Early Edition: September 4, 2024

A curated weekday guide to important news and developments from the past 24 hours. Here’s today’s news:

ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

Israel does not need to maintain control of the Philadelphia corridor for security reasons and that is not a sufficient reason to obstruct the ceasefire and hostage talks. Former Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz said yesterday that he accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of putting his own interests above those of Israel.. Steven Scheer reports for Reuters; Bethan McKernan reports for the Guardian.

Polio vaccinations in central Gaza have “exceeded target” in the first two days of the campaign, the World Health Organization said yesterday. The U.N. agency said the discrepancy was likely the result of an underestimation of the region’s population, adding that local fighting pauses were “going well.” Mallory Moench reports for BBC News.

Israeli troops were again active in the West Bank town of Tulkarm yesterday, after initially withdrawing last week. Palestinian health officials say at least 30 Palestinians have been killed since Israeli attacks began last Wednesday. Aaron Boxerman reports for the New York Times.

ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR – US RESPONSE

US officials yesterday released charges against senior Hamas leaders, accusing them of conspiracy to provide support to a terrorist organization, conspiracy to murder Americans, and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction. The criminal complaintfiled under seal in federal court in New York on February 1, was made public as Washington prepares to present Israel and Hamas with a final hostage-sharing and ceasefire proposal. Devlin Barrett and Perry Stein report for the Washington Post.

ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR — INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

The UK has defended its decision to suspend arms exports to Israel after Netanyahu called the move “disgraceful”. The British Defence Secretary insisted his country remained a “staunch ally” of Israel, adding that the decision would not weaken Israel’s security. Hafsa Khalil reports for BBC News.

WAR BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to undertake the biggest government shakeup since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. About half a dozen senior figures have offered to step down, including Ukraine’s foreign minister. Zelenskyy said yesterday that “personnel decisions have been prepared” to strengthen his government in the war. Victoria Kim and Marc Santora report for the New York Times.

Zelenskyy said NBC News yesterday that Kiev plans to hold on indefinitely to Russian territories it captured in a surprise offensive last month. “For now, we need it,” Zelenskyy said, in his first one-on-one interview since Ukraine seized control of 500 square miles of Russian territory. Richard Engel, Gabe Joselow and Yuliya Talmazan report.

A Russian attack killed seven people in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv. regional officials today. It followed another Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Poltava yesterday, which killed at least 50 people at a military facility. Paul Kirby and Nick Beake report for BBC News; Reuters defeated.

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS

Elon Musk’s Starlink network has agreed to block social media platform X in Brazil. Brazilian regulators had said on Sunday that Starlink planned to defy government orders to ban X, but the satellite internet service confirmed yesterday that it would comply with the orders. Jack Nicas reports for the New York Times.

Lebanon yesterday arrested the former head of its central bank, according to the country’s attorney general. Riad Salameh, who has increasingly been blamed for the country’s economic crisis, is being investigated in several corruption cases, both in Lebanon and internationally. Vivan Yee and Hwada Saad report for the New York Times.

China has claimed two new breakthroughs in autonomous vehicles, aimed at overcoming their ability to sense their environment and track movement. The reported breakthroughs come amid intense competition in the field and could have profound security implications. Thomas Corbett and Peter W. Singer report for DefenseA.

Outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrives in South Korea on Friday for a summit on improving bilateral ties. South Korea announced yesterday that will likely be the last summit between the two leaders as Kishida looks to end his term on a high. Kim Tong-Hyung reports for AP News.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will hold talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey today. It was the first visit by a president in 12 years. Reuters defeated.

A former Philippine mayor who has been on the run since July after being accused of spying for China has been arrested in Indonesia. The Manila Department of Justice said today. Kelly Ng and Virma Simonette report for BBC News; NBC News defeated.

The self-proclaimed terrorist group Islamic State (ISIS) yesterday claimed responsibility for this week’s suicide attack at the Kabul Public Prosecutor’s Office. AP News defeated.

Uganda’s main opposition leader and prominent critic Bobi Wine was shot in the leg by police yesterday. said his political party. Abdi Latif Dahir reports for the New York Times.

Haiti’s acting Prime Minister Garry Conille has called for more foreign aid and manpower as the country struggles with gangs. Kejel Vyas reports for the Wall Street Journal.

TRUMP LEGAL MATTERS

Former President Trump pleads not guilty after new charges were filed last week in the election interference case against him, according to a judicial filing yesterday. Trump also waived the right to be present at his arraignment, where he will be arraigned on the same four counts from last year’s original indictment. Daniel Barnes and Dareh Gregorian report for NBC News.

A federal judge yesterday denied Trump’s request to move the New York hush money case to federal court. Justice Alvin Hellerstein ruled that there is nothing in the Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity that changes the view that the payments were “private, unofficial acts.” Kara Scannell reports for CNN; Sareen Habeshian reports for Axios.

OTHER DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS IN THE US

A former aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul and former Governor Andrew Cuomo have been charged with acting as agents for the Chinese government, U.S. Attorney Breon Peace announced yesterday that Linda Sun’s husband and co-defendant has also been charged with money laundering conspiracy, among other charges, according to the indictment. Gloria Pazmino and Mark Morales are reporting for CNN.

The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said yesterday summoned Secretary of State Antony Blinken will further testify on the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Rebecca Falconer reports for Axios.

House Democrats have launched an investigation into Trump’s alleged acceptance of $10 million from the Egyptian government during his 2016 presidential campaign, and whether allies have stopped a further investigation into the matter.” The investigation follows reporting by the Washington Post who discovered that the Egyptian government withdrew the funds shortly after Trump poured the same amount into his own campaign. Rebecca Beitsch reports for The hill.

A New York man has been sentenced to 13 months in prison for making “more than 12,000 phone calls to approximately 54 offices of members of Congress across the country.” including at least one call containing threats of murder or injury, according to legal documents. Max Matza reports for BBC News.

Yesterday, a lawsuit was filed in Florida against Four activists are accused of illegally acting as Russian agents to help Moscow sow political division and interfere in the US election. All four are or were affiliated with the African People’s Socialist Party and Uhuru Movement. Patrica Mazzei reports for the New York Times; POLITICS defeated.

American presidential election

A Michigan judge ruled yesterday that independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. must remain on the state’s presidential ballot, proverb it was too late for Kennedy to withdraw as the ballots had already been printed. Kennedy previously announced he would withdraw from the race and publicly supported Trump. Lauren Irwin reports for The hill.