US- and Israeli-backed group pauses food delivery in Gaza after deadly shootings

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli- and U.S.-backed group has temporarily paused food delivery at its three distribution sites in Gaza. That came after health officials said dozens of Palestinians were killed in a series of shootings near the sites this week. Separately, officials said Israeli strikes across the territory killed 26 people overnight and into Wednesday. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said it was in discussions with the Israeli military on better guiding foot traffic near its distribution sites and enhancing military procedures. Gaza health officials, the Red Cross and the U.N. rights office said 27 people were killed Tuesday. Witnesses blamed Israeli forces. Israel’s military said it fired near people it described as suspects and that it is looking into reports of casualties.

US and Europe trade negotiators say progress but no breakthroughs on tariff talks

PARIS (AP) — Europe and the United States say progress has been made but there were no breakthroughs during a meeting in Paris to negotiate a settlement of a tense tariff spat with global economic ramifications. European Union top trade negotiator Maroš Šefčovič met Wednesday with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of a meeting of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Šefčovič said in a post on X that the sides are “advancing in the right direction at pace” and staying in close contact. Brussels and Washington, though, are unlikely to reach a substantive trade agreement in Paris. The issues dividing them are too difficult to resolve quickly.

Ukraine seeks air defense systems as Western backers meet without the Pentagon chief

BRUSSELS (AP) — Ukraine’s president wants his Western backers to speed up deliveries of air defense systems to counter Russian missile strikes. He also wants them to help boost weapons production. President Volodymyr Zelenskky on Wednesday emphasized U.S.-made Patriot missile systems. The Ukraine Defense Contact Group was formed to help the country repel Russia’s all-out invasion. But U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not attend, for the first time. His absence is the latest step that the Trump administration has taken to distance itself from Ukraine’s war efforts. The meeting was chaired by the U.K. and Germany.

At least 11 people die in a stampede outside a cricket stadium in India after IPL win

BENGALURU, India (AP) — At least 11 people are dead and more than 30 injured in a stampede outside a cricket stadium in southern India. The crush on Wednesday happened as tens of thousands of cricket fans gathered outside a stadium in Bengaluru to celebrate the winners of the Indian Premier League. That’s the world’s most popular T20 cricket tournament. Karnataka state’s chief minister says the stampede took place after the crowd tried to break one of the stadium’s gates and enter to take part in celebrations. The cricket team had given away free passes to fans but urged them to follow guidelines set by authorities.