Trump and Musk discuss an assassination attempt and mass deportations in a glitchy chat on X
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump shared details of his assassination attempt and vowed to carry out the largest deportation in U.S. history during a high-profile return to the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. The conversation with X’s owner, Elon Musk, was marred by technical issues. The rare public dialogue, which was largely amicable, did not reveal much about Trump’s future plans. Musk, a previous critic of Trump, praised the Republican nominee’s toughness in response to recent events, emphasizing its importance for national security. Trump expressed the need for someone like Elon Musk, citing the qualities of strength, courage, and intelligence.
Harris cautiously introduces policy initiatives to outmaneuver Trump and address 2020 weaknesses
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris is strategically unveiling policy proposals to outmaneuver former President Donald Trump and address past vulnerabilities as she outlines her governing priorities if elected in November. After aligning with President Joe Biden for four years, Harris is cautiously presenting her own policy vision. In a response to reporters inquiring about her upcoming policy platform, Harris assured that more details would be released within the week, focusing on economic aspects to reduce costs and enhance overall economic stability.
Top Ukrainian commander reports control over nearly 390 square miles of Russia’s Kursk region
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s top military commander has declared that Ukrainian forces now have control over 1,000 square kilometers, or 386 square miles, of Russia’s Kursk region. This marks the first public acknowledgment by a Ukrainian military official regarding the territorial gains made in the swift incursion that has embarrassed the Kremlin. General Oleksandr Syrskyi mentioned this in a video posted on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Telegram channel. Russian forces are scrambling to respond after a week of intense fighting following the surprise Ukrainian attack. Zelenskyy praised his country’s soldiers and commanders for their operations in the Kursk region.
Red Sea ship targeted in third attack by suspected Houthis
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A ship in the Red Sea has been hit by a third attack believed to be carried out by Houthi rebels as part of their ongoing assaults related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. These attacks are occurring as Iran, the main sponsor of the Yemeni rebels, is contemplating potential retaliation against Israel for the assassination of Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh in July, renewing concerns of a broader regional conflict in the Middle East. The ship was first targeted around 70 miles south of Hodeida, a city held by the Houthis. Additional attacks followed, with the last one happening 110 miles northwest of Hodeida. A private security firm noted that the same ship was involved in all three incidents.
Hindu minority in Bangladesh fears violence following Hasina’s removal from office
KHULNA, Bangladesh (AP) — Since the forced resignation and departure of Bangladesh’s prime minister, her supporters and associates have been subjected to retaliatory attacks. The Hindu minority in the country feels particularly vulnerable to mob violence, given their historical support for the former prime minister’s political party, the Awami League, and previous instances of violence against them during political upheavals in the predominantly Muslim country. A rights group has documented over 200 attacks on Hindus and other religious minorities since August 5th. While experts acknowledge the difficulty in ascertaining the motivations behind the violence, the situation remains concerning.
Confidential material from Trump campaign leaked to news outlets but withheld from publication
Recently, three news outlets received confidential material from inside the Trump campaign but made the decision not to disclose the specifics of it. This leak contrasts sharply with the Wikileaks incident during the 2016 presidential campaign when materials from the Hillary Clinton campaign, obtained through a Russian hack, were published. The leaked material this time included the campaign’s internal vetting report on vice presidential candidate JD Vance. The source of the leak remains uncertain, with the Trump campaign attributing it to an Iranian hack. There are also questions about the newsworthiness of the leaked material.
Older Americans adapt to a world transformed by artificial intelligence
NORTHFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Older adults are grappling with the impact of artificial intelligence on society. While the technology offers significant benefits, such as reducing loneliness and improving access to medical services, it also presents risks that are particularly concerning for seniors. Studies have shown that seniors are more susceptible to scams and misinformation facilitated by artificial intelligence. To understand the implications of AI on their lives, seniors are attending classes to learn more about how the technology is reshaping the world and the potential threats it poses.
Russian artist released in exchange builds new life in Germany, now able to marry partner
KOBLENZ, Germany (AP) — Sasha Skochilenko and Sofya Subbotina are planning to marry, a possibility that was not available to them in Russia but is now feasible in Germany, where same-sex marriage is legal. Skochilenko was imprisoned in Russia for speaking out against the war in Ukraine and was part of a historic prisoner exchange between East and West. She protested against laws restricting LGBTQ+ rights, intensified by the conflict in Ukraine—part of the Kremlin’s campaign promoting “traditional values.” This stance, influenced by anti-Western sentiments and ties with the Russian Orthodox Church, led to Skochilenko seeking a new life in Germany.
Women in Senegal’s Casamance region wrestle until marriage, defying tradition
MLOMP, Senegal (AP) — Wrestling is a national sport in Senegal, but it has historically been off-limits for women. An exception exists in the Casamance region, where women from the Jola ethnic group traditionally participate in wrestling until they get married. Isabelle Sambou, a former professional wrestler who represented Senegal at the Olympic Games, now coaches a new generation of female wrestlers in her village. She hopes that one of her students will achieve the Olympic success she was unable to reach.
Challenges in implementing Trump’s and Harris’ proposals to eliminate federal taxes on tips
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have both proposed ending federal taxes on workers’ tips, but experts note the challenges in making this policy change. Congress has not enacted this change due to its complexity and high cost to the federal government. Eliminating these taxes could incentivize high-earning individuals to restructure their income to classify more as tips, avoiding taxes. Furthermore, this change may not significantly benefit low-income workers. Trump and Harris unveiled their proposals in Nevada, a state with a high concentration of tipped service workers.
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