Israeli soldiers share rare accounts from Gaza, describing ongoing killings despite the ceasefire
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Accounts from soldiers who were stationed in Gaza amid a fragile ceasefire there are offering a rare glimpse into the Israeli-controlled part of the embattled territory. Three Israeli soldiers spoke to The Associated Press, describing a sense of confusion and lack of clarity on the rules of engagement around the so-called yellow line. The line divides Gaza into Israeli-controlled and Palestinian areas. It's ambiguous and has been unmarked in some areas. The soldiers say some commanders paid lip service to the ceasefire deal while privately voicing desire for the war to continue. They say despite the ceasefire, the killings never stopped. One described teammates celebrating deaths and relishing the chance to go after those who crossed or came close to crossing the line.
Russian spies are aggressively seeking Western technology as sanctions bite, officials say
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) — Russian intelligence agencies have grown more aggressive in their efforts to steal Western technology and defense secrets as sanctions squeeze the country’s wartime economy. That's according to three senior European intelligence officials who spoke to The Associated Press. They say Moscow’s agents are building fake companies, recruiting middlemen and deploying cyber spies and hackers who are gathering information that could also be used to attack key infrastructure. Four years of international sanctions have hampered Moscow’s ability to procure machinery, technology and research from Europe. The grinding war in Ukraine has meanwhile taxed key industries and pushed Russia toward a possible financial crisis.
Hegseth tones down warnings about China but says US remains committed to Pacific security
SINGAPORE (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth assured Pacific allies Saturday that Washington remains committed to the region while softening past comments that described China as an imminent threat. Speaking at the Shangri-La defense conference in Singapore, Hegseth said U.S. policy aims to preserve a favorable balance of power and prevent any country from dominating the Indo-Pacific. His remarks came after President Donald Trump met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing and praised prospects for U.S.-China ties. Hegseth said there is no change in U.S. policy toward Taiwan but declined to address a pending arms package. He also urged Asian allies to increase defense spending.
As Ebola scourges Congo, experts warn of link to eating wild animals
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — For many in Congo and elsewhere in Central and West Africa, there is no shame in craving wild meat, a key part of the culture. Even a disease as terrifying as Ebola, which is currently ravaging a remote part of eastern Congo, has failed to stem demand for wild meat emerging from the Congo Basin. The Congo Basin is an expansive forested ecosystem rich in wildlife from great apes to serpents — both of which are hunted for their meat. Although Ebola is not spread by food, cases in Africa have been associated with hunting, butchering and processing meat from infected animals.
Iowa Democrats hoping to flip a US Senate seat are torn over which of 2 hopefuls has the best shot
AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Democrats are deciding between Josh Turek and Zach Wahls in Tuesday's U.S. Senate primary. They want a candidate who can flip a Republican-held seat in November. Many Democrats remain undecided as to who fits the bill. Turek, a state representative, believes his story and focus on economic issues appeal to independents and moderate Republicans. Wahls, a state senator, emphasizes his willingness to challenge party leadership and attract working-class voters. The primary choice carries high stakes for Iowa’s Democratic voters who haven’t had many recent examples of successful statewide candidates to help guide their decision.
Candidates for California governor scramble to deliver final pitch to voters with days to go
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The many candidates running for California governor have been rushing to deliver their closing arguments to voters in the race’s final days before the June 2 primary. They’ve been trying to stand out from the pack. Democrat Xavier Becerra has been highlighting the more than 35 years he has spent in public office. Republican Steve Hilton says he'll bring a fresh set of eyes to state government, reduce regulations and bring down costs. And Democrat Tom Steyer says he's a billionaire who wants to tax other billionaires. All three are headed to the San Francisco Bay Area this weekend to put a finer point on their message to voters.
In Southern California Chinese enclave, a mayor's arrest stokes fears of Beijing's influence
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang has pleaded guilty to being an illegal agent of the Chinese government. The news filled the unassuming suburban city outside of Los Angeles with anger, disappointment, and murmurs of quiet concern. Fears about spies and Chinese Communist Party influence abounded on social media. Arcadia’s population of about 53,000 is majority Asian, like many other cities in the region. Some residents worry Wang's indictment could bring unfair scrutiny on the broader Chinese and Asian American community. Acting Mayor Paul Cheng called the news a “slap in the face.”
How a chemical tank disaster struck at the heart of a Washington state mill town
LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — A chemical tank failure at a paper mill in Washington state this past week has struck at the heart of a historic mill town. Longview was founded by a timber baron about a century ago, and generations of families have worked in local mills. On Tuesday morning, a tank containing more than 500,000 gallons of a highly destructive chemical mixture used in paper manufacturing collapsed. It is one of the deadliest U.S. workplace accidents in recent decades. Eleven people died, including two whose bodies have yet to be recovered. Many Longview residents who spoke with The Associated Press had family or friends who currently or previously worked at the plant.
Trump tells agencies to align with study calling for narrower childhood vaccine recommendations
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is giving his endorsement to a January study by the Department of Health and Human Services that calls for cutting the number of vaccines recommended for every American child. An executive order that Trump signed on Friday directs federal agencies to align their policies behind the study, which recommended an overhaul long called for by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The study found that the United States recommends more childhood vaccines than many peer nations. The study recommends vaccinating all children against 11 diseases. Several others would be moved to a category of vaccines recommended only for high-risk groups or if doctors recommend it.
US commander meets with Cuban military officials as Trump pressures island nation
WASHINGTON (AP) — The top U.S. commander in Latin America has met with Cuban military leaders in a “brief exchange on operational security matters” near the U.S. Navy base in Guantanamo Bay. Gen. Francis Donovan, head of U.S. Southern Command, is the latest American official to visit the island nation as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on its leaders. Trump has warned that Cuba “is next” after U.S. military forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in a January raid. In the months since, the Trump administration has imposed an oil blockade on Cuba, maintained warships in the Caribbean Sea and indicted a former Cuban leader on federal charges.
