AS TALKS end, combat in Gaza seems likely to resume. Above, an apartment in ruins in Gaza City earlier this year (Wikipedia).

Negotiations for a cease-fire in Gaza have ended, opening up the prospect for a renewed offensive by Israeli forces.

Hamas officials said Sunday that the talks have ended without resolution.

A “powerful operation in the near future in Rafah and other places across all of Gaza” was promised by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

However, it’s reported that CIA Director William Burns – who has been been serving as a mediator – has plans to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for closed door talks on Monday.

Church lifts ban on same-sex marriages

The United Methodist Church – one of the largest “mainline” Protestant groups in the U.S. – has voted to accept gay clergy and same-sex marriages at their General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina.

SAME SEX MARRIAGE (Shutterstock).

They are the latest mainline denomination to make the change, joining the Presbyterian, Episcopal and Lutheran groups. However, the controversy has led to splits among some of those groups.

At the same time, those denominations have seen steep declines in membership, as conservative churches have continued with the prohibitions that the more liberal churches have discontinued.

Dodgers sweep while Angels skid

Shohei Ohtani hit two home runs – one of them a two-run shot – and the Los Angeles Dodgers swept the series with the Atlanta Braves with a 5-1 victory on Sunday. He’s now hit 10 homers this season.

James Paxton (6-0) pitched 6.2 strong innings, giving up five hits and one earned run. He struck out three batters and walked one.

With the win, the Blue Crew is 23-13 and leads the National League West, five games ahead of the San Diego Padres (18-18).

When will it end? The Los Angeles Angels lost again on Sunday, falling 4-1 to the Cleveland Guardians in Ohio. It was their eighth loss in 10 games, and with a 12-22 record, they’re in fifth (and last) place in the American League West. Only three teams in Major League Baseball have a worse record.

The Halos got a quality start from Griffin Canning (1-4), who worked six innings and gave up four hits and two runs. He struck out five and walked one.

But the offense could generate only one run, scoring Willie Calhoun on a single by Jo Adell in the second inning.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are hosting the Atlanta Braves in Chavez Ravine. Check back for the results.

Weather: Looking summer-y

If you don’t mind a bit of clouds in the sky, the outlook for the coming week in our West Orange County area is kind of summer-like. The forecast for Monday is for a daytime high of 72 with an overnight low of 54. Tuesday looks like 72 (55) and Wednesday and Thursday will be similar at 73 (57) and 72 (57).