Paris closes the Olympics, and Los Angeles turns to Tom Cruise for its 2028 mission
SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Paris concluded two and a half extraordinary weeks of Olympic sports and emotion with a star-studded show in France’s national stadium. The French capital has passed on hosting duties for the Summer Games to the next city in line: Los Angeles in 2028. Hollywood star Tom Cruise descended from the top of the stadium to the “Mission: Impossible” theme song, before taking the Olympic flag from star gymnast Simone Biles, putting it on the back of a motorcycle, and roaring out of the stadium. Los Angeles is determined to show that surpassing Paris is not an impossible mission. The French capital made splendid use of its cityscape, with the Eiffel Tower and other iconic monuments serving as backdrops and venues.
Israel widens evacuation orders in southern Gaza. Hamas wants plans for a deal instead of more talks
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Israeli military has issued further evacuation orders in southern Gaza following an airstrike on a school-turned-shelter in the north that killed at least 80 Palestinians. Hamas is now opposed to resuming negotiations on Thursday regarding any new cease-fire proposals. Instead, it is urging mediators to present a plan to implement what was agreed upon last month. The evacuation orders on Sunday apply to areas in Khan Younis, including portions of an Israeli-declared humanitarian zone. The military states that rockets were fired from there. Israel has repeatedly instructed evacuations as troops return to heavily damaged areas where they previously fought militants.
Debby’s aftermath leaves thousands in the dark; threatens more flooding in the Carolinas
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The weather system named Debby continues to impact parts of the U.S. After making landfall in Florida as a hurricane on August 5, the storm spent nearly a week causing tornadoes and flooding, damaging homes, and claiming lives along the East Coast before moving into Canada on Saturday. While many rivers had receded by Sunday, flood warnings remain in effect in several areas across central and eastern North Carolina, where more thunderstorms are possible over the next few days. The National Weather Service warns that localized downpours could result in additional flash flooding throughout the coastal Carolinas. More than 48,000 homes and businesses in Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont still had no electricity Sunday.
Vance hails Trump’s Fed idea and pushes back against criticism over past words on American families
ATLANTA (AP) — Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance appeared on news shows to criticize the Democratic ticket and endorse Donald Trump’s record and second-term plans. The Ohio senator also defended himself against criticism for past remarks that have become a campaign issue. In a series of taped interviews that aired Sunday, Vance acknowledged the merit of Trump’s suggestion that presidents have more control over U.S. monetary policy. Vance also reiterated the GOP stance that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democrats’ vice presidential candidate, had exaggerated his military record. Vance also sought to clarify Trump’s stance on abortion.
English town of Southport mourns 9-year-old stabbing victim and calls for an end to unrest
LONDON (AP) — The community of Southport in England held the first of the funerals for three girls murdered during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. They remembered 9-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar’s bright smile and called for a halt to the turmoil that has shaken Britain since the attack two weeks ago. Hundreds of mourners gathered at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on Sunday, spilling into the street adorned with pink ribbons and balloons in Alice’s honor. Among them was Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, who conveyed the parents’ message that no one should commit acts of violence in their daughter’s name.
US surgeon general was warned by his mom to avoid politics, but he jumped into the fray anyway
MIAMI (AP) — Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is not shying away from politics, contrary to his mother’s hopes when he was a child. As the “Nation’s Doctor” in his second term, Murthy has taken on powerful tech companies, stating that their algorithms and some online content are contributing to the mental illness of American children. He has called on Congress to approve a surgeon general’s warning label on social media. Additionally, he released a report indicating that gun deaths and injuries in America have reached a critical level, constituting a public health crisis. Murthy has also focused on addressing loneliness, health care worker burnout, and misinformation.
Early Harris-Walz rallies feature big crowds, talk of ‘joy’ and unsolicited GOP counterprogramming
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The inaugural campaign blitz by Democrats Kamala Harris and Tim Walz has concluded with common themes of large crowds, discussions of “joy,” and unsolicited GOP counterprogramming. Presidential nominee Harris and running mate Walz traveled through five battleground states this past week after Harris selected the Minnesota governor as her running mate. Harris and Walz drew thousands to their rallies, but also attracted the attention of Republican nominee Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance. Vance campaigned in the same cities as Harris over the past week, including an intersection in Wisconsin where he attempted to get a closer look at Air Force Two, the vice president’s plane.
Ukraine’s president acknowledges military incursion onto Russian soil
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indirectly admitted to ongoing military actions in Russia’s Kursk border region in an effort to “push the war out into the aggressor’s territory.” Zelenskyy made the statement late Saturday in his nightly address. This comes after Ukraine initiated a surprise military incursion into the Kursk region. The incursion continued for a sixth day on Sunday. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Russian forces engaged Ukrainian troops in Tolpino, Zhuravli, and Obshchy Kolodez, 25 km from the Ukrainian border.
Paris Olympics Memorable Moments: Simone Biles was the star but the spotlight reached many faces
PARIS (AP) — Simone Biles captivated audiences at the Paris Olympics with a remarkable comeback that had everyone paying attention to her every move both inside and outside of the gymnasium. While Biles claimed four medals, the spotlight also shone on new names, new faces, and unexpected stars. The Paris Games will be remembered for their stunning venues, unparalleled accessibility, Snoop Dogg taking on a prominent role in NBC’s record-breaking coverage, and extraordinary athletic performances.
Catholic devotees honor St Jude’s relic with watery procession through Mexico’s Xochimilco canals
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico City’s renowned Xochimilco canals were not typical on a Sunday. Instead of tourists and locals socializing, the brightly colored boats known as “trajineras” were filled with Catholics paying homage to a relic of St. Jude Thaddeus, one of Jesus’ 12 apostles and the patron saint of impossible causes. A wooden figure holding a bone fragment of St. Jude’s arm was displayed in a glass case as it floated through the calm waters as part of a month-long visit to Mexico, a country with nearly 100 million Catholics. The relic arrived in Mexico at the end of July after touring the United States in its first-ever journey outside of Rome. Devotees will be able to visit a dozen Mexican parishes to pay their respects until August 28.
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