U.S. and world news for August 26

Debates: CNN quotes a source familiar with talks between the Trump campaign and ABC as saying that Trump may back out of participating in the scheduled Sept. 10 debate with Vice President Kamala Harris. CNN quotes the source as saying that the Trump campaign is insisting that the microphones used by a candidate be turned off when it is not that candidate’s turn to speak, while the Harris campaign wants the microphones kept on throughout the length of the debate. Talks between the campaigns and networks including ABC continue regarding possible debates in October.  

RFK Jr.: Political observers suggest that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dropping out of the presidential contest and endorsing Donald Trump will have little if any effect on the contest between Trump and Kamala Harris. Polls have shown a steady erosion in support for Kennedy’s presidential run, with as few as 2% of likely voters saying in recent polling that they would vote for him. Despite Kennedy having endorsed Trump, it’s anticipated that about half of the Kennedy supporters would throw their support to Harris with half backing Trump.

Israel-Hezbollah: Both Israel and Hezbollah say they only shot at military targets over the weekend. Israeli jets attacked Hezbollah missile launch sites in Lebanon and Hezbollah used drones and missiles to attack targets in Northern Israel. Israel said its attacks were preemptive with intelligence indicating Hezbollah was about to attack Israel. Three people were reported killed in Lebanon and one person was reported killed in Israel. The White House said that President Biden was briefed on the attacks.

Russian attacks: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said this morning that Russia used about 100 drones and 100 missiles overnight in new attacks on Ukraine. He said there were a number of deaths and injuries but did not give specific numbers. The Russian drones and missiles ere fired at targets spread across about half of Ukraine. The water and electrical systems serving the capital city Kyiv were affected by the attacks.

Drones: North Korean Dictator Kim Jung Un has supervised tests of new drones that the North Koreans call suicide drones. Kim watched the drones in action at North Korea’s Academy of Defence Sciences. The drones can be sent aloft and once flying programmed to hit specific targets. Some of the drones are launched by using rockets. The North Koreans didn’t say whether the suicide drones were among the drones it has provided to Russia for use against Ukraine. 

Babe Ruth: The jersey worn by Babe Ruth in the 1932 World Series has been sold at auction for $24.12 million. The buyer remained anonymous. The jersey with the number 3 was worn by Ruth when he pointed to the outfield and then hit a home run to the spot at which he had pointed. The Yankees were playing against the Chicago Cubs. The sale price makes the jersey the most valuable piece of sports memorabilia. According to Dallas-based Heritage Auctions, the bidding war for the jersey lasted six hours.