Bel Trew: ‘He went to get food for his family and came back in a coffin and a death shroud'
'My son went to get some flour for his family, but came back in a coffin and a death shroud.' These are the words of father-of-six Iyad Abu Darabi describing how Israeli forces killed his 25-year-old son Mussa in southern Gaza in early June.
Desperate and starving, the young man had snuck off against his family's will to collect food from a specially designated distribution site backed by Israel and run by the deeply controversial US-based non-profit Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Almost all aid going into Gaza now runs through the American aid group, which started operations in May following a months-long Israeli blockade of nearly all food and aid.
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Sunday World
22 minutes ago
- Sunday World
US strikes three nuclear sites in Iran
The decision to directly involve the US comes after more than a week of strikes by Israel on Iran President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn upon arriving at the White House (Jose Luis Magana/AP) The US military struck three sites in Iran early Sunday, inserting itself into Israel's effort to decapitating Iran's nuclear program in a risky gambit to weaken a longtime foe amid Tehran's threat of reprisals that could spark a wider regional conflict. The decision to directly involve the US comes after more than a week of strikes by Israel on Iran that have moved to systematically eradicate the country's air defenses and offensive missile capabilities, while damaging its nuclear enrichment facilities. But US and Israeli officials have said that American stealth bombers and a 30,000-lb. bunker buster bomb they alone can carry offered the best chance of destroying heavily-fortified sites connected to the Iranian nuclear program buried deep underground. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported that attacks targeted the country's Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites. The agency did not elaborate. Iran's foreign minister said Iran reserves the right to retaliate. Here is the latest: We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The Magen David Adom rescue service says one of those wounded was a 30-year-old man in moderate condition and the other 10 were lightly wounded. Shortly after the Iranian missile barrage, Israel announced its warplanes were conducting strikes on 'military targets' in western Iran, without immediately elaborating. The judiciary's Mizan news agency identified the man as Majid Mosayebi and said he was hanged on Sunday after charges of spying in exchange for cryptocurrency payments. The case wasn't previously reported. The development raises fears of Tehran stepping up executions in the country in retaliation for the US attacks. Iran is one of the world's top executioners. The International Atomic Energy Agency says in a message on X that there has been 'no increase in off-site radiation levels' after US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. 'The IAEA can confirm that no increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported as of this time,' it said. The 'IAEA will provide further assessments on situation in Iran as more information becomes available.' The Israeli rescue service United Hatzalah said it was dispatching first responders. There was no immediate word on casualties or damage. Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel since Israel launched a surprise attack on its military and nuclear facilities last week. Israel's sophisticated air defenses are able to shoot down most but not all of the missiles and drones. At least 24 people have been killed in Israel and hundreds wounded. US Sen. Chris Murphy posted on X that he and other senators received a classified briefing last week from intelligence officials who indicated that Iran did not pose an immediate threat through its nuclear program. 'Iran was not close to building a deliverable nuclear weapon,' Murphy said. 'The negotiations Israel scuttled with their strikes held the potential for success.' The Houthi rebels in Yemen are vowing to support Iran in its fight against 'the Zionist and American aggression.' Their statement called for the Muslim nations to join the holy war and act as 'one front against the Zionist-American arrogance.' The militant Palestinian group Hamas says the US aid strikers on Iran are a 'direct threat to international peace and security' and 'a blind pursuit of the rogue Zionist occupation's agenda.' Iran's ambassador to the United Nations called on Sunday for an emergency Security Council meeting for what he described as America's 'heinous attacks and illegal use of force' against Iran. In a letter, obtained by the AP, Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, said that the UN's most powerful body must 'take all necessary measures' to hold the US accountable under international law and the UN charter. 'The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns and denounces in the strongest possible terms these unprovoked and premeditated acts of aggression, which have followed the large-scale military attack conducted by the Israeli regime on 13 June against Iran's peaceful nuclear sites and facilities," the letter continued. The Israeli military says it's identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of Israel and says its defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat. The public has been asked to go to shelters and protected areas and remain there until further notice. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said on X that Tehran 'reserves all options' to retaliate. He's the first ranking official to comment on the strikes on Isfahan, Fordo and Natanz by the Americans. 'The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences,' Araghchi wrote. He added: 'In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people.' Iran's semiofficial Fars news agency has published an account by one of its reporters, saying flames could be seen after the bombs hit the Fordo facility. Fars, which is believed close to Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, said its reporter heard anti-aircraft fire around 2:05 a.m. local time and explosions two minutes later. 'When I reached the vicinity ... the air defense system was operating intensely, and its activity was clearly visible in the sky,' the reporter said. Later on, the reporter said, "flames suddenly erupted from the direction of Fordo.' Simultaneously with the flames, a faint trail of smoke and a significant amount of dust rose in the area, Fars quoted the reporter. It offered no photos or video showing the attack Israeli officials lauded the strikes in sweeping and dramatic language. Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, thanked Trump and said the strikes marked a 'decisive moment between the axis of terror and evil and the axis of hope.' Israel's defense minister congratulated Trump on what he described as a 'historic decision.' The US is stepping up evacuation flights for American citizens from Israel to Europe and continuing to draw down its staff at diplomatic missions in Iraq as fears of Iranian retaliation again US interests in the Middle East grow. Even before those airstrikes were announced by US President Donald Trump on Saturday evening in Washington, the US embassy in Jerusalem announced the start of evacuation flights for American civilians from Israel. Sixty-seven American citizens left Israel on two government flights bound for Athens, Greece on Saturday and four more evacuation flights to Athens were planned for Sunday, according to an internal State Department document seen by The Associated Press. In addition to the flights, a cruise ship carrying more than 1,000 American citizens, including several hundred Jewish youngsters who had been visiting Israel on an organized tour, arrived in Cyprus, according to the document. — Matthew Lee President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn upon arriving at the White House (Jose Luis Magana/AP) News in 90 Seconds - June 22nd Israel's Airport Authority announced it was closing the country's airspace to both inbound and outbound flights in the wake of the US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. The agency said it was shutting down air traffic 'due to recent developments' and did not say for how long. Iran said early Sunday there were 'no signs of contamination' at its nuclear sites at Isfahan, Fordo and Natanz after US airstrikes targeted the facilities. Iranian state media quoted the country's National Nuclear Safety System Center, which published a statement saying its radiation detectors had recorded no radioactive release after the strikes. 'There is no danger to the residents living around the aforementioned sites,' the statement added. Earlier Israeli airstrikes on nuclear sites similarly have caused no recorded release of radioactive material into the environment around the facilities, the International Atomic Energy Agency has said. The US military used 'bunker-buster' bombs in its attack on Iran's Fordo nuclear fuel enrichment plant, which is built deep into a mountain, a US official said. That official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations. The 30,000-pound bunker-busting American bomb known as the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator uses its weight and sheer kinetic force to penetrate underground and then explode. Saturday's strikes were the first time it has been used in combat. US submarines also participated in the attacks in Iran, launching about 30 Tomahawk land attack missiles, according to another US official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations. It was not clear what those missiles were aimed at. Two Iranian nuclear sites besides Fordo were attacked, Isfahan and Natanz. — Lolita C. Baldor Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video that Trump called him after the strikes. 'It was a very warm conversation, very emotional,' Netanyahu said. Speaking in Hebrew, he called Trump a friend of Israel like no one before him. 'In my name, and on behalf of all citizens of Israel and on behalf of the entire Jewish world, I thank him from the bottom of my heart.'
Extra.ie
40 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Former reality star charged with murder of partner following house fire
A former reality star has been arrested and charged with the murder of her partner, who was found deceased in their home last week. Emergency services attended the scene in Port Lincoln in South Australia on Thursday afternoon following reports that a fire had broken out at the property. The accused has not yet been named due to legal reasons, but is understood to be a former contestant on reality TV show, Beauty and the Geek. A former reality star has been arrested and charged with the murder of her partner, who was found deceased in their home last week. Pic: Getty Images SA Police State Operations Service Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrot said they had not yet confirmed how long the man had been deceased, adding that it would 'form part of our investigation.' The suspect was arrested at the scene and taken to a nearby hospital where she was charged with murder, 7News report. On Monday, she faced court via phone link. She has been remanded in custody and has not applied for bail. Emergency services attended the scene in Port Lincoln in South Australia on Thursday afternoon following reports that a fire had broken out on the property. Pic: Getty Images She is set to face court again at a later date. The publication report that it is believed the woman had just recently moved into the residence with the man she is alleged to have murdered. Beauty and the Geek is an American reality TV series, which ran for five seasons from 2005. The show is marketed as the 'ultimate social experiment' and pairs beautiful women with geeky men with the pairs competing in challenges to avoid elimination. While the show is a competition, it is an experiment which allows the teams to learn from each other, with the beauties learning about car repairs, rocket science and maths and the geeks learning how to give massages; how to dance and how to get a woman's phone number. A British version of the show first aired in 2006, with the second season premiering on Discovery+ in 2022 with Kildare model Aishah Akorede winning with her partner Martin Thompson.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Water safety chief issues urgent appeal in wake of recent swimming tragedies
Water Safety Ireland is urging the public to exercise increased caution around water after the tragic drowning of a sixth teenager in as many week. Deputy CEO Roger Sweeney said: 'We urge everyone – parents, carers, communities, and individuals – to talk about water safety before you even leave the house, especially during warm weather when more people are drawn to the water. 'When you bring children or friends to a waterway, take a moment to visualise drawing an imaginary line on the ground, a clear boundary that must not be crossed until you've assessed the risks and had a real conversation about safety. 'Once there, swim within your depth, stay within your depth and don't take your eyes off children — not even for a second. They need constant, uninterrupted adult supervision. That means active watching — not just being nearby. "Talk to them about the importance of lifesaving equipment like ringbuoys — and why it's crucial never to tamper with or misuse them. These are small actions — but they can make the biggest difference.' Kofi Owusu was the sixth drowning victim of someone under 18 in six weeks. The 15-year old was swimming in the River Nanny at Laytown, Co Meath, when he got into difficulties underneath a footbridge. He was with a group of other boys playing in the water but it is believed he was carried away by a strong current and became submerged. The alarm was raised by a member of the public around 6.15pm on Friday and a search and rescue operation was launched within minutes. His body was discovered in the river shortly after 9.30pm. Kofi, who had been living in the Blackrock area of Dundalk in Co Louth, had recently finished his Junior Cert exams and was among a group of teenagers who had gone to the seaside town of Laytown for the day. He was also a talented basketball player, part of the Coláiste Chu Chulainn squad from Dundalk which reached the All-Ireland Cup 'B' U-16 final last year. The area of the river where the teen drowned is tidal with strong swirling currents making it dangerous even for strong swimmers. Local Labour TD Ged Nash told the Sunday Mirror that the young man's death was a 'dreadful tragedy'. He added: 'This is a dreadful tragedy and an indescribable loss to the young man's family and friends. 'My heart goes out to Kofi's family, his friends and all of those who witnessed Friday evening's terrible tragedy. The community thanks the emergency services and local volunteers for their actions. 'I want to appeal to everyone who wants to enjoy the water to do so safely and to take all of the necessary precautions and safety advice.' After the alarm was raised, the Dublin-based Irish Coast Guard Rescue 116 helicopter was overhead within 25 minutes and the Drogheda Coast Guard Unit was launched. Kofi's body was taken to Our Lady's Hospital in Navan, where a post-mortem was due to be carried out. Local Fine Gael councillor Sharon Tolan, who lives in the area, said a dark cloud is hanging over the community. She said: 'My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the tragic accident in Laytown. 'Please think long and hard before posting any commentary on any social media pages.' Independent Meath County Councillor Carol Lennon described the drowning as a 'devastating tragedy' and thanked those involved in the search operation. She said: 'The loss of life in tragic circumstances is devastating, and we want to offer our sincere condolences to the families. 'What started as a great summer's day ended with the loss of a young life.' Tributes poured in yesterday for the popular schoolboy who was described as an all round sports star. Redeemer Celtic in Dundalk placed Kofi's number six shirt in the centre circle of their pitch along with a wreath in tribute to their deceased player.
