US official says Mideast mediators are preparing for the implementation of a cease-fire deal in advance
JERUSALEM (AP) — A U.S. official reveals that mediators are getting ready for a potential cease-fire and hostage-swap agreement in Gaza, indicating that an end to the 10-month Israel-Hamas war could be on the horizon. The official, speaking anonymously to reporters on Friday, stated that the proposed deal currently addresses every difference between Israel and Hamas, with preparations being made by mediators before the final agreement is confirmed. Although specific measures before the deal’s approval were not disclosed, the official mentioned the establishment of a new “implementation cell” in Cairo for logistical purposes related to any agreement.
Harris unveils plans to reduce food and housing expenses, countering Trump’s economic criticisms
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris has introduced a wide-ranging set of economic initiatives aimed at cutting taxes and lowering the cost of essential items like groceries and housing for many Americans. Her goal is to address the financial worries at the forefront of voters’ minds, which former President Donald Trump is trying to blame on her. In a speech on Friday in the battleground state of North Carolina, Harris emphasized that “building up the middle class will be a key focus of my presidency.” She supported a proposal for a federal prohibition on price gouging by food producers and retailers, as well as suggested providing $25,000 in down payment assistance to certain first-time homebuyers.
Bibles, cryptocurrency, Truth Social, and gold bars: Examining Trump’s alleged sources of income
Former President Donald Trump reportedly owns cryptocurrency valued at over $1 million, along with up to $250,000 in gold bars, in addition to his extensive portfolio of golf courses and real estate properties that have contributed to his billionaire status. Financial disclosures filed as part of Trump’s Republican presidential campaign were released on Thursday night, detailing his assets and investments within a specific range as required by law. However, details on his business losses were not provided in the document, making it challenging to ascertain the profitability of his various holdings.
A gunshot, a slain rival, and a abducted drug lord: Mexico’s ruling party embroiled in a scandal
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The unanticipated arrival of Mexico’s most-wanted drug lord at an airfield near El Paso, Texas in July has evolved into a scandal with implications for prominent figures in Mexico’s ruling party. The intricate narrative involves the alleged kidnapping of drug lord Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and the assassination of a politician who purportedly enticed him to a clandestine meeting where he was abducted and transported to the U.S., where he was apprehended. The slain politician was a fierce political adversary of the governor of Sinaloa state, who has served as a key figure in President AndrĂ©s Manuel LĂłpez Obrador’s non-confrontational approach to drug cartels.
Key details on the US apprehension of a Peruvian gang leader suspected of 23 murders
A South American crime kingpin wanted for the murders of at least 23 individuals in Peru was captured in New York this week. This development followed the arrest and subsequent release of Gianfranco Torres-Navarro by U.S. immigration authorities after he illegally entered the country at the Texas-Mexico border three months ago. The apprehension of Torres-Navarro and his girlfriend, Mishelle Sol Ivanna OrtĂz UbillĂşs, marked the culmination of an international manhunt sparked by violence attributed to Torres-Navarro and his “Los Killers” gang. The incident also raised concerns about why the notorious gang leader was permitted to remain in the U.S. following his initial encounter with immigration authorities in May.
Hurricane Ernesto heading towards Bermuda as British territory braces for impact
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Category 2 Hurricane Ernesto is on track to hit Bermuda as officials on the British overseas territory prepare shelters and close government offices. The storm, with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 kph) and moving north-northeast at 14 mph (22 kph), was located 180 miles (285 kilometers) south-southwest of Bermuda on Friday. Ernesto is forecasted to pass near or over Bermuda on Saturday morning, bringing tropical storm conditions including strong winds and potential flooding starting Friday afternoon.
As mpox is declared a global health crisis, concerns rise about a potential new pandemic
LONDON (AP) — The World Health Organization has declared the ongoing outbreaks of mpox in Congo and other parts of Africa a global emergency, necessitating urgent measures to contain the virus’ transmission. Sweden recently reported the first case of a new variant of mpox previously only seen in Africa, with European health authorities cautioning about the likelihood of more imported cases. Mpox, also known as monkeypox, spreads primarily through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated items like clothes or bedding.
Understanding ketamine, the drug linked to Matthew Perry’s death
Ketamine, the drug implicated in the death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry, is a potent anesthetic approved by U.S. health regulators for surgical use. It can be administered via intramuscular injection or IV and is a chemical derivative of the recreational drug PCP. Ketamine has recreational uses due to its euphoric effects, causing hallucinations, and affecting respiratory and cardiac functions.
Michael Brown’s legacy a decade after his death and its impact on American race relations
It has been ten years since the death of Michael Brown, a Black teenager whose killing in Ferguson, Missouri ignited protests and bolstered the emerging Black Lives Matter movement. Beyond BLM, Indigenous activists defending land and water, Latino individuals opposing harsh immigration practices, and Asian American advocates combatting xenophobia have collectively reshaped American democracy and culture through their activism. However, the long-term implications for racial justice in the U.S. remain uncertain as these movements continue to face challenges and victories.
Woman charged in elaborate scheme to extort Elvis Presley’s family and sell Graceland
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lisa Jeanine Findley of Kimberling City, Missouri, has been arrested for orchestrating a fraudulent plot to sell Elvis Presley’s Graceland property in Memphis. The Justice Department alleges that Findley devised a scheme to misappropriate the Presley family’s ownership stake in Graceland by falsely claiming that Presley’s daughter had pledged the property as collateral for an unpaid loan before her death. No attorney for Findley, who used multiple aliases, was listed in court documents, and a public telephone number was not readily available in records.
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