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West Bank Tensions Escalate: Israeli Settlers Set Fire to Two Mosques Amid Violent Clashes

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Amid escalating tensions in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, two mosques were torched overnight, with officials attributing the apparent arson to Israeli settlers. This violent episode follows a recent surge in hostilities that claimed the lives of four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers.

Both Palestinians and figures within Israel’s opposition are voicing accusations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hard-line government, alleging it overlooks settler attacks against Palestinians. Such aggression, they warn, risks igniting a broader wave of violence throughout the region.

In response, Israeli military and law enforcement have been deployed extensively across the West Bank, implementing road closures and restricting access to local medical facilities. Over the weekend, authorities also detained over 70 Palestinians, heightening the region’s already tense atmosphere.

The mosque attacks, occurring in the northern West Bank villages of Qusra and Kour, resulted in significant damage to each mosque’s structure.

In Qusra, vandals left behind a chilling message, spray-painting “revenge Benayahu,” alluding to a settler who was killed recently. They also ominously declared, “the land of Israel is redeemed with blood.”

Ahmed Abu Mahmoud, 64, who lives next to the Qusra mosque, said he heard noises at 3am and discovered the mosque had been set on fire. The fire was too large for him to fight on his own, so he called for help.

“The military arrived here, saw with their own eyes and then left,” Mahmoud said.

He added that the attackers spray-painted Hebrew graffiti on the mosque’s walls, including the word “revenge”.

Security footage in Kour obtained by The Associated Press showed three people dressed in civilian clothes setting off a large explosion in the entrance of the mosque in the middle of the night.

Two people pray inside a burned building. Outside the building, a burned stone with an Arabic inscription is seen.

On Sunday, residents held prayers despite damage to the entrance.

In a separate incident, Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque in the village of Kour, near Tulkarem, and spray-painted racist slogans on its walls, according to the Palestinian ministry of religious affairs.

The ministry said that “groups of settlers burned a mosque in the village of Kour in Tulkarem governorate and wrote racist slogans on its walls”.

Israel’s military said it was working with police to investigate the mosque attack.

“The security forces strongly condemn incidents of this kind, including harm to religious sites, and will continue to act decisively to maintain security and public order in the area,” it said.

The Israeli army often announces investigations into violence against Palestinians but rarely makes arrests or prosecutes settlers involved in violence.

The exact circumstances of Friday’s deadly incidents remained unclear, but Israeli media reports and interviews with local Palestinian officials said they were sparked after a group of armed settlers entered the village of Tell and were resisted by residents who were fearful of an attack.

According to the Israeli military, one of the Palestinians took one of the settlers’ weapons and fired on the group, killing a security guard from a nearby settlement.

Palestinians and human rights groups have increasingly documented armed Israeli settlers entering villages in the area. Livestock theft, arson and the defacement of mosques are routinely reported.

According to an Agence France-Presse (AFP) tally based on data from the Palestinian health ministry, Israeli soldiers or settlers have killed at least 1,097 Palestinians since the start of the Gaza war.

Leaders condemn Israel’s ‘extremist ambitions’

Arab League secretary-general Nabil Fahmy urged US President Donald Trump to restrain “the Israeli government’s extremist ambitions”, including its implementation of a “de facto annexation in the West Bank”.

He called on Trump to confront Netanyahu ahead of their meeting in the United States this week.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sent letters to Arab and other allies, including the European Union, urging them to pressure Israel to stop settler violence in the West Bank, which he described as a systemic Israeli policy and a dangerous escalation.

The Palestinian Authority is the internationally recognised representative of the Palestinian people.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, 87 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank this year, including 21 by Israeli settlers. Three Israeli settlers have been killed in 2026, including the two on Friday.

More than 700,000 Israeli settlers live in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, territories seized by Israel in 1967 and sought by the Palestinians for a future independent state.

All Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal under international law.

In recent years, the number of illegal settlements in the Palestinian territory has soared.


Netflix Executive Dismissed Following Startling Confession at Corporate Retreat, Lawsuit Claims

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In a dramatic turn of events, a Netflix executive found himself jobless after sharing a deeply personal experience during a workplace “trust exercise.” According to a lawsuit, the executive, who once enjoyed a $1.1 million annual compensation, was let go after mentioning his medically prescribed use of ketamine.

Kevin Baillie, formerly the vice president and head of creative at Eyeline Studios, has initiated legal action against the streaming giant. His lawsuit reveals that his candid admission sparked an investigation which ultimately led to his dismissal.

Baillie, celebrated for his contributions to the visual effects of iconic films like “Pirates of the Caribbean” and the “Harry Potter” series, underwent supervised ketamine treatments in October and November 2022 at a clinic in Santa Barbara.

His legal complaint explains that he pursued this treatment to manage clinical depression, a condition he grappled with following his mother’s passing.

The incident in question occurred during a “Vulnerability-Trust exercise” at an exclusive Netflix retreat in January 2026 held at Sendero Ranch, a Northern California site owned by the company. Baillie disclosed his treatment to colleagues during this retreat, a gesture that, according to the suit, backfired professionally.

Baillie claims he explained the reason why he had taken the drug but was investigated by Netflix. On March 18, 2026 a company investigator brought the incident up, “in a manner suggesting suspicion of recreational drug use,” the suit reads.

The executive was fired in April with the company’s attorney confirming “the ketamine therapy issue has factored into the termination,” the papers say, and go on to suggest Baille was denied up to a year of severance pay.

Baillie says in the lawsuit the “scope” of the investigation related to alleged profanity and drinking. He has been warned during his performance review that he should “drop one or two less f-bombs but don’t stop entirely.”

It goes on to say that at the same retreat Baillie drank a Guinness standing on his head, after sharing that he had learned the trick from his former father in law during a conversation inspired by the trust session.

“His colleague immediately asked for a demonstration, rather than withhold the openness that the session had encouraged, he performed the trick,” the papers say.

Baille also paints a picture of an allegedly alcohol-fueled company environment encouraged by the Eyeline Studios CEO Jeff Shapiro.

During two company outings “Shapiro purchased beer at a corner store and brought it into the vehicle for the group to share,” the suit says.

In addition to hosting multiple parties, Shapiro also had a personal bar in his office “from which he served alcohol (to Baille) including after a successful meeting with Netflix’s CEO Ted Sanandos,” according to the papers.

Baillie is asking for a jury trail, compensatory damages, lost wages, damages for emotional distress, and punitive damages.

Netflix and Eyeline were contacted for comment.

Tragic Incident: Woman Fatally Struck at Publix by Undocumented Driver, Authorities Report

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In a tragic incident at a Publix parking lot in Florida, an elderly grandmother lost her life after allegedly being run over by an undocumented migrant.

Deborah Murphy, 82, was crossing to her car outside a Publix store in Panama City Beach this past May when, according to court documents, a Toyota 4Runner driven by 26-year-old Venezuelan national Carlos Saurez-Conteras allegedly hit her.

Eyewitness reports and an arrest affidavit indicate that the SUV knocked Murphy to the ground and then backed up, running over her again.

Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, Murphy tragically succumbed to her injuries.

“We are committed to seeking justice and ensuring Suarez-Conteras is held responsible for his dangerous behavior,” Murphy’s twin daughters, Beth Schulz and Amy Edge, stated in an interview with Fox News Digital.

‘She touched so many lives as an amazing friend, teacher, mother and grandmother,’ the pair added.

Authorities determined that Saurez-Conteras, of Georgia, and his front-seat passenger, Luis Sanabria, 29, were both Venezuelan nationals living in the United States illegally. 

Both men were slapped with US Immigration and Enforcement (ICE) detainers and booked into the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Jail. 

Deborah Murphy, 82, of Florida, was allegedly mowed down and killed by an illegal migrant as she walked back to her car in a Publix parking lot in May

Deborah Murphy, 82, of Florida, was allegedly mowed down and killed by an illegal migrant as she walked back to her car in a Publix parking lot in May

The grandmother was walking through a crosswalk outside in Panama City Beach on May 17 when she was allegedly struck by a Toyota 4Runner driven by 26-year-old Venezuelan national Carlos Saurez-Conteras

The grandmother was walking through a crosswalk outside in Panama City Beach on May 17 when she was allegedly struck by a Toyota 4Runner driven by 26-year-old Venezuelan national Carlos Saurez-Conteras 

Saurez-Conteras, however, has since submitted a written plea of not guilty to driving with a canceled license causing death, a third-degree felony.

His attorney argued that his client ‘didn’t commit any crime’ related to the charges, writing in an email to Fox News: ‘It’s simply an unfortunate incident and not criminal in nature.’

The grandmother’s tragic death unfolded just before 1pm on May 17 as she walked through the Publix parking lot at the corner of Magnolia Beach Road and Navy Boulevard after finishing her grocery shopping. 

Chilling footage released by Florida Highway Patrol troopers captured the moments leading up to the deadly crash, with Suarez-Contreras seen pulling forward and stopping just seconds before Murphy walks out of the store with grocery bags. 

Suarez-Contreras put his black SUV into reverse just as Murphy entered the crosswalk. Within seconds, the vehicle struck her, knocking her down before he continued backing up and ran over her, according to authorities. 

Sanabria, the passenger in the SUV, immediately fled the scene on foot before police arrived and ‘only returned when I had Suarez-Contreras call him,’ a deputy wrote in the arrest affidavit. 

Back in the supermarket parking lot, Sanabria gave sworn testimony identifying Suarez-Contreras as the driver, stating that he ‘was operating the vehicle at the time of the crash.’

According to a trooper, Suarez-Contreras claimed he never saw Murphy and said the fatal crash was an accident, not intentional, according to WMBB News. 

Saurez-Conteras, of Georgia, submitted a written plea of not guilty to driving with a canceled license causing death, a third-degree felony

Saurez-Conteras, of Georgia, submitted a written plea of not guilty to driving with a canceled license causing death, a third-degree felony

The SUV knocked Murphy to the ground before continuing in reverse and running her over, according to an arrest affidavit

The SUV knocked Murphy to the ground before continuing in reverse and running her over, according to an arrest affidavit 

The front seat passenger, Luis Sanabria, 29, was found to have an expired visa, according to an incident report, and was later released into ICE custody

The front seat passenger, Luis Sanabria, 29, was found to have an expired visa, according to an incident report, and was later released into ICE custody

But even before an immigration investigation was launched, an officer at the scene noted that he was giving ‘suspicious’ answers during questioning. 

Sanabria was found to have an expired visa, according to an incident report, and was later released into ICE custody, Bay County Sheriff’s Office public affairs specialist Jacob Navarro told Fox. 

Meanwhile, Suarez-Contreras remains jailed without bond due to his immigration status and concerns that he is a ‘potential flight risk.’ 

Arrest records revealed that Suarez-Contreras’ Georgia license had been canceled, though officials have not disclosed when it was canceled due to privacy reasons, according to the outlet. 

Under Florida law, undocumented immigrants cannot obtain a state-issued driver’s license – a stark contrast to the 19 states and the District of Columbia that issue licenses to ‘authorized residents.’

The 26-year-old is now scheduled to face a judge for his arraignment on August 17 at the Bay County Courthouse in Panama City.

In the wake of the tragedy, Murphy’s daughters honored their beloved mother at a memorial, describing her as a ‘light’ who was ‘vibrant with so many more memories to be made.’

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1944, Murphy dedicated her life to her faith and her passion for early childhood special education, according to her obituary. 

Chilling footage released by Florida Highway Patrol troopers captured the moments leading up to the crash, showing Murphy walking out of the store with grocery bags

Chilling footage released by Florida Highway Patrol troopers captured the moments leading up to the crash, showing Murphy walking out of the store with grocery bags

Murphy was rushed to the hospital, where she died from her injuries a short time later

Murphy was rushed to the hospital, where she died from her injuries a short time later 

She is survived by her daughters, six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, a sister, a brother, and countless nieces, nephews, godchildren and extended family members. 

One of Murphy’s grandchildren honored her memory by presenting the family with a collection of reflections on life written in Murphy’s own words, her daughters said, according to Fox.

‘My husband and I always felt that the best thing we could do for generations to come would be to leave this world with people who would make a difference,’ the grandmother wrote in one of the reflections.

‘It has been a delight to witness one’s own legacy. I thank my daughters for making our dream come true!!’ she added.

In 2024, roughly one in six fatal traffic crashes in the US involved drivers with invalid licenses, while 7,080 pedestrians were killed and more than 71,000 were injured in crashes nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

More than 10,500 pedestrian crashes were reported across Florida in 2024, resulting in 678 deaths, state data revealed.

The NHTSA identified drivers failing to check their surroundings while reversing – particularly in parking lots – as a leading factor in pedestrian crashes. 

John Oliver Fans Eagerly Await ‘Last Week Tonight’ Return: Here’s When it Resumes

John Oliver’s absence is felt by everyone.

It might sound surprising, but nearly a month has slipped by since we last saw an episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Although it’s routine for talk shows to take a summer break, that does little to ease the viewers’ longing.

Throughout this well-earned hiatus, Oliver certainly hasn’t been idle. The comedian has been savoring some personal milestones, including fulfilling a lifelong ambition by guest-starring on General Hospital. Adding to the excitement, he even experienced the classic soap opera drama of being dramatically slapped. As they say, when you love what you do, it never feels like work.

Yet, with Oliver’s return looming, fans await with bated breath for the show to hit the screens once more. With the treasure trove of news from the past month, there’s anticipation in the air. While the contents of the upcoming episode remain a mystery, we’re here to keep you updated on what lies ahead for the 13th season of this engaging talk show.

Is Last Week Tonight with John Oliver on Tonight (July 26)?

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Photo: HBO

Indeed, viewers can rejoice as Last Week Tonight with John Oliver is back with a fresh episode airing tonight at 11:15 p.m. ET, available on HBO and HBO Max.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver 2026 Schedule:

  • Season 13, Episode 18: Sunday, July 26 at 11:15 p.m. ET

  • Season 13, Episode 19: Sunday, August 2 at 11:00 p.m. ET
  • Season 13, Episode 20: Sunday, August 9 at 11:00 p.m. ET
  • Season 13, Episode 21: Sunday, August 16 at 11:00 p.m. ET
  • New episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver will air every Sunday for the remainder of summer, beginning on Sunday, July 26.

    How To Watch Last Week Tonight with John Oliver:

    You can watch all the previous Last Week Tonight with John Oliver episodes on HBO Max.

    If you’re new to HBO Max, you can sign up for as low as $10.99/month with ads, but an ad-free subscription will cost $18.49/month.

    Right now, HBO Max is offering up to 40% off annual plans. Regularly priced at $109.99/year or higher, right now, you can get 12 months for as low as $78.99/year.

    If you want to stream even more and save a few bucks a month while you’re at it, we recommend subscribing to one of the discounted Disney+ Bundles with Hulu and HBO Max. With ads, the bundle costs $19.99/month and without ads, $32.99/month.

    Is HBO Available on Amazon?

    Yes! You can add HBO Max to your Prime Video account for an additional $10.99/month. HBO Max Standard and HBO Max Premium are also options for $18.49/month and $22.99/month, respectively.

    Top 5 Anti-Aging Morning Exercises That Outperform Hour-Long Gym Sessions for Those Over 55

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    Ever consider kicking off your day with a workout? Making exercise your morning ritual guarantees you’ll carve out time for it in your packed schedule.

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    A fascinating insight reveals most Americans prefer breaking a sweat in the morning. There’s logic behind this trend: tackling your fitness goals at dawn means you’re putting your health forefront, undisturbed by the whirlwind of tasks like work, household duties, and errands that can easily sidetrack your intentions.

    To dive into this topic, we connected with Jacob Siwicki, the mastermind behind Siwicki Fitness and a seasoned coach certified by NCSF and AFAA. With an impressive resume that includes a global top 1% ranking as an Equinox group fitness instructor in 2019, along with accolades such as being the #1 personal trainer in D.C. in 2021, Jacob brings invaluable insights. He shared five morning exercises designed to fend off aging more effectively than an hour at the gym, especially crucial for those past 55. So, beyond just a rejuvenating start, you’ll maintain a youthful vigor!

    “After 60, muscle preservation becomes key to maintaining independence,” Siwicki emphasized. “Muscles play vital roles, like aiding you out of a chair, helping with groceries, climbing stairs, and even catching you if you stumble. They bolster your joints, foster bone health, enhance balance, and curb metabolic slowdown. The focus isn’t just on the mirror and muscle mass; it’s about the capabilities your muscles grant you. When daily tasks become daunting, activity dwindles, accelerating strength loss. Maintaining muscle disrupts that downward spiral, offering a better chance at an active, self-sufficient life.”

    Goblet Squats

    1. ​​Stand tall, feet slightly wider than shoulder-width.
    2. Grasp a dumbbell with both hands, and hold the weight in front of your chest with your elbows pointing down and tucked in.
    3. Hinge at the hips and bend your knees to squat, keeping the weight in place.
    4. Squat as far as you can with a straight back.
    5. Push through your heels to return to the starting position.

    These 3 TV Commercial Break Exercises Reverse Aging After 40

    Counter Pushups

    1. Place your hands on a counter, shoulder-width apart.
    2. Walk your legs back so you’re at a straight incline from your head to your heels.
    3. Keep your legs together and rise onto the balls of your feet. Engage your core and keep your gaze forward.
    4. Bend your elbows to lower your body until your chest lines up with your elbows.
    5. Return to straight arms.

    The 60-Second Standing Challenge That Predicts Your Longevity

    Single-Arm Dumbbell Rows

    1. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart.
    2. Hold a dumbbell in each hand in front of you.
    3. Hinge at the hips until your torso is parallel to the ground.
    4. Maintain a flat back and soft knees.
    5. Allow the weights to lower with your arms completely extended.
    6. Row one dumbbell up toward your torso.
    7. Lower to the start position with control.
    8. Repeat on the other side.

    If You Can Master These 3 Bodyweight Movements After 60, You’re Stronger Than Most

    Romanian Deadlifts

    1. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart.
    2. Hold a dumbbell in each hand.
    3. Bend your knees slightly and hold the weights in front of your thighs.
    4. Press your hips back as you lower the dumbbells down your leg. Maintain a straight back as you do so.
    5. Squeeze your glutes to return to the start position.

    4 Classic Exercises That Reverse Aging Faster Than Cardio

    Lindsey Graham Reveals Emotional Reaction to Trump’s Iran Strike Decision

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    The late Senator Lindsey Graham once shared an emotional moment when he nearly cried as the United States launched airstrikes on Iran at the end of February.

    The seasoned Republican senator from South Carolina made this remark during the filming of a documentary exploring his campaign to dismantle the Iranian regime. The documentary also highlights his efforts to convince former President Donald Trump to initiate the attack, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

    As the airstrikes commenced in late February, Graham turned to the film crew with a sense of accomplishment, remarking, ‘Look what we’ve done here. I almost cried. How long have we been pushing this?’

    Graham further revealed to the crew that Trump was thrilled about the military action he had played a role in initiating.

    ‘I talked to Trump this morning, and he’s elated,’ Graham recounted. ‘He said it’s the best thing he’s ever done. He loves making things go boom.’

    Following the success, Graham had apparently also planned to try to persuade the president to join Israel in bombing Hezbollah sites in Lebanon – until Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talked him out of it, according to unreleased footage seen by the Journal.

    The Israeli leader had warned that bringing the United States into the operation amid the Iran war was one step too far, too fast as the war in Iran was brewing.

    ‘We’re concentrating right now on Iran,’ Netanyahu said in a March 4 phone call that Graham had on speaker phone. 

    Lindsey Graham had encouraged President Donald Trump to first strike Iran in February

    Graham had predicted the war in Iran would last only a few weeks

    Graham had predicted the war in Iran would last only a few weeks

    ‘If we tell Hezbollah that we’re going all the way, we threaten them, but if we actually do it, then they have no reason not to go all the way against us. And right now, that’s not in our interest.’

    Other scenes from the documentary by filmmaker Alex Holder showed Graham flying to meet with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to encourage him to get involved in the war efforts, meeting with other world leaders and expressing his thoughts on his fellow lawmakers in the months before he died at the age of 71.

    It also documents Graham’s occasional frustrations with the Trump administration over the war efforts. 

    At one point in the film, the Republican sat down with Jake Sullivan, the national security advisor under former President Joe Biden, about the challenges he faced working with the Trump administration as negotiations continued in the Middle East.

    ‘I can’t do it with Jared and I can’t do it with Witkoff, they’re just too conflicted,’ he bemoaned of Trump’s special envoys in the negotiations, his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

    ‘It’s got to be Rubio,’ Graham added of the Secretary of State.

    A spokesperson for the White House, though, insisted to the Journal Graham, Witkoff and Kushner were close friends.

    ‘Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are excellent dealmakers whose results speak for themselves,’ the spokesperson said. 

    Documentarian Alex Holder had unvarnished access to the South Carolina lawmaker

    Documentarian Alex Holder had unvarnished access to the South Carolina lawmaker

    Graham expressed his frustrations with Trump's special envoys, Jared Kusner and Steve Witkoff (pictured together in June)

    Graham expressed his frustrations with Trump’s special envoys, Jared Kusner and Steve Witkoff (pictured together in June)

    In that conversation from March, Sullivan also asked Graham how long he expected the war was going to last.

    ‘In three to four weeks, we’re going to have them in a spot where they start losing control of some cities,’ Graham predicted, sharing his plan to ‘get Arabs more openly involved tomorrow’ at which point he said they would ‘have almost irreversible momentum.’

    But Graham also described how he had to battle with ‘a lot of people’ who did not want Trump to start a war in Iran – and as the fighting raged on, the lawmaker expressed his frustrations that others in his party weren’t doing enough to support the war efforts.

    ‘Very few people are out selling this war from the administration. I’m shocked,’ he once told the film crew. 

    After President Trump signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Iran in June, Graham bemoaned that even the president was becoming too wobbly on the war.

    ‘He’s letting this thing slip away,’ Graham told the film crew in his final interview from a bagel shop in Columbia, South Carolina. ‘I got to go talk to him.’

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with United States Senator Lindsey Graham at his Jerusalem office in February

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with United States Senator Lindsey Graham at his Jerusalem office in February 

    The lawmaker had described the commander-in-chief as ‘fun to be around’ and liked him, but understood Trump’s limits, Holder told the Journal. 

    Meanwhile, when Graham met with Israeli officials and Mossad – Israel’s intelligence agency – as they planned for the war in Iran, Graham was treated like a prime minister or a king, Holder claimed.

    The filmmaker is now distilling hundreds of hours of raw camera footage for the documentary, currently titled Lindsey’s Game, which he said he wants to release in the coming months. 

    He said Graham had agreed to the plans, saying he wanted people to understand his career in the Senate and inspire others to work in government. 

    As he now looks back at his work, Holder said he noticed that the senator looked increasingly tired in the last few weeks of his life – but would say he didn’t have time to sleep.

    When Graham then looked ‘absolutely disheveled and exhausted,’ Holder said the senator complained no one was helping him.

    ‘He’d say, “There’s no way I can die yet,”‘ Holder said.

    The senator made a similar remark just hours before he died.

    An unidentified person who spoke with Graham told Axios how he complained that he was feeling unwell.

    When the individual urged Graham to seek medical attention immediately, the senator said he would do so on Sunday morning after his scheduled appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press.

    He then joked, ‘I can’t die now. I still need to do the Russian sanctions, get Iran sorted out and do Israeli-Saudi normalization,’ according to the outlet. 

    Sensational Leak: Lindsey Graham’s Emotional Plea to Trump on Iran Strikes Unveiled in Shocking Video with Netanyahu Insights

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    The late Senator Lindsey Graham once shared an emotional moment, revealing that he “almost cried” after the United States launched a military strike against Iran at the end of February.

    The seasoned Republican representative from South Carolina made this candid remark while being filmed for a documentary focused on his mission to dismantle the Iranian regime and his efforts to convince President Donald Trump to initiate the strike, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

    Following the airstrikes in late February, Graham turned to the film crew, exclaiming, “Look what we’ve done here. I almost cried. How long have we been pushing this?”

    Graham also conveyed to the crew that President Trump was pleased with the military action he played a role in initiating.

    “I talked to Trump this morning, he’s excited. He said, ‘best thing I have ever done.’ He loves blowing stuff up,” the senator recounted.

    Following the success, Graham had apparently also planned to try to persuade the president to join Israel in bombing Hezbollah sites in Lebanon – until Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talked him out of it, unreleased footage footage from the documentary shows.

    The Israeli leader had warned that bringing the United States into the operation amid the Iran war was one step too far, too fast as the war in Iran was brewing.

    ‘We’re concentrating right now on Iran,’ Netanyahu said in a March 4 phone call that Graham had on speaker phone. 

    Lindsey Graham had encouraged President Donald Trump to first strike Iran in February

    Documentarian Alex Holder had unvarnished access to the South Carolina lawmaker

    Documentarian Alex Holder had unvarnished access to the South Carolina lawmaker

    ‘If we tell Hezbollah that we’re going all the way, we threaten them, but if we actually do it, then they have no reason not to go all the way against us. And right now, that’s not in our interest.’

    Other scenes from the documentary by filmmaker Alex Holder showed Graham flying to meet with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to encourage him to get involved in the war efforts, meeting with other world leaders and expressing his thoughts on his fellow lawmakers in the months before he died at the age of 71.

    It also documents Graham’s occasional frustrations with the Trump administration over the war efforts. 

    At one point in the film, the Republican sat down with Jake Sullivan, the national security advisor under former President Joe Biden, about the challenges he faced working with the Trump administration as negotiations continued in the Middle East.

    ‘I can’t do it with Jared and I can’t do it with Witkoff, they’re just too conflicted,’ he bemoaned of Trump’s special envoys in the negotiations, his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

    ‘It’s got to be Rubio,’ Graham added of the Secretary of State.

    A spokesperson for the White House, though, insisted to the Journal Graham, Witkoff and Kushner were close friends.

    ‘Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are excellent dealmakers whose results speak for themselves,’ the spokesperson said. 

    Graham expressed his frustrations with Trump's special envoys, Jared Kusner and Steve Witkoff (pictured together in June)

    Graham expressed his frustrations with Trump’s special envoys, Jared Kusner and Steve Witkoff (pictured together in June)

    In that conversation from March, Sullivan also asked Graham how long he expected the war was going to last.

    ‘In three to four weeks, we’re going to have them in a spot where they start losing control of some cities,’ Graham predicted, sharing his plan to ‘get Arabs more openly involved tomorrow’ at which point he said they would ‘have almost irreversible momentum.’

    But Graham also described how he had to battle with ‘a lot of people’ who did not want Trump to start a war in Iran – and as the fighting raged on, the lawmaker expressed his frustrations that others in his party weren’t doing enough to support the war efforts.

    ‘Very few people are out selling this war from the administration. I’m shocked,’ he once told the film crew. 

    Graham had predicted the war in Iran would last only a few weeks

    Graham had predicted the war in Iran would last only a few weeks

    Repeat Offender with 37 Convictions Arrested for Brutal Attack Outside Alachua Library

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    By Staff Reporter

    In Alachua, Florida, a 63-year-old man named Robert Lee Robinson finds himself behind bars following accusations of an assault outside the city library on July 21.

    The events unfolded in the early morning hours around 2:35 a.m. An officer from the Alachua Police Department arrived at the Alachua Sports Pub after receiving a distress call. The victim relayed that he had discovered what he assumed was an abandoned bag at the Alachua library. Amidst inspecting the contents, Robinson allegedly launched an unprovoked attack on him.

    According to the victim, he suffered blows and was strangled while on the ground, but managed to escape to the nearby pub seeking refuge. Upon the officer’s assessment, the victim displayed clear signs of physical trauma across his upper body, particularly his face.

    When approached by an officer at the library, Robinson’s initial response was unyielding; he expressed a desire to leave and insisted on speaking directly with a judge. However, after being read his Miranda rights, Robinson reportedly claimed he had awoken to find the victim rummaging through his belongings, prompting the confrontation. Despite this admission, details of the scuffle remained sparse as Robinson reverted to his uncooperative stance, reiterating his wish to discuss further details with a judge.

    The victim positively identified Robinson as the man who had attacked him.

    Robinson, who is described as homeless on the arrest report, has been charged with felony battery with a prior battery conviction. He has nine felony convictions (one violent) and 28 misdemeanor convictions (three violent), and he has served six state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2004. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $50,000.

    Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

    Liverpool’s Success Hinges on Backing Boss Iraola in Critical Transfer Window Amid Mounting Injuries

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    In the realm of Liverpool’s dealings with defenders, there are pivotal moments resembling sliding doors.

    Take last summer, for instance. Liverpool was on the brink of signing England international Marc Guehi. Crystal Palace, his former club, had prepared a farewell video ready for release on social media. This black-and-white montage celebrated his achievements, notably his FA Cup triumph, under a ‘Thank you, skip’ banner.

    However, as history reveals, the transfer fell through at the last minute on Deadline Day. Crystal Palace’s chairman, Steve Parish, halted the move unexpectedly.

    Fast forward to the present, where we’re just weeks away from the Andoni Iraola era beginning with an away match against Newcastle. This fixture holds emotional weight due to the recent passing of Kevin Keegan, who was a legendary figure for both teams.

    With only a month remaining, Liverpool finds itself facing a defensive dilemma. If their opening match were imminent, Virgil van Dijk would be their sole senior defender available. The captain, however, has not even commenced pre-season training, having been allowed extra rest following his World Cup commitments.

    Liverpool need to back Andoni Iraola or risk the Spaniard being unable to reach his potential

    Liverpool need to back Andoni Iraola or risk the Spaniard being unable to reach his potential

    New centre back signing Jeremy Jacquet is currently injured and missed the first pre-season game against Sunderland

    New centre back signing Jeremy Jacquet is currently injured and missed the first pre-season game against Sunderland

    Joe Gomez, the long-serving versatile defender, pulled up in the Reds’ pre-season opener against Sunderland here in Nashville. ‘Probably the worst news,’ was how Iraola put it, a few days on from when he admitted they were ‘very thin’ in defence.

    Gomez is an admirable gentleman and is adored by many in the dressing room and fanbase but the cold, hard truth is that you cannot trust his body. Transfermarkt data records that this is his ninth separate lay-off since the start of the 2023-24 season.

    He started seven league games last term, six the season before. We do not know the severity of his injury yet but whether it is two days or two months on the sidelines, the situation is clear.

    Beyond those two senior defenders, Liverpool have two youngsters who they believe are two of the best defensive talents in world football. But they have zero Premier League minutes between them and – you guessed it – are both out of action right now.

    Jeremy Jacquet, the 21-year-old who signed from Rennes for £55m in January, is here in the United States but is being carefully managed. Given he did not play for the French club beyond February 7 due to a shoulder problem, he is being afforded an extended training block before playing.

    After sitting out the friendly with Sunderland, it is believed he will do the same against Wrexham in New York City on Wednesday and is eyeing a first Reds outing against Leeds in Chicago next weekend.

    Giovanni Leoni is the other option. The 19-year-old signed this time last year from Parma and is a true Italian stallion with Terminator-like looks. But the comparisons stop there as he has spent the best part of a year out after tearing his cruciate ligament on debut in September.

    Even when Jacquet and Leoni are back, which the club are hoping will not be too far away, they are unproven, inexperienced and would be better suited being eased in slowly. As it is, they are likely to need to dive head-first into the deep end.

    Virgil van Dijk is currently the only fit centre back, but is 35 and yet to start pre-season

    Virgil van Dijk is currently the only fit centre back, but is 35 and yet to start pre-season

    It has left teenagers Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe needing to play there in pre-season, though the latter is lacking a work permit and is likely to be loaned out this term.

    Van Dijk is now 35 and the captain is entering the final year of his deal, as is Gomez. The Dutchman remains one of the best defenders on the planet but cannot be relied on forever, as hard as that might be to admit for some Reds fans.

    All of a sudden, the need to sign a defender rises to the top of Liverpool’s shopping list alongside recruiting the Mohamed Salah replacement on the right wing.

    With Hugo Ekitike a long-term injury with a ruptured Achilles and Alexander Isak missing the majority of his first campaign on Merseyside with several problems, the Reds look extremely light at that end of the pitch, too.

    Every criticism of Arne Slot last season was amplified given he had been backed with a mega £450million summer outlay with the big-money buys of Isak, Ekitike and Florian Wirtz.

    A year on, it feels like Iraola is lacking several tools to achieve his – and Liverpool’s – lofty ambitions this season.

    The Basque boss has impressed during his opening weeks at the club, both in his public addresses and in the opening friendly here in Tennessee.

    Liverpool are back at base in Chicago and have been met by Wirtz, Isak and Ryan Gravenberch who have joined up with the squad after missing the first part of pre-season due to their participation in the World Cup. 

    But if Iraola is not backed with at least two or three more arrivals, then the former Bournemouth manager faces an uphill struggle to return Liverpool to glory.

    With news this week circulating that Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos is part of a consortium to buyout a £1.35billion stake in the club, Liverpool could do with a defender on next-day delivery.