In a speech delivered at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees' annual convention, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz addressed attacks on his military service record. The attacks, primarily from former President Donald Trump and his allies, have centered on the timing of Walz's decision to retire from the National Guard in 2005 after 24 years of service.

Walz defended himself against these allegations, stating, "I am damn proud of my service to this country. And I firmly believe you should never denigrate another person's service record." He emphasized his commitment to the nation and expressed pride in his military career.

The controversy surrounding Walz's retirement from the National Guard has been a topic of discussion among Trump supporters, including Ohio Senator JD Vance. However, Walz used his speech to highlight his achievements, including his tenure as a governor, congressman, educator, and coach. He also outlined his platform, which includes supporting gun ownership with certain regulations, paid family leave, and clean air regulations.

Walz received significant support from attendees at a fundraiser held in Newport Beach, California. The event was attended by donors who contributed between $1000 and 100,000. The Orange County Register reported that Walz's speech was filled with humor and self-deprecating quips.

One of the fundraiser's hosts, attorney Wylie Aitken, expressed enthusiasm for Walz, stating that he had never seen such excitement in all his years hosting events. Aitken praised Walz for energizing people amid concerns about President Biden and other political issues.

The Guardian emphasizes the importance of independent journalism in shaping a fairer world. As a non-profit organization, they rely on reader support to maintain their rigorous reporting standards. Their live blogs have covered significant events for over two decades, providing real-time updates on political moments, conflicts, natural disasters, sports matches, and more.

In other news, Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Walz are planning a rally in Milwaukee during the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago next week. The rally is set to take place in the same venue where former President Trump accepted the Republican nomination last month. The move aims to draw comparisons in terms of crowd size and energy between the two events. Trump has previously made false claims about Harris's crowd sizes.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has expressed concerns about Ukraine's military incursion into Russia. He noted that this action has created a dilemma for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Biden mentioned that US officials are in constant communication with Ukrainian authorities regarding this matter.

The incursion occurred in the early hours of August 6 when approximately 1,000 Ukrainian troops crossed the Russian border with tanks and armored vehicles. According to a US official, Ukraine's objective appears to be to compel Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine to defend its own territory against the cross-border assault.

Biden revealed that he has been briefed on Ukraine's actions every four to five hours for the past six to eight days. He emphasized that Ukraine's incursion has posed a significant challenge for Putin. The US has provided substantial military aid to Ukraine, primarily intended for defensive purposes as Ukraine seeks to repel the Russian invasion that began in February 2022.

As we await updates on Governor Walz's fundraiser appearance in California, it is evident that political tensions continue to unfold on various fronts.