Barack and Michelle Obama endorse Kamala Harris, giving her expected but crucial support
ATLANTA (AP) â Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama have endorsed Kamala Harris in her White House bid, giving the vice president the expected but still crucial backing of the nationâs two most popular Democrats. The endorsement was announced Friday in a video showing Harris accepting a joint phone call from the former first couple. It comes as Harris builds momentum as the partyâs likely nominee after President Joe Bidenâs decision to end his reelection bid and endorse her against Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump. Harris thanks the Obamas for their backing and says she looks forward to campaigning with them ahead of the Nov. 5 Election Day.
Harris tries to thread the needle on Gaza after meeting with Netanyahu
WASHINGTON (AP) â Vice President Kamala Harris met with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to talk about the war in Gaza. The conversation Thursday came days after she launched her White House campaign, forcing Harris to confront one of the most divisive issues within the Democratic Party. Harris did not deviate from President Joe Biden’s approach to the conflict, but she placed a heavier emphasis on alleviating Palestinian suffering. In a separate statement, Harris criticized protesters who ripped down American flags and spray-painted pro-Hamas messages while Netanyahu spoke on Capitol Hill.
Arsonists attack French high-speed rail system hours before opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics
PARIS (AP) â Arsonists have attacked Franceâs high-speed rail network, paralyzing train travel to Paris for some 800,000 people across Europe, including athletes heading to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. The saboteurs targeted remote locations far from the capital with apparently coordinated attacks that sought to cut off rail routes into the city from all directions. The fires were predominantly set in pipes containing critical signaling cables for the system known as the TGV. Blazes were reported before dawn near the tracks on three separate lines, causing widespread disruptions. Another arson attempt, in the south in Vergigny, was thwarted by rail agents who scared off several suspects.
Netanyahu will meet Trump at Mar-a-Lago, mending a yearslong rift
WASHINGTON (AP) â Donald Trump is due to talk face-to-face with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the first time in nearly four years. In Friday’s meeting at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump will seek to mend ties that were damaged at the end of his presidency and cast himself as an ally and statesman. Trump’s meeting could help sharpen efforts by fellow Republicans to portray themselves as the party most loyal to Israel. For Netanyahu, repairing relations with Trump is an imperative given the prospect he may again become president of the United States, Israelâs main arms supplier and protector.
Powerful cartel leader ‘El Mayoâ Zambada was lured onto airplane before arrest in US, AP source says
WASHINGTON (AP) â A U.S. law enforcement official says a powerful Mexican drug cartel leader who has eluded authorities for decades was duped into flying into the U.S., where he was arrested alongside a son of JoaquĂn âEl Chapoâ GuzmĂĄn. The official said  Ismael âEl Mayoâ Zambada got onto an airplane to the U.S. believing he was going somewhere else. They spoke on the condition on anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter. Zambada appeared in federal court in El Paso, Texas, on Friday morning and has entered a plea of not guilty to slew of drug trafficking charges, court records show
Recall of Boar’s Head deli meats announced during investigation of listeria outbreak
NEW YORK (AP) â U.S. health officials have announced a recall of some Boar’s Head liverwurst and other deli meats as they investigate a listeria outbreak. The outbreak has sickened nearly three dozen people and caused two deaths. The Agriculture Department announced Friday that Boar’s Head has recalled liverwurst because it may be tainted with the listeria bacteria. The company is also recalling other deli meats produced on the same line and on the same day as the liverwurst. Testing is underway to determine whether the company’s products are linked to the outbreak.
People flee Idaho town through a tunnel of fire and smoke as Western wildfires spread
Multiple communities in Idaho have been evacuated after lightning strikes sparked fast-moving wildfires. Videos posted to social media include a man fleeing the town of Juliaetta, driving past a building and trees engulfed in flames as a tunnel of smoke rises over the roadway. As that and other blazes scorch the Pacific Northwest, authorities say California’s largest wildfire is zero-percent contained after destroying 134 structures and threatening 4,200 more. A sheriff says it was started by a man who pushed a burning car into a gully. Officials say they have arrested a 42-year-old man who will be arraigned Monday.
Wood pellets production boomed to feed EU demand. But it’s come at a cost for Blacks in the South
GLOSTER, Miss. (AP) â Wood pellet production has skyrocketed across the U.S. South to feed the European Unionâs push for renewable energy to replace fossil fuels. But many people who live near manufacturing plants believe they make air dustier and residents sicker. President Joe Biden’s landmark law to combat climate change has made billions available for these facilities. The administration is also weighing whether to open up tax credits for burning pellets. Environmentalists want an end to these incentives, saying it’s a misguided attempt to curb emissions that pollute communities of color and warm the atmosphere. Supporters say wood pellets are an innovative long-term solution to the climate crisis that supports forest owners.
âDeadpool & Wolverineâ is already breaking box office records, with more possible soon
âDeadpool & Wolverineâ has gotten off to a supercharged start at the box office, breaking the Thursday preview record for an R-rated movie. The comic-book film sold an estimated $38.5 million worth of movie tickets from preview screenings Thursday, Disney said Friday. The previous R-rated record-holder was âDeadpool 2,â released by Foxâs 20th Century Studios in May of 2018. With positive reviews and genuine fan enthusiasm, it is cruising to break more records over the weekend, where itâs playing on over 4,200 screens in the United States and Canada. Itâs also playing in 48 markets internationally where itâs earned $64.8 million in its first two days.
For Ukrainian athletes, joy mixes with sorrow at the Paris Olympics
PARIS (AP) â For Ukrainian competitors in Paris for the Olympics, joy goes hand in hand with sorrow. Athletes are striving to enjoy the dream of competing at one of the worldâs most prestigious sports events while carrying the burden of the war back home. Ukrainian badminton player Polina Buhrova says she experiences a mix of emotions while trying to enjoy her first Olympics but getting upset reading the news from Ukraine. She says she’s ready to show âhow strong we are.â Fencer Olga Kharlan says preparing for the Games was especially challenging because she had to train abroad due to Russiaâs war and had not seen her family in a long time.
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