8 Israeli soldiers killed in southern Gaza in deadliest attack on Israeli forces in months
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s military confirms that eight soldiers have been killed in southern Gaza in the most lethal attack on Israeli forces in months. The army announced on Saturday that the troops were killed in an explosion. These deaths are expected to increase calls for a cease-fire and amplify Israeli public outrage over ultra-Orthodox exemptions from military service. Despite months of cease-fire negotiations, there has been no agreement between Israel and Hamas. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned earlier this week that Hamas had proposed alterations to a U.S.-backed plan, with some deemed “workable” and others not specified.
Trump criticizes immigrants for taking jobs while appealing to voters at a Black church and MAGA event in Detroit
DETROIT (AP) — Former President Donald Trump is pointing fingers at immigrants for stealing jobs and government resources as he reaches out to separate groups of Black voters and staunch conservatives in crucial Michigan. Trump hosted a roundtable discussion on Saturday at an African American church in Detroit and delivered an evening speech at Turning Point Action, an organization that the Anti-Defamation League notes has attracted white supremacists. Trump criticized immigrants for causing “tremendous harm to our Black population and to our Hispanic population.” These comments were a central theme in the city as he aimed to unite a fragile political coalition. Trump also made baseless claims attacking the nation’s voting system.
Biden transitions from G7 summit to Hollywood fundraiser, balancing global politics with reelection campaign
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hollywood’s elite is coming together to support President Joe Biden’s campaign at a lavish fundraiser headlined by George Clooney and Julia Roberts, with former President Barack Obama also making an appearance. Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel will interview all four of them at Saturday night’s event at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The Biden campaign estimates that the event will raise a minimum of $28 million. Biden has returned to the U.S. following the Group of Seven summit in Italy and decided to skip a meeting in Switzerland where world leaders are discussing how to end Russia’s conflict in Ukraine. Vice President Kamala Harris is attending on behalf of the U.S.
Indiana Republicans object to Mike Braun’s choice for lieutenant governor, supporting a far-right candidate
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Republicans have rejected Senator Mike Braun’s selection for lieutenant governor and instead chosen a conservative pastor with far-right views to be his running mate. Braun, who is leaving the Senate, endorsed State Representative Julie McGuire for the position when he secured the GOP nomination for governor. Typically, Indiana delegates support the nominee’s chosen running mate without opposition. However, during the state Republican Party convention on Saturday, the delegates opted for pastor Micah Beckwith over McGuire. Beckwith advocates uncompromising stances on abortion, gender, and sexuality, and cohosts the “Jesus, Sex and Politics” podcast. He spent a year lobbying delegates to secure the nomination.
World leaders convene in Switzerland to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine, with Russia notably absent
OBBÃœRGEN, Switzerland (AP) — Numerous world leaders have gathered at a Swiss resort to explore potential pathways to peace in war-torn Ukraine, although the absence of Russia dampens hopes for a major breakthrough. After more than two years of conflict, the opposing sides remain entrenched in their positions, with Kyiv insisting that Russia must vacate all Ukrainian territory it has seized, while Moscow continues its relentless offensive which has already captured significant parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. Despite Russia’s non-participation in the summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed optimism on Saturday that the event could set the foundation for eventually ending the war.
UK royals unite on palace balcony, with the return of Kate to her first public appearance since cancer diagnosis
LONDON (AP) — Britain celebrates King Charles III’s birthday with a military parade that marked the return of the Princess of Wales to a public event since her cancer diagnosis earlier this year. Onlookers cheered as Kate joined other members of the royal family on a Buckingham Palace balcony at the conclusion of the King’s Birthday Parade. Kate revealed in March that she was undergoing chemotherapy for an unspecified form of cancer. Charles is also undergoing cancer treatment. The king inspected the troops at Saturday’s Trooping the Color event, featuring 1,400 soldiers, 250 military musicians, and over 200 horses.
Missouri woman’s murder conviction overturned after 43 years, with allegations that a police officer committed the crime
A judge has invalidated the conviction of a Missouri woman who was a psychiatric patient when she confessed to a 1980 killing. Sandra Hemme has spent 43 years in prison. Her attorneys claim that the crime was actually carried out by a now-discredited police officer. Judge Ryan Horsman ruled on Friday that Hemme had presented compelling evidence of her innocence. Her legal team asserts that this marks the longest duration a woman has been wrongly incarcerated. The judge ordered Hemme to be released within 30 days unless prosecutors opt to retry her. Prosecutors have yet to respond to inquiries from The Associated Press.
Angry Brazilian women organize protests against a bill equating late-term abortions with homicide
SAO PAULO (AP) — Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of Sao Paulo as protests sweep across Brazil in opposition to a bill seeking to further criminalize abortions. If approved, the legislation would view terminating a pregnancy after 22 weeks as homicide, with the measure also applicable in cases of rape. Critics argue that those seeking late-term abortions are often children who have been subjected to rape, as their pregnancies are typically detected later. Rights groups have launched the ‘A child is not a mother’ campaign to mobilize opposition, flooding social media with the slogan. Demonstrations have been adorned with placards, stickers, and banners carrying the message.
Haitian leaders remove police chief and appoint new one amid escalating gang violence claiming officers’ lives
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The embattled director of Haiti’s National Police has been ousted after facing sustained criticism for failing to adequately protect officers who are under siege by gangs. A government official not authorized to speak to the media informed The Associated Press on Saturday that Frantz Elbé has been replaced by former Haitian police chief Normil Rameau. Rameau was previously removed from the post nearly four years ago under a different administration, but now he will once again lead a department that is underfunded and ill-equipped. Over 2,500 people have been killed or injured across Haiti in the first three months of the year due to escalating gang violence, including nearly two dozen police officers.
Sellers of stem cells claim they can treat a wide range of conditions, but experts refute these assertions
Attorneys general from various states in the U.S. are taking action to shield Americans from unverified and costly stem cell treatments that salespeople insist can cure almost any ailment. Companies in Iowa are being sued for profiting from injecting people with stem cells that the Federal Drug Administration confirms have limited or no benefits and may result in severe side effects. One specialist stated to The Associated Press that numerous stem cells injected into individuals are already deceased when administered. Since 2017, the FDA has sent around 30 warning letters to consumers. The case in Iowa is set for trial next year.
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