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In a Monday meeting with U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned "Iran’s aggression has reached an all-time high" as the U.S. scrambles to broker a cease-fire deal with Hamas after nearly 11 months of war. 

"To counter this, we must work together to achieve and project groundbreaking capabilities in all arenas," Gallant said according to a readout of the meeting from Tel Aviv, which was also attended by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi.

Gallant highlighted the "strategic junction" that Israel finds itself in as it stares down threats from Hamas in the south and Hezbollah in the north — both of which are heavily backed by Iran. 

ISRAEL ATTACKS TARGETS IN LEBANON TO THWART HEZBOLLAH'S PREPARED STRIKES: IDF

Despite U.S. attempts to garner a cease-fire deal in coordination with Egypt and Qatar, Hamas has yet to agree to any terms so long as Israeli forces are permitted to remain in security corridors throughout Gaza. 

Details of the cease-fire talks remain unclear, but on Monday Gallant looked to remind Brown what Israel’s primary aims are in its war in Gaza, including the dismantlement of Hamas, ensuring the return of hostages first taken by the terrorist group following the Oct. 7 attacks, and "changing the security situation along Israel’s northern border so that the region’s communities may safely return to their homes."

Since Oct. 7, the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza claims some 40,000 Palestinians have been killed — though it does not differentiate the number of civilians versus the number of terrorists killed. Nearly another 700 Israeli soldiers and roughly 1,200 Israeli civilians have also been killed since the Hamas attack. 

But despite the ongoing fighting in Gaza, some security officials argue the biggest threat Jerusalem faces is in the north, where it routinely exchanges missile and drone fire with Hezbollah. 

The meeting between Brown and Gallant came one day after the world watched with concern that an all-out-war between Israel and Hezbollah — and by extension Iran — had finally begun following threats from Tehran last month.

On Sunday, Hezbollah said it launched hundreds of rockets and drones at northern Israeli military positions. Jerusalem said it too had fired upon southern Lebanon using 100 warplanes to launch a series of preemptive strikes on Hezbollah strongholds where thousands of rocket launchers were reportedly positioned in a move to thwart an imminent attack. The IDF said no Israeli military installations were hit during the Hezbollah attack.

NETANYAHU VOWS MORE 'SURPRISING BLOWS' AFTER ISRAEL THWARTED 'THOUSANDS' OF HEZBOLLAH ROCKETS: 'NOT THE END'

The exchange appears to have resulted in three deaths in Lebanon, and one Israeli soldier was killed, though by mid-morning Sunday the assault was over. 

Reports on Monday suggested the long-awaited attack by Iran and Hezbollah, which resulted in a relatively limited number of casualties, may have eased concerns of a broader war in the Middle East.

But comments made by Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, on Monday signified the threat posed by Iran has not diminished. 

"What we witnessed yesterday is only part of that revenge," he said, according to Arab news outlet Al Mayadeen English. "Revenge against the Israeli entity is inevitable."

The exchange of fire on Sunday does not appear to have altered any of the progress in the ceasefire talks with Hamas, according to White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby on Monday.

"There continues to be progress. Our team on the ground continues to describe the talks as constructive," he told reporters. "Despite the rocket and drone attack by Hezbollah over the course of the weekend, which Israel did a terrific job defending against, it has not affected the actual work on the ground by the teams trying to get the ceasefire deal in place."

Kirby said there remains a sense of "urgency" in trying to get a ceasefire secured. 

Ancient discoveries could pop up anywhere, sometimes even being found by mistake. 

Twelve-year-old Rowan Brannon from Bognor Regis, West Sussex, was walking his dog in Pagham with his mother in 2022 when they stumbled upon a gold bracelet. 

Unaware of the bracelet's value or history, they took the gold cuff to a local finds liaison officer, according to an Aug. 15, 2024, news release from Chichester District Council. 

RESEARCHERS UNEARTH FIND DATING BACK 2,400 YEARS IN ANCIENT GREEK CITY

The discovery turned out to be an ancient one. After further investigation, the gold bracelet was confirmed to be a piece of Roman jewelry with roots around the first century A.D., according to the release. 

The gold cuff is simple in its design, expected to have belonged to a man during the Roman period, per the release, likely bestowed for military bravery. 

It's described as a "relatively rare" piece of jewelry from Roman Britain, mostly because of the gold material that the cuff is made of. 

ART HISTORIAN SPOTS ANCIENT PORTRAIT THOUGHT TO BE LOST IN BACKGROUND OF PHOTO SHARED ON SOCIAL MEDIA

The bracelet is now in possession of The Novium Museum in Chichester, England. 

"Acquiring this bracelet for The Novium Museum's collection will offer our visitors additional insights into ancient practices. In particular, it will help shed light on military attitudes, including how Roman soldiers were rewarded for their bravery, gallantry and service, particularly in regard to the Roman invasion of Britain in AD43," Adrian Moss, leader of Chichester District Council said, per the release. 

"This piece will widen our museum team's understanding of Roman life locally and allows us to tell a different story from the Roman period. By enhancing the museum's current collection with this important find, we can provide a more comprehensive narrative of Chichester District during Roman times within our permanent displays," he went on to say. 

Moss also spoke about the uniqueness of the manner in which this piece was found. It was not found in an archaeological excavation, and was not an item sought out by researchers. Instead, it was found by two people on an otherwise typical day. 

"The story of the find itself is fascinating – it really goes to show that you never know what you might discover by keeping your eyes peeled when out and about," Moss said. 

The ancient gold cuff will go on display beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, at The Novium Museum.  

Americans on Monday mourned the third anniversary of the ISIS-K bombing on Abbey Gate at the Hamid Karzai International Airport amid the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which resulted in the death of 13 U.S. soldiers and 170 Afghans. 

The Biden administration has drawn immense condemnation over the chaotic withdrawal and some have argued it even emboldened nations like Russia and Iran to take aggressive steps in countering the West. 

"It was the most seminal, serious foreign policy blunder, I think, of the Biden administration, and it set in motion a series of events that we’re dealing with today," Fox News senior strategic analyst retired Gen. Jack Keane said Monday. 

US FAILURE IN TALIBAN INTEL HAS OPENED AFGHANISTAN UP TO CHINA, RUSSIA

The former Army general said he had been informed by people "in the room" with President Biden that, despite warnings of the Taliban’s movements across Afghanistan, the president "defiantly" pushed forward with U.S. plans to withdraw from Afghanistan.

Keane argued the decision not to leave U.S. troops in Afghanistan opened the floodgates for other global conflicts like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Iran’s aggression in the Middle East, particularly against Israel. 

"They see it as huge political weakness on our part," Keane said. "They've been coming for us ever since to take advantage of these vulnerabilities, because they clearly see opportunity for themselves."

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has been accredited to a massive U.S. intelligence failure as the terrorist organization had been gaining traction even in the lead up to the Trump administration’s February 2020 deal with the Taliban, in which the U.S. agreed to completely withdraw troops by May 2021.

Biden, who extended the withdrawal date back to August 2021, said he took responsibility for the Abbey Gate attack, though he also blamed his predecessor for first pulling the U.S. into a bad deal with the Taliban.

GOLD STAR DAD SENDS MESSAGE TO VP HARRIS 3 YEARS AFTER ABBEY GATE ATTACK: 'SHE OWNS THIS'

"We faced one of two choices: follow the agreement of the previous administration and extend it to have — or extend to more time for people to get out; or send in thousands of more troops and escalate the war," he said in an August 2021 address to the nation. "To those asking for a third decade of war in Afghanistan, I ask: What is the vital national interest? 

"It was time to end this war," he added. 

But the administration is still facing stiff push back to this day, including presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris — who solidified her role in the U.S. withdrawal by telling CNN in a 2021 interview that she was the "last" person in the room with Biden before he made his decision. 

"It was the greatest foreign policy blunder of our lifetimes," Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-LA, told Fox News Monday. "It led to a series of other events that emboldened our adversaries around the world and allowed the Taliban to take back over.

"We effectively sacrificed 20 years of our effort and servicemen and women who served there. It was a terrible thing," he added.

Biden on Monday released a statement memorializing the 13 service members who were killed during that August 2021 attack and said, "They embodied the very best of who we are as a nation: brave, committed, selfless. And we owe them and their families a sacred debt we will never be able to fully repay, but will never cease working to fulfill."

"Today, our longest war is over. But our commitment to preventing attacks on our homeland — or our people — never will be," Biden continued. "We will do so without deploying thousands of American troops to ground wars overseas."

Harris also released a statement acknowledging the anniversary of the attack on Abbey Gate and reiterated her support for Biden’s decision to withdraw.

"President Biden made the courageous and right decision to end America’s longest war," she said. "On this solemn day, let us come together as one nation to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice three years ago.
 
"In their memory, let us re-dedicate ourselves to the cause they gave their lives for: to protect and defend the greatest democracy on Earth, the United States of America," she added.

Russia launched one of its heaviest strikes against Ukraine on Monday, firing more than 200 missiles and drones at civilian and energy targets across the country, confirmed Ukrainian President Volodymy Zelenskyy.

In a post to X, Zelenskyy said more than 100 varying types of missiles and another 100 Iranian-supplied Shahed drones were fired in a series of attacks, prompting the Ukrainian leader to once again call on his Western allies to drop all restrictions on long-range defensive strikes. 

Zelenskyy did not confirm where the strikes were likely fired from, but he again argued that Ukraine needs to be able to better defend itself from Russia’s constant barrage of aerial attacks. 

ON UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY, OVER 100 POWS SWAPPED WITH RUSSIA

"It is crucial that our partners uphold the commitments we’ve made together, in particular regarding air defense systems, missiles for them," he said. "We must finally unite in our efforts to shoot down Russian missiles and drones."

Zelenskyy said targets were hit in Ukraine’s most western regions, including Volyn and Lviv, which neighbor Poland. Cities in Ukraine’s western-central regions were also hit in the Ivano-Frankivsk, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi and Ternopil regions. 

Two of Ukraine's most populated cities were also struck, according to images posted by Reuters, including Kyiv and Odesa. 

Five people were reportedly killed and 30 others were injured, spokesperson for the State Emergency Service, Oleksandr Khorunzhy, said in a televised address, according to the Kyiv Independent. 

"Across Ukraine, we could do much more to protect lives if the aviation of our European neighbors operated in concert with our F-16s and air defense systems," Zelenskyy said. "If such unity has proven effective in the Middle East, it must work in Europe too. 

"Life holds the same value everywhere," he added. 

MOSCOW TARGETED WITH LARGEST DRONE ATTACK OF WAR WITH UKRAINE: RUSSIAN OFFICIALS

The Russian Ministry of Defense on Monday claimed that storage facilities housing "aviation weapons" given to Ukraine from its Western allies in the Kyiv and Dnepropetrovsk regions were also hit, though Fox News Digital could not independently verify these claims. 

"All designated targets were hit, as a result, there were power outages, and rail transportation of weapons and ammunition to the line of combat contact was disrupted," the Russian ministry claimed in a post on Telegram Monday.

Zelenskyy has repeatedly called on allies to help Ukraine strengthen its air defense systems through F-16s, Patriot batteries and lifting restrictions on long-range strike permissions.

Last month, Zelenskyy said Ukraine needs more F-16s and some 25 Patriot battery systems to adequately defend its skies.

The U.S. along with the Netherlands, Germany, and Romania announced last month that they would send another four Patriot systems to Ukraine and Italy would send a SAMP-T system – both of which provide defense against cruise and ballistic missiles as well as combat aircraft, though the Patriot system has superior coverage at greater distances.

It is unclear how many Patriot or SAMP-T systems Ukraine currently has, but Zelenskyy said earlier this month that if allied nations lifted their long-range strike bans, Kyiv "would not need to physically enter [Russia] particularly the Kursk region to protect our Ukrainian citizens in the border communities and eliminate Russia’s potential for aggression."

Zelenskyy has said his Kursk operation is intended to establish a "buffer zone" to staunch Russia’s attacks against Ukraine’s northern regions. 

"Putin can only act within the limits the world sets for him," Zelenskyy said Monday. "Weakness and inadequate responses fuel terror. 

"America, Britain, France, and our other partners have the power to help us stop this terror. The time for decisive action is now," he added. 

The captain of the superyacht that sank off the coast of Italy last week during severe weather, killing seven, is under probe by Italian prosecutors.

James Cutfield, 51, of New Zealand, is under investigation on suspicion of manslaughter and culpable shipwreck, Italian media reported Monday.

He and 15 others survived the sinking of the Bayesian. British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, his daughter Hannah and five others died. 

"The Bayesian was built to go to sea in any weather," Franco Romani, a nautical architect who was part of the team that designed the yacht, told daily La Stampa in an interview published on Monday. He added that the yacht could have taken on water from a left open side hatch.

Prosecutors said the event was "extremely rapid" and could have been a "downburst" – a localized, powerful wind that descends from a thunderstorm and spreads out rapidly upon hitting the ground.

BRITISH TECH ENTREPRENEUR, AMERICANS AMONG MISSING AFTER YACHT SINKS OFF ITALIAN COAST, KILLING AT LEAST 1

Similar to U.S. law, being investigated does not imply guilt nor that formal charges will be filed against Cutfield. 

On Saturday, chief prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio not only confirmed an investigation, but said his team will also consider each possible element of responsibility, including those of the captain, the crew, individuals in charge of supervision and the yacht’s manufacturer.

MORGAN STANLEY INTERNATIONAL CHAIRMAN, WIFE AND 4 OTHERS STILL MISSING AFTER LUXURY YACHT SINKS OFF SICILY

The Bayesian was a 184-foot British-flagged luxury yacht deemed "unsinkable" by its manufacturer, Italian shipyard Perini Navi. 

Its crew survived the sinking, minus the chef. Six passengers were trapped in the hull. 

Fox News Digital spoke with eSysman of the YouTube channel eSysman SuperYachts, to find out what could have gone wrong with the vessel. 

"Obviously, any voyage plan will take into account the weather. Wind, wave sizes, and frequencies of the waves will be studied and precise prediction of weather has improved over the years, but it’s still not 100%," the host said, noting that it is ultimately the captain who is responsible for the vessel. 

Fox News' Bradford Betz, Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

A tourist is dead and two others are missing after an ice cave partially collapsed in southern Iceland, as a group was visiting the Breidamerkurjokull glacier on Sunday.

The group of about 25 foreign tourists from several nationalities were exploring ice caves with a guide shortly before 3 p.m., when four people were struck by falling ice, local police said in a statement on social media. 

One tourist died from their injuries, while a second suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to a hospital in the capital, officials said.

About 200 rescuers began tirelessly searching for the two missing people, though the mission was paused after dark due to what local police described as "difficult" conditions, local news outlets reported. The search was to resume Monday morning.

DOG, BACKPACK FOUND AFTER OWNER DISAPPEARS INTO CALIFORNIA WILDERNESS: POLICE

Rescuers have had to cut through the ice by hand using chain saws as the rugged glacier terrain proved difficult for transporting additional equipment and personnel, Icelandic public broadcaster RUV reported.

Chief Superintendent Sveinn Kristján Rúnarsson of the local police told Icelandic TV that there was no evidence to suggest that the guided cave tour should not have happened, according to the BBC.

YACHT MAKER SAYS ‘INDESCRIBABLE’ CREW ERRORS LED TO FATAL SICILY SHIPWRECK

"These are experienced and powerful mountain guides who run these trips," Rúnarsson said. "It's always possible to be unlucky I trust these people to assess the situation – when it's safe or not safe to go, and good work has been done there over time. This is a living land, so anything can happen."

The collapse was likely not related to a volcanic eruption in southeast Iceland on Friday, which was around 185 miles away from the glacier.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

At least three people were stabbed during the opening day of the Notting Hill Carnival in London on Sunday, with one still listed in life-threatening condition, according to the city’s police.

The London Metropolitan Police Service said on X it was aware of three stabbings, one of which involved a 32-year-old woman who was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.

Also stabbed was a 29-year-old man and a 24-year-old man, the former of whom was listed in non-life-threatening condition. Police were waiting on the condition of the 24-year-old at the time of the post.

"Hundreds of thousands of people came to Notting Hill Carnival today to enjoy a fantastic celebration. Our officers have been on duty working to keep them safe as part of a very carefully planned policing operation," the police service said. "Regrettably, a minority came to commit crime and engage in violence."

VIDEO SHOWS NAVAL VESSEL CRUISING FAMOUS WATERWAY WHILE BLASTING ICONIC DARTH VADER ANTHEM

Police said 15 officers were assaulted when things turned violent, though none of the officers sustained serious injuries.

Police made 90 arrests for various offenses.

Ten people were arrested for assaulting emergency workers, 18 for possession of an offensive weapon, four for sexual offenses, one for theft, four for robbery, six for assault, one for public order offense, eight for possession of drugs with distribution intent, and 30 for possession of drugs – four arrests of which were for possession of nitrous oxide.

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Ahead of the carnival, police announced they had been authorized to order the removal of face coverings being used to conceal a person’s identity. Anyone refusing the order, police said, could be arrested.

The Notting Hill Carnival attracts hundreds of thousands of revelers each year, who pack the streets of west London for two days, during one of the world’s biggest celebrations of Caribbean music and culture.

This year, the festivities take place Aug. 25-26.

FAMED CARNIVAL TERRORIZED BY MEN WITH GIANT KNIVES, 8 STABBINGS, 275 ARRESTS: ‘MARRED BY SERIOUS VIOLENCE’

The carnival traces its history back to 1958, when Trinidadian human rights activist Claudia Jones began organizing a gathering to unify the community after a series of racist attacks on Black people in the Notting Hill neighborhood.

Launched in 1964 with a few Trinidadian steel bands, it has grown into a huge annual street party involving colorful floats, thousands of calypso dancers in spectacular feathered costumes, almost 20 steel bands and more than two dozen sound systems.

The carnival returned to the neighborhood’s narrow streets in 2022 after two years when it had to be held online because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The United Kingdom has provided Ukraine with robotic "war dogs" that have started assisting troops on the battlefield and terrifying Russian troops who see them, according to reports. 

"The robot dog demonstrated its capabilities in delivering a range of critical equipment, showcasing its potential as an invaluable asset to military units," manufacturer Brit Alliance said of the units. 

"The robot dog exhibited exceptional mobility and agility, crucial for traversing complex and hostile environments," the company added. "Whether navigating through debris, climbing over obstacles, or moving stealthily across open ground, the robot dog has proven itself capable of maintaining a high level of operational effectiveness."

The British second-generation Brit Alliance Dog (BAD2) has taken to the battlefield, utilizing remote-sensing technology and a thermal-infrared camera to navigate the tricky landscape and perform a wide range of wartime tasks, such as delivering equipment or reconnaissance. 

RUSSIA LOOKS TO DOWNPLAY UKRAINE INVASION AS ‘NEW NORMAL’ WHILE PUTIN FAILS TO STOP WAR ON HOME TURF: REPORT

Ukrainian troops have taken over 30 of the dogs, which are effectively sophisticated land drones. Each unit costs around $9,000 to produce, and Brit Alliance has promised to update the units based on feedback from the Ukrainian troops. 

Brit Alliance believes this battlefield demonstration of the BAD2 unit will help turn it into a "cornerstone of modern military logistics." The unit can move at just over 9 mph and move for five hours to a distance of over two miles, according to East2West. 

The commander of the Kurt & Company told The Telegraph that the unit is working to make the dogs "act as a kamikaze drone against vehicles or enemy soldiers" but that if "one dog saves one soldier’s life, we will be satisfied." 

COLORADO POLICE DEPARTMENT SHOWS NEW WAYS TO USE DRONES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT

"We will start using them en masse after the complete modernization of the robodogs to our needs," the commander said. "The process is already underway."

Even Russia media cannot resist discussing the strange new unit crisscrossing the battlefield, with one outlet saying "the enemy is no fool and is looking for ways to improve tactics, use new ideas and solutions." 

Drones have increasingly played a pivotal role in the conflict for Ukraine, which has found drones a means of getting better return on its investment as the conflict drags on and each side needs to prove more resourceful. 

Ukraine deployed the "Sea Baby" drone earlier this year to try and destroy the Crimean Bridge, causing structural damage with the naval drone that has a one-ton payload and can travel up to 62 mph, according to Ukrainian outlet EuroMaiden Press. 

US, UK AND AUSTRALIA TAKE NEXT STEP IN INTEGRATING AI DEFENSE SYSTEMS

Russia has responded in kind with its own land-based drones, but those models resemble remote-controlled cars. The drone, known as Scorpion-M, also has kamikaze capabilities and has seen increased use in the Donetsk region over the summer. 

The Scorpion-M can carry up to 55 pounds of explosives and has been used to destroy underground hideouts and other facilities that conventional bombing has had trouble hitting. Experts touted the drone’s maneuverability, but they noted that the real advantage is the difficulty in jamming the units.

In that sense, the BAD2 will have similar advantages, plus better maneuverability: Christopher Alexander, a U.S. Army vet with experience in Strategic Operations Command, previously told Fox News Digital that he found it difficult to imagine "anyone in the current state of technology or deploying these things at the company/battalion level." 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed more "surprise blows" against Iran-backed terrorist groups after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly struck launch sites in Lebanon just minutes before Hezbollah was planning to fire thousands of rockets into central Israel. 

"What happened today is not the end of the story. Hezbollah tried to attack the State of Israel with rockets and drones early in the morning," Netanyahu said at a government meeting in Tel Aviv Sunday morning. "We instructed the IDF to carry out a powerful pre-emptive strike to remove the threat." 

"The IDF destroyed thousands of short-range rockets, and they were all intended to harm our citizens and our forces in Galilee," he continued. "In addition, the IDF intercepted all the UAVs that Hezbollah launched for a strategic purpose in the center of the country. We are hitting Hezbollah with surprising blows…. Three weeks ago, we eliminated his chief of staff, and today, we foiled his attack plan." 

"Nasrallah in Beirut and Khamenei in Tehran should know that this is another step on the way to change the situation in the north and return our residents safely to their homes," Netanyahu added. "And I repeat – this is not the end of the story." 

ISRAEL ATTACKS TARGETS IN LEBANON TO THWART HEZBOLLAH'S PREPARED STRIKES: IDF

In an earlier statement, White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said President Biden "is closely monitoring events in Israel and Lebanon."

"He has been engaged with his national security team throughout the evening. At his direction, senior U.S. officials have been communicating continuously with their Israeli counterparts. We will keep supporting Israel’s right to defend itself, and we will keep working for regional stability," Savett added.

It was national security adviser Jake Sullivan leading those updates to Biden throughout the night, officials tell Fox News. 

After Hezbollah announced last night that their attack was over, White House officials said they will keep monitoring the situation.

"There are no indications right now that another round is coming," one official told Fox News. 

A Western intelligence official told the New York Times that Israel's preemptive attack targeted and destroyed missile launchers in Lebanon that had been programmed to fire at 5 a.m. toward Tel Aviv. 

The IDF were able to carry out a preemptive attack on thousands of rocket launchers in Lebanon after information gathered from Israeli intelligence agencies, including the IDF’s Military Intelligence Directorate (MID), found Hezbollah was planning to use them to target strategic military sites in central Israel, including in the Gush Dan region, the Israeli English-language newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported. 

The IDF also intercepted drones traveling from Lebanon that were intended to target central Israel, according to the newspaper. 

Approximately 100 Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets, directed by IDF intelligence, struck and destroyed "thousands of Hezbollah rocket launcher barrels that were located and embedded in southern Lebanon," the IDF said earlier. "Most of these launchers were aimed toward northern Israel and some were aimed toward central Israel, and more than 40 launch areas in Lebanon were struck during the strikes." 

The IDF said its forces struck Hezbollah launchers in several areas in southern Lebanon to remove threats and identified a terrorist cell operating in the area of Khiam in southern Lebanon. 

"The IAF swiftly struck the terrorists," IDF wrote on X. 

At an earlier news briefing, IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Israeli forces identified "extensive preparation by the Hezbollah terrorist organization to fire toward the Israeli Home Front." 

"After extensive identification, the IAF and Northern Command began proactively and broadly striking Hezbollah targets in order to remove the threats aimed at the citizens of Israel," Hagari said. "We are removing threats against the Israeli home front. Dozens of IAF jets are currently striking targets in various locations in southern Lebanon. We are continuing to remove threats, and to intensively strike against the Hezbollah terrorist organization."

The Israeli military said it struck because Hezbollah was planning to launch a heavy barrage of rockets and missiles toward Israel. Soon after, Hezbollah announced it had launched an attack on Israeli military positions as an initial response to the killing of Fouad Shukur, one of its founding members, in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut last month.

By mid-morning, it appeared that the exchange had ended, with both sides saying they had only aimed at military targets, according to The Associated Press. 

Israeli Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said Hezbollah had intended to hit targets in northern and central Israel. He said initial assessments found "very little damage" in Israel, but that the military remained on high alert. 

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that two people were killed and another two were wounded in the strikes in southern Lebanon. 

Separately, a fighter for the Amal group, which is allied with Hezbollah, was killed in a strike on a car, Amal said.

HEZBOLLAH OPERATIVES KILLED IN ISRAELI AIRSTRIKES AS TERROR GROUP FIRES 100 ROCKETS AT JEWISH STATE

Hezbollah said its attack involved more than 320 Katyusha rockets aimed at multiple sites in Israel, and a "large number" of drones. It said the operation was targeting "a qualitative Israeli military target that will be announced later" as well as "enemy sites and barracks and Iron Dome (missile defense) platforms."

Hezbollah said the strikes would allow it to launch more attacks deeper into Israel, but a later statement said that "military operations for today have been completed." The terrorist group said it targeted 11 bases, barracks and military positions in northern Israel, including the Golan Heights, and dismissed Israel's claim to have thwarted a stronger attack. Hezbollah did not provide evidence for its claims.

Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was expected to give a speech later on Sunday.

After an emergency government meeting, Lebanon’s caretaker Economy Minister Amin Salam said officials were "feeling a bit more optimistic" about a de-escalation.

"We feel more reassured since both sides confirmed that the expected operations ended, and we know that the negotiations in Cairo are very serious," he said.

Meanwhile, Egypt on Sunday is hosting high-level talks aimed at brokering a cease-fire in the 10-month-old Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which diplomats hope will tamp down regional tensions.

U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. is expected to make a trip to the Middle East to participate in negotiations. 

"Over the next few days, the Chairman will visit key allies and partners in the region, Egypt, Jordan and Israel, as a display of the long-term U.S. commitment to the Middle East and to further his understanding of the various perspectives of ongoing tensions," Joint Staff spokesperson Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey said in a statement Saturday. 

Fox News' Yonat Friling, Lucas Tomlinson, Kate Sprague and the Associated Press contributed to this report. 

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said Sunday morning that it has "proactively and broadly" begun striking Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon to eliminate threats against Israel.

This comes after the IDF detected Hezbollah preparations to fire missiles and rockets toward Israeli territory.

"We are removing threats against the Israeli home front," IDF Spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said at a press briefing. "Dozens of [Israeli Air Force] jets are currently striking targets in various locations in southern Lebanon. We are continuing to remove threats, and to intensively strike against the Hezbollah terrorist organization."

"Hezbollah is launching rockets and UAVs toward Israeli territory," he continued. "Our aerial defense systems, the Israeli Navy’s ships and IAF planes are taking part in the mission of defending Israel’s skies, identifying and intercepting threats, and striking any place in Lebanon that is required in order to remove threats and hit Hezbollah."

IDF STRIKES HEZBOLLAH TERROR TARGETS IN LEBANON AFTER THEY WERE SEEN PREPARING TO FIRE TOWARD ISRAEL

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who convened a meeting with cabinet members Sunday morning, once again called for an end to the displacement of tens of thousands of Israelis by months of hostilities. 

"We are determined to do everything to protect our country, return the residents of the north safely to their homes and continue to uphold a simple rule: Whoever harms us, we will harm them," Netanyahu said.

The IDF has already intercepted several rockets and UAVs that were launched toward Israeli territory, Hagari said.

Hagari also warned civilians in southern Lebanon that they are in danger, saying the IDF has learned that Hezbollah is firing into Israeli territory near their homes.

Hezbollah released a statement saying it launched an offensive towards Israel and that its military operation for the day has been completed.

"With God's help, all offensive drones were launched at their designated times from all their positions and crossed the Lebanese-Palestinian borders towards the intended target from multiple paths," the statement said. "Thus, our military operation for today has been completed and accomplished, praise be to God Almighty."

"The enemy's claims about the preemptive action it took, the targets it achieved, and its disruption of the resistance's attack are empty claims that contradict the facts on the ground and will be refuted in a speech by Hezbollah's Secretary-General, His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, to be scheduled later today," the statement added.

HEZBOLLAH OPERATIVES KILLED IN ISRAELI AIRSTRIKES AS TERROR GROUP FIRES 100 ROCKETS AT JEWISH STATE

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Sunday morning called on dozens of his foreign counterparts around the world to support Israel after the country attacked Hezbollah to thwart attacks against the Jewish State.

The minister stressed that Israel is acting to protect its citizens and territory against "the axis of evil led by Iran, which has a declared goal of bringing about Israel's destruction," according to the Israeli government. Katz said Israel does not want an all-out war.

"Hezbollah has just launched over 150 projectiles from Lebanon toward Israeli territory. We target terrorist infrastructure, they target civilians," the IDF wrote on social media Sunday morning.

Israeli Defense Minister Gallant declared an Emergency Situation for 48 hours.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke to Gallant about the IDF's activities after Israel began eliminating Hezbollah targets. They discussed the importance of avoiding regional escalation and Gallant emphasized that Israel seeks to defend its citizens using all the means at its disposal to eliminate imminent threats.

Four people – including a police officer – were injured in a violent stabbing incident near Sydney, Australia.

According to the New South Wales Police, officers were initially called to the scene of a crash at an intersection in Engadine, Australia on Sunday morning local time.

When they arrived at the scene, police said they found a 55-year-old man, who appeared to be suffering from stab wounds, running from the crash scene.

Authorities took him into custody and used a Taser during the arrest.

PILOT KILLED AFTER CRASHING HELICOPTER ON ROOF OF AUSTRALIAN HOTEL DURING UNAUTHORIZED FLIGHT

Authorities said that during the interaction, a male police officer suffered a "serious" laceration to his left wrist.

AUSTRALIAN B-GIRL'S FATHER-IN-LAW TAKES SWIPE AT JUDGES OVER OLYMPIC BREAKING SCORE

Police said that the woman, who was the passenger in the crashed vehicle, was found with multiple stab wounds.

A fourth person was also injured and police said it was unclear what their involvement in the incident was.

All four people were treated by paramedics at the scene.

Authorities are investigating the incident. 

The Israeli Defense Forces said Sunday morning it launched heavy airstrikes on Hezbollah positions across Lebanon after detecting the terror group was preparing for an "imminent" attack on Israel.

"The IDF identified the Hezbollah terrorist organization preparing to fire missiles and rockets toward Israeli territory. In response to these threats, the IDF is striking terror targets in Lebanon," IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a statement. "Israeli Air Force fighter jets are currently striking targets belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization that posed an imminent threat to the citizens of the State of Israel."

Civilians in southern Lebanon were urged to evacuate their homes and out of dangerous areas.

‘HOSTAGE IN LEBANON': NEW HAMPSHIRE FAMILY RECOUNTS FATHER'S DETAINMENT, TORTURE IN NEW BOOK

"From right next to the homes of Lebanese civilians in the South of Lebanon, we can see that Hezbollah is preparing to launch an extensive attack on Israel, while endangering the Lebanese civilians," the IDF said. ‌‏"We warn the civilians located in the areas where Hezbollah is operating, to move out of harm’s way immediately for their own safety."

Public shelters were opened across Israel as new restrictions were placed in northern areas of the country.

Nearly 80,000 Israelis were forced to evacuate their homes near the Lebanon border when Hezbollah began launching rockets and drones in October.

HEZBOLLAH OPERATIVES KILLED IN ISRAELI AIRSTRIKES AS TERROR GROUP FIRES 100 ROCKETS AT JEWISH STATE

Israeli media reported that the terror group fired at least 320 projectiles into northern Israel early on Sunday. Hezbollah leaders have said the attacks will continue to prevent Israelis from returning to their homes. The attacks have killed 26 civilians and 19 soldiers in Israel. 

The terror group has launched more than 6,700 rockets and drones since Oct. 8.

A judge in Australia ruled Friday that the owner of a female-only social networking platform discriminated against a transgender woman by removing her from the app because she was born a male.

Reuters reported that Roxanne Tickle sued the Australian app Giggle for Girls, as well as its founder, Sally Grover, for unlawful gender identity discrimination in its services.

The suit claimed Grover removed Tickle’s account from the platform after she saw her photo and "considered her to be male."

In a landmark decision on gender identity in Australia, the Federal Court — considered to be the country’s second-highest court — ordered Giggle for Girls to pay Tickle 10,000 Australian dollars ($6,700 U.S.) plus legal costs.

GENDER DYSPHORIA AND EATING DISORDERS HAVE SKYROCKETED SINCE PANDEMIC, REPORT REVEALS: ‘RIPPLE EFFECTS’

Judge Robert Bromwich, who oversaw the trial, did not order Giggle for Girls to issue a written apology, which Tickle had sought.

"Tickle's claim of direct gender identity discrimination fails, but her claim of indirect gender identity discrimination succeeds," Bromwich said.

This is the first time the Australian Federal Court has made a ruling on gender identity discrimination since the Sex Discrimination Act was modified in 2013.

Professor Paula Gerber of Monash University’s Faculty of Law said the court’s decision was "a great win for transgender women in Australia."

TRANS CHILDREN WHO TOOK PUBERTY-BLOCKING DRUGS HAD MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, UK STUDY FOUND

"This case sends a clear message to all Australians that it is unlawful to treat transgender women differently from cisgender women. It is not lawful to make decisions about whether a person is a woman based on how feminine they appear," she said.

The platform Giggle for Girls was marketed as a "safe space" for women to share and discuss their experiences. Reuters reported that court filings show the platform had about 20,000 users in 2021.

The company placed a temporary stop to operations in 2022, but Grover says the platform will be relaunched soon.

‘GENDER-AFFIRMING’ TREATMENTS DON’T BENEFIT YOUTH, SAYS PEDIATRICIANS GROUP: ‘IRREVERSIBLE CONSEQUENCES’

In his decision, the judge claimed the platform considered only sex at birth as being a valid basis for a person to claim to be a man or woman.

The plaintiff was born a male and had sex reassignment surgery before Tickle’s birth certificate was updated, Bromwich said.

"Unfortunately, we got the [judgment] we anticipated," Grover said in a post on X. "The fight for women's rights continues."

Tickle reportedly called the judge’s decision "healing," after receiving hateful comments online and seeing merchandise created specifically to mock her.

"There is so much hate and bile cast on trans and gender-diverse people simply because of who we are," Australian media quoted her as saying outside the court.

Reuters contributed to this report.

A German naval vessel sailed into London on the River Thames this week, while blasting iconic "Star Wars" villain Darth Vader’s "The Imperial March," though the country’s military branch says there is "no deeper message" in the ship’s commander’s choice of music.

A bystander caught the spectacle on video Monday, before sharing the video clip on social media.

Although the song choice could easily be interpreted negatively, the German navy quickly tried to clear the airwaves.

"The commander can choose the music freely," the country’s navy said in a statement Thursday. "The choice of music has no deeper message."

15-YEAR-OLD ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH KNIFE ATTACK AT GERMAN FESTIVAL, TERROR MOTIVE INVESTIGATED

The warship Braunschweig was in the region for training and dropped its anchor in London to take on supplies, according to the German navy.

Another video of the Braunschweig captured the Clash song "London Calling," playing as it cruised into port.

The 1979 song’s title comes from the BBC World Service station identification in World War II and its lyrics include the lines, "London calling to the zombies of death. Quit holding out and draw another breath."

GERMAN RIGHT WING CANDIDATE STABBED IN LATEST ATTACK AHEAD OF ELECTIONS

When the ship departed, a tugboat reportedly escorted it down the river near Tower Bridge as sailors stood on deck, sans lightsabers.

The Braunschweig was named for a German city in Lower Saxony, which is, as the crow flies, about 420 miles away from London. The ship was also named for Germany’s newest class of ocean-going corvettes.

GERMAN POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS STABBED BY AFGHAN IMMIGRANT HAS DIED

This was the second time the Braunschweig visited the British capital, according to a post on X from the German Embassy in London.

Embassy officials also said the commander of the ship "is a big ‘Star Wars’ fan and an admirer of the legendary musical scores of John Williams."

"He chooses a different Williams tune whenever his ship is visiting a foreign harbor," the embassy wrote.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Romanian authorities towed away a fleet of luxury vehicles Saturday from the home of the divisive social media personality Andrew Tate, days after he was placed under house arrest following new human trafficking allegations.

Tate, 37, and his brother Tristan Tate, 36, both former kickboxers and dual British-U.S. citizens with millions of followers on social media and known for their misogynistic views, are already awaiting trial in Romania, along with two women. They were charged with human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to exploit women. Andrew Tate was also charged with rape in that case.

POLICE RAID ANDREW TATE'S HOME IN ROMANIA AS NEW ALLEGATIONS INVOLVING MINORS SURFACE

The luxury vehicles, impounded from their home near the capital, included a Ferrari, a Lamborghini, a Mercedes-Benz, McLaren and a more humble-looking classic red Lada. The seizure came two days after Romania’s anti-organized crime agency, DIICOT, raided four homes in Bucharest and nearby Ilfov county and detained six people, including the Tate brothers. Officers also confiscated thousands of dollars in cash, laptops and data storage drives.

One of the Tates’ lawyers, Georgiana Popa, told reporters outside the brothers’ home Saturday that the seizures are "legal, but unfounded" and said it has been contested.

"The cars are not (the brothers’) property," she said, without providing additional information.

The Tate brothers appeared on Thursday at a Bucharest court as prosecutors sought to remand them in custody. But a judge denied that request and placed Andrew Tate under house and Tristan Tate under judicial control, which typically involves restricting contact with certain people and having to periodically report to the police. The brothers’ spokesperson, Mateea Petrescu, said that the Tates firmly deny all allegations against them and "remain steadfast in proving their innocence."

In the new case, DIICOT, said that it's investigating allegations of human trafficking, including the trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor, forming an organized criminal group, money laundering, and influencing statements.

The agency also said the defendants used the coercive "loverboy" method to exploit 34 vulnerable victims, who were forced to produce pornographic materials for a fee online, and that more than $2.8 million (2.5 million euros) it generated was kept by the defendants.

An unnamed foreign man also sexually exploited a 17-year-old foreigner, DIICOT alleges, and said that he kept all of the $1.5 million (1.3 million euros) made from the criminal activity. The same man "repeatedly had sexual relations and acts" with a 15-year-old, the agency alleges.

Andrew Tate, who has 9.9 million X followers, has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors have no evidence against him and that there is a political conspiracy to silence him. He was previously banned from various social media platforms for misogynistic views and hate speech.

Authorities have previously confiscated some of the brothers' assets.

After the Tates' arrest in December 2022, authorities seized 15 luxury cars, 14 designer watches and cash in several currencies. The total value of the goods, authorities said at the time, was estimated at 3.6 million euros ($3.9 million). In April, the Bucharest Tribunal ruled the prosecutors’ case file against them met the legal criteria and that a trial could start, but didn't set a date for it to begin.

Last month, a court overturned an earlier decision that allowed the Tate brothers to leave Romania as they await trial. The court's decision is final and can't be appealed.

About 200 police officers hunted on Saturday for a man who tried to set fire to a synagogue in the southern French city of La Grande-Motte, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said, adding that authorities would be ruthless with antisemitism.

A police officer was slightly injured when a gas bottle exploded as police secured the site of the attack on Saturday morning, Attal said.

FRENCH POLICE KILL ARMED MAN SUSPECTED OF SETTING FIRE TO SYNAGOGUE

"The person (attacker) set fire to several entry doors to the synagogue and several cars," Attal said after visiting the synagogue, adding that an "absolute tragedy" had been narrowly averted after firefighters and police arrived quickly at the scene.

Local media reported earlier that the suspect had set fire to two cars, one of which contained at least one gas bottle, in the synagogue's parking area at about 8:30 a.m. (0630 GMT).

President Emmanuel Macron called the incident a terrorist attack. The anti-terrorism prosecutor's office was placed in charge of the investigation.

Police protection of synagogues, and Jewish schools and shops would be stepped up across France, the government said.

France, like other countries in Europe, has seen a surge in antisemitic incidents following the Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, and Israel's retaliatory assault on Gaza.

Le Parisien, franceinfo and other media said the suspect had been seen on CCTV shortly before the attack with a Palestinian flag tied round his waist.

"This is an antisemitic attack. Once more, our Jewish compatriots are targeted," Attal wrote earlier on X. "In the face of antisemitism, in the face of violence, we will never allow ourselves to be intimidated."

Police declined to give more details.

"Exploding a gas bottle in a car in front of the Grande Motte synagogue at the expected time of arrival of the faithful: it's not just attacking a place of worship, it's an attempt to kill Jews," Yonathan Arfi, who leads the CRIF, an umbrella organisation of French Jewish groups, said on X.

La Grande-Motte is a port and resort city on the French Mediterranean coast.

Families of hostages held by Hamas since the Oct. 7 terrorist attack have reported receiving threats and demands in calls, some of which have come from their captive loved ones' phones.

Israeli news outlet N12 reported that families have received messages that order them to "fight the government" or "you won’t see your loved ones return" in addition to ransom requests. The families turned over the information to Israeli intelligence agency Shin Bet, according to The Jerusalem Post. 

An initial investigation has determined that those sending the messages are either of Iranian origin or affiliated with Hamas. 

As many as 109 hostages remain in Hamas custody in the Gaza Strip, but some are believed to be dead, according to Israel Today. 

‘HOSTAGE IN LEBANON': NEW HAMPSHIRE FAMILY RECOUNTS FATHER'S DETAINMENT, TORTURE IN NEW BOOK

The hostage situation remains a source of frustration for the American and Israeli governments as families grow increasingly desperate almost a full year after the attack and kidnappings. Both Democrats and Republicans featured hostage families at their conventions this year and made strong statements about foreign policy that focused on Israel. 

The Republicans featured the parents of Omer Neutra, a 22-year-old hostage who was manning a base near Kibbutz Nir Oz when he was taken captive. Neutra grew up in Plainview, N.Y., on Long Island before he moved to Israel and joined the Israeli Defense Forces. 

The Neutra family spoke about their support from former President Donald Trump, who they said "called us personally right after the attack when Omer was taken captive," assuring that "he stands with our American hostages," according to the Jewish Journal. 

HEZBOLLAH OPERATIVES KILLED IN ISRAELI AIRSTRIKES AS TERROR GROUP FIRES 100 ROCKETS AT JEWISH STATE

The Democrats in turn featured the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old hostage taken from the Nova Music Festival. During the introduction at the convention, attendees chanted, "Bring them home!"

"The families of the eight American hostages meet every few weeks in Washington," Jon Polin, the hostage’s father, told the crowd. "We’re heartened that both Democratic and Republican leaders demonstrate their bipartisan support for our hostages being released."

"We’ve met with President Biden and Vice President Harris numerous times at the White House," Polin said. "They’re both working tirelessly for a hostage and cease-fire deal that will bring our precious children, mothers, fathers, spouses, grandparents and grandchildren home, and will stop the despair in Gaza.  We are all deeply grateful to them."

The Biden administration this week made what it touted as "constructive" progress in negotiations for a cease-fire, which would include the release of hostages. Israel and Hamas remain divided on a few key points – most notably the Hamas push to include Israel releasing several prisoners as well as disagreement on how to treat the corridors and crossings between Gaza and its neighbors. 

HARRIS TRIES TO THREAT ISRAEL, GAZA NEEDLE WITH ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS A CONSTANT PRESENCE AT DNC

Negotiators reportedly created an "acceptable" update to the proposal that Egyptian authorities said they would pass along to Hamas representatives, though some have cast doubt on Hamas potentially agreeing to the deal as-is. 

"The Philadelphi Corridor ... is the lifeline of Hamas … they smuggled in machinery [to Gaza to make weaponry]," IDF MG (ret.) Yaakov Amidror said during a Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) situational update this week. 

"Israel cannot allow this to happen again," said Amidror, who also serves as a JINSA Distinguished Fellow. "This is imperative … what [is being discussed] is how to square the circle … if a solution can be found … we might have an agreement. I’m not sure Hamas will be ready [to accept this]."

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the deadly stabbing spree at a festival in Germany on Friday that left three people dead and eight others injured.

The group said the attacker targeted Christians and was a "soldier of the Islamic State" who carried out the attack "to avenge Muslims in Palestine and everywhere." 

German police previously said that there was no other obvious motive other than terror and that the attacker appeared to be unknown to the victims.

Late Saturday, authorities said that they had arrested a second person, along with a 15-year-old boy, in connection to the attack.

The second suspect was arrested at a home for refugees in Solingen, which is located near Cologne and Duesseldorf in the west of the country. Authorities have not identified the suspects name, age or if they are the main perpetrator of the attack. 

GERMAN RIGHT WING CANDIDATE STABBED IN LATEST ATTACK AHEAD OF ELECTIONS

Authorities previously shared that the 15-year-old boy knew of the attack and failed to inform authorities, but said that he was not the attacker.

Prosecutor Markus Caspers said that the 15-year-old boy was arrested after two female witnesses contacted police. The witnesses said they had listened to a conversation between the boy and an unknown person before the attack, speaking about intentions that corresponded to the events that followed.

The victims were in front of a stage enjoying a live music band playing to mark the town's 650-year anniversary when the attack occurred at around 9:35 p.m. local time Friday.

The three people who died were two men aged 67 and 56, and a 56-year-old woman, authorities said. Police said the attacker appeared to have deliberately aimed for his victims’ throats.

Thorsten Fleiss from the German police, who was the chief of operations on Friday night, said that police are conducting various searches and investigations in the entire state of North Rhine-Westphalia that will continue throughout the day.

Police cordoned off the square on Saturday and passers-by placed candles and flowers outside the barriers.

GERMAN POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS STABBED BY AFGHAN IMMIGRANT HAS DIED

Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X late last night that the incident was a "terrible event that has shocked me greatly."

An attacker has brutally killed several people… The perpetrator must be quickly caught and punished to the fullest extent of the law," Scholz wrote.

In a translated social media post late Friday, the city’s mayor, Tim Kurzbach, said that they are in "shock" following the attack. 

"Tonight we are all in Solingen in shock, fright and great sadness," he wrote. "We all wanted to celebrate our city anniversary together, and now we have to mourn the dead and injured. Breaks my heart that there was an assassination attack on our town."

Fatal stabbings and shootings are relatively uncommon in Germany. The government said earlier this month it wanted to toughen rules on knives that can be carried in public.

In May, an Afghan migrant went on a stabbing spree in Mannheim, which is located in the southwest of Germany, where he wounded an anti-Islam activist and several others, including a police officer who died. Days later, a member of the German right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD) was stabbed in the city while canvassing for election. 

The violence comes ahead of three state elections next month in Thuringia, Saxony and Brandenburg, in which the anti-mass immigration right wing party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), has a chance of winning.

Though the motive and identity of the assailant were not known, a top AfD candidate for one of the state elections, Bjoern Hoecke, seized on Friday's attack, posting on X: "Do you really want to get used to this? Free yourselves and end this insanity of forced multiculturalism".

Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Police in Germany say they have arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection with a deadly stabbing spree at a festival on Friday that left three people dead and eight others injured, officials said at a Saturday news conference.

The boy was detained following the horrific attack in the Fronhof, a market square in Solingen which is located near Cologne and Duesseldorf in the west of the country.

Police say he was suspected of knowing about the planned attack and failed to inform authorities, but he is not the attacker and the perpetrator is still at large.

Prosecutor Markus Caspers said that the 15-year-old boy was arrested after two female witnesses contacted police. The witnesses said they had listened to a conversation between the boy and an unknown person before the attack, speaking about intentions that corresponded to the events that followed.

GERMAN RIGHT WING CANDIDATE STABBED IN LATEST ATTACK AHEAD OF ELECTIONS

Caspers said that police are looking at a terror motive, adding that there’s no other obvious motive and that the attacker appears to be unknown to the victims. Police said there was no specific terror threat before the festival.

The victims were in front of a stage enjoying a live music band playing to mark the town's 650-year anniversary when the attack occurred at around 9:35 p.m. local time Friday.

The three people who died were two men aged 67 and 56 and a 56-year-old woman, authorities said. Police said the attacker appeared to have deliberately aimed for his victims’ throats.

Thorsten Fleiss from the German police, who was the chief of operations on Friday night, said that police are conducting various searches and investigations in the entire state of North Rhine-Westphalia that will continue throughout the day.

Police cordoned off the square on Saturday and passers-by placed candles and flowers outside the barriers.

GERMAN POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS STABBED BY AFGHAN IMMIGRANT HAS DIED

Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X late last night that the incident was a "terrible event that has shocked me greatly."

An attacker has brutally killed several people… The perpetrator must be quickly caught and punished to the fullest extent of the law," Scholz wrote.

In a translated social media post late Friday, the city’s mayor, Tim Kurzbach, said that they are in "shock" following the attack. 

"Tonight we are all in Solingen in shock, fright and great sadness," he wrote. "We all wanted to celebrate our city anniversary together, and now we have to mourn the dead and injured. Breaks my heart that there was an assassination attack on our town."

Fatal stabbings and shootings are relatively uncommon in Germany. The government said earlier this month it wanted to toughen rules on knives that can be carried in public.

In May, an Afghan migrant went on a stabbing spree in Mannheim, which is located in the southwest of Germany, where he wounded an anti-Islam activist and several others, including a police officer who died. Days later, a member of the German right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD) was stabbed in the city while canvassing for election. 

The violence comes ahead of three state elections next month in Thuringia, Saxony and Brandenburg, in which the anti-mass immigration right wing party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), has a chance of winning.

Though the motive and identity of the assailant were not known, a top AfD candidate for one of the state elections, Bjoern Hoecke, seized on Friday's attack, posting on X: "Do you really want to get used to this? Free yourselves and end this insanity of forced multiculturalism".

Fox News’ Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Since 2019, the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU) has conducted excavations in Bispevika, Oslo. 

Many ancient items have come out of excavations, but one recent find was particularly rare. 

The area, which has never been investigated by archaeologists before, brought to light a rare iron gauntlet from the Middle Ages, according to a translated report from Science Norway published August 12, 2024. 

RESEARCHERS UNEARTH FIND DATING BACK 2,400 YEARS IN ANCIENT GREEK CITY

The city of Oslo was founded by King Harald Hardraade around 1050, according to Britannica. 

In 1624, a blazing fire ravaged the city. Many of Oslo's buildings were made of wood, leaving them vulnerable to burning. 

Nearly every inch of the city was burned. King Christian IV of Denmark and Norway decided to rebuild the demolished city across the fjord, where it was closer to Akershus Fortress and better protected, according to the Oslo Museum website. The city was named Christiania, and renamed Oslo in 1925, according to Britannica. 

ANCIENT TREASURE DATING BACK THOUSANDS OF YEARS UNEARTHED IN BURIAL MOUND

There is a lot of mystery surrounding this rare object that dates back to the early 14th century and was used to protect the hand and wrist during combat. 

"The gauntlet would never have been left lying in the streets in medieval Oslo," Håvard Hegdal, an archaeologist at NIKU and the excavation's project manager, said, according to Science Norway. 

"This is an extremely expensive object. An ordinary person would never own something like this. The only way you can find things like this is if they’re buried or lost in some way. On the seabed, no one could have gotten hold of it," he continued. 

ART HISTORIAN SPOTS ANCIENT PORTRAIT THOUGHT TO BE LOST IN BACKGROUND OF PHOTO SHARED ON SOCIAL MEDIA

The exact explanation for how the gauntlet got to the place where it was found is unknown and unlikely to ever be determined. 

However, Hegdal said he finds it "very difficult to imagine someone losing their gauntlet during a battle." 

"If there had been anything else related to the gauntlet, we would’ve already found it. It’s an archaeologist's dream to find remains of some of the battles that took place out there in the fjord, but we haven’t. So, the best explanation we have so far is simply that someone lost it. You could call that bad luck," he said. 

Even though the gauntlet no longer maintains the same structure it once did, the imprint left behind was evidence enough for Hegdal to identify the object. 

Many documents belonging to Oslo were reduced to ashes in the 1700s, making it more difficult to understand the full story behind the find. 

"Many Norwegian medieval documents were burned in Copenhagen in the 1700s. The city law for Oslo is not preserved," Hegdal said. "We haven’t even found any regulations or documentation indicating that items were thrown into the sea. We only have all the weapons we've found out there," he said, per Science Norway. 

There have been discoveries of several other ancient objects during excavations in Oslo, including a multitude of weapons, such as daggers, swords and axes.