Geoff Bennett:
On the ground in Gaza, health authorities say nine more Palestinians died of malnutrition in the past day. All told, officials say hunger has claimed more than 120 lives since the start of the war, most of them children.
This week, Israel showed journalists what it says is aid piled up by the border waiting to be distributed by the United Nations. But the U.N. says its operations are limited by Israeli military restrictions and looting.
European diplomats met with Iran’s deputy foreign minister today in an effort to restart negotiations over limiting Tehran’s nuclear program. It was the first round of talks since Iran’s 12-day war with Israel last month, during which U.S. bombers damaged Iran’s nuclear sites. Today, representatives from Britain, France and Germany left the Iranian Consulate in Istanbul after four hours of talks. All sides pledged to meet again.
European leaders warned that they will reinstate harsh sanctions on Iran by the end of August if progress is not made on reaching a deal.
Tens of thousands of people have fled fighting between Thai and Cambodian forces as the violence entered a second day. At least 15 people have died so far in the worst fighting along their shared border in more than a decade. Today, the Thai military launched what it called appropriate supporting fire after accusing Cambodia of heavy artillery attacks.
Cambodian officials, meantime, blamed Thailand for the uptick in violence. The conflict has left nearly 60,000 people displaced so far. Thailand’s acting prime minister said today the situation could — quote — “escalate into a state of war.”
Here at home, Ghislaine Maxwell’s attorney says she’s wrapped up a second and final day of questioning by Justice Department officials. The former girlfriend and longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. The interviews come as the Justice Department is trying to push back on criticism that it’s concealing aspects of Epstein’s case, including his past relationship with President Trump.
This morning, when asked by reporters, President Trump said he hasn’t considered pardoning Maxwell, but added that he’s — quote — “allowed to do it.” Later, her lawyer responded to that statement, referring to the president as the ultimate dealmaker.
