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Southport Violence Blamed on “Thugs” Using Tragedy for Political Gain, MP Says
The town of Southport has been rocked by violence in the aftermath of a knife attack at a local dance school, which claimed the lives of three young girls. According to the town’s MP, Patrick Hurley, “thugs” who traveled to Southport exploited the tragedy “for their own political purposes,” leading to unrest that injured dozens of police officers.
The disturbance followed a peaceful vigil held to honor the victims of Monday’s attack at Hart Space studio on Hart Street, where six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar were tragically killed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop.
The unrest unfolded near a mosque in the Merseyside town, with officers being pelted with bricks and a police van set on fire. Chris McGlade of the Merseyside Police Federation reported that over 50 police officers were injured in what he described as a “sustained and vicious attack.”
Merseyside Police indicated that supporters of the English Defence League were involved in the violence. MP Patrick Hurley stated that the “riot” was orchestrated by individuals from outside the town, who had taken the train into Southport to use the “deaths of three little kiddies for their own political purposes.”
Mr. McGlade condemned the actions of those responsible, calling them “mindless and violent thugs” and pledging that they would be brought to justice. He noted that the officers injured in the violence were the same “courageous officers” grappling with the “unimaginable tragedy” of the attack.
The disorder began after a group gathered near a mosque on St Luke’s Road, just two streets from the site of the attack, following rumors of a planned demonstration. The group engaged in a standoff with police officers, escalating to an assault on the mosque involving bricks, bottles, fireworks, and rocks. Officers used riot shields for protection as wheelie bins and other objects were thrown at them, and a police vehicle was set ablaze.
Merseyside Police stated that the violence was fueled by social media posts falsely linking the stabbings to Islamist extremism. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper had earlier warned about the spread of disinformation related to the attack. Authorities confirmed that the 17-year-old suspect, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, has no known links to Islam.
Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss emphasized that speculation about the suspect, who was born in the UK, was unhelpful, stating that some individuals were using the situation to “bring violence and disorder to our streets.”
In response to the violence, a 24-hour Section 60 Order was enacted, granting police enhanced stop and search powers, and a Section 34 Order was introduced, allowing police to disperse individuals engaged in or likely to engage in antisocial behavior.
Merseyside Police assured the public that additional officers would remain in the area to provide a visible presence and reassure the community. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned those who “hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery,” stating on X that they had insulted the community and would “feel the full force of the law.”
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Tornadoes Leave Six Dead, Including 12-Year-Old Boy, as Powerful Storms Strike Michigan and Oklahoma
At least six people have lost their lives and more than a dozen others have been injured after destructive tornadoes tore through parts of the United States, striking the states of Michigan and Oklahoma during a wave of severe storms.
Officials confirmed that four people died in southern Michigan, including a 12-year-old boy, while two others were killed in Oklahoma on Friday. Emergency crews are continuing rescue and recovery operations as authorities assess the full extent of the destruction left behind by the powerful storms.
The violent weather uprooted trees, knocked down power lines, damaged buildings and tore roofs from homes across affected communities.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that the dangerous weather system may persist into the weekend. Forecasters said thunderstorms and possible flash flooding could affect areas stretching from the Great Plains down to Texas.
In Michigan, the Branch County Sheriff’s Department reported that three people were killed and 12 others were injured near Union City after a tornado swept through the area on Friday. Authorities also warned residents to expect road closures and power outages through the weekend as recovery efforts continue.
Roughly 50 miles (80 km) away in Cass County, officials confirmed another fatality and several injuries following storm damage.
Authorities said the tornado caused extensive destruction across the county.
“Multiple large structures — including homes and pole barns — sustained damage ranging from major structural impacts to complete destruction,” officials said in a statement.
Hundreds of residents were also left without electricity after the storm passed through the area.
Cass County Sheriff Clint Roach announced on Saturday that a 12-year-old boy, Silas Anderson, died from weather-related injuries in Edwardsburg.
“Silas was surrounded by family at the time of his passing,” the sheriff’s office said in a message shared on social media.
Emergency management teams said search and recovery efforts are ongoing as responders continue combing through damaged neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, in Oklahoma, emergency officials reported that a tornado carved a path of destruction roughly four miles (6.4 km) long through Okmulgee County, located about 30 miles (48 km) south of Tulsa.
County emergency manager Jeff Moore said crews are working urgently to clear debris and restore access to affected areas.
“We’re just getting everywhere as fast as we can, clearing roads as fast we can,” Moore said.
Authorities confirmed that two people were killed in Beggs, according to the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office.
In response to the devastation, Kevin Stitt, governor of Oklahoma, declared a state of emergency for several counties, including Alfalfa, Creek, Grant, Major, Okmulgee, Rogers, Tulsa and Wagoner.
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Explosion at U.S. Embassy in Oslo May Have Been Terrorism, Norwegian Police Say
An overnight explosion at the United States embassy in Oslo may have been an act of terrorism, according to police in Norway.
The blast occurred in the early hours of Sunday at the embassy of the United States, causing minor damage to the building but leaving no injuries reported.
Frode Larsen, head of the police joint investigation and intelligence unit, said authorities were considering terrorism as one possible explanation.
“One of the hypotheses is that it is an act of terrorism, but we are not completely locked into it,” Larsen told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK.
He later added that investigators must remain open to other possible causes behind the explosion.
Police said “large resources” were dispatched to the area around the embassy at about 01:00 local time (00:00 GMT). Officers are now investigating the incident while maintaining close contact with U.S. diplomats.
Michael Dellemyr, who is leading the police response, said the explosion occurred near the public entrance to the embassy building, located in the Morgedalsvegen district about 7km (4 miles) outside Oslo’s city centre.
Authorities have searched the surrounding area and issued an appeal for information from anyone who may have seen or heard anything connected to the blast.
Images circulating on social media appear to show shattered glass in the snow outside the entrance to the consular section of the building, cracks in a glass door and dark marks on the tiled floor.
Norwegian officials condemned the incident, describing it as unacceptable.
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said the protection of diplomatic missions remains a priority for Norway, stressing that “the security of diplomatic missions is very important to us.”
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Lebanon Says Nearly 400 Killed in Israeli Strikes as U.S. Warns Iranians to Stay Indoors
Lebanon’s health authorities say the death toll from Israeli strikes has risen sharply to 394 people as the regional conflict involving Israel, Iran and their allies intensifies.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine said the dead include 83 children and 42 women. Nine rescue workers have also been killed since Lebanon became involved in the ongoing confrontation linked to the U.S.–Israeli campaign against Iran.
The updated figure marks a significant increase from Saturday, when the health ministry reported 294 deaths.
Iran has also reported heavy casualties. The country’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said on Friday that 1,332 civilians have been killed in Iran since the start of U.S. and Israeli strikes.
In Israel, emergency service Magen David Adom said 10 people have died since Israel launched its military campaign against Iran. Israel’s health ministry added that 1,929 people have been injured and evacuated to hospitals since 28 February, although some of the wounded have been unable to receive treatment due to continued missile attacks.
The conflict has also spread to other parts of the region. The United States Department of Defense confirmed that six U.S. soldiers were killed in an Iranian drone strike on an American military base in Kuwait last Sunday.
Elsewhere in the Gulf, the UAE Ministry of Defence reported four deaths linked to the escalating hostilities.
Authorities in Kuwait said two military personnel and two border guards were killed, while the country’s health ministry reported that a young girl died after being struck by falling shrapnel.
In Bahrain, the Bahrain Ministry of Interior said a worker was killed last week after being hit by falling debris during the attacks.
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