Harris states she is prepared to engage in a debate with Trump and accuses him of retracting from the Sept. 10 faceoff agreement
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris has expressed her willingness to debate Donald Trump. She has accused Trump of changing his mind about a previous agreement for a debate scheduled by ABC News on Sept. 10. Trump has mentioned a preference for moving the event to Fox News, but has also indicated openness to having two debates with Harris. She insists, “I believe the voters should witness the contrast between us on the debate stage.” She made these comments to reporters after returning to Joint Base Andrews from a trip to Indiana and Texas.
Harris urges Netanyahu to end the conflict in Gaza and bring the hostages back
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a quick cease-fire agreement with Hamas to ensure the safe return of numerous hostages held in Gaza since an attack on Oct. 7. Harris described her conversation with Netanyahu on Thursday as “frank and productive,” affirming Israel’s right to self-defense while expressing deep concern about the high casualty numbers in Gaza during the nine months of conflict and the dire humanitarian situation. With the attention on her as the likely Democratic presidential candidate, Harris echoed President Joe Biden’s longstanding message that it is time to find a resolution to the conflict, but with a more urgent tone.
Prosecutors push back against dismissing Trump’s hush money conviction, rejecting immunity claim
NEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors are urging a judge to uphold Donald Trump’s historic hush money conviction. The Manhattan district attorney’s office has argued in court documents released on Thursday that the verdict should remain valid despite the Supreme Court’s recent judgment on presidential immunity. The prosecutors stated in a court filing that the Supreme Court’s opinion “does not affect” the hush money case because it involves unofficial actions for which a former president is not immune. Trump’s lawyers are attempting to have the verdict, and even the indictment, thrown out based on the Supreme Court’s decision that provides presidents with significant protection from prosecution.
US arrests two leaders of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel: ‘El Mayo’ Zambada and son of ‘El Chapo’
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department has announced the arrest of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a long-standing leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, and JoaquÃn Guzmán López, the son of another well-known cartel leader in Texas. Zambada has been a key figure in the powerful cartel for many years alongside JoaquÃn “El Chapo” Guzmán. He is specifically known for overseeing the cartel’s smuggling operations while maintaining a lower profile. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his capture. Both individuals were apprehended on Thursday in El Paso. These arrests follow significant detentions of other Sinaloa cartel members.
Chinese and Russian bombers patrolling near Alaska raise concerns about increasing military collaboration
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has expressed concern over Russian and Chinese bombers flying together for the first time in international airspace off the coast of Alaska, highlighting a new display of expanding military cooperation. Although the flights were not deemed a threat, U.S. and Canadian fighter jets tracked and intercepted the bombers. This marked the first instance of Chinese bomber aircraft flying within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, as well as the first time that Chinese and Russian aircraft operated from the same base in northeast Russia.
Wildfire in the Canadian Rockies devastates the scenic resort town of Jasper
GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alberta (AP) — A fast-moving wildfire in the Canadian Rockies, which prompted 25,000 people to evacuate, has now swept into the nearly deserted town of Jasper, causing extensive damage. There have been no reports of injuries, and officials have stated that it is too early to determine the extent of the housing destruction. Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland wrote in a letter to residents on the town’s website that the wildfire had “devastated our beloved community.” Jasper National Park officials have confirmed that the fire reached the southern edge of the town on Wednesday evening. The town’s 5,000 residents, along with 20,000 park visitors, fled with short notice on Monday night and Tuesday when the fires escalated.
Venezuela’s presidential candidates wrap up campaigns ahead of Sunday’s election
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s presidential candidates have concluded their campaigns ahead of Sunday’s election with demonstrations attended by thousands of people. At the events in Caracas on Thursday, the contrasting situations of the top contenders, including their available resources, were evident. President Nicolás Maduro is seeking a third term, appearing before supporters on a large stage and energizing attendees with music and dancing. In contrast, former diplomat Edmundo González Urrutia, representing the Unitary Platform coalition, and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado gathered fewer supporters and traveled through the capital on a truck. Despite this, the ruling party faces a challenging electoral scenario with Maduro remaining deeply unpopular among many voters.
Video game performers to go on strike over concerns about artificial intelligence
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hollywood’s video game performers are set to go on strike, leading to another work stoppage in the entertainment industry after negotiations for a new contract with major game studios fell through due to concerns over artificial intelligence protections. The strike is scheduled to start at 12:01 a.m. Friday, marking the second strike for video game actors and performers under the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. After nearly two years of negotiations with gaming giants, union negotiators have reported progress on wages and job safety but have been unable to reach an agreement with the game studios on regulating generative AI.
Biden signs bill enhancing oversight of troubled US Bureau of Prisons following AP reporting
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has signed a bill into law that strengthens oversight of the crisis-ridden federal Bureau of Prisons after The Associated Press exposed systemic corruption and abuse within the prison system. The Democratic president signed the Federal Prison Oversight Act on Thursday, which establishes an independent ombudsman to address and investigate complaints of sexual assaults and other criminal misconduct by staff, escapes, and high-profile deaths. The AP investigation uncovered widespread staff-on-inmate sexual abuse at a women’s prison in Dublin, California. Democratic Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff introduced the oversight bill in 2022, remarking that the human rights crisis behind bars in the United States is “a stain on America’s conscience.”
Paris aims to redefine the Olympics with ambitious Games and a spectacular opening
PARIS (AP) — Paris intends to reset the Olympics with its audacious Games and a remarkable opening ceremony as it hosts the event for the first time in a century, starting on Friday. The opening ceremony, described as the most groundbreaking Olympic opening ever, will take place on the River Seine, captivating spectators with a gala extravaganza that even French President Emmanuel Macron initially deemed as “a crazy and not very serious idea.” This ceremony kicks off 16 days of highly anticipated competition that promise innovation. The Games will involve a fusion of Olympic sports, iconic Parisian landmarks, and France’s renowned savoir-faire in fashion, gastronomy, and culture, aiming to secure the long-term future of the Games. However, Paris faces significant challenges as well.
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