Anger and anxiety loom over the Republican convention, but there is good news for Trump in court
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Anger and anxiety loom as thousands of Donald Trump’s loyalists are gathering for the Republican National Convention. The convention in Milwaukee comes less than 48 hours after the former president narrowly escaped an assassination attempt that rattled the very foundation of U.S. politics.  On Monday, hours before the first convention session, some well-timed good news for Trump got the day off to a positive start for him and his party. The federal judge presiding over Trump’s classified documents case dismissed the prosecution because of concerns over the appointment of the prosecutor who brought the case.
The Latest: RNC set to begin in the aftermath of Trump assassination attempt
The Republican National Convention kicks off this week, with delegates and officials descending on Wisconsin amid the tumult that follows a Saturday assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump as he prepares to become the GOP’s official nominee.The quadrennial event takes place not only as Trump leads a party in lockstep behind him, but also as Democrats roil over President Joe Biden’s viability and if they should replace him as their nominee.
Federal judge dismisses Trump classified documents case over concerns with prosecutor’s appointment
WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal judge presiding over the classified documents case against ex-President Donald Trump in Florida has dismissed the prosecution. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon on Monday sided with defense lawyers who said the special counsel who filed the charges against Trump was illegally appointed by the Justice Department. Special counsel Jack Smith’s team had vigorously contested Trump’s efforts to dismiss the case. Trump’s team has no immediate comment on the dismissal of the case. Trump had been accused of illegally hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach and obstructing FBI efforts to get them back. The judge’s ruling can be appealed and may be overruled by a higher court.
Former fire chief who died at Trump rally used his body to shield family from gunfire
BUFFALO TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — The victim who was killed at a Pennsylvania rally for Donald Trump spent his final moments diving in front of his family to protect them from gunfire that rang out Saturday during an assassination attempt against the former president. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro confirmed Sunday that Corey Comperatore had died a “hero,” using his body as a shield to protect both his wife and daughter from the bullets. Randy Reamer, president of the Buffalo Township volunteer fire company, called Comperatore “a stand-up guy” and “a true brother of the fire service.” A GoFundMe launched to support Comperatore’s family had already surpassed more than $696,000 in donations as of Sunday.
GOP convention protests are on despite shooting at Trump rally
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Activists in Milwaukee for the first day of the Republican National Convention say they’ll stick with protest plans for marches and rallies in the wake of an apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The activists are hoping to call attention to issues such as abortion rights, economic justice and the war in Gaza. The largest group is the Coalition to March on the RNC. They plan to kick off the demonstrations around the downtown convention site. The group has been at odds with the city and law enforcement over a protest route. Late last week, they said they reached a “handshake agreement” with city officials.
Battered by Hurricane Idalia last year, Florida village ponders future as hurricane season begins
HORSESHOE BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Almost a year after Hurricane Idalia tore through Florida, many residents of Horseshoe Beach in the north are still recovering. Those who lost homes ask themselves: Do I stay or go? Rebuild or live differently? Can I afford it? Across the U.S., coastal residents facing climate impacts are making similar calculations. To live along the coast in a time of climate change is to contend with increasing vulnerabilities. Seas are rising and warming, eroding coastlines, intensifying storms and increasing the frequency of flooding. But protecting communities from sea level rise, worsening storms and more frequent flooding is complex and getting harder.
Hamas says Gaza cease-fire talks haven’t paused and claims military chief survived Israeli strike
MUWASI, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas says Gaza cease-fire talks continue and the group’s military commander is in good health a day after the Israeli military targeted Mohammed Deif with a massive airstrike that local health officials say killed at least 90 people including children. Deif’s condition remains unclear after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday night “there still isn’t absolute certainty” he was killed. Hamas representatives give no evidence to back up their assertion about the health of a chief architect of the Oct. 7 attack that sparked the war. Israel’s military says the strike killed another Hamas commander who was a close associate of Deif.
Scientists have confirmed a cave on the moon that could be used to shelter future explorers
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Scientists have confirmed a cave on the moon, not far from where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed 55 years ago. Researchers suspect there could be hundreds more caves and tunnels that could house future astronauts. An Italian-led team reported Monday that there’s evidence for a sizable cave accessible from the deepest known pit on the moon. Located at the Sea of Tranquility, it was created by the collapse of a lava tube. The scientists analyzed radar measurements by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and compared the results with lava tubes on Earth.
From basement to battlefield: Ukrainian startups create low-cost robots to fight Russia
NORTHERN UKRAINE (AP) — Ukraine hopes to find a strategic edge against Russia in drones built in abandoned warehouses or factory basements. An ecosystem of versatile laboratories hidden in hundreds of secret workshops is leveraging technological innovation. Ukraine hopes to kill Russian troops or save wounded soldiers and civilians with a robot army. Some 250 defense startups across Ukraine are creating the killing machines from the bottom up. That’s often at remote, hidden locations that typically look like rural car repair shops. Dozens of new unmanned air, ground and marine vehicles are awaiting assessment as Ukraine accelerates its no-frills startup sector. Production methods are far removed from those of giant Western defense companies.
World’s rarest whale may have washed up on New Zealand beach, possibly shedding clues on species
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Spade-toothed whales are the world’s rarest, with no live sightings ever recorded. No one knows how many there are, what they eat, or even where they live in the vast expanse of the southern Pacific Ocean. However, scientists in New Zealand may have finally caught a break. If DNA confirms a creature that washed up on a South Island beach this month is a spade-toothed whale, it will be only the seventh ever found — all but one washed up on the coasts of New Zealand or its offshore islands. Scientists said Monday they hope that examining the whale will unveil information about the mysterious creatures.
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