Widespread technology outage disrupts flights, banks, media outlets and companies around the world
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A widespread Microsoft outage is disrupting flights, banks, media outlets and companies around the world. Escalating disruptions continued hours after the technology company said it was gradually fixing an issue affecting access to Microsoft 365 apps and services. The website DownDectector, which tracks user-reported internet outages, recorded growing outages in services at Visa, ADT security and Amazon, and airlines including American Airlines and Delta. News outlets in Australia reported that airlines, telecommunications providers and banks, and media broadcasters were disrupted as they lost access to computer systems. Some New Zealand banks said they were also offline.
Biden’s campaign faces critical moment, as Democrats encourage him to consider exiting 2024 race
WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s a critical weekend ahead for President Joe Biden. Isolated as he battles a COVID infection at his beach house in Delaware, he is confronting the stark reality that many Democrats at the highest levels want him to consider how stepping aside from the 2024 election could be the party’s best chance of preventing widespread losses in November. Biden’s small circle of advisers has grown smaller as he weighs whether to stay in the race. His campaign is calling an all-staff meeting for Friday. And the Democratic National Committee is pressing ahead Friday with planning for a virtual roll call to nominate the president ahead of the party convention in August.
Obama’s dilemma: Balancing Democrats’ worry about Biden and maintaining influence with president
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Barack Obama has found himself in a vexing position as his old running mate Joe Biden negotiates one of the most sensitive political moments for the Democratic Party in decades. Obama in recent days has taken calls from congressional leaders, Democratic governors and key donors in which he has shared their uneasiness about the prospect of Biden’s campaign following his calamitous June 27 debate performance against Donald Trump. But even as Obama has listened to Democrats’ concerns, he has insisted in those conversations that the decision whether to remain in the race is only for Biden to make. That’s according to several people familiar with the matter who requested anonymity to discuss the private discussions.
Trump urges unity after assassination attempt while proposing sweeping populist agenda in RNC finale
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Donald Trump, somber and bandaged, has accepted his party’s presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention. His speech described in detail the assassination attempt that could have ended his life just five days earlier before laying out a sweeping populist agenda, particularly on immigration. The 78-year-old former president says: ““If I had not moved my head at that very last instant, the assassin’s bullet would have perfectly hit its mark. And I would not be here tonight.” Trump’s address, among the longest convention speeches in modern history, marked the climax and conclusion of a massive four-day Republican pep rally as voters weigh an election that currently features two deeply unpopular candidates.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim drone strike that kills 1 person, injures at least 10 in Tel Aviv
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for an early morning drone strike that hit a part of central Tel Aviv near the U.S. Embassy, killing one person and injuring 10 others. The strike rumbled through the streets causing shards of shrapnel to rain down and leaving a large explosion radius. The Houthis have launched drones and missiles toward Israel throughout the Israel-Hamas war. But until Friday, all were intercepted by either Israel or Western allies with forces stationed in the region. The Houthis claimed its newest drones are capable of permeating Israel’s aerial defense system, but Israel attributed the hit to human error.
Russia seeks 18-year sentence for US reporter on trial for spying in highly politicized legal system
YEKATERINBURG, Russia (AP) — Russian prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of 18 years for Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. He is on trial on espionage charges that his employer and the U.S. have denounced as fabricated. The 32-year-old journalist was arrested March 29, 2023, while on a reporting trip to the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg. Authorities claimed without offering any evidence that he was gathering secret information for the U.S. According to the court, he pleaded not guilty. and The Wall Street Journal and the U.S. government have called the trial a sham. Gershkovich appeared in court for a second straight day Friday as the closed-door proceedings in Russia’s highly politicized legal system picked up speed. A verdict is expected later in the day.
Majority of Democrats think Kamala Harris would make a good president, AP-NORC poll shows
WASHINGTON (AP) — As President Joe Biden faces a growing drumbeat of pressure to drop his reelection bid, most Democrats think his vice president would make a good president herself. The new poll from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about 6 in 10 Democrats believe Kamala Harris would do a good job in the top slot. About 2 in 10 Democrats don’t believe she would, and another 2 in 10 say they don’t know enough to say. Since Biden’s massive debate debacle on June 27, many Democrats have privately and even openly looked to Harris to step in and succeed Biden as the party’s presidential nominee.
Some GOP voters welcome Trump’s somewhat softened tone at Republican National Convention
MILWAUKEE (AP) — For those conservative voters long turned off by former President Donald Trump’s rhetoric, his somewhat softened tone in accepting the Republican nomination is a welcome relief. Iowa farmer Dave Struthers calls Trump’s delivery “much improved.” Trump has a long history of divisive commentary. But on Thursday night in Milwaukee, he spoke in a quieter, more relaxed tone for at least the first part of the speech. He called for an end to discord in national politics. But his remarks became more ascerbic as the night wore on. He said Democrats are destroying the country and claimed without evidence that Central and South American countries are sending their murderers to the U.S.
Bangladesh security forces fire bullets and sound grenades as protests escalate
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Police and security officials fired bullets and tear gas at protesters in Bangladesh on Friday, as internet and mobile services were cut off after days of deadly clashes over the allocation of government jobs. The protests, which began weeks ago but escalated sharply on Monday, represent the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since she was won a fourth consecutive term in a January election that was boycotted by the main opposition parties. The fresh clashes follow the bloodiest day of the protests to date, with local media reporting 22 people killed as protesting students attempted to impose a “complete shutdown” on the country.
Comedian Bob Newhart, deadpan master of sitcoms and telephone monologues, dies at 94
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bob Newhart has died at age 94. Jerry Digney, Newhart’s publicist, says the actor died Thursday in Los Angeles after a series of short illnesses. The accountant-turned-comedian gained fame with a smash album and became one of the most popular TV stars of his time. Newhart was a Chicago psychologist in “The Bob Newhart Show” in the 1970s and a Vermont innkeeper on “Newhart” in the 1980s. Both shows featured a low-key Newhart surrounded by eccentric characters. The second had a twist ending in its final show — the whole series was revealed to have been a dream by the psychologist he played in the other show.
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