Israel Sending Negotiating Team To Qatar Ahead Of Trump Meeting

July 6, 2025 7:55 am

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — U.S.-led ceasefire efforts in Gaza appear to be gaining momentum after nearly 21 months of war, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says Israel on Sunday will send a negotiating team to talks in Qatar. The statement also asserted that Hamas was seeking “unacceptable” changes to the proposal. U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed for an agreement and will host Netanyahu at the White House on Monday to discuss a deal. Inside Gaza, hospital officials say Israeli airstrikes killed 14 Palestinians and another 10 were killed while seeking food aid. And two American aid workers with the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation were injured in an attack at a food distribution site. Weary Palestinians expressed cautious hope after Hamas gave a “positive” response late Friday to the latest U.S. proposal for a 60-day truce but said further talks were needed on implementation.

Son Of Mexican Boxer Arrested, Accused Of Cartel Ties

July 6, 2025 7:50 am

CULIACAN, Mexico (AP) — The arrest of Julio César Chávez Jr., son of Mexican boxing legend Julio César Chávez, for overstaying his visa in the U.S. and lying on a green card application shook Sinaloa state’s capital. But it was the way that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security also revealed an active Mexican warrant for his arrest and alleged ties to arms and drug trafficking and the Sinaloa Cartel that made him an uncomfortable subject. In Culiacan, Chávez’s hometown, the news has sparked quiet concern. Locals revere his father, Julio César Chávez, as a national hero but discussions about his son’s alleged cartel links remain muted.

Pennsylvania Begins Distribution $258M In Rebates

July 6, 2025 7:48 am

(WPXI) PITTSBURGH — Thousands of people across Pennsylvania are about to get some extra cash in their bank accounts, thanks to property tax and rent rebates. The state started sending out checks as part of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program on Tuesday. This initial wave includes approximately 425,000 rebates totaling $258 million. The money is going to older homeowners, renters and people with disabilities. Gov. Shapiro calls this a “big deal” for seniors. “I’ve heard for years from seniors who struggle to stay in their homes, who need just a little bit of extra help, and how the property tax/rent rebate is a critical lifeline for them,” Shapiro said. Applications for the 2024 rebates are still being accepted. The deadline was just extended to Dec. 31.

Men Accused Of Abuse, Neglect Of Dogs In Hazelwood

July 6, 2025 7:46 am

(WPXI) PITTSBURGH — Two men are accused of abusing and neglecting nine dogs in a Pittsburgh home. According to court documents, police received a tip from a concerned citizen about animal abuse happening at a house on the 5100 block of Blair Street in Hazelwood. Police said they were given video of what appeared to be Ryan Chavers, 31, hitting the dogs with what they described as a long pipe-like object. Officers said that Garrett Harper, 47, was also living at the house. Police entered the house on June 5 at 7:45 a.m. after getting a search warrant. Nine cane corso dogs were found inside. Three of them were adults and six were puppies, all around eight weeks old.  The animals were in need of medical care and were taken to Animal Friends for treatment. Among them, the puppies had bloody tails, with one having a partially docked tail that was still hanging off. Charges were filed against both Harper and Chavers on July 3. Combined, the two face over 100 charges.

Man Shot, Another Charged After Beaver Falls Dispute

July 6, 2025 7:39 am

(WPXI) BEAVER FALLS, Pa. — A man is facing charges and another man was shot after a dispute over fireworks in Beaver Falls. The Beaver Falls Police Department said officers were called to the 300 block of 12th Street at 10:20 p.m. on the Fourth of July for a reported shooting. Police said a 47-year-old man was shot in the leg there and was taken to a local hospital in a personal vehicle before he was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital. The initial investigation revealed that the shooting happened after someone threw fireworks into a group of children. This resulted in a confrontation between the victim and Jaden Stull, 20, of Beaver Falls. Police said Stull began to run away and shot the victim in the thigh and shin. The victim tackled him after this. Stull is also believed to have shot himself in the hand. Both men are in stable condition. Stull faces charges of aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault and firearm violation charges.

Will Trump’s Big Bill Come With Political Cost?

July 6, 2025 5:22 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has made tax cuts a central part of his political legacy. There were his first-term cuts. And now the Republican has pushed through an extension of those cuts and added new tax breaks. But the bill he signed into law Friday also comes with significant cuts to Medicaid and food assistance, contradicting promises to protect such programs. Democrats plan to make that expected fallout a campaign focus, while Republicans argue the bill will boost the economy. Historically, major legislation that’s been backed mostly by just one party has rarely translated into political rewards. So the long-term effects of Trump’s tax policy are unclear.

Israel Launches Airstrikes Targeting Houthi Rebels

July 6, 2025 5:19 am

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel’s military launched airstrikes early Monday targeting ports and facilities held by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, with the rebels responding with missile fire targeting Israel. The attacks came after a suspected Houthi attack targeting a ship in the Red Sea that caught fire and took on water, later forcing its crew to abandon the vessel. The Israeli military said it struck Houthi-held ports at Hodeida, Ras Isa and Salif. The Houthis then responded with an apparent missile attack on Israel. The Israeli military said it attempted to intercept the two missiles the Houthis fire, but they appeared to make impact, though there were no immediate reports of injuries from the attack.

Pressure From Trump For Trade Deals

July 6, 2025 5:17 am

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is stepping up pressure on trading partners to quickly make new deals before a Wednesday deadline when a tariff pause by President Donald Trump expires. There are plans for the U.S. to start sending letters Monday warning countries that higher tariffs could kick in Aug. 1. That furthers the uncertainty for businesses, consumers and America’s trading partners. And questions remain about which countries will be notified, whether anything will change in the days ahead and whether Trump will once more push off imposing the rates. Trump could extend the time for dealmaking, as he has done before.

Desperate search for missing girls from summer camp after Texas floods kill at least 24

July 5, 2025 3:47 am

KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — Heavy rains have caused devastating flash floods in Texas Hill Country, killing at least 24 people and leaving many others missing. At a news conference late Friday Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said two dozen people were dead after least 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain poured down overnight, causing flash flooding of the Guadalupe River. Authorities said 237 people had been recued so far, including 167 by helicopter. Among the missing are more than 20 girls from a summer camp. Officials say the death toll may rise as rescue operations continue.

Russia Launches Barrage On Kyiv Since War In Ukraine Began

July 5, 2025 3:45 am

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia launched 550 drones and missiles across Ukraine overnight in the largest aerial assault since the war began. The capital Kyiv was the primary target. Authorities said one person was killed and at least 26 people, including a child, were injured. Hours after the barrage, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had a “very important and productive” phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump told reporters it was “a very good call.” When asked about finding a way to end the fighting, Trump said: “I don’t know. I can’t tell you whether or not that’s going to happen.” The Kyiv attack came hours after Trump held a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin that the U.S. president said was disappointing.