Tornado death raises Tropical Storm Debby toll to 7 as heavy rains keep falling
LUCAMA, N.C. (AP) — Searchers found a body in a home destroyed by a tornado in Lucama, North Carolina, authorities said. That raises Tropical Storm Debby’s death toll to 7. The storm is still drenching the Carolinas after making landfall again early Thursday on its way up the East Coast. Residents as far north as Vermont could get several inches of rain this weekend. The National Hurricane Center says Debby came ashore early Thursday near Bulls Bay, South Carolina. One of the tornadoes spawned by the storm damaged at least four houses, a church, and a school east of Raleigh.
Harris and Walz are showing their support for organized labor with appearance at Detroit union hall
DETROIT (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are showing their support for organized labor by appearing at a Detroit-area union hall. Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, and Walz are set to speak Thursday to several dozen United Auto Workers members. Harris and Walz are making joint campaign appearances this week in some of the most closely contested states that will decide the November election against Republican Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance. Michigan is one of those states and organized labor is a crucial base of support for Democrats.
Majority of US adults say democracy is on the ballot but they differ on the threat: AP-NORC poll
NEW YORK (AP) — A poll shows that most Americans believe this year’s presidential race will be crucial for the future of the country’s democracy. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs survey finds that they see the threat differently based on their political leanings. Nearly 6 in 10 Democrats say the November election is “extremely important” to the future of U.S. democracy, compared to about 4 in 10 independents and Republicans. Many Democrats continue to view former President Donald Trump as a threat to democracy after he tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election. But the results also suggest that many of Trump’s supporters agree with him that President Joe Biden is the real threat to democracy.
On Long Island, Republicans defend an unlikely stronghold as races could tip control of Congress
It’s a 2024 election battleground where millions of dollars are being spent and some of the biggest names in American politics are sure to pop up. But it’s not in the Rust Belt. And it isn’t Georgia or Nevada. It’s Long Island, a suburban span east of New York City, home to some 3 million people who might have an outsized and unexpected role in choosing which party controls Congress. The island, just a train ride from Manhattan, has emerged as an improbable stage for some of the most contested House races this year — and as an unlikely center of Republican power in deep blue New York.
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus takes helm in Bangladesh, to seek peace and prepare elections
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has taken the oath of his office as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, after an uprising forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to step down and flee to India. The key tasks for Yunus now are restoring peace in Bangladesh and preparing for new elections following weeks of violence in which student activists led an uprising against what was considered Hasina’s increasingly autocratic 15-year rule. Bangladesh’s figurehead President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath to Yunus for his role as chief advisor, which is the equivalent to a prime minister, in the presence of foreign diplomats, civil society members, and top businessmen at the presidential palace in Dhaka.
Ex-Catalan leader Puigdemont, a fugitive since 2017, returns to Spain. But then he vanishes again
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Police have launched a manhunt in Barcelona for ex-Catalonia leader Carles Puigdemont. The celebrated Catalan separatist returned to Spain on Thursday seven years after fleeing the country. He faces an outstanding arrest warrant. Puigdemont secretly traveled from his residence in Belgium to northeastern Spain and made a speech in front of a large crowd of supporters in central Barcelona under the noses of police officers. They made no attempt to detain him. Puigdemont went into an adjacent marquee tent after his speech. He then hurried out of an exit and jumped into a waiting car that sped away. Catalan police arrested one of their officers on charges of aiding Puigdemont’s getaway.
Suspects in foiled attack on Taylor Swift shows were inspired by Islamic State group, officials say
VIENNA (AP) — Austrian authorities say both suspects in a foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift shows in Vienna appeared to be inspired by the Islamic State group and al-Qaida. They said Thursday that investigators found bomb-making materials at one of their homes. Officials said one of the two confessed to planning to “kill as many people as possible outside the concert venue.” Three sold-out concerts were canceled a day earlier because of the plot, devastating Swifties from across the globe, many of whom had dropped thousands of euros (dollars) on travel and lodging to attend the Eras Tour shows.
The Perseids are here. Here’s how to see the ‘fireballs’ of summer’s brightest meteor shower
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak early Monday. Astronomers say it’s one of the brightest and most easily visible showers of the year. This year’s peak activity coincides with a moon that is 44% full. More than 50 meteors should be visible per hour in rural areas away from city lights. Experts say the meteors will look like “fireballs” in the night sky. The Northern Hemisphere will have the best view. The Perseids last through Sept. 1. Multiple meteor showers occur annually and you don’t need special equipment to see them.
Breanna Stewart, other moms on US women’s basketball team enjoy rare moments chasing Olympic history
Breanna Stewart and the other moms on the US women’s basketball team are enjoying some special moments while chasing a piece of Olympic history. In addition to trying to become the first women’s basketball team to win eight consecutive gold medals, they are having a rare bonding experience at the Paris Games. It’s an Olympic version of Mommy and Me. The U.S. will play Australia on Friday night in the semifinals looking to extend the program’s winning streak to 60 straight games. One more victory puts them in Sunday’s gold medal game. First up is a birthday party for Stewart’s daughter Ruby, who turns 3 on Friday. A family affair indeed likely with a Paw Patrol theme followed by a high stakes game hours later.
White Sox fire manager Pedro Grifol after end of 21-game losing streak that tied AL record
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox have fired manager Pedro Grifol, two days after the team ended a 21-game losing streak that tied the American League record. The White Sox began Thursday 28-89. They ended the losing streak with a 5-1 victory at Oakland on Tuesday night, then wasted a two-run lead in a 3-2 loss on Wednesday. White Sox general manager Chris Getz said the team’s “performance this season has been disappointing on many levels,” but the club appreciates Grifol’s “effort and professionalism.”
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
