Gathered at Camp David, Biden’s family tells him to stay in the race and keep fighting
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s family has used a Sunday gathering at Camp David to urge him to stay in the race and keep fighting despite his dreadful debate performance. Some family members criticized the way Biden’s staff prepared him for the faceoff. That’s according to four people familiar with the discussions. Biden spent the day sequestered with first lady Jill Biden, his children and grandchildren at the presidential retreat in Maryland. It was a previously scheduled trip for a photo shoot with Annie Leibovitz for the upcoming Democratic National Convention.
French far right ahead in 1st round of snap elections. Here’s how runoff works and what comes next
PARIS (AP) — French voters face a decisive choice on July 7 in the runoff of snap parliamentary elections that could see the country’s first far-right government since the World War II Nazi occupation — or no majority emerging at all. Projections by polling agencies suggest the far-right National Rally stands a good chance of winning a majority in the lower house of parliament for the first time. Yet the outcome remains uncertain amid the complex voting system. In Sunday’s first round, the National Rally arrived ahead with an estimated one-third of the votes. The French voting system is not proportionate to nationwide support for a party. Legislators are elected by district.
US wants Boeing to plead guilty to fraud over fatal crashes, lawyers say
The U.S. Justice Department plans to propose that Boeing plead guilty to criminal fraud in connection with two deadly plane crashes involving its 737 Max jetliners. That’s according to several people who heard prosecutors detail the offer on Sunday. They say Boeing will have until the end of the week to accept or reject the offer, which includes agreeing to an independent monitor. Lawyers representing relatives of some of the 346 people who died in the 2018 and 2019 crashes say their clients are dissatisfied with the offer. During the meeting, family members expressed anger that prosecutors did not plan to pursue additional charges and a trial. Boeing and the Justice Department declined to comment.
Hurricane Beryl approaches the southeast Caribbean after strengthening into a Category 4 storm
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hurricane Beryl is closing in on the southeastern Caribbean after strengthening into what experts call an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm, and government officials are pleading with people to take shelter. The storm is expected to make landfall in the Windward Islands on Monday morning. Hurricane warnings are in effect for Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, Tobago and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The National Hurricane Center in Miami warns that Beryl is “forecast to bring life-threatening winds and storm surge.” Beryl was located about 250 miles southeast of Barbados on Sunday evening. It had top winds of 130 mph and was moving west at 18 mph.
LGBTQ+ Pride Month culminates with parades in NYC, San Francisco and beyond
NEW YORK (AP) — The monthlong celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride has reached its exuberant grand finale as multitudes of rainbow-laden revelers hit the streets for marquee parades in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and elsewhere across the globe. Sunday’s wide-ranging festivities functioned both as jubilant parties and political protests. This year, tensions over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza have colored the celebrations, exposing divisions within the community that is normally aligned on social issues. Protesters temporarily blocked a Pride parade in New York, chanting: “Free, free, free Palestine.” Pro-Gaza activists have already disrupted several pride events held in June.
Bolivian president orchestrated a ‘self-coup,’ political rival Evo Morales claims
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Former Bolivian President Evo Morales is accusing his political ally-turned-rival President Luis Arce of deceiving the Bolivian people by staging a “self-coup” last week. He claims it was to earn political points among the electorate. The claim marks a sharp downturn in an already fraught relationship. Morales was initially among the country’s most powerful voices to say that approximately 200 members of the military who marched on Bolivia’s government palace alongside armored vehicles Wednesday had attempted a “coup d’état.” But on Sunday, Morales joined others who contend Arce himself orchestrated a “self coup” to win the sympathy of Bolivians at a time when his popularity is extremely low.
Ultra-Orthodox protest against order to enlist in Israeli military turns violent in Jerusalem
JERUSALEM (AP) — Thousands of Jewish ultra-Orthodox men have clashed with Israeli police in central Jerusalem during a protest against a Supreme Court order for them to begin enlisting for military service. The landmark decision last week ordering the government to begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men could lead to the collapse of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition as Israel wages war in Gaza. Military service is compulsory for most Jewish men and women in Israel. But politically powerful ultra-Orthodox parties have won exemptions for their followers to skip military service and instead study in religious seminaries. The long-standing arrangement has bred resentment among the broader public.
Simone Biles secures third trip to the Olympics after breezing to victory at U.S. trials
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Simone Biles is heading back to the Olympics. The gymnastics star clinched an automatic spot on the five-woman U.S. team by breezing to victory at the Olympic trials. Biles posted a two-day total of 117.225 in what was essentially a tuneup before the games. The 2016 Olympic champion appears as good as ever at age 27. Biles is returning to the spotlight three years after pulling herself out of multiple finals at the 2020 Games to focus on her mental health. Biles says she isn’t worried about history repeating itself in Paris.
Will Smith performs new song, ‘You Can Make It’ at 2024 BET Awards
Will Smith has debuted his latest song, “You Can Make It,” on the BET Awards stage. Megan Thee Stallion opened Sunday’s show with an energetic medley of her songs “Hiss” and “Boa.” Oscar-nominated actor Taraji P. Henson is the host, starting the show with a parody of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” Other performers include Childish Gambino, Lauryn Hill and her son YG Marley. Drake leads the nominations with seven, followed by Nicki Minaj, who boasts six. Usher will also receive the coveted lifetime achievement BET award. The BET Awards are airing live from Los Angeles.
Should gun store sales get special credit card tracking? States split on mandating or prohibiting it
A new national divide is emerging among states over whether to track sales by gun stores. A California law taking effect Monday will require credit card networks to provide banks with special retail codes to assign to gun stores. Advocates hope it will help flag suspicious purchases and avert mass shootings. By contrast, new laws taking effect in Georgia, Iowa, Tennessee and Wyoming will prohibit the use of special gun shop codes in financial transactions. A total of 17 states have passed some sort of limit on category codes for gun retailers, while California has been joined by Colorado and New York.
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