Netanyahu refuses to accept a deal to end the war in Gaza, casting doubt on the latest truce proposal
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has raised doubts about a U.S.-backed plan to end the 8-month-long conflict in Gaza by stating that he would only agree to a “partial” cease-fire that does not bring an end to the war. His remarks, made in an interview with a pro-Netanyahu Israeli TV channel on Sunday, have triggered outcry from the families of hostages held by Hamas. While Netanyahu’s comments align with his previous statements on the terms for a deal, they come at a critical juncture and could hinder efforts by mediators to resolve the conflict.
Mass shootings over the weekend plague the US as summer begins
As the first weekend of summer unfolds, American cities affected by gun violence witness a tragic pattern of mass shootings. Incidents over the weekend resulted in numerous casualties at a party in Alabama, an entertainment district in Ohio, and a grocery store in Arkansas. This marks the second weekend in a row with a surge in mass shootings across the country, prompting mayors in affected cities to appeal for assistance from state and federal authorities. In Montgomery, Alabama, police reported that hundreds of rounds were fired during a crowded party early Sunday, leaving nine individuals injured.
Midwest flooding causes a rail bridge to collapse, leading to evacuations and at least one fatality
NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (AP) — Severe flooding in the Midwest has resulted in the collapse of a large train bridge in the Sioux City, Iowa, region, causing evacuations and claiming the life of at least one person. Images from local media show a significant section of the steel bridge submerged in water as floodwaters from the Big Sioux River sweep over it. Intense rainfall has triggered flooding in South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota, prompting the evacuation of entire neighborhoods and a town in Iowa. Additional rainfall is anticipated this week, while forecasters project a continuation of a heatwave in the Southeast, parts of the South, and the Plains.
Is Trump immune from criminal charges as a former president? The nation awaits the Supreme Court’s decision
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is poised to address a series of pivotal decisions stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol. The justices are expected to rule on whether Donald Trump is shielded from criminal prosecution for his actions to overturn the 2020 election results and if Trump supporters involved in storming the Capitol can face charges for obstructing official proceedings. Additionally, the court will determine whether former Trump advisor Steve Bannon can avoid prison while he appeals his contempt of Congress conviction for defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the Capitol attack.
Young gay Latinos account for a growing proportion of new HIV cases, prompting calls for targeted funding
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has been engaged in an ongoing initiative to eliminate the nation’s HIV epidemic by allocating substantial funds annually to states, counties, and territories with high infection rates. While African Americans continue to exhibit the highest HIV rates nationwide, an analysis by KFF Health News-Associated Press reveals that Latinos constituted the largest portion 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 emphasizes that “HIV disparities are not inevitable,” prompting Latino health policy advocates to urge the declaration of a public health emergency to channel more resources towards prevention and treatment.
In an affluent Atlanta suburb, Biden and Trump vie for the support of cautious Georgia voters
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Georgia, known for its closely contested 2020 election outcome between Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump, serves as a battleground for the upcoming general election debate between the two candidates. The state emerged as a focal point of Trump’s endeavors to challenge Biden’s victory and will be the backdrop for their first debate in the rematch. The contest in Georgia will test each candidate’s ability to cultivate a winning coalition despite their individual vulnerabilities. With many voters expressing disillusionment with the Trump-Biden rivalry, some erstwhile Republican supporters are hesitant to back Trump, while Biden faces the challenge of replicating the coalition pivotal to securing his narrow victory, with the potential defection of Black and young voters from the Democratic incumbent.
Dali cargo ship departs Baltimore for Virginia, nearly three months after bridge collapse
The cargo ship Dali sets sail from Baltimore to Virginia, departing nearly three months after it lost power and collided with a support column of the Francis Scott Key bridge, resulting in the bridge’s collapse. The 984-foot vessel began its journey on Monday morning, accompanied by four tugboats, en route to Norfolk, Virginia, for the retrieval of remaining containers on board and further repairs. Shortly after leaving the Port of Baltimore in late March, the Dali experienced power loss and propulsion failure, colliding with a bridge column and leading to the tragic deaths of six construction workers.
‘Hamster’ crypto craze sweeps Iran, underscoring economic challenges ahead of presidential election
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — In June, residents of Tehran are captivated by the “Hamster Kombat” app, tapping away on their mobile phones at red lights despite police presence, driven by hopes of financial gain. The surge of interest in the app in Iran serves as a stark reminder of the economic struggles faced by the country ahead of its presidential election to succeed the late President Ebrahim Raisi. Iran continues to grapple with Western sanctions, persistent inflation, and high unemployment rates. Amid widespread familiarity with bitcoin, Iranians are increasingly investing in the app, eager for a potential windfall.
Russian region of Dagestan observes a day of mourning following attacks that claim 20 lives, officials report
MOSCOW (AP) — The southern region of Dagestan in Russia begins the first of three days of mourning after violent attacks orchestrated by Islamic militants resulted in the deaths of 20 individuals, mostly law enforcement officers, and targeted places of worship in coordinated assaults in two cities. The violence on Sunday, attributed to Islamic extremists in the predominantly Muslim North Caucasus region, represents the deadliest attack in Russia since March when gunmen opened fire at a concert near Moscow, claiming 145 lives. While an affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the earlier attack, no group has claimed the assaults in Dagestan’s Makhachkala and Derbent cities, where all five attackers were reportedly killed.
Princess Anne sustains minor injuries and concussion in an ‘incident,’ Buckingham Palace confirms
LONDON (AP) — Buckingham Palace announces that Princess Anne has suffered minor injuries and a concussion following an incident on an estate in southwest England. The 73-year-old sibling of King Charles III has been admitted to the hospital for precautionary observation and is anticipated to recover fully. Details surrounding the incident, which occurred on Sunday on the Gatcombe Park estate, remain undisclosed. British media outlets report that the princess was walking within the estate’s secured perimeter when the incident transpired, noting the presence of horses in the vicinity.
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