Republican Convention shifts focus to immigration and border, key issues for Trump’s campaign
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Republican National Convention is back with a spotlight on immigration and crime, featuring families affected by violent crime scheduled to speak at the convention Tuesday night. Immigration has been a central theme of former President Donald Trump’s political brand and has resonated with the GOP base since his first campaign in 2015. Tuesday’s lineup includes several Republican U.S. Senate candidates from states with closely contested races, such as Ohio, Nevada, and Montana. Additionally, some of Trump’s top GOP primary rivals will give speeches during primetime.
Sen. Bob Menendez found guilty of accepting bribes in cash and gold and acting as Egypt’s foreign agent
NEW YORK (AP) — Sen. Bob Menendez has been convicted on all charges in his corruption trial, which includes allegations of accepting bribes in gold and cash from three businessmen in New Jersey and serving as a foreign agent for Egypt. Two co-defendants were also convicted on Tuesday. Prosecutors claim that the Democrat misused his power to shield allies from criminal probes and enrich associates, including his wife. They allege that he received bribes in exchange for assisting Egypt in gaining access to millions of dollars in military aid. Menendez plans to appeal the verdict, maintaining that he never violated his oath of office. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is calling for his resignation, while Gov. Phil Murphy suggests that the Senate expel him if he does not step down voluntarily.
Dam failure follows severe weather in the Midwest, with Chicago area now in clean-up mode
CHICAGO (AP) — Severe storms in the Midwest have caused a reservoir dam near Nashville, Illinois, to overtop and led to cleanup efforts in the Chicago area. First responders are working to evacuate all 300 individuals within the affected zone near Nashville. No injuries have been reported in that area. Meteorologists from the National Weather Service in suburban Chicago had to seek shelter late Monday as storms swept through the region. Initial data indicates that Chicago, including the Loop area, was hit by an EF-1 tornado. Additionally, four suburban areas of Chicago experienced tornadoes. In Indiana, a woman lost her life when a tree fell on her home.
Biden seeks to highlight differences between himself and Trump as Republicans gather in Milwaukee
LAS VEGAS (AP) — President Joe Biden is hitting the campaign trail for the first time since a failed assassination attempt on his Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump. Biden aims to underscore the distinctions that voters will face in the upcoming November election in the aftermath of the attack. He is set to address the NAACP convention in Las Vegas on Tuesday to showcase his administration’s support for Black voters, a critical component of the Democratic coalition. Biden will also participate in an interview with BET and speak at UnidosUS the following day to strengthen his appeal to Latino voters, another crucial Democratic-leaning group. These efforts serve as counterprogramming to Trump and the ongoing Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
JD Vance, a relatively unknown political figure, is tasked with helping Trump avenge his 2020 defeat
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Ohio Sen. JD Vance has been chosen to assist Donald Trump in securing victory in the Midwest this autumn. However, Vance’s lack of recognition among many Republicans, even in swing states crucial to Trump’s campaign, became evident immediately after he was announced as Trump’s running mate on Monday. Trump’s team has less than four months to boost Vance’s profile. Critics are already seizing upon Vance’s lack of government experience, nationalist views, and history of criticizing Trump to fill the information gap. Various political opponents are working to tarnish Vance’s image before the election.
Political violence has plagued American society long before the attempt on Trump’s life
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Political violence has permeated American culture long before a gunman wounded former President Donald Trump. Members of Congress have been targeted, with one lawmaker’s staff attacked with a baseball bat. In a separate incident, a private investigator placed a tracking device on a Nevada mayor’s vehicle for unknown reasons. In upstate New York, a man threw a dummy pipe bomb into a county clerk candidate’s home. The attempted assassination of Trump shocked individuals across the political spectrum, but it reflects a broader trend of violence in a highly partisan environment.
Israeli military announces plans to draft ultra-Orthodox men, potentially causing government turmoil
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military will begin sending draft notices to Jewish ultra-Orthodox men starting Sunday, a move that could unsettle Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Following the announcement, hundreds of men staged protests. The decision follows a Supreme Court ruling mandating young religious men to enlist for military service, ending long-standing exemptions. This exemption system had sparked public outrage in Israel, particularly after an extended conflict with Hamas militants in Gaza. The court deemed the exemption policy discriminatory.
Six individuals discovered dead in a downtown Bangkok hotel, poisoning considered as a cause
BANGKOK (AP) — Thai authorities report that the bodies of six people were found in a luxury hotel in downtown Bangkok, raising the possibility of poisoning. Among the deceased were two Vietnamese Americans and four Vietnamese nationals. There were no signs of a struggle, and the bodies were found frothing at the mouth in a room at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel. The occupants were meant to check out earlier on Tuesday, prompting a maid to investigate when they did not. Beverages in the room had been consumed, and the room was locked from the inside.
Experts warn of scams during Amazon Prime Day
NEW YORK (AP) — Consumers are advised to be cautious of scams during Amazon Prime Day, as fraudulent activities tend to increase during major sales events. Scams such as fake emails impersonating online retailers like Amazon are not uncommon. The Better Business Bureau cautions against lookalike websites, enticing social media ads, and unsolicited emails or phone calls. Prime Day, Amazon’s two-day discount spree for Prime members, begins on Tuesday, offering scammers ample opportunities to deceive unsuspecting shoppers.
Biden and Trump present diverging views on various issues in the rare clash between two former presidents in the 2024 election
WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time in generations, two former presidents are competing in the same election. Joe Biden and Donald Trump present contrasting records and promises that voters will evaluate on a range of policy issues. From abortion and immigration to taxes and climate change, they offer starkly different stances. Voters must decide between higher taxes for the wealthy, reaffirmation of abortion rights, commitment to climate change mitigation, and standing with Ukraine among other issues.
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