Wednesday Briefing: Israel expands Gaza offensive
Good morning. We're covering Israel's expanded offensive in Gaza and Trump's trade deal with the Philippines. Plus, the death of Ozzy Osbourne.
Israeli strikes hit a W.H.O. facility in GazaThe World Health Organization accused Israel of attacking its site in central Gaza after the Israeli military expanded its operations in the city of Deir al-Balah, which until recently had been left relatively unscathed. Israel had spared Deir al-Balah because it believed that Hamas was holding Israeli and foreign hostages there, but that strategy appears to be changing. A W.H.O. staff residence was damaged by airstrikes on Monday, the agency said in a statement. Israeli forces also entered the building, handcuffed and stripped male employees and family members sheltering there, and held them at gunpoint. Women and children were forcibly evacuated, the agency said. An Israeli military official said that the strike took place after the staff was evacuated, and that Israeli forces had come under fire in the vicinity, leading them to respond. Context: Deir al-Balah had been an informal refuge for Palestinians escaping other parts of Gaza, and huge tent camps have sprung up in the city. The city also hosts warehouses for the U.N. as well as guesthouses for U.N. staff.
Trump announced a trade deal with the PhilippinesAfter a meeting at the White House yesterday with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., President Trump announced that he had reached a trade deal with the Philippines. Trump wrote on Truth Social that after a "beautiful visit" with Marcos, they had agreed to a 19 percent tariff on exports from the Philippines, while U.S. goods going into the country would face zero tariffs. Trump also said that the countries would expand their military cooperation. The White House did not offer details. The deal, which is broadly in line with others that the U.S. has struck in Southeast Asia, will provide more trade certainty for the Philippines, but it appears to only slightly lower tariffs compared with the 20 percent that Trump previously threatened. Other deals: The Trump administration said its deal with Indonesia included no tariffs on nearly all U.S. imports, while the U.S. would maintain a 19 percent tariff on Indonesian products.
Ozzy Osbourne diedOzzy Osbourne, the "Prince of Darkness" who helped invent heavy metal as the lead singer of Black Sabbath and went on to achieve huge success as a reality TV star, died yesterday at 76. He had been treated in recent years for a rare genetic condition called Parkinsonism. Osbourne gave his final concert this month, at a festival in his hometown, Birmingham, England. Seated on a black throne, visibly moved by the enthusiasm of the crowd, he closed out his career by reuniting the original lineup of Black Sabbath. Listen to 12 essential songs.
When the bodies of a mother and her child were found in Rome's Villa Doria Pamphili park last month, Italians wanted answers but investigators were stumped. The authorities turned to a popular TV show called "Chi l'ha visto?" — or "Who Has Seen Him?" — to ask the public for help. As viewers searched their memories, the tips began rolling in. Then there was a breakthrough.
'The Late Show' is ending, but the jokes will go onAmerica's entertainment world was stunned last week by the announcement that "The Late Show," hosted by Stephen Colbert, was being canceled by CBS. Other late-night hosts have criticized the network, including Colbert's friend Jon Stewart. A fixture for over three decades, "The Late Show" was racking up losses of tens of millions of dollars a year, a sign of just how much late-night TV has struggled in a streaming world. One of Trump's most prominent critics, Colbert seems to many like a comedic martyr, my colleague Jason Zinoman writes. Until the show closes in 10 months, it'll have a spotlight on it like it never has before. Colbert will not only be in a position to continue making fun of the president; he can also begin setting himself up for his next act.
Cook: This wedge salad is a no-fuss show stopper. Read: "Mailman" is a warm and lively memoir about working for the postal service. Exercise: Building muscle in midlife gets harder. Here are tips for strength training. Relax: Wirecutter reviewed the best meditation apps. Test yourself: Do you know the places that inspired these English authors?
That's it for today. See next time. — Justin We welcome your feedback. Send us your suggestions at briefing@nytimes.com.
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