Hamas responds to Gaza cease-fire plan seeking some changes. US says it’s ‘evaluating’ the reply
BEIRUT (AP) — Hamas has submitted its response to the U.S.-backed proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza to Qatari and Egyptian mediators, requesting some modifications to the deal. On Tuesday, both Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad militant group expressed readiness to work towards an agreement and emphasized the importance of ending the war. A senior Hamas official confirmed that they have provided feedback on the proposal to the mediators, without providing further details. Meanwhile, the foreign ministries of Qatar and Egypt issued a joint statement stating that the response is currently under examination. The White House national security spokesman mentioned that Washington is in possession of Hamas’ response and is currently assessing it.
More than 1.5 million foreign Muslims arrive in Mecca for annual Hajj pilgrimage
MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabian officials have reported that over 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have already arrived in Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Additional pilgrims are expected, with hundreds of thousands of Saudi residents and others in the country set to participate when the pilgrimage officially commences on Friday. The Saudi authorities anticipate that this year’s number of participants will surpass the figures from 2023, when over 1.8 million individuals completed the Hajj. These numbers are approaching pre-pandemic levels, as in 2019, more than 2.4 million Muslims performed the pilgrimage.
What’s next for Hunter Biden after his conviction on federal gun charges
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Following his conviction on three felony firearms charges, Hunter Biden’s legal troubles are far from over. The son of President Joe Biden will now face sentencing and a separate trial on tax-related charges during his father’s reelection campaign. The verdict was delivered by jurors in Wilmington, Delaware, after a trial that shed light on Hunter Biden’s drug-related past and a gun purchase made in 2018 while he was allegedly dealing with substance addiction. Hunter Biden’s defense attorney, Abbe Lowell, stated that they will continue to vigorously pursue all available legal challenges in response to the verdict.
AP sources: 8 people with possible Islamic State ties arrested in US on immigration violations
WASHINGTON (AP) — Multiple sources have revealed that eight individuals from Tajikistan suspected of having links to the Islamic State group have been apprehended in the United States recently. The arrests were made in New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles, and the individuals, who entered the U.S. through the southern border, are being detained on immigration charges. While the exact nature of their alleged connections to IS remains unclear, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force monitored the men. They are currently in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, pending deportation proceedings.
Supreme Court has a lot of work to do and little time to do it with a sizeable case backlog
WASHINGTON (AP) — With nearly half of this year’s cases still pending, the Supreme Court is facing a tight timeline to reach decisions on various significant matters, ranging from gun laws to abortion rights. The justices are also deliberating on whether former President Donald Trump is immune to prosecution in an election interference case, more than a month after the arguments were heard. Despite having already heard 61 cases, the court still has 29 cases awaiting resolution.
Faking an honest woman: Why Russia, China and Big Tech all use faux females to get clicks
WASHINGTON (AP) — Research indicates that in the realm of online scams and foreign disinformation, individuals who adopt female personas tend to attract more engagement. Chatbots and fake social media accounts posing as women typically receive higher levels of interaction, as people tend to perceive female identities as approachable and relatable. This trend is exploited by groups associated with Russia and China, who utilize fake accounts with female profile pictures to disseminate disinformation and propaganda.
Mexico’s tactic to cut immigration to the US: wear out migrants
VILLAHERMOSA, Mexico (AP) — Mexican authorities have adopted a harsh strategy to deter migrants attempting to reach the U.S., by exhausting them until they abandon their efforts. Facing pressure from the U.S. to prevent the northward movement of millions of people, Mexico lacks the resources for large-scale deportations. Consequently, migrants are left in limbo within Mexico, as authorities round them up across the country and relocate them to cities like Villahermosa and Tapachula. Some migrants have been repeatedly sent back multiple times, illustrating Mexico’s role as a barrier to their journey.
Sandy Hook shooting survivors to graduate with mixed emotions without 20 of their classmates
NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) — The students who survived the tragic 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, are preparing to graduate from high school with conflicting emotions. While they look forward to embarking on new phases in their lives, they are also saddened by the absence of their classmates who perished in the attack. Approximately 60 members of the first-grade class affected by the shooting are set to graduate from Newtown High School, with many of them becoming advocates against gun violence. The survivors plan to continue their activism efforts into adulthood.
1 fatally shot on Atlanta area transit bus that led officers on wild rush hour chase, police say
ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta police have reported a fatal shooting on a commuter bus that sparked a dramatic chase through the city’s rush hour traffic. After responding to reports of gunfire and a potential hostage situation on the bus, officers pursued the vehicle as it traveled into the suburbs, colliding with several vehicles along the way. The bus, carrying 17 passengers including the driver, was eventually stopped in DeKalb County, where a 39-year-old male suspect was arrested. Authorities discovered a victim fatally shot on the bus upon evacuating the passengers.
Thefts of charging cables pose yet another obstacle to appeal of electric vehicles
DETROIT (AP) — Across the United States, thieves have been targeting electric vehicle charging stations to steal the copper wiring from the charging cables. With the price of copper reaching near record highs on global markets, thieves stand to profit significantly from selling the stolen material. This trend of stolen cables has disrupted charging stations and posed a challenge for automakers trying to transition more Americans to electric vehicles. The scarcity of functioning charging stations due to stolen cables adds to the existing concerns about electric vehicle adoption, potentially deterring buyers from making the switch from traditional gasoline-powered vehicles for the time being.
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