Biden’s Afghanistan update, Giuliani associate’s plea, MLS All-Star Game: 5 things to know Wednesday – USA TODAY
Biden to give update on Afghanistan evacuation efforts
President Joe Biden will provide an update on how many how many Americans are still in Afghanistan and how many have gotten out, as well as evacuation projections Wednesday. On Tuesday, Biden said the U.S. is on track to complete its withdrawal of military forces by the Aug. 31 deadline, but is preparing contingency plans in case the Taliban does not cooperate with the evacuations. The president added that although the Taliban has worked with the U.S. to ensure the evacuation of Americans, it’s a “tenuous situation,” pointing to gun-fighting that has broken out. “We run a serious risk of it breaking down as time goes on.” Biden also noted the possible danger the U.S. and its allies face as the process continues. “Every day we’re on the ground is another day we know that ISIS-K is seeking to target the airport and attack both US and allied forces and innocent civilians,” he said.
- Brutal ISIS-K affiliate in Afghanistan poses terror threat to U.S. evacuation
- Who and what to know as Afghanistan moves toward a new government
Rudy Giuliani associate charged in campaign finance scheme expected to plead guilty
Igor Fruman, an associate of Rudy Giuliani charged in a campaign finance conspiracy, is expected to plead guilty Wednesday, according to court documents. Fruman, who was charged in 2019 with partner Lev Parnas and two others, worked with Parnas in Giuliani’s effort in Ukraine to find damaging information on then-presidential candidate Joe Biden. Notice of Fruman’s intent to change his not guilty plea was filed Monday in federal court in Manhattan where he has been charged with funneling foreign money to U.S. political campaigns. As part of their work for Giuliani, Fruman and Parnas helped former President Donald Trump’s personal attorney meet a Ukrainian prosecutor to push for an investigation of Biden, then Trump’s then political rival.
Trial set for Giuliani associates Parnas, Fruman
A judge has set an October trial date for Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, two associates of Rudy Giuliani who are charged with making illegal campaign contributions. (Feb. 3)
AP
On 20th anniversary of Aaliyah’s death, her life and music are back in focus
Singer Aaliyah died 20 years ago Wednesday in a plane crash in the Bahamas. She was 22 years old. The anniversary of her death comes as R. Kelly’s trial for sex trafficking continues in New York. Aaliyah is one of six women named by the prosecution in the charges against Kelly, who illegally married the singer when she was 15 and he was 27. Last week, Aaliyah’s sophomore album “One in a Million” hit streaming services after years of disagreement between her estate and Barry Hankerson, the late artist’s uncle and founder of label Blackground Records.
- Aaliyah’s ‘One in a Million’ hits streaming services, fans are excited
- R. Kelly trial: Witness describes getting fake ID so Aaliyah could marry at 15
On This Day: 25 August 2001
R&B superstar Aaliyah died in a plane crash, aged just 22. (Aug. 25)
AP
National Park Service offers free admission
The National Park Service is celebrating its 105th anniversary Wednesday with free admission to all 423 sites, which include much more than national parks. President Woodrow Wilson established the Park Service on Aug. 25, 1916. Though Yellowstone became the world’s first national park decades earlier, no singular agency managed America’s multitude of “national parks, monuments, and reservations” until Wilson signed the Organic Act of 1916. Aug. 25 is one of three remaining free entrance days at national parks this year. The others are National Public Lands Day on Sept. 25 and Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
- How well do you know America’s national parks? Take this quiz.
-
Zion, Indiana Dunes consider new fees as crowds flood national parks
All-Stars from MLS, Liga MX square off in LA
Star players from Major League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX will take part in a groundbreaking All-Star game Wednesday night at Los Angeles’ Banc of California Stadium (9 p.m. ET on FS1 and TUDN/Univision). The combined All-Star game is the latest step in the growing relationship between the two leagues, representing the third major shared event between MLS and Liga MX, joining the Leagues Cup – which opened play two weeks ago – and the Campeones Cup – which pits the two leagues’ champions against each other and will be played on Sept. 29 between the Columbus Crew and Cruz Azul. Los Angeles FC’s Bob Bradley – the former U.S. men’s national team coach – will be at the helm for the MLS All-Stars, while Cruz Azul’s Juan Reynoso will serve as coach of the Liga MX All-Star team. The Seattle Sounders have the most representatives on the MLS All-Star team with six, with Seattle midfielder Cristian Roldan — whose brother Alex is also on the team — serving as captain.
- MLS notebook: MLS vs. Liga MX All-Star game in LA. Is a merger between the two leagues on the horizon?