As Gaza death toll passes 40,000, corpses are buried in yards, streets, tiered graves
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — With the death toll in Gaza surpassing 40,000 after 10 months of war, the small, densely packed territory is crammed with bodies. Families are often on the run and must bury their dead wherever possible. Witness accounts and video footage show that bodies are buried in backyards and parking lots, beneath staircases and along roadsides. Others lie under rubble, their families unsure they will ever be counted. A steady drumbeat of death since the Israel-Hamas war began in October has claimed nearly 2% of Gaza’s prewar population. The count by Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza does not distinguish civilians from militants. Health officials and civil defense workers say the true toll could be thousands more.
Families of hostages in Gaza hope cease-fire talks will end their nightmare
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Some families of hostages held in Gaza believe the latest round of cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas could be the last best chance to set their loved ones free after more than 300 days of captivity. The families have struggled tirelessly to secure the release of their relatives, who were snatched on Oct. 7 during Hamas’ cross-border attack. Their hope that the latest talks could end their nightmare is tinged by 10 months of disappointment — and the growing fear of a wider Mideast war, as Israel faces rising tensions with Iran and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group based in Lebanon.
Ukraine’s swift push into the Kursk region shocked Russia and exposed its vulnerabilities
A daring Ukrainian military push into Russia’s Kursk region has seen Kyiv’s forces seize scores of villages, attack air bases and force the evacuation of tens of thousands of civilians in what has become the largest attack on the country since World War II. In more than a week of fighting, Russian troops are still struggling to drive out the invaders. The long and porous border, combined with a Russian manpower shortage, contributed to the success of the Ukrainian raid. The bulk of Russian forces are deployed to the front line in eastern Ukraine, where it is making incremental but steady gains, leaving few units to protect the border. Russia sent reinforcements to Kursk, but they have struggled.
What do marijuana, the death penalty and fracking have in common? Harris shifted positions on them
WASHINGTON (AP) — Politicians often recalibrate in the face of shifting public opinion and circumstance. Across two decades in elected offices, Vice President Kamala Harris is no exception. She has staked out expedient and — at times — contradictory positions as she climbed the political ladder. Now, as a presidential candidate, Harris’ litany of policy reversals is opening her to attacks by Republicans and testing the strength of her pitch to voters as a truth-teller who is far more credible than former President Donald Trump.
FACT FOCUS: Trump blends falsehoods and exaggerations at rambling NJ press conference
Former President Donald Trump on Thursday gave his second news conference in as many weeks as he adjusts to a newly energized Democratic ticket ahead of next week’s Democratic National Convention. At his New Jersey golf club, the Republican nominee blended falsehoods about the economy with misleading statements about his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Beyond ‘childless cat ladies,’ JD Vance has long been on a quest to encourage more births
MIAMI (AP) — JD Vance repeatedly expressed alarm about declining birth rates as he launched his political career with a bid for the U.S. Senate in Ohio. His criticism then of Vice President Kamala Harris, now the Democratic presidential nominee, and other high-profile Democrats as “childless cat ladies” who didn’t have a “direct stake” in the country have drawn particular attention now. That rhetoric could threaten the Republican ticket’s standing with women who could help decide the November election. But it’s delighted those in the pro-natalist movement that has until now been limited largely to policy wonks, tech executives and venture capitalists.
Ernesto grows into Cat 2 hurricane as it aims for Bermuda, leaving many in Puerto Rico without power
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hurricane Ernesto has strengthened into a Category 2 storm as it barrels toward Bermuda after leaving hundreds of thousands of people in Puerto Rico without power or water. Sweltering heat enveloped the U.S. territory, raising concerns about people’s health. A hurricane warning is in effect for Bermuda, with Ernesto expected to pass near or over the island Saturday. Ernesto is forecast to possibly reach Category 3 strength Friday and drop between four to eight inches of rain in Bermuda, with up to 12 inches in isolated areas. Ernesto is then expected to pass near or east of Atlantic Canada on Monday.
Venezuela’s opposition faces setback after countries suggest repeat of presidential election
SAO PAULO (AP) — Venezuela’s opposition has been dealt a blow as countries that had been pressuring President Nicolás Maduro to release vote tallies backing his claim to victory in last month’s presidential election are now suggesting the possibility of repeating the contest. The proposal from the leftist governments of Colombia and Brazil came Thursday, less than three weeks after the results of the highly anticipated election came into question when the main opposition coalition revealed it has proof that its candidate defeated Maduro. U.S. President Joe Biden expressed support for new elections in comments to reporters that the White House later appeared to back away from. Venezuelan opposition leader MarĂa Corina Machado quickly rejected any plan to redo the election.
US arrests reputed Peruvian gang leader wanted for 23 killings in his home country
NEW YORK (AP) — A reputed Peruvian gang leader suspected in nearly two dozen killings in his home country has been arrested in New York by U.S. immigration authorities. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Gianfranco Torres-Navarro was arrested in Endicott, New York. He is being held at a federal detention facility near Buffalo pending an immigration hearing. Torres-Navarro is the leader of “Los Killers” who is wanted for 23 killings in Peru. The agency, known as ICE, says it moved to arrest Torres-Navarro after receiving information on July 8 that he was wanted in Peru.
Matthew Perry’s assistant among 5 people, including 2 doctors, charged in ‘Friends’ star’s death
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A prosecutor says five people have been charged in connection with Matthew Perry’s death, including the actor’s assistant and two doctors. U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada announced the charges Thursday, saying the doctors supplied Perry with a large amount of ketamine and even wondered in a text message how much the former “Friends” star would be willing to pay. Perry’s assistant,
who authorities say injected the actor with ketamine on the day he died, found Perry face down in his hot tub on Oct. 28. Perry’s autopsy, released in December, found that the amount of ketamine in his blood was in the range used for general anesthesia during surgery.
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