US Vice President Kamala Harris has significantly narrowed the gap against Donald Trump in the race for the presidency, recent polls reveal. According to the Wall Street Journal, Harris trails Trump by just 2 percentage points, with a 49% to 47% split. A New York Times/Siena College poll also shows a close contest, with Trump at 48% and Harris at 47%. Harris has gained substantial support from non-white voters and key Democratic constituencies, boosting her standing after President Joe Biden's exit from the race. Harris officially declared her candidacy on Saturday, pledging to win every vote.

France endured a second day of severe train disruptions following sabotage attacks that crippled the rail network ahead of the Paris Olympics. The SNCF reported that nearly one-third of trains in northern, western, and eastern France were cancelled, impacting around 160,000 out of 800,000 expected travelers this weekend. Eurostar services between London and Paris also suffered. Authorities have yet to identify the perpetrators but are investigating the attacks on crucial cabling. Despite efforts, the SNCF expects normal service to resume by Monday, though disruptions will continue into Sunday.

At least 30 Palestinians were killed, and over 100 wounded, in an Israeli airstrike on a school in Deir al-Balah, Gaza. The Israeli military claimed the strike targeted a Hamas command center inside the school compound, allegedly used for launching attacks and storing weapons. Despite warnings to civilians, the attack resulted in significant casualties. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about disproportionate force and civilian safety in the conflict. Earlier, strikes in Khan Younis and Rafah killed 23 more Palestinians, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues.

As the world's attention turns to Paris for the Olympics, a coordinated sabotage effort has struck France's train network. The attacks on three TGV lines and a thwarted fourth attempt have raised concerns about security and disruption. With hundreds of thousands of passengers impacted, including international leaders like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the incident highlights vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. As investigators work to identify those responsible, the focus remains on restoring services and ensuring safety for the influx of Olympic visitors.

US Vice President Kamala Harris has officially announced her candidacy for the 2024 presidential election. She made the declaration on social media, stating she will work hard to earn every vote. Harris's bid follows President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race, with Biden endorsing her candidacy. Former President Barack Obama has also expressed support for Harris. With their backing, Harris is now a key contender in the Democratic field. Her campaign will focus on a people-powered approach, aiming for a November win. Harris is the first major Democrat to formally enter the presidential race.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with former U.S. President Donald Trump at Trump’s Florida resort on Friday, aiming to ease tensions between the two leaders. This meeting followed Netanyahu’s discussions with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Netanyahu's visit comes during a prolonged Israeli offensive in Gaza and critical global attention on the humanitarian crisis. Trump, the Republican nominee in the 2024 presidential race, emphasized the need for a swift resolution to the conflict. The meeting also addressed past disagreements, including Netanyahu’s congratulatory message to Biden after the 2020 election.

France's high-speed rail network suffered coordinated arson attacks, causing widespread disruptions just hours before the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony. SNCF, the national train operator, identified multiple sites targeted: signal boxes on lines to Lille, Bordeaux, and Strasbourg, with another attack foiled on the Paris-Marseille route. These acts crippled travel, leading to numerous cancellations and delays, impacting hundreds of thousands. The Paris prosecutor has launched a probe into the sabotage, viewed as a threat to "fundamental national interests." Authorities are on high alert as they work to restore services amidst the heightened security for the Olympics.

Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for the White House. This endorsement, delivered via a video call, comes as Harris solidifies her position as the Democratic nominee following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race. The Obamas’ backing, announced Friday, underscores their strong support for Harris, who aims to make history as the first female, Black, and Asian president. The former president emphasized their commitment to helping Harris win, while Michelle Obama expressed pride and excitement for the historic campaign.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina faces criticism after she was photographed crying at a metro station in Mirpur, destroyed during recent anti-government protests. The station's damage, including shattered ticket machines and control systems, has drawn backlash from many who accuse Hasina of insincere grief. Over 150 people have died in the clashes between police and university students protesting job quotas. Critics argue that Hasina’s public display of emotion contrasts sharply with her lack of visible sympathy for the protest victims. The prime minister condemned the destruction of infrastructure but has been criticized for not addressing the broader crisis or visiting the families of those killed. The unrest has intensified scrutiny of Hasina’s administration, which faces accusations of excessive force and political repression.              

The World Health Organization (WHO) is sending more than one million polio vaccines to Gaza after the virus was detected in sewage samples. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed the urgency, saying, "Without immediate action, it is just a matter of time before it reaches the thousands of children who have been left unprotected." Children under five, especially infants under two, are most at risk due to disrupted vaccination campaigns from nine months of conflict. Israel's military is also offering the polio vaccine to soldiers in Gaza after detecting the virus in test samples.