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Conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk was shot dead Wednesday at Utah Valley University, authorities said, as federal, state and local law enforcement searched for the unidentified shooter. The gunman, wearing dark clothing, fired from a rooftop at a distance while Kirk spoke during a campus event titled “The American Comeback Tour.” Videos show Kirk reaching up after a single shot struck his neck, as students screamed and fled. Kirk, 31, died at the scene. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox condemned the killing as a “political assassination,” saying the suspect would be held accountable under state law, which includes the death penalty. Two people were briefly detained but later released after authorities found no connection to the shooting. Kirk, a prominent Trump ally, was taking questions on gun violence when the attack occurred. The event, organised by Kirk’s nonprofit Turning Point USA, attracted around 3,000 attendees. Campus police and Kirk’s security were present, and the university evacuated the area immediately. The campus will remain closed until Monday. Former President Donald Trump called Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom” and blamed “radical left” rhetoric for the attack. Tributes and condemnation poured in across party lines, including from Democratic leaders and former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was wounded in a 2011 mass shooting. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk shot dead at Utah college Turning Point USA, founded in 2012 by Kirk and William Montgomery, promotes conservative ideas among college students. Kirk became a key figure in conservative youth politics, supporting Trump’s campaigns and frequently appearing on cable TV to discuss culture and politics. The shooting comes amid rising concern over political violence in the United States, with incidents targeting individuals across ideological lines, including recent attacks on lawmakers and public figures. Local authorities set up multiple active crime scenes around the university and canvassed the surrounding neighborhood for information, while helicopters patrolled overhead. Students described the scene as chaotic, with some trampled or dropping belongings while fleeing. Witness Madison Lattin said she was “so scared, not just for him but for our own safety” and wept upon learning of Kirk’s death.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday dismissed the UK’s ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, following revelations of his close ties with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The move came after the publication of a series of emails Mandelson sent to Epstein, Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty told Parliament. “In light of the additional information in emails written by Peter Mandelson, the prime minister has asked the foreign secretary to withdraw him as ambassador,” the Foreign Office said in a statement. It added that the emails demonstrated Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein was “materially different from that known at the time of his appointment.” On Wednesday, The Sun newspaper published emails in which Mandelson urged Epstein to “fight for early release” shortly before the disgraced financier was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor. In one message, Mandelson told Epstein, “I think the world of you,” ahead of his sentence in June 2008. The disclosures followed the release by Democrats on the US House Oversight Committee of a 50th birthday album compiled for Epstein in 2003, when he was still a wealthy and influential figure. In a handwritten note in the album, Mandelson referred to Epstein as “my best pal.”

Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed Wednesday during an event at Utah Valley University in what Utah Governor Spencer Cox described as a political assassination carried out from a rooftop. “This is a dark day for our state and a tragic day for the nation. I want to be very clear: this is a political assassination,” Cox said. No suspect was in custody late Wednesday. Authorities said they were searching for a new person of interest. Two individuals initially detained were released after authorities found no connection to the shooting. Kirk, 31, co-founder and CEO of the youth organization Turning Point USA, was addressing an audience of around 3,000 people as part of his “The American Comeback Tour” when a single shot struck him in the neck. Videos circulating on social media showed Kirk collapsing and blood gushing from his wound, while spectators screamed and scattered. The shooter reportedly fired from a rooftop some distance away. President Donald Trump announced Kirk’s death on social media, calling him “great, and even legendary,” and later referred to him as a “martyr for truth and freedom,” blaming the rhetoric of the “radical left” for the attack. The university evacuated its campus and canceled classes, with armed officers patrolling surrounding areas and questioning residents to identify the shooter. Kirk’s visit had sparked controversy on campus, with a petition calling to bar him from speaking garnering nearly 1,000 signatures. The university defended his appearance citing First Amendment rights. The shooting drew bipartisan condemnation. Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom called the attack “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible,” while former Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords expressed her condolences to Kirk’s family, which includes his wife and two young children. Kirk, who co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 with William Montgomery, had become a prominent figure in conservative circles, mobilizing young Republicans and promoting limited government and low taxes on college campuses. He also served as a personal aide to Donald Trump Jr. during the 2016 election campaign and frequently appeared on cable news to discuss cultural and political issues. The incident highlights growing concerns over political violence in the United States, with recent years seeing attacks targeting representatives across the ideological spectrum.

Nepal’s army moved to restore order Wednesday after two days of deadly protests that forced the government to collapse, leaving at least 25 dead and more than 600 injured, officials said. Soldiers patrolled the capital, checked vehicles, and urged residents to remain indoors following overnight unrest in which demonstrators set government buildings on fire. Protesters held talks with military officials at army headquarters in Kathmandu, proposing former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki to lead a transitional government. Karki, Nepal’s first female chief justice, served from 2016 to 2017 and remains a popular figure. However, some protesters outside the army complex opposed the choice. The demonstrations, initially triggered by a short-lived government ban on social media platforms including Facebook, X, and YouTube, escalated after police opened fire on Monday, killing 19 protesters. The unrest intensified on Tuesday with attacks on the parliament, presidential house, central secretariat, and prime minister’s residence. The building of Kantipur, Nepal’s largest media outlet, was also set ablaze, along with several car showrooms. The unrest led Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli to resign Tuesday, though he fled his official residence, leaving his whereabouts unclear. President Ram Chandra Poudel asked him to lead a transitional government temporarily. The protests reflect broader youth frustration over unemployment, social inequality, and the so-called “nepo kids” of political leaders enjoying privileges while many young Nepalese seek work abroad. Soldiers also quelled a jailbreak in central Kathmandu on Wednesday, preventing inmates from escaping after setting fires inside the main prison. The government has defended the social media regulations as measures to ensure platforms are accountable, though critics say the rules curb free expression and target government opponents.  

The Americans marked 24 years since the September 11, 2001, terror attacks on Thursday with ceremonies, volunteer work, and other tributes honoring nearly 3,000 victims. Commemorations took place in New York, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, with family members, dignitaries, and politicians attending. Many also observed the day privately, reflecting on the lasting impact of the attacks. James Lynch, who lost his father Robert Lynch at the World Trade Center, said he and his family attended a local ceremony in New Jersey before spending time at the beach. “Any kind of grief never really goes away,” Lynch said while volunteering at a 9/11 charity event in Manhattan. “Finding the joy in that grief has been a huge part of my growth.” The anniversary came amid heightened political tensions, a day after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead at a college in Utah. Authorities said additional security measures were in place for the ceremonies, including the World Trade Center event in lower Manhattan. At Ground Zero, family members read aloud the names of victims, while moments of silence marked the times the planes struck and the towers fell. Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance attended the service. At the Pentagon, President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump joined a service honoring 184 people killed when hijackers crashed a jet into the military headquarters. In Shanksville, Pennsylvania, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins participated in a memorial for passengers of Flight 93, who attempted to retake control of the hijacked plane. Across the country, many observed a national day of service, participating in food and clothing drives, blood donations, park cleanups, and other community projects. The 9/11 attacks killed 2,977 people, including financial workers at the World Trade Center and first responders. They reshaped U.S. domestic and foreign policy, leading to the Global War on Terror and U.S.-led invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. Legal proceedings against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the attacks, remain unresolved. Meanwhile, the U.S. government continues to provide health care and compensation to thousands affected by the toxic dust from the collapsed towers, with more than 140,000 people still enrolled in monitoring programs.

Israel launched another round of heavy airstrikes in Yemen on Wednesday, killing at least 35 people and wounding more than 130, just days after Houthi rebels carried out a drone attack on an Israeli airport, according to the Houthi-run health ministry. Rescue teams continued searching through the rubble. Most of the casualties were reported in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, where a military headquarters and a fuel station were among the sites hit. Al-Masirah, a Houthi-controlled news channel, said nearby homes were also damaged. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said rebels fired surface-to-air missiles at Israeli jets in response. The strikes came amid rising international scrutiny of Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she would push for sanctions and a partial trade suspension against Israel over its operations in the Gaza Strip. The EU remains divided on the issue. Israel has urged around 1 million Palestinians to evacuate Gaza City as it steps up its offensive targeting Hamas’ remaining stronghold, while the Gaza Health Ministry reported 41 more deaths and 184 injuries in the past 24 hours, including 12 people seeking humanitarian aid. Thousands remain displaced, struggling with limited food, shelter, and fuel. The war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing over 1,200 people and abducting 251. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has so far killed more than 64,600 Palestinians, with women and children accounting for about half of the deaths, according to Gaza authorities. Meanwhile, Israel’s strike on Qatar, a U.S. ally, targeting senior Hamas figures drew widespread condemnation and added to Israel’s diplomatic isolation. Hamas said its senior leaders survived the attack, though several bodyguards were killed. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening, with famine declared in parts of the city. Von der Leyen described it as a “man-made famine” and urged immediate action to protect civilians, especially children. Israel maintains that it allows sufficient humanitarian aid and blames Hamas for civilian casualties.

At least 15 people have been killed and 10 others remain missing after flash floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains struck Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province and the tourist island of Bali, authorities said Wednesday. The rains, which began Monday, caused rivers to overflow and unleashed landslides across the two provinces. In East Nusa Tenggara, rescuers on Wednesday recovered the bodies of a mother and her child buried under mud in Mauponggo, the worst-hit village in Nagekeo district, along with a man in the neighboring village of Loka Laba. Earlier, three members of a family were found dead after their house was swept away in Mauponggo, where four others remain missing, officials said. In Bali, rescuers pulled the body of a woman from a flooded area near Badung market in provincial capital Denpasar late Wednesday, said National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari. Six people are still unaccounted for. Eight other bodies were found earlier, including four who died when a building was washed away in the Kumbasari market area of South Denpasar, said Nyoman Sidakarya, head of Bali’s Search and Rescue Agency. The floods and landslides have affected nine cities and districts in Bali, submerging at least 112 neighborhoods and damaging roads, bridges, shops and houses, according to Bali’s Disaster Mitigation Agency. Videos released by the National Search and Rescue Agency showed cars swept away in muddy waters, while soldiers and rescuers used rubber boats to evacuate children and the elderly from rooftops. Bali Governor Wayan Koster said floodwaters reached up to 2.5 meters in places, forcing more than 800 people into temporary shelters. Electricity and water supplies were cut off, prompting hotels, restaurants, hospitals and other facilities to rely on generators, he added. In Nagekeo, flash floods swept away villagers and vehicles, destroyed two bridges, two government offices, a plantation, rice fields and livestock, said local disaster agency head Agustinus Pone. At least six villagers were confirmed dead there, while four others remain missing. Muhari said rescue operations have been hampered by severe weather and rugged terrain. Indonesia frequently experiences floods and landslides during the rainy season, which typically lasts from September to March.

On Wednesday, Qatari security forces secured the area around a building in Doha that was struck by Israeli airstrikes a day earlier. The attack targeted senior Hamas leaders who had gathered to discuss a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza. The strike killed at least six people, including a Qatari security official, in a neighborhood that houses foreign embassies and schools. The attack, launched on the territory of a U.S. ally, sparked widespread international condemnation and threatened to derail ongoing peace talks and hostage negotiations with Hamas. Netanyahu Defends Strike, Warns Qatar Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the strike, warning Qatar and other countries that harbor militants: “Either expel terrorists or bring them to justice. If not — we will.” Qatar rejected Netanyahu’s remarks, emphasizing that hosting Hamas leaders is part of ongoing mediation efforts that have led to ceasefires and hostage releases, coordinated with both the U.S. and Israel. Details of the Attack An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, said around 10 aircraft dropped approximately 10 missiles in the strike. According to Israel, the timing was based on an “operational opportunity,” as several Hamas leaders were gathered in a specific location deemed low-risk for Qatari civilians. Although the building remained mostly intact, one room appeared to be the main target, with walls collapsed and debris scattered. Satellite imagery showed damage to surrounding structures, though no widespread destruction. Qatar Blames Israel for Regional Instability Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, condemned Netanyahu’s actions as "barbaric," saying they pushed the region toward “irreparable instability” and violated international law. Hamas Confirms Casualties but Claims Top Leaders Survived Hamas reported that five lower-ranking members were killed, including the son of senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, three bodyguards, and al-Hayya’s office head. The group claimed its top leaders survived, though it provided no evidence. Strike Evaded Qatari Air Defenses Qatar, which has advanced air defense systems like Patriot and THAAD batteries, did not engage during the strike. Officials suggested that Israel used stand-off missiles launched from outside Qatari airspace, making them undetectable by radar. The U.S. said it had warned Qatar in advance, but Qatar disputes this, saying the American message only came 10 minutes after the attack. Geopolitical Fallout: Ceasefire Talks in Jeopardy According to the Soufan Center, a U.S. think tank, the Israeli strike has serious strategic consequences.By hitting a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) state, Israel risks damaging the Abraham Accords and weakening its relationships with Arab partners. The analysis warned that the strike could discourage future neutral mediators like Qatar from engaging in conflict resolution. Regional Leaders Rally Behind Qatar In a show of solidarity, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Qatar on Wednesday, reflecting rising unease among Gulf states. The UAE had already warned Israel that any attempt to annex the West Bank would cross a "red line" and jeopardize diplomatic agreements. Qatar’s ruler, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, hosted Sheikh Mohammed and also received visits from the crown princes of Kuwait and Jordan. Qatari Leader Holds Global Talks Following the strike, Sheikh Tamim held calls with several world leaders, including former U.S. President Donald Trump. According to Qatar’s state news agency, Tamim blamed Israel for the consequences of the attack, accusing it of adopting policies that threaten regional stability and hinder peace efforts.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans to seek sanctions and suspend part of the EU’s trade with Israel over its actions in Gaza. However, the 27 EU member states remain divided on the issue, and it’s unclear whether there’s enough support to pass such measures. Meanwhile, Israel carried out heavy airstrikes on Houthi rebel targets in Sanaa, Yemen, killing at least 35 people and injuring over 130, according to Houthi officials. The strikes reportedly hit a fuel station and a government site. Israel confirmed the attack, saying it was in retaliation for recent drone and missile attacks launched by the Houthis. In Qatar, emergency workers responded to an Israeli strike in Doha, targeting Hamas political leaders discussing a potential ceasefire. Though Hamas said its top leaders survived, five lower-ranking members and one Qatari security officer were killed. The strike drew strong condemnation, including from Qatar’s Prime Minister, who accused Israeli PM Netanyahu of regional destabilization.  

Protesters blocked roads, set fires and clashed with police in Paris and other French cities on Wednesday, piling pressure on President Emmanuel Macron and testing new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on his first day in office. France’s Interior Ministry said 250 people were arrested in the early hours of the nationwide demonstrations, called against budget cuts and other grievances. Despite a massive deployment of 80,000 police, protesters created widespread disruptions. In Rennes, a bus was torched, while fire damage to electrical cables in the southwest halted one train line and disrupted another, authorities said. The “Block Everything” movement, which spread online over the summer, urged citizens to strike, march and obstruct traffic. Although the call fell short of completely shutting down the country, protests spread from Marseille in the south to Lille and Caen in the north, and from Nantes and Rennes in the west to Lyon and Grenoble in the southeast. Paris police reported 159 arrests by noon, with protesters attempting to block the city’s beltway and hurling objects at officers. Nearly 100 others were detained in other regions. The unrest comes after the collapse of Macron’s previous government on Monday, when then-Prime Minister François Bayrou lost a parliamentary confidence vote. Lecornu, sworn in Tuesday, now faces a turbulent political climate marked by growing anger over spending cuts. Protesters said they were defending public services against privatization and accused Macron’s government of ignoring ordinary people’s struggles. Some warned the anger could grow into a wider social movement, recalling the “Yellow Vest” protests of 2018–2019. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau accused far-left groups of hijacking the demonstrations and seeking violent confrontations with police. He said small organized groups dressed in black were responsible for much of the unrest. Macron’s minority government has faced repeated waves of protests in recent years — from pension reform anger in 2022 to riots in 2023 following a police shooting of a teenager. The latest unrest signals further instability for Lecornu’s new government.