White House says prescription drug deals will produce billions in savings for taxpayers, seniors
WASHINGTON (AP) — Taxpayers are expected to save billions after the Biden administration inked deals with pharmaceutical companies to reduce the list prices for 10 of Medicare’s costliest drugs. However, the actual savings for older Americans when purchasing these drugs at their local pharmacy remains uncertain, as the list cost does not reflect the final price paid by individuals. The prices of drugs such as blood thinners, diabetes medications, and blood cancer treatments will see significant reductions for 30-day supplies, with White House officials projecting $6 billion in savings for taxpayers and about $1.5 billion in savings for older adults. These new prices are set to take effect in 2026.
As Gaza death toll surpasses 40,000, bodies are buried in makeshift locations
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — With the death toll in Gaza exceeding 40,000 after 10 months of conflict, the territory is struggling to accommodate the numerous bodies. Families, constantly on the move, are forced to bury their deceased in unconventional places. Accounts and footage show bodies being interred in backyards, parking lots, under staircases, and along roadsides. Some remain trapped under debris, leaving families uncertain if they will ever be accounted for. The Health Ministry in Gaza, under Hamas rule, does not differentiate between civilians and militants in its count, with health officials and civil defense workers suggesting that the actual toll could be significantly higher.
Mediators engage in new Gaza cease-fire discussions to prevent escalation of conflict
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — International mediators are holding discussions to halt the Israel-Hamas conflict and secure the release of numerous hostages, seen as crucial in preventing a larger regional war. The U.S., Qatar, and Egypt met with an Israeli delegation in Qatar, while Gaza health authorities reported a Palestinian death toll exceeding 40,000 from over 10 months of conflict. Hamas, not directly involved in the talks, accuses Israel of introducing new demands beyond a previously supported proposal, causing negotiations to continue into the following day.
US colleges revise rules on free speech to manage anti-war demonstrations
NEW YORK (AP) — College administrators are preparing for a resurgence in anti-war protests as students return to campuses across the U.S., with some instituting new regulations to control demonstrations. Although summer break offered a brief reprieve in protests against the Israel-Hamas conflict, both protesters and higher education officials are regrouping and strategizing for the upcoming semester. Columbia University has been a focal point for protests, leading to the resignation of President Minouche Shafik amid scrutiny for her handling of the demonstrations.
Venezuela’s opposition faces setback amid calls for repeat presidential election
SAO PAULO (AP) — Venezuela’s opposition suffers a setback as countries urging President Nicolás Maduro to disclose vote tallies verifying his victory in the recent presidential election now propose a potential redo of the contest. Less than three weeks after revealing evidence supporting their candidate’s victory over Maduro, the main opposition coalition faced suggestions from Colombia and Brazil for a repeat election. U.S. President Joe Biden initially expressed support for new elections but later retracted the statement, as Venezuelan opposition leader MarÃa Corina Machado rejected any proposal for a re-election.
Matthew Perry’s assistant among 5 charged in ‘Friends’ star’s death
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Five individuals, including Matthew Perry’s assistant and two doctors, have been charged in connection with the actor’s death. U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada announced the charges, revealing that the doctors supplied Perry with a significant amount of ketamine, with one doctor even questioning in a text message how much the former “Friends” star would pay for the drug. Perry’s assistant, responsible for administering the ketamine that led to his death, found him unconscious in a hot tub on October 28. The autopsy report, released in December, indicated that Perry had a fatal level of ketamine in his system, typically used for anesthesia during surgery.
FACT FOCUS: Trump combines falsehoods and exaggerations in NJ press conference
Former President Donald Trump, in his second news conference within weeks, presented misleading information about the economy and his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. The conference, held at his New Jersey golf club, comes as the Democratic National Convention approaches, with Trump attempting to counter the energized Democratic campaign.
Hurricane Ernesto targets Bermuda after causing power and water outages in Puerto Rico
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hurricane Ernesto is heading towards Bermuda after leaving hundreds of thousands in Puerto Rico without basic utilities such as power and water amid extreme heat, raising concerns about public health. Bermuda is under a hurricane warning, with Ernesto expected to pass near or over the island on Saturday. The hurricane is forecast to strengthen to near Category 3 strength, bringing heavy rainfall to Bermuda and potentially impacting Atlantic Canada by Monday.
TikTok defends First Amendment rights as it fights potential sale or ban
TikTok refutes claims that it is not protected by the First Amendment, particularly in a case involving the U.S. government and the potential ban of the popular social media platform. TikTok argues that being owned by a foreign entity, China-based ByteDance, does not diminish its U.S. arm’s constitutional rights. Drawing parallels to news outlets owned by foreign entities, TikTok emphasizes its rights and challenges the threat of a potential ban.
US shoppers increase spending despite higher prices
WASHINGTON (AP) — American consumers ramped up spending at retailers in July by the largest amount in a year and a half, alleviating concerns about economic weakness due to rising prices and elevated interest rates. Various sectors, including auto dealers, electronics stores, and grocery stores, reported robust sales growth, indicating that the U.S. economy, while slowing under the pressure of high interest rates, remains resilient. This positive consumer behavior is likely to be highlighted by Vice President Kamala Harris’ upcoming presidential campaign, which aims to address “price gouging” on groceries.
