Conduct

• The Israeli Defense Forces conducted sustained airstrikes across Gaza Friday night, striking targets in Khan Younis and Rafah; Palestinian health authorities reported 34 deaths and 89 injured, though casualty figures remain disputed. • The UN Security Council's humanitarian affairs office announced plans for an emergency session Monday to address escalating civilian casualties and requested immediate access for international inspection teams to assess damage. • Aid organizations warned that the latest military operations have severed critical supply routes, leaving approximately 1.2 million Palestinians facing acute food shortages and limited access to medical facilities.

Renowned artist, who won 12 Grammys, died at home after being diagnosed with an aggressive type of brain cancerSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxMichael Tilson Thomas, a leading American conductor for a half-century who headed orchestras in Buffalo, Miami, London and San Francisco while also composing, died on Wednesday. He was 81.Tilson Thomas had surgery for a brain tumor in 2021 and resumed his career, then said in February 2025 that the tumor had returned. He conducted his final concert with the San Francisco Symphony in April 2025 and died at his home in San Francisco, spokesperson Connie Shuman said. Continue reading...

• North Korea launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile from its western region Tuesday evening, the sixth such test in the past three months despite frozen nuclear diplomacy with the US. • US officials assessed the missile demonstrated improved guidance systems, suggesting continued weapons development despite economic sanctions and international isolation. • The test complicates efforts to restart dialogue, with South Korea calling for emergency trilateral talks involving Japan to address escalating regional security threats.

Magazine has stood behind the story, which was written by veteran national security reporter Sarah FitzpatrickKash Patel has followed through on a threat to sue the Atlantic and the author of a story the magazine published that included allegations of “excessive drinking” as well as “conspicuous inebriation and unexplained absences” while in charge of the law enforcement agency.The US attorney general filed a defamation lawsuit in US district court for the District of Columbia that seeks $250m in damages. Continue reading...

• Representative Eric Swalwell announced his resignation from Congress following sexual assault allegations, with the announcement coming on Tuesday of this week. • Representative Tony Gonzalez also announced his resignation the same day after admitting to sexual misconduct with a staffer earlier in the year. • Both Democrats stepped down within hours of each other amid mounting calls for them to leave office due to the serious allegations against them.

• North Korea fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on April 17, just hours before the U.S. and South Korea began combined military exercises involving 40,000 troops, according to Japanese and South Korean defense officials. • The missiles traveled approximately 600 kilometers, prompting South Korean and Japanese military responses; U.S. Indo-Pacific Command condemned the test as destabilizing and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. • Experts note the missile design appears improved from previous tests, suggesting continued technological advancement despite international sanctions and diplomatic isolation.

Exclusive: John Sidoti wins cheers and applause at re-election fundraiser for his successorFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA former New South Wales minister found by Icac to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct has been feted as one of the “esteemed luminaries of the Liberal party” at an election fundraiser headlined by the state opposition leader, Kellie Sloane.John Sidoti, a former Liberal minister and state member for Drummoyne who left the party in 2021 amid an investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, attended a re-election campaign launch event last week for his successor as MP and former staffer, Stephanie Di Pasqua. Continue reading...