Hamas’ top political leader is killed in Iran in a strike that could lead to a full-scale regional conflict
BEIRUT (AP) — The top political leader of Hamas was assassinated in Tehran in an airstrike, with both Hamas and Iran pointing the finger at Israel. This has prompted the U.S. and other countries to work urgently to prevent a widespread regional war. Iran’s supreme leader has promised retaliation against Israel for the killing of a significant figure just after Ismail Haniyeh attended the inauguration of Iran’s new president. Israel has not publicly commented on the strike, but has threatened to target Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders in response to the group’s attack on Israel on Oct. 7 which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people. The assassination of Haniyeh could potentially lead to Hamas withdrawing from peace negotiations.
The conflict in Gaza could complicate the process of selecting Haniyeh’s successor. Here are some potential candidates
BEIRUT (AP) — Hamas, the militant Palestinian group, has a history of swiftly replacing leaders who have been killed in Israeli airstrikes. Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran early on a Wednesday during a period when Hamas has been under immense pressure since the conflict in Gaza began almost 10 months ago. Haniyeh led the group’s political bureau until his demise. His deputy, Saleh Arouri, who was killed by an Israeli strike in Beirut in January, would have been the natural successor. Possible replacements for Haniyeh once the Shura council convenes include Zaher Jabarin, Khaled Mashaal, and Khalil al-Hayya.
UN report reveals Palestinians detained by Israeli authorities since Oct. 7 faced torture and abuse
GENEVA (AP) — The United Nations human rights office published a report stating that Palestinians detained by Israeli authorities since the Oct. 7 attacks have been subjected to torture, including waterboarding, sleep deprivation, and electric shocks. The report, released on Wednesday, highlights that Israel’s prison service was holding over 9,400 “security detainees” as of the end of June, some of whom were detained in secrecy without access to legal representation or their rights being upheld. The findings of this extensive report could potentially be utilized by prosecutors at the International Criminal Court investigating crimes related to the Oct. 7 attacks.
Colombian President Petro calls on Venezuelan President Maduro to disclose detailed election results
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Colombian President Gustavo Petro has urged his ally, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, to make public detailed vote counts from the recent presidential election after electoral authorities declared Maduro the winner. This call from Petro comes amid significant criticism from the international community concerning Maduro and the National Electoral Council, which is aligned with the ruling party and has not disclosed specific results from polling centers as it has done in previous elections. Maduro’s main challenger, Edmundo González, and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado maintain that the release of these figures would demonstrate Maduro’s defeat in the election.
8 in 10 Democrats express satisfaction with Harris following Biden’s withdrawal: AP-NORC poll
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris seems to have garnered strong support from Democrats in the initial stages of her candidacy, with positive sentiment spreading across various Democratic groups, including those who had been indifferent towards President Joe Biden. A new poll indicates that around 8 in 10 Democrats would be content if Harris became the Democratic nominee for president. The survey, conducted by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research after Biden exited the race, demonstrates the rapid shift in Democrats’ views towards Harris, solidifying her position as the party’s frontrunner.
Invitation for Donald Trump to speak at the National Association of Black Journalists causes division
WASHINGTON (AP) — The decision to invite Donald Trump to address the National Association of Black Journalists has sparked heated debates within the organization and online. Traditionally, journalism organizations for people of color extend invitations to presidential candidates to speak at their summer conferences during election years. Trump’s acceptance of the NABJ’s invitation has led to at least one prominent member resigning as a convention co-chair, and others are concerned that the convention may provide Trump a platform to spread misinformation or appear as if he has received the organization’s endorsement. The internal discussions within the NABJ underscore the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in navigating how to engage with Trump nearly a decade after his initial presidential campaign.
Washington, DC, files lawsuit against StubHub for inflating ticket prices with hidden fees
WASHINGTON (AP) — The ticket resale company StubHub is facing legal action from the attorney general of Washington, D.C., over allegations of deceptive pricing tactics. The lawsuit filed by Washington claims that StubHub advertises low prices but then adds extra fees that significantly hike up the total cost, a practice known as “drip pricing” which violates consumer protection laws in the capital. StubHub has defended its pricing practices, stating that they are in line with the law and industry standards. According to the lawsuit, StubHub has sold close to 5 million tickets in Washington since 2015, generating approximately $118 million in fees. The lawsuit seeks damages and a demand for changes to the pricing model.
Delta CEO discloses $500 million in costs due to global tech outage
Delta CEO Ed Bastian revealed that the airline is facing costs of $500 million resulting from a recent global technology breakdown. Bastian explained on CNBC that this figure accounts for lost revenue as well as expenses related to compensation and accommodation expenses totaling tens of millions of dollars per day over a five-day period.
Meet the dedicated Olympics superfan who traveled to her 7th Games after saving up her money
PARIS (AP) — Vivianne Robinson, an Olympics enthusiast covered in pins and decorations, has participated in seven Summer Games over four decades. However, her recent trip to Paris came at a significant cost — $10,000 to be exact. The 66-year-old went to great lengths to afford the experience, maxing out her credit cards and taking on additional work. Despite paying $1,600 for the opening ceremony, Robinson ended up watching the event on a screen. Her passion for the Olympics has gained her a level of celebrity, and she has committed to attending future Games regardless of the expense.
Olympic triathletes swim in Seine River after concerns about water quality
PARIS (AP) — After days of uncertainty and delays due to water quality issues in the Seine River, the Olympic triathlons took place on Wednesday. Organizers confirmed that recent tests of the Parisian waterway met quality standards, allowing the competitions to proceed. Elevated levels of bacteria had caused the men’s race to be postponed from the previous day. The decision to move forward with swimming events in the Seine is a significant victory for the city and Olympic organizers, who invested over a billion dollars in cleaning up the historically polluted river and remained steadfast in their assurance that it was safe for swimming events.
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