Biden’s candidacy is facing new challenges, with the first Senate Democrat suggesting he should withdraw
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign is encountering fresh obstacles. Rather than pushing for him to continue, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi stated on Wednesday that “it’s up to the president to decide” if he should stay in. Renowned donor George Clooney also expressed his belief that Biden should not run, and Democratic senators have voiced concerns about his ability to defeat Republican Donald Trump. Late Wednesday, Vermont Sen. Peter Welch called for Biden to step down, marking the first Senate Democrat to do so. These developments highlight the uncertainty surrounding Biden’s candidacy within the Democratic party, despite his insistence on staying in the race. Pelosi’s views are closely monitored for insights into the thoughts of top Democrats regarding Biden’s candidacy.
Biden faces a crucial press conference, but his performance in big moments is not his strong suit
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s upcoming press conference on Thursday presents a fresh opportunity for him to prove to the American public that he is capable of serving another term after his poor showing in a recent debate raised doubts about the future of his presidency. However, Biden is not known for excelling in major rhetorical moments, and his past efforts at damage control have been insufficient. The president will conclude the NATO summit in Washington with a rare solo press conference as he grapples with calming the Democratic Party’s concerns about his prospects in the upcoming November elections.
Trump aims to garner support from Black and Latino communities, but poll analysis indicates he is not popular among either group
WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump, as he prepares for his third Republican nomination, has pledged to broaden his coalition by winning over more non-white voters who mostly rejected him in the 2020 election. However, an analysis of two consecutive polls conducted in June by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research revealed that approximately 7 out of 10 Black Americans view Trump somewhat or very unfavorably, as do around half of Hispanic Americans. While there has been a slight improvement in their opinion of Trump since he left office in 2021, it remains more negative than positive.
NATO allies denounce China as a key supporter of Russia’s actions in Ukraine
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a significant reprimand of Beijing, NATO allies have labeled China as a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s war against Ukraine and have raised concerns about China’s nuclear capabilities and activities in space. The strongly worded final communiqué issued on Wednesday indicates that China is becoming a focal point for the military alliance. As 32 NATO members gathered in Washington, it is clear that both European and North American members, along with their partners in the Indo-Pacific region, perceive shared security threats emanating from Russia and its allies, particularly China. The communiqué pointed out that China has facilitated war by maintaining an unrestricted partnership with Russia and offering significant support to Russia’s defense industry.
Israeli military instructs evacuation of Gaza City, an early target in its conflict with Hamas
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Israeli military has instructed all Palestinians in Gaza City to evacuate and move south. The evacuation orders issued on Wednesday signal Israel’s continued offensive across various parts of the embattled territory, claiming several lives over the past 48 hours. This escalated military activity coincides with U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediators holding talks with Israeli officials in Doha, Qatar, in search of a long-sought cease-fire agreement with Hamas, the militant group in Gaza. Israel communicated the evacuation instructions to Gaza residents by distributing leaflets.
Increasing wildfire risk in Western states amid ongoing heat wave engulfing most of the US
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Authorities in Western states are cautioning about the growing threat of wildfires as hot temperatures and low humidity dry out the landscape amidst an enduring heat wave affecting much of the U.S. California’s top fire official reported over 3,500 wildfires this year which have consumed nearly 325 square miles of land. Fires are also raging in Oregon, prompting the governor to issue an emergency authorization for additional firefighting resources. With over 142 million individuals under heat alerts nationwide, particularly in the West where many locations are breaking heat records, the risk of wildfires is on the rise.
Pressure mounts on Houston power company to swiftly restore service as city grapples with aftermath of Hurricane Beryl
HOUSTON (AP) — Houston’s main utility company is facing increasing scrutiny over its response to Hurricane Beryl. Nearly 1.3 million homes and businesses in the area remain without power on Wednesday, prompting residents to look for places to cool off, refuel, and find sustenance. A CenterPoint Energy official defended the company’s actions during a meeting with the Houston City Council, citing the restoration of power to over 1 million customers since Monday. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for the region, highlighting the potential dangers due to the lack of power and air conditioning.
US government power structure illustrates a complex system of checks and balances, evident in recent Supreme Court ruling
NEW YORK (AP) — The framers of the U.S. Constitution recognized the need for a president to steer the federal government, but they were wary of establishing a new monarch. Consequently, they distributed power among different branches, leading to a system of checks and balances. Over the years, the evolving dynamics of power among governmental branches have made checks and balances a fluid concept. This was exemplified once again this week with a Supreme Court ruling that showcased the Court’s authority and extended presidential powers by granting former presidents extensive immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken during their tenure.
Alec Baldwin portrayed as recklessly violating safety protocols in trial over cinematographer’s shooting
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Prosecutors painted Alec Baldwin as someone who disregards rules and safety during the first day of his trial in New Mexico for the shooting of a cinematographer. Special prosecutor Erlinda Ocampo Johnson repeatedly referred to Baldwin’s use of a revolver while acting on the set of the movie “Rust” as playing with “make-believe,” which resulted in genuine peril and the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin’s attorney, Alex Spiro, argued that the actor was merely following the standard practice of actors immersing themselves in their roles. While acknowledging the incident as an “unspeakable tragedy,” Spiro asserted that Baldwin had not committed any criminal offense.
Colombia defeats Uruguay 1-0 and advances to face Lionel Messi and Argentina in Copa America final
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Jefferson Lerma scored in the 39th minute as Colombia secured a 1-0 victory over Uruguay, playing with a man down for the entire second half, to advance to the Copa America final against Lionel Messi and Argentina. Daniel Muñoz was expelled just before halftime for receiving his second yellow card, forcing Colombia to play with a numerical disadvantage, yet they managed to reach the championship for the first time since winning the Copa title in 2001 as hosts. Colombia extended their unbeaten streak to a team-record 28 matches. Tensions ran high on the field at the final whistle, with players from both teams engaging in altercations and some even confronting fans in the stands.
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