Biden informs Hill Democrats that he will not step aside and urges an end to party drama
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden, in a letter to congressional Democrats, is holding his ground against calls for him to withdraw from the presidential race following his poor debate performance. Biden stated in the two-page letter on Monday that “the discussions on how to move forward have been extensive for over a week now. It is time for them to come to a close.” Biden emphasized that the party’s primary focus should be defeating Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, in the upcoming November elections. The letter was distributed to Democratic lawmakers by Biden’s campaign as they return to Washington after the July 4 recess.
Biden’s attention now turns to this week’s NATO summit, though concerns about his campaign are escalating
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will shift his focus this week from his re-election campaign to hosting a NATO summit. However, the growing concerns about his political stance may continue to plague his party. European leaders are set to gather in Washington starting Tuesday to commemorate the alliance’s 75th anniversary, with Biden scheduled to hold a news conference. As Congress reconvenes, Democratic lawmakers will have the opportunity to discuss worries about Biden’s viability in the presidential race. Despite affirming his intention to remain in the race, Biden’s stance may exacerbate internal divisions within the Democratic Party.
Beryl hits Texas as a Category 1 hurricane, leaving over 1 million without power
MATAGORDA, Texas (AP) — The National Weather Service reports that Beryl has made landfall on the central Texas coast near Matagorda as a Category 1 hurricane, causing a hazardous storm surge and strong winds. The storm reached land as a Category 1 hurricane around 4 a.m. on Monday roughly 85 miles southwest of Houston, with top sustained winds of 80 mph while moving north at 12 mph. CenterPoint Energy confirms that more than 1 million customers are currently without power. Beryl regained hurricane status late Sunday after causing devastation in parts of Mexico and the Caribbean. Officials are concerned about potential power outages and flooding, urging residents and tourists to evacuate.
Deadly Russian missile strikes in Ukraine claim many lives, including children in Kyiv hospital
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian authorities report that a significant Russian missile attack has resulted in the deaths of at least 31 people and injuries to 154 individuals across the country. One missile hit a large children’s hospital in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and rescue teams are working to locate any trapped victims. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on social media that the Russian assault on Monday targeted five Ukrainian cities with more than 40 missiles, damaging residential buildings and critical infrastructure. In Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyy’s hometown in central Ukraine, ten individuals lost their lives and 47 were injured. Seven casualties were reported in Kyiv.
Gaza devastation likely influenced Hamas to soften cease-fire demands, officials believe
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Multiple officials in the Middle East and the U.S. suggest that the extensive damage inflicted on the Gaza Strip by a nine-month Israeli offensive has possibly compelled Hamas to revise its cease-fire terms. Hamas seemed to abandon its longstanding demand for Israel to commit to ending the war as part of a cease-fire agreement over the weekend. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that military pressure had forced Hamas to engage in negotiations. Internal communications reviewed by The Associated Press reveal that senior Hamas members in Gaza urged the group’s leadership in exile to consider the cease-fire proposed by U.S. President Joe Biden.
Macron retains prime minister to ensure “stability of the country” following tumultuous election
PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has rejected the resignation of the country’s prime minister, asking him to continue serving temporarily as head of the government after chaotic election results led to political uncertainty. The legislative vote on Sunday divided French voters among the left, center, and far-right, resulting in no faction attaining the majority required to form a government. The outcome raises concerns about potential governance challenges for the EU’s second-largest economy. Macron’s decision to call for snap elections in the hopes of bringing clarity to France’s political landscape backfired, occurring less than three weeks before the start of the Paris Olympics.
Historical discriminatory practices contribute to heat waves impacting minority and low-income neighborhoods
NEW YORK (AP) — Many Americans are experiencing intense heat waves with temperatures consistently surpassing 90 degrees. People of color and low-income residents in major cities are disproportionately affected by the extreme heat. In New York, Black residents are twice as likely to die from heat-related stress compared to white residents. Advocates and experts link this phenomenon to decades of discriminatory housing policies, including redlining from the 1930s. Redlining involved evaluating neighborhoods’ investment potential based on race and denying loans to minority buyers, restricting resources and green spaces in these communities. This historical discrimination continues to influence residents’ exposure to extreme heat today.
Kash Patel, a Trump loyalist, aligns himself with the former president while building his own image
WASHINGTON (AP) — Kash Patel, a trusted aide to Donald Trump and a vocal supporter during his campaign, portrays the former president in a larger-than-life manner while promoting conspiracy theories and enhancing his personal brand. If Trump secures a second term, Patel is poised to assume a significant role in the federal government. Patel frequently highlights his background as a public defender and federal prosecutor to lend credibility to his plans of challenging the intelligence community he may oversee in the future. Former colleagues describe Patel as an ambitious lawyer with a far-right leaning, which has left them surprised by his rapid ascent.
Boeing agrees to plea deal to avoid criminal trial over 737 Max crashes, says Justice Department
The Justice Department has announced that Boeing has agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud charge related to the two fatal crashes of 737 Max jetliners. A federal judge will determine whether to accept the plea and the associated sentence as part of Boeing’s agreement with U.S. prosecutors. Boeing’s decision comes after the Justice Department presented the company with the option of entering a guilty plea or facing a trial. Prosecutors allege that Boeing violated a 2021 deal that had shielded the company from prosecution previously. Some relatives of the crash victims plan to urge the judge to reject the agreement, referring to it as a “sweetheart deal.”
Pretrial hearing lays groundwork for Alec Baldwin’s court appearance in fatal shooting of cinematographer
A New Mexico judge is examining various limitations on evidence, testimony, and arguments ahead of a trial for Alec Baldwin. The pretrial hearing on Monday sets the stage for Baldwin’s involvement in a case involving involuntary manslaughter in the death of a cinematographer. Halyna Hutchins was killed in October 2021 when a firearm Baldwin was holding discharged on the set of the Western film “Rust.” Baldwin has pleaded not guilty. Defense attorneys seek to exclude discussions about Baldwin’s role as co-producer, amid allegations of safety shortcuts in the film production. Prosecutors aim to restrict presentations portraying Baldwin as remorseful to garner sympathy.
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