Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he will not agree to a deal that would end the war in Gaza, further complicating the latest truce proposal
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The potential success of a U.S.-backed plan to bring an end to the 8-month-long conflict in Gaza has been thrown into doubt following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declaration that he would only consider a “partial” cease-fire agreement that does not completely end the war. Netanyahu’s comments, made in an interview with a pro-Netanyahu Israeli television channel late Sunday, have sparked outrage among families of hostages held by Hamas. While Netanyahu’s remarks are largely in line with his previous statements regarding his conditions for a deal, they come at a critical juncture and could pose a setback for mediators working towards peace.
Will Trump be shielded from criminal charges as a former president? The nation awaits a ruling from the Supreme Court
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is set to address a trio of decisions arising from the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The court will soon rule on whether Donald Trump is immune from criminal charges related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, as well as whether Trump supporters involved in storming the Capitol can be prosecuted for obstructing an official proceeding. Additionally, the court will decide whether former Trump adviser Steve Bannon can remain out of prison while appealing his conviction for contempt of Congress in relation to defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the Capitol attack.
Rail bridge collapse occurs during Midwest flooding while a heatwave persists across much of the U.S.
A massive train bridge has collapsed in the Sioux City, Iowa area during flooding in the Midwest, leading to evacuations and at least one fatality. Images from local media show a significant portion of the steel bridge submerged as floodwaters from the Big Sioux River rush over it. Heavy rainfall has triggered flooding in South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota, resulting in entire neighborhoods and a whole town in Iowa being evacuated. More rain is forecasted for the week, while a heatwave is expected to persist in the Southeast, parts of the South, and the Plains.
Young gay Latinos are seeing a rise in new HIV cases, prompting calls for targeted funding
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has been working on an initiative to end the country’s HIV epidemic by allocating hundreds of millions of dollars annually to states, counties, and territories with the highest infection rates. While African Americans still have the highest HIV rates in the U.S. overall, a KFF Health News-Associated Press analysis reveals that Latinos accounted for the largest share of new HIV diagnoses and infections among gay and bisexual men in 2022 compared to other racial and ethnic groups. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asserts that “HIV disparities are not inevitable,” with Latino health policy advocates urging the federal government to declare a public health emergency in order to direct more resources towards prevention and treatment.
In an affluent Atlanta suburb, Biden and Trump vie for the support of skeptical Georgia voters
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Georgia, where the 2020 election ended with the closest margin of any state, turning it into the focal point of efforts to challenge the election results, will host the first general election debate between Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump in their rematch. The debate in Georgia will test each candidate’s ability to assemble a winning coalition despite their respective challenges. Many voters express disillusionment with the Biden-Trump rematch, with some former solid Republicans hesitant to support Trump and Biden facing the task of recreating the coalition that secured his narrow victory. Potential defections from the Democratic incumbent may come from Black and young voters.
The ‘Hamster’ crypto phenomenon spreads in Iran, revealing economic difficulties ahead of the presidential election
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — In June, cab drivers and pedestrians in Tehran were engrossed in the “Hamster Kombat” app on their mobile phones, hopeful of financial gain. The popularity of the app underscores the economic challenges facing the Islamic Republic ahead of the upcoming presidential election to succeed the late President Ebrahim Raisi. Iran’s economy continues to be impacted by Western sanctions, high inflation, and job shortages. With increasing interest in digital currencies like bitcoin, Iranians are flocking to apps like “Hamster Kombat” in search of potential profits.
Dagestan observes a day of mourning following attacks that claimed 20 lives, according to officials
MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian region of Dagestan is in the midst of three days of mourning after a series of attacks by Islamic militants resulted in 20 fatalities, mostly police officers, while targeting places of worship in two cities. Sunday’s violence, attributed to Islamic extremists in the predominantly Muslim region in the North Caucasus, marked the deadliest incident in Russia since March when gunmen opened fire at a concert near Moscow, killing 145 people. While an affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the earlier attack, no group has claimed responsibility for the recent attacks in the cities of Makhachkala and Derbent in Dagestan. All five perpetrators were reportedly killed.
Fire at lithium battery factory in South Korea claims the lives of 22 individuals, predominantly Chinese migrant workers
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A fire believed to have been triggered by exploding lithium batteries has engulfed a manufacturing factory near Seoul, leading to the deaths of 22 individuals, the majority of whom were Chinese migrant workers, with eight others sustaining injuries. The fire erupted during an inspection and packaging process on the factory’s second floor, where batteries exploded. An investigation is underway, with the deceased comprising 18 Chinese, two South Koreans, and one Laotian. Over the years, a significant number of ethnic Koreans from China have migrated to South Korea in search of employment opportunities.
Some tourists visiting Israel include a new stop on their itinerary: witnessing the aftermath of Hamas’ attacks in the south
KIBBUTZ NIR OZ, Israel (AP) — In the wake of Hamas’ October 7 attack, a distinctive form of tourism has emerged in Israel. Celebrities, politicians, influencers, and others include a visit to the devastated southern regions in their travel plans to comprehend the gravity of the assault. For some visitors, standing at these sites has provided a deeper understanding of the loss of life. While some residents appreciate the importance of outsiders bearing witness to the devastation, there is also a desire among locals for memorials to be erected outside their communities as they look towards a future beyond the influx of visitors. One resident questions, “Isn’t our full cemetery memorial enough?”
Japanese emperor’s state visit to the U.K. aims to strengthen ties, starting with a special connection to the River Thames
LONDON (AP) — Before Emperor Naruhito of Japan participates in engagements such as a banquet hosted by King Charles III and visits to prominent sites in the U.K., he will commence his trip with a visit to a location of personal significance: The Thames Barrier. While the flood control gates on the River Thames are not typically tourist attractions, the emperor maintains a special connection to the waterway, developed during his time as a graduate student at the University of Oxford when he studied 18th-century trade on the Thames. The visit is intended to bolster ties between Japan and the U.K., showcasing the emperor’s affinity for the iconic London river.
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