12:48 p.m. EDT National News Summary by AP

Barack and Michelle Obama endorse Kamala Harris, giving her expected but crucial support

ATLANTA (AP) — Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama have endorsed Kamala Harris in her White House bid, giving the vice president the expected but still crucial backing of the nation’s two most popular Democrats. The endorsement was announced Friday in a video showing Harris accepting a joint phone call from the former first couple. It comes as Harris builds momentum as the party’s likely nominee after President Joe Biden’s decision to end his reelection bid and endorse her against Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump. Harris thanks the Obamas for their backing and says she looks forward to campaigning with them ahead of the Nov. 5 Election Day.

Harris tries to thread the needle on Gaza after meeting with Netanyahu

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris met with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to talk about the war in Gaza. The conversation Thursday came days after she launched her White House campaign, forcing Harris to confront one of the most divisive issues within the Democratic Party. Harris did not deviate from President Joe Biden’s approach to the conflict, but she placed a heavier emphasis on alleviating Palestinian suffering. In a separate statement, Harris criticized protesters who ripped down American flags and spray-painted pro-Hamas messages while Netanyahu spoke on Capitol Hill.

Arsonists attack French high-speed rail system hours before opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics

PARIS (AP) — Arsonists have attacked France’s high-speed rail network, paralyzing train travel to Paris for some 800,000 people across Europe, including athletes heading to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. The saboteurs targeted remote locations far from the capital with apparently coordinated attacks that sought to cut off rail routes into the city from all directions. The fires were predominantly set in pipes containing critical signaling cables for the system known as the TGV. Blazes were reported before dawn near the tracks on three separate lines, causing widespread disruptions. Another arson attempt, in the south in Vergigny, was thwarted by rail agents who scared off several suspects.

Netanyahu will meet Trump at Mar-a-Lago, mending a yearslong rift

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump is due to talk face-to-face with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the first time in nearly four years. In Friday’s meeting at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump will seek to mend ties that were damaged at the end of his presidency and cast himself as an ally and statesman. Trump’s meeting could help sharpen efforts by fellow Republicans to portray themselves as the party most loyal to Israel. For Netanyahu, repairing relations with Trump is an imperative given the prospect he may again become president of the United States, Israel’s main arms supplier and protector.

Powerful cartel leader ‘El Mayo’ Zambada was lured onto airplane before arrest in US, AP source says

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. law enforcement official says a powerful Mexican drug cartel leader who has eluded authorities for decades was duped into flying into the U.S., where he was arrested in Texas alongside a son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. The official said  Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada got onto an airplane to the U.S. believing he was going somewhere else. They spoke on the condition on anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter. Also arrested was Joaquín Guzmán López, a son of the powerful kingpin “El Chapo,” who was sentenced to life in a U.S. prison in 2019.

Recall of Boar’s Head deli meats announced during investigation of listeria outbreak

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials have announced a recall of some Boar’s Head liverwurst and other deli meats as they investigate a listeria outbreak. The outbreak has sickened nearly three dozen people and caused two deaths. The Agriculture Department announced Friday that Boar’s Head has recalled liverwurst because it may be tainted with the listeria bacteria. The company is also recalling other deli meats produced on the same line and on the same day as the liverwurst. Testing is underway to determine whether the company’s products are linked to the outbreak.

People flee Idaho town through a tunnel of fire and smoke as Western wildfires spread

Multiple communities in Idaho have been evacuated after lightning strikes sparked fast-moving wildfires. Videos posted to social media include a man fleeing the town of Juliaetta, driving past a building and trees engulfed in flames as a tunnel of smoke rises over the roadway. As that and other blazes scorch the Pacific Northwest, authorities say California’s largest wildfire is zero-percent contained after destroying 134 structures and threatening 4,200 more. A sheriff says it was started by a man who pushed a burning car into a gully. Officials say they have arrested a 42-year-old man who will be arraigned Monday.

‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ is already breaking box office records, with more possible soon

“Deadpool & Wolverine” has gotten off to a supercharged start at the box office, breaking the Thursday preview record for an R-rated movie. The comic-book film sold an estimated $38.5 million worth of movie tickets from preview screenings Thursday, Disney said Friday. The previous R-rated record-holder was “Deadpool 2,” released by Fox’s 20th Century Studios in May of 2018. With positive reviews and genuine fan enthusiasm, it is cruising to break more records over the weekend, where it’s playing on over 4,200 screens in the United States and Canada. It’s also playing in 48 markets internationally where it’s earned $64.8 million in its first two days.

For Ukrainian athletes, joy mixes with sorrow at the Paris Olympics

PARIS (AP) — For Ukrainian competitors in Paris for the Olympics, joy goes hand in hand with sorrow. Athletes are striving to enjoy the dream of competing at one of the world’s most prestigious sports events while carrying the burden of the war back home. Ukrainian badminton player Polina Buhrova says she experiences a mix of emotions while trying to enjoy her first Olympics but getting upset reading the news from Ukraine. She says she’s ready to show “how strong we are.” Fencer Olga Kharlan says preparing for the Games was especially challenging because she had to train abroad due to Russia’s war and had not seen her family in a long time.

Snoop Dogg carries the Olympic torch before opening ceremony in Paris

SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Snoop Dogg is seemingly everywhere during the Paris Olympics. But on Friday morning you could catch him carrying the Olympic torch ahead of the opening ceremony. He was one of the final torch bearers of the Olympic flame. It was lit in April in Greece and has slowly journeyed toward Paris since. Snoop Dogg’s leg was in Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris. Snoop Dogg is in Paris to help cover the games for NBC, part of the U.S. broadcaster’s bet to boost ratings by infusing coverage with pop culture.

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