Harris to visit battleground Wisconsin in first rally as Democrats coalesce around her for president
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris is making her first visit to a battleground state after locking up enough support from Democratic delegates to win her party’s nomination to challenge former President Donald Trump, two days after President Joe Biden dropped his reelection bid. As the Democratic Party continues to coalesce around her, Harris is traveling to Milwaukee, where she will hold her first campaign rally since she launched her campaign Sunday with Biden’s endorsement. Harris has raised more than $100 million since Sunday afternoon, and scored the backing of Democratic officials and political groups.
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 as war rages in Gaza
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.
Death toll in southern Ethiopia mudslides rises to at least 157 as search operations continue
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — At least 157 people have been killed in mudslides in a remote part of Ethiopia that has been hit with heavy rainfall. Local authorities say many of the victims were killed while they were trying to rescue survivors of an earlier mudslide in the Kencho Shacha Gozdi district of southern Ethiopia. They say the death toll rose from 55 late Monday to 157 on Tuesday as search operations continued in the area. Landslides are common during Ethiopia’s rainy reason, which started in July and is expected to last until mid-September.
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.
Biles, Osaka and Phelps spoke up about mental health. Has anything changed for the Paris Olympics?
Athletes heading to the Paris Olympics have more access than ever to resources in the once-taboo realm of mental health and many sound more willing than ever to use them. That seems significant given that the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s senior director of psychological services says about half of the country’s athletes at the past two Olympiads were flagged for at least one of the following: anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, eating disorders, substance use or abuse. Among the key questions at the Summer Games that start Friday is whether everyone will seek the help they need and is enough help available?
As doctors leave Puerto Rico in droves, a rapper tries to fill the gaps
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico has lost thousands of its doctors in the past decade, many having fled to the U.S. mainland for better pay. The island’s health care system is grappling with severe understaffing and power outages, and the flight of workers seeking better wages is expected to worsen. That’s why one doctor, Pedro Juan Vázquez, who is better known by his stage name PJ Sin Suela, is trying to fill the gaps. He has been treating patients during the day and performing his rap sets at night, singing about the many challenges Puerto Ricans on the island face.
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