Biden gets a rousing ovation from Democrats as he gives Harris an enthusiastic endorsement
CHICAGO (AP) — President Joe Biden has delivered his valedictory address to the Democratic National Convention, saying, “I gave my best to you.” He basked in a long ovation that reflected the energy released by his decision to cede the stage to Vice President Kamala Harris. Biden received a hero’s welcome weeks after many in his party were pressuring him to drop his bid for reelection. The opening night of the convention in Chicago was designed as a handoff from the incumbent to his hand-picked successor — albeit four years before he intended for her to follow him. A visibly emotional Biden was greeted by a more than four-minute-long ovation and chants of “Thank you Joe.”
Joe Biden’s exit, talk of the glass ceiling, a nod to Gaza protesters. Takeaways from DNC’s Day 1
CHICAGO (AP) — The Democratic National Convention’s first night has showcased speeches from the last Democrat to lose to Donald Trump and the last one to beat him. Hillary Clinton spoke hopefully of finally breaking the “glass ceiling” to elect a female president. Joe Biden laced into Trump and directly acknowledged the concerns of protesters against the war in Gaza who demonstrated a few blocks from the convention hall. And Vice President Kamala Harris told Biden, “We are forever grateful to you.”
Obama made his DNC debut 20 years ago. He’s returning to make the case for Kamala Harris
Barack Obama is returning to the Democratic National Convention stage two decades after his memorable debut. His job is different this time. In 2004, Obama was a young state senator from Illinois stumping for nominee John Kerry and introducing himself to the nation. That speech came months before his election to the U.S. Senate and catapulted him on a course to the presidency barely four years later. This time, Obama is the 63-year-old elder statesman eight years removed from serving two terms as the nation’s first Black president. And he will be making the case for another historic figure: Vice President Kamala Harris. Democrats say they expect Obama to balance aggressive attacks on Republican Donald Trump while boosting Harris.
Some protesters tear down security fence as thousands march outside Democratic National Convention
CHICAGO (AP) — Dozens of protesters broke through a security fence near the site of the Democratic National Convention on its opening day as thousands took to the streets to voice their opposition to the war in Gaza. Families with babies in strollers, students, elected leaders and others holding signs and flags joined the march on Monday to the United Center, where the convention is being held, to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. As the larger group marched peacefully, a few dozen who broke away tore down pieces of the security fence. Several protesters who had managed to get through the fence were detained and handcuffed by officers.
Israel-Hamas war latest: Blinken says ‘complex issues,’ ‘hard decisions’ remain over cease-fire plan
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says that Israel has accepted a proposal to bridge differences holding up a cease-fire and hostage release in Gaza. He called on Hamas to do the same. Blinken on Tuesday was on his ninth urgent mission to the Middle East since the war in Gaza began more than 10 months ago. He did not say whether the “bridging proposal” addressed concerns cited by Hamas. Even if the militant group accepts the proposal, negotiators will spend the coming days working on “clear understandings on implementing the agreement,” Blinken said. He said there are still “complex issues” requiring “hard decisions by the leaders,” without offering specifics.
Why is Israel demanding control over 2 Gaza corridors in the cease-fire talks?
Israel wants lasting control over two strategic corridors in Gaza, which Hamas has long rejected. The dispute threatens to unravel cease-fire talks aimed at ending the war and freeing scores of hostages. Officials familiar with the negotiations say Israel wants a lasting military presence in a buffer zone along the Gaza-Egypt border and in an area Israeli forces carved out to cut off northern Gaza from the south. It’s unclear whether Israeli control over these areas is part of a proposal the U.S. has called on Hamas to accept to break the cease-fire impasse. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that Israel had agreed to the proposal, without saying what it entails.
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.
Trump is visiting battleground states this week as he struggles to adjust to Harris as his new rival
YORK, Pa. (AP) — As Democrats kick off their convention in Chicago, Donald Trump is trying to regain his footing after weeks of struggling to adjust to Vice President Kamala Harris as his rival. The former president and GOP nominee on Monday delivered a speech at a factory in Pennsylvania as he attempts to undercut the Democratic celebration with a jam-packed schedule. He is holding daily events in battleground states tied to subjects where Republicans think they hold an advantage, including the economy, crime and safety, national security and the border.
India’s top court creates task force on workplace safety after doctor was raped and killed
NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s top court has set up of a task force of doctors who will make recommendations on safety of health care workers at their workplaces. The Supreme Court’s order comes days after the rape and killing of a trainee doctor in eastern Kolkata city that sparked outrage and nationwide protests. Doctors and medics across India have been holding protests, candlelight marches and even temporarily refused care for non-emergency patients since the killing on Aug. 9. They say the assault highlights the vulnerability of health care workers in hospitals and medical campuses across India. A police volunteer has been arrested and charged with the crime.
Search resumes for 6 from sunken superyacht off Sicily, including tech magnate Mike Lynch
PORTICELLO, Sicily (AP) — Rescue teams and divers are returning to the site of a storm-sunken superyacht off Sicily to search for six people, including British tech magnate Mike Lynch, who are believed to be still trapped in the hull. Divers early Tuesday were loading up a rescue dinghy at the port of Porticello, near Palermo. Debris had blocked access below deck during the initial search. Authorities believe the ship was struck by a waterspout early Monday before it sank to the seabed. Fifteen people survived, including Lynch’s wife. Lynch was once hailed as Britain’s king of technology and was acquitted in June of fraud charges in a U.S. trial.
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