NEWS BRIEFING
Israel cuts Ramadan access for Palestinians after fatal attack
Israeli defense body COGAT posted the announcement on its Arabic language Facebook page. Earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that preparations were underway to destroy the homes of the Palestinian attackers and tighten security at the entrance to the Old City, home to sensitive holy sites sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians.
Three Palestinian attackers armed with an automatic weapon and knives assaulted officers on duty near the Old City in two locations Friday evening.
Police said Staff Sgt. Maj. Hadas Malka, 23, was rushing to respond to that initial attack nearby when a Palestinian assaulted her with a knife. Malka wrestled with the man for several seconds as he stabbed her multiple times before other officers saw what was happening and opened fire, killing him, police said. She later died of her wounds in hospital.
The Islamic State group took responsibility for the attacks, but two Palestinian militant groups, Hamas and People’s Front for the Liberation of Palestine, quickly retorted that the three were their members.
Netanyahu criticized Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas for not condemning the attack.
There was no official comment from Abbas, but Osama al-Qawasmi, a spokesman for his Fatah party said, “When Netanyahu ends his occupation all the problems will end, but as long he continues occupation and land confiscation and building settlements on our land the conflict will continue.”
London building may have used banned siding in renovation
Trade Minister Greg Hands said the government is carrying out an “urgent inspection” of the roughly 2,500 similar tower blocks across Britain to assess their safety.
Experts believe the building’s new exterior cladding, which contained insulation, helped spread the flames quickly up the outside of the tower early Wednesday. Some said they had never seen such a fire advance so quickly.
Hands and Treasury chief Philip Hammond said in separate TV interviews that the cladding used on the Grenfell seems to be prohibited by British regulations.
NBC’s Kelly pushes ‘Infowars’ host on Newtown massacre
Jones never gave a direct answer in a segment on NBC’s “Sunday Night With Megyn Kelly.” Kelly has been criticized for giving a platform to Jones. She defended her decision by noting that President Donald Trump has praised Jones and appeared on his radio program.
The “Infowars” host said at one point that he was playing “devil’s advocate” in denying the 2012 mass shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. But he continued to express doubts, saying he had “watched the footage” of children leaving the building that “looks like a drill.”
Milwaukee County sheriff no longer candidate for DHS job
The conservative firebrand said last month he was taking a job as an assistant secretary at the DHS, but the agency declined to confirm the appointment, saying it announces such senior appointments once the DHS secretary makes them official.
Craig Peterson, a political adviser to Clarke, said in a statement that the sheriff notified DHS Secretary John Kelly late Friday that he “had rescinded his acceptance of the agency’s offer” to join the department.
A DHS spokesman said by email Sunday that Clarke is no longer being considered for a position within DHS.
German minister sees some hope of a ‘soft’ Brexit
Brexit negotiations start on Monday.
German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel told Sunday’s Welt am Sonntag newspaper that staying in the single market would require Britain to accept EU workers’ freedom of movement.
It also would have to accept the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, “or at least a joint court that is staffed by Europeans and Britons,” Gabriel said.
For many Brexit advocates, those conditions would be impossible to accept as last year’s referendum campaign focused on getting back control over laws and immigration from the EU.
Rep. Scalise upgraded from ‘critical’ to ‘serious’
Medstar Washington Hospital Center released the update on behalf of the Scalise family. The congressman underwent another surgery Saturday, and the hospital said he was more responsive and speaking with family.
Scalise was one of five people shot when a gunman opened fire Wednesday as the Republican team practiced in Alexandria, Va. He has required surgery several times.
Scalise’s Twitter account on Sunday posted a message that said, in part: “Steve’s greatest joy is being a father to Madison and Harrison, and a husband to Jennifer.”
Officials said Sunday that an earthquake late Saturday with a magnitude of around 4.0 struck near the village of Nuugaatsiaq.