In her first major interview since entering the November presidential race, Kamala Harris declared on Thursday that Americans are ready to move on from Donald Trump and seek a new direction for the country. Speaking on CNN, Harris, 59, aimed to position herself as a centrist, emphasizing her commitment to addressing illegal immigration and supporting oil and gas fracking while maintaining her liberal values.

Harris, the first female, Black, and South Asian vice president, criticized Trump for promoting an agenda that she believes has divided the nation. "I think people are ready to turn the page on that," she said. "People are ready for a new way forward."

During the interview, Harris revealed that if she wins the November election, she would consider appointing a Republican to her cabinet. She made this statement alongside her running mate, Tim Walz, during their joint CNN appearance.

Meanwhile, Trump attacked Harris at a rally in Michigan, calling her the "greatest flip-flopper" and mocking her interview appearance. "She didn't look like a leader to me," he remarked.

Addressing criticism over her stance on key issues, Harris defended her position on fracking, which she previously opposed but now supports. "As president, I will not ban fracking," she stated, aiming to reassure voters in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground state. On immigration, Harris took a tougher stance, promising to sign strict legislation as president, countering the perception that she has been lenient on the issue.

Harris sought to appeal to centrist voters concerned about immigration and energy costs while reassuring her base that her core values remain unchanged. "My values have not changed," she emphasized.

On the international front, Harris called for a ceasefire in Gaza but affirmed that she would not alter President Joe Biden's policies regarding Israel, including ongoing military support.

Harris's interview comes as her campaign gains momentum, with polls showing her leading Trump in several battleground states. A Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll found Harris ahead in six out of seven key states, while a Fox poll also indicated rising support for her.

Campaigning in Georgia, one of the critical swing states, Harris acknowledged that the race would be closely contested. "It’s going to be a tight race until the very end," she admitted.

Trump, who has been actively campaigning, continued to target Harris, particularly criticizing her shifting immigration policies. As both candidates prepare for their first debate on September 10 in Philadelphia, the race is shaping up to be fiercely competitive

In one of the largest assaults in weeks, Russia launched a wide-ranging drone and missile barrage across Ukraine early Monday, targeting critical infrastructure and residential areas. The attacks, which began around midnight and continued through the morning, left at least three people dead and disrupted essential services, including power and water supplies in the capital, Kyiv.

The Ukrainian air force reported multiple waves of Russian drones targeting the eastern, northern, southern, and central regions of the country. These drone attacks were followed by volleys of cruise and ballistic missiles, marking a significant escalation in Russia's ongoing offensive.

In Kyiv, explosions rocked the city, causing widespread damage and leaving residents without power and water. Mayor Vitalii Klitschko confirmed the disruptions, emphasizing the impact on daily life in the capital.

The western city of Lutsk also suffered from the barrage, where a multi-story residential building and an infrastructure facility were struck, resulting in the death of one person, according to Mayor Ihor Polishchuk.

Further casualties were reported in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, where regional head Serhii Lysak confirmed that one person was killed as multiple fires broke out due to the attack. Another fatality occurred in the southeastern region of Zaporizhzhia, which is partially occupied by Russian forces, as reported by regional head Ivan Fedorov.

In response to the widespread damage, Ukraine's largest private energy company, DTEK, implemented emergency blackouts across the country. The company assured citizens that energy workers are working around the clock to restore power.

The attacks also triggered a response in neighboring Poland, where the military reported that Polish and NATO air defenses were activated in the eastern part of the country as a precautionary measure, highlighting the broader regional implications of the ongoing conflict.

The 2024 Democratic National Convention continues today with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the running mate of Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, set to deliver the keynote address. As the convention enters its third day, anticipation is high for Walz's speech, which is expected to highlight the Democratic vision for the future and Harris's leadership qualities.

Today's theme, "A Fight for Our Freedoms," underscores the Democratic Party's commitment to protecting American liberties and framing the upcoming election as a crucial battle for the soul of the nation. Democrats are rallying around Kamala Harris as a champion of these freedoms, contrasting her with former President Donald Trump, whom they argue poses a significant threat to the nation's democratic values.

In addition to Governor Walz, the convention will feature speeches from several other prominent Democratic leaders. Former President Bill Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries are among those who will take the stage, each emphasizing the stakes of the 2024 election and the importance of unity within the party.

The convention has already seen powerful moments, particularly on Tuesday when former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama captivated the audience with their impassioned speeches. Barack Obama criticized Trump, warning that the United States cannot afford another four years of chaos under his leadership. Michelle Obama delivered a fierce critique of the current state of American politics, accusing Trump of sowing division and fear.

With the convention drawing closer to its conclusion, tonight's speeches are expected to further solidify the Democratic Party's message of defending American freedoms and rallying support behind Kamala Harris and Tim Walz as they seek to lead the country in a new direction.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has issued a stern warning against any form of retreat or compromise, framing it as inviting "divine wrath." His comments come amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, who was killed last month during an official visit to Tehran.

Khamenei condemned what he described as "enemy psychological warfare," accusing adversaries of attempting to pressure Iran into reconsidering its plans for retaliation against Israel. He emphasized that any retreat—whether military, political, or economic—would lead to severe divine punishment. Tehran attributes Haniyeh’s assassination to Israeli intelligence, placing Iran in a delicate position as it deliberates over its response.

Khamenei urged nations to resist the demands of dominant powers by drawing strength from their people and assessing their adversaries' true capabilities. He criticized the tendency to overstate enemy power, citing past US, British, and Israeli efforts to undermine Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Despite Khamenei's fiery rhetoric, Iran has so far refrained from immediate retaliation. Analysts suggest this might be a strategic pause, though Iranian officials have dismissed Western calls for restraint. The Iranian Foreign Ministry has accused Western nations of double standards, claiming they overlook what Tehran describes as Israel's "genocidal" actions in Gaza while expecting Iran to forgo retaliation for Haniyeh’s killing.

Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has aligned publicly with Khamenei's hardline stance, though there are reports he may have privately expressed concerns about the consequences of further escalation. Israel, meanwhile, has warned that any direct aggression from Tehran would provoke a swift and decisive response, with Israeli officials making clear to both the US and European nations that an Iranian strike would trigger a significant retaliation.