Ukrainian president says push into Russia’s Kursk region is to create a buffer zone there
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the daring military incursion into Russia’s Kursk region aims to create a buffer zone. It was the first time the president had clearly stated the aim of the operation, which was launched Aug. 6. Previously, he had said the operation aimed to protect communities in the bordering Sumy region from constant shelling. Zelenskyy said “it is now our primary task in defensive operations overall: to destroy as much Russian war potential as possible and conduct maximum counteroffensive actions. This includes creating a buffer zone on the aggressor’s territory – our operation in the Kursk region.”
Convention delegates will nominate Harris, again. This time, there’s less suspense and more pizzazz
WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s been nearly two weeks since Vice President Kamala Harris officially won the Democratic presidential nomination in an online vote. But the roughly 4,700 delegates charged with picking a nominee did so in relative isolation from one other in a process that wasn’t much fun for anyone. Democratic party leaders hope to correct that by holding a ceremonial vote at the Democratic National Convention, which begins Monday in Chicago. The departure from typical procedure shouldn’t have much of an impact on the overall look or feel of the convention, since both parties for decades have identified their presumptive nominees long before the convention.
Blinken, on ninth Mideast trip since Gaza war began, seeks cease-fire momentum as talks to resume
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will use his ninth diplomatic mission to the Middle East since the start of the Israel-Hamas war to press for the quick conclusion of an elusive cease-fire agreement. Blinken arrived in Israel on Sunday ahead of what mediators have billed as a last push to reach a deal that will take place in Cairo later this week. He will meet with top Israeli officials on Monday before traveling to Egypt on Tuesday. Late last week, the three countries mediating the proposed cease-fire reported progress on a deal under which Israel would halt most military operations in Gaza and release a number of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Quintuplets among Gaza’s dead as Blinken visits the region to seek a cease-fire deal
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The latest Israeli strikes across Gaza have killed 29 people, including young quintuplets. The bombardment came as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel to try to seal a cease-fire deal that could help ease soaring regional tensions. Blinken will meet with Israel’s prime minister on Monday. The U.S. and fellow mediators Egypt and Qatar say they are closing in on a deal, but Hamas has signaled resistance to what it calls new demands by Israel. Local health authorities say the war has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, and experts warn of famine and the outbreak of diseases like polio.
Harris and Walz make phone calls, rally volunteers on Pennsylvania bus tour before DNC in Chicago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, have embarked on a bus tour in southwestern Pennsylvania before they arrive in Chicago for their party’s political convention. Vice President Harris and Minnesota Gov. Walz are accompanied by spouses Doug Emhoff and Gwen Walz. Harris is hoping not only to connect with voters during her stops in the Pittsburgh area but also to continue riding the wave of enthusiasm her candidacy has brought to the presidential race against Republican Donald Trump all the way through convention week. The Democratic National Convention opens Monday at Chicago’s United Center.
Tropical Storm Ernesto sends powerful swells, rip currents to US East Coast
Tropical Storm Ernesto churned away from Bermuda and headed further out in the northeastern Atlantic, but it still sent powerful swells toward the U.S. East Coast. Rip currents were associated with at least one death and prompted many rescues. The National Weather Service posted a coastal flood advisory and warned of a high risk for rip currents along the Atlantic Coast through Monday evening, saying they “can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.” A warning extended from Florida to the Boston area and portions of Maine. Officials in Manasquan Inlet in New Jersey said a fisherman was washed off the north jetty Saturday but was quickly rescued.
Cholera outbreak in Sudan has killed at least 22 people, health minister says
CAIRO (AP) — Health officials say Sudan has been stricken by a cholera outbreak that has killed nearly two dozen people and sickened hundreds more in recent weeks. The African nation has been roiled by a 16-month conflict and devastating floods. Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim said in a statement Sunday that at least 22 people have died from the disease, and that at least 354 confirmed cases of cholera have been detected across the county in recent weeks.
Black men emerge as key constituency in 2024 race, bringing dynamic views to the top of politics
ATLANTA (AP) — Black male voters are traditionally one of the most consistently Democratic-leaning demographics in the nation. The potential election of Vice President Kamala Harris has refocused attention on Black men, a demographic that Democrats and Republicans view as persuadable but whose multifaceted experiences and political preferences often go unaddressed in public debate. Black voters have historically prioritized policies on civil rights and economic mobility, leading to overwhelming support for Democrats. Whether Black men turn out in high numbers and to what degree they maintain traditional support for Democratic candidates may prove decisive in November.
A hunter’s graveyard shift: grabbing pythons in the Everglades
HOLEY LAND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, Fla. (AP) — In the dead of night, hunters go deep into the Florida Everglades, searching for the invasive Burmese pythons that are eating up mice, rabbits and other prey. The only gleam on those dark nights come from a pickup truck’s headlights. In the eerie darkness, where the only sounds are croaking frogs and the occasional scurry through the tall sawgrass, these hunters stalk pythons, hoping to win a prize during Florida’s annual Python Challenge. Thomas Aycock is a contractor with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. He participates in the annual challenge and works year-round to remove pythons from the Everglades. Last year, the challenge netted 209 Burmese pythons, with the winner getting a $10,000 prize.
Can AI truly replicate the screams of a man on fire? Video game performers want their work protected
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Video game performers say the physical strain and hours put into motion capture and voice work make it worth protecting against artificial intelligence. SAG-AFTRA’s video game workers are now on strike. They argue that all performers — from stunt workers to voice acting stars — should be protected equally from the use of unregulated AI. Video game performers say they fear that AI could reduce or eliminate job opportunities because the technology could be used to replicate one performance into a number of other movements without their consent. The game studios negotiating with the union say they have worked hard to deliver proposals with reasonable terms that protect the rights of performers while ensuring they can continue to use the most advanced technology to create games.
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