Israel plans to take over Gaza City to pressure Hamas. Worries rise for civilians and hostages
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel says it plans to take over Gaza City. The decision to escalate its 22-month war with Hamas drew a dismissal from the militant group, renewed international calls to end the conflict and stirred fears for hostages still in Gaza. Israel’s air and ground war has already killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza, destroyed vast areas and pushed the territory toward famine. The timing of another major ground operation remains unclear but will almost certainly exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe. Meanwhile, two Arab officials told the Associated Press that mediators from Egypt and Qatar are working on a new framework that will include the release of all hostages in one go in return for an end of the war in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the strip.
Germany halts exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza
BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Germany won’t authorize exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza “until further notice.” The decision came after the Israeli Cabinet announced plans to take over Gaza City. Merz said Friday that Israel “has the right to defend itself against Hamas’ terror.” He stated that the release of Israeli hostages and negotiations toward a ceasefire in the nearly two-year war are “our top priority.” Merz added that the recent military actions by Israel make it difficult for Germany to see how these goals will be achieved.
Ukrainian troops have little hope for peace as Trump’s deadline for Russia arrives
DNIPROPETROVSK, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian soldiers are expressing little hope for a diplomatic solution to the war with Russia. U.S. President Donald Trump’s Friday deadline for the Kremlin to stop the killing has arrived. Trump is eyeing a possible summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the conflict. His efforts to pressure Putin have delivered no progress so far. Russia’s army is advancing deeper into Ukraine and it is bombarding cities. In eastern Ukraine, a commander says Moscow isn’t interested in peace. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán says Europe should lead efforts to end the conflict.
Trump orders increased federal law enforcement presence in Washington to ‘make DC safe again’
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House has announced an increased federal law enforcement presence in Washington, D.C., for at least the next week to combat crime. This move follows President Donald Trump’s suggestions that his administration could take over running the city. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that federal personnel from various police forces would be visible on the streets starting at midnight. This initiative will last for at least a week, but there will be the option to extend. The decision comes after a recent assault on a government worker, and amid Trump’s criticism of rising crime in the city. Local officials, however, can point to declines in carjackings and homicides since 2023.
Advocacy group sues Justice Department and FBI for access to Epstein records
WASHINGTON (AP) — An advocacy group is suing the Justice Department and the FBI for records detailing their handling of the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation. Friday’s lawsuit by the group Democracy Forward seeks records related to senior administration officials’ communication about Epstein documents and any regarding correspondence between Epstein and President Donald Trump. Since Epstein’s 2019 death in a New York jail cell as he awaited trial, conservative conspiracists have stoked theories about what information investigators gathered on Epstein and who knew about his sexual abuse of teenage girls. Trump denies prior knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and claims he cut off their relationship long ago. The Justice Department hasn’t responded to a message seeking comment.
AP investigation shows chaos of deadly Texas floods through emergency recordings and videos
The Associated Press has assembled a chronology of chaotic rescue efforts as a flash flood barreled through the Hill Country of Central Texas before dawn July 4. The AP analyzed first responder recordings, weather service warnings, survivor videos and official testimony. Cries for help came from the woods, rooftops and attics that shifted unsteadily as the water rose. Firefighters and police raced to help, having little guidance on where or how. Top emergency leaders were asleep or out of town. The flooding killed at least 136 people, including more than two dozen children and counselors at a camp.
Flash floods kill at least 10 people and leave 33 missing in northwestern China
BEIJING (AP) — Chinese state media reports flash floods have left at least 10 people dead and 33 missing in Yuzhong County in China’s northwestern Gansu province. Heavy rains since Thursday have triggered flash floods and at least one landslide in mountainous areas near Lanzhou. The downpour has knocked out power and telecommunications services, leaving more than 4,000 people across four villages stranded. Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged all-out rescue and flood prevention efforts in the area.
Boar’s Head plans to reopen troubled deli meat plant, but reports of sanitation problems persist
The Boar’s Head deli meat plant at the heart of a deadly food poisoning outbreak is set to reopen in the coming months. Federal health officials lifted a forced suspension at the company’s Jarratt, Virginia, site. However, new documents show that sanitation problems similar to those that led to listeria contamination persist at three other company sites — in Forrest City, Arkansas; New Castle, Indiana; and Petersburg, Virginia. The outbreak that began in July 2024 killed 10 people and sickened dozens more. The company recalled 7 million pounds of deli products nationwide, discontinued liverwurst and shut down the Jarratt site.
Judge to consider the fate of an agreement on protecting immigrant children in US custody
McALLEN, Texas (AP) — A federal judge is set to hear a Trump administration request to end a long-standing policy on protections for immigrant children in federal custody. The Flores settlement limits how long Customs and Border Protection can hold immigrant children and requires safe conditions. Advocates argue the protections are necessary and have submitted accounts of poor conditions in detention centers. The Trump administration says conditions have improved since the settlement was formalized in 1997. But advocates for the children say the government is holding children beyond the time limits set out in the agreement. A hearing is set Friday in Los Angeles. The Trump administration request comes after the Biden administration successfully pushed to partially end the agreement last year.
Wall Street drifts as stock markets worldwide take Trump’s new tariffs in stride
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks drifted to a mixed finish as President Donald Trump’s tariffs on dozens of countries had only a muted effect on markets worldwide. The S&P 500 slipped 0.1% Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.3% to a record. Worries are high that Trump’s tariffs are damaging the economy, particularly after last week’s worse-than-expected report on the job market. But hopes for coming cuts to interest rates by the Federal Reserve and a torrent of stronger-than-expected profit reports from big U.S. companies are helping to offset the concerns, at least for now. Treasury yields ticked higher.
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