President Biden's envoy Amos Hochstein is expected to arrive in Israel on Monday in an effort to prevent the recent escalation between Israel and Hezbollah from turning into an all out war, two Israeli officials told Axios.
Why it matters: Amid the highly sensitive push to reach a ceasefire deal in Gaza, a war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group would dramatically exacerbate the regional crisis and draw the U.S. deeper into the conflict.
Pope Francis made history Friday as the first pontiff to speak at the Group of Seven meeting in Fasano, Italy, where he discussed his concerns with artificial intelligence.
Why it matters: The pope has long urged caution around AI, calling it "a fascinating tool and also a terrifying one," during his remarks Friday even as he acknowledged its potential applications in medicine, labor, culture, communications, education and politics.
The Biden administration announced sanctions on Friday against the Israeli right-wing organization "Tzav 9" for blocking humanitarian aid convoys to Gaza, two sources with knowledge of the decision told Axios.
Why it matters: The flow of aid into Gaza has been hampered in recent weeks by numerous factors, including the closure of the Rafah corridor. Efforts by right-wing Israeli activists to block convoys coming from Jordan — with the apparent support of some senior politicians — have made matters worse.
Elephants come up with names for one another, according to a new study.
Why it matters: "Vocal production learning is a critical prerequisite for language, so this could help us understand how language itself arose," said the study's lead author, Michael Pardo, of Colorado State University and Save the Elephants, on X.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is the odd one out among the leaders at this year's G7 — not because of her hard-right politics, but because her approval rating is above 40%.
Why it matters: Meloni's brand of politics is on the rise in Europe, as Sunday's EU elections proved, and she's hosting a who's who of humbled PMs and presidents.
Group of Seven leaders have agreed to send Ukraine $50 billion in aid by the end of the year by using profits generated by around $300 billion worth of sovereign Russian assets frozen in Western countries, President Biden said on Thursday.
Why it matters: In its third year on the defense against Russia's unprovoked invasion, the aid will be a major boon for Kyiv, which has been desperate for additional financial and military assistance.
Toñita's, one of the last remaining Caribbean social clubs in Brooklyn, has survived for 50 years as a "home away from home" for thousands of Latinos in New York City.
Why it matters: After years of gentrification, local Latino-owned businesses like Toñita's Caribbean Social Club are few and far between.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to release Palestinian tax revenues Israel's ultranationalist minister of finance Bezalel Smotrich froze in early May, three U.S. and Israeli officials told Axios.
Why it matters: The Biden administration is extremely concerned the Palestinian Authority could collapse if the tax revenues are not transferred soon, U.S. officials say.
Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich will stand trial for espionage charges, Russian prosecutors said in a statement Thursday.
Why it matters: A trial would likely resemble other sham proceedings against Americans detained in Russia and political opponents of the Kremlin. Moscow may use it to ratchet up pressure on the U.S. in ongoing prisoner swap talks for Gershkovich.
