AP News Summary at 11:58 p.m. EDT (2024)

The anti-abortion movement is making a big play to thwart citizen initiatives on reproductive rights

CHICAGO (AP) — Anti-abortion groups and their Republican allies in state governments are using a range of strategies to counter proposed ballot initiatives that are intended to protect reproductive rights or prevent voters from having a say in the fall. The tactics include attempts to get signatures removed from initiative petitions and legislative pushes for competing ballot measures that could confuse voters. And there also are monthslong delays caused by legal battles over ballot initiative language. The strategies are being used in at least seven states where initiatives aimed at codifying abortion and reproductive rights are proposed for the November ballot.

Israel's army says it will pause daytime fighting along a route in southern Gaza to help flow of aid

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military says it is pausing fighting during daytime hours along a route in southern Gaza to free up a backlog of humanitarian aid deliveries for desperate Palestinians. The army says the daily pause from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. will continue until further notice. It should allow aid trucks to reach the Israel-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing and travel safely to a north-south highway to deliver supplies to other parts of Gaza. The United Nations says it welcomes the move but adds that no aid has left Kerem Shalom on Sunday.

China says a Chinese vessel and Philippine supply ship collided in the disputed South China Sea

BEIJING (AP) — A Chinese vessel and a Philippine supply ship collided near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea on Monday, China’s coast guard said. The coast guard said a Philippine supply ship entered waters near the Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands that’s part of territory claimed by several nations. The Chinese coast guard said in a statement on the social media platform WeChat the Philippine supply ship “ignored China’s repeated solemn warnings … and dangerously approached a Chinese vessel in normal navigation in an unprofessional manner, resulting in a collision.”

'The Outsiders' wins best musical and 'Stereophonic' best play as women make strides at Tony Awards

NEW YORK (AP) — “The Outsiders” became the essence of a Broadway insider on Sunday as the gritty adaptation of the classic American young adult novel won the Tony Award for best new musical. Sunday night also saw theater history made for women as Broadway directors and score writers. Danya Taymor became the 11th woman to win the directing award, for “The Outsiders.” Then Shaina Taub won for best score, for “Suffs.” “Stereophonic” took home best play, and “Appropriate” best play revival. The musical of “Merrily We Roll Along” also won big, nabbing the revival award as well as trophies for Daniel Radcliffe and Jonathan Groff.

78 countries at Swiss conference agree Ukraine's territorial integrity must be basis of any peace

OBBÜRGEN, Switzerland (AP) — Nearly 80 countries have jointly called for the “territorial integrity” of Ukraine to be the basis for any peace agreement to end Russia’s two-year war. Some key developing nations at the Swiss conference did not join in. The joint communique capped the two-day conference marked by the absence of Russia, which was not invited. Many attendees hoped Moscow could join in on a roadmap to peace in the future. India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates were among countries that did not sign the final document.

Severe, chaotic weather around US with high temperatures in Southwest and Midwest, snow in Rockies

PHOENIX (AP) — Extreme weather that ranged from triple digit temperatures in the Southwest to unseasonable cold in the Pacific Northwest was forecast over the U.S. into the early week. Mushy late season snow was headed to the Rocky Mountains and severe thunderstorms were developing from the northern Plains to the upper Midwest. More rain was anticipated in southern Florida, even as flood waters continue to recede there after days of intense rainfall. A fresh batch of tropical moisture will reach the central Gulf Coast in several days and shift toward the Gulf Coast by Tuesday.

Strong winds, steep terrain hamper crews battling Los Angeles area's first major fire of the year

GORMAN, Calif. (AP) — Strong winds are pushing flames from a wildfire through dry brush in mountains along Interstate 5 north of Los Angeles. Officials on Sunday warned residents in the fire’s path to be prepared to leave if the blaze explodes in size again. LA County’s first major wildfire of the year swiftly grew to nearly 23 square miles, one day after it forced the evacuation of at least 1,200 campers, off-roaders and hikers from a recreation area. The blaze, dubbed the Post Fire, was just 2% contained. In Northern California, a small wildfire prompted evacuation orders in a sparsely populated area near Lake Sonoma.

Trump allies hope his daughter Tiffany's father-in-law can help flip Arab American votes in Michigan

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A Lebanese businessman whose son married Tiffany Trump two years ago is now helping Donald Trump with outreach in the Arab American community. Massad Boulos has traveled to Michigan twice in recent weeks for meetings with nearly 50 members of the Arab American community in addition one-on-one sessions with community leaders. Boulos is attempting to win support within the community for Trump in the meetings. Trump allies think they can capitalize on dissension within President Joe Biden’s Democratic base over his support for the Israeli offensive in Gaza. Support for Trump among Arab Americans may be dampened by Trump’s previous immigration ban on several majority-Muslim countries.

Pilgrims commence the final rites of Hajj as Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha

MINA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Masses of pilgrims have embarked on a symbolic stoning of the devil in Saudi Arabia, marking the final days of Hajj pilgrimage and the start of the Eid al-Adha celebrations for Muslims around the world. It came a day after the pilgrims congregated on a sacred hill in Mount Arafat outside the holy city of Mecca. The ritual on Saturday at Mount Arafat was considered the peak of the Hajj. Hajj is one of the largest religious gatherings on earth. It officially started Friday when pilgrims moved from Mecca’s Grand Mosque to Mina, a desert plain just outside the city. Saudi authorities expect that the number of pilgrims this year would exceed 2 million.

Bryson DeChambeau wins another U.S. Open with a clutch finish to deny Rory McIlroy

PINEHURST, N.C. (AP) — Bryson DeChambeau is the U.S. Open champion for the second time. It was another thriller at Pinehurst No. 2 that came down to the last hole. He was tied with Rory McIlroy, who was in the group in front. McIlroy missed a 4-foot par putt to fall one shot behind. DeChambeau blasted out of a bunker from 55 yards away to 4 feet and made the par putt for a 71. It wasn't quite the famous putt of Payne Stewart in 1999 when he made par from 15 feet. But DeChambeau celebrated the second major for a LIV Golf player.

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