by Lowell
Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Thursday, July 18.
- Shell quietly backs away from pledge to increase ‘advanced recycling’ of plastics
- Russian foreign minister confirms talks to free reporter Evan Gershkovich
- Ukraine’s budget committee recommends passing a law on suspending debt payments
- Why the far right is surging all over the world (“The ‘reactionary spirit’ and the roots of the US authoritarian moment.” The absolute worst of humanity.)
- Far-right Israeli minister visits sensitive Jerusalem holy site, threatening Gaza cease-fire talks
- National religious recruits challenge values of IDF once dominated by secular elite (“Two-fifths of infantry graduate officer cadets now come from section of Israeli society aligned with far-right parties and settler movement” Not good.)
- How Iran’s Khamenei elevated a little-known moderate to the presidency (“One of the insiders briefed about the meeting said Khamenei believed Iran needed a president who could appeal to different layers of society, but would not challenge the ruling Shi’ite theocracy.”)
- New Zealand will fail to meet 2050 net zero targets, data shows, after climate policies scrapped
- Biden Forgives $1.2 Billion in Student Loans in Latest Relief
- New FBI data shows a continued downward trend for violent crime (“After a spike during the pandemic, crime is down significantly across the country and in Virginia.”)
- Special counsel Jack Smith appeals dismissal of Trump classified documents case
- Dark Money Just Got Darker: Wall Street Helped Fund Project 2025
- J.D. Vance’s radical plan to build a government of Trump loyalists
- J.D. Vance, Once a Die-Hard Never Trumper, Completes His MAGAmorphosis
- JD Vance said in 2022 he ‘would like abortion to be illegal nationally’
- J.D. Vance’s MAGA Transformation Is Complete (“The Republican vice presidential candidate has one goal: to be just like his running mate.”)
- It’s J.D. Vance’s Party Now (“I assumed that the Ohio GOP would continue along a trajectory that valued reasonable, conservative governing, a process that by definition demands compromise. I was wrong.”)
- Republicans Lay Groundwork To Deny 2024 Election Results At GOP Convention
- Too toxic for Fox News, Tucker Carlson snags a key role at GOP convention
- At GOP convention, Republicans are unified by one thing: debasing themselves for Donald Trump
- Trump has given no official info about his medical care for days since an assassination attempt
- How Trump’s Security Failed to Stop an Assassination Attempt
- Trump campaign won’t commit to VP debate, citing uncertainty over Democratic ticket
- Secret Service was told police could not watch building used by Trump rally shooter
- Obstructed view may have delayed sniper response at Trump rally
- Trump’s RNC Day 3: Weaken America on the World Stage Again (Meanwhile, ““Every speaker on stage [Tuesday night] back[ed] Trump and J.D. Vance’s dangerous Project 2025 agenda to defund law enforcement, put partisan politics over border security, and pardon violent January 6 insurrectionists.”)
- Trump Running Mate JD Vance Papers Over Extremism In RNC Speech
- Trump imperial presidency looms as takeover of Republican Party complete
- Trump triumphant as Biden descends into a deepening crisis
- The 2024 Race at a Crossroads
- In New Video, Vice President Harris Says Vance Will Be Trump’s ‘Rubber Stamp’
- Peter Navarro to RNC: “I Went to Prison So You Won’t Have To” (That’s false on all levels.)
- Schumer, Jeffries, Pelosi Reportedly Warn Biden Against Running
- Top Democrats Close In on Biden as Plan to Sew Up Nomination Falters
- The Paralysis of the Democratic Party (“Its leaders have clear moral and political incentives. Why have they not come out against Joe Biden?”)
- Nearly two-thirds of Democrats want Biden to withdraw, new AP-NORC poll finds
- Jeffries and Schumer privately warned Biden he could imperil Democrats
- Donors’ cash is drying up, Katzenberg warns Biden in private meeting
- Biden’s political isolation deepens as pressure to step aside builds
- Biden Faces Intensified Calls to Step Aside While Ill With Covid (“The president’s diagnosis both removes him from the campaign trail and thrusts his health back into the spotlight — all at a critical moment.”)
- Biden under new pressure from top Democrats as Covid halts campaign
- A new moment for Biden? One Democratic adviser says: ‘He’s being receptive’
- Biden Is Called ‘More Receptive’ to Hearing Pleas to Exit the Race
- Where Do the Obamas Stand on Joe Biden? “If President Obama Was All In, He’d Be All In.” (“As the threat of another Trump presidency looms, America turns its eyes to Michelle and Barack Obama, still the most powerful politicians in the world—whether they like it or not.”)
- Dems stand down on DNC complaints after aggressive pressure campaign
- Biden is trying to salvage his campaign. Democrats say things are only getting worse
- Pelosi privately told Biden polls show he cannot win and will take down the House; Biden responded with defensiveness —
- Rep. Schiff calls on Biden to drop out, citing ‘serious concerns’ that he can’t win
- Biden held ‘tense’ call with group of House Democrats over concerns he can’t win
- Biden’s Covid diagnosis comes at the worst possible time for his campaign
- Of Course President Biden Would Get Covid Right In The Middle Of Trump’s RNC Victory Lap
- How Risky Is COVID for an 81-Year-Old? (“Once again, Joe Biden has COVID-19.”)
- President Joe Biden has tested positive for Covid-19
- Biden says he’d reevaluate campaign if medical condition emerged
- Secret Service says it’s appalled by DEI rhetoric against female agents after Trump rally shooting
- Rightwinger Leonard Leo helped fuel Bud Light boycott, tax filings show (One of the most dangerous, horrible people in America.)
- Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez tells allies he will resign after bribery conviction
- Sen. Bob Menendez refutes reports he’s resigning following guilty verdict in bribery trial (Menendez is such a mess.)
- VPAP Graphics: 2Q24 Virginia Fundraising Leaders for U.S. Senate, House (In terms of $$, it’s looking good for Tim Kaine and Eugene VIndman)
- Incumbents see cash advantage in competitive Virginia congressional races
- Editorial: Rep. Kiggans lowers the ethical bar to raise money for reelection (“In making a pitch for cash that includes a diagnosis of President Biden, Rep. Jen Kiggans has sullied herself and violated a key principle of medical professionals.” Kiggans is a disgrace.)
- Va. Democrats ask Youngkin to allow ‘direct file’ tax option
- Sen. Tim Kaine and 5th District candidate Gloria Witt campaign together in Danville
- Emerson College/The Hill poll results show Trump up 2 points over Biden in Virginia (Doubtful.)
- Judge rules pro-Palestine group must turn over records to Virginia AG (“Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares is investigating Virginia-based American Muslims for Palestine for alleged ties to terrorist groups”)
- Summer is one of the deadliest times of year for Virginia drivers
- Coalition aims to boost economy, transportation in Southwest and Southside
- 1 month into operation, erosion problems continue with Mountain Valley Pipeline
- Southwest Virginia health districts launching long COVID study
- The fight to bring down Charlottesville’s Confederate monuments is over. The fight for who gets credit begins.
- Fairfax County board delays vote on data center regulations after lengthy public hearing
- Proposed Henrico gambling parlor draws bipartisan opposition
- Hanover schools superintendent Michael Gill resigns
- D.C.-area forecast: Heat wave ends, but shower chances return for the weekend
