Israeli leader Netanyahu faces growing pressure at home after Biden’s Gaza proposal
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel’s prime minister faces mounting pressure following U.S. President Joe Biden’s description of a proposed agreement to halt the conflict in Gaza. Many Israelis are urging Benjamin Netanyahu to accept the deal, but his far-right allies are threatening to bring down his government if he does so. Netanyahu is refusing to consider a permanent cease-fire in Gaza until certain conditions for ending the war are met. A large demonstration led by families of hostages held by Hamas in Israel on Saturday night is calling on the government to take action. Mediators from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar claim that the proposed deal “provides a pathway to a lasting cease-fire and resolution of the crisis.”
The Biden administration states that Israel has not crossed a red line in Rafah. Here’s why
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has taken steps to avoid any implication that Israeli forces have violated a red line set by President Joe Biden in the ongoing offensive in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. Administration officials are referring to Israeli military operations around Rafah as an “uptick.” They claim that Israel has shifted its strategy by carrying out targeted, limited strikes to minimize civilian casualties. Previously, Biden stated that he would not provide offensive weapons if Israel launched a full-scale assault on Rafah. Critics suggest that Biden has encountered his own domestic red line by challenging Israeli ally during an election year and has chosen not to cross it.
Republicans align with Trump in criticizing the justice system and seeking retribution after guilty verdict
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans in Congress are adopting Donald Trump’s tactic of blaming the U.S. justice system following his landmark guilty verdict. They are also joining in his campaign of revenge and political payback as part of the GOP’s efforts to regain control of the White House. The House Judiciary chairman recently demanded that prosecutors in the New York hush money case appear for questioning. Republicans who questioned Trump’s innocence or political viability were immediately silenced or told to “leave the party.” President Joe Biden condemned the attacks on the justice system as “reckless” and “irresponsible.” Experts on authoritarianism warn that Trump is threatening to misuse the state against his adversaries.
Black leaders highlight Trump’s contradictions on criminal justice as he denounces guilty verdict
NEW YORK (AP) — Amid protests against his guilty verdict in a hush money trial, Donald Trump harshly criticized the same Manhattan courthouse where a grave injustice took place, involving five Black and Latino youths wrongly convicted 34 years ago in the assault of a white female jogger. Trump infamously called for the execution of the accused in a newspaper ad after the 1989 incident. Now, he is denouncing the same criminal justice system as corrupt and biased against him. Some Black Americans find irony in his stance.
Zelenskyy urges top defense officials to attend upcoming summit on ending Russia’s war on Ukraine
SINGAPORE (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to a group of senior defense officials at Asia’s leading security conference on Sunday to participate in an upcoming summit focusing on ending the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Zelenskyy expressed disappointment at the lack of confirmation from certain world leaders to attend the conference in Switzerland in two weeks. Although he did not specify any country, the possible participation of China, Russia’s key ally, is seen as a crucial issue. Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun spoke earlier at the Shangri-La conference, but he was not present when Zelenskyy made his plea.
Most US students recovering from pandemic setbacks, but millions making minimal progress
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — American schools have begun to make strides in getting students back on track after significant setbacks during the pandemic. However, progress varies widely based on location and economic status. Many students, especially those who are disadvantaged, have made little to no progress in catching up with the learning they missed during school closures. The Education Recovery Scorecard project conducted by Harvard and Stanford reports that students in Virginia were 70% behind in reading at the equivalent of their grade level in 2023. While the state has allocated $418 million to bolster recovery efforts, other states with sluggish progress are not changing their strategies to accelerate improvement.
Paris aims for most sustainable Olympics yet, with acknowledged imperfections
PARIS (AP) — Organizers of the Paris Olympics have set ambitious targets for environmental sustainability, striving to cut the Games’ overall carbon footprint in half compared to the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Games. Their approach involves minimizing new construction and using existing or temporary venues for most sports, as well as prioritizing local and plant-based foods and relying on 100% renewable energy. Although sustainability was considered early in the planning process, some experts question the long-term viability of the plans given the presence of carbon-intensive sponsors and the escalating climate crisis in a warming world.
A community of breast milk donors in Uganda offers hope to mothers
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — In Uganda, a community of breast milk donors has emerged to support mothers whose babies are facing health challenges. This nonprofit organization is the only group outside of a hospital setting in Uganda that collects and distributes significant amounts of breast milk. Since mid-2021, over 200 mothers have donated breast milk, aiding more than 450 babies. The administrator notes that every mother who contributes milk becomes connected to the cause.
Mexicans weigh choice between populist policies or tougher stance against cartels as they elect new leader
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican voters selecting the country’s next president are faced with two distinct candidates: one promising to continue the current leader’s populist policies and another advocating for a more aggressive approach against deadly drug cartels. Nearly 100 million registered voters will cast their votes in the election, which also includes choosing governors in nine states, as well as all seats in Congress. Thousands of local positions will also be contested, making these elections a referendum on President AndrĂ©s Manuel LĂłpez Obrador’s presidency.
California firefighters combat wind-driven wildfire east of San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California firefighters, supported by aircraft, are battling a wind-fueled wildfire near the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The Corral Fire, located near the laboratory and the city of Tracy, 60 miles east of San Francisco, has grown to 13.7 square miles. Gusty winds are aiding the fire’s spread, leading to the closure of Interstate 580 connecting the San Francisco Bay Area to central California in both directions near the fire.
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