Democrats in Congress are torn between supporting Biden for president and raising concerns
WASHINGTON (AP) — Following his disappointing debate performance, Joe Biden has initiated talks with congressional leaders after days of no direct communication. Biden spoke with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Sen. Chris Coons, a close ally, late Tuesday and Wednesday. Lawmakers are grappling with the aftermath of Biden’s debate and the potential crisis it could pose beyond the presidential election results. Some Democrats are warning that Biden may not be able to defeat Donald Trump in November and are cautiously considering the idea of him withdrawing.
White House chief of staff Jeff Zients advises staff to ignore distractions and focus on governing after debate fallout
WASHINGTON (AP) — Amid efforts to contain the fallout from President Joe Biden’s poor debate performance, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients encouraged staff to disregard the “noise” and concentrate on governing during an all-staff meeting. Zients acknowledged the challenges following the Atlanta debate but emphasized the achievements and track record of the Democratic administration. He emphasized the importance of governing as the campaign season intensifies. Biden has started reaching out personally, having private conversations with senior Democratic lawmakers.
Trump celebrates legal and political victories while Biden’s campaign grapples with debate aftermath
NEW YORK (AP) — In the wake of President Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance, Donald Trump, the likely Republican nominee, has chosen to maintain a low profile, allowing the focus to remain on the Democratic Party’s turmoil. Trump and his campaign are reveling in recent legal and political triumphs ahead of the Republican National Convention this month. These victories include a Supreme Court ruling granting former presidents broad immunity from prosecution and a judge’s decision to delay Trump’s New York criminal trial sentencing.
Israel accelerates West Bank settlement expansion with significant land acquisition
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel has approved the largest land seizure in the occupied West Bank in over 30 years, according to a settlement tracking group, Peace Now. The appropriation of 12.7 square kilometers of land in the Jordan Valley, authorized recently, marks the largest single seizure since the 1993 Oslo accords. The expansion of settlements in the West Bank is viewed by Palestinians and the international community as a major obstacle to a lasting peace agreement. Israel considers the West Bank as essential to the Jewish people historically and religiously and opposes Palestinian statehood.
Fossils reveal existence of a massive salamander-like predator with sharp fangs predating dinosaurs
WASHINGTON (AP) — Scientists have identified a giant salamander-like predator with sharp fangs that ruled waters 280 million years ago, preceding the era of dinosaurs. The predator likely utilized its wide, flat head to lure in prey. Research published in the journal Nature sheds light on the origins of tetrapods, animals with four legs that evolved from fins to fingers and eventually into birds, amphibians, and humans. The discovery took place in present-day Namibia, a region once covered in ice, suggesting tetrapods thrived in colder climates earlier than previously known.
What caused a religious gathering in India to turn deadly in a stampede?
LUCKNOW, India (AP) — A stampede following a religious gathering in northern India resulted in over 120 deaths on Tuesday, marking one of the deadliest incidents in recent years. Authorities are investigating the causes of the stampede, which erupted as a Hindu guru-led event was ending. The high death toll is believed to be linked to massive overcrowding, insufficient exits, adverse weather conditions, and other factors. The event, permitted for 80,000 attendees, attracted around 250,000 people held in a tent within a muddy field, with the exact number inside the tent remaining unclear.
Why do mass shootings and violence increase during the summer?
Violence and mass shootings tend to surge during the summer months, with the Fourth of July being one of the deadliest days. Data from the Gun Violence Archive shows an increase in mass shootings during June, July, and August over the past decade, with Independence Day recording the highest number of such incidents. Researchers attribute the rise in violence and shootings during the summer to factors such as increased social gatherings, school vacations, and warmer temperatures.
To protect spotted owls, US officials plan to cull hundreds of thousands of another owl species
U.S. wildlife officials have adopted a controversial plan involving the deployment of trained shooters into dense West Coast forests to eliminate nearly half a million barred owls in the coming years. The goal is to support spotted owls, which are facing displacement by barred owls migrating from the eastern U.S. Previous conservation efforts focused on preserving spotted owl habitats, but the proliferation of barred owls in recent years has undermined these efforts, placing spotted owls at risk of extinction. The decision to eliminate one bird species to save another has sparked debates among wildlife advocates and conservationists.
GM fined $146M in federal penalties for emissions violations in older vehicles
WASHINGTON (AP) — General Motors will pay fines totaling nearly $146 million to the federal government due to emissions violations in 5.9 million of its older vehicles that did not comply with fuel economy standards. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the penalties, stating that certain GM vehicles from the 2012-2018 model years failed to meet federal fuel economy requirements. This comes after the EPA found that GM pickup trucks and SUVs emitted 10% more carbon dioxide on average than initially claimed during compliance testing. GM insists it followed regulations in pollution and mileage certification.
TikTok’s influence in shaping trends and consumer behavior while facing uncertain times
NEW YORK (AP) — TikTok, known for its short videos, emerged in the U.S. as the global version of the Chinese app Douyin. In less than six years, the social media platform has become deeply integrated into American consumer culture, reshaping trends and interactions in food and fashion. However, TikTok’s Chinese origins led to concerns about national security, prompting Congress to pass legislation calling for its ban unless its parent company, ByteDance, divests. Both ByteDance and TikTok have challenged the ban on First Amendment grounds. Despite facing uncertainties, TikTok’s influence remains significant, possibly unmatched for the time being.
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