Bill Clinton returns to DNC to tear into Trump before the introduction of Tim Walz, Harris’ VP pick
CHICAGO (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton has returned to the Democratic National Convention stage to denounce Donald Trump as selfish and praise Kamala Harris as focused on the needs of Americans, giving another of his emblematic, off-the-cuff addresses. Clinton says November’s election will be ”‘We The People’ versus ’Me, Myself and I,’” firing up Wednesday’s third night of the DNC before vice presidential nominee Tim Walz got the chance to introduce himself to a national audience. Democrats are hoping to build on the momentum that Vice President Kamala Harris has brought since taking over the top of the party’s presidential ticket last month.
The Latest: Walz is expected to accept the party’s nomination for vice president at DNC Day 3
Vice presidential nominee Tim Walz and former President Bill Clinton are headlining the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, the third day of the party’s choreographed rollout of a new candidate, Kamala Harris, and her pitch to voters. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are also expected to address the convention. Harris is working to stitch together a broad coalition in her bid to defeat Republican former President Donald Trump this fall.
Walz’s big night, influencers flexing clout, defining freedom. Takeaways from Day 3 of the DNC
CHICAGO (AP) — The Democratic National Convention’s third night features Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and former President Bill Clinton in the lineup as headliners. Given the truncated nature of the scrambled presidential race, the convention is a key opportunity for voters to get to know Walz better as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate. Wednesday night’s speakers also put a heavy emphasis on the need for freedom, and gave the word an expansive definition, including protecting reproductive rights, gay rights and more. The DNC also gave online influencers prominent speaking slots, a sign of their growing clout with younger voters.
Parents of American held by Hamas appeal for hostages’ release during Democratic convention
The parents of a 23-year-old American taken hostage by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel have given a moving speech at the Democratic National Convention. The parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin on Wednesday pleaded for the release of the dozens of people who continue to be held captive in Gaza. They were greeted with an extended ovation and chants of “bring him home” by the thousands of Democratic delegates in Chicago. More than 100 hostages remain in Gaza, including eight American citizens. The parents steered clear of politics but said President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are “working tirelessly” for a deal to release the hostages and end the fighting in Gaza.
Trump speaks from behind bulletproof glass at first outdoor rally since his attempted assassination
ASHEBORO, N.C. (AP) — Donald Trump spoke from behind bulletproof glass in North Carolina at his first outdoor rally since last month’s attempted assassination. The focus of Wednesday’s event was national security, but he also criticized his predecessor Barack Obama as “nasty” for comments made the night before at the Democratic National Convention. Trump blamed President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for the deadly Afghanistan withdrawal and wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, but returned repeatedly in his remarks to the Democratic gathering in Chicago, where speaker after speaker assailed Trump as a threat to the country should he return to the White House.
Kennedy campaign’s future in question as Trump allies lobby for endorsement
PHOENIX (AP) — Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will speak Friday “about the present historical moment and his path forward.” His campaign announced the speech on Wednesday, fueling growing speculation that Kennedy could drop out and support Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Kennedy’s running mate openly discussed the possibility on a podcast this week. Nicole Shanahan said the campaign was considering a move to “join forces” with Trump to limit the possibility of Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris winning the election. Kennedy is a member of a beloved Democratic dynasty, the nephew of President John F. Kennedy and son of Robert Kennedy.
Key mediator Egypt expresses skepticism about the Gaza cease-fire proposal as more details emerge
CAIRO (AP) — Key mediator Egypt is expressing skepticism about the proposal meant to bridge gaps in cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas. More details about the proposal have emerged a day before negotiations are expected to resume in Cairo. The challenges around the so-called bridging proposal appear to undermine the optimism for an imminent agreement that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken carried into his latest Mideast visit this week. The White House says President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, with no immediate details on what was said.
Guatemalan police arrest 7 accused of trafficking the 53 migrants who asphyxiated in Texas in 2022
GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Guatemalan police have arrested seven Guatemalans accused of having smuggled 53 migrants from Mexico and Central America who died of asphyxiation in 2022 in Texas after being abandoned in a tractor trailer in the scorching summer heat. They were the latest arrests after years of investigation into one of the deadliest human smuggling attempts to the United States. Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez told The Associated Press the arrests included the alleged ringleader of the smuggling gang whose extradition has been requested by the United States. Six people were charged previously, including two men from Texas arrested shortly after the migrants were found.
Hunter Biden’s lawyer accuses prosecutors of trying to smear him with salacious details at tax trial
LOS ANGELES (AP) — An attorney for Hunter Biden has accused prosecutors of wanting to introduce salacious details about partying and spending by President Joe Biden’s son to smear his character in front of jurors at his upcoming trial on federal tax charges. During a lengthy hearing in Los Angeles federal court, Hunter Biden’s lawyer said special counsel David Weiss’ team was intent on “character assassination” by seeking to bring in such evidence in the case alleging Hunter Biden failed to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes. The comments came as the defense and prosecution sparred for hours over what evidence and testimony jurors should be allowed to hear when the trial begins early next month.
Divers recover 5 bodies from wrecked superyacht off Sicily; 1 still missing
PORTICELLO, Sicily (AP) — Divers searching the wreck of a superyacht that sank off Sicily have found five bodies and searched for a sixth as questions intensified about why the sailboat sank so quickly. Divers and rescue crews unloaded three body bags Wednesday from rescue vessels that pulled into port at Porticello. Sicily’s civil protection agency says three other bodies were also found in the wreckage. The discovery indicated that the operation to search the wreckage on the seabed 50 meters underwater was a recovery one, not a rescue. The Bayesian, a 56-meter British-flagged yacht, went down in a storm early Monday as it was moored about a kilometer offshore.
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