‘Dangerous’ conditions forecast

DETROIT — It’s a hot one for millions of people in the Midwest and Great Lakes states. Intense heat and humidity are baking the regions with no immediate relief. The National Weather Service says conditions are “dangerous.” The heat index is exceeding 100 degrees in some areas. The heat index is how hot it feels when air temperature and humidity are combined. In suburban Detroit, George Liller says it took only 15 minutes for someone to claim his free window air conditioner. The misery will shift later this week to the eastern U.S.

Midterm GOP convention planned

President Donald Trump has announced that Republicans will hold their first-ever national convention ahead of the midterm elections, an unusual event aimed at boosting turnout in races that will decide whether the party maintains control of Congress. The convention will be held in Dallas on Sept. 9 and 10. Although both major parties traditionally hold blockbuster conventions during presidential campaigns, Trump has long floated the idea of a similar gathering this year to focus voters’ attention on a sprawling collection of House and Senate races. Democrats considered holding a similar convention but rejected the idea as they struggle with fundraising woes.

US envoys arrive in Qatar

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — U.S. envoys arrived in Qatar for meetings with mediators working to negotiate an end to the war with Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump’s special Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, flew to Qatar on Tuesday following a weekend of crossfire in the Persian Gulf over efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial ships. A spokesman for Qatar’s foreign ministry says the U.S. delegation won’t have any direct negotiations with Iranian diplomats. But Iran is sending representatives to the Qatari capital of Doha this week. That opens the possibility for Qatari mediators to pass messages between the two sides.

Venezuela healthcare at its limit

LA GUAIRA, Venezuela — Aid groups are warning that Venezuela’s healthcare system is at its breaking point nearly a week after two powerful earthquakes hit the South American country. Damaged hospitals are overwhelmed, and conditions in the disaster zone are worsening. The government death toll has surpassed 1,900. A humanitarian crisis is also unfolding, with thousands of displaced people living in unsanitary conditions. On Tuesday, the U.N. expressed concern about the spread of infectious diseases. The healthcare system has been strained by years of underinvestment. Many hospitals are damaged, and specialist doctors are missing, adding to the chaos.

The Associated Press