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A small private aircraft crashed into a residential area of San Diego early Thursday morning, resulting in two fatalaties and sparking a massive fire that damaged homes and numerous vehicles.

The Federal Aviation Administration reported that the Cessna 550 jet went down around 3:45 a.m. local time in the 10000 block of Sample Street (near Salmon Street and just west of the Admiral Baker Golf Course), just moments before it was scheduled to land at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. The flight originated in Wichita, Kansas, and was on final approach to the San Diego airport when it crashed. FAA records show there was no distress call issued prior to the crash, and the aircraft was about 500 feet above the ground during its last radar contact. In a statement, the FAA said, “A Cessna 550 crashed near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in California at approximately 3:45 a.m. local time on Thursday, May 22. At this time, the number of individuals on board remains unconfirmed.”

Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy stated during a press briefing that all the confirmed fatalities so far were occupants of the aircraft.  Eddy said that the incident led to the destruction of several houses and a vehicle fire. San Diego police reported that one individual was taken to the hospital, while two others were treated on site and later released, with almost 100 other people evacuated from the area in Murphy Canyon — known as one of the world’s largest military housing communities, according to Capt. Robert Heely, commanding officer at Naval Base San Diego.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, six people were on board the plane. Music agency Sound Talent Group said Thursday that three of its employees, including co-founder Dave Shapiro, died as a result of the crash. (Shapiro is listed as the owner of the plane and has a pilot’s license, according to the FAA). The agency didn’t share the names of the other two employees who died, but said in a statement: “we are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends. Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy.”

Mayor Todd Gloria during the press conference that “these are military families—an essential part of our community—and our city will be doing everything we can to support them.”  Police Chief Scott Wahl added: “It’s hard to describe just how devastating the scene is. Jet fuel was running down the street, fires were breaking out everywhere—it was chaos. The bravery shown by officers and firefighters, running in to evacuate people and try to save lives, was nothing short of heroic.”

In response to the crash, multiple elementary schools in the vicinity were closed for the day  Evacuation efforts are ongoing, with residents being directed to a nearby school. Emergency teams are also conducting door-to-door checks to ensure no one remains trapped inside affected homes.

 

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The man accused of killing two Israeli Embassy staff members outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, murder of foreign officials and other counts. The shooting has been described by the FBI has called ‘a targeted act of terrorism,’ with the suspect shouting “Free Palestine” as he was being detained.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs identified the victims in a statement as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim: “We are shocked and horrified this morning by the news of the brutal terrorist attack that claimed the lives of two of our Embassy staff members in Washington — Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim. May their memory be a blessing. We embrace the grieving families during this painful time and will continue to support them always. Israeli diplomats and representatives around the world stand on the frontlines of Israel’s diplomatic efforts — defending the country with their very lives. We will not be deterred by terror. We will continue our mission across the globe, with unwavering commitment to represent Israel with pride.”

The incident occurred as Lischinsky and Milgrim were leaving an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee. FBI Director Kash Patel labeled the shooting as a deliberate act of terror.  Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela A. Smith said the shooting was reported at 9:08 p.m. local time and occurred outside the museum, which is located near an FBI field office in the heart of the U.S. capital. The D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department said that responding officers found the victims with gunshot wounds, unconscious and not breathing.

Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., told reporters that Milgrim was from Kansas, and Lischinsky was an Israeli citizen; and said the couple were on the verge of getting engaged: “The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem. They were a beautiful couple who came to enjoy an evening in Washington’s cultural center.”  Lischinsky worked as a political researcher, and Milgrim was involved in coordinating U.S. delegations to Israel, serving as support staff at the embassy.

The alleged shooter, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, chanted “Free, free Palestine” while in custody. The suspected shooter is said to have waited for police to arrive before saying he “did it for Gaza.” U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said at a news conference Thursday afternoon: “this is a horrific crime, and these crimes are not going to be tolerated by me and my office.”  Pirro said Rodriguez appeared in court Thursday and was advised by the judge that, if convicted, he could face the death penalty or life in prison. A preliminary hearing is set for June 18 and Rodriguez will remain in detention.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino Bongino said: “the subject is currently being interviewed by DC Metro in conjunction with our FBI JTTF team. The US Attorney’s office is on scene with me, and our WFO management team, at the Washington Field Office reviewing the evidence to determine additional actions  The shooting happened a short distance from our Washington Field Office. Our FBI police officers, assigned to posts on the WFO property, immediately responded and rendered aid after the attack  Early indicators are that this is an act of targeted violence. Our FBI team is fully engaged and we will get you answers as soon as we can, without compromising additional leads.”

President Donald Trump called Ambassador Leiter to express condolences and pledged support in the fight against antisemitism. He later posted on Truth Social: “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!”

Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that current evidence suggests Rodriguez acted alone: “a young man with his whole life ahead of him, planning to propose, has been taken from us. This hate must end. We will pursue full justice … Nobody could have predicted what happened. This was a peaceful gathering. Law enforcement responded swiftly, and both the FBI and MPD are doing an outstanding job.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement condemning the murders: “I was shocked by the killing of two embassy staff members in Washington. I have instructed for increased security at Israeli missions worldwide and offered strength to their colleagues and families.” Netanyahu personally spoke with the parents of both victims and remains in close contact with Israeli officials in the U.S.

Following the attack, the U.S. Secret Service ramped up protection at the Israeli Embassy and the ambassador’s residence in Washington. In New York, the NYPD also heightened security at Jewish and Israeli institutions. These measures will remain in effect for the foreseeable future. The Capital Jewish Museum, which has been closed since the incident, plans to reopen soon with additional security, said executive director Beatrice Gurwitz.

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Tensions flared during a meeting in the Oval Office between President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday afternoon, with the two leaders at odds over allegations of so-called White genocide in South Africa.

The meeting between Ramaphosa and Trump was described as discussions about relations, both trade and diplomatic. Ramaphosa posted to his X account on Tuesday that “the trade relations between South Africa and the United States will be the focus of my working visit. We aim to strengthen and consolidate relations between our two countries.”

The visit began cordially, with Trump welcoming Ramaphosa by saying it was a “great honor” to host him and offered a backhanded compliment that Ramaphosa was “highly respected in some circles, and less so in others—just like all of us.” Ramaphosa opened his remarks by expressing hope for improved relations between the two nations: “we’re here today to recalibrate the partnership between South Africa and the United States.”

The visit between the two leaders was attended by South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, taking place amid a diplomatic strain following the U.S. government’s recent decision to grant refugee status to 59 White Afrikaners. Musk has also been vocal about the plight of South African landowners, amplifying claims of “white genocide.” Afrikaners are a White ethnic group in South Africa descended from Dutch settlers. Afrikaans, their native language, is rooted in Dutch and is one of South Africa’s 12 official languages.

Ramaphosa answer a question posed to Trump about what might convince him that White genocide is not occurring in South Africa. He said, referring to golfing legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, as well as billionaire Johann Rupert, who accompanied him: “it’s going to require President Trump to truly hear the voices of South Africans—some of whom are his friends, like the guests with me today. We’ll need to sit down and have honest conversations. I don’t intend to repeat myself on this issue.”

Trump has consistently claimed that White farmers in South Africa are facing genocide—a characterization that both Ramaphosa and the South African government have firmly denied. During the meeting, Trump remarked that “Elon wanted” the Afrikaners to be admitted to the U.S. as refugees, though Musk remained silent throughout the session.

Trump stated there are “thousands” of reports and documentaries highlighting violence against White South Africans — at which point he directed his staff to lower the lights in the Oval Office and played a video depicting what he claimed were scenes of attacks and burial sites involving White farmers. As the video ended, the discussion between the two leaders clashed – with Ramaphosa saying he hadn’t previously seen the footage presented by Trump’s team and stressed that the content of the video did not reflect official government policy. He also condemned the narrative used in the video.

Ramaphosa and members of his delegation also clarified that violent crime in South Africa is a widespread issue impacting people of all races, not just white citizens: “there’s definitely criminal activity in our country, but those affected are not only White individuals. In fact, the majority of the victims are Black South Africans.”

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The U.S. Department of Defense said on Wednesday that they have officially accepted of a high-end Boeing jet aircraft from Qatar, which may be repurposed for use as Air Force One. The New York Times was first to report the news that the Pentagon had accepted the jetliner from the government of Qatar.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth accepted the Boeing 747 “in accordance with all federal rules and regulations. The Department of Defense will work to ensure proper security measures and functional-mission requirements are considered for an aircraft used to transport the President of the United States.”

In addition, a spokesperson for the Air Force said in a statement: “As directed by the Secretary of Defense, the Air Force is preparing to award a contract to modify a Boeing 747 aircraft for executive airlift. Details related to the contract are classified.”

The acceptance of the plane from comes days after sources confirmed that the Qatari royal family would be donating aircraft for Mr. Trump’s use. Valued at $400 million, the jumbo jet — which has been described as a “flying palace” — will be donated to Mr. Trump’s future presidential library just before he leaves office.

During a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink explained that the Air Force has been tasked with overseeing the jet’s adaptation to meet the stringent security standards necessary for carrying President Donald Trump: “the secretary of defense has instructed the Air Force to begin planning the aircraft’s modifications. We’re prepared to move forward with that.”

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On Tuesday, President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping proposal from the White House for a new missile defense initiative aimed at shielding the United States from potential threats posed by nations such as North Korea. The concept, dubbed the “Golden Dome,” bears similarities to Ronald Reagan’s once-abandoned “Star Wars” missile defense strategy.

Trump made the announcement flanked by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Michael Guetlein, currently serving as the Pentagon’s deputy chief for space operations. Trump touted $25 billion in initial funding for the “Golden Dome” and put Guetlein in charge of realizing the hemispheric missile shield. Trump said: “The Golden Dome will be integrated into our current national defense framework and is expected to be up and running before the end of my next term. We’re looking at roughly a three-year timeline. Once completed, this system will be capable of intercepting missiles, no matter where they’re launched—even from space.”

Trump said the project will cost around $175 billion and be built over the next three years, though those are both only initial estimates. The initial $25 billion will be included in the massive bill working its way through Congress.

Key details still remain undecided, including whether the Golden Dome would cover the entire nation or focus primarily on protecting major population centers. Congressional analysts note that, even with advancements in remote sensing, drone technologies, and image processing, a project of this scale could require many years to fully develop and deploy.

Earlier this month, the Congressional Budget Office projected that constructing and deploying a space-based missile interception system could cost between $161 billion and $542 billion over two decades. While the costs of launching spacecraft have decreased, CBO attributed the high estimates to North Korea’s technological improvements and the ambitious nature of Trump’s defense goals.

Israel’s Iron Dome was developed to defend against short- and medium-range missile threats, acting as a protective barrier over the country. The system gained global attention for its role in intercepting around 300 Iranian missiles and drones during a large-scale retaliatory attack in April 2024 following an Israeli strike that killed a high-ranking Iranian military leader.

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A maintenance employee at a New Orleans jail has been taken into custody for allegedly aiding in the escape of 10 inmates late last week, officials confirmed on Tuesday.  The arrest comes as the search for the six remaining fugitives continues into its fifth day. Officials identified four of those still at large—Corey Boyd, Lenton Vanburen, Jermaine Donald, and Derrick Groves—as facing second-degree murder charges.

According to Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, 33-year-old Sterling Williams reportedly told investigators he acted under threats made by one of the inmates involved in the breakout. Williams was employed at the Orleans Parish jail operated by the sheriff’s office, was taken into custody on Monday night, and booked into jail on Tuesday morning. Williams now faces 10 counts of being a principal to simple escape and an additional charge of malfeasance in office. After his initial booking at the Orleans Parish facility, he was transferred to another location. Also in connection with the ongoing investigation, three other employees of the jail have been placed on suspension.

Murrill stated that Williams had admitted to shutting off the water supply to a jail cell at the request of an inmate, which in turn made it possible to remove a toilet — which was key to the inmates’ escape plan. Williams confessed to investigators that he had assisted in the escape, and allegedly told agents that one of the inmates instructed him to cut off the water in the cell they ultimately fled from.  In addition, court documents also revealed that Williams told agents with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation he had been intimidated by Antoine Massey, one of the escapees. Williams claimed that Massey threatened to stab him if he didn’t cut the water supply, a move that allowed inmates to tamper with the toilet and wall structure behind it (Massey is among six inmates who have not yet been captured). Surveillance footage also showed Williams in conversation with Massey and another escapee, Derrick Groves, who also remains at large.

Security footage from inside the jail showed the inmates forcing open a cell door at around 12:22 a.m. Central Time. Investigators say the inmates managed to cut through steel bars located behind the toilet, then bent the bars enough to crawl through. By approximately 1 a.m., the escapees were captured on video making their way through a loading dock. About 20 minutes later, they were seen using blankets to scale a barbed wire fence before disappearing into a neighborhood across Interstate 10. The jailbreak wasn’t discovered until around 8:30 a.m. Friday.

Murrill said: “rather than reporting the request to authorities, Williams complied, shutting off the water and thereby enabling the inmates’ plan to proceed.” She added that “we will continue to uncover every detail surrounding this escape,” she said. “Anyone found to have played a role will be held accountable under the law. I urge anyone with knowledge of the incident—including those who may have helped—to come forward now, while they still have the opportunity to cooperate.”

Authorities initially reported 11 inmates missing, but later clarified that one had been moved to another unit and had not escaped. Three inmates were recaptured within 24 hours of the escape; among those apprehended that same day were Robert Moody, Dkenan Dennis, and Kendall Myles (who had been held on a second-degree murder charge).  The most recent arrest happened on Monday, when authorities took 21-year-old Gary C. Price into custody.

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