Netanyahu visit sparks wave of protests in DC, with all sides criticizing the Israeli PM
WASHINGTON (AP) — The arrival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has touched off a flurry of protests in the nation’s capital, including a sit-in at a congressional office building that ended with multiple arrests. Some of the demonstrations have condemned Israel but others have expressed support while pressuring Netanyahu to strike a cease-fire deal and bring home the hostages still being held by Hamas. Netanyahu arrived in Washington Monday for a visit that includes meetings with President Joe Biden and a Wednesday speech before a joint session of Congress.
Netanyahu looks to boost US support in speech to Congress, but faces protests and lawmaker boycotts
WASHINGTON (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak before Congress in hopes of bolstering U.S. support for continuing Israel’s fight against Hamas and other adversaries. But the Israeli leader’s speech Wednesday comes as the Biden administration is urging him to focus on closing a deal ending the devastating nine-month war in Gaza. Netanyahu is assured a warm welcome from Republican lawmakers, who arranged for his appearance in the House chamber. But many Democrats plan to boycott his appearance. Notably, both Democratic front-runner Kamala Harris and Donald Trump running-mate JD Vance say they’ll be no-shows, owing to trips out of town. Thousands of protesters are expected.
Harris to address historically Black sorority as her campaign hopes to win women of color
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris goes Wednesday to the solidly Republican state of Indiana. But she plans to speak there to a key Democratic constituency as her campaign sees advantages with women, Black, Latino, Asian and younger voters. Just three full days since entering the race after President Joe Biden’s departure, Harris will address the biennial gathering of the historically Black sorority Zeta Phi Beta in Indianapolis. The Democratic campaign that previously saw a narrow path for the 81-year old Biden sees a wider avenue for the vice president. Campaign chair Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon issued a “victory” memo Wednesday that described the enthusiasm for Harris as “unprecedented.”
Republican leaders urge colleagues to steer clear of racist and sexist attacks on Harris
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leaders are warning party members against using overtly racist and sexist attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris, as they and former President Donald Trump’s campaign scramble to adjust to the reality of a new Democratic rival less than four months before Election Day. At a closed-door meeting of House Republicans early Tuesday, National Republican Congressional Committee chairman Richard Hudson urged lawmakers to instead stick to criticizing Harris for her role in Biden-Harris administration policies. “This election will be about policies and not personalities,” House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters after the meeting.
Biden will make a case for his legacy – and for Harris to continue it – in his Oval Office address
WASHINGTON (AP) — Even though President Joe Biden won’t be on the ballot this November, voters still will be weighing his legacy. As Vice President Kamala Harris moves to take his place as the Democratic standard-bearer, Biden’s accomplishments remain very much at risk should Republican Donald Trump prevail. Biden will have an opportunity to make a case for his legacy on Wednesday night when he delivers an Oval Office address about his decision to bow out of the race and “what lies ahead.” How Biden’s single term is remembered will be intertwined with Harris’ electoral success in November, particularly as the vice president runs tightly on the achievements of the Biden administration.
Trump expected to turn his full focus on Harris at first rally since Biden’s exit from 2024 race
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Donald Trump is holding his first public campaign rally since President Joe Biden dropped out of a 2024 matchup that both major parties had spent months preparing for, leaving the former president to direct his ire toward his likely new opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump is expected to turn his full focus on Harris as he stops Wednesday in North Carolina. The former president’s trip to the swing state shows he’s concerned about keeping it in his win column this November, even as his team reaches for wins in traditionally Democratic-leaning states like Minnesota, where Trump is set to visit Saturday. Trump has ramped up his criticism of the vice president, whom he’s characterized as “the same as Biden but much more radical.”
Plane crashes just after takeoff from Nepal’s capital, killing 18 people. Pilot is lone survivor
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A domestic plane crashed just after taking off from the airport serving Nepal’s capital. Eighteen people were killed and all the bodies were pulled out and transported to a morgue. The only survivor was one of the pilots, who had eye injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. The Saurya Airlines plane was heading from Kathmandu to the resort town of Pokhara. Tribhuvan International Airport was closed. The plane had just taken off and turned right before it crashed in the eastern section of the airport. Visibility was low across the capital Tuesday. Saurya Airlines operates the Bombardier CRJ 200 on domestic routes. The crew and 16 passengers were Nepali nationals and one passenger was identified as a Yemeni national.
Taiwan prepares for a strong typhoon that worsened monsoon rains in the Philippines, killing 13
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan has shuttered offices, schools and tourist sites across the island ahead of a powerful typhoon due to make landfall later Wednesday. Typhoon Gaemi already worsened seasonal rains in the Philippines, where at least 13 people have died. The typhoon had winds of 113 mph Wednesday  and heavy rain was falling in much of Taiwan. Gaemi did not make landfall in the Philippines but enhanced its seasonal monsoon rains. At least a dozen landslides and floods over five days have displaced 600,000 people in the Philippines. The downpour swelled a major river in the eastern fringes of the Manila region, and the currents swept away furniture and a steel cargo container.
IOC awards 2034 Winter Games to Salt Lake City. Utah last hosted the Olympics 32 years ago
PARIS (AP) — Salt Lake City will be an Olympics host again after the IOC formally awarded the 2034 Winter Games to the United States bid. The capital city of Utah was the only candidate since the International Olympic Committee gave Salt Lake City exclusive negotiating rights last year in a fast-track contest for 2034. Salt Lake City’s final approval was in a vote Wednesday by IOC members. Salt Lake City hosted the Winter Games 32 years ago in 2002. Tight security surrounded those Olympics, which was the biggest international sports event in the U.S. following the Sept. 11 attacks five months earlier.
Biles, Richardson, Osaka comebacks ‘bigger than them.’ They highlight issues facing Black women
PARIS (AP) — Naomi Osaka will join gymnastics icon Simone Biles and track and field star Sha’Carri Richardson on the Olympic stage. These Black women athletes at the height of their careers have been vocal about mental health, public critique and other personal struggles. Osaka and Biles needed time away from their respective sports to prioritize mental health. Richardson returned to competition after a highly scrutinized ban from track and field. They’ve all bounced back to the world’s biggest stage while displaying different levels of vulnerability. Their stories, different yet similar, give viewers a unique image of Black women.
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