AP-Newswatch

Israel’s military chief says that Israel will respond to Iran’s weekend missile attack

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s military chief says Israel will respond to Iran’s weekend missile strike. But he has not elaborated on when and how. Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said Monday that Israel is still considering its next steps and that the Iranian strike of missiles and attack drones “will be met with a response.” Halevi spoke during a visit to the Nevatim air base, which Israel says suffered light damage in the Iranian attack. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been huddling with top officials to discuss a possible response. World leaders have been urging Israel not to retaliate after Iran launched the attack involving hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.

Biden’s latest plan for student loan cancellation moves forward as a proposed regulation

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s latest plan for student loan cancellation is moving forward as a proposed regulation, offering him a fresh chance to deliver on a campaign promise and energize young voters ahead of the November election. The Education Department on Tuesday filed paperwork for a new regulation that would deliver the cancellation the Democratic president announced last week. The regulation has to go through a public comment period and another review before it can be finalized. The regulation is a more targeted proposal than the one the Supreme Court struck down last year. Conservative opponents are threatening to challenge the new plan, which seeks to cancel or reduce loans for 25 million Americans.

Facing a Republican revolt, House Speaker Johnson pushes ahead on US aid for Ukraine, allies

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defiant and determined, House Speaker Mike Johnson has pushed back against mounting Republican anger over his proposed U.S. aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other allies. He also rejected a call on Tuesday to step aside or risk a vote to oust him from office. Johnson said he as “not resigning,” after a testy morning meeting of House Republicans at the Capitol. The embattled Republican speaker is pressing press forward with plans for voting this week on the U.S. national security aid package, a situation that would force him to rely on Democrats to help pass it, over objections from his weakened majority. Democrats are not opposed to his plans, but are waiting to see details before giving support.

Biden returns to his Scranton, Pennsylvania, roots to pitch his plan for higher taxes on the rich

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — President Joe Biden has begun three straight days of campaigning in Pennsylvania in his childhood hometown of Scranton. The Democratic president is using the working class city of roughly 75,000 as the backdrop for his pitch for higher taxes on the wealthy. Biden was speaking Tuesday at a community center and visiting a union hall. Biden’s travels overlap with the beginning of Donald Trump’s first criminal trial in New York, where the Republican former president faces charges over a scheme to suppress allegations of a sexual encounter with porn actor Stormy Daniels. Pennsylvania is a crucial battleground state Biden has repeatedly visited in his bid for a second term.

Tensions rise in Australia after a bishop and priest are wounded in a knife attack in a church

SYDNEY (AP) — A teenager has been accused of wounding a Christian bishop and priest during a church service in a second high-profile knife attack to rock Sydney in recent days, leaving communities on edge, leaders calling for calm and a besieged church urging against retaliation. The 16-year-old was overpowered by the congregation at Christ the Good Shepherd Church after he allegedly stabbed the two clerics during a service on Monday night that was being streamed online. The church said in a statement on Tuesday it “denounced retaliation of any kind.” Police stood guard around mosques in parts of Sydney on Tuesday after reports that text messages were circulating urging the Assyrian Christian community to retaliate against Muslims.

UK lawmakers back landmark bill to gradually phase out smoking for good

LONDON (AP) — A plan by Britain’s government to introduce a landmark smoking ban that aims to stop young people from ever smoking has cleared its first hurdle in Parliament despite vocal opposition from within Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party. The bill will make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after January 1, 2009. It is widely supported by health experts and the opposition Labour Party, but Sunak faced rebellion from more libertarian-minded members of his party. Authorities say that if passed, the bill will create modern Britain’s “first smoke-free generation.” Under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, children turning 15 this year or younger will never be legally sold tobacco. The legal age of sale will be gradually raised until it is eventually illegal.

Yellen says Iran’s actions could cause global ‘economic spillovers’ and warns of more sanctions

WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is warning of potential global “economic spillovers” from rising tensions in the Middle East. She’s also pledging that the U.S. and its allies won’t hesitate to use their sanctions powers to address Iran’s “malign and destabilizing activity” in the region. Yellen made her remarks Tuesday as global finance ministers and central bankers gather for meetings in Washington this week to discuss the global economic challenges of the day. The annual gathering of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank is taking place as other ongoing conflicts, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, also threaten global financial stability.

Whitey Herzog, Hall of Fame manager who led St. Louis Cardinals to 3 pennants, dies at 92

NEW YORK (AP) — Whitey Herzog, the gruff and ingenious Hall of Fame manager who guided the St. Louis Cardinals to three pennants and a World Series title and perfected an intricate, nail-biting strategy known as “Whiteyball,” has died. Herzog, affectionately nicknamed “The White Rat,” was a manager for 18 seasons, compiling an overall record of 1,281 wins and 1,125 losses. He was named Manager of the Year in 1985. Under Herzog, the Cardinals won pennants in 1982, 1985 and 1987 and won the World Series in 1982, when they edged the Milwaukee Brewers in seven games. Cardinals spokesman Brian Bartow said Tuesday the team had been informed of his death by Herzog’s family. He was 92.