US official says Mideast mediators are preparing for implementation of cease-fire deal in advance
JERUSALEM (AP) — A U.S. official reveals that mediators are getting ready for a potential cease-fire and hostage-release agreement in Gaza, indicating that an end to the 10-month Israel-Hamas conflict may be near. The official, speaking to reporters on Friday on condition of anonymity as per White House regulations, stated that the current proposal on the table is effectively bridging the gaps between Israel and Hamas, and preparations are being made before the final agreement is reached. Although the specific measures being taken before the deal is approved are unclear, the official mentioned the establishment of a new “implementation cell” in Cairo in preparation. This cell will focus on the logistical aspects of any agreement.
Ukrainian forces left a trail of destruction in the Kursk operation. AP visited a seized Russian town
SUDZHA, Russia (AP) — Ukrainian forces left a path of destruction as they made a risky incursion into Russia, breaching the border and entering the Russian town of Sudzha. Associated Press journalists, on a Ukrainian government-organized trip to the town on Friday, witnessed the aftermath of the offense. Artillery fire had damaged a statue of Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin in the central square. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared on Thursday that the town was completely under his troops’ control. The surprise operation by Ukrainian forces, which overran several Russian settlements, aims to shift the dynamics of the 2 ½-year-old conflict. Sudzha is the largest town to fall since the attack began on Aug. 6.
Harris offers proposals to reduce food and housing costs, aiming to counter Trump’s economic criticisms
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris has unveiled a comprehensive set of economic proposals designed to lower taxes and decrease the expenses of groceries, housing, and other essentials for many Americans. Harris is addressing the financial worries that are at the forefront of voters’ minds and are being exploited by Republican Donald Trump. During a speech in the battleground state of North Carolina on Friday, Harris emphasized that “building up the middle class will be a key goal of my presidency.” She endorsed a federal ban on price gouging by food producers and grocers, as well as proposed $25,000 in down payment assistance for certain first-time homebuyers.
Bibles, cryptocurrency, Truth Social and gold bars: A look at Trump’s reported sources of income
Former President Donald Trump owns over $1 million worth of cryptocurrency and up to $250,000 in gold bars, in addition to a portfolio of golf courses and real estate properties that have contributed to his billionaire status. According to financial disclosures filed as part of Trump’s Republican presidential bid and released Thursday night, the values of most assets are listed within a range in compliance with federal law. The documents, which span over 200 pages, provide a limited view of his finances and investments, with no details on his business losses, making it difficult to gauge the profitability of his various holdings.
A gunshot, a murdered rival, and a kidnapped drug lord: Mexico’s ruling party faces a growing scandal
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The landing of Mexico’s most-wanted drug lord at an airfield near El Paso, Texas in July was initially surprising, but the story behind it is evolving into a scandal that implicates top figures in Mexico’s ruling party. The complex web involves the alleged abduction of drug lord Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and the assassination of a politician who reportedly lured him to a clandestine meeting where he was kidnapped and flown to the U.S., resulting in his arrest. The slain politician was a fierce political rival of the governor of Sinaloa state, who has been a key figure in President AndrĂ©s Manuel LĂłpez Obrador’s policy of non-confrontation with drug cartels.
What to know about the US arrest of a Peruvian gang leader suspected of killing 23 people
A South American crime boss wanted for the deaths of at least 23 people in Peru was apprehended this week in New York, following his arrest and subsequent release by U.S. immigration authorities three months ago after he illegally entered the country at the Texas-Mexico border. The arrest of Gianfranco Torres-Navarro and his girlfriend, Mishelle Sol Ivanna OrtĂz UbillĂşs, on Wednesday marked the end of an international manhunt linked to the violence attributed to Torres-Navarro and his gang, “Los Killers.” Their capture has raised questions about why the notorious gang leader was allowed to remain in the U.S. after his initial encounter with immigration authorities in May.
Hurricane Ernesto heads towards Bermuda as the affluent British territory braces for the storm
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hurricane Ernesto is approaching Bermuda as officials on the small British territory in the Atlantic Ocean prepare by opening shelters and closing government offices. The Category 2 storm, located 125 miles south-southwest of Bermuda on Friday, has maximum sustained winds of 100 mph and is moving northeast at 13 mph. Ernesto’s large eye is expected to pass very near or over Bermuda on Saturday morning. Tropical storm conditions, including strong winds and potentially life-threatening floods, began on Friday and are projected to persist through Saturday night.
With mpox declared a global health emergency, could it spark another pandemic?
LONDON (AP) — The World Health Organization has designated the ongoing outbreaks of mpox in Congo and other parts of Africa as a global emergency, necessitating urgent action to curb the virus’ spread. Sweden recently reported the first case of a new form of mpox previously only seen in Africa, while European health authorities cautioned that more imported cases are likely. Mpox, or monkeypox, is primarily transmitted through close skin-to-skin contact with infected individuals or their contaminated belongings.
What is ketamine, the drug involved in Matthew Perry’s death?
Ketamine, the drug linked to the passing of “Friends” star Matthew Perry, is a potent anesthetic approved by U.S. health regulators for surgical use. It can be administered through an intramuscular injection or IV. Ketamine is chemically related to the recreational drug PCP and has been used recreationally for its euphoric effects. The drug can induce hallucinations and affect breathing and heart function.
Michael Brown’s death transformed a nation and sparked a decade of American reckoning on race
It has been ten years since the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, which triggered widespread protests in the city and bolstered the burgeoning Black Lives Matter movement. The impact extended beyond BLM to include Indigenous activism, Latino advocacy against harsh immigration practices, and Asian American resistance to xenophobia. These movements have reshaped American democracy and culture, inspiring multiracial activism. However, a decade later, the outcomes, setbacks, and future prospects of racial justice in the U.S. remain uncertain.
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