The Israeli military sent a message to those living in parts of Rafah to “evacuate immediately.” Boeing looks to have a successful launch of its manned spacecraft after years of setbacks. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, May 6, 2024.
Israel tells people in parts of Rafah to ‘evacuate immediately’
The Israeli military has issued a call for people living in sections of the Gaza town of Rafah to “evacuate immediately,” as Israel prepares to strike the border city as part of its mission targeting Hamas.
A spokesperson with the Israeli Defense Forces said those in the eastern region of Rafah should evacuate to an “expanded humanitarian area.”
A Hamas official told Reuters the evacuation order on Monday, May 6, is a “dangerous escalation that will have consequences.” Aid agencies as well as allies like the U.S. have spoken out against Israel carrying out an operation in Rafah where more than 1 million displaced Palestinians have relocated during the war. Israeli officials said the evacuation is temporary and impacts around 100,000 people.
The IDF said calls for civilians to move would be conveyed through flyers, texts, phone calls and media broadcasts. The evacuation alert is coming a day after the Israeli defense minister told troops inside Gaza to expect “intense action in Rafah in the near future.”
On Sunday, May 5, the IDF said 10 rockets struck a border crossing used for humanitarian trucks in an attack claimed by Hamas. Three IDF soldiers were killed. Israel shut down the crossing after the attack and it remains closed.
Also on Sunday, Israel announced it was shutting down the Al Jazeera news network in its borders citing a threat to national security. Al Jazeera called the move a “criminal act.”
As talks concerning a cease-fire in Gaza continue, President Joe Biden will host Jordan’s King Abdullah II today for a private meeting at the White House.
Bodies found in Mexico identified as American tourist, Australian brothers
Three bodies found in Mexico have been identified as those of a missing American tourist and two Australian brothers. The FBI confirmed three bodies were found on Friday, May 3, in a well in the Mexican state of Baja California, about an hour and a half south of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Mexican authorities, releasing more information on Sunday night, May 5, said the bodies were identified by the families of American Jack Carter Rhoad and Australians Callum and Jake Robinson. The three friends, who were on a surfing trip, disappeared last week.
Officials said each was found with a gunshot wound to the head following an alleged carjacking incident. Mexican officials have arrested three suspects in connection with their deaths.
A fourth body was also found with the group but is not related to this case, authorities noted.
The U.S. State Department is monitoring the situation and has a current travel advisory for Baja California, urging tourists to reconsider travel to the region due to crime and kidnapping risks.
Child killed in Texas floods as heavy rains continue to impact the state
One child died in Texas over the weekend as floods swept through the state, including heavy rainfall in Houston and surrounding areas. The incident occurred in Johnson County, just south of Fort Worth, where a car carrying two adults and a child was overwhelmed by fast-moving waters early Sunday, May 5.
Jamie Moore, the Johnson County Emergency Management director, reported that a child and two adults were swept away while attempting to reach dry ground. Moore said that the two adults were rescued at about 5 a.m. and hospitalized, while the child was found deceased in the water around 7:20 a.m.
The severe flooding affecting over 100 square miles, however, no other deaths or injuries have been reported in Houston.
The National Weather Service has documented up to 23 inches of rain in some places, and while lighter rain is expected moving forward, the risk of flooding persists.
ABC News President Kim Godwin steps down after 3 years
Kim Godwin is stepping down as president of ABC News after three years, announcing her retirement from the news industry in a Sunday, May 5, message to staff.
Godwin, who joined ABC in 2021 from CBS News, was the first Black woman to lead a network news division. Her tenure was marked by criticism from employees over her management style.
Recently, Disney, ABC’s parent company, placed executive Debra O’Connell in a supervisory role over Godwin and the news division. O’Connell will assume Godwin’s responsibilities temporarily.
Boeing Starliner looks for successful launch after years of delay
NASA astronauts are set to test-drive Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft during its first manned mission to the International Space Station on Monday, May 6, after a decade of mechanical challenges.
The crewed flight test aims to validate Starliner’s capabilities for regular trips to the ISS under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Boeing has encountered setbacks with Starliner, including a failed uncrewed test flight in 2019 due to software issues and challenges with the vehicle’s parachute system.
Despite these hurdles, NASA has expressed confidence in the spacecraft’s improvements and Boeing’s commitment to safety. The mission will feature two veteran astronauts on a week-long test flight.
Kentucky Derby, NASCAR race end in photo finishes
It was an exhilarating weekend in sports that featured two photo finishes.
The first occurred on Saturday, May 4, at the Kentucky Derby, where Mystik Dan narrowly defeated Sierra Leone and Forever Young by a nose. This photo finish at Churchill Downs marked the 26th time the Derby was decided by a neck or less.
Then, a little over 24 hours later, NASCAR witnessed its closest finish in Cup Series history at Kansas Speedway, with Kyle Larson edging out Chris Buescher by a thousandth of a second. Initially, Buescher was declared the winner, but after further review, Larson was announced the victor, claiming his second win of the 2024 season.
Both photo finishes utilized the same camera technology to determine the winner, according to The Athletic.