House keys carry symbolic weight for Gaza families repeatedly displaced by war
MUWASI, Gaza Strip (AP) — Throughout nine months of conflict between Israel and Hamas, Palestinian families in Gaza have been forced to move multiple times to escape the violence. Each relocation has been a difficult transition to a new area and a series of crowded, temporary shelters. These families, displaced by the war, are uncertain about when they can return home, but they are resolute in not allowing their house keys to lose their significance. One Palestinian man, whose family has been uprooted four times, stated: “If my house key becomes just a memory as I move forward, then I don’t want to live anymore.”
Biden seeks to demonstrate his capability at the NATO summit amid challenges
WASHINGTON (AP) — Leaders of NATO are meeting in Washington this week as the alliance faces the possibility of Donald Trump, a NATO critic, returning to the White House. The summit commences on Tuesday, with heads of state working to strengthen transatlantic support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. For President Joe Biden, the summit is also an opportunity to show that he is prepared to handle the rigors of the presidency for another four years. The president views his participation in the summit as a measure of his ongoing competence in the role. Following a disastrous debate performance on June 27, Biden’s reelection campaign has faced challenges.
Trump returns to the campaign trail while nearing deadline for VP selection
MIAMI (AP) — Former President Donald Trump is returning to the campaign trail, rallying voters at his golf resort in Doral, Miami, as Democrats debate President Joe Biden’s chances of reelection. Trump is approaching a deadline to announce his running mate but appears in no hurry to do so. Despite the focus on his potential candidate, attention is still on Biden’s ability to lead for another term, with some Democrats calling for him to withdraw from the nomination following his poor debate performance.
Support for legal abortion increases after Supreme Court ruling, AP-NORC poll reveals
WASHINGTON (AP) — A recent poll shows that a majority of Americans oppose a federal abortion ban, with a growing number indicating support for unrestricted access to abortion. The poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research signals a challenging political landscape for candidates who oppose abortion rights as the November election approaches. Approximately sixty percent of Americans believe that individuals should have legal access to abortion for any reason in their state, suggesting a shift towards more permissive views on abortion following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade two years ago.
Tourists continue to visit Death Valley amid intense US heat wave linked to fatalities
DEATH VALLEY, Calif. (AP) — Despite a dangerous heat wave causing a motorcyclist’s death in Death Valley National Park, hundreds of European travelers and adventurers from across the U.S. are still drawn to the region. Record-breaking high temperatures have been recorded in many locations in the West and Pacific Northwest, leading to fatalities in Oregon. Despite the extreme heat wave, tourists persist in visiting the scorching landscape of Death Valley.
Power restoration begins in Houston post-Hurricane Beryl, as storm spawns tornadoes
HOUSTON (AP) — Some homes and businesses in the Houston area are seeing power gradually restored following the impact of Hurricane Beryl. The storm, now weakened, has moved east, causing damage and spawning suspected tornadoes. Several casualties were reported in Texas and Louisiana due to the storm. After more than 2.7 million customers in the Houston area were left without power, the numbers have begun to decrease, with over 2.4 million customers regaining power by Monday night. Beryl has since weakened into a tropical depression, leading to tornado warnings in Arkansas.
Alec Baldwin’s trial for involuntary manslaughter begins with jury selection
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Jury selection is set to start in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for Alec Baldwin’s trial in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin faces a charge of involuntary manslaughter, which could result in an 18-month prison sentence. The trial is expected to proceed swiftly, with opening statements planned for Wednesday. Jurors will determine whether Baldwin committed a felony when a gun he was handling discharged, resulting in Hutchins’ death during a rehearsal for the film “Rust” in 2021.
Authoritarian tendencies appear to slow down but not stop in recent elections in Europe and Iran
LONDON (AP) — Recent elections in France, Britain, and Iran have seen leftists and reformers triumphing over authoritarians and the right. Iran, despite having Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei making final decisions, elected Masoud Pezeshkian, associated with the reformist movement. In France and the U.K., left-leaning parties secured significant victories. While these outcomes may appear to indicate a shift away from authoritarianism, analysts caution that the rise of right-wing movements may have only slowed, not halted.
Female representation in Japanese politics sees gradual progress amid challenges
TOKYO (AP) — Yuriko Koike’s reelection as Tokyo’s leader for a third term, with female candidates as her rivals, highlights a slow but steady increase in powerful female political figures in Japan. Despite this progress, Japan still lags behind globally in gender equality rankings. The country’s political landscape remains male-dominated, even as the possibility of a female prime minister looms. Achieving gender balance in Japanese politics will require significant efforts to ensure equal representation.
Boeing agrees to plead guilty to fraud in 737 Max crashes
Boeing has reached a plea agreement to settle fraud charges related to the crashes of two of its 737 Max jets. If approved by a judge in Texas, Boeing will avoid a trial. The agreement includes a increased fine, totaling $487.2 million, along with a requirement for Boeing to invest at least $455 million in enhancing safety measures. However, some relatives of the crash victims have expressed intentions to challenge the agreement in court. The plea deal underscores Boeing’s responsibility for the tragic incidents involving the 737 Max planes.
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