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Saudi forces have reportedly been instructed to use lethal force to clear land for Neom, a $500 billion smart city project forming part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Saudi Vision 2030. The BBC spoke to a former intelligence officer who claimed he was ordered to evict villagers for The Line, a section of Neom, resulting in one person being shot dead for protesting. The Line is envisioned as a car-free city, only 2.4 kilometers of which is projected to be completed by 2030. Satellite data revealed the demolition of three villages inhabited by the Huwaitat tribe, labeled as "rebels" by the government. Neom, spanning 26,500 square kilometers along the Aqaba Gulf and Red Sea, is set to be 33 times the size of New York and feature palaces worth up to $400 million each, according to the Wall Street Journal. The Saudi government and Neom management have declined to comment on the allegations. 
In a potentially groundbreaking development, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may have located the crash site of a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, which went missing over a mountainous region in East Azerbaijan province. The helicopter, carrying President Raisi and other officials, lost contact 30 minutes into the flight, prompting a massive search and rescue operation involving over 60 teams. Initial reports suggested the incident may not have been catastrophic, with two members of the president's entourage making contact with rescue teams. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei urged calm, while the international community, including neighbouring countries and the European Union, offered assistance. The incident comes amidst heightened regional tensions, with President Raisi recently reaffirming Iran's support for Palestine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden have expressed concern and solidarity with Iran during this distressing time.
Rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs issued a public apology on Sunday in response to a recently surfaced hotel surveillance video from 2016 showing him physically assaulting his then-girlfriend, Casandra Ventura. The disturbing footage, published by CNN, depicts Combs hitting, dragging, and kicking Ventura, confirming allegations she made in a lawsuit settled last year. Combs, facing civil lawsuits accusing him of being a violent sexual predator, expressed regret for his behavior, stating he sought professional help including therapy and rehab. Despite denying previous accusations, Combs' apology was met with skepticism by Ventura's lawyer, who described it as "hollow" and insincere. The rapper's luxury properties were raided earlier this year by federal agents, hinting at a potential investigation into his actions.
An Israeli strike in central Gaza killed 31 people and wounded 20 in the Nuseirat refugee camp as US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan visited for talks on the conflict. Israeli troops have targeted the last Hamas stronghold in Rafah, with Hamas retaliating by firing mortar rounds at Israeli forces. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue fighting Hamas until the group is defeated, despite opposition calling for a plan for post-war governance in Gaza. US President Joe Biden called for an immediate ceasefire and a regional peace deal. The conflict has resulted in over 1,170 deaths, with Israel imposing a siege on Gaza, hindering aid access and raising concerns of a looming famine.
The Democratic Republic of Congo's military has successfully thwarted an "attempted coup" in Kinshasa, near President Felix Tshisekedi's offices, involving both foreigners and Congolese individuals. The group, led by a Congolese-American man named Christian Malanga, was reportedly planning to attack the homes of top officials, including the Prime Minister and Defence Minister. Several Americans and a British man were part of the group, with Malanga and three others being killed by security forces. Despite the chaos, Tshisekedi remains in power after winning a re-election in December, but has yet to form a government. The situation in Kinshasa remains tense, with streets near the presidential offices closed to traffic, as authorities continue to investigate the incident.
US President Joe Biden faced protests from Gaza war demonstrators during his commencement speech at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Some students turned their backs on Biden, holding Palestinian flags and wearing keffiyeh scarves in solidarity with Gaza. Despite the disruption, Biden acknowledged the protesters, expressing support for peaceful demonstrations and promising to listen to their voices. The president addressed the complexities of the Gaza conflict, calling for an immediate ceasefire and a lasting peace in the Middle East. Biden's efforts to engage with Black voters and address the Gaza crisis are seen as crucial for his reelection bid against Donald Trump, as polls show a decline in support from African Americans. The speech at Morehouse College, known for its civil rights legacy, was part of Biden's outreach strategy to strengthen his coalition ahead of the upcoming election.
Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister of the UK, is facing backlash from his Cabinet over potential plans to restrict the country's post-study visa scheme, known as the Graduate Route, which allows graduates to work in the UK for up to two years after completing their degree. The move is aimed at reducing legal migration figures, despite opposition from ministers like Education Secretary Gillian Keegan and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. The Graduate Route has been popular among Indian students, who make up a significant portion of the visa recipients. Business and university leaders have warned that limiting the visa could harm the UK's reputation as an education destination and impact local economies. The Migration Advisory Committee found no evidence of abuse of the scheme and recommended its continuation. The uncertainty surrounding the visa review has caused chaos, with calls for the government to provide clarity and stability on the issue. In an election year, Sunak's government is focused on immigration control, with further measures expected in the near future.
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an attack on tourists in Afghanistan's Bamiyan province, where three Spanish tourists were killed and one injured. The Taliban reported that four individuals were arrested in connection with the attack, which also resulted in the death of an Afghan citizen and injuries to four foreigners and three Afghans. Bamiyan is known for its UNESCO world heritage site and the destroyed Buddha statues targeted by the Taliban in 2001. Since taking control of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have aimed to restore security and attract tourists, selling tickets to visit the site of the destroyed statues. This attack marks one of the most serious incidents targeting foreign citizens since the Taliban's takeover, following a similar attack on Chinese citizens in Kabul in 2022.
Saudi Arabia's King Salman, 88, has been diagnosed with a lung infection and is currently undergoing a treatment program involving antibiotics, according to a statement from the Royal Court. This announcement comes after the monarch was reported to be suffering from a high temperature and joint pain earlier in the day, prompting medical tests at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah. King Salman has been on the throne since 2015, with his son, Mohammed bin Salman, acting as day-to-day ruler. The Saudi government rarely discusses the health of the monarch, but recent disclosures have shed some light on his medical history, including a surgery to remove his gall bladder in 2020. Despite his health concerns, King Salman has been instrumental in implementing social and economic reforms in the kingdom, overseen by his son, who is positioning Saudi Arabia for a post-oil future.
Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter went missing in a reported accident in a mountainous area of Iran's East Azerbaijan province, prompting a massive search effort involving over 60 rescue teams. The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reassured the nation that there would be no disruption in the country's work, while international offers of assistance poured in from countries including Iraq, Kuwait, and Turkey. Raisi had been visiting the province to inaugurate a dam project with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev. The incident comes amidst high regional tensions over the Gaza war and Iran's recent missile launches at Israel. Raisi, who succeeded Hassan Rouhani in 2021, has faced domestic challenges, including protests and a restoration of diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia. The search continues as Iranians and foreign nations express solidarity and hope for Raisi's safe return.
The eruption of Mount Ibu on the Indonesian island of Halmahera has forced the evacuation of residents from seven nearby villages, with authorities raising the alert level to the highest on Thursday. The volcano sent a 4 km high ash cloud into the sky on Saturday evening, accompanied by streaks of purple lightning around its crater. A joint team of police, military, and search and rescue officials have been mobilized to assist in the evacuation efforts, with elderly residents being assisted and others relocated to emergency tents. This eruption follows a series of volcanic activities in Indonesia, located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", including flash floods and cold lava flow from Mount Marapi that resulted in over 60 fatalities. The recent eruption of North Sulawesi's Ruang volcano also led to the evacuation of over 12,000 people on a nearby island.
