Democrats will honor Biden while pivoting to Harris on first day of convention
CHICAGO (AP) — A refreshed Democratic Party is looking both forward and backward as its convention opens in Chicago. The party has been transformed by the money, momentum, relief and even joy that followed Vice President Kamala Harris’ rise to the top of its ticket. Above all, the four-day gathering in Chicago is designed to celebrate and strengthen Harris as President Joe Biden’s replacement. Looking back, Biden will give the keynote address Monday night. Then Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, her running mate, must introduce themselves to Americans after not running a primary campaign.
Floor fights, boos and a too-long kiss. How the dramatic and the bizarre define convention history
CHICAGO (AP) — Presidential conventions can be memorable for floor fights and bloody battles on the streets outside or for scenes that stand out as outlandish or awkward. The Democrats gather this week in Chicago. But the drama is behind them after President Joe Biden bowed to mounting pressure from many in his own party and stepped aside last month, and Vice President Kamala Harris took over the top of the ticket. Past conventions have produced many notable moments, including Ted Cruz being booed, Clint Eastwood haranguing an empty chair, Al and Tipper Gore sharing an uncomfortably long kiss and police-protester battles when Democrats held their 1968 convention in Chicago.
Trump will campaign across the country this week as he struggles to adjust to Harris
BEDMINSTER, N.J. (AP) — As Democrats kick off their convention in Chicago, Donald Trump’s campaign is trying to regain its footing after spending the last several weeks flailing to adjust to the new reality of Kamala Harris at the top of the Democratic ticket. Trump had appeared in denial of the reality of Harris’ rise, lashing out angrily as he claimed the large crowds she’s been drawing were generated by artificial intelligence and making racist attacks questioning her identity. The outbursts alarmed allies, who worried Trump was damaging his chance in what they believe is an eminently winnable race.
Blinken says Israel OKs a plan to break the cease-fire impasse and urges Hamas to do the same
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Israel has accepted a proposal to bridge differences holding up a cease-fire and hostage release in Gaza, and he called on Hamas to do the same, without saying whether the latest draft had addressed concerns cited by the militant group. Blinken spoke after holding a 2 1/2 hour meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, and was expected to travel to Egypt and Qatar on Tuesday. Blinken did not say whether the latest proposal addressed Israel’s demands for control over two strategic corridors inside Gaza, which Hamas has said is a nonstarter, or other issues that have long bedeviled the negotiations.
Civilians flee Pokrovsk as Russia’s army bears down on the key eastern Ukraine city
POKROVSK, Ukraine (AP) — Civilians with small children in their arms and lugging heavy suitcases are fleeing Ukraine’s eastern city of Pokrovsk, where the Russian army is bearing down fast despite a lightning Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk region. Local authorities said Russian forces are advancing so quickly that families must leave the city and other nearby towns and villages from Tuesday. Around 53,000 people still live in Pokrovsk, officials say, and some decided to get out while they could as Russia’s army menaces. People of all ages hastened to leave the city, boarding trains and buses with the belongings they could carry. Some wept as they waited to depart, and soldiers helped the elderly with their bags. Pokrovsk is one of Ukraine’s main defensive strongholds.
Former US Rep George Santos pleads guilty to wire fraud and identity theft in his federal case
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — Former U.S. Rep. George Santos has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in his federal fraud case. The New York Republican entered the plea Monday in a courtroom in Long Island. His trial had been set to start in early September. Santos was indicted on charges that he stole from political donors, used campaign contributions to pay for personal expenses, lied to Congress about his wealth and collected unemployment benefits while working. He was expelled from Congress after an ethics investigation found what it called “overwhelming evidence” that Santos had broken the law. Santos faces more than six years in prison under federal guidelines at sentencing in February and owes at least $370,000 in restitution.
British tech magnate Mike Lynch among those missing after luxury superyacht sinks off Sicily
ROME (AP) — British tech magnate Mike Lynch and several other people are missing after their luxury superyacht sank during a freak storm off Sicily, Italy’s civil protection and authorities said. Lynch’s wife and 14 other people survived. Authorities said Monday that one body was found, six people remain missing and 15 people were rescued. The vessel had overturned around 5 a.m. off the port of Porticello. The Italian coast guard said that the superyacht had a crew of 10 people and 12 passengers. They included British, American and Canadian nationalities. Local media said a sudden fierce storm that included tornados over water known as waterspouts had battered the area overnight.
Floods from ‘training thunderstorms’ lead to dramatic rescues and 2 deaths in Connecticut
OXFORD, Conn. (AP) — Officials in Connecticut say two women died after being swept away by floodwaters brought by torrential rains that fell there and on New York’s Long Island. As much as a foot of rain fell Sunday and early Monday and trapped people in cars and a restaurant. A Long Island official says that hundreds of homes were affected by flooding there and that mudslides covered car roofs. One meteorology professor refers to the system as “training thunderstorms.” William Syrett of Penn State University says “it’s like each thunderstorm is a car on a train track, and so they just keep going over the same place.”
Heavy rains hit Pakistan’s south as this monsoon’s death toll rises to 209
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Officials say flash floods triggered by the latest monsoon rains have swept through streets in southern Pakistan and blocked a key highway in the north. The death toll from rain-related incidents has risen to 209 since July 1. Officials say 14 people died across Punjab province in the past 24 hours. Pakistan’s annual monsoon season runs from July through September. Scientists and weather forecasters have blamed climate change for heavier rains in recent years. The government has advised tourists to avoid affected areas. Neighboring Afghanistan also has had rains and flood-related damage.
Phil Donahue, whose pioneering daytime talk show launched an indelible television genre, has died
Phil Donahue, whose pioneering daytime talk show launched an indelible television genre, has died. He was 88. NBC’s ‘Today’ show, citing family members, said that Donahue died Sunday. Dubbed “the king of daytime talk,” Donahue was the first to incorporate audience participation in a talk show. The decision set “The Phil Donahue Show” apart from other 1960s interview shows and influenced a format that made household names of Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and many others. Later renamed “Donahue,” it had a 26-year national run and won 20 Emmys. Donahue lived in New York with his wife, actress Marlo Thomas.
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