Associated Press

Israel calls claim it placed 'StingRay' surveillance devices near White House a 'blatant lie'

Israel's leader has flatly rejected a report claiming that his government put devices that covertly collect cellphone data in Washington, D.C., near the White House. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office described

report a "blatant lie."

"There is a longstanding commitment, and a directive from the Israeli government not to engage in any intelligence operations in the U.S. This directive is strictly enforced without exception," Netanyahu's office added in Thursday's statement.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a letter to Oregon Senator Ron Wyden that it had identified what appeared to be unauthorized IMSI-catchers in Washington, but said it had not been able to determine who put them there or collected the data from them. (CBS News)

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Associated Press

FEATURED STORIES

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Man hailed by Trump for El Paso shooting bravery was 'inaccurate' about his actions, police say (NBC News)

Harvard reviewing millions of dollars in donations late sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein gave to the Ivy League school (CNBC)

Air Force says it sent crews to Trump's Scottish resort up to 40 times (Politico)

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Associated Press

NATIONAL NEWS

Budget deficit smashes $1 trillion mark, the highest in seven years (CNBC)

White House moving forward to strip California of vehicle authority: sources (Reuters)

Black man once singled out by Trump leaves GOP, slams president's 'white privilege' (The Hill)

Justice Department to reveal name of individual accused of aiding 9/11 hijackers (CNN)

Wave of fatal shootings near St. Louis claims two more children (NBC News)

City fires police officer who had KKK memorabilia in home (mlive.com)

Dangling protesters shut down Houston bridge ahead of Democratic presidential candidates debate (USA Today)

NTSB preliminary report says all crewmembers were asleep during deadly California boat fire (Associated Press)

Sacramento woman is hospitalized after using facial cream tainted with mercury (CNN)

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TIME

WORLD NEWS

Johnson denies lying to Queen over Parliament suspension (BBC)

John Bercow: I'll stop Boris Johnson breaking the law on Brexit (The Guardian)

China prods state firms to boost investment in crisis-hit Hong Kong (Reuters)

Bahamas, ravaged by Hurricane Dorian, brace for second hit as tropical storm approaches (NBC News)

Mnuchin says U.S. still pursuing 'maximum pressure' against Iran (Reuters)

Senators pressure Trump to help end humanitarian crisis in Kashmir (The Hill)

Heathrow drone protest: Five arrested over planned disruption (BBC)

Get $27,000 to move to Italy: That's this region's plan to attract newcomers (USA Today)