Israel calls

up reservists

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military says it plans to call up tens of thousands of reservists for an expanded operation in Gaza City.

Defense Minister Israel Katz approved the plan, which involves deploying 60,000 reservists and extending service for 20,000 more. The move comes amid international concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where many inhabitants are displaced and facing famine.

The operation aims to target Hamas’ underground tunnel network, according to Israeli official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Meanwhile, negotiations for a ceasefire continue, with Hamas agreeing to the terms of a proposed 60-day halt to the fighting but with Israel yet to respond.

Fed official

won’t resign

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook late Wednesday said she wouldn’t leave her post after Trump on social media called on her to resign over an accusation from one his officials that she committed mortgage fraud.

Bill Pulte, the head of the agency that regulates mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and a Trump appointee, alleged early Wednesday that Cook had claimed two primary residences in 2021 to get better mortgage terms. Trump followed up Pulte’s accusation by calling on Cook to resign, in the latest effort by the administration to exert greater control over one of the few remaining independent federal agencies.

Deployment

polarizes DC

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has expanded his law-enforcement crackdown in Washington, D.C., with top officials visiting National Guard troops at the city’s main railroad station.

The deployment has left parts of the city looking like occupied territory. Vice President JD Vance praised the operation, claiming it has restored law and order. But some residents feel under siege.

Trump has suggested replicating this approach in other cities like Chicago and Baltimore. The move has polarized the Democratic-led city, with protests and increased arrests.

Parole hearings

for brothers

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lyle and Erik Menendez are scheduled to face separate parole hearings this week in California and could eventually be released from prison nearly 30 years after being convicted of killing their parents.

A panel of parole officers will evaluate each of the brothers via videoconference from their San Diego prison. Both brothers were convicted of first-degree murder in the 1989 shotgun-killings of Jose and Kitty Menendez inside their Beverly Hills home.

They became eligible for parole after a Los Angeles judge in May reduced their sentences from life in prison without the possibility of parole to 50 years to life.

NATO chiefs

discuss Ukraine

BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO defense chiefs have discussed potential security guarantees for Ukraine to help end Russia’s three-year war.

Italian Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone said 32 defense chiefs held a video conference and had a “candid discussion” amid a U.S.-led diplomatic push for peace. Ukraine is seeking military assurances against the threat of future Russian invasions.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized the talks for excluding Moscow. An alliance official said U.S. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s supreme allied commander Europe, took part in the virtual talks Wednesday.

U.S. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also met with European military chiefs Tuesday evening in Washington .