Nations recognize

a Palestinian state

LONDON (AP) — The U.K., Australia and Canada have formally recognized a Palestinian state, prompting an angry response from Israel.

The coordinated initiative on Sunday from the three Commonwealth nations and longtime allies of Israel reflects growing outrage at Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza. More countries are expected to join the list recognizing a Palestinian state at the U.N. General Assembly this week, including France, which like the U.K., is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the U.K.’s move is intended “to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis.”

Israeli strikes kill

dozens in Gaza

CAIRO (AP) — Health officials say Israeli strikes in Gaza City overnight and at a refugee camp have killed more than 40 people, including 19 women and children. The strikes hit a residential block Saturday night, escalating the ongoing conflict.

Israel says it aims to “destroy Hamas’ military infrastructure” but hasn’t provided a timeline for the offensive. Palestinians streamed out of Gaza City, though many are unwilling to be uprooted again, too weak to leave or unable to afford the cost of moving.

Aid groups warn that forced evacuations in Gaza will worsen the humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, several Western countries are preparing to recognize Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly on Monday.

Restaurant patrons

attack shooter

NASHUA, N.H. (AP) — Authorities say patrons at a restaurant acted quickly and selflessly to stop a gunman who opened fire while a wedding was taking place at a New Hampshire country club, averting a worse tragedy.

They say one person was killed and two others were wounded by the gunfire Saturday night before the suspect was taken into custody in a nearby neighborhood not long after the shooting. Authorities say gunfire killed 59-year-old Robert Steven DeCesare at Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua. Witnesses at the scene say someone struck the shooter with a chair in an attempt to subdue them.

Report on hunger

coming to an end

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is ending the federal government’s annual report on hunger in America, stating that it had become “overly politicized” and “rife with inaccuracies.”

The decision comes two and a half months after President Donald Trump signed legislation sharply reducing food aid to the poor. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the tax and spending cuts bill Republicans muscled through Congress in July means 3 million people would not qualify for food stamps, also known as SNAP benefits.

The decision to scrap the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Household Food Security Report was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

In a press release Saturday, the USDA said the 2024 report, to be released Oct. 22, would be the last.