Venezuelan opposition says it has proof its candidate defeated President Maduro in disputed election
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — As thousands of people demonstrate across Venezuela, opposition candidate Edmundo González has announced that his campaign has the proof it needs to show he won the country’s disputed election whose victory electoral authorities handed to President Nicolás Maduro. González and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado told reporters they have obtained more than 70% of tally sheets from Sunday’s election, and they show González with more than double Maduro’s votes. Both called on people, some of whom protested in the hours after Maduro was declared winner, to remain calm and invited them to gather peacefully at 11 a.m. Tuesday to celebrate the results.
Israeli military detains 9 soldiers over alleged abuse of a detainee at a shadowy military facility
SDE TEIMAN BASE, Israel (AP) — The Israeli military says it is holding nine soldiers for questioning following allegations of “substantial abuse” of a detainee at a shadowy facility where Israel has held Palestinian prisoners throughout the war in Gaza. The military did not disclose additional details surrounding the alleged abuse. It says its top legal official has launched a probe. An investigation by The Associated Press and reports by rights groups have exposed abysmal conditions at the Sde Teiman facility, Israel’s largest detention center. The military has generally denied ill-treatment of detainees. The detentions of soldiers prompted an outcry among members of Israel’s far-right government.
Democrats had feared Georgia was a lost cause with Biden running. Harris will campaign there Tuesday
ATLANTA (AP) — Little more than a week ago, Georgia appeared to be slipping out of Democrats’ reach. President Joe Biden’s campaign was pledging to concentrate more on holding the “blue wall” states in the Midwest and suggesting they might be willing to forsake “Sun Belt” battlegrounds. But now that Biden has bowed out of the race and Vice President Kamala Harris is the likely nominee, the Democrats say they have new hope for the state. They’re betting that a fresh burst of energy and a surge in fundraising has helped make Georgia a toss-up again. Harris is planning a show of political force on Tuesday in Atlanta, with a large rally like those held by Republican former President Donald Trump.
Donald Trump says he ‘probably’ will debate Kamala Harris but ‘can also make a case for not’
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump has backed away somewhat from his earlier commitment to debate Vice President Kamala Harris, questioning the value of a meetup and saying he “probably” will debate but he “can also make a case for not doing it.” Trump, in an interview with Fox News Channel that aired Monday night, was pressed several times about committing to debating Harris before giving a squishier answer than he had in recent days. The Republican former president had been eager to debate President Joe Biden when he was the Democratic nominee. But with Harris poised to take Biden’s place, Trump has been questioning the terms of the original debate he agreed to with the president.
Biden proposed enforceable ethics code and term limits for Supreme Court. How might they work?
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden went public Monday with major changes he’s proposing for the U.S. Supreme Court: an enforceable code of ethics, term limits for justices and a constitutional amendment that would limit the justices’ recent decision on presidential immunity. There’s almost no chance of the proposal passing a closely divided Congress, but the ideas could still spark conversation with public confidence in the court hitting an all-time low amid ethical revelations about some justices. The proposal also comes against the backdrop of a tight presidential election and growing Democratic outrage about recent decisions from the conservative-majority court.
Putin often cites Russia’s ‘nuclear doctrine’ governing the use of atomic weapons. But what is it?
In a blunt signal to discourage the West from increasing military support for Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin says Russia could revise its nuclear doctrine regarding the use of its atomic arsenal. He warns that Kyiv’s strikes on Russian soil with Western-supplied longer-range weapons or the deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine would mark a major escalation and could trigger a forceful response. Putin has described the country’s nuclear policy as a “living instrument” that could be modified depending on the evolving situation. Russian hawks have repeatedly called for toughening the doctrine, arguing the current document is too weak and fails to deter the West.
California man defends his home as wildfires push devastation and spread smoke across US West
COHASSET, Calif. (AP) — As the largest wildfire in California this year approached the small town of Cohasset, Ron Ward was prepared with a sprinkler system he had just finished installing around his ranch after losing his homeowners insurance. He says the flames reached withing feet of his house and then stopped. The Park Fire was one of more than 100 large active wildfires burning in the U.S. on Monday. Officials say it has blazed through more than 575 square miles. The man arrested on suspicion of starting the fire by pushing a burning car into a gully has been charged with arson. It was unclear whether he had legal representation to speak on his behalf.
US boosting alliance with the Philippines with military funding and pact amid concern over China
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A Philippine official says Washington officials in Manila for talks will announce $500 million in funding to boost Philippine defenses and progress in a proposed military pact. Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez says they’re doing so given that China’s aggressive actions in the region “will not stop.” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin are holding talks with their Filipino counterparts Tuesday. They also are calling on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has fortified Manila’s decades-old treaty alliance with Washington as hostilities between Philippine and Chinese forces have flared in the disputed South China Sea. Marcos has underscored the need for a U.S. military presence for Asian stability and peace.
Men’s Olympic triathlon is postponed due to concerns over water quality in Paris’ Seine River
PARIS (AP) — The men’s Olympic triathlon has been postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris’ Seine River, where the swimming portion of the race was supposed to take place. Organizers said they will try to hold the men’s triathlon Wednesday instead of Tuesday as planned. The women’s competition is also scheduled for Wednesday, but both are subject to water tests. A risk of storms in the forecast for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings could complicate any rescheduling. The decision to postpone the men’s event followed a meeting that included the sport’s governing body, World Triathlon, its medical team and city officials. The event is now scheduled to start at 10:45 a.m., which may make heat a factor.
The U.S. men’s gymnastics team ended a lengthy Olympic medal drought. They hope the NCAA notices
PARIS (AP) — The U.S. men’s gymnastics team hopes the program’s first Olympic team medal in 16 years can give the sport a boost back home. The Americans surged to bronze in the team final to give the U.S. its first team medal since Beijing in 2008. The team says their NCAA careers helped prepare them for the moment. Paul Juda says he hopes their performance will help college athletic directors see the importance of NCAA programs help fuel the U.S. Olympic team.