U.S. urges Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Biden gives 1st interview since exiting race, Tom Cruise 'skydives' at Olympics closing ceremony
The Yodel newsletter: Get caught up on this morning’s news
Good morning, all. If you didn’t catch it last night, you may have another chance to see the annual Perseid meteor shower tonight. Here’s what to know. Now, on to the news.
NEED TO KNOW
U.S. urges Israel-Hamas deal amid rising tensions in the region
The Israeli military ordered more evacuations in southern Gaza yesterday, a day after an airstrike on a school turned shelter in the north killed at least 80 Palestinians.
The evacuations: They apply to areas of Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest city, where Israel claims Hamas and other militants are hiding among civilians and launching attacks from residential neighborhoods. [Politico]
U.S. moves: The Pentagon said it had sent a guided-missile submarine to the Middle East amid other efforts to increase Israeli defenses after the killing of senior Hamas and Hezbollah officials. [Reuters]
Truce talks: Mediators from Qatar, Egypt and the U.S. have urged Israel and Hamas to attend ceasefire negotiations this Thursday. Hamas has demanded that they be based on previous plans, without new stipulations from Israel. [BBC News]
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
?? Biden’s interview
In his first interview since exiting the presidential race, President Biden reaffirmed that he wanted to be a “transition president” and said pressure from Democrats to drop out would’ve become “a real distraction.” [Yahoo News]
??? Trump campaign hack
The Trump campaign said on Saturday it had been hacked, a day after a report found Iranian hackers had breached an email account connected to a presidential campaign. It's unclear if the two were the same. [New York Times]
?? ‘Time is Money’ initiative
The Biden administration launched a new initiative to make it easier for Americans to unsubscribe from unwanted memberships and recurring payment services and improve customer service calls. [AP]
???? Olympics closing ceremony
The Paris Olympics held its closing ceremony last night. Among the performances: Tom Cruise went skydiving and “carried” the Olympic flag to Los Angeles, the host of the 2028 Games. [Yahoo Entertainment]
?? ‘Snow White’ teaser
Disney released the first teaser from its upcoming live-action Snow White remake, starring Rachel Zegler in the titular role. The movie hits theaters on Mar. 21, 2025. Watch the new clip. [Entertainment Weekly]
WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY
? In baseball, the Braves and the Giants take the field at 9:45 p.m. ET on the MLB app. [NBC Sports]
?? And don’t forget to: Read your daily horoscope. Play the Crossword. Check the forecast in your area.
TODAY IN HISTORY
In 1990, fossil collector Sue Hendrickson found one of the largest and best preserved Tyrannosaurus Rex skeletons ever discovered. It was nicknamed “Sue,” after her. [AP]
3 QUESTIONS
...about sugar substitutes
Anthony talked to wellness writer Kaitlin Reilly about the potential health effects of erythritol, a sugar substitute, after a study found it may increase the risk of cardiovascular issues.
Anthony: What exactly did this study find?
Kaitlin: Good question. To put it simply, the study found that erythritol, a sugar alcohol used in products like Halo Top and Splenda, may raise the risk of blood clots, which can lead to serious health consequences.
Anthony: I read that it was a small study. Should we trust the results?
Kaitlin: It included only 20 people, but it follows a bigger study from the same researchers that linked high erythritol levels to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. The experts I spoke to said there’s reason to be cautious about the sweetener.
Anthony: So what’s the bottom line here?
Kaitlin: One expert told me people shouldn’t panic if they’ve consumed products with erythritol in the past — what’s done is done. However, people should speak to their doctor about potentially cutting back on these products if they’re at a higher risk for clots.
Go deeper: Here’s what experts had to say about table sugar and other artificial sweeteners.
FEEL-GOOD MOMENT
Brides-to-be McKenzie and Erin Ball kept their wedding dresses a secret from each other until their big day and had a sense of humor when they realized during their first look that they had chosen to wear the same dress. [People]
Have a great day. See you tomorrow!
?? P.S. Before you go, your daily advice: Want to take better iPhone photos? Try using a few classic photography techniques, like the rule of thirds. [How-To Geek]
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