Hezbollah launches rockets into Israel after an Israeli strike kills 7 in Lebanon
The Israeli military says around 30 rockets were launched from Lebanon toward northern Israel on Wednesday morning. Hezbollah took responsibility for the launches and said they were in response to an Israeli airstrike on a paramedic center linked to a Lebanese Sunni Muslim group in south Lebanon that killed seven of its members overnight. Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group began launching rockets toward Israel one day after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that his government will not accept Hamas’ “delusional” conditions for a cease-fire in Gaza. The militant group rejected the latest truce proposal because it says Israel is ignoring the group’s core demands.
Trump evokes more anger and fear from Democrats than Biden does from Republicans, AP-NORC poll shows
ATLANTA (AP) — Many Americans are unenthusiastic about a November rematch of the 2020 presidential election. But presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump appears to stoke more fear and anger among Democrats than President Joe Biden does among Republicans. That’s according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. A potential Trump victory inspires more excitement among Republicans than a Biden win does among Democrats, though, highlighting a potential weak point for Biden. The findings are notable in an unusual campaign pitting an incumbent president against his predecessor, with both men facing doubters within their own parties and among independents.
Biden leans on his Democratic predecessors as Trump remains isolated from other Republican leaders
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will share a stage with Barack Obama and Bill Clinton in New York as he raises money for his reelection campaign. Thursday’s event is a one-of-a-kind political extravaganza that will showcase decades of Democratic leadership. Although the three have occasionally campaigned against each other, they’ve spnt more time working together. The event will be a sharp contrast to Donald Trump’s relative isolation from other Republican leaders. Although the presumptive Republican nominee has solidified control over his party, not even his own former vice president, Mike Pence, has been willing to endorse his bid for another White House term.
A faster spinning Earth may cause timekeepers to subtract a second from world clocks
For the first time in history, world timekeepers may have to consider subtracting a second from our clocks in a few years because the planet is rotating a tad faster. Wednesday’s study in a scientific journal says that clocks may have to skip in a second — called a “negative leap second” — around 2029. Ice melting at both of Earth’s poles has been counteracting the planet’s burst of speed and is likely to have delayed the global second of reckoning by about three years. It’s a complicated situation that involves, physics, global power politics, climate change, technology and two types of time.
How events in Moldova’s breakaway Transnistria region raised fears of Russian interference
Since Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, fears have risen in neighboring Moldova that it could also be in Moscow’s crosshairs. Like Ukraine, Moldova is a former Soviet republic that has aligned itself with the West and aspires to join the European Union. And both countries hope to eventually reintegrate Russian-speaking breakaway territories that view Moscow as their protector. Last week, an empty helicopter at a military installation in Moldova’s breakaway region, Transnistria, was destroyed in what Transnistrian officials blamed on a Ukrainian drone strike but what Moldovan authorities allege was a staged explosion meant to inflame tensions. Moldovan leaders contend it’s part of a broader Russian effort to derail its EU aspirations.
Settlement reached in lawsuit between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ allies
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Allies of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney have reached a settlement agreement in a state court fight over how Walt Disney World is developed in the future following the takeover of the theme park resort’s government by the Florida governor. In a meeting Wednesday morning, the DeSantis-appointed members of the board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District approved the settlement agreement, ending almost two years of litigation that was sparked by DeSantis’ takeover of the district from Disney supporters. The takeover was a result of the company’s opposition to Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in New York hush-money criminal case
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump has lashed out at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial. The former president also lambasted the judge’s daughter, who posted a photo illustration of Trump behind bars. Trump posted on social media Wednesday that the gag order was “illegal, un-American, unConstitutional” and said Judge Juan M. Merchan was “wrongfully attempting to deprive me of my First Amendment Right to speak out against the Weaponization of Law Enforcement” by Democratic rivals. The gag order does not bar comments about Merchan or his family. Messages seeking comment were left with Judge Merchan, Loren Merchan and a court spokesperson.
NCAA President Charlie Baker urges state lawmakers to ban prop betting on college athletes
NCAA President Charlie Baker is urging states with legal wagering on sporting events to ban betting on individual player performances. Prop bets allow gamblers to wager on statistics a player will accumulate during a game. The NBA has opened an investigation into Toronto Raptors two-way player Jontay Porter amid gambling allegations related to his own performance in individual games. Ohio, Vermont and Maryland are among the states that have removed prop betting on college athletes. The American Gaming Association estimates $2.7 billion will be bet this year on the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments through legal sportsbooks.
Should college essays touch on race? Some feel the affirmative action ruling leaves them no choice
CHICAGO (AP) — When the Supreme Court ended affirmative action, it left the college essay as one of few places where race can play a role in admissions decisions. Yet the added weight of the college essay has fallen unevenly on students of color, who often feel pressure to exploit their hardships as they compete for a spot on campus. This year’s senior class is the first in decades to navigate college admissions without affirmative action. The Supreme Court upheld the practice in decisions going back to the 1970s, but this court’s conservative supermajority said it is unconstitutional for colleges to give students extra weight because of their race alone.
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