Hamas’ top political leader is killed in Iran in strike that risks triggering all-out regional war
BEIRUT (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu states that Israel “will exact a heavy price from any aggression against us on any front.” This was his first public statement following the killing of Hamas’ top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in an airstrike in Tehran. Netanyahu’s remarks did not directly address the assassination. Both Hamas and Iran quickly blamed Israel for the shocking killing, which could lead to a full-scale regional conflict. The strike occurred shortly after Israel targeted a top commander in Iran’s ally Hezbollah in Beirut.
UN report reveals that Palestinians detained by Israeli authorities since Oct. 7 have been subjected to torture and mistreatment
GENEVA (AP) — A report released by the U.N. human rights office discloses that Palestinians in custody of Israeli authorities since the Oct. 7 attacks have been subjected to torture, including waterboarding, sleep deprivation, and electric shocks. As of the end of June, Israel’s prison service held over 9,400 “security detainees,” some of whom were held in secret without access to legal representation or acknowledgment of their legal rights. The report, one of the most comprehensive of its kind, could provide evidence for International Criminal Court prosecutors investigating crimes related to the Oct. 7 attacks.
Challenges in choosing a successor for Haniyeh amid the war in Gaza
BEIRUT (AP) — Hamas, the militant Palestinian group, has a history of quickly replacing fallen leaders killed in Israeli airstrikes. The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran early Wednesday comes at a critical time for Hamas, as the conflict in Gaza has been ongoing for nearly 10 months. Haniyeh served as the head of the group’s political bureau until his death. His deputy, Saleh Arouri, who was killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut in January, would have been the natural successor. Several top Hamas officials, including Zaher Jabarin, Khaled Mashaal, and Khalil al-Hayya, are among the possible contenders to replace Haniyeh once the group’s Shura council convenes.
Dispute over independent audit of Venezuela’s presidential election
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The Carter Center has criticized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s request for the Supreme Court to conduct an audit of the presidential election results, citing concerns over the court’s lack of independence for an impartial review. Following disputed claims of victory by opposition leaders and international calls for detailed vote counts, Maduro asked the Supreme Court to conduct an audit. The Carter Center delegation sent to monitor the election in Venezuela expressed doubts about the court’s ability to provide an unbiased assessment.
Delta CEO addresses $500 million in costs from global tech outage
Delta CEO Ed Bastian reveals that the airline is facing $500 million in costs due to a global technology breakdown earlier this month. Bastian mentioned that this amount includes lost revenue and expenses for compensation and accommodations, amounting to tens of millions of dollars per day, during the five-day disruption.
Olympic triathletes swim in Seine River after concerns over water quality
PARIS (AP) — The Olympic triathlon events proceeded after delays and uncertainty surrounding water quality issues in the Seine River. Following the latest tests indicating compliance with quality standards, the men’s race, postponed from Tuesday due to elevated bacteria levels, took place. The decision to proceed with the swim in the Seine River for the triathlon competition is seen as a significant success for the city and Olympics organizers, who invested heavily in cleaning up the historically polluted river to ensure the safety of swimming events.
Adriana Ruano wins Guatemala’s first Olympic gold as a gymnast-turned-shooter
CHATEAUROUX, France (AP) — Adriana Ruano, forced to abandon her Olympic aspirations in gymnastics due to a spinal injury, transitioned to shooting and clinched Guatemala’s first Olympic gold medal. Following a recommendation from her doctor to take up shooting to prevent further damage to her back, Ruano achieved victory in the women’s trap with an Olympic-record score of 45 out of 50. Italy’s Silvana Stanco won the silver, and Australia’s Penny Smith secured the bronze.
Shift in satisfaction among Democrats towards Kamala Harris following Biden’s exit from the race: AP-NORC poll
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris appears to have galvanized Democrats early in her candidacy, with a surge in positive sentiment extending across various groups, including those previously lukewarm about President Joe Biden. A recent poll indicates that about 80% of Democrats would be satisfied if Harris becomes the Democratic nominee for president. The survey, conducted by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research after Biden’s withdrawal, highlights the swift backing Harris has garnered as the party’s leading candidate.
Controversy surrounds Donald Trump’s speaking invitation to the National Association of Black Journalists
WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s acceptance of an invitation to address the National Association of Black Journalists has sparked heated debate within the organization and online. While presidential candidates traditionally address journalism groups representing people of color during election years, Trump’s invitation to NABJ has prompted concerns about providing a platform for false claims or implications of NABJ’s endorsement. The controversy reflects the ongoing challenges journalists face in approaching Trump nearly a decade after his initial presidential campaign.
Governor urges unity among flood-affected Vermonters with more storms on the horizon
LYNDON, Vt. (AP) — Vermont’s governor acknowledges that the latest storms have reversed much of the progress made in recovery efforts since the state’s recent severe flooding. With more bad weather forecasted, residents are urged to “stick together” as thunderstorms on Tuesday caused significant damage, including flooding, road washouts, and rescues in northeastern Vermont. The Vermont Department of Public Safety warns of additional downpours and possible flash-flooding in already inundated regions.
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