Israeli strikes on Lebanon kill 12, including five Hezbollah fighters
A security source told Reuters that five of the dead were Hezbollah fighters. Khodr said seven of the dead were Syrian nationals, who often work in the agricultural fields of the Bekaa region.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
US ends Gaza ceasefire talks early, accuses Hamas of lacking 'good faith'
Witkoff said the US is resolute in seeking an end to the conflict in Gaza and it was a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way AP Washington The United States is cutting short Gaza ceasefire talks and bringing its negotiating team home from Qatar for consultations after the latest response from Hamas shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said Thursday. While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith," Witkoff said in a statement. We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza. It was unclear what alternative options" the US was considering. The White House had no immediate comment. When pressed for clarity on whether and how the US would proceed, Pigott did not offer clarity and said, This is a very dynamic situation. He said there's never been a question of the US commitment to reaching a ceasefire, but of Hamas' commitment. Talks have dragged on A breakthrough in talks on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has eluded Trump's administration for months as conditions worsen in Gaza. The territory recently had its deadliest day yet for aid-seekers in over 21 months of war, with at least 85 Palestinians killed while trying to reach food Sunday. The sides have held weeks of talks in Qatar, reporting small signs of progress but no major breakthroughs. Officials have said a main sticking point is the redeployment of Israeli troops after any ceasefire takes place. Witkoff said the US is resolute in seeking an end to the conflict in Gaza and it was a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way. Israel also calls back its negotiators Earlier Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office recalled his country's negotiating team back to Israel in light of Hamas' response. In a brief statement, the prime minister's office expressed its appreciation for the efforts of Witkoff and mediators Qatar and Egypt, but it gave no further details. The deal under discussion is expected to include an initial 60-day ceasefire in which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in phases in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Aid supplies would be ramped up and the two sides would hold negotiations on a lasting ceasefire. The talks have been bogged down over competing demands for ending the war. Hamas says it will only release all hostages in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal and end to the war. Israel says it will not agree to end the war until Hamas gives up power and disarms, a condition the militant group rejects. Hamas is believed to be holding the hostages in different locations, including tunnels, and says it has ordered its guards to kill them if Israeli forces approach. Trump pushes for peace The breakdown in talks is the latest setback for Trump as he's tried to position himself as peacemaker and made little secret of the fact he wants to receive a Nobel Peace Prize. The Republican president also had promised to quickly negotiate an end to Russia's war in Ukraine, but little progress has been made there, either. With the war in Gaza, Trump earlier this month met with Netanyahu at the White House, putting his weight behind a push to reach a breakthrough and a ceasefire agreement. But despite his newly strengthened partnership with Netanyahu following their countries' joint strikes on Iran, the Israeli leader left Washington without any announced breakthrough. The State Department said earlier in the week that Witkoff would be traveling to the Middle East for talks, but US officials later said that Witkoff would instead travel to Europe. It was unclear if he was holding meetings there Thursday. The apparent derailing of the talks comes as Israel's blockade and military offensive have driven Gaza to the brink of famine, according to aid groups. The UN food agency says nearly 100,000 women and children are suffering from severe, acute malnutrition, and the Gaza Health Ministry has reported a rise in hunger-related deaths. Israel is criticized for its role in Gaza Israel has come under mounting pressure, with 28 Western-aligned countries calling for an end to the war and harshly criticizing Israel's blockade and a new aid delivery model it has rolled out. More than 100 charity and human rights groups released a similar letter, saying that even their own staff are struggling to get enough food. The US and Israel rejected the allegations and blamed Hamas for prolonging the war by not accepting their terms for a ceasefire. Israel says it is allowing in enough aid and blames UN agencies for not distributing it. But those agencies say it is nearly impossible to safely deliver it because of Israeli restrictions and a breakdown of law and order, with crowds of thousands unloading food trucks as soon as they move into Gaza. A separate Israeli-backed system run by an American contractor has also been marred by chaos. The State Department once again on Thursday defended the US-backed system of delivering aid into Gaza despite international and nongovernmental organizations saying it's not enough to deal with the growing hunger and malnutrition happening in the war-torn area. Of course, we want to see the end of devastation that is taking place in Gaza, Pigott said. That is why we have supported the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. That is why we've seen those 90 million meals being distributed. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
'Everyone is stating I will destroy Elon's companies, but...': Trump plays down feud with Musk
The seeds of trouble between the duo were sown after Musk denounced Trump's sweeping tax-cut and spending bill. The president initially held his tongue while Musk campaigned to torpedo the bill, saying it would add too much to the nation's $36.2 trillion in debt read more US President Donald Trump has taken a soft stance on Elon Musk, saying that claims that he wants to wreck the billionaire's company are not true. This follows a public spat between the duo, who once worked hand-in-hand when Musk was heading Doge. 'Everyone is stating that I will destroy Elon's companies by taking away some, if not all, of the large-scale subsidies he receives from the US Government. This is not so! I want Elon, and all businesses within our Country, to THRIVE, in fact, THRIVE like never before!' Trump said on Truth Social. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Even after the war of words with Trump via social media posts, Musk has continued his attacks against the president by claiming that he had a relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. When Trump threatened to cut Musk's govt subsidies Last month, Trump said, 'The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon's Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn't do it." The seeds of trouble between the duo were sown after Musk denounced Trump's sweeping tax-cut and spending bill. The president initially held his tongue while Musk campaigned to torpedo the bill, saying it would add too much to the nation's $36.2 trillion in debt. After the altercation between Trump and Musk, the president said that his former protégé was ' upset because we took the EV mandate, which is a lot of money… I know that disturbed him…Elon and I had a great relationship. I don't know if we will anymore.' Is Trump attacking Musk's companies? Sweeping tax and budget legislation approved by Congress, and signed by Trump, will halt $7,500 tax credits for buying or leasing new electric vehicles on September 30, as well as a $4,000 used EV credit, which have helped juice green vehicle sales in recent years. A week after the spat in June, Reuters reported the White House had directed the Defense Department and NASA to gather details on billions of dollars in SpaceX contracts to ready possible retaliation against the businessman and his companies.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
FirstUp: PM Modi to visit Maldives, Trump in Scotland… Top news today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the Maldives today, where he will meet President Mohamed Muizzu and inaugurate several India-assisted development projects. He will also join celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the Maldives' independence during his two-day visit. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump will begin his visit to Scotland today, his first trip to the UK since being re-elected read more This is PM Modi's first trip to the Maldives since relations between the two countries became strained. Reuters/File Photo It is a packed day ahead. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to reach the Maldives today as part of a two-day visit. He will attend the island nation's Independence Day celebrations, where he has been invited as the 'guest of honour'. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump will begin his visit to Scotland today. This will be his first trip to the UK since his re-election. Iran, along with Britain, France and Germany, will hold nuclear discussions in Istanbul today. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In England, up to 50,000 resident doctors are set to go on strike today and tomorrow (July 30). Comic-Con International, the four-day pop culture event featuring a special appearance by George Lucas, is underway in the US, with day two scheduled for today. Here's a look at the events: PM Modi's Maldives visit Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the Maldives today, where he will hold discussions with President Mohamed Muizzu and inaugurate several India-assisted development projects. He will also take part in celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the Maldives' independence. The visit is being viewed as a key moment to address important issues. Reuters/File Photo 'The prime minister's state visit also happens to be the first state visit of a head of government that President Muizzu is hosting in his presidency since he assumed the office in November 2023,' Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said. Notably, this is PM Modi's first trip to the Maldives since relations between the two countries became strained over the 'India Out' campaign led by some Maldivian politicians and Muizzu's approach favouring China. The visit is being viewed as a key moment to address important issues, boost cooperation, and reaffirm India's commitment to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy in the Indian Ocean region. Trump's Scotland visit US President Donald Trump is beginning his trip to Scotland today. This will be his first visit to the UK since being re-elected. The White House has called it a 'private' visit and confirmed that he will meet British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. This will be Trump's first trip to the UK since his re-election. Reuters/File Photo His trip comes two months before King Charles III is due to host him on a formal state visit to the UK. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Protests are expected during his stay, with opposition from local leaders. The 'Stop Trump Coalition' has planned demonstrations in Aberdeen and Edinburgh on Saturday to disrupt the visit. Iran to hold nuclear talks with UK, France & Germany Iran will hold nuclear talks with Britain, France and Germany in Istanbul today. These discussions follow warnings from the three European countries that fresh international sanctions could be imposed on Tehran if negotiations are not resumed. The meeting comes after the foreign ministers of the E3 countries, along with the European Union's foreign policy chief, held their first phone call on Thursday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi since Israeli and US forces struck Iranian nuclear sites a month ago. Britain, France and Germany, along with China and Russia, are the remaining signatories of the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran. The United States withdrew from the deal in 2018. Before the recent conflict between Iran and Israel, Tehran and Washington held five rounds of indirect nuclear talks in Oman, though major differences remained unresolved. Hospital doctors to strike over pay in England As many as 50,000 resident doctors in England, previously referred to as junior doctors, are expected to go on strike today and tomorrow (July 30). They are demanding a 29 percent increase in pay. Notably, doctors in England and Wales were granted a 5.4 percent pay rise by the government. However, the British Medical Association (BMA) continued with strike plans, arguing that the raise did not make up for earlier pay freezes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The BMA is calling for a 29.2 percent increase to bring pay levels back in line with those from 2008. Health Secretary Wes Streeting sent a letter to the BMA earlier on Tuesday, saying he would return to talks if the strike was delayed. The BMA said what was being offered fell short,, and that securing better pay remained their main concern. Comic-Con 2025 Comic-Con International, the four-day celebration of pop culture, has begun in the United States. Day two of the event will take place today. Across the four-day schedule, fans can look forward to updates on the new 'Predator' film, the 'Alien' series, and a special appearance by George Lucas. San Diego will host thousands of visitors for Comic-Con International. Reuters One of the major highlights this year will be George Lucas himself. Around 135,000 people are expected to attend the convention, where Lucas will appear on Sunday for the first time in Comic-Con history. Fans should not expect big announcements from Marvel or DC about their film line-ups. Both studios are skipping Comic-Con 2025 when it comes to movie reveals. With inputs from agencies
