Salem News Channel

In an in-depth interview, Hung Cao, the acting Secretary of the Navy, discusses the complexities of the USS Abraham Lincoln's record-long deployment near Iran. He addresses the challenges faced by the crew, emphasizing the importance of maintaining morale and operational readiness. Despite the demanding conditions, Hung Cao highlights the crew's commitment and the strategic significance of the deployment in ensuring regional peace. He also touches on the political dynamics surrounding military funding and resource allocation, and reflects on his personal journey from a Vietnamese refugee to a key figure in U.S. naval leadership. The conversation provides a nuanced look at the balance between military duty and political pressures, as well as the broader geopolitical strategies in the region.

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The Justice Department’s internal watchdog is launching a review of a controversial DEA investigative tactic that allegedly allowed fentanyl shipments to reach communities while federal agents worked to build larger cases against drug traffickers. The review will examine Justice Department policies and wiretap investigations in which Drug Enforcement Administration agents may have learned about fentanyl deliveries in advance but chose not to intervene to avoid jeopardizing broader investigations. The scrutiny follows an Associated Press investigation that found DEA agents repeatedly monitored but did not seize major fentanyl shipments in New Mexico between 2023 and 2025. An internal DEA report reviewed by AP detailed one case in which agents watched a delivery of 74,000 fentanyl pills at an Albuquerque mobile home park without intercepting the drugs. The investigative strategy, sometimes referred to as allowing drugs to “walk,” has drawn criticism from current and former agents who argue it put the public at risk. DEA whistleblower David Howell has alleged federal authorities knowingly allowed dangerous drugs into New Mexico communities while pursuing higher-level traffickers. Justice Department Inspector General Don Berthiaume says the review will examine the department’s actions over the past two years and could determine whether similar tactics were used in other cities. The review comes as New Mexico authorities conduct a separate criminal investigation into whether DEA agents violated state law by allowing fentanyl shipments to reach the streets. DEA Administrator Terry Cole previously requested an outside review following the allegations, saying the inquiry should not be interpreted as a lack of confidence in DEA personnel but could identify areas where the agency’s practices need improvement.

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Civil rights advocates are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a Texas law requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments, setting up a potential major test over religious expression in public classrooms. More than two dozen Texas families, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups, filed the petition Monday. They argue the requirement violates the First Amendment by singling out religious scripture for display in public schools. The law, signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, applies to a public school system serving roughly 5.5 million students. Ten Commandments posters began appearing in Texas classrooms nearly a year ago. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Texas law in April in a narrow 9-8 decision, clearing the way for the mandate to remain in effect. The appeals court also allowed a similar Louisiana law to move forward. Similar Ten Commandments requirements have also been approved in Arkansas and Alabama, giving the Supreme Court an opportunity to establish a broader national standard governing religious displays in public schools. Supporters have argued the Ten Commandments carry historical significance beyond religion, while opponents contend government-mandated displays improperly promote religious beliefs in public classrooms. The Supreme Court has not yet announced whether it will hear the Texas challenge.

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A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s plan to relocate FBI headquarters to the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, ruling that the administration improperly abandoned an earlier plan to build a new facility in Greenbelt, Maryland. U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, ruled Monday that the administration’s decision was “not in accordance with law.” The order prevents the administration from moving the FBI into the Reagan Building, renovating the building for the bureau or redirecting funds toward the project. The Greenbelt location was selected during the Biden administration following years of debate over replacing the aging J. Edgar Hoover Building on Pennsylvania Avenue. Trump administration officials later sought to reverse that decision and instead repurpose the Reagan Building, located just blocks from the FBI’s current headquarters. The lawsuit challenging the change was brought by the state of Maryland and Prince George’s County, which argued that significant time and resources had already been committed to bringing the headquarters to Greenbelt. The FBI criticized the ruling, accusing the court of improperly interfering with the administration’s effort to make the federal government more cost-effective. The bureau said it remains focused on determining the best course of action to meet the needs of federal law enforcement. The ruling marks the latest turn in a yearslong battle over replacing the FBI’s current headquarters, which opened in 1975 and has fallen into significant disrepair.

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Thirteen current or former Penn State University students are among 14 people charged in connection with an alleged cocaine-trafficking operation involving two fraternities. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said two of the defendants served as the main suppliers, routinely traveling to New York and Philadelphia to obtain large quantities of cocaine. Authorities say the drugs were then brought back to State College, packaged and distributed primarily to Penn State students. Prosecutors say cocaine was packaged mainly at the off-campus Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternity houses. Investigators also allege some fraternity pledges were brought into the operation by being tasked with cutting and bagging cocaine. Four defendants face felony charges including corrupt organizations and conspiracy, while others face charges ranging from felony conspiracy to misdemeanor drug possession. The 14th defendant, the father of a student, is accused of tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation. Penn State has placed Delta Upsilon on interim suspension while the university investigates. Sigma Chi is not currently recognized by the university and operates outside Penn State oversight.

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Anthony D'esposito, the Inspector General of the Department of Labor, discusses his proactive approach to uncovering and addressing labor fraud. D'esposito emphasizes the significance of bringing attention to the work of inspectors general and the importance of rooting out fraud that steals from the federal government. He highlights the Department of Labor's focus on unemployment insurance fraud and foreign labor fraud, particularly concerning the H1B visa program. D'esposito explains how fraudulent activities, such as overpayments and exploitation of the visa system, impact both federal funds and American workers, threatening the integrity of the job market. His investigative efforts extend to collaborating with other federal agencies to combat gun, human, and narcotics trafficking. D'esposito stresses the urgency of these issues and their potential impact on small businesses, especially in states like California, where unpaid debts to the federal government could lead to increased unemployment taxes for local businesses.

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The FBI's latest crime statistics reveal a significant nationwide decline in violent crime rates. Murder and non-negligent manslaughter dropped by 18.1 percent, rape by 7.6 percent, and aggravated assault by 7 percent. These reductions are part of a broader trend that includes a 18.5 percent decrease in robberies. Jonathan Fahey, former federal prosecutor and acting ICE director under President Trump, attributes this decrease to several factors. The Trump administration focused on street crimes and violent offenses, contrasting with previous administrations that prioritized political crimes and protesters. Enhanced immigration enforcement, including the removal of serious criminals who entered the country illegally, also contributed to this decline. The deterrence effect of stricter immigration policies has led to fewer crimes, with the murder rate reaching its lowest point since 1956. The conversation also touches on the impact of focusing on drug trafficking, gang crimes, and immigration crimes, which have direct implications for local crime rates in cities like Dallas and Atlanta. The discussion further highlights the positive outcomes of combating drug cartels and making borders more secure, which has led to a substantial decrease in overdose deaths. Despite these achievements, there is concern that incoming policies may reverse these gains by dismantling ICE and defunding the police.

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Several Centers for Disease Control and Prevention programs funded by Congress are operating with little or no staff following workforce cuts made as part of the Trump administration’s effort to restructure the federal government. Among the affected programs is the CDC’s Alzheimer’s disease initiative, which received $41 million from Congress this year but currently has no staff assigned to it. The agency’s Office on Smoking and Health received $246 million, but its staff was also cut. Programs focused on epilepsy, sickle cell disease data collection, overdose prevention and drowning prevention have also been affected. The staffing shortages stem largely from layoffs that began in April 2025 as the administration moved to reduce and reorganize the federal health workforce. Some of those cuts were later reversed, while other employees remain on paid administrative leave as legal challenges continue. Democratic lawmakers argue the administration is legally required to maintain enough staff to carry out programs specifically funded by Congress. During her confirmation hearing, new CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz told lawmakers she would follow the law when questioned about restoring work at the agency’s smoking prevention office. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said the administration plans to hire additional federal health workers, particularly for programs addressing chronic disease. However, union officials say significant rehiring at the CDC has yet to occur.

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Voters are heading to the polls Tuesday for primary elections in Alaska, Florida and Wyoming, with one of the day’s more unusual contests unfolding in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race. Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, who is seeking a third term, is sharing the ballot with another Republican named Dan Sullivan — retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan. The same-name matchup has prompted concerns about voter confusion and drawn the attention of President Donald Trump. Trump urged Alaskans on Truth Social to vote for the incumbent, calling him the “real Dan Sullivan” and accusing Democrats of putting an “imposter” with the same name on the ballot. Dan J. Sullivan has denied being recruited by Democrats and says he entered the race on his own. The incumbent senator’s campaign previously challenged Dan J. Sullivan’s candidacy in court, arguing the shared name could confuse voters. That effort failed, although Alaska election officials have taken steps to distinguish the candidates on the ballot. Former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola is also running for the Senate seat and is viewed as a major challenger to the Republican incumbent heading into November. The race is receiving national attention as both parties battle for control of the Senate in this year’s midterm elections.

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New details are emerging about the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, who was found unresponsive Sunday at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina. Police and emergency crews responded shortly before 2 p.m. to a report of an unresponsive woman in cardiac arrest. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate Panettiere, but she was pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m. She was 36. Dispatch audio from the emergency response referenced a possible overdose while medics were being sent to the scene. However, authorities have not determined that an overdose caused Panettiere’s death, and her official cause and manner of death remain pending. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office completed an autopsy Monday and said no signs of trauma were found that would have contributed to her death. Police also say the preliminary investigation has found no evidence of foul play or suspicious circumstances. Panettiere was best known for her roles in the television series “Heroes” and “Nashville,” as well as films including “Remember the Titans” and the “Scream” franchise.

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Opening arguments are set to begin Tuesday in a landmark federal trial accusing Meta of harming children through Facebook and Instagram. The case in Oakland, California, could result in significant financial penalties and major changes to how the social media platforms operate. Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are leading the case. They are part of a broader coalition of 29 states that sued Meta in 2023 over child safety and privacy concerns. The remaining 25 states are expected to have their claims heard later. The states accuse Meta of deliberately designing addictive features that encourage children and teenagers to spend more time on Facebook and Instagram. They also allege the company collected personal data from children under 13 without parental consent in violation of federal law. The states are seeking extensive financial damages as well as changes to Meta’s business practices and platform designs. The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks and could include testimony from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other company executives. Meta denies the allegations and says it has made significant efforts to protect children and teenagers using its platforms. The company says it believes it has a strong case and plans to defend its safety practices in court.

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President Donald Trump says he does not believe Iran is willing to agree to the deal he considers necessary to end the ongoing war with the United States. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump reiterated that any agreement must prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He also rejected extending the interim agreement reached in June, which had provided a 60-day window for the two sides to negotiate a broader peace deal. That agreement unraveled in July as Washington and Tehran remained divided over several key issues, including Iran’s nuclear program and control of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says the critical waterway will remain largely closed until the United States fulfills conditions Tehran says were included in the interim agreement. Those demands include easing oil sanctions, releasing frozen Iranian assets and ending U.S. military threats and operations. Trump has maintained that Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and has signaled the United States could increase both military and economic pressure if Tehran refuses to accept Washington’s terms. The president’s latest remarks come as diplomatic efforts remain stalled and concerns grow that fighting between the two countries could intensify again.

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Larry Elder discusses a story about Dr. Anthony Fauci and the COVID-19 lab leak theory. He recounts how a story was set to air on ABC News, exploring the possibility that COVID-19 originated from a lab leak. Elder shares insights from interviews with molecular virologists and sources within the Trump administration, suggesting that the lab had ties to the Chinese military. However, the story was heavily edited and censored before airing, leading to Elder's frustration. The discussion also touches on the organized campaign to silence any claims of a lab leak, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue on the subject. This conversation highlights the challenges faced by journalists in reporting on sensitive and controversial topics.

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A recent poll highlights a significant decline in trust among Americans, particularly over the past decade. Americans born before 1960 exhibit the highest levels of trust, while those born in the 2000s report the highest levels of distrust. A 25-country survey by Pew Research reveals that Americans increasingly view their fellow citizens as morally bankrupt. This growing distrust has escalated into mutual contempt, deepening the divide between political parties. Larry Elder reflects on this trend, noting that the current generation has never experienced a society where cooperation was the default. He emphasizes that political polarization has led to a cycle of distrust and contempt, further alienating future generations. Elder also shares personal anecdotes illustrating the profound ideological divides within the country.

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NEW YORK, Aug 17 (Reuters) - A New York state judge on Monday effectively postponed Luigi Mangione's trial on murder and weapons charges over the 2024 killing of a health insurance CEO, after Mangione pleaded guilty last week to separate federal charges. The trial had previously been scheduled to begin on September 8. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the state charges. Mangione's lawyers on Friday asked New York state Justice Gregory Carro, who is overseeing the state case, to dismiss the charges, arguing that Mangione should not have to be punished for the same conduct twice under New York's law prohibiting double jeopardy. In a brief written order on Monday, Carro gave prosecutors until October 9 to respond to Mangione's motion. The judge set Mangione's next appearance in state court for December 10, meaning the trial will not go forward next month.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Wyoming voters will choose nominees for an unusually high number of open-seat races in a state primary Tuesday, thanks to two prominent Republican officials whose retirement announcements set off a scramble for contests throughout the ballot. The upcoming departures of Gov. Mark Gordon and U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis, along with U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman’s decision to run to replace Lummis, marks the first time in 32 years that Wyoming has had open seats for governor, U.S. Senate and U.S. House at the same time. The races for Wyoming Secretary of State and state Superintendent of Public Instruction are also open seats, with both incumbents seeking higher office. All statewide elected offices in Wyoming currently are held by Republicans. Gordon considered seeking a third term and challenging a state term limit law but ultimately decided against it. Four candidates now seek the Republican nomination to replace him: state Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder, former state House Speaker and current state Sen. Eric Barlow, retired Marine Corps colonel and 2022 gubernatorial candidate Brent Bien, and professional bull rider and rodeo producer Curt Blake. The Degenfelder and Barlow campaigns are on roughly even financial footing, with Degenfelder raising about $1.3 million and Barlow raising about $1.2 million. Bien raised about $192,000, while Blake reported raising no money. President Donald Trump has endorsed Degenfelder. The winner will face Democrat Kenneth Casner in November. Among the five Republicans running to replace Lummis in the U.S. Senate are Hageman, former Kirby Mayor Sam Mead and former environmental services business owner Jimmy Skovgard. Hageman is in her second term in Congress. She was Trump’s pick in 2022 to defeat then-U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, one of the president’s harshest Republican critics following the attack on the U.S. Capitol and his attempts to remain in office after his 2020 election defeat. Trump has once again endorsed Hageman in her U.S. Senate bid. She has raised about $2.4 million for her campaign, nearly 10 times that of Mead, her closest competitor in fundraising. The winner will likely face former Democratic state Rep. James Byrd, who is the only candidate in the two-person primary field to report raising any money for the campaign. Nine active candidates are competing for the Republican nomination to replace Hageman in the U.S. House in what’s shaping up to be the most expensive contest on Tuesday’s ballot. The field includes former state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow, Senate President Bo Biteman, businessmen Steve Friess and Reid Rasner, and Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray. Friess, Rasner and Gray have outspent the rest of the field, thanks to sizable loans each candidate has made to their campaigns. Friess, who is a son of the late Republican megadonor Foster Friess, loaned $3 million to his campaign. Rasner loaned about $1.9 million to his campaign, while Gray floated his campaign about $1.4 million. Neither Trump nor Hageman have made an endorsement in the primary. In the Democratic primary, former Democratic state Sen. Lisa Kinney, like Byrd in the U.S. Senate race, faces an opponent who has not raised any money. About half of Wyoming’s 31 state Senate seats and all 62 state House seats are up for election in 2026. Democrats hold only eight seats across both chambers, giving Republicans overwhelming supermajorities. Republican members of the conservative Freedom Caucus movement hold an outright majority in the state House. Laramie and Natrona counties, home to Cheyenne and Capser, respectively, are the state’s most populous and most influential in statewide elections. Campbell, Sweetwater, Fremont, Sheridan and Park counties also tend to play important roles in primaries. Albany and Teton counties are the most Democratic-friendly in the state and tend to have an outsized say in Democratic primaries. They were the only counties that Cheney carried against Hageman in the 2022 primary, before a 2023 law prohibited Democrats and Republicans from changing their party affiliation at the polls. The winners of Tuesday’s Republican primaries will have an advantage heading into the general election in a state that’s only elected one Democrat statewide in more than 30 years. Wyoming is one of the most reliably Republican states in the country. It was Trump’s best state in 2024 and 2020 and his second-best state in 2016. Here are some of the key facts about the election and data points the AP Decision Team will monitor as the votes are tallied: When do polls close? Polls close at 7 p.m. MT, which is 9 p.m. ET. What’s on the ballot? The Associated Press will provide vote results and declare winners in contested primaries for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, governor, secretary of state, treasurer, state school superintendent, state Senate and state House. Who gets to vote? Only voters registered with a political party may participate in that party’s primary. Democrats may not vote in the Republican primary or vice versa. Independent or unaffiliated voters may not participate in either primary. Voters registered with a party had been able to change their party affiliations at the polls on Election Day, but the 2023 law ended that practice. How many voters are there? As of August 1, there were about 272,000 registered voters in Wyoming, including about 212,000 Republicans, about 30,000 Democrats and about 25,000 voters not affiliated with any party. How many people actually vote? About 104,000 Republicans and about 10,000 Democrats participated in the 2024 state primaries for U.S. Senate. More Republicans voted in the 2022 primary for governor, with about 164,000 voters casting ballots, compared to about 7,000 in the Democratic primary. 2022 was the last statewide primary held before the law restricting party affiliation changes was enacted. How much of the vote is cast early or by absentee ballot? About 30% of the Republican primary vote and about 52% of the Democratic primary vote in the 2024 state primary was from absentee ballots cast either in-person or by mail. As of Friday, about 30,900 Republican primary ballots and about 4,300 Democratic primary ballots had already been cast in Tuesday’s election. When are early and absentee votes released? In recent elections, more than half of Wyoming counties released all their vote results in their first vote updates, regardless of vote type. Almost every county released at least some in-person Election Day vote results in their first vote updates. Laramie County tends to release a significant amount of in-person Election Day vote before releasing any results from absentee voting. How long does vote-counting usually take? In the 2024 state primary, the AP first reported results at 9:27 p.m. ET, or 27 minutes after polls closed. The last vote update of the night was at 12:58 a.m. ET with about 98% of total votes counted. When will the AP declare a winner? The AP does not make projections and will declare a winner only when it’s determined there is no scenario that would allow a trailing candidate to close the gap. If a race has not been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear that it has not yet declared a winner and explain why. How do recounts work? Recounts in Wyoming are automatic if the vote margin is less than 1% of the votes cast for the winning candidate. Candidates alleging fraud or error in the result may request and pay for a recount. The cost is covered by the affected counties if the recount changes the result. The AP may declare a winner in a race that is subject to a recount if it can determine the lead is too large for a recount or legal challenge to change the outcome. Are we there yet? As of Tuesday, there will be 77 days until the 2026 midterm elections.

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President Trump is Reducing Joint Military Exercises with South Korea

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DUBAI/WASHINGTON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Iran has decided to shift its policy from defensive to "fully offensive" due to the deadlock in efforts to agree a permanent end to its war with the United States, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday. Progress towards peace talks and a resumption of oil tanker traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz has ground to a halt, with no sign that the warring parties are moving towards ending the conflict that the U.S. and Israel launched on February 28. "Iranian entities must be prepared to escalate tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and wider region, as Iran will be ready to make decisions and take action on difficult decisions," the Iranian official said, adding that Tehran would conduct a "timely and precise" military attack to break the U.S. naval blockade if diplomacy failed. There was no immediate response to those comments from Washington, but U.S. President Donald Trump said in a phone interview with Fox News on Monday that Iran "should put up the white flag of surrender". Throughout the conflict, Trump has alternated between threats of escalation and assertions that a peace deal is imminent. TRUMP THREATENS TO BOMB OMAN Monday marked the day by which Iran and the United States were expected to reach a final deal under a memorandum of understanding agreed in June and aimed at ending the war. Signed on June 17, the MoU set out a 60-day timeframe, extendable by mutual consent, by which Washington and Tehran should reach a broader agreement on issues including limiting Tehran's nuclear programme and lifting U.S. sanctions. That interim deal, which declared the "immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts", quickly unravelled, however, due to a dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flowed before the war. Tehran said point 5 of the MoU gave it the right to manage the strait, which it shares with Oman, while Washington rejected that interpretation. Hostilities resumed as Tehran began firing on vessels it said were trying to sail through the waterway on an unapproved route. Trump said on July 7 that the pact was "over". Tehran has repeatedly accused Washington of consistently violating its commitments. "Within the short period of a few weeks set by Iran, all the agreement's provisions must be implemented by the U.S. This is a precondition for further negotiations with the U.S.," the Iranian official told Reuters, adding that mediators would share Tehran's deadline with Washington and regional states. Tehran has separately been negotiating an agreement with Oman over management of the strait, seen as a key component of a wider deal, and says they are close to agreement, although progress has been slow. "If Oman gets in the way, we'll bomb the shit out of them," Trump told Fox. There was no immediate comment from Oman. HOUTHI ATTACKS RAISE FEARS OF WIDER WAR Thousands of people have been killed in the conflict, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran at the end of February. Iran has struck U.S. assets and infrastructure in countries including Oman, Jordan, Kuwait, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Both Iran and the United States have stepped up rhetoric over the past week. Trump warned Americans in a speech at a rally on Friday to prepare for continued high fuel prices as a result of the war, while also saying that "after we finish defeating Iran ... pretty soon I'll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States". Earlier on Monday, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform: "The number one Goal is, and always will be, that Iran cannot have, in any way, shape, or form, a Nuclear Weapon", repeating one of his stated rationales for the war. Benchmark Brent crude oil futures have surged since the start of the war in February, hitting a peak of $126 a barrel, roughly 75% above pre-war levels, with choppy trade reflecting concerns over disruptions to Gulf oil supplies and shifting signals on peace talks. Brent crude rose slightly on Monday, to around $89 a barrel. Attacks by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have also renewed concerns about a widening regional war and the economic fallout it could bring. In the latest incident, the Houthis attacked what they called a Saudi military ship and four escort vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait with missiles, according to the group’s military spokesperson Yahya Saree on Telegram on Monday. The strait is a strategic chokepoint connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and an important international shipping route. There was no immediate confirmation from Saudi authorities.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says vandals are to blame for large swaths of dead grass on the National Mall near the World War II Memorial. It's the spot where the Republican president had a stage built and hosted crowds for his July 4 celebration. Trump made the accusation in a social media post Sunday evening without saying why he believes it’s the work of vandals instead of trampled turf from the Independence Day festivities. Trump posted a photo showing a once-grassy area by the World War II Memorial, now patchy and brown across much of the sprawling turf.

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JERUSALEM (AP) — Mideast negotiator Jared Kushner, the U.S. president’s son-in-law, has wrapped up an hourslong meeting with Israel's prime minister. The meeting on Monday took place days after Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the new U.S.-backed road map on the Gaza ceasefire. The U.S. seeks Israel’s approval of the road map. A day earlier, Kushner met for two hours with the Hamas chief in Egypt. At stake are the lives of some 2 million Palestinians in Gaza, reconstruction of the war-demolished enclave and future control over the territory. Israeli troops now occupy some 60% of the strip.

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