Venezuela’s electoral body declares Maduro winner of country’s disputed presidential election
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s electoral body has formally declared Nicolás Maduro the winner of the country’s disputed presidential election, handing him third six-year term. The move on Monday came one day after the country’s political opposition and its entrenched incumbent both claimed victory in the contest to decide who will take control of an economy recovering from collapse and a population desperate for change.
Trump and Harris enter 99-day sprint to decide an election that has suddenly transformed
ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) — Barely a week ago, a sense of inevitability loomed over the presidential election. But now, just 99 days before Election Day, a fundamentally new race is taking shape with new candidates, a new issue focus and a new outlook for both parties. Vice President Kamala Harris is smashing fundraising records, taking over social media and generating levels of excitement not seen since former President Barack Obama’s historic candidacy. On the other side, Republicans are fearful and frustrated as they struggle to accept the new reality that Donald Trump’s victory is no sure thing. The incredible speed with which the election was transformed over the last week is a stark reminder that, in the Trump era, little is certain and the conventional wisdom is often wrong.
Trump agrees to be interviewed as part of an investigation into his assassination attempt, FBI says
WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI says former President Donald Trump has agreed to be interviewed as part of its investigation into his attempted assassination in Pennsylvania. A special agent said Monday the expected interview with the 2024 Republican presidential nominee is part of the FBI’s standard protocol to speak with victims of federal crimes during investigations. The FBI says Trump was struck by a bullet or bullet fragment during the July 13 assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The FBI disclosed the planned conversation with Trump as it revealed new details about the gunman, including internet searches that reveal an interest in mass shootings and the attempted assassination this year of Slovakia’s prime minister.
Biden unveils plan for Supreme Court changes, says US stands at ‘breach’ as public confidence sinks
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris says the proposal President Joe Biden has unveiled for changes to the U.S. Supreme Court would help restore confidence in the court. The Democratic president is calling on Congress to establish term limits and an ethics code for the court’s nine justices. Biden also is pressing lawmakers to ratify a constitutional amendment that would limit presidential immunity. The White House detailed the contours of Biden’s court plan Monday. But the proposal appears to have little chance of being approved by a closely divided Congress with just 99 days to go before Election Day. Biden is expected to speak about his proposal Monday at the LBJ Presidential Library in Texas.
Israel-Hamas war latest: US cautions Israel over escalation with Hezbollah after weekend attack
The United States is cautioning Israel about escalation with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah as Israel weighs its response to a rocket attack from Lebanon over the weekend that killed 12 youths in the Israel-controlled Golan Heights. Cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has occurred almost daily since the war with Hamas in Gaza began in October. There are concerns about a wider regional conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the site of the rocket attack and said that “our response will come, and it will be severe.” But some residents protested by tossing his wreath aside and saying the tragedy shouldn’t be used for political purposes.
California firefighters make progress as wildfires push devastation and spread smoke across US West
FOREST RANCH, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters have made progress in the battle against wildfires covering massive areas and leaving a trail of damage in the western United States. The Park Fire in California had scorched an area greater than Los Angeles and was one of more than 100 blazes burning in the U.S. Monday. Some were sparked by the weather during blistering heat and bone-dry conditions. A man accused of setting the Park Fire is due in court Monday. Firefighters increased containment to 12% on Saturday, aided by cooler temperatures and more humidity. About 2,000 people were ordered to evacuate because of a fire sweeping through Southern California’s Sequoia National Forest. Air quality alerts have been issued for Monday in the northwestern U.S. and western Canada.
With DUI-related ejection from Army, deputy who killed Massey should have raised flags, experts say
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Authorities say the Illinois sheriff’s deputy charged in the shooting death of Sonya Massey was kicked out of the Army for the first of two drunken driving convictions in which he had a weapon in his car. Law enforcement experts say Sean Grayson’s convictions should have raised questions when he was hired as a Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy. Grayson has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in Massey’s July 6 death. A U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel issues said Grayson was discharged from the Army after being convicted of driving under the influence in Illinois in 2015. Policing experts say his record should have raised concerns for police agencies hiring him.
Infants’ tongue-tie may be overdiagnosed and needlessly treated, American Academy of Pediatrics says
NEW YORK (AP) — A prominent doctors’ group worries that a condition in infants that can affect breastfeeding known as tongue-tie is being overdiagnosed in the U.S. and too often treated with unnecessary surgery. The American Academy of Pediatrics is the latest and largest medical society to sound an alarm about the increasing use of scissors or lasers to cut away some infants’ tongue tissue when breastfeeding is difficult. The academy’s new report was released Monday. It encourages pediatricians and other medical professionals to consider nonsurgical options for ankyloglossia. The report cites a study that suggests less than half of the kids with the characteristics of tongue-tie actually have trouble breastfeeding.
Simone Biles to compete on all four events at Olympic team finals despite calf injury
PARIS (AP) — A calf injury isn’t going to slow down Simone Biles. The American gymnastics star is in the lineup for all four events during Olympic women’s team finals. Biles tweaked her left calf while warming up for floor exercise during qualifying. She retreated briefly to have the calf taped but then returned and posted the top scores on floor and vault on her way to topping the all-around.
Harris quickly pivots to convincing Arab American voters of her leadership
DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Some Arab American leaders in Michigan are expressing cautious optimism about Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign after months of outrage over President Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war. They say they have been in listening mode as both parties seek to win favor with what has been a strong Democratic constituency. Leaders are watching closely for signals that Harris will be more vocal in pressing for a cease-fire. Former President Donald Trump’s campaign has reached out to local Arab American leaders to seek their support. That effort is complicated by his history of anti-immigrant rhetoric and the policies of his administration when he was president.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
