2,300 Israeli settlers storm Al-Aqsa

BOLOGNA: The death of a Moroccan businessman during a police restraint in the Italian city of Bologna has reignited Europe’s heated debate over migration, policing and the treatment of immigrants, with the case exposing the deeply personal human stories often overshadowed by political rhetoric. The incident comes as European governments face mounting pressure over migration policies. Just days after thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced plans to suspend a free-movement agreement with Spain, reinforcing her government’s tough stance on immigration. Amid the political storm, the death of Abderrahim Fakir, a 42-year-old Moroccan-born entrepreneur who had spent most of his life in Italy, has become a symbol of the broader tensions surrounding migration and law enforcement. Videos recorded by local residents on July 19 showed police officers restraining Fakir face down on the ground for several minutes after responding to reports of a distressed man behaving erratically in a residential area. The footage, which quickly spread across social media, sparked widespread public outrage and renewed scrutiny of police conduct. Authorities said officers were responding to emergency calls about a man shouting, kicking garage doors and striking a vehicle. An autopsy and official investigations into the officers’ actions remain ongoing, while four Red Cross volunteers who were present are also under review. The tragedy triggered thousands of peaceful protesters to gather in Bologna, demanding accountability and justice for Fakir’s family. However, demonstrations later turned violent when a small group clashed with police, leaving dozens of officers injured and further intensifying political divisions. Friends, relatives and lawyers describe Fakir as far more than the image portrayed in political debates. Having arrived in Italy from Morocco at the age of six, he built a successful life, eventually owning a small metalworking company after years of hard work. Behind that success, however, he had been battling severe anxiety. According to his lawyer, Fakir feared deportation after complications involving his residency permit, despite living in Italy for nearly four decades. He had also been struggling financially as his business declined, forcing him to lay off several employees. Family members said he concealed his emotional pain, insisting everything was fine even as he sought psychiatric assistance weeks before his death. Sociologists argue that Fakir’s story highlights the dangers of reducing migration to political slogans while ignoring the human lives behind the headlines. As Italy awaits the outcome of official investigations, his family says they continue to trust the country’s justice system and hope the full truth surrounding his final moments will emerge.

VANCOUVER: More than 20,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in British Columbia as a fast-moving wildfire tore through communities around Okanagan Lake, prompting provincial authorities to declare a state of emergency. The Bald Range wildfire exploded in size within hours, driven by hot, dry and windy conditions, sending residents scrambling for safety and creating an increasingly dangerous situation for firefighters and emergency crews. The blaze had expanded to roughly 9,500 hectares (23,500 acres) by Saturday, according to Reuters. Premier David Eby announced the state of emergency on Saturday as more than 100 wildfires were burning across the province. The emergency declaration gives authorities additional powers to restrict travel, coordinate resources and secure accommodation for people displaced by the fires. Thousands ordered to evacuate The communities of Summerland and Peachland were among those heavily affected. Summerland, home to around 12,000 people, was placed under an evacuation order, while thousands more residents in surrounding areas were also told to leave. Officials have warned that conditions remain extremely dangerous, with rapidly changing winds and intense flames making it difficult to assess the full extent of the damage. A number of homes and other properties have already been destroyed, although authorities have yet to determine the total number of structures lost because some affected areas remain inaccessible. The wildfire has also disrupted essential services. Power outages have been reported, while Summerland issued a boil-water advisory after untreated water entered part of the system. Highway 97, an important transportation route through the region, was also closed as the fire threatened nearby communities. Residents rescued by helicopter The rapidly spreading flames left some residents trapped after escape routes became unsafe. Emergency crews used helicopters to reach people who could no longer evacuate by road, while search-and-rescue teams continued checking areas behind the fire lines for anyone who may have been left behind. The intensity of the fire has created exceptionally dangerous conditions. Officials said the blaze generated its own weather, including lightning, making firefighting operations even more challenging. Authorities are also investigating a possible wildfire-related death near Summerland. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said hazardous conditions were making it difficult to confirm details immediately. Why the situation is so severe British Columbia entered the 2026 wildfire season with significant concerns about drought and unusually warm conditions. The BC Wildfire Service had warned earlier this summer that much of the province could experience elevated wildfire activity because of persistent drought, below-average snowpack and warmer-than-normal temperatures. The Okanagan was among the areas facing above-average drought conditions. The District of Peachland had already raised its local fire danger rating to extreme in July, warning that dry forests and grasslands could allow any new fire to spread rapidly. A growing national wildfire crisis The emergency in British Columbia is part of a wider wildfire crisis affecting Canada this summer. Thousands of firefighters are battling blazes across multiple provinces, while smoke from major fires has repeatedly affected air quality and visibility. For residents forced from their homes, the immediate priority remains safety as emergency crews work to contain the Bald Range fire. With flames moving quickly and weather conditions remaining difficult, officials continue to urge residents in threatened areas to follow evacuation orders and avoid returning until authorities declare it safe. For British Columbia, the latest disaster is another stark reminder of how quickly a wildfire can transform from a remote blaze into a community-wide emergency.