Hamas has rejected an Israeli proposal for a hostage and ceasefire deal, two Israeli officials tell Axios. Hamas has not confirmed the Israeli claim.
Why it matters: President Biden laid out the the details of the proposal in a speech two weeks ago. Since then, the White House has been mobilizing international pressure on Hamas to accept the deal.
A new book takes readers deep inside the world of gun smuggling from the U.S. to Mexico, a major contributor to violence south of the border.
Why it matters: It's estimated up to half a million weapons are smuggled every year down to Mexico, which has seen spiking gun violence despite strict regulations.
A Latina author who was the firstwinner of a publishing prize for diverse voices says more Hispanics should strive to write their stories no matter how long it takes to become a book.
Why it matters: Latinos are still severely underrepresented in publishing.
A growing part of the Latino electorate is relating less to the Democratic Party and more tothe GOP because of blue-collar economic issues, an anti-Trump Republican consultant says in an upcoming book.
The big picture: The gradual shift makes Latinos the new "Reagan Democrats"— moderate Democrats in the 1980s who supported President Ronald Reagan — and may change assumptions of race and politics that both parties aren't prepared to face, author Mike Madrid argues.
Women translators are helping fuel a new Latin American literary boom.
Why it matters: The translators' work is helping many current authors — most of whom are also women — resonate beyond the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking world.
Both Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups may have committed war crimes in relation to the holding and freeing of hostages, the United Nations warned Tuesday.
Why it matters: The rebuke comes after Israel conducted a military operation this weekend to rescue four hostages being held by Hamas in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza.
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Monday calling on Hamas to accept a hostage and ceasefire deal.
Why it matters: The U.S. presented the resolution as part of a diplomatic effort to increase international pressure on Hamas to accept the U.S.-backed proposal.
The UN World Food Program (WFP) has temporarily halted operations from a pier in central Gaza after two of the aid group's warehouses in the enclave were hit in recent fighting, the agency's director said.
Why it matters: WFP is a key partner to the U.S. in distributing humanitarian aid that comes into Gaza through the temporary pier assembled by the U.S. military.
Ukraine announced Sunday that it had successfully targeted Russia's most advanced fighter jet for the first time ever in a strike inside Russian territory.
Why it matters: The strike came weeks after the U.S. and other allies gave Kyiv permission to use Western advanced long-ranged weapons to strike targets inside Russia.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday called for a return to "respectful political debate and discourse" after the U.S. consulate in Sydney was vandalized with pro-Palestinian graffiti.
Why it matters: It's the second incident targeting a U.S. diplomatic outpost this month, amid tensions around the world over the Israel-Hamas war and the Biden administration's continued support for Israel.
Europe's far right gained historic ground in continent-wide elections Sunday, with devastating losses forcing French President Emmanuel Macron to concede that the threat from nationalists could no longer be ignored.
The center held in some countries, but a surge by the radical right — especially in Germany — has put pro-democracy parties on notice.
Why it matters: Macron stunned Europe last night by announcing he would hold new legislative elections later this month — three years early, and in the middle of preparations for the Paris Olympics.
