Israel orders evacuations in central Gaza as ceasefire talks stall and military offensive widens

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Israeli military has issued new evacuation warnings for central Gaza, an area where ground operations have been rare. This move cuts access between Deir al-Balah and southern cities. The announcement comes amid stalled ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas in Qatar. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says military pressure aims to push Hamas into negotiations. The evacuation zone includes areas where aid organizations operate, though they have not commented. Gaza faces a severe humanitarian crisis, with over 58,000 Palestinians killed since the conflict began. Protests in Israel demand an end to the war and the return of hostages.

Syria's leader urges Bedouin tribes to commit to a ceasefire ending clashes with the Druze

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has urged Sunni Bedouin tribes to honor a ceasefire aimed at ending deadly clashes with Druze-linked militias Sweida. The violence has left hundreds dead and drawn Israeli airstrikes targeting Syrian forces. Al-Sharaa blamed armed groups from Sweida for reigniting the conflict on Thursday and criticized Israeli intervention. A separate U.S.-brokered ceasefire was announced early Saturday between Syria and Israel, but tensions remain high. Al-Sharaa emphasized unity, vowing to protect minorities and thanking the U.S. and Arab mediators for their support during Syria’s ongoing crisis.

With gavel in hand, Trump chisels away at the power of a compliant Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) — When House Speaker Mike Johnson gifted to President Donald Trump the gavel used to enact the Republicans' tax breaks and spending bill, it was a memorable moment at the White House. The image from the bill signing on Independence Day underscored the symbolic transfer of political power from a compliant Congress to the White House during Trump's second term. Since Trump’s return to office in January, the Republicans in control of Congress have shown an unusual willingness to give the president of their party what he wants. And that poses a risk to Congress, an equal branch of government but one the Founding Fathers placed first in the Constitution.

Car strikes crowd outside Los Angeles venue, injuring 30. Bystanders attack driver, who was shot

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A vehicle has rammed into a crowd of people waiting to enter an event venue along a busy boulevard in Los Angeles, injuring 30 people. Police say bystanders attacked the driver, who was later found to have a gunshot wound. Officials say the driver and nearly two dozen victims from the crowd were taken to hospitals and trauma centers. They say seven were in critical condition. The incident took place along Santa Monica Boulevard in East Hollywood. Fire Capt. Adam VanGerpen says a line of people were waiting to enter Vermont Hollywood when they were struck by a vehicle that also hit a food vending cart and valet stand. Police are investigating.

Russia pounds Ukraine with over 300 drones, killing 1 in Odesa

Russia has launched a massive overnight drone and missile attack on Ukraine, killing at least one person. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said over 300 drones and 30 cruise missiles were fired during the attack overnight into Saturday, with Odesa heavily targeted. The city's mayor said one person died and five were rescued from a fire in a high-rise building. Six others, including a child, were wounded. Critical infrastructure in the Sumy region was also damaged. Analysts note Russia has intensified its drone attacks with barrages now surpassing previous records in scale and frequency.

Trump's pace of early travel largely mirrors Biden's, but with more sports events and golf

WASHINGTON (AP) — Moving at the “speed of Trump” is one of the White House’s favorite phrases, but when it comes to presidential travel, Donald Trump’s pace is about the same as that of his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden. By his six-month mark in office on July 20, Trump will have made 49 trips to 14 states and seven foreign countries. That’s not far off from Biden's pace. The Democrat made 45 trips to 17 states and three foreign countries early in his presidency during the pandemic. Trump’s second-term travel is also less prolific than his first, at least in terms of visiting different parts of the United States.

Two surrogates speak out about California couple under investigation

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Authorities are investigating a Southern California couple after their infant child was taken to a hospital with a traumatic head injury and 21 children were discovered in their custody. Many of the children were born by surrogate, and at least eight women have spoken out on social media about the couple aggressively pursuing them or misleading them in the surrogacy process. Charges have not been filed against Silvia Zhang and Guojun Xuan, but detectives are still investigating the couple for potential child abuse. The couple did not respond to phone calls and emails seeking comment.

Tourist boat capsizes during a storm in Vietnam, leaving 37 dead. 5 remain missing

HA LONG BAY, Vietnam (AP) — State media in Vietnam have reported that 37 people were killed after a boat carrying tourists capsized during a sudden thunderstorm. Five people remain missing. The capsizing on Saturday afternoon occurred during a sightseeing excursion. The reports said that the Wonder Sea boat was carrying 48 passengers and five crew members during the tour of Ha Long Bay. Everyone onboard was Vietnamese. The destination is a popular destination for visitors. VNExpress newspaper reported that rescue workers saved 11 people and recovered the dead near the site of the capsizing. The newspaper said that the boat turned upside down because of strong winds. A 14-year-old boy was rescued after four hours trapped in the overturned hull.

3 Democrat-led states have rolled back Medicaid access for people lacking permanent legal status

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Three Democratic-led states that led the way in offering free health care to low-income people who are in the U.S. without legal permission are either limiting or ending the programs because of significant budget concerns. Minnesota stopped coverage for adults, and Illinois ended its program for people ages 42-64. California will cap enrollment starting next year. Doctors and advocates say it will only cost states more in the long run because more people will end up in hospitals. The Trump administration has shared Medicaid enrollment data with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.

Tech company CEO resigns after controversy over video captured at Coldplay concert

A tech company CEO has resigned after controversy over a video captured on the big screen at a Coldplay concert. Andy Byron resigned from his job as CEO of Astronomer Inc., according to a statement posted on LinkedIn by the company Saturday. “Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met,” the company said in its post on LinkedIn. The move comes a day after the company said that Byron had been placed on leave and the board of directors had launched a formal investigation into the incident, which went viral.