Policy changes, but facts endure. AP delivers accurate, fact-based journalism to keep the world informed in every administration. Support independent reporting today. Donate. |
|
|
In the news today: Florida has signed contracts to pay at least $245 million to set up the new immigration detention center in the Everglades; the war in Gaza tests ties between Israel and its traditional European allies; and the U.S. is developing new safeguards for the organ transplant system after reports of near-misses. Also, Ozzy Osbourne, lead singer of Black Sabbath, dies at 76.
|
President Donald Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem tour "Alligator Alcatraz," a new migrant detention facility at Dade-Collier Training and Transition facility, July 1, in Ochopee, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
|
Florida signs $245 million in contracts for 'Alligator Alcatraz.' Here's a look by the numbers
|
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ' administration has already signed contracts to pay at least $245 million to set up and run a new immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz," according to a public database. The amount — to be fronted by Florida taxpayers — is in line with the $450 million a year officials have estimated the facility will cost. Read more. |
|
|
- All the contracts were awarded under an executive order declaring an illegal immigration emergency the governor first enacted in 2023. The order grants the state sweeping authority to suspend "any statute, rule or order" seen as slowing the response to the emergency, including requirements to competitively bid public contracts.
State officials say at least some of the cost will be covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. But in court documents, attorneys for the Department of Homeland Security stated that the federal government had yet to reimburse Florida for any of the costs. The department made clear that "Florida is constructing and operating the facility using state funds on state lands under state emergency authority.
- One of the contracts shared with The Associated Press shows Critical Response Strategies was set to hire a warden for the temporary facility at $125 an hour and potentially spend more than $400,000 in overtime pay. It's not clear how long staffers can expect to work at the facility. Corrections officers at the facility can expect to earn up to $11,600 a month, plus overtime, according to a job posting for the company on LinkedIn.
|
|
|
War in Gaza tests ties between Israel and traditional European allies
|
Outrage over Israel's actions in Gaza has grown in Europe as images of suffering Palestinians have driven protests in London, Berlin, Brussels and other capitals. More recently, the almost daily killings of Palestinians while seeking aid have tested the EU's friendly relationship with Israel like never before. But Europe remains divided on its stance toward Israel, and its limited sanctions and condemnations so far have had little effect. Read more. |
|
|
Britain threatened Tuesday to take further action against Israel if it does not agree to end the war in Gaza, a day after two dozen mostly European countries condemned Israel's restrictions on aid shipments into the territory and the killings of hundreds of Palestinians trying to reach food. Despite the increasingly strong words, many are skeptical that Israel will yield to such pressure without more significant punitive action — and especially without the backing of Germany and the U.S., Israel's strongest Western allies.
If Israel does not change course, options could include fully or partially suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which would require a unanimous agreement by all 27 members of the EU. Other steps could be suspending an aviation agreement, blocking imports from settlements, limiting scientific and technological cooperation, and curtailing travel for Israelis in the visa-free zone known as Schengen, according to a leaked document sent by the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, to member states. The document was seen by The Associated Press and verified by two EU diplomats.
|
|
|
US organ donation system faces scrutiny and changes after reports of disturbing near-misses
|
The U.S. is developing new safeguards for the organ transplant system after a government investigation found a Kentucky group continued preparations for organ donation by some patients who showed signs of life, officials told Congress on Tuesday. Read more. |
|
|
Lawmakers stressed most organ donations proceed appropriately and save tens of thousands of lives a year. But the federal probe – concluded in March but only made public ahead of Tuesday's hearing – cited a "concerning pattern of risk" in dozens of other cases involving the Kentucky group's initial planning to recover someone's organs. The report said some should have been stopped or reassessed earlier, and mostly involved small or rural hospitals with less experience in caring for potential organ donors.
More than 100,000 people are on the U.S. transplant list and about 13 a day die waiting, according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. Only about 1% of deaths occur in a way that allows someone to even be considered for organ donation. Most people declared dead in a hospital will quickly be transferred to a funeral home or morgue instead.
|
|
|
Newlyweds Jade Rick Verdillo and Jamaica Aguilar during their wedding in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
|
Photos show a Filipino couple walking down a flooded aisle on their wedding day
On Tuesday, the Barasoain church in Malolos, Philippines, flooded due to heavy rain. Typhoon Wipha had intensified seasonal monsoon rains, bringing widespread flooding. But Jade Rick Verdillo and Jamaica Aguilar were determined to walk down the aisle, and they decided to push through, as all marriages have their challenges. |
|
|
Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Sarah |
| |
|
Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Sarah |
| |
|
*Advertisers have no control over editorial decisions or content. If you're interested in advertising, contact us here. |
|
|
|
