Netanyahu seeks support for war in Gaza with speech to Congress but sparks protests, boycott
WASHINGTON (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks before Congress in hopes of bolstering U.S. support for continuing Israel’s offensives against Hamas and other adversaries. But boycotts of his appearance Wednesday by some Democratic lawmakers and crowds of protesters outside are highlighting how his hard-line government’s conduct of the devastating war in Gaza is opening fissures in longstanding American support for his country. Many Democrats plan to attend Netanyahu’s address despite their criticism of him. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has called Netanyahu an obstacle to peace amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Netanyahu’s speech comes as the Biden administration is urging him to focus on closing a deal to end the nine-month war.
Netanyahu’s visit sparks wave of protests in DC, with all sides criticizing the Israeli leader
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hundreds of people have been arrested in a flurry of protests in the nation’s capital over the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The protests included a sit-in Tuesday at a congressional office building. Some of the demonstrators have condemned Israel but others have expressed support while pressing Netanyahu to strike a cease-fire deal and bring home the hostages still being held by Hamas. Capitol Police said about 200 people were arrested on charges stemming from the sit-in. Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Monday for meetings with President Joe Biden and a speech Wednesday to a joint session of Congress.
Harris will address a historically Black sorority as her campaign hopes to win women of color
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris is going to the solidly Republican state of Indiana to speak to a key Democratic constituency as her campaign sees advantages with female, Black, Latino, Asian and younger voters. Harris will address the biennial gathering of the historically Black sorority Zeta Phi Beta in Indianapolis on Wednesday, just days since entering the 2024 race after President Joe Biden’s departure. The Democratic campaign previously saw a narrow path for Biden but now sees a wider avenue for Harris, who’s of Black and South Asian descent. Campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon calls enthusiasm for Harris “unprecedented.” Harris speaks Thursday in Houston to the American Federation of Teachers, which has endorsed her candidacy.
Republican leaders urge colleagues to steer clear of racist and sexist attacks on Harris
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leaders are warning party members against using overtly racist and sexist attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris, as they and former President Donald Trump’s campaign scramble to adjust to the reality of a new Democratic rival less than four months before Election Day. At a closed-door meeting of House Republicans early Tuesday, National Republican Congressional Committee chairman Richard Hudson urged lawmakers to instead stick to criticizing Harris for her role in Biden-Harris administration policies. “This election will be about policies and not personalities,” House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters after the meeting.
Biden will make a case for his legacy – and for Harris to continue it – in his Oval Office address
WASHINGTON (AP) — Even though President Joe Biden won’t be on the ballot this November, voters still will be weighing his legacy. As Vice President Kamala Harris moves to take his place as the Democratic standard-bearer, Biden’s accomplishments remain very much at risk should Republican Donald Trump prevail. Biden will have an opportunity to make a case for his legacy on Wednesday night when he delivers an Oval Office address about his decision to bow out of the 2024 race and “what lies ahead.” How Biden’s one term is remembered will be intertwined with Harris’ electoral success in November, particularly as the vice president runs tightly on the Biden administration’s achievements.
The FBI chief will face questions over the Trump assassination attempt as he returns to Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Christopher Wray is set to testify about the bureau’s investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Lawmakers at a congressional hearing are likely to press Wray for fresh details about the gunman’s motive and background in the July 13 attack in Butler, Pennsylvania. Wednesday’s hearing before the House Judiciary Committee will represent Wray’s most detailed comments to date about a shooting that has again thrust the FBI into the political maelstrom as agents continue to investigate the 20-year-old gunman and the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.
Monday breaks the record for the hottest ever day on Earth
The European climate service Copernicus said Monday broke the previous day’s record of the world’s hottest day ever. It’s yet another heat record that’s been shattered in the past couple of years. Copernicus’ preliminary data shows the global average temperature Monday was 17.15 degrees Celsius (62.87 degrees Fahrenheit) which beats Sunday’s record by 0.06 degrees Celsius. The previous record before Sunday was set just a year ago. Before last year, the previous recorded hottest day was in 2016 when average temperatures were at 16.8 degrees Celsius (62.24 degrees Fahrenheit).
Plane crashes just after takeoff from Nepal’s capital, killing 18 people. Pilot is lone survivor
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A plane has crashed just after taking off from Nepal’s capital, killing 18 people and injuring a pilot who was the lone survivor. Civil aviation authorities say all the people aboard the plane were Nepali except for one passenger who was a Yemeni national. Police say that authorities have pulled all 18 bodies from the wreckage at Kathmandu’s main airport. Airport officials say that the plane was heading to Nepal’s second-most populous city of Pokhara for maintenance work and most of the passengers aboard were either mechanics or airline employees. Aviation officials say the plane had just taken off Wednesday when it turned right before crashing into the eastern section of the airport.
IOC awards 2034 Winter Games to Utah and pushes state officials to help end FBI investigation
PARIS (AP) — As expected, Salt Lake City will be an Olympics host again after the IOC formally awarded the 2034 Winter Games to the United States bid. The capital city of Utah was the only candidate after the International Olympic Committee gave Salt Lake City exclusive negotiating rights last year in a fast-track contest for 2034. Salt Lake City’s final approval was in a vote Wednesday by IOC members. The IOC also made an unusual demand, pushing local officials to pledge to help end an FBI investigation into actions taken by the World Anti-Doping Agency regarding Chinese swimmers who were allowed to compete at the last Olympics despite positive drug tests.
Competition at the Paris Olympics begins with soccer matches involving Spain and Argentina
PARIS (AP) — Competitions at the Paris Olympics officially began with players kicking off at soccer matches involving Spain and Argentina in Paris and Saint-Etienne on Wednesday. Spain took on Uzbekistan at Parc des Princes in western Paris — once the home of French striker Kylian Mbappé when he played for Paris Saint-Germain. Argentina also got the ball rolling at 3 p.m. against Morocco in Saint-Étienne at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium. It is nicknamed Le Chaudron (The Cauldron) for the fervent atmosphere created by passionate supporters of the local club.
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