Israeli strike targets the Hamas military commander and kills at least 90 in southern Gaza
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel’s prime minister says “there still isn’t absolute certainty” that Hamas’ shadowy military commander was killed in a massive airstrike in southern Gaza. Local health officials say it killed at least 90 people. Hamas denies that Mohammed Deif was nearby during Saturday’s strike. Deif is believed by many to be the chief architect of the Oct. 7 attack that sparked the nine-month Israel-Hamas war. The airstrike came at a delicate time in cease-fire efforts. It took place in an area the military had designated as safe for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.
Biden’s supporters want to ‘let Joe be Joe’ — but his stumbles are now under a bigger spotlight
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is on a public and private blitz to shake off concerns about his cognitive capacities. But with unabating public doubts about his fitness to serve, Biden’s every move is now under a withering microscope as any potential stumble risks becoming magnified and delivering another blow to his candidacy. To wit: As he introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a NATO summit event Thursday evening, Biden flubbed and called him “President Putin,” prompting audible gasps from the audience. He corrected himself, saying, “I’m so focused on beating Putin” before ceding the lectern to Zelenskyy. Shortly thereafter at a news conference, Biden errantly referred to “Vice President Trump.”
Trump heads to Pennsylvania for pre-convention rally as VP announcement looms
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump will have one last chance Saturday to dramatically unveil his vice presidential pick on a rally stage before the Republican National Convention kicks off next week. Trump’s rally in western Pennsylvania, at the Butler Farm Show just outside Pittsburgh, comes as the former reality TV star and tabloid hound continues to tease his pick for maximum attention. But Trump has made clear in recent days that his preference is to dramatically reveal his pick live at the convention — something the ratings-obsessed former president has said would make the proceedings more “interesting” and “exciting.”
Deeply Democratic Milwaukee wrestles with hosting Trump and the Republican National Convention
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee loves its Miller Beer, Brewers baseball, and “Bronze Fonz” statue. The deepest blue city in swing state Wisconsin, Milwaukee also loves Democrats. So it can be hard for some to swallow that Milwaukee is playing host to former President Donald Trump and the Republican National Convention this coming week while rival Chicago, the larger city 90 miles to the south, welcomes President Joe Biden and Democrats in August. It didn’t help smooth things over with wary Democrats after Trump used the word “horrible” when talking about Milwaukee just a month before the convention. Still, Milwaukee officials point to the economic benefits and the chance to showcase the city nationally.
With words, deeds, and arms deals, allies make the case for NATO in terms that would appeal to Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) — European allies in NATO are stepping up their military spending, just as Donald Trump wanted. They’re pointing to common interests, such as security concerns with China. They’re creating American jobs by buying U.S. weapons. In words, deeds, and arms deals, leaders of the United States’ partner countries in NATO are making the case for the military alliance in ways likely to appeal to the presumed Republican presidential nominee. Even if their actions aren’t necessarily directly tied to Trump’s prodding, the allies are casting them in terms he would approve of, and maybe take credit for.
Dr. Ruth Westheimer, America’s diminutive and pioneering sex therapist, dies at 96
NEW YORK (AP) — Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the diminutive sex therapist who became a pop icon, media star, and best-selling author through her frank talk about once-taboo bedroom topics, has died. She was 96. Westheimer never advocated risky sexual behavior. Instead, she encouraged an open dialogue on previously closeted issues that affected her audience of millions. Her one recurring theme was there was nothing to be ashamed of. Westheimer’s giggly, German-accented voice, coupled with her 4-foot-7 frame, made her an unlikely looking — and sounding — outlet for “sexual literacy.” The contradiction was one of the keys to her success. She died Friday at her home in New York City, surrounded by family.
Shelling kills 4 in Ukraine as a drone attack sparks fire at an oil depot in Russia
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian shelling of Ukraine has killed four people as the two countries exchanged drone attacks, one of which set ablaze a Russian oil depot. Ukraine has in recent months stepped up aerial assaults on Russian soil, targeting refineries and oil terminals in an effort to slow down the Kremlin’s war machine. Moscow’s army is pressing hard along the front line in eastern Ukraine, where a shortage of troops and ammunition in the third year of war has made defenders vulnerable. An oil depot deep inside Russia’s southwestern Rostov region was set ablaze Saturday in the latest long-range strike by Kyiv’s forces on a border region.
Conservative groups are pushing to clean voter rolls. Others see an effort to sow election distrust
Conservative groups are systematically attempting to challenge large numbers of voter registrations across the country before the presidential election. The strategy is part of a wider effort raising questions about the integrity of this year’s election as former President Donald Trump repeatedly claims without evidence that his opponents are trying to cheat. Those behind the reviews cast them as good government endeavors intended to help local election offices clean up the rolls. Voting rights groups and Democrats believe the effort is intended to shake faith in the results of the 2024 election and lay the legal groundwork to challenge the results.
On the anniversary of Frida Kahlo’s death, her art’s spirituality keeps fans engaged around the globe
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Frida Kahlo had no religious affiliation. Why, then, did the Mexican artist depict several religious symbols in the paintings she produced until her death on July 13, 1954? Using her own personal experiences as a source of inspiration, and employing religious references that portray the spiritual dimension of human beings, her paintings sparked a connection with her audience, most of whom remain passionate admirers of her work on the 70th anniversary of her death.
Alec Baldwin thanks supporters in first public comments after early end to trial
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Alec Baldwin has made his first public comments since the stunning early end to his trial in the killing of a cinematographer in New Mexico. Baldwin says in an Instagram post Saturday that there “are too many people who have supported me to thank just now” and “you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family.” The post was accompanied by a photo of the actor in a Santa Fe, New Mexico, courtroom, where a day earlier a judge threw out the involuntary manslaughter case against him. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled that prosecutors wrongly withheld ammunition evidence from Baldwin’s defense team.
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