Jul 18 Closing arguments in espionage trial of reporter Evan Gershkovich will be Friday, court says By Kirill Zarubin, Emma Burrows, Associated Press Closing arguments in the espionage trial of U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich will be held Friday, a court said, as the proceedings in Russia's highly politicized legal system picked up speed in a case that has seen the reporter behind bars… Continue reading
Jul 17 As Gaza’s doctors struggle to save lives, many lose their own in Israeli airstrikes By Sarah El Deeb, Associated Press Israel’s 9-month-old war with Hamas in Gaza has decimated the territory’s medical system. Israeli raids have wreaked physical destruction on hospitals, and health facilities have been hit and evacuated. Continue reading
Jul 17 Traces of cyanide found in the blood of Vietnamese and Americans found dead in a Bangkok hotel By Jintamas Saksornchai, Napat Kongsawad, Associated Press Initial autopsy results showed traces of cyanide in the blood of six Vietnamese and American guests at a luxury hotel in central Bangkok and one of them is believed to have poisoned the others over a bad investment, authorities said. Continue reading
Jul 17 Syrian military official who oversaw prison where alleged abuse took place arrested in Los Angeles By Christopher Weber, Jaimie Ding, Associated Press Al-Sheikh was charged with immigration fraud, specifically that he denied in his U.S. visa and citizenship applications that he had ever ordered any political killings or carried out abuse in Syria. Continue reading
Jul 17 Watch 7:04 Hamas committed crimes against humanity, war crimes on Oct. 7, Human Rights Watch says By Stephanie Sy, Zeba Warsi A new report released by Human Rights Watch concludes that Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Oct. 7 attacks last year. The report says fighters conducted a coordinated assault "designed to… Continue watching
Jul 17 U.S. military’s Gaza pier, built to carry humanitarian aid, will be dismantled after weather and security problems By Lolita C. Baldor, Tara Copp, Associated Press Critics call the pier a $230 million boondoggle. The military argues it got close to 20 million pounds of supplies to Gaza. The steel pier segments were shipped to the region from an Army base in Virginia. Continue reading
Jul 17 New York town is devastated by tornado. Storms flood the Ozarks and strand drivers in Toronto By Andrew DeMillo, Ed White, Associated Press Much of the U.S. and Canada is cleaning up or still dealing with a new wave of severe storms that have caused deaths and damage this week from the Plains to New England. Continue reading
Jul 17 10 years after tragedy that claimed 298 lives, relatives grieve those killed when MH17 was shot down By Mike Corder, Rod McGuirk, Associated Press Families of the victims blamed Russian-backed rebels for the missile that took down the plane, but Moscow has repeatedly denied responsibility. In 2022, a Dutch court convicted in absentia two Russians and a Ukrainian separatist for their role in the… Continue reading
Jul 17 King Charles III presides over opening of Parliament with trumpets, tiaras and tradition on display By Danica Kirka, Associated Press The monarch wore ceremonial robes and the crown of state to deliver a speech laying out the legislative program of the U.K.’s first left-leaning government in 14 years. The state opening of Parliament is one of the traditional set pieces… Continue reading
Jul 17 To showcase its improved cleanliness, Paris mayor dips into the Seine River before Olympic events By Tom Nouvian, Associated Press It’s part of a broader effort to showcase the river’s improved cleanliness ahead of the Summer Games which will kick off July 26 and host open-water swimming competitions. Daily water quality tests in early June indicated unsafe levels of E. Continue reading