Democrats turn toward Harris at party’s convention as the Obamas and Emhoff take center stage
CHICAGO (AP) — Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama will speak on the second day of the Democratic National Convention, as the party draws on two of its biggest stars to help shift attention toward Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign against Republican Donald Trump. Also speaking Tuesday are second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Sens. Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, and Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent beloved by progressives. And in an appearance perhaps intended to needle Trump, his former press secretary Stephanie Grisham — now a harsh critic of her former boss — will also take the stage.
The Latest: Day 2 of the DNC will feature the Obamas and second gentleman Doug Emhoff
Day two of the Democratic National Convention has begun. Former President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and second gentleman Doug Emhoff will speak at the DNC, a day after the unofficial farewell for President Joe Biden, who served eight years as Obama’s vice president. Biden won’t be in the hall to see his former running mate speak, as he departed Chicago after delivering his own speech. With President Biden having addressed delegates, the week’s full focus now turns to Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov Tim Walz.
Democrats turn their roll call into a dance party with celebrities, state-specific songs and Lil Jon
CHICAGO (AP) — Convention roll call votes can be staid and cheesy, but Democrats turned theirs into the ultimate dance party on Tuesday. DJ Cassidy stood onstage in what appeared to be a double-breasted satin suit of royal blue, spinning a special song for each state and territory awarding their delegates to Vice President Kamala Harris at the Democratic National Convention. What America got was a mashup of an elite karaoke night: Detroit native Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” for Michigan and “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” from the Dropkick Murphys for Massachusetts. Georgia brought one of its natives in person: Atlanta’s Lil Jon striding through Chicago’s United Center to the beats of “Turn Down for What,” his song with DJ Snake.
Protesters confront police outside Israeli consulate on 2nd night of Democratic convention
CHICAGO (AP) — Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters charged a line of police in an intense standoff with hundreds of officers outside the Israeli consulate on the second night of the Democratic National Convention. Protesters chanted “Let them go!” as police handcuffed at least four people and led them away from the demonstration. Officers carrying wooden clubs shouted “move” and penned the demonstrators in on the street, preventing them from marching. Some demonstrators set an American flag on fire in the street as the celebratory roll call for Vice President Kamala Harris took place inside the United Center about 2 miles away. Others carried Palestinian flags, while many others wore black and covered their faces.
Trump campaigns to ‘make America safe again’ as Democratic convention zeroes in on his felony record
HOWELL, Mich. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has pledged to “make America safe again ” while campaigning in Michigan as the Democrats who gathered in Chicago to nominate Kamala Harris branded him a career criminal. Trump campaigned Tuesday in Michigan as part of a battleground campaign swing designed to counter the Democratic National Convention. He stood alongside sheriff’s deputies in the city of Howell and labeled Harris, a former San Francisco district attorney and California attorney general, as the “ringleader” of a “Marxist attack on law enforcement” across the country. The event was billed as another way for Trump to draw contrasts with Harris. But, as with earlier events on the economy and inflation, Trump devoted much of his attention to attacking the vice president.
Arizona Supreme Court clears way for voters to decide on constitutional right to abortion
PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that a 200-word summary that advocates used to collect signatures is valid, clearing the way for voters to decide on the constitutional right to an abortion. The ruling came Tuesday. Under the measure, abortions would be allowed until an embryo or fetus could survive outside the womb, typically around 24 weeks. There are some exceptions for later-term abortions to save the mother’s life or to protect her physical or mental health. The decision comes on the heels of a Thursday ballot printing deadline.
Blinken ends latest Mideast visit without a cease-fire, warning ‘time is of the essence’
JERUSALEM (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has ended his latest visit to the Middle East without securing a cease-fire in Gaza. He warned on Tuesday that “time is of the essence” even as Hamas and Israel signaled that challenges remain. After meetings with officials in fellow mediating countries Egypt and Qatar, Blinken said that because Israel has accepted a proposal to bridge gaps with the militant group, the focus turns to doing everything possible to “get Hamas on board.” Mediators also must ensure both sides agree to key details to put a deal in place. Blinken says the so-called bridging proposal is “very clear on the schedule and the locations of (Israeli military) withdrawals from Gaza.”
FTC’s bid to ban noncompete agreements rejected by federal judge in Texas
A federal judge in Texas has blocked a new rule from the Federal Trade Commission that would have made it easier for employees to quit a job and work for a competitor. In a ruling Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Ada Brown granted a motion for summary judgement filed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other plaintiffs, and rejected the FTC’s own petition for a judgement in its favor. Brown concluded that that the FTC “exceeded its statutory authority” in making the rule, which was set to go into effect early next month.
What is known about the sinking of a luxury yacht off the coast of Sicily and those aboard
PORTICELLO, Sicily (AP) — Specialist cave divers working in 12-minute underwater shifts are searching for six missing passengers and crew, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, believed to be in the submerged wreck of a luxury yacht that was slammed by a powerful storm and swiftly sank off Sicily. The sleek Bayesian yacht was carrying a crew of 10 people and 12 passengers when it suddenly sank near the Mediterranean island that is part of Italy at about 4 a.m. on Monday. One body has been recovered and 15 people survived. This is what we know so far about the sinking and those who were on board.
He once poached the wild animals of Zimbabwe. Now he preaches against it
CHIREDZI, Zimbabwe (AP) — In Zimbabwe’s wildlife-rich but poverty stricken Chiredzi district, an ex-poacher recently released from prison now preaches the gospel of conservation. But increasing conflict between humans and animals, in large part due to climate change, is making that task difficult. Humans are invading forested areas for farmland, illegal hunting and tree logging, which means diminished animal habitats. Meanwhile, droughts and that squeezed habitat have made some animals more likely to raid settlements to survive. The former poacher, Tembanechako Mastick, now calls poaching “a selfish act” and says communities can benefit when wildlife draws tourism.
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