At least 8 dead, over 300 injured at Astroworld music festival in Houston



A "mass casualty incident" occurred on Friday night during the sold-out Astroworld music festival in Houston, Texas. At least eight people are dead following a surge of concert-goers who pushed their way closer to the stage during a performance by rapper Travis Scott.

There were an estimated 50,000 people in attendance at the music festival held at NRG Park – where the event turned deadly around 9 p.m. when the Houston native rapper took the stage.

"The crowd began to compress towards the front of the stage, and that caused some panic, and it started causing some injuries," Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña told reporters at a news conference. "People began to fall out, become unconscious, and it created additional panic."

Peña said the Houston Fire Department transported 17 patients to the hospital, "11 of those transported were in cardiac arrest." One 10-year-old child was critically injured, according to Fox News. At least 300 patients were seen at an onsite field hospital throughout the day.

Houston Police Executive Assistant Chief Larry Satterwhite – who was near the front of the crowd – said the massive surge "happened all at once." He added that security knew at that moment it was time to end the concert prematurely.

"Suddenly we had several people down on the ground, experiencing some type of cardiac arrest or some type of medical episode," Satterwhite said. "And so we immediately started doing CPR, and moving people right then, and that's when I went and met with the promoters, and Live Nation, and they agreed to end early in the interest of public safety."

"A lot of times, kids don't make the best decisions," Satterwhite added. "Because they're young and amped up…. I just think it was so many people — and passion — to see this entertainer. I don't know, and a lot of bad decisions"

Video from the concert shows people dancing on top of an emergency vehicle attempting to attend to those in distress.

Another video- #Disturbing video shows people #jumping on top of the police personal cars while they were trying to get #unconscious people out of the #crowd.\n\n#Houston #ASTROWORLDFest #TravisScott #AstroWorld #music #festival #Houston\n#KHOU11pic.twitter.com/tubnfQIVPS

— Chaudhary Parvez (@ChaudharyParvez) 1636183126

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said an investigation is needed to discover what caused the deadly event.

"I think it's very important that none of us speculate. Nobody has all the answers tonight," Finner said. "We're going to do an investigation and find out because it's not fair to the producers, to anybody else involved, until we determine what happened, what caused the surge. We don't know, but we will find out."

Finner also said they are working to confirm the identities of the deceased. He noted that the event had a "good security plan," with 367 police officers and 241 security officers on hand.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said, "Our hearts are broken. People go to these events looking for a good time, a chance to unwind, to make memories. It's not the kind of event you go to where you expect to find out about fatalities. … Obviously, this is the last place we want to be – especially after we've been through so much as a community. But we have incredibly capable law enforcement officials here."

Organizers of the Astroworld Festival released a statement on Saturday morning:

Our hearts are with the Astroworld Festival family tonight - especially those we lost and their loved ones. We are focused on supporting local officials however we can. With that in mind the festival will no longer be held on Saturday. As authorities mentioned in their press conference earlier, they are looking into the series of cardiac arrests that took place. If you have any relevant information on this, please reach out to Houston Police. Thank you to our partners at the Houston Police Department, Fire Department, and NRG Park for their response and support

Earlier Friday, a mob stormed through barricades to enter the festival. Around 2 p.m., people are seen on the ground being trampled by the crowd. There were reportedly three injuries linked to the storming of the venue gates.

(CAUTION: Graphic video)

It wasn't a pretty sight as the gates began to open at NRG Stadium for the first day of the Astroworld festival. Video captured festival-goers getting trampled as a huge crowd pushed their way through the entrance gates. \n\nFollow @zacktKHOU\u00a0for the latest coverage.pic.twitter.com/lAFUJVh10o

— KHOU 11 News Houston (@KHOU) 1636149192

ALERT Mass casualty incident: 8 dead, several injured at Astroworld festival in Houstonpic.twitter.com/bSZsHnkQjL

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) 1636184986

Day 2 of the Astroworld Festival that was scheduled for Saturday has been canceled.

Stampede At Astroworld Festival In Houston Leaves At Least 8 Dead www.youtube.com

Man dressed as Joker stabs, slashes, injures at least 17 people during Halloween attack on Tokyo subway before setting a fire



A man dressed up in a Joker costume injured at least 17 people during a chaotic Tokyo subway knife attack on Sunday before setting a fire, Reuters reported.

What are the details?

Multiple outlets reported that the suspect, 24-year-old Kyota Hattori, was dressed as the Joker when he menaced Tokyo subway passengers during Halloween festivities.

The Associated Press reported that at least three people suffered serious injuries.

One witness said that he initially believed the incident was a "Halloween stunt" until he saw the suspect advancing on him while "slowly waving a long knife."

The news agency said that pandemonium ensued, with people scrambling to escape the subway, with some even jumping from windows in order to flee from the attacker.

A man has been arrested in Tokyo, Japan for attempted murder, after at least 17 people were injured in a knife and… https://t.co/pHUoeNJfuD

— BFM News (@NewsBFM) 1635727542.0

The suspect, after stabbing and slashing passengers, poured liquid that "resembled oil" from a plastic bottle and set fire to subway seats, Reuters reported. Some social media users reported that the liquid, instead, was hydrochloric acid that was sprayed on passengers.

Another witness added, "Train doors were closed and we had no idea what was happening, and we jumped from the windows. It was horrifying."

Following the attack, Reuters reported that the suspect could be seen sitting in an empty train car with his legs crossed and smoking a cigarette.

Social media user News for All shared a clip of the suspect and wrote, "NEW: The alleged attacker in Japan, in a 'Joker' costume. Sitting and casually smoking after stabbing and spraying hydrochloric acid on passengers on a train in Tokyo, and then setting everything on fire."

🚨 | NEW: The alleged attacker in Japan, in a “Joker” costume. Sitting and casually smoking after stabbing and spray… https://t.co/hnJTM5WJBn

— News For All (@NewsForAllUK) 1635692135.0

Authorities soon arrived at the scene following the attack and were able to take the suspect into custody without incident.

He is being held on suspicion of attempted murder as authorities continue to investigate the incident.

According to reports, the suspect told authorities that he "wanted to kill people and get the death penalty."

Reuters reported that the attack took place on the Keio express line bound for Shinjuku, which is the world's busiest rail station, at around 8 p.m. local time.

Insider Paper shared video of the attack in its early stages on Twitter, captioning it, "BREAKING: At least 6 people injured, several jumped from windows after a man with knife set part of train on fire at Tokyo metro station in Chofu city."

BREAKING: At least 6 people injured, several jumped off from windows after a man with knife set part of train on fi… https://t.co/PdLIqTd9qz

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) 1635684325.0

Videos emerge from Kabul: Taliban fighters celebrating inside Afghanistan's presidential palace, complete chaos at the airport



Videos are emerging from Kabul showing the Taliban leadership celebrating inside the country's presidential palace, juxtaposed against footage of chaos at the capital city's airport where throngs of panicked crowds desperately try to flee Afghanistan.

Heavily-armed Taliban commanders effortlessly entered Kabul's presidential palace after it was abandoned by Ashraf Ghani, the former president of Afghanistan, who fled to Tajikistan.

Taliban enter presidential palace in #Kabul. Dat is allemaal live te zien op #Aljazeera. Precies een fictie film. https://t.co/jk6yXyph2X
— Majd Khalifeh (@Majd_Khalifeh) 1629050924.0


#Taliban inside presidential palace in #Kabul . https://t.co/ztYX9Rj20q
— Majd Khalifeh (@Majd_Khalifeh) 1629051035.0

Footage of the moment that Taliban leadership waltzed into the presidential palace surfaced on Sunday. The Taliban fighters were seen taking cell phone selfie photos with rifles around their shoulders.

Armed Taliban fighters have entered Afghanistan's presidential palace in Kabul hours after President Ashraf Ghani f… https://t.co/onvvukWCfu
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) 1629054888.0

From the presidential palace, the ruling Taliban leadership is soon expected to restore the country as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, which was the formal name of the country before the Taliban was dethroned after 9/11 by U.S.-led forces.

Suhail Shaheen, a Taliban spokesman and negotiator, told the Associated Press that the Islamic fundamentalist group would hold talks in the coming days in an effort at forming an "open, inclusive Islamic government."

There was a far different energy at the Kabul airport, where panicked people attempted to flee the country. Swarms of people are seen in videos clamoring to gain access to the last few flights before the Taliban imposes a vice-like grip on Afghanistan.

There were reports of gunshots being fired as people entered the airport. The U.S. State Department confirmed reports of gunfire at the airport.

Absolutely insane. People are trying to enter the Kabil airport as shots fired. It is a reminder that a UAE con… https://t.co/9JiD95xgTO
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) 1629061139.0

Video shows pandemonium inside the jam-packed Kabul International Airport, formally known as Hamid Karzai International Airport.

BREAKING: Chaos at Kabul Airport in Afghanistan as hundreds try to flee the country as soon as possible. https://t.co/jwui8bjbFs
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) 1629055102.0

There was complete chaos on the tarmac as hordes of people in despair search for a way to escape the country.

Another Saigon moment: chaotic scenes at Kabul International Airport. No security. None. https://t.co/6BuXqBTHWk
— Saad Mohseni (@saadmohseni) 1629058451.0


May God help them all in the Kabul airport https://t.co/hoGYzaKr0L
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) 1629061714.0

With extreme urgency, people try to board a cargo plane.

Scenes from #Kabul Airport, #Afghanistan showing people boarding what appears to a C17 (please correct me if wrong)… https://t.co/hqdQaGdP7O
— Aurora Intel (@AuroraIntel) 1629045888.0

CNN correspondent Jennifer Hansler reported that the Biden administration has "curtailed the number of flights to the US for Afghans who worked alongside the US as it prioritizes the evacuation of American personnel from the country."

Hansler's sources said, "The last flight for the time being of Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants and their families bound for Fort Lee, Virginia, has left Afghanistan."

According to multiple reports, people were already painting over advertisements of women in Kabul in preparation for the incoming rule by the radical Islamic regime.

Meanwhile Kabul: People are painting the women pictures https://t.co/cztZbBkheI
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) 1629026313.0

Video caught the moment Sky News' chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay claimed to have witnessed a Taliban procession in Kabul.

Sky News' chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay witnesses a Taliban procession in Kabul. He first heard shouting while… https://t.co/bz9PXujFAW
— Sky News (@SkyNews) 1629028742.0

WATCH: Tens of thousands participate in worldwide anti-vaccine passport protests, violent clashes erupt



Protests against vaccine passports erupted across the planet, stretching from London to Sydney. Hundreds of thousands of people rallied against government plans to institute vaccine passes that will grant access to many places to those who are vaccinated.

In France, approximately 160,000 anti-vaccine passport protesters took to the streets to protest a proposed vaccine pass. Protesters in Paris chanted, "Liberty! Liberty!"

The vaccine passport is being considered by legislators in France's Senate, and would require French citizens to have a special vaccine pass to enter restaurants. The proposed bill would also mandate COVID-19 vaccination for all health care workers.

In Paris, tensions flared to the point that the police fired water cannons and tear gas at the crowd, and numerous arrests were made.

NEW 🚨 Huge protests broke out in central Paris against COVID-19 curbs and vaccination https://t.co/tsd3AJKVcP

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) 1627141441.0


PARIS - Nouvelle manifestation contre le #PassSanitaire des #GiletsJaunes #AntiPassSanitaire #manif24juillet https://t.co/mF0Sefg9X0

— Clément Lanot (@ClementLanot) 1627130196.0


The protest in Paris, France against the Macron government domestic vaccine pass is massive. https://t.co/K20R1GMRCN

— Marie Oakes (@TheMarieOakes) 1627141097.0


Meanwhile the French continue to tussle with the police in Paris over the #PasseSanitaire #NonAuPassDeLaHonte… https://t.co/yEXlUn2WP3

— Gillian McKeith (@GillianMcKeith) 1627143810.0


Les #ChampsElysees noyé sous les lacrymogènes. #manif24juillet #PasseSanitaire https://t.co/7eG7QAsCuE https://t.co/tWkZ3Y6BhU

— Clément Lanot (@ClementLanot) 1627144486.0

Thousands participated in large protests in London, where anti-vaccine passport demonstrators got into physical altercations with law enforcement.

JUST IN 🚨Trump 2024 “Save America Again!” flag spotted at anti-vaccine passport protest today in London at Trafalga… https://t.co/TKsglpRYH8

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) 1627145412.0


Violence erupts outside Parliament during latest London anti-lockdown protest. Footage of ugly scenes this evening… https://t.co/iV3oBCBv7B

— Urban Pictures (@Urban_Pictures) 1627151021.0

Thousands protested coronavirus vaccine certificates in Milan, Italy. As of Aug. 6, Italy will require a "Green Pass," a proof of COVID vaccination which will be required to "enter cinemas, museums, indoor swimming pools or sports stadiums, or eat indoors at restaurants."

Grande manifestation à Milan aujourd'hui contre le pass sanitaire. Des manifestations ont eu lieu dans les principa… https://t.co/RuGnoTPaD1

— Anonyme Citoyen (@AnonymeCitoyen) 1627158103.0

An estimated 3,500 people participated in protests in Sydney, Australia. The crowd demanded the termination of the city's lockdown, which is entering its fifth week and only permits residents with a reasonable excuse to leave home. The crowd chanted, "You serve us!" There were violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement, and several police officers were assaulted. There were 57 people arrested.

Following Saturday's protest, the New South Wales police minister, David Elliott, announced the creation of a strike force to identify every protester at the "super spreader" event.

Sydney, Australia stands for Freedom. #EnoughIsEnough https://t.co/7248ahtoni

— Gillian McKeith (@GillianMcKeith) 1627108195.0


People are saying Enough is Enough in #Sydney. Let your voices be heard. We’ re all fed up with governments protec… https://t.co/DbAY2HyFeb

— Abir Ballan (@abirballan) 1627126854.0


NEW 🚨 Scenes from large anti-lockdown protest rally in Sydney, Australia https://t.co/THIKJKXOHK

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) 1627142637.0


Australians are angry at the unscientific lockdowns. The police are in full force to prevent them from demonstratin… https://t.co/cUQ6g7q4oO

— ELIJAH SCHAFFER (@ElijahSchaffer) 1627150330.0


Such ugly scenes. This is all just so bad https://t.co/BBs8O80Gub

— Gavin Coote (@GavinCoote) 1627105956.0

Iran's largest warship sinks after massive fire



Iran's largest warship, the Kharg, sank after catching fire in the early hours Wednesday morning, Sky News reported.

According to the Associated Press, the 679-foot ship sank despite firefighters' valiant efforts to contain the blaze.

Iran's largest navy warship has sunk in the Gulf of Oman after catching fire https://t.co/eIVeUufWYQ

— Sky News (@SkyNews) 1622646444.0

What are the details?

The ship, which was stationed in the Gulf of Oman for a training mission, caught fire around 2:25 a.m. Wednesday.

Photos on social media captured the moment sailors were forced to evacuate the ship as it sank near the port of Jask, near the Strait of Hormuz.

"All efforts to save the vessel were unsuccessful and it sank," Iran's semi-official Fars news agency said in a Wednesday statement on the disaster.

BREAKING 🚨 Largest ship in the Iran’s navy “Kharg” caught fire and sank in the Gulf of Oman https://t.co/Rs5oZUI3B0

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) 1622616253.0

Iranian state media have yet to issue an official explanation for the sinking of the massive vessel, but Sky News reported that the sinking took place in an area in which there have been "accusations of attacks on ships owned by archenemies Iran and Israel."

In April, Iranian ship Saviz was reportedly targeted with "limpet mines" while it was in the Red Sea. The outlet noted that both Iran and Israel have blamed the other for cargo ship attacks since February.

Sky News reported, "The sinking is the latest in a number of recent naval disasters for Iran. A missile fired during a training exercise in 2020 mistakenly hit a ship — also near the port of Jask, killing 19 sailors; and in 2018 one of its destroyers sank in the Caspian Sea."

Iranian Navy's largest ship, The Kharg, a naval replenishment ship, was set to participate in a training exercise w… https://t.co/Bw0tkx4Z7k

— Freddie Saxon (@WordsmithSaxon) 1622664407.0

According to the Associated Press, Wednesday's disaster "follows a series of mysterious explosions that began in 2019" and appeared to target commercial ships in the Gulf of Oman.

From the report:

Iran denied that, though U.S. Navy footage showed Revolutionary Guard members removing one unexploded limpet mine from a ship. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran after then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers. Negotiations on saving the accord continue in Vienna.

In April, an Iranian ship called the MV Saviz believed to be a Guard base and anchored for years in the Red Sea off Yemen was targeted in an attack suspected to have been carried out by Israel. It escalated a yearslong shadow war in the Mideast between the two countries, ranging from strikes in Syria, assaults on ships and attacks on Iran's nuclear program.

Fire has broken out at Iranian Army's Kharg vessel. No casualties so far.Telegram channel affiliated with Iranian… https://t.co/cq5661wBLd

— Reza Khaasteh (@Khaaasteh) 1622588324.0

State media reported that 400 sailors and trainee cadets on board the vessel evacuated. At least 33 people were injured in connection with the fire and subsequent sinking.

Mike Connell of the Center for Naval Analysis in Arlington, Virginia, said that the Iranian navy's loss is great.

"For the regular Iranian navy, this vessel was very valuable because it gave them reach," Connell told the Associated Press. "That allowed them to conduct operations far afield. They do have other logistics vessels, but the Kharg was kind of the most capable and the largest."