Netanyahu defends new military offensive in Gaza and says it will be wider than announced

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended a new military offensive in Gaza that’s more sweeping than previously announced. He declared Sunday in the face of growing condemnation that Israel “has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.” Netanyahu said the security cabinet last week instructed the dismantling of Hamas strongholds not only in Gaza City but also in the “central camps” and Muwasi. The sprawling camps were not part of Israel’s announcement Friday. Netanyahu’s office says he has spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump about the plan and thanked him for his support.

Australia will recognize a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Albanese says

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia will recognize a Palestinian state. His remarks on Monday followed weeks of urging from within his Cabinet and from many in Australia to recognize a Palestinian state and amid growing criticism from officials in his government over suffering in Gaza. Australia’s government has also criticized plans announced in recent days by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu for a sweeping new military offensive in Gaza.

UK police say more than 500 people arrested in pro-Palestinian events over weekend

LONDON (AP) — London police said Sunday that 532 people were arrested the previous day when supporters of a pro-Palestinian group recently outlawed as a terrorist organization intentionally broke the law to test the government’s ability to enforce the ban. The Metropolitan Police Service released the updated figures as protesters demanding the immediate release of the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza held their own march through central London on Sunday afternoon. The vast majority of those detained on Saturday were arrested for displaying placards declaring their support for the group known as Palestine Action. Police said 522 people were arrested for supporting a proscribed organization in violation of anti-terror laws.

Trump is promising new steps to tackle homelessness and crime in Washington

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is promising new steps to tackle homelessness and crime in Washington. And that's leading the city’s mayor to voice concerns about the potential use of the National Guard to patrol the streets in the nation’s capital. Trump says in a social media post that he plans a White House news conference at 10 a.m. Monday to discuss his plans to make the District of Columbia, in his words, “safer and more beautiful than it ever was before.” On Thursday, the Republican president directed an increased federal law enforcement presence in the Democratic-run city for seven days, “with the option to extend as needed.” Federal agencies including the FBI assigned more than 120 officers and agents to assist in Washington.

On the front lines in eastern Ukraine, peace feels far away

DONETSK REGION, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian soldiers on the front line doubt that peace talks can end the war with Russia. Explosions from Russian weapons keep them underground and nothing on the Eastern Front suggests an end is near. Many soldiers feel diplomatic efforts are far removed from the battlefield, citing broken U.S. promises. Suggestions to exchange territories, such as leaving the Donetsk region, confuse and frustrate them. Some soldiers believe a brief pause in hostilities is more likely than peace. As the war drags on, soldiers train intensively, knowing there's no way back. Commanders say a ceasefire might happen, but true peace seems distant.

European leaders rally behind Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin meeting

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — European nations have rallied behind Ukraine, emphasizing that peace cannot be achieved without Kyiv's involvement. This comes before a planned meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin. Trump has said the meeting in Alaska is to discuss ending the war, which has lasted over three years. European leaders have expressed concerns that Kyiv might be pressured into giving up land. A statement from European leaders stresses the need for a "just and lasting peace" for Ukraine. Trump has also moved up an ultimatum to impose additional sanctions on Russia if no settlement is reached.

Flooding cancels last day of Wisconsin State Fair as severe storms knock out power and close roads

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Flash flooding canceled the final day of the Wisconsin State Fair on Sunday as continued heavy rainfall in half a dozen Midwest states has led to water rescues, power outages and road closures. The National Weather Service has issued flood watches and warnings for parts of Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin. Forecasters predict repeated rounds of heavy rain, along with hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes. Among the worst hit is the Milwaukee area, where up to 14 inches of rain had fallen in some areas. USA Triathlon also canceled its Sprint and Paratriathlon National Championships in Milwaukee, where thousands were expected to compete.

Whitmer told Trump in private that Michigan auto jobs depend on a tariff change of course

WASHINGTON (AP) — Michigan's governor met privately with President Donald Trump to urge him to change course on tariffs that are having a big impact on automakers in her state. Democrat Gretchen Whitmer came for the Oval Office meeting Tuesday with a visual presentation to warn that the tariffs threaten Michigan’s economy and undermine Trump’s promises to revive manufacturing. Trump has stuck with high import taxes despite pushback from auto executives as the tariffs cost the industry billions and trigger layoffs. Whitmer’s rare access to Trump as a leading Democrat underscores the political and economic stakes as the president considers escalating tariffs further.

Marcos says the Philippines will be pulled into any war over Taiwan, despite China's protest

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says his country will inevitably be drawn “kicking and screaming” in any war over Taiwan due to its proximity and the presence of large numbers of Filipino workers on the self-ruled island, despite China’s strong protest over such remarks. Marcos has also told a news conference Monday that the Philippines' coast guard and navy defending its territorial interests in the South China Sea will never back down after the Chinese coast guard staged dangerous blocking maneuvers and used a powerful water cannon to try to drive away Philippine vessels from the hotly disputed Scarborough Shoal.

Migrants returning to Venezuela face debt and harsh living conditions

MARACAIBO, Venezuela (AP) — Yosbelin Pérez is starting over with nothing in her name after trying to escape Venezuela's political, social and economic crisis. Pérez, her husband and five children are back in their country since March after failing to reach the United States. More than 7.7 million Venezuelans have migrated since 2013, with thousands now returning due to harsh U.S. immigration policies. Returning migrants face worse conditions than when they left, with inflation and low wages making life difficult. Pérez, a maker of the ubiquitous Venezuelan cookware “budare,” struggles with debt, trying to make a living while dealing with extortion demands to keep her fledgling business running.