This week's debate is hugely important for Biden and Trump, and for CNN.
NEW YORK (AP) — The stakes are high for Joe Biden and Donald Trump in Thursday's first presidential debate. But they won't be the only ones on stage. CNN's Dana Bash and Jake Tapper will be there, carrying the hopes of a network that needs a boost. Like many news organizations, CNN has struggled to attract viewers amid signs that this election isn't drawing as much attention as the previous two. Cable-cutting and a propensity for politically-interested viewers to make their opinions heard are also holding CNN back. But CNN, a network with a proud tradition as the first general news outlet, is hoping Thursday's strong showing will be a positive sign.
Bankruptcy trustee announces plan to shut down Alex Jones' Infowars, liquidate assets
A U.S. bankruptcy court trustee plans to shut down conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' media platform Infowars and liquidate its assets. Trustee Christopher Murray filed court documents in Houston on Sunday, laying out his plans publicly for the first time. Murray intends to liquidate Infowars' parent company to use the proceeds to pay a $1.5 billion legal judgment that Jones owes for repeatedly calling the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut a hoax. Many relatives of the 20 slain students and six teachers won a defamation lawsuit against Jones in 2022, and he filed for bankruptcy reorganization. A judge recently converted Jones' personal bankruptcy case into liquidation. A message was left for Jones' lawyer.
Alabama town's first black mayor returns to office after settlement after being forced out
NEW BERN, Ala. (AP) — Braxton, the first black mayor of a small Alabama town, will return to his post under the terms of a settlement after he said white city officials blocked him from taking office. The two sides agreed that Patrick Braxton is the legal mayor of New Bern, a small town of about 133 people in western Alabama. If a U.S. District Court judge approves the settlement, it will end a long-running battle over control of the town's government and clear the way for Braxton to take office. Braxton had sued, alleging that the locks on City Hall were changed and that officials denied him access to the town's bank accounts.
Taylor Swift invites Travis Kelce to join her Eraser tour in London
Taylor Swift had a surprise for fans attending her Eras Tour at London's Wembley Stadium on Sunday: her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, a tight end for the Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs. Dressed in a tuxedo, tailcoat and top hat, Kelce took to the stage with Swift to perform a jumpsuit sketch leading into the song “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart.” A fan video shows Kelce holding Swift and encouraging her to change outfits. She also fanned and powdered Swift's face as part of the act. The billion-dollar Eras Tour is meant to be a career retrospective, with Swift performing more than 40 songs that reflect on her 17 years of recording.
Princess Anne was hospitalized after an accident believed to have involved a horse.
LONDON (AP) — Princess Anne has been hospitalized with a concussion after an accident with a horse, putting further strain on the British royal family as health problems continue to keep King Charles III and Prince Charles out of public view. Buckingham Palace said Monday that the king's 73-year-old sister, Princess Anne, has been hospitalized as a precaution and is expected to make a full recovery after being injured while walking in the grounds of Gatcombe Park in southwest England. It is unclear what caused Anne's injury, but doctors said her injuries are likely the result of being struck by the horse's head or leg.
Former pro surfer known for riding huge Pipeline waves dies after being attacked by shark while surfing off the coast of Oahu
A famous Hawaii lifeguard who was attacked by a shark on Oahu's North Shore was a former professional surfer who also made a name for himself as an actor. Tamayo Perry died in a shark attack on Sunday near Goat Island. Perry was best known as a surfer in the early 2000s. He excelled at riding Pipeline's giant waves and won the Pipeline Master Trials in 1999. He was also passionate about acting. His credits include a few bit parts, including playing a pirate in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” in 2011. He also appeared in an episode of the TV series “Hawaii Five-0” that same year.
Graceland manager Jack Soden and soul man Wilson Pickett are among nine inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Twelve years ago, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame inducted 25 notable figures into its inaugural class in a lavish ceremony, honoring legendary musicians across generations and genres, from Elvis Presley to Three Six Mafia. Since then, dozens of musicians who recorded, taught or performed in Memphis have been inducted into the birthplace of blues, soul and rock 'n' roll. This year, the hall will induct its 100th inductees, soul singers Wilson Pickett and Jack Sowden, who teamed up with Elvis' ex-wife Priscilla Presley to open Graceland as a tourist attraction in 1982.
Alec Baldwin's lawyers argue that the damage to the gun during the test is inadmissible as evidence was destroyed.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Alec Baldwin's lawyers are arguing that a manslaughter charge against him in the 2021 death of a cinematographer on a movie set should be dismissed because the gun broke during an FBI test. The actor's lawyers argued during a hearing in New Mexico state court on Monday that prosecutors knew the handgun could be destroyed during testing, which constituted outrageous conduct that intentionally destroyed evidence that could have been used to prove his innocence. Prosecutors argued that the gun was not destroyed, leaving plenty of room for a defense. A judge is scheduled to rule on the motion to dismiss on Friday.
Apple is first target of new EU digital competition rules aimed at big tech companies
LONDON (AP) — European Union regulators are accusing Apple of violating new rules on digital competition by imposing rules that bar app makers from pointing users to cheaper alternatives on its App Store marketplace. The European Commission said Monday that preliminary findings of its investigation found the iPhone maker had violated the 27-nation EU's digital markets law, a sweeping set of regulations aimed at preventing tech giants from dominating digital markets. The commission also opened a new investigation focused on new fees Apple is charging developers for installing apps from outside the App Store. Apple said it was “confident” its plans “comply with the law.”
Music record companies sue AI music generation tools Suno and Udio for copyright infringement
BOSTON (AP) — Major record labels are suing AI music generation tools Suno and Udio for copyright infringement. The companies claim the AI music startups are misappropriating songs from artists ranging from Chuck Berry to Mariah Carey. The Recording Industry Association of America announced the lawsuits Monday, which were filed by labels including Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Records. RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazer said the music industry is already working with responsible AI developers, but said Suno and Udio are unauthorized services that copy artists' lifetime works and exploit them for profit without their consent or compensation.
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