Tropical Storm Debby strengthens into a Category 1 hurricane as it heads toward Florida
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tropical Storm Debby has intensified, becoming a Category 1 hurricane as it moves towards Florida. The National Hurricane Center reports that the storm now has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. The storm has already caused rain and flooding along much of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Forecasters anticipate that it will also impact the Atlantic coasts of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina with heavy rainfall. Catastrophic flooding is expected in certain areas. Debby marks the fourth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.
US and allies gear up to protect Israel as Netanyahu warns of being in a ‘multi-front war’ with Iran
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has stated that the country is already engaged in a “multi-front war” with Iran and its allies. Meanwhile, the United States and its allies are preparing to defend Israel from an anticipated counterstrike and prevent a larger regional conflict. Tensions have soared following nearly 10 months of fighting in Gaza and the recent killings of a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon and Hamas’ top political leader in Iran. Iran and its allies have placed blame on Israel and have threatened retaliation. A White House advisor mentions, “we are taking all necessary measures to ensure that this situation does not escalate.”
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index plunges 7% amid concerns over US economy rattling global markets
BANGKOK (AP) — Japan’s Nikkei 225 stock index has dropped by as much as 7.1% before recovering some lost ground, extending the selling pressure that affected markets last week. The index was down by about 6% as trading went into a midday break. Stocks took a tumble on Friday due to concerns that the U.S. economy may be struggling under the weight of high interest rates aimed at curbing inflation. Early Monday, futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow industrials were down by over 1%. A report on Friday showing a slowdown in hiring by U.S. employers last month, much more than expected, has sent shockwaves through markets, erasing the optimism that had pushed the Nikkei to record highs earlier this year.
Focus on economy and respond to Harris’ ‘Freedom’ message: Advice for Trump from GOP strategists
Republican strategists who have previously run campaigns against Donald Trump acknowledge the strategy he is employing against Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris’ entrance into the race after President Joe Biden decided not to seek reelection has altered the dynamics of the campaign. Trump’s false attacks on Harris’ Black identity have raised concerns among top Republicans that Trump may be at risk of losing a race they still consider to be in his favor. They recommend that he focus on the economy and immigration. A former strategist for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio believes that Trump is testing out different messages and will eventually settle on an effective line of attack against Harris.
Harris’ past opposition to fracking becomes a target for Trump in energy-rich Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — In a bid to secure victory in Pennsylvania, Vice President Kamala Harris has renounced her previous stance against fracking. However, this has not prevented Republican Donald Trump from utilizing her former position to win over blue-collar voters in the crucial battleground state where the industry provides employment. During his recent visit to Pennsylvania since Harris became the Democratic presumptive nominee, Trump repeatedly warned that Harris would ban fracking, which could harm the economy of the nation’s second-largest natural gas producer. Harris had advocated for a fracking ban during her presidential campaign in 2019.
Olympic boxer Imane Khelif speaks out against bullying after facing backlash over gender misconceptions
PARIS (AP) — Olympic boxer Imane Khelif has condemned the wave of hateful scrutiny she has experienced due to misconceptions about her gender, stating that it “damages human dignity.” She has called for an end to bullying of athletes after being subjected to international backlash. In an interview with SNTV, a sports video partner of The Associated Press, the Algerian athlete discussed her challenging Olympic journey. Khelif also expressed appreciation to the International Olympic Committee and its president, Thomas Bach, for their unwavering support while a banned former governing body of Olympic boxing ignited controversy surrounding her participation in Paris.
Renewed anti-government protests in Bangladesh result in nearly 100 deaths and hundreds of injuries
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Almost 100 people have lost their lives and hundreds more have been injured due to renewed anti-government protests sweeping across Bangladesh. The protesters are demanding the resignation of the prime minister. In response, the prime minister has accused them of “sabotage” and has imposed a shutdown of mobile internet in an effort to quell the unrest. Prothom Alo, the country’s leading Bengali-language newspaper, reported that at least 95 people were killed on Sunday, including at least 14 police officers. The military has announced an indefinite curfew. Demonstrators are calling for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation following deadly protests last month that started with students opposing a quota system for government jobs.
Global voices express concerns over increasing arrests in Venezuela following contested election
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Concerns are being raised globally over the rising number of arrests in Venezuela following last weekend’s disputed elections. Pope Francis described Venezuela as being in a “critical situation” during his traditional homily at the Vatican on Sunday. These comments came after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced the arrest of 2,000 opponents on Saturday. Speaking at a rally in the capital Caracas, Maduro pledged to make more arrests and send people to prison. A U.S. official stated that the Biden administration is worried about potential political instability if the arrests continue. The Pope urged all parties to “pursue the truth and avoid all forms of violence.”
UK leader Starmer condemns attack on asylum-seeker hotel as far-right violence spreads
LONDON (AP) — U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has denounced an attack on a hotel housing asylum seekers in northern England as “far-right thuggery.” In a statement on Sunday afternoon, the prime minister promised to ensure that “these thugs are brought to justice” as he addressed the nation amid ongoing unrest in various parts of the country. Police in the town of Rotherham in northern England faced difficulties as they tried to thwart a mob of far-right rioters attempting to break into a hotel housing asylum seekers. Police encountered a barrage of projectiles as they worked to prevent the rioters, many of whom were wearing masks, from entering the Holiday Inn Express hotel. A small fire in a bin was also visible.
Russell Vought, an architect of Project 2025, is prepared to shake up Washington if Trump secures a second term
WASHINGTON (AP) — Russell Vought, a key architect of Project 2025, the divisive conservative plan to overhaul the federal government, is likely to be appointed to a high-ranking position in a second Trump administration. Vought is among a select group of Trump advisors who have a deep understanding of how Washington functions. He has provided guidance to influential conservative lawmakers on Capitol Hill and founded his own pro-Trump think tank a few years ago. There is speculation that he may be considered for the role of White House chief of staff in a second term, a position of great influence in the government.
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