11:21 p.m. AP News Update | National News

Harris expresses willingness to engage in a debate with Trump, accuses him of retracting from Sept. 10 showdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris has affirmed her readiness to debate Donald Trump. She has criticized Trump for stepping back from a prior agreement to debate hosted by ABC News on Sept. 10. Trump has mentioned his preference to move the event to Fox News but is open to having two debates with Harris. She asserts, “I believe the voters should witness the contrasting viewpoints in this race on the debate stage.” Harris made these comments to reporters upon her return to Joint Base Andrews following visits to Indiana and Texas.

Harris urges Netanyahu to end conflict in Gaza and bring back the captives

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to swiftly negotiate a cease-fire with Hamas to facilitate the return of numerous hostages held in Gaza since the Oct. 7 attack. Harris described her conversation with Netanyahu on Thursday as “frank and constructive,” emphasizing Israel’s right to self-defense while expressing deep concerns over the extensive casualties in Gaza during nine months of conflict and the dire humanitarian conditions. With the focus on the probable Democratic presidential nominee, Harris echoed President Joe Biden’s persistent message of the need to reach a resolution to the conflict but presented a more urgent tone.

Prosecutors advocate for upholding Trump’s hush money conviction, challenging immunity claim

NEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors are urging a judge to uphold Donald Trump’s historic hush money conviction. The Manhattan district attorney’s office argued in court documents released on Thursday that the verdict should remain despite the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity, stating that the ruling has no relevance to the hush money case as it involves unofficial acts for which a former president is not immune. Trump’s lawyers are seeking to dismiss the verdict — and even the indictment — citing the Supreme Court’s decision granting presidents substantial protection from prosecution.

US apprehends 2 leaders of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel: ‘El Mayo’ Zambada and ‘El Chapo’s’ son

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department has announced the arrests of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a long-standing leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of another notorious cartel leader, in Texas. Zambada has been a key figure in the powerful cartel for many years alongside Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, known for overseeing the cartel’s smuggling operations while maintaining a lower profile. A Mexican federal official disclosed to The Associated Press that Zambada and Guzmán López arrived on a private plane and surrendered to U.S. authorities. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization to comment on the matter.

Brazil apologizes for mistreatment of Japanese immigrants post-WWII

Sao Paulo (AP) — The Brazilian government has issued an apology to the Japanese community for human rights violations in the persecution and imprisonment of immigrants in the aftermath of World War II. Enea de Stutz e Almeida, president of the Amnesty Commission and advisory board of the Ministry of Human Rights, extended the apology, acknowledging the persecution and mistreatment suffered by 172 immigrants who were sent to a concentration camp on the São Paulo coast from 1946 to 1948.

Lightning strike and a burning car rolled into a gully attributed to wildfires in the West

Wildfires continue to ravage the West, with authorities indicating that a major blaze initiated from a burning car pushed into a gully. A 42-year-old individual was arrested on suspicion of starting a wildfire, now California’s largest this year, known as the Park Fire. Evacuations are ongoing in Chico, California, where the fire has consumed over 195 square miles. In Oregon, some residents were allowed to return home after a thunderstorm brought rain and lightning, posing potential dangers to the largest active wildfire in the U.S.

Chinese and Russian bombers patrolling near Alaska raise concerns over increasing military collaboration

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has expressed concerns over Russian and Chinese bombers flying jointly for the first time in international airspace off the coast of Alaska, signifying a new level of military cooperation. The flight posed no imminent threat, and U.S. and Canadian fighter jets intercepted the bombers. Notably, it marked the first instance of Chinese bombers flying within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone and of joint take-offs from a base in northeast Russia by Chinese and Russian aircraft.

Presidential candidates in Venezuela conclude campaigns ahead of Sunday’s election

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s presidential candidates have wrapped up their campaigns before Sunday’s election, with vibrant gatherings attended by thousands of supporters. President Nicolás Maduro, seeking a third term, rallied his supporters with music and dancing in Caracas while former diplomat Edmundo González Urrutia, representing the Unitary Platform coalition, garnered lesser support alongside opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, parading through the capital atop a truck. The ruling party faces a challenging electoral scenario with Maduro encountering significant unpopularity among many voters.

Video game performers set to strike over concerns about artificial intelligence

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hollywood’s video game performers are on track for a strike as negotiations for a new contract with major game studios collapsed over concerns about artificial intelligence protections. The strike is scheduled to commence at 12:01 a.m. Friday, marking the second strike for video game actors and performers under the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Following nearly two years of negotiations with gaming corporations, union negotiators have highlighted advancements in wages and job safety but underscored the studios’ reluctance to negotiate regulations on generative AI.

Paris prepares to reset the Olympics with bold Games and a spectacular opening ceremony

PARIS (AP) — Paris is set to host its first Olympic Games in a century, commencing Friday with a groundbreaking opening ceremony. The ceremony, conceptualized as the most audacious in Olympic history, epitomizes the French capital’s ambition. The event promises a fusion of Olympic sports, iconic Parisian landmarks, and France’s renowned expertise in culture, fashion, and gastronomy, potentially ensuring the Games’ long-term success. However, Paris also faces significant challenges amid these lofty aspirations.

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