French town tells visitors to stay away during summer tourism surge
France is expected to attract over 93 million international visitors in 2025, but one French town is telling visitors to stay away during the summer. American tourists play a big part in the tourism search, which is a major reason France expects to keep its title as “the world’s most visited country.”
However, not everyone is open to the accolade. St. Tropez, once a quiet fishing village, has now become a luxury hotspot. The town attracts 80,000 visitors per day between July and August, with a population of under 4,000.
The town attracts stars like George Clooney, Katy Perry and Naomi Campbell. The blend of luxury, privacy and even a vibrant night life are some of the reasons celebrities choose to visit the small town.
Meanwhile, locals are expressing their concerns about the town’s change of character. The mayor of the town has even begun asking visitors to consider coming during the off-season instead.
St. Tropez isn’t the only town feeling the heat of too much tourism. Visitors reportedly threaten some of the country’s fragile natural environments.
The French government has come up with ways to implement a sustainable tourism strategy. Over 80% of French hotels now have green rating systems.
The country has banned domestic flights to destinations reachable by train in less than two and a half hours, and it has even launched a monthly train pass for younger adults that costs €49.
France is just the latest nation struggling with an influx of tourists this summer, as Japan and Spain are working through similar difficulties.
Hurricane Ernesto strengthens to Category 2 storm as it approaches Bermuda
Hurricane Ernesto intensified into a Category 2 storm and could strengthen even more on its way to Bermuda. And following the assassination attempt, the Secret Service plans to add additional security measures for former President Donald Trump’s outdoor rallies — including bulletproof glass. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Aug. 16, 2024.
Hurricane Ernesto strengthens to Category 2 storm as it approaches Bermuda
Hurricane Ernesto has upgraded into a Category 2 storm with sustained winds now over 100 miles per hour as it remains on track to cut through Bermuda. However, it’s still has hundreds of miles to travel before then, so it could strengthen to a Category 3 before making landfall.
The storm is expected to dump up to 10 inches of rain Puerto Rico also saw from the same storm system previously. Crews are still working to restore power to hundreds of thousands of people there.
This is likely to become the second major hurricane of the Atlantic season — much earlier than usual. Typically, the second major hurricane doesn’t happen until around mid-September.
Harris, Trump focus on economy on the campaign trail
The economy is taking center focus on the campaign trail this week for both presidential candidates. Vice President Kamala Harris will be in battleground state of North Carolina on Friday, Aug. 16, to give her first major economic policy speech since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee.
The plan is said to revolve around lowering prices and ending price gouging.
Harris’ speech Friday comes after an appearance with President Joe Biden in Maryland on Thursday, Aug. 15. This was their first joint appearance since Biden dropped out of the 2024 race, he and his vice president discussed their administration’s efforts lowering the cost of prescription drugs.
“Few leaders in our nation have done more on so many issues, including to expand access to affordable health care like than Joe Biden,” Harris said.
https://twitter.com/VP/status/1824105013787967703
On the other side, former President Donald Trump held a press conference at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey Thursday. On display in the background were stacks of groceries with signs showing how much prices of household items and food have risen from inflation over the past few years.
“Harris has just declared that tackling inflation will be a day one priority, for her, it’s going to be day one,” the former president said. “But day one really for Kamala was three and a half years ago. Where has she been and why hasn’t she done it? Why hasn’t she done it?”
Looking ahead to this weekend, both Trump and Harris will be hitting more battleground territory, as they are both slated to make appearances in Pennsylvania for campaign events. Trump will hold a rally in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, Aug. 17, and Harris will be launching a bus tour in Pittsburgh.
Secret Service to shield Trump with bulletproof glass at outdoor rallies
The Secret Service has found a way to let former President Trump go back to holding outdoor campaign events. They’ll be putting up a bulletproof glass barrier between him and the crowd.
The Secret Service already does that for sitting presidents and vice presidents, but since Trump is no longer in office it hasn’t been available to him. Law enforcement officials told news outlets not every outdoor event will require the bulletproof glass, but it’ll be used when there are issues at specific sites or a need for added security.
AP Images
This is just one of the security measures previously only available to active office holders that’s being added to Trump’s protection after a failed assassination attempt. Others include increased staffing, technology and threat analysis.
Israel-Hamas War cease-fire talks stretch into second day
Meanwhile, the British and French foreign ministers are making a joint trip to Israel in hopes of stopping the war from turning into a larger regional conflict.
The renewed push to end the war comes as the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said Thursday, Aug. 15, the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 40,000 and fears remain high that Iran and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon will soon attack Israel in retaliation for the killings of top leaders.
Taylor Swift returns to the stage after canceled Vienna shows
After having to cancel three concerts on the Vienna, Austria part of her Eras tour over a foiled terror plot, Taylor Swift returned to the stage in London Thursday, Aug. 15 night. The show was held at Wembley Stadium with heightened security measures in place, though Wembley already has some strict measures to begin with.
Two suspects were arrested by authorities in connection with the Vienna plot, allegedly inspired by ISIS to carry out an attack outside the concert. Officials there said a major catastrophe was averted by law enforcement’s work.
Time magazine names 15-year-old scientist its 2024 Kid of the Year
Time magazine is honoring a scientist who created a bar of soap that has the potential to transform skin cancer treatment while still finding time to be part of his school’s marching band. Fifteen-year-old scientist Heman Bekele from Fairfax, Virginia has been named Time’s 2024 Kid of the Year.
Time put Bekele on its cover to recognize him for “developing an affordable compound-based bar of soap that could in the future be a new and more accessible way to deliver medication to treat skin cancers, including melanoma.”
The teen was already named America’s Top Young Scientist by 3M and Discovery Education last year for his invention.
Bekele told Time Magazine he is passionate about skin cancer research and finds it incredible that one day his bar of soap will be able to make a direct impact on somebody else’s life.
“I personally hope one day that skin cancer treating soap can turn into a more not for profit organization where we really can distribute it to people that need it the most,” Bekele said.
Chiles had initially scored a 13.666 for fifth place, but after an inquiry, she was bumped to 13.766 and into third place. As the Paris Olympics wrapped up, the Romanian gymnastics federation appealed. The CAS said it found Chiles’ coach, Cecile Landi, had requested the review after the one minute deadline to do so expired.
Over the weekend, the USAG sent Olympic officials what it called time-stamped video evidence that showed Landi requested the inquiry of Chiles’ score within the one minute mark. The organization said Chiles should be able to keep the bronze medal that was awarded to her following the score change.
However, the USAG later released a statement on Monday, Aug. 12, saying the CAS would not reconsider its ruling to strip Chiles of the medal. According to CAS rules, it does not allow for final decisions to be reconsidered despite “conclusive new evidence” being presented.
“We are deeply disappointed by the notification and will continue to pursue every possible avenue and appeal process, including to the Swiss Federal Tribunal, to ensure the just scoring, placement and medal award for Jordan,” USA Gymnastics said.
New twist in US gymnast Jordan Chiles’ Olympic medal saga
USA Gymnastics is challenging the ruling of Olympic officials that called for Team USA’s Jordan Chiles to return her bronze medal she won during the individual floor exercise final last week. Chiles was awarded the medal after her coach, Cecile Landi, submitted a review of the judges’ scores.
However, the decision this weekend by the Court of Arbitration for Sport said Landi had asked for the review four seconds after a one-minute deadline to submit such a request had expired, per competition rules. This meant Romania’s Ana Barbosu won the bronze.
But on Sunday, Aug. 11, USA Gymnastics fired back at that ruling, saying it submitted time-stamped video evidence showing the request was made within the one minute mark — 47 seconds after the score was announced, to be exact.
USA Gymnastics has submitted additional evidence to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. pic.twitter.com/GOKymbAtcq
“The time-stamped, video evidence submitted by USA Gymnastics Sunday evening shows Landi first stated her request to file an inquiry at the inquiry table 47 seconds after the score is posted, followed by a second statement 55 seconds after the score was originally posted,” USA Gymnastics’ statement read.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee issued a statement of its own in support of Chiles.
“We firmly believe that Jordan rightfully earned the bronze medal, and there were critical errors in both the initial scoring by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and the subsequent CAS appeal process that need to be addressed,” the USOPC said.
Olympic officials have yet to respond to the latest twist in this gymnastics saga. Previously, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said in a statement it would contact the USOPC regarding the return of Chiles’ bronze and will work with the Romanian Olympic Committee to discuss a reallocation ceremony honoring Barbosu.
On Saturday, Chiles said she was taking a break from social media, posting to Instagram she was “taking this time and removing myself from social media for my mental health, thank you.” Her teammate, Simone Biles, sending a message saying “Sending you so much love Jordan. Keep your chin up ‘Olympic champ’ we love you.”
Biles and Chiles were part of a golden moment together earlier in the games. Team USA took home the gold medal in the women’s gymnastics team final.
Trump agrees to ABC News debate with Harris, proposes 2 more
The debate is on. Former President Donald Trump has agreed to the ABC News debate with Vice President Kamala Harris and proposed two more. And bodycam footage has been released showing the police response to the assassination attempt during the former president’s rally in July. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Aug. 9, 2024.
Trump agrees to ABC News debate with Harris, proposes 2 more debates
Former President Donald Trump has recommitted to a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris after initially requesting a change of time and place given the change at the top of the Democratic ticket. Trump made the announcement during a news conference held at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Thursday, Aug. 8.
ABC News has confirmed Trump and Harris have agreed to debate on Sept. 10, setting up what is likely to be a high-stakes showdown in an already contentious election season.
His decision to debate on ABC marks a notable change of heart given it was just five days ago he announced the agreement with ABC was terminated. Trump originally suggested he would only debate if Harris appeared on Fox News on Sept. 4.
Trump is requesting Harris accept two additional debate proposals; one would be held on Fox and the other on NBC.
When asked by reporters if he will still do the ABC debate even if Harris turns down the idea of multiple debates, Trump said he didn’t know how that’s going to work and reiterated the need for multiple debates with a new Democratic presidential nominee.
As we saw in June, presidential debates have high stakes. President Joe Biden’s performance at his debate with Trump set in motion calls for his withdrawal and the eventual end to his re-election campaign.
The ABC debate was originally slated to be the second and final debate between Biden and Trump.
Harris released a statement saying she’s glad Trump committed to meeting her on stage.
Harris will be in Arizona for a campaign rally on Friday, Aug. 9. Trump will be in Montana for a rally of his own and fundraiser event.
Bodycam video released of police response to Trump assassination attempt
It’s been nearly a month since the assassination attempt on former President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Within that month, questions have been swirling leading to multiple investigations and hearings on Capitol Hill and a change in leadership at the Secret Service.
Now, there is new information directly through the lens of Butler police bodycam. It shows officers responding to the reports of a threat on top of the unsecured building where the shooter propped himself up to take aim.
In newly released body camera video, there is footage of the moments leading up to the shooting, but it’s the audio in the immediate aftermath of the shooting that is providing further confirmation of a major security lapse.
The incident left one rally goer dead and Trump shot in the ear in a near-fatal hit.
The public search for accountability has led to agencies across local, state, and federal levels to finger-point and shift the blame. There are still several ongoing investigations into how it happened in the first place and how to prevent it from happening again.
U.S., Egypt, Qatar call for renewed Israel-Hamas ceasefire discussions
The U.S., Egypt and Qatar are calling for Israel and Hamas to resume cease-fire talks, calling them “urgent.” Fears are growing over a widening Middle East war following high-profile assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. The U.S., Egypt and Qatar have been mediating cease-fire discussions since they began.
They want the talks to take place in either Doha or Cairo next Thursday, Aug. 15.
Early Friday, Aug. 9, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated Israel will take part in those discussions. Hamas’ newly chosen leader has not indicated if the terror group is willing to join.
Columbia University COO’s home vandalized with antisemitic imagery; 3 top admins resign over antisemitic texts
Inverted triangles, which have been used by Hamas to identify Israeli targets and Nazis to tag prisoners during the Holocaust, were painted on the entranceway to Cas Holloway’s apartment building.
Columbia confirmed the resignations of the school’s dean of undergraduate student life, associate dean for student and family support, and vice dean and chief administrative officer after it came to light they exchanged antisemitic messages during an on-campus event about Jewish life at the school.
Paramount laying off 15% of U.S. workforce
Media conglomerate Paramount is laying off 15% of its U.S. workforce. The layoffs, which will impact around 2,000 staffers, are part of Paramount’s bid to cut $500 million in annual costs ahead of its merger with SkyDance Media.
Paramount says it also plans to write down $6 billion worth of its cable television networks.
Steph Curry leads Team USA to rally past Serbia; Noah Lyles wins bronze in 200-meter after testing positive for COVID
The U.S added to its Olympic medal count on Thursday, Aug. 9. Team USA now has a total of 103 medals so far as the Paris games wind down.
The men’s basketball team will be hoping to bring home gold against host France in the final. Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and LeBron James led the team to a come-from-behind victory over Serbia on Thursday after being down 17 points, winning 95 to 91.
On the track, it was not the result American sprinter Noah Lyles was hoping for in the men’s 200-meter final. Lyles, who won his first Olympic gold on Sunday, Aug. 4, in the 100-meter, finished third this time behind Letsile Tebogo of Botswana and USA teammate Kenny Bednarek.
Lyles was taken away in a wheelchair after crossing the finish line. It was later revealed he had been diagnosed with COVID-19 two days earlier.
The USA track and field organization said it followed all Olympic protocols to allow Lyles to compete.
The track star said he is proud of himself to have been able to still win a bronze medal. He posted on Instagram, “It is not the Olympics I dreamed of, but it has left me with so much joy in my heart.”
Bangladesh’s interim prime minister to be sworn in Thursday
The Nobel Peace Laureate who will be Bangladesh’s interim leader is set to be sworn in Thursday, Aug. 8. Muhammad Yunus was asked to step in after the country’s prime minister resigned and fled the country on Monday, Aug. 5, amid deadly anti-government protests.
It all started with protests over the country’s job quota, which set aside more than half of government jobs for descendants of those who fought in Bangladesh’s war for independence. After violent clashes, the country’s Supreme Court scaled back the rule in late July but protests continued. More than 300 people were killed and thousands arrested over the course of the uprising.
Yunus was in France for what sources say was a “minor medical procedure” when he was tapped to lead the government. He spoke to reporters as he arrived at the airport to head home.
“I’m looking forward to going back home and seeing what’s happening there and how we can organize ourselves to get out of the trouble that we are in,” Yunus said.
When asked about when elections are expected to be held, Yunus didn’t have an answer.
“Well, I’ll go and talk to them. I’m just fresh in this whole area,” he said.
The interim prime minister has a big job ahead of him. He has to establish law and order in the wake of the protests, revive the economy — which has been rattled by these unprecedented protests — and pave the way for free and fair elections.
Hamas leader reportedly killed in Iran amid rising tensions in Middle East
A Hamas leader is reportedly assassinated in Iran as developments in the Middle East raise concerns of conflict escalating in the region. And Vice President Kamala Harris is closer to naming her running mate with plans of holding their first rally in a matter of days. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
Hamas leader reportedly killed in Iran amid rising tensions in Middle East
Major developments in the Middle East, with reports of a top Hamas leader being killed in Iran on the same day Israel struck Lebanon’s capitol and killed a Hezbollah commander. The U.S. also carried out a strike in Iraq in what U.S. officials are calling a move of self-defense.
According to state media, Iran’s president said the country “will defend its territory and make those responsible regret their actions.” Fears of an all-out regional conflict have also been renewed with the Hamas leader’s death happening on Iranian soil.
Tensions are also growing in Iraq as the U.S. said it carried out a strike against a base in Baghdad used by Iraqi forces, killing four Iraqi fighters. The U.S. said the move was in self-defense, telling Reuters those militants were looking to launch drones and posed a threat to the U.S.
Some global media outlets are also reporting hopes of any ceasefire hostage deal between Israel and Hamas are looking slim to none given the escalations happening within the past 24 hours.
Kamala Harris to hold rally with vice president pick in Philadelphia next week
Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to announce her running mate pick on Monday, August 5, as she looks to win the presidency. Then, on Tuesday, August 6, she’s expected to hold a rally in Philadelphia with her new running mate joining her on stage.
The campaign trail is heating up, with Harris holding her largest rally yet in Atlanta, Georgia on Tuesday, July 30.
Both the Harris and Trump campaigns also released new political ads attacking the records of their opponent. And both are on the road to more events to rally their supporters.
This race will be among a handful that determine who controls the U.S. Senate this fall. Currently, the Senate is controlled by Democrats while the House is controlled by Republicans, both with slim majorities.
Riots over Venezuela’s presidential election continue
Authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro accused opposition leader María Corina Machado and presidential candidate Edmundo González of “criminal violence,” and a close ally is calling for their arrests.
Protesters are demanding Maduro make voting data from Sunday’s, July 28, election public. Venezuela’s opposition and multiple Latin American leaders are refusing to recognize Maduro’s victory.
Machado said on Monday, July 30, the country’s opposition had about 73% of the voting tallies from Sunday’s election, proving Maduro did not win.
The national electoral authority has proclaimed Maduro the winner, giving him a third term in office and extending 25 years of socialist party rule.
Boar’s Head recall expanded to include 7 million more pounds of deli meats
Boar’s Head, a company known for deli meats, is recalling an extra 7 million pounds of its products. This is because there’s an outbreak of listeria, a dangerous bacteria, that has been linked to two deaths and made dozens of people very sick in 13 states.
The recall includes various types of meats like liverwurst, ham and salami made at their Virginia plant and have sell-by dates ranging from July 29 to Oct. 17. This recall adds to an earlier one of more than 200,000 pounds of similar products.
The issue was first noticed when a liverwurst sample from Maryland tested positive for listeria. Further tests confirmed that this same listeria strain was making people sick.
Starbucks sales down as prices go up
For the second quarter in a row, Starbucks’ sales have slumped as prices continue to rise. In its latest earnings report, Starbucks’ sales dropped 3% globally and 2% in North America.
Total transactions at North American stores fell by 6%, but higher prices shorten the gap between sales and revenue as coffee chains and restaurants alike continue to struggle with bringing customers in amid high prices.
Simone Biles leads U.S. Women’s gymnastics team to gold medal
After dropping out of the women’s gymnastics team event in Tokyo three years ago and taking time to focus on her mental health, Simone Biles returned to the same event on Tuesday, July 30, in Paris. This time she led Team USA to the gold.
Biles, along with Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey, won by more than five points. Italy took home the silver medal and Brazil won bronze.
With the victory, Biles becomes the most decorated U.S. gymnast in history, with eight medals.
And she’s not done yet. Biles will compete in four more individual events including the all-around final on Thursday, Aug. 1, where she’ll have a chance to add more gold to her historic record.
Sabotage strikes French telecom infrastructure during Paris Olympics
As the Paris Olympics unfold, France is tackling a series of sophisticated sabotage incidents that have severely disrupted critical infrastructure. Vandals targeted the nation’s telecommunications network, affecting over 11,000 customers and slicing through fiber optic cables in six regions.
While Paris remained untouched, the southern regions hosting Olympic events saw significant disruptions. French Secretary of State for Digital Affairs Marina Ferrari condemned these attacks as “cowardly and irresponsible.”
This telecommunications sabotage follows closely on the heels of arson attacks that paralyzed major railway lines, impacting approximately 800,000 travelers, including Olympic athletes. The rapid succession of these incidents has heightened security concerns, prompting an extensive investigation.
French authorities are scrutinizing possible connections to “ultra-left” activist groups known for similar past actions. Officials have already made one arrest.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin highlighted the precision and intent behind these attacks, suggesting they were well-coordinated. The government has responded by ramping up intelligence efforts to safeguard the ongoing Olympic Games and restore affected services swiftly.
The full extent of the impact, particularly on Olympic activities, remains under assessment, but the swift restoration of services has been a priority. As France grapples with these challenges, the resilience of its infrastructure and the effectiveness of its response are under global scrutiny.
Paris Olympics opening ceremony sparks controversy, calls for boycott
The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics ignited significant controversy and sparked calls for a boycott. The response follows what critics have interpreted as a controversial reimagining of Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic painting, “The Last Supper.”
The ceremony featured a fashion show with a performance that included drag performers seated around a table, with a woman positioned at the center — a spot traditionally associated with Jesus Christ in the famous painting. Additionally, a French actor dressed as Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and ecstasy, was seated atop the table.
Critics, including Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, have condemned the performance as an affront to Christian sensibilities.
In posts on X, Johnson labeled the performance as “shocking and insulting to Christian people around the world” and Salvini criticized it as a poor start for the Olympic Games.
American fitness coach Jillian Michaels also expressed disapproval, arguing that the performance undermines calls for mutual respect and tolerance.
In response to the backlash, some companies have opted to withdraw their advertisements from the Paris Games. Social media platforms are also seeing a surge in calls for a boycott of the Olympics.
On the other hand, Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the opening ceremony, has defended the performance.
Jolly clarified that the segment was intended as a depiction of Dionysus and a celebration of pagan festivities, not a reinterpretation of “The Last Supper.” He emphasized that the goal of the performance was to promote a message of love and inclusion. The official Olympics account on X echoed this sentiment, stating that the portrayal of Dionysus aimed to highlight the absurdity of violence among people.
Anne Descamps, a spokesperson for the Paris Olympics, later addressed the criticism, asserting that there was no intention to offend any religious group. The spokesperson reiterated that the opening ceremony was meant to celebrate community and tolerance, and expressed regret for any offense taken.
Despite the controversy, the opening ceremony attracted a high viewership, with nearly 29 million people tuning in. That surpassed the 17 million who watched the Tokyo 2021 Olympics opening ceremony.
Israel says Hezbollah will ‘pay the price’ after deadly attack on soccer field
Israel vowed Hezbollah will “pay the price” after the deadliest strike on Israeli territory since Oct. 7 killed 12 children. And former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris continue on the campaign trail with less than 100 days to go until Election Day. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, July 29, 2024.
Israel: Hezbollah will ‘pay the price’ after deadly attack on soccer field
Tensions are escalating in the Middle East after a deadly assault on Israel on Saturday, July 27. Israeli officials said a Hezbollah rocket launched from Lebanon struck a soccer field in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights, killing 12 children.
It marked the deadliest attack on Israeli soil since Hamas’ Oct. 7 terror attack. Hezbollah has denied it was behind the strike.
Now, attention turns to how Israel will respond to the threat and if the war is on the brink of expansion.
Thousands of people attended funeral services for the children who died in Saturday’s attack. Their caskets were hauled through the streets as people paid their respects.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Hezbollah “will pay the price” for the latest attack.
It’s an escalation in a series of back and forth between Hezbollah and Israel. The Iran-backed militant group has been firing rockets at Israel from Lebanon since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Israel has been retaliating, striking their targets in Lebanon and killing top Hezbollah and Hamas leadership in the region, but this latest hit against Israel could create a larger response.
Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said the country will not get involved in a war but will stand behind Hezbollah. The foreign minister said Lebanon has received reassurances from the U.S. and France that Israel’s response will be “limited.”
The Biden administration has warned Israel of how its next steps could lead to a larger conflict and is warning against them hitting Hezbollah targets in Lebanon’s capital of Beirut. International flights into Beirut are being canceled out of fears of escalation.
Harris, Trump look to rally support less than 100 days until election day
With less than 100 days left until the 2024 presidential election, both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump spent the weekend speaking to their supporters at campaign events. Harris spoke to voters in Massachusetts and Trump held events in Florida.
“She was a bum,” Trump told his supporters in West Palm Beach on Friday, July 26. “Three weeks ago, she was a bum, a failed vice president in a failed administration with millions of people crossing when she was the border czar.”
Harris promised supporters her “underdog” campaign would prevail.
“Donald Trump has been resorting to some wild lies about my record,” she said on Saturday, July 27. “And some of what he and his running mate are saying, it’s just plain weird.”
New polling from ABC News shows support for Harris is growing among independent voters. Forty-four percent have a favorable view of Harris — up from 28% from only a week ago — as she tries to rally Democratic Party support before officially becoming the nominee.
On July 30 and Aug 1., Harris will hold campaign events in Georgia and Texas, respectively. Trump will head back to Pennsylvania for the first time since surviving an assassination attempt at a rally in the state on July 13.
Mark Meadows asks SCOTUS to intervene in Georgia election interference case
Mark Meadows, the former White House chief of staff during the Trump administration, is turning to the Supreme Court to intervene in the Georgia election interference case against him. Meadows’ lawyers have asked the justices to take up his bid to move the case to federal court.
In their filing on Friday, July 26, Meadows’ legal team argued his actions are entitled to immunity from prosecution citing the high court’s recent ruling that gave former President Trump immunity for official acts as president.
Meadows has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case, however, remains on hold as Meadows and other co-defendants — including former President Trump — challenge a ruling that allows Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to continue prosecuting the case amid claims of improper conduct.
Maduro and opposition both claim to win Venezuela’s presidential election
In a highly watched and highly scrutinized electoral process, Venezuela’s authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro claimed to have won the presidential election on Monday, July 29. However, his political opponents have too.
With 80% of votes counted, Maduro is said to have won with more than 51% of the vote, leading electoral authorities to declare him the winner.
However, the opposition claims candidate Edmundo González had received 70% of the vote against Maduro’s 30% and González said all rules were violated. The opposition is demanding electoral authorities present all the voting tallies issued by the voting machines to verify the results.
The United States and multiple regional nations have also voiced skepticism about official results handing victory to Maduro.
The man accused of starting what is now the largest active wildfire in the country is set to appear in a California court on Monday, July 29. The fast-spreading fire near Chico has burned more than 350,000 acres in three days, forcing thousands of people in four counties to leave their homes.
The Park Fire had scorched an area greater than the size of Los Angeles as of Sunday, July 28, causing poor air quality in a large part of the northwestern U.S. and western Canada.
Cooler temperatures and more humidity over the weekend helped firefighters make some progress. They say the fire is now 12% contained.
Apple reaches first-ever union deal with Maryland employees
Apple has reached its first-ever union contract with employees at a Maryland store. The union representing the employees of a store in a Baltimore suburb said it’s reached a tentative three-year deal with Apple to increase pay by an average of 10% and offer other benefits to workers.
The tentative agreement still has to be approved by the store’s 85 workers. A vote is set for Aug. 6.
Team USA wins most medals in Olympics opening weekend
Team USA is off to a strong start at the Paris Olympics, picking up 12 medals over the weekend. That’s the most of any country so far in the games.
USA athletes had won gold three times as of Monday, July 29 morning, including the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team, giving Caleb Dressel his eighth gold medal. Torri Huske won the women’s 100m butterfly and Gretchen Walsh took silver, with just four hundredths of a second separating the American athletes.
Lee Kiefer brought home gold in fencing. In gymnastics, Simone Biles made her Olympics return, leading the U.S. Women’s Team into the finals despite suffering a minor calf injury.
On the basketball court, LeBron James led Team USA to victory in their first game, defeating Serbia 110 to 84.
