Friday morning news: August 16, 2024

Gaza cease-fire talks » International mediators are gearing up for a second day of talks to stop the Israel-Hamas war and secure the release of hostages.

The talks in Qatar involve mediators from the U.S., Egypt, Qatar, and an Israeli delegation. But Hamas, saying it lacks confidence in the process, is sitting out this round.

Under the proposed agreement, Hamas would release hostages it took in last October’s attack on Israel in exchange for a lasting cease-fire, the release of Palestinian hostages, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

White House National Security spokesman John Kirby…

KIRBY: We’re at a point now where the framework is generally accepted. And where the gaps are, are in the execution of the deal.

Since the agreement was first proposed, each side in the conflict has accused the other of making new, unacceptable demands.

Mediators hope a deal would stop Iran from attacking Israel over the recent killings of top leaders of Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah.

Death toll in Gaza surpasses 40,000 » Meantime, a grim milestone: The death toll in Gaza has reportedly passed 40,000 since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

That’s according to the Gaza Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory. The actual number could be lower.

Regardless, U.S. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel says…

PATEL: Any number above zero when it comes to the number of civilians who have lost their lives over the course of this conflict is saddening, is troubling, is heartbreaking.

The Gaza Health Ministry’s count does not distinguish civilians from militants.

Israel blames Hamas for civilian deaths, claiming Hamas hides out in and launches attacks from residential neighborhoods.

Zelenskyy says Russian town has fallen » Ukraine’s president says his forces have taken over a key town in Russia’s Kursk region.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country’s troops now have full control of Sudzha, which is the administrative center for the border region of Kursk.

It’s the largest town taken in the Kursk offensive, as the U.S. talks up Ukraine’s momentum. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh…

SINGH: We’re always assessing what they need on the battlefield to be successful. And we believe the capabilities that we continue to provide them are… You’re seeing those successes come to fruition.

No immediate response from the Russian government to Zelenskyy’s claim.

Since the start of the Kursk incursion last week, Russia says more than 120,000 civilians have evacuated.

AUDIO: [Reporters talking to Biden]

Biden supports Venezuela election redo » Speaking to reporters outside the White House, President Biden said he agreed with calls for Venezuela to hold another presidential election.

Venezuela’s election two weeks ago stirred controversy after the incumbent, Nicolas Maduro, claimed victory.

But election officials still haven’t shown detailed voting tallies to back up that claim. And his opponent, Maria Corina Machado, claims he lost by a more than two-to-one margin.

Still, Machado rejected calls for a re-vote.

MACHADO: [Speaking in Spanish]

That’s Machado asking what will happen if Maduro doesn’t like the results of the second election. Will there be a third, or fourth, or fifth? She says he’ll just require more votes until he likes the result.

Venezuela’s supreme court says it is investigating the vote count at the request of President Maduro.

AUDIO: Thank you, Joe!

Biden & Harris jointly tout lower prescription drug costs » A familiar face campaigned with Vice President Kamala Harris Thursday. President Biden appeared with the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee for the first time as a campaigner since his decision to bow out of the race.

They were in Maryland announcing price cuts the U.S. has negotiated for ten top-selling prescription drugs used by Medicare.

HARRIS: Big Pharma has often inflated the price of life-saving medications, often charging many times what it would cost just to make, just to increase their profits. And millions of Americans have suffered as a result.

Harris credited the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act for the price drops. The law allows the government to negotiate prices for some of the costliest drugs Medicare covers.

Biden praised Harris for casting the tie-breaking vote in the Senate…that ultimately got the law to the finish line.

BIDEN: I believe that healthcare ought to be a right, not a privilege in America.

Critics say empowering the federal government to negotiate with drug companies only stifles innovation and ultimately fuels inflation.

Trump blames Harris for high prices » Meantime, former President Trump spent Thursday accusing the Biden Administration of causing economic misery, especially zeroing in on his opponent in this year’s election, Vice President Harris.

During a news conference at his golf club in New Jersey, Trump pointed out how prices have risen over the past few years on everything from groceries to housing.

TRUMP: You add it all up, it’s thousands and thousands of dollars that she and he have cost people.

Harris plans to give her own economic policy speech in North Carolina today.

The Labor Department says year-over-year inflation just hit its lowest level in three years, sparking hope that the country’s long struggle with inflation is finally easing.

I’m Mark Mellinger.

Straight ahead: Evangelicals and elections on Culture Friday. Plus, a review of My Penguin Friend.

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