Netanyahu Rejects Trump Gaza Plan and Demands Hamas Disarm
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a 15-point Gaza peace plan put forward by Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, declaring that Israeli forces will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is “genuinely” or “truly” disarmed. The rejection, announced at a cabinet meeting, marks a rare public break with Trump, who had hailed the plan as a historic agreement reached with Hamas last month.
Netanyahu said he was confronting “a wave of rumours about Israeli weakness and Israeli withdrawal,” and reiterated that there would be no pullout until Hamas disarms. He also vowed again to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, “with an agreement or without an agreement,” regardless of the course of diplomacy with Washington and Arab states.
The plan had envisioned Hamas giving up its weapons alongside an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Hamas had accepted the ceasefire proposal, but Netanyahu’s statement effectively scraps it for now.
Hunter Biden Says Father’s Prostate Cancer Has Spread
Hunter Biden said in an interview broadcast late Friday that former President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer has spread to his bones and is causing pain. He described the condition as “very debilitating” and “very sad to watch,” while noting his father continues to speak out on public issues. The remarks came in a wide-ranging interview in which Hunter Biden also denied any interest in running for office and said his presidential pardon was “not good” for the United States or his father’s legacy.
Houthis Claim Drone Attack on Saudi Aramco Refinery
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Saudi Aramco’s Jazan refinery in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. The strike came two days after Riyadh signed a defence pact with Turkey and Pakistan in response to regional instability.
Houthi strikes on the Yemeni port city of Mokha on Sunday killed at least 11 people, according to a medical source. Attacks by the group have increased since the 2022 truce appeared to collapse last month. Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed as Iran and the United States argue over the parameters for peace and the restart of negotiations.
British Columbia Declares Emergency as Wildfire Displaces Thousands
A fast-moving wildfire in British Columbia prompted authorities to declare a state of emergency, with nearly 22,000 people under evacuation orders and another 9,700 warned to be ready to flee. Premier David Eby announced the emergency as the blaze, which erupted on Friday, nearly doubled in size overnight into Saturday. One official described the fire as “like a bomb going off.” National police are investigating a possible death near Summerland, though the casualty has not been confirmed.
Alleged Crime Boss Daniel Kinahan Extradited to Ireland
Daniel Kinahan, accused of leading a family crime syndicate, was extradited from the United Arab Emirates to Ireland on Sunday. He was flown from Dubai to Ireland on an Irish government jet and is expected to face trial.
Trump Names Will Scharf as New White House Counsel
President Donald Trump has named Will Scharf, currently the White House staff secretary, as the next White House counsel and assistant to the president. Scharf, who helped secure approval for a $400 million White House ballroom project, will replace David Warrington on 1 September. Warrington is leaving the administration to join the private sector.
Puerto Rico Begins Water Rationing Amid Severe Drought
Puerto Rico’s government began cutting water service to homes this week as a severe drought exposes major weaknesses in the island’s water delivery infrastructure. Residents have reported anger and hardship as rationing takes effect.
Taylor Swift Songs Removed From Trump Campaign Posts
Songs by Taylor Swift were removed from social‑media videos posted by Donald Trump’s campaign and the White House after the posts used her music in apparent efforts to mock the pop star.
Travelodge Staff Gave Abuser Key to Victim’s Room
A woman staying at a London Travelodge to escape a domestic abuser was attacked after hotel staff gave him a key to her room, she has said. The man followed her to the hotel, and reception provided the key without checking; he then kicked the door “off its hinges” and assaulted her. The incident is the latest reported case of the chain handing keys to men without verifying their identity.
Harry Potter Fans Force Reroute of UK-Ireland Power Cable
A new £430 million undersea power cable linking the UK and Ireland has been rerouted after Harry Potter fans objected that the original path would run beneath the fictional “grave” of the house-elf Dobby on Freshwater West beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The cable will now pass near Bronze Age human burial remains instead.
Vollering Wins Second Tour de France Femmes Title
Dutch cyclist Demi Vollering won the final stage of the Tour de France Femmes on the Col d’Èze above Nice to claim her second overall title, finishing one minute and 18 seconds ahead of former champion Kasia Niewiadoma.
Vollering seized the yellow jersey on the penultimate stage with a dramatic late break in Nice. Despite the decisive margin, a tactics row continued after the race, with Niewiadoma saying, “I know what’s right and what’s not.”
Don Nelson, NBA Coaching Great and Five-Time Champion, Dies
Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history and a five-time champion as a player with the Boston Celtics, has died at the age of 86. His family said he passed away peacefully on Sunday morning. Nelson won at least 250 games with three franchises—Milwaukee, Dallas and Golden State—and helped develop stars including Stephen Curry and Dirk Nowitzki.