Drone explosion hits Russia’s Black Sea Fleet headquarters
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Authorities say a small explosive device carried by a makeshift drone blew up Sunday at the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet on the Crimean Peninsula, wounding six people. The attack prompted the cancellation of ceremonies honoring Russia’s navy there. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility. But the seemingly improvised, small-scale nature of the attack raised the possibility that it was the work of Ukrainian insurgents trying to drive out Russian forces. In other developments, one of Ukraine’s richest men, a grain merchant, has been killed in what Ukrainian authorities say was a carefully targeted Russian missile strike on his home.
Death toll in Kentucky hits 26 amid renewed flood threat
HINDMAN, Ky. (AP) — The number of deaths from massive flooding in Kentucky has continued to climb amid a renewed threat for more heavy rains. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said on NBC’s “Meet The Press” on Sunday that the death toll had risen by one to 26 from last week’s storms. Beshear has said the number would likely rise significantly and it could take weeks to find all the victims. On top of that, more flash flooding is possible as the latest storms roll through. The National Weather Service says rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible Sunday in some of the same areas that were inundated last week.
Pelosi confirms trip to Asia, but no mention of Taiwan
BEIJNG (AP) — U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has confirmed she will visit four Asian countries this week but made no mention of a possible stop in Taiwan that has riled Beijing, which claims the island as its own territory. Pelosi said in a statement she is leading a congressional delegation to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan to discuss trade, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, security and democratic governance. Pelosi has yet to confirm news reports that said she might stop in Taiwan. China’s ruling Communist Party has warned against visiting the island. Beijing sees contact between American officials and Taiwan as encouragement to make its decades-old de facto independence permanent. The Defense Ministry has warned of “strong measures to thwart any external interference.”
Wildfires in West explode in size amid hot, windy conditions
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Wildfires fed by windy and hot conditions have grown dramatically in California and Montana, forcing evacuation orders for over 100 homes. In northern California, the fast-moving McKinney fire tore across an estimated 28 square miles by Saturday morning after starting Friday in Klamath National Forest. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Saturday as the fire intensified. Meanwhile in Montana, a wildfire doubled in size to more than 6 square miles near the town of Elmo and Flathead Lake. Roughly 200 miles to the south, Idaho residents remained under evacuation orders as the Moose Fire in the Salmon-Challis National Forest burned more than 67 square miles of timbered land near the town of Salmon.
States boost child care money as congressional effort stalls
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Some states have moved ahead with plans of their own to boost child care subsidies after a national effort by Democrats in Washington stalled. New York lawmakers passed a budget in the spring that calls for $7 billion to make child care more affordable over the next four years. New Mexico raised income eligibility for subsidies to the highest level of any state. Rhode Island lawmakers provided subsidies for child care workers and a tax credit to help pay for child care. Some New York lawmakers say they want to eventually make child care freely available as early as kindergarten.
Iraq cleric’s followers camped out in parliament for 2nd day
BAGHDAD (AP) — Hundreds of followers of an influential Shiite cleric are camped out inside Iraq’s parliament after toppling security walls around the building and storming in the previous day. The protesters are determined to hold an open-ended sit-in to derail efforts by their rivals from Iran-backed political groups to form the country’s next government. The developments have catapulted Iraq’s politics to center stage, plunging the country deeper into political crisis as a power struggle unfolds between the Iraq’s two major Shiite groups. On Sunday, the sit-in appeared more of a joyous celebration that a political protest — followers of Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr were dancing, praying and chanting slogans inside the parliament, in praise of their leader.
Vulnerable House Dems see abortion as winning campaign theme
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — The Supreme Court’s decision to repeal a woman’s federal constitutional right to abortion has scrambled the political dynamics heading into the November elections, when control of Congress is at stake. A half-dozen of the most vulnerable House members — all of them women and all representing swaths of suburban voters — see the issue as one that could help them win in an otherwise difficult political climate. But it’s not clear whether the focus on abortion alone may be enough to save many of these Democrats, given that they’re running for reelection at a time of high inflation and frustration with President Joe Biden’s performance.
Winning lottery jackpot is lucky for some, tragic for others
Dave and Erica Harrig stayed true to their values when they won a lottery jackpot of more than $61 million in 2013. It’s made all the difference. The couple from Gretna, Nebraska, on the outskirts of Omaha, allowed themselves a new home, some vintage automobiles and a few ocean cruises after they both quit their jobs. But nine years later they still live much as they always did. Many other winners haven’t been as lucky, suffering personal setbacks and lawsuits or becoming the victims of scams. The latest winner of a big jackpot came Friday, when a single ticket sold in Illinois matched the numbers for a $1.337 billion Mega Millions prize.
Germany’s Popp hurt before Euro 2022 final against England
LONDON (AP) — Germany captain and top scorer Alexandra Popp is out of the starting lineup for the Women’s European Championship final against England after developing a muscle problem. Popp is replaced by forward Lea Schüller. Svenja Huth takes over as captain. England manager Sarina Wiegman named an unchanged starting lineup. Wiegman has picked the same starting 11 for all of England’s games in Euro 2022.
‘DC League of Super-Pets’ takes No. 1 with $23 million
The summer box office showed signs of slowing down this weekend as the animated “DC League of Super-Pets” opened in theaters across North America. Studio estimates Sunday show the superhero spinoff about Superman’s dog earned $23 million from over 4,000 locations. That is slightly less than expected but enough to capture the first-place spot and knock Jordan Peele’s “Nope” into second place. “Nope” fell over 50% from its debut last weekend and earned an additional $18 million. Third place went to “Thor: Love and Thunder,” fourth to “Minions: The Rise of Gru” and fifth to “Top Gun: Maverick” in its 10th weekend.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
