An Israeli attack targeting the Hamas military commander kills at least 71 in southern Gaza
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel says it has targeted Hamas’ shadowy military commander in a massive strike in southern Gaza that local health officials say killed at least 71 people. It’s not immediately known whether Mohammed Deif was among the dead. Hamas rejects the claim. Israel’s military says it is still verifying the results of Saturday’s strike. Deif is believed by many to be the chief architect of the Oct. 7 attack that killed some 1,200 people in southern Israel and triggered the Israel-Hamas war. His potential killing threatens to derail cease-fire talks and would be seen as a major Israeli victory.
Biden’s supporters want to ‘let Joe be Joe’ — but his stumbles are now under a bigger spotlight
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is on a public and private blitz to shake off concerns about his cognitive capacities. But with unabating public doubts about his fitness to serve, Biden’s every move is now under a withering microscope as any potential stumble risks becoming magnified and delivering another blow to his candidacy. To wit: As he introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a NATO summit event Thursday evening, Biden flubbed and called him “President Putin,” prompting audible gasps from the audience. He corrected himself, saying, “I’m so focused on beating Putin” before ceding the lectern to Zelenskyy. Shortly thereafter at a news conference, Biden errantly referred to “Vice President Trump.”
In ‘blue wall’ push, Biden defiantly says he’s ‘not going anywhere’ as he slams Trump, Project 2025
DETROIT (AP) — President Joe Biden is forcefully defying the growing number of critics in his own party who have called on him to exit the race, pivoting to warnings about a second Donald Trump term and declaring he is “not done yet.” As a raucous Detroit crowd chanted “don’t you quit!” and “we got your back!” Biden said again that he was still running for reelection and vowed to “shine a spotlight” on Trump. The show of force from Biden at the Friday evening rally was part of his team’s relentless sprint to convince fretting lawmakers, nervous donors and a skeptical electorate that at the age of 81, he is still capable of being president.
Trump heads to Pennsylvania for pre-convention rally as VP announcement looms
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump will have one last chance Saturday to dramatically unveil his vice presidential pick on a rally stage before the Republican National Convention kicks off next week. Trump’s rally in western Pennsylvania, at the Butler Farm Show just outside Pittsburgh, comes as the former reality TV star and tabloid hound continues to tease his pick for maximum attention. But Trump has made clear in recent days that his preference is to dramatically reveal his pick live at the convention — something the ratings-obsessed former president has said would make the proceedings more “interesting” and “exciting.”
Deeply Democratic Milwaukee wrestles with hosting Trump and the Republican National Convention
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee loves its Miller Beer, Brewers baseball and “Bronze Fonz” statue. The deepest blue city in swing state Wisconsin, Milwaukee also loves Democrats. So it can be hard for some to swallow that Milwaukee is playing host to former President Donald Trump and the Republican National Convention next week while rival Chicago, the larger city 90 miles to the south, welcomes President Joe Biden and Democrats in August. It didn’t help smooth things over with wary Democrats after Trump used the word “horrible” when talking about Milwaukee just a month before the convention. Still, Milwaukee officials point to the economic benefits and the chance to showcase the city nationally.
Alec Baldwin weeps in court as judge announces involuntary manslaughter case is dismissed midtrial
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico judge has thrown out the involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin in the middle of his trial and said it cannot be filed again. The 66-year-old actor wept and hugged his lawyers and his wife after Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer announced her decision on Friday. She dismissed the case based on the misconduct of police and prosecutors over the withholding of evidence from the defense. Baldwin, the star of “30 Rock” and frequent host of “Saturday Night Live,” could have gotten 18 months in prison if he had been convicted.
Rescuers recover first body from 2 buses that were hit by landslide and fell into a river in Nepal
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Nepali authorities say rescuers have recovered the first body from two buses that were swept away by a landslide and submerged into a raging river in a raging river. The buses, carrying more than 50 people, fell Friday into the Trishuli river which was swollen by continuous rainfall over the past few days as heavy monsoon downpours turned their waters murky brown, making it even more difficult to see the wreckage. The body was that of a man and was found some 50 kilometers (31 miles) from where the buses fell, said government administrator Khima Nanda Bhusal on Saturday.
Houston community groups strain to keep feeding and cooling a city battered by repeat storms
HOUSTON (AP) — In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, fresh food and cool air are coming from Houston community groups that have honed their disaster services in a city frequently battered by extreme weather. Nonprofits and mutual aid organizations are bringing relief for some of the millions without power after the Category 1 storm knocked electricity out across the major American city. But some find their resources drained by the repeat extreme weather. And it is only the beginning of what experts say will be a busy hurricane season. The Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Sally Ray says climate change requires donors to proactively help build the capacity of emergency services.
A Taiwan-based Buddhist charity attempts to take the founding nun’s message of compassion global
HUALIEN, Taiwan (AP) — Tzu Chi is an international Buddhist organization led by the Venerable Cheng Yen, an 87-year-old nun living in Taiwan. Over five decades, the nun whose work began with a small group of housewives has expanded into a global organization. Tzu Chi has millions of members across 67 countries, including the United States. The organization follows the principle of engaged Buddhism, emphasizing loving compassion, community engagement, and action over rituals and prayer. The organization has successfully recruited business leaders to help raise money for disaster relief, education, and social programs.
The son of Asia’s richest man gets married in the year’s most extravagant wedding
MUMBAI, India (AP) — The youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest man, has married his longtime girlfriend in what many have dubbed the wedding of the year. Global celebrities, business tycoons, and politicians attended the lavish wedding, highlighting the billionaire’s wealth and influence. Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding celebrations took place at the Ambani-owned Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, with a guest list that included former British Prime Ministers, Saudi Aramco CEO, and popular musicians and athletes.
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