who are still hopeful of striking a deal, with their most recent proposal for the 27-year-old totalling about 70m euros (£60m) including add-ons.

Last month Sporting president Varandas said there was no ‘gentleman’s agreement’ for Gyokeres to leave for 70m euros but added that the club would not demand his full release clause of 100m euros (£85m).

Gyokeres, who scored 54 goals in 52 games last season, has yet to publicly explain why he has not turned up for pre-season.

Varandas told Portuguese news agency Lusa that “no one is above the interests of the club”.

“We’re calm. Everything can be solved with the closure of the market, a hefty fine and an apology to the group,” Varandas said.

“If they don’t want to pay Viktor’s fair market value, we’ll be very comfortable with that for the next three years.

“If the geniuses who are devising this strategy think that this puts pressure on me to make it easier for him to leave, not only are they completely wrong, but they are also making it more complicated for the player to leave.”

Gyokeres has scored 97 goals in 102 matches during his two seasons in Portugal, firing Sporting to two league titles.

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At least 4 dead, 20 missing after boat sinks off Dominican Republic | Migration News

Dominican authority says 17 other refugees and migrants rescued from the boat heading for Puerto Rico, a US territory.

Four refugees and migrants have died and about 20 were missing after their boat capsized off the coast of the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean, authorities said, as Haitians and Dominicans continue to take life-threatening risks to make the crossing to what they hope is a better life.

The Dominican civil defence authority was quoted by AFP news agency as saying on Friday that 17 other people were rescued from the boat, which was carrying about 40 people and headed for Puerto Rico, a United States territory.

The Caribbean nation’s navy said it had rescued 10 Dominicans and seven Haitians. A child was among the survivors.

So-called “yola” migrant boats, such as the one that ran into trouble, are constructed from wood or fibreglass and do not comply with safety regulations, according to authorities.

Refugees and migrants pay as much as $7,000 for a one-way trip to Puerto Rico from the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with crisis-torn Haiti.

Illegal migration from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico has been a growing phenomenon in the last decade.

In 2022, at least five people drowned and another 66 were rescued in an incident involving a suspected human smuggling boat near the uninhabited island of Mona, west of Puerto Rico.

Mona Island, a nature reserve, is located between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico and has, over the years, been used by smugglers carrying people between the two. Those on that route are typically Dominican or Haitian.

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Coronation Street fans thrilled as soap favourite returns after going missing

Corrie viewers saw Dee-Dee Bailey quietly go through with christening her daughter Laila on tonight’s episode and the event marked the return of Adam Barlow after his absence

Viewers were thrilled by a character’s return on Coronation Street tonight after having not been seen for some time. The resident ended their absence by making an appearance at a special occasion in Weatherfield.

The latest episode of the ITV show saw Dee-Dee Bailey (played by Channique Sterling-Brown) quietly christen her daughter Laila away her family. She organised the event behind the back of her brother James Bailey (Jason Callender), who’s in the process of adopting his newborn niece. Fans saw Dee-Dee and other attendees gather at the Viaduct Bistro following the ceremony to celebrate the occasion. Adam Barlow (Sam Robertson) and Alya Nazir (Sair Khan), who are Laila’s godparents, were with her, alongside vicar Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank), who led the service.

Sair Khan and Sam Robertson sat together in a bar set for a scene on Coronation Street.
Adam Barlow (played by Sam Robertson, right) made his return on Coronation Street tonight in a scene alongside Alya Nazir (Sair Khan, left)(Image: ITV/Coronation Street)

It marked Adam’s on-screen return after fans had noticed that he’s been absent for months. The character is said to have last appeared in March prior to tonight’s episode, though there was no mention of where he’s been in the scenes.

One fan wrote on X in May: “Where’s Adam Barlow May I ask? Last seen onscreen 7th March 2025. Somebody do something.” Another said: “I’ve just realised something about #Corrie. Where the hell has Adam Barlow disappeared to?”

Questions over the character’s whereabouts have continued more recently. Last month, someone asked: “Where’s Adam these days? And Ken??”

Addressing his return this week, one fan asked this evening: “Bloody hell. Where has Adam been?” Another said: “OMG ADAM BARLOW RETURNS!” A third wrote: “Adam finally comes back and ruins lives. Welcome back, sweetheart. Nice new ‘do as well”

Someone else reacted: “Adam! Welcome back. We haven’t seen you since March. Hopefully you’ll have a story now.” Another viewer said: “Adam Barlow! Welcome back, hun. Can they make Adam and Alya interesting now please?”

Adam made his presence known in tonight’s episode though as he inadvertently prompted a confrontation between Dee-Dee and James. It came after he had asked Dee-Dee why her brother hadn’t joined them to celebrate, with her making excuses.

James later turned up at the bar and questioned his sister on her decision to christen Laila after he had previously dismissed the idea. Asked how he found out, James revealed that he had received a text from Adam about the gathering.

He shared the message, which read: “The christening was great. I know you’re not into God mate but come and toast your daughter.” Adam said: “Now I’m thinking it wasn’t the best idea.” He however said he was “trying to do a nice thing”.

Daniel Brocklebank, Channique Sterling-Brown, Sair Khan and Sam Robertson sat together in a bar set for a scene on Coronation Street.
They were guests at a christening organised by Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown, centre left), with the service led by Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank, left)(Image: ITV/Coronation Street)

Dee-Dee explained: “You know how much I wanted this for her. I tried to talk to you, James.” She added: “I asked you and you said ‘no chance’.” He responded: “So you went and did it anyway?” Dee-Dee said: “I’m sorry but you had no respect for my wishes.”

Alya and Adam went to get some treats so the siblings could talk the situation through. Later, Dee-Dee apologised for lying James but said that she was doing what she believed to be right. He questioned if he can trust her now though.

Coronation Street continues tomorrow from 8pm on ITV, ITVX, STV and STV Player.

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Texas mourns flood victims at vigil as search continues for dozens missing | Donald Trump News

Texans gather in Kerrville to mourn 120 flood victims and pray for more than 160 still missing.

Several hundred people have gathered in Tivy Antler Stadium in Texas to mourn the many lives lost and pray for those still missing from the catastrophic flash floods that battered the state over the United States July Fourth holiday.

The vigil, held on Wednesday in Kerrville – one of the worst-affected areas – brought together grieving families, local clergy, and volunteers. “Our communities were struck with tragedy literally in the darkness,” youth minister Wyatt Wentrcek told the crowd. “Middle of the night.”

At least 120 people have been confirmed dead, with more than 160 still unaccounted for, making it the deadliest inland flooding in the US since 1976. No survivors have been found since Friday.

Blue shirts bearing the school’s slogan, Tivy Fight Never Die, and green ribbons for Camp Mystic – a century-old all-girls Christian camp where at least 27 campers and counsellors died – were worn by many attendees. Officials said five campers and one counsellor from the camp remain unaccounted for.

Ricky Pruitt of the Kerrville Church of Christ addressed the crowd, noting the emotional weight of holding the vigil at a stadium more often used to celebrate sporting triumphs. “Tonight is very different than all of those nights,” he said, as reported by The Associated Press.

People attend a Catholic rosary service for the Texas flood victims at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Kerr County, Kerrville, Texas, USA, 08 July 2025 [
People attend a Catholic rosary service for the Texas flood victims at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Kerr County, Kerrville, Texas, USA, July 8, 2025 [Dustin Safranek/EPA]

As mourners held each other and wiped their tears, search crews continued scouring the Guadalupe River – on foot, horseback, and by air – for those still missing. Search dogs were deployed to sniff through trees and piles of debris. Officials admitted hope of finding survivors had all but faded, with efforts now focused on giving families closure.

Worst flood in 50 years

Meteorologist Bob Henson said the disaster ranks as the most lethal inland flood in nearly five decades, surpassing the 1976 Big Thompson Canyon flood in Colorado, which killed 144.

Governor Greg Abbott said many of those who were in the Hill Country during the holiday were never formally registered at a camp or hotel, making it harder to account for everyone.

He has faced growing criticism over the state’s flood preparedness, with many asking why warnings were delayed and evacuation measures insufficient.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha assured residents that accountability would come but said the immediate priority remains to recover the missing.

Abbott has urged state legislators to approve a new flood warning system and boost emergency communication networks. He is pushing for the issue to be addressed during a special legislative session already scheduled to begin on July 21. He also called for financial aid to support recovery efforts.

For years, local officials have debated installing a flood siren system, but concerns over cost and noise meant the idea was shelved – a decision now under intense scrutiny.

US President Donald Trump has pledged full federal support and is expected to visit the affected areas on Friday.

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Catastrophic Texas floods leave over 160 missing, death toll rises to 109 | Floods News

More than 160 people remain unaccounted for after devastating floods in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott announced, marking a dramatic increase in the number of missing from a disaster that has already killed 109 people.

Four days after flash floods ravaged several Texas counties, some striking while residents slept, hopes of finding survivors by Tuesday have dwindled – and Abbott warned that the number of missing people could still rise further.

“Just in the Kerr County area alone, there are 161 people who are known to be missing,” he told reporters on Tuesday as the grim search continued.

“There very likely could be more added to that list,” he added, explaining that the figure comes from individuals reported missing by friends, relatives and neighbours.

Kerr County, located in central Texas’s “Flash Flood Alley,” suffered the most catastrophic impact, with at least 94 confirmed deaths.

This toll includes at least 27 girls and counsellors who were staying at a youth summer camp along the Guadalupe River when it overflowed early on Friday morning as the Fourth of July holiday began.

Powerful floodwaters surged through the camp, demolishing cabins while hundreds slept.

As of Tuesday evening, five campers and one counsellor remained missing, according to Abbott, along with another child not associated with the camp.

“There’s nothing more important in our hearts and minds than the people of this community, especially those who are still lost,” Abbott said.

Throughout the rest of the state, at least 15 additional deaths have been recorded, the governor added.

Ben Baker with the Texas game wardens explained that search and rescue operations using helicopters, drones and dogs face tremendous obstacles due to water and mud.

“When we’re trying to make these recoveries, these large piles can be very obstructive, and to get in deep into these piles, it’s very hazardous,” Baker said.

“It’s extremely treacherous, time-consuming. It’s dirty work, the water is still there.”

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At least 161 people missing in Kerr County in Texas

Watch: Texas resident survived floods by standing on electrical box for three hours

At least 161 people are still missing in a single Texas county four days after deadly and devastating flash floods hit parts of the state last week, Governor Greg Abbott said, as hope fades for survivors to be found alive.

The missing in the hard-hit Kerr County include five campers and one counsellor from Camp Mystic, a Christian all-girls summer camp located on the banks of Guadalupe river.

At least 109 people have died in the disaster, including 94 in the Kerrville area alone, Abbott said in a news conference on Tuesday.

Texas is not alone. New Mexico saw a flash flood emergency as well, with the National Weather Service (NWS) warning of intense flooding on Tuesday night.

In Texas, frantic search and rescue efforts continue, with Abbott vowing emergency crews “will not stop until every missing person is accounted for”.

Abbott added that it is very likely more missing will be added to the list in the coming days, and urged people to report anyone they think is unaccounted for.

General Thomas Suelzer from the Texas National Guard said search efforts include Chinook and Black Hawk helicopters with rescue hoists.

He said there are 13 Black Hawk helicopters helping in the search effort, including four that arrived from Arkansas. He added that authorities were also using reaper drones.

Responders from various agencies are working together on rescue efforts, including agents from border patrol, the FBI and the National Guard.

More than 250 responders from various agencies have been assigned to the Kerrville area alone to help with search and rescue.

One of those rescue volunteers, named Tim, told the BBC he has never seen any destruction at this scale before.

“I’ve done the floods down in East Texas and Southeast Texas, and hurricanes, and this is a nightmare,” he said.

Another rescue volunteer, named Justin, compared the effort to “trying to find a single hay in a haystack”.

“There’s a wide trail of destruction for miles, and there’s not enough cadaver dogs to go through all of it,” he told the BBC.

“It’s hard to access a lot of it with heavy machinery. Guys are trying to pick at it with tools and hands, and they’re not even putting a dent in it – not for lack of effort.”

Questions have been raised about whether authorities provided adequate flood warnings before the disaster, and why people were not evacuated earlier.

Experts say there were a number of factors that contributed to the tragedy in Texas, including the extreme weather, the location of the holiday homes and timing.

The governor, who had spent part of the day surveying the flood zone, said authorities had issued a storm warning and knew about a possible flash flood, but “didn’t know the magnitude of the storm”.

No one knew it would lead to a “30-foot high tsunami wall of water”, he said.

The governor responded to a question about who was to “blame” for the enormous death toll, saying: “That’s the word choice of losers.”

He made a sports analogy, saying American football teams make mistakes; champion teams are the ones who don’t “point fingers”.

Most of the victims died in Kerr County, where the Guadalupe River was swollen by torrential downpours before daybreak on Friday, the July Fourth public holiday.

Camp Mystic had earlier confirmed at least 27 girls and staff were among the dead.

Those who survived are now focused on trying to rebuild.

Justin Brown has lived along the Guadalupe River for more than 25 years.

A week ago, he lived in his mobile home at the Blue Oak RV Park with his two young daughters and dog. Now, there is a huge puddle where his home once stood – his RV swept away in the floods.

“We were one of the few parks that got almost everybody out,” Mr Brown told the BBC as he described the efforts of his landlord and emergency workers, who evacuated almost all of the park’s residents.

Looking out over the empty lot where his home once stood – now just debris – he said he hopes to move back in as soon as he can.

President Donald Trump will travel to the flood-ravaged areas with First Lady Melania Trump on Friday.

Separately, in New Mexico, the NWS declared a flash flood emergency on Tuesday and told residents of Ruidoso to be on high alert for flooding.

Officials there are already working to rescue people trapped in floodwaters and houses are reportedly being washed away.

A flood wave on the Rio Ruidoso has reached 15 feet (4.5m), the NWS in Albuquerque said in a post on X.

The waters receded about two hours later, according to CBS, the BBC’s US partner.

Officials had to perform some swift boat rescues and some people were unaccounted for as of Tuesday evening.

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Three Californians, family of former Giants pitcher, missing in Texas flash floods

The Bay Area family of a former San Francisco Giants pitcher is among those still missing following a devastating flash flood in Central Texas that killed more than 100 people last week.

Hundreds gathered for a vigil Sunday in Marin County for Mark Walker, Sara Walker and their 14-year-old son, Johnny. The Kentfield family was visiting their vacation home in Hunt in Central Texas when the disaster struck.

Mark is the older brother of Tyler Walker, who played for the Giants between 2004 and 2008.

Mark’s mother, Kathy, told the San Francisco Chronicle that Mark’s 16-year-old daughter, Ellie, was attending nearby Camp Waldemar and was rescued. The family last heard from Mark on Thursday and later found out that the family’s home along the Guadalupe River washed away in the flood.

“I’m sick to my stomach,” Kathy told the Chronicle. “It’s a terrible feeling, because you’re helpless here.”

Mark’s son, Johnny, was going to be a freshman at Marin Catholic High School. The school released a statement, saying that a prayer service would be held Tuesday evening.

“In heartbreaking times like this, we turn to God and to prayer for the Walker family and all the victims of the devastating floods in Texas. We are still praying for a miracle in hopes that Ellie will be reunited with her mom, dad and brother,” according to the statement.

Friday’s flash flooding also claimed the lives of more than two dozen people at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls summer camp along the Guadalupe River. At least 27 campers and counselors died and as of Monday, 10 campers and a counselor are still missing.

Texas officials are facing backlash over whether they adequately prepared for and warned residents of the life-threatening weather conditions in the area known as “flash flood alley.”

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Narbonne says City Section football trophy is missing again

It’s another case for Tracker, Magnum, P.I. or Columbo.

The City Section perpetual football trophy is missing — again.

The last time this happened was after Narbonne received the trophy in 2018 for winning the Open Division title. Birmingham won the trophy in 2019 but never got to display it because it went missing until discovered in 2021. It was sticking out of a dumpster in Torrance, handed over to the Southern Section office, then presented to the City Section and cleaned up.

Narbonne won the trophy again last fall but was asked to return it in May after having to vacate the title because of rule violations. The City Section is still waiting for it to be returned.

“They said it’s not where it’s supposed to be,” City Section commissioner Vicky Lagos said when asked where the trophy might be.

If the trophy can’t be found, Narbonne will be sent a bill to replace it, Lagos said.

“We’re putting out a call for all good Samaritans,” Lagos said.

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The Missing And Those Who Miss Them II

The most precious thing a war can take is a loved one. Sometimes, the violence is even more brutal when it offers no closure: no corpse to pray over, no grave to visit. When someone you love goes missing, and after years of not knowing and not hearing from them, you still hope for a reunion, it becomes a slow, painful wait.

But what happens when it has been over a decade of waiting, and your memories feel like the only proof that they ever existed? What do you do when there is no proof of life?


Reported and scripted by Sabiqah Bello

Voice acting by Rukayya Saeed and Azara Tswanya

Multimedia editor is Anthony Asemota

Executive producer is Ahmad Salkida

The text discusses the profound impact of war, particularly the pain of losing a loved one without closure, as their absence turns into a long, painful wait. It highlights the anguish experienced when someone is missing for over a decade, and the only evidence of their existence becomes their memories. The content is reported by Sabiqah Bello, with voice acting by Rukayya Saeed and Azara Tswanya. The multimedia editor is Anthony Asemota, and Ahmad Salkida serves as the executive producer.

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Death toll from Texas floods rises to 82, dozens still missing | Floods News

The death toll from the catastrophic floods that hit the state of Texas in the United States has risen to 82, as the search for the missing continues and officials face questions over a failure to evacuate people in hard-hit Kerr County.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said on Sunday that at least 41 people remain unaccounted for across the southern state, three days after the deluge, and that more could be missing.

He promised authorities will continue to work around the clock to find the missing, and warned that additional rounds of heavy rains lasting into Tuesday could produce more life-threatening flooding.

In Kerr County, Sheriff Larry Leitha said on Sunday that searchers have found the bodies of 68 people, including 28 children, many of whom went missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls.

Leitha said 10 more girls and a counsellor remain missing and pledged to keep searching until “everybody is found”.

President Donald Trump sent his condolences to the victims and said he would probably visit the area on Friday. His administration had been in touch with Abbott, he added.

“It’s a horrible thing that took place, absolutely horrible. So we say, ‘God bless all of the people that have gone through so much, and God bless… God bless the state of Texas’,” he told reporters as he left New Jersey.

The flooding occurred after the nearby Guadalupe River broke its banks after torrential rain fell in the central Texas area on Friday, the US Independence Day holiday.

Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd said the destruction killed three people in Burnet County, one in Tom Green County, five in Travis County and one in Williamson County.

Kidd said rescuers were evacuating people from more places along the river, “because we are worried about another wall of river coming down in those areas”, with rain continuing to fall on soil in the region already saturated from Friday’s rains.

Questions over preparedness

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was activated on Sunday and is deploying resources to first responders in Texas after Trump issued a major disaster declaration, the Department of Homeland Security said.

US coastguard helicopters and planes were aiding search and rescue efforts.

Freeman Martin, the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, said on Sunday that he expected to “see the death toll rise today and tomorrow”.

Authorities, meanwhile, have faced growing questions about whether enough warnings were issued in an area long vulnerable to flooding, and whether enough preparations were made.

Al Jazeera’s Shihab Rattansi, reporting from central Texas, said several communities along the Guadalupe River were evacuated after the National Weather Service sent out repeated warnings about the rising water levels, but not those in Kerr County.

“There are still no answers as to why those here weren’t alerted,” he said.

Rattansi said while Trump has activated FEMA assistance for Texas, the president had “made it clear in the past that he wants to phase out such aid, even once saying that if a state governor needs to ask for federal emergency help, perhaps they’re not up to the job”.

Trump, when asked by reporters whether he was still planning to phase out FEMA, said that it was something “we can talk about later, but right now, we are busy working”.

Rattansi also said that the Trump administration is phasing out “research and analysis of the changing climate because it feels it’s politicised and divisive”, even though “it’s exactly that sort of analysis that led to the warnings from the National Weather Service to municipal authorities to evacuate residents up and down the Guadalupe River”.

“Climate scientists have long warned that warmer air will hold more moisture and result in ever more intense storms,” he said. “Yet just as their predictions are being realised, federal resources to predict, mitigate and manage extreme weather events are at risk as never before.”

Rick Spinrad, a former director at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), told Al Jazeera that less research will lead to less accurate predictions, making it harder for people to prepare.

“Without research, without staff to do the work, we can assume that the predictions, [for] hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, drought, wildfires, tsunamis, for that matter, are undoubtedly going to degrade, and that means that people’s ability to prepare for these storms will be compromised,” Spinrad said.

In February, the Trump administration announced cuts affecting the jobs of hundreds of staff at NOAA, including meteorologists at the National Weather Service.

Abbott, the Texas governor, declared Sunday a day of prayer for the state.

“I urge every Texan to join me in prayer this Sunday – for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities, and for the safety of those on the front lines,” he said in a statement.

In Rome, Pope Leo XIV also offered special prayers for those affected by the disaster.

“I would like to express sincere condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones, in particular their daughters who were in summer camp, in the disaster caused by the flooding of the Guadalupe River in Texas in the United States. We pray for them.”

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Wimbledon 2025: Organisers apologise after missing three calls after electronic line-calling system deactivated in one game

Had the ball been called out, Pavlyuchenkova would have won the point and taken the game.

Instead, it was replayed, Kartal won the point and went on to break for a 5-4 lead.

Pavlyuchenkova had seen the ball was out – and a TV replay showed that was the case by some distance.

Addressing the crowd, Helwerth said: “We’re just going to check if the system was up and running, because there was no audio call.”

After a telephone call, he announced the electronic system “was unfortunately unable to track the last point” and ordered the point to be replayed.

The rulebook states that if the electronic line calling system fails to make a call, “the call shall be made by the chair umpire”.

It adds: “If the chair umpire is unable to determine if the ball was in or out, then the point shall be replayed. This protocol applies only to point-ending shots or in the case when a player stops play.”

The fact Pavlyuchenkova went on to win the match meant the malfunction was not as costly as it could have been, although she still questioned why the umpire did not call it out.

“That’s why he’s there,” she said. “He also saw it out, he told me after the match.

“I thought he would do that, but he didn’t. Instead they just said replay.

“I don’t know if it’s something to do [with Kartal being] local.

“I think it’s also difficult for him. He probably was scared to take such a big decision.”

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