Harris has support of enough Democratic delegates to become party’s presidential nominee: AP survey
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris has secured the support of enough Democratic delegates to become her party’s nominee against Donald Trump. That’s according to an Associated Press survey taken in the aftermath of President Joe Biden’s decision to drop his bid for reelection. The unofficial AP survey is only an indication that she has the backing of more than then 1,976 delegates she’ll need to win on a first ballot. But it shows she is the overwhelming choice of her party to replace Biden at the top of the ticket.
Biden passed that torch slowly, hanging on until the wheels finally came off
WASHINGTON (AP) — Insiders who were close to Joe Biden’s struggles are describing a president who was dogged in his determination to keep his candidacy alive — but ultimately not in denial about the odds. A number of firsthand observers of Biden’s crisis say he was privately contemplative during his days of decision, before announcing Sunday that he was quitting the presidential race. He is said to have told Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on July 13 that he needed a week to decide what to do. Publicly, Biden never wavered from his vow to continue his candidacy — up until the day he ended it.
Biden aims for more achievements despite the bane of lame-duck presidents: diminished relevance
REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) — President Joe Biden says he’s “determined to get as much done” as he possibly can in his final six months in the White House. He’s urging his staff to help him beat back a defining force that past lame-duck presidents have struggled to vanquish, that of diminished relevancy. White House chief of staff Jeff Zients urged aides during a staff meeting Monday to keep their heads down and remain focused on the work that remains. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reminded senior State Department officials that Biden still has “one-eighth” of his term left.
Hamas and Fatah sign declaration in Beijing on ending yearslong rift, Chinese state media says
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Chinese state media says Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah have signed a declaration in Beijing on ending a yearslong rift. State broadcaster CCTV did not provide further details about what was agreed to Tuesday. Multiple previous rounds of talks meant to unite the sides have failed, casting doubt over whether the China-sponsored negotiations might actually lead to a resolution. The declaration comes as Israel and Hamas are weighing an internationally backed cease-fire proposal that would wind down the nine-month war and free dozens of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. But even after a deal is signed, the vision for a postwar Gaza remains in doubt, specifically over who should rule the war-ravaged territory.
Israeli government quietly sends millions to unauthorized West Bank settler outposts
JERUSALEM (AP) — A groups that monitors settlements in the West Bank says Israel has budgeted millions of dollars to protect and support the growth of small, unofficial Jewish farms in the Israeli-occupied territory. Documents uncovered by Peace Now illustrate how Israel’s pro-settler government has quietly poured money into the unauthorized outposts, some of which have been linked to violence against Palestinians and have been sanctioned by the U.S. The Ministry of Settlements and National Mission, which is headed by a far-right settler leader, has confirmed it budgeted over $20 million last year for security equipment for unauthorized Jewish farms and outposts. The money was quietly authorized in December while the country’s attention was focused on the war against Hamas.
Secret Service director, grilled by lawmakers on the Trump assassination attempt, says ‘we failed’
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Secret Service’s director says the roof where a shooter opened fire at Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania rally was identified as a potential vulnerability days before the event. Director Kimberly Cheatle made the comments Monday as she was grilled by lawmakers over the July 13 assassination attempt of the Republican presidential nominee. Cheatle acknowledges the agency was told about a suspicious person “between two and five times” before the assassination attempt of the former president. Cheatle told lawmakers during a congressional hearing, “On July 13, we failed.” Cheatle was berated for hours by Republicans and Democrats, repeatedly angering lawmakers by evading questions about the investigation into the shooting.
Bodycam video reveals chaotic scene of deputy fatally shooting Sonya Massey, who called 911 for help
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Officials have released body camera video that reveals a chaotic scene in which a Black woman in Springfield, Illinois, who called 911 for help was shot in the face in her home by a white sheriff’s deputy. The video released Monday shows a tense moment in which former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson yells at Sonya Massey over moving a pot from the stove. He threatens to shoot her, Massey ducks and Grayson fires his pistol at her three times. Grayson has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct.
Maduro seeks to shore up Venezuela military’s support ahead of vote threatening his hold on power
AGUA CALIENTE, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is working hard to shore up the loyalty of the armed forces and keep top commanders in line, days ahead of a hotly disputed election that threatens the self-proclaimed socialist’s hold on power. Since taking power in 2013, Maduro hasn’t hesitated to deploy troops to crush protests while rewarding senior officers with lucrative government jobs and control of key industries. But displeasure inside the barracks has become widespread as Venezuela’s economy has come off the rails in recent years, and some of the traditional perks enjoyed by military families have lost their luster.
Thousands of migrant kids have reached the Canary Islands alone. Local officials want Spain’s help
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain’s Canary Islands are struggling to deal with thousands of teenagers and children traveling alone to the archipelago from Senegal, Mali, and other African nations. The youth fleeing poverty, conflict and instability are languishing in overcrowded reception centers, often without access to the care and protections they are entitled to under Spanish and European Union law. On Tuesday Spain’s parliament will vote to consider a proposal that would force other regions to share the burden and take responsibility for some of the minors. The issue has sparked a national political crisis and calls for reform.
Data shows hurricanes and earthquakes grab headlines but inland counties top disaster list
When it comes to climate, extreme weather and other so-called natural disasters, people generally look to America’s hurricane or earthquake prone coasts and say that’s where the danger is. But that’s not where highest concentration of federally declared disasters are. Try Kentucky or Vermont. An atlas of 713 federally declared disasters and aid to communities — not individuals — created by New York University’s Institute for Public Knowledge finds which counties have had the most disasters since 2011, which have gotten the most money and which have gotten the most per person. Flooding is a big problem, especially in Kentucky and Vermont.
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