Hamas responds to Gaza cease-fire plan seeking some changes. US says it’s ‘evaluating’ the reply
BEIRUT (AP) — Hamas has provided its response to the U.S.-backed proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza to Qatari and Egyptian mediators, requesting some modifications to the deal. Both Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad militant group expressed readiness on Tuesday to “deal positively to arrive at an agreement” with the aim of bringing a “complete stop” to the ongoing conflict. A senior Hamas official mentioned that they have “submitted some remarks on the proposal to the mediators” without giving further details. The foreign ministries of Qatar and Egypt issued a joint statement stating that the response is currently being reviewed by the mediators. The White House national security spokesman confirmed that Washington has received Hamas’ response and is currently “evaluating” it.
The Latest | Rockets fired from Lebanon after Israel kills Hezbollah commander
After Israeli airstrikes that resulted in the death of four officials from the militant Hezbollah group in a southern Lebanese village, multiple rockets were launched from Lebanon towards northern Israel on Wednesday morning. Tensions escalated after Hamas responded to a U.S.-backed proposal for a Gaza cease-fire and hostage release, indicating the need for some “amendments” on the agreement. While Hamas generally supports the proposal, there are concerns regarding Israel’s commitment to implementing its terms, particularly concerning a permanent end to the fighting and a full withdrawal from Gaza in exchange for the release of all hostages held by the militants.
What’s next for Hunter Biden after his conviction on federal gun charges
Following his conviction on three felony firearms charges, Hunter Biden’s legal troubles continue as he faces sentencing and another trial on tax charges amidst his father’s reelection campaign. Jurors found him guilty after a trial in Wilmington, Delaware, related to a gun purchase in 2018 while he was struggling with a drug addiction. Defense attorney Abbe Lowell stated that they will persist in pursuing all available legal challenges following the verdict.
AP sources: 8 people with possible Islamic State ties arrested in US on immigration violations
Several individuals from Tajikistan suspected of having ties to the Islamic State group were recently arrested in New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles, for immigration violations. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force tracked these individuals, who entered the U.S. through the southern border. They are currently in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement awaiting removal proceedings.
North Korea’s Kim hails Russia ties as Putin reportedly plans a visit
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un praised the growing relationship with Russia amid reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing for his third meeting with Kim. Kim’s message to Putin on Russia’s National Day highlighted the strengthening bilateral ties, which have seen increased cooperation since Kim’s visit to Russia last September for a meeting with Putin. Reports suggest that Putin is planning visits to North Korea and Vietnam in the upcoming week.
More than 1.5 million foreign Muslims arrive in Mecca for annual Hajj pilgrimage
Foreign Muslim pilgrims have begun arriving in Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, with over 1.5 million already present. The number is expected to increase as hundreds of thousands of Saudis and residents in Saudi Arabia are set to participate when the pilgrimage officially commences on Friday. Saudi officials anticipate surpassing the participant numbers from 2023, nearing pre-pandemic levels when over 2.4 million Muslims performed Hajj in 2019.
Supreme Court has a lot of work to do and little time to do it with a sizeable case backlog
The Supreme Court faces significant work in the final few weeks of its term, with nearly half of this year’s cases still pending decisions. Among the unresolved cases are those with the potential to impact laws relating to various issues including firearms, abortion, and social media. Additionally, the court is considering whether former President Donald Trump is immune from prosecution in an election interference case, over a month since arguments were heard. With 29 cases yet to be decided out of the 61 heard so far, the court is under pressure to finalize its rulings.
Faking an honest woman: Why Russia, China and Big Tech all use faux females to get clicks
Research indicates that in the realm of online scams and foreign disinformation, entities benefit from presenting as female personas. Chatbots and fake social media accounts with feminine personas tend to garner more engagement, likely due to the perception of women as warm and approachable. As such, many chatbots adopt female personalities, while groups associated with Russia and China utilize fake accounts with female profile pictures to disseminate disinformation and propaganda.
Federal Reserve is likely to scale back plans for rate cuts because of persistent inflation
Federal Reserve officials are expected to revise their rate cut projections to align with the reality of ongoing high inflation levels. Instead of the previously anticipated three rate cuts, policymakers are likely to project only one or two cuts by the end of the year. The Fed’s monetary policies have far-reaching effects on consumer and business borrowing costs, impacting areas such as mortgages, auto loans, and credit card rates.
Thefts of charging cables pose yet another obstacle to appeal of electric vehicles
Across the U.S., thieves have been targeting electric vehicle charging stations to steal the copper wiring from the cables, which is currently at a near-record high price on global markets. The stolen cables often render charging stations inoperable, presenting a new challenge for automakers attempting to promote the adoption of electric vehicles. The prevalence of broken charging stations adds to existing consumer concerns about the availability and functionality of EV infrastructure, potentially hindering the transition away from gasoline-powered vehicles.
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