Biden vows to continue running despite signs of dwindling support on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is adamant about staying in the race for reelection, rejecting pressure from within his own party to step down following a lackluster debate performance that raised concerns about his ability to lead. However, in a worrying development, a top ally of his publicly floated the idea of an alternative candidate. Biden reassured his staff that he is not being pushed out of the race, according to campaign aides. Nevertheless, there are indications that support for Biden among Democrats in Congress is decreasing rapidly. Rep. Jim Clyburn, a long-time supporter of Biden, mentioned the possibility of a “mini-primary” leading up to the Democratic National Convention next month if Biden were to drop out.
Democrats in Congress are struggling with whether to back Biden for renomination or voice concerns
WASHINGTON (AP) — With no direct communication between Joe Biden and congressional leaders for days, lawmakers are grappling with a potential crisis that extends beyond the presidential election outcomes. President Biden began reaching out with phone calls on Wednesday, nearly a week after his disappointing debate performance. Meanwhile, Rep. James Clyburn openly discussed the idea of a “mini-primary” prior to the Democratic National Convention in mid-August. Many Democrats are cautioning that Biden may not be able to defeat Donald Trump in November and are tentatively considering the idea of him stepping aside.
Trump takes a backseat as attention shifts to Biden post-debate
NEW YORK (AP) — Despite his usual preference for being in the spotlight, Donald Trump has maintained a low profile in the days following President Joe Biden’s underwhelming debate performance. The presumptive Republican nominee is allowing the focus to remain on the turmoil facing the Democratic Party. This approach coincides with a series of legal and political victories for Trump and his campaign leading up to the Republican National Convention this month. These victories include a Supreme Court ruling granting broad immunity to former presidents and a judge delaying sentencing in Trump’s New York criminal case, which had been scheduled for next week.
Israel accelerates expansion of West Bank settlements with significant land grab
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel has authorized the largest confiscation of land in the occupied West Bank in over three decades, according to a settlement monitoring group. Peace Now reported on Wednesday that authorities recently approved the appropriation of nearly 5 square miles of land in the Jordan Valley. This marks the largest single appropriation since the signing of the 1993 Oslo accords at the beginning of the peace process. The expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank is viewed by Palestinians as a major obstacle to a lasting peace agreement, and the majority of the international community considers them illegitimate. The Israeli government sees the West Bank as a historic and religious heartland for the Jewish people and opposes Palestinian statehood.
Rising floods and deteriorating conditions pose risks to US dam safety
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Recent floodwaters in rural Minnesota caused significant erosion around a century-old dam, while heavy rain damaged a dam in Texas several days later. In the United States, there are approximately 90,000 significant dams, with over 4,000 classified as in poor or unsatisfactory condition by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The failure of these dams could lead to loss of life or environmental harm. Climate change is exacerbating the situation by creating more intense rain events, putting already vulnerable dams at higher risk.
Summer sees an uptick in mass shootings and violence
Violence, including mass shootings, tends to increase during the summer months, particularly around the Fourth of July, historically one of the deadliest days of the year. The Gun Violence Archive reveals that June, July, and August have seen the highest total number of mass shootings over the past decade, with Independence Day topping the list. Researchers attribute this spike in violence to a combination of factors, such as increased social events, teenagers being out of school, and rising temperatures.
US officials plan to cull hundreds of thousands of another owl species to save spotted owls
U.S. wildlife officials have proposed a controversial plan to dispatch trained shooters into dense forests on the West Coast to eliminate almost half a million barred owls over the next few decades. The aim is to protect spotted owls, which are facing competition from barred owls moving in from the eastern United States. Previous efforts to preserve spotted owls focused on safeguarding their habitats, but the surge in barred owls has undermined these efforts and put spotted owls at risk of extinction. The proposal to eradicate one bird species to save another has sparked debate among wildlife advocates and conservationists.
Fossils reveal existence of massive salamander-like predator with sharp fangs predating dinosaurs
WASHINGTON (AP) — Scientists have identified a giant predator resembling a salamander with sharp fangs that dominated waters 280 million years ago, before the time of dinosaurs. This creature likely used its wide, flat head to consume prey. The findings, published in the journal Nature, shed light on the origins of tetrapods, the four-legged animals that transitioned from water to land and evolved into birds, amphibians, and mammals. The discovery was made in what is now Namibia, suggesting that tetrapods thrived in colder climates much earlier than previously believed.
GM fined $146 million for excess carbon emissions from older vehicles
WASHINGTON (AP) — General Motors has been ordered to pay nearly $146 million in penalties to the federal government due to 5.9 million of its older vehicles failing to meet emissions and fuel economy standards. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on Wednesday that select GM vehicles from the 2012-2018 model years did not comply with federal fuel economy regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency’s testing revealed that GM pickup trucks and SUVs emitted more than 10% additional carbon dioxide on average compared to GM’s initial compliance testing. GM maintains that it complied with all pollution and mileage regulations for its vehicles.
TikTok’s influence on trends and consumer behavior in the US
NEW YORK (AP) — TikTok, the viral video-sharing platform, has swiftly integrated itself into American culture since its introduction from its Chinese counterpart, Douyin, less than six years ago. The platform has reshaped consumer trends and redefined engagement with food and fashion. Amid its rise in popularity, concerns over national security led Congress to propose banning TikTok unless its Chinese parent company relinquishes ownership. Both ByteDance, the parent company, and TikTok have challenged the ban on First Amendment grounds. Despite facing uncertainty, TikTok’s impact remains substantial and unrivaled for the time being.
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