Anger and anxiety loom over the Republican convention after the assassination attempt against Trump
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Anger and anxiety loom as thousands of Donald Trump’s loyalists are gathering for the Republican National Convention. The convention in Milwaukee comes less than 48 hours after the former president narrowly escaped an assassination attempt that rattled the very foundation of U.S. politics. For this week, at least, the Democrats’ political crisis, the GOP’s governing agenda and even Trump’s criminal convictions become secondary to acute concerns about political violence. Trump and his allies will face the nation during their four-day convention unquestionably united and ready to “fight,” as the bloodied Trump cried out Saturday while Secret Service agents at his Pennsylvania rally rushed him to safety.
The Latest: RNC set to begin in the aftermath of Trump assassination attempt
The Republican National Convention kicks off this week, with delegates and officials descending on Wisconsin amid the tumult that follows a Saturday assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump as he prepares to become the GOP’s official nominee. The quadrennial event takes place not only as Trump leads a party in lockstep behind him, but also as Democrats roil over President Joe Biden’s viability and if they should replace him as their nominee.
America’s toxic political climate faces calls to ‘tone it down’ after assassination attempt on Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) — “Tone it down!” That was the plea from the Republican congressman as he came to grips with the assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a political rally in the area where he grew up. But the shocking attack on Trump underscored the toxic climate in America’s political life. While the motive of the shooter is unknown, it comes at a crucial phase — the first presidential election since the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Researchers who track online hate said rhetoric of a new civil war has spiked. Civic leaders, pastors and elected officials from President Joe Biden on down appealed to Americans for unity and an end to vitriol.
Former fire chief who died at Trump rally used his body to shield family from gunfire
BUFFALO TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — The victim who was killed at a Pennsylvania rally for Donald Trump spent his final moments diving in front of his family to protect them from gunfire that rang out Saturday during an assassination attempt against the former president. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro confirmed Sunday that Corey Comperatore had died a “hero,” using his body as a shield to protect both his wife and daughter from the bullets. Randy Reamer, president of the Buffalo Township volunteer fire company, called Comperatore “a stand-up guy” and “a true brother of the fire service.” A GoFundMe launched to support Comperatore’s family had already surpassed more than $696,000 in donations as of Sunday.
GOP convention protests are on despite shooting at Trump rally
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Activists in Milwaukee for the first day of the Republican National Convention say they’ll stick with protest plans for marches and rallies in the wake of an apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The activists are hoping to call attention to issues such as abortion rights, economic justice and the war in Gaza. The largest group is the Coalition to March on the RNC. They plan to kick off the demonstrations around the downtown convention site. The group has been at odds with the city and law enforcement over a protest route. Late last week, they said they reached a “handshake agreement” with city officials.
Hamas says Gaza cease-fire talks haven’t paused and claims military chief survived Israeli strike
MUWASI, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas says Gaza cease-fire talks continue and the group’s military commander is in good health a day after the Israeli military targeted Mohammed Deif with a massive airstrike that local health officials say killed at least 90 people including children. Deif’s condition remains unclear after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday night “there still isn’t absolute certainty” he was killed. Hamas representatives give no evidence to back up their assertion about the health of a chief architect of the Oct. 7 attack that sparked the war. Israel’s military says the strike killed another Hamas commander who was a close associate of Deif.
From basement to battlefield: Ukrainian startups create low-cost robots to fight Russia
NORTHERN UKRAINE (AP) — Ukraine hopes to find a strategic edge against Russia in drones built in abandoned warehouses or factory basements. An ecosystem of versatile laboratories hidden in hundreds of secret workshops is leveraging technological innovation. Ukraine hopes to kill Russian troops or save wounded soldiers and civilians with a robot army. Some 250 defense startups across Ukraine are creating the killing machines from the bottom up. That’s often at remote, hidden locations that typically look like rural car repair shops. Dozens of new unmanned air, ground and marine vehicles are awaiting assessment as Ukraine accelerates its no-frills startup sector. Production methods are far removed from those of giant Western defense companies.
Argentina fans revel in their Copa America triumph, a brief respite from their country’s crises
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentines taking to the streets to revel in their Copa América triumph inhabit a very different place now than they did 19 months ago, when their World Cup victory sent millions surging into the same Buenos Aires square in a howl of collective celebration. Two years ago Argentina was also in crisis but now annual inflation tops 270%. Almost 60% of the country’s 45 million people live in poverty. If for the rest of this hemisphere the Copa America crown represents glorious achievement, for Argentines it offers much more — exquisite, if fleeting, escape.
Authorities hunt for clues, but motive of man who tried to assassinate Donald Trump remains elusive
WASHINGTON (AP) — Investigators are hunting for any clues about what may have driven Thomas Matthew Crooks to try to assassinate former President Donald Trump. The FBI said Sunday it was investigating the assassination attempt as a potential act of domestic terrorism. But the absence of a clear ideological motive by the man shot dead by the Secret Service has led conspiracy theories to flourish. The FBI says it believes Crooks acted alone and had bomb-making materials in the car he drove to the Republican ex-president’s Pennsylvania rally. Crooks graduated from high school in 2022. Records show Crooks was registered as a Republican.
A timeline of the assassination attempt on former President Trump
Former President Donald Trump was the target of an assassination attempt as a barrage of gunfire at a Pennsylvania rally set off panic as a bloodied Trump, who said he was shot in the ear, was surrounded by Secret Service and hurried into his vehicle. Authorities say one attendee was killed in the attack Saturday at a farm show in Butler, Pennsylvania, and two others were critically injured. The first shots rang out around 10 minutes after Trump had taken the stage. About 1 minute after the shots rang out, video shows Trump getting to his feet and reaching with his right hand toward his face, which was smeared with blood on his face. He then pumped his fist in the air and appeared to mouth the word “fight” twice to his crowd of supporters.
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