Diplomacy intensifies to halt the Israel-Hamas war and prevent wider regional conflict
JERUSALEM (AP) — International diplomacy to prevent the war in Gaza from spreading into a wider regional conflict is intensifying. The British and French foreign ministers are making a joint trip to Israel on Friday to push for peace. Meanwhile, internationally mediated cease-fire talks in Qatar were expected to enter their second day. The new push for an end to the Israel-Hamas war came as Gaza health authorities say the Palestinian death toll in Gaza climbed past 40,000. And fears are still high that Iran and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon would attack Israel in retaliation for the killings of top militant leaders. United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Lammy said before his visit that the conflict risked erupting across the region.
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.
Thailand’s new prime minister renews the legacy of her father, the divisive Thaksin Shinawatra
BANGKOK (AP) — The election of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as Thailand’s prime minister represents a remarkable back-to-the-future moment. She is renewing the political dynasty of her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006. It’s been clear for years that Paetongtarn, at 37 the youngest of his three children, would be the one to carry on her father’s political legacy. Thaksin was a vastly popular politician who handily won three elections. But his populist policies disturbed Thailand’s royalist establishment, and governments connected to him have been driven from office. Paetongtarn is the leader of the Thaksin-backed Pheu Thai party, but insists she’s not her father’s proxy.
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.
Matthew Perry’s death leads to sweeping indictment of 5, including doctors and reputed dealers
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The long investigation into the death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry has led to a sweeping indictment that pulled in five people who prosecutors say contributed to his ketamine overdose. Prosecutors say they include a doctor and a street dealer who both gave Perry large amounts of the powerful anesthetic. Perry’s assistant and an acquaintance of the actor have already pleaded guilty to helping him get ketmaine Prosecutors say Perry turned to Dr. Salvador Plasencia to give him more ketamine than his regular doctors would allow and turned to a woman they say call a major street dealer, Jasveen Sangha, to get even more. Both pleaded not guilty Thursday.
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