U.S. and world news for August 21

Democratic Convention: Former President Barack Obama and Former First Lady Michelle Obama were among the major speakers last night at the Democratic Convention in Chicago. Both attacked Donald Trump and urged voters to reject Trump and elect Kamala Harris. Barack Obama said the U.S. doesn’t need four more years of Trump, which he said would be four more years of bluster and bumbling and chaos.

Grisham’s speech: The former White House communications director and press secretary during the Trump Administration, Stephanie Grisham, spoke at the Democratic Convention and revealed that behind closed doors Donald Trump expressed contempt for his supporters and mocked them as basement dwellers. Grisham also served as Melania Trump’s chief of staff and press secretary. Grisham, who got to know Trump and his family personally, said Trump has no morals, no empathy and no fidelity to the truth.

Trump’s fake endorsement: Donald Trump has posted on social media a fake endorsement attributed to Taylor Swift, including a photo of Swift. Trump said he accepted Taylor Swift’s endorsement, without admitting that it is not real. Taylor Swift has not yet made an endorsement for the 2024 presidential contest but previously praised President Biden. In the 2020 presidential campaign, Swift blasted Trump for promoting white supremacy and racism.

Target financials: Target Corporation today announced its second quarter 2024 financial results, which reflected a return to growth and strong profit performance. Total revenues for the quarter ended August 3 were $25.5 billion and net earnings were $1.2 billion, up 42.7% from the same period last year. Target’s CEO Brian Cornell noted that the company was doing very well in selling apparel and beauty products.

Attacks on Russia: The mayor of Moscow accuses Ukraine of trying to stage one of the largest drone attacks ever attempted against Moscow. The accusation came as Ukrainian forces continued to push forward in their assault inside of Russia. The Ukrainians have attacked a number of key bridges and the Russians have built pontoon bridges as temporary replacements, only to have the Ukrainians stage drone attacks on the temporary bridges.

Peace talks fail: Secretary of State Antony Blinken has wound up his trip to Qatar where he was pursuing peace talks in the Israel-Hamas war and admitted that the talks have failed for now. Blinken said that Israel has accepted the latest deal for a cease-fire and hostage release but Hamas has rejected it. Hamas had indicated it would accept the deal, but subsequently backed away from that position.  

Oil tanker: A Greek oil tanker was on fire and drifting in the Red Sea after being attacked by Houthi rebels, according to British maritime authorities. Armed attackers in small boats opened fire at first and then what may have ben four missiles struck the oil tanker. The ship had 25 crew members on board; their fate was not immediately clear. Greek officials said that the oil tanker had been en route from Iraq to Cyprus.