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by Lowell
Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise (economic, environmental, etc.) for Tuesday, July 28. Today’s biggest developments and headlines include the climate crisis (always at the top of these news highlights because it’s existential and should be a massive story every single day)…also Zelensky in town, Netanyahu destroying the US-Israel relationship, Trump losing the EV race for the US, evil Trump pushing batshit-crazy RFK Jr. to cut back on childhood vaccines, primaries, etc.
Also see the video by Jamelle Bouie on why Democrats should do absolutely nothing about the Mitch McConnell vacancy, as they’re down a seat in the US Senate, making it harder for them to do anything, including passing the heinous “SAVE Act.” As Jamelle Bouie says, correctly, “I just don’t think that people are thinking when they’re calling on someone to replace McConnell. You don’t want that; you want you want them to be a man down with no replacement, that’s what you want”
INTERNATIONAL NEWS (Climate crisis, Zelensky and Netanyahu in town for Graham’s funeral, Trump administration shows “huge disrespect” to fallen heroes, Trump loses the EV race for America, etc.)
- ‘We have lost everything’: extreme rainfall across Asia brings flash floods and typhoons (“From Afghanistan to Taiwan, unprecedented deluge highlights devastating impact of climate breakdown” EXCELLENT subhearder and correct framing by The Guardian, whose climate coverage is superb, unlike 99% of the “mainstream” media!)
- European Fish Are Adapting to Climate Change in Unexpected Ways (“As waters warm and industrial fishing expands, fish populations are heading for the depths of the European continental shelf.”)
- Trump’s Isolationism Is Losing the Great E.V. Race (“The United States risks becoming a theme park of internal combustion, as the rest of the world moves on.” CRAZY!)
- Pedro Sánchez says authorities in Spain ‘see light at the end of the tunnel’ in battle to contain wildfires (“The Spanish prime minister also said the fires serve as a reminder to plan for the ‘worsening’ climate emergency”)
- Wildfire fight is ‘David against Goliath’ says French fire service, as new heatwave hits (We are ALL going to be “David” vs. the “Goliath” of the climate crisis.)
- France evacuates 4,000 people as heat threatens wildfire fight across southwestern Europe (Climate crisis.)
- China’s 15th five-year renewable energy plan targets 370GW new solar PV, wind capacity in Three-North Regions
- Meta Is Fighting Mountain of Social-Media Lawsuits—at Just the Wrong Time
- A Whole Bunch of People’s Claude Chats Are Publicly Accessible Online, and There’s Some Wildly Private Stuff in There (“Anthropic said the system is working as intended.”)
- Tech Stocks Drop on Worries About A.I. Spending and China Chip Competition
- Russia closes window for dissent as Ukraine’s attacks stir public dismay
- Has the Trump-Zelensky Relationship Thawed? (“President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine is set to meet President Trump in Washington today. Their relationship appears stronger than ever.”)
- Zelenskyy comes to Washington looking for unexpected new friends (“The Ukrainian president is courting onetime MAGA critics as he mourns the loss of Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of the few Republicans who ever moved Trump toward Kyiv.”)
- Impressed by Ukraine’s Battlefield Gains, Trump Warms to Zelensky (“Ukrainian leader plans to meet Tuesday with Trump at the White House”)
- Even at War, Ukrainian Society Keeps Presidential Power in Check
- Trump administration’s revision of Iran war casualties ‘huge disrespect’, say veterans
- As the US pauses the war with Iran, is Trump really running out of weapons?
- Iran War Enters 6th Month and a Period of Greater Uncertainty
- Trump Backs New Talks but It’s Unclear What He Hopes to Achieve This Time (“Iran denied President Trump’s claim that it wants to talk, and gave no sign that it would make concessions or speak directly with U.S. officials.”)
- Iran hosts Hormuz calls with Saudi Arabia, Oman as Trump hails ‘good talks’
- Prisoners at Iran’s largest jail sew lips shut in hunger strike as executions soar (“At least 1,500 protest after six men on drug-related charges put in solitary confinement before possible execution”)
- Regime change? Inside Reza Pahlavi’s faltering bid to lead Iran
- ‘A disaster for America First’: Trump allies fear Netanyahu meeting will pull US deeper into war with Iran (“America First” is a really bad joke!)
- How Netanyahu Lost America (“The prime minister, a self-styled expert on the U.S., has shattered his country’s standing.” This started with the horrible way he treated President Barack Obama. At that point, I hated his guts with a burning passion…although I’d alwayd despised him as pure scum, that ramped it up several notches.)
- Netanyahu’s first meeting with Trump since the Iran war began is a chance to smooth over strains
- Why this time around, Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump might not go to script
- Mamdani’s Netanyahu Stunt Was a Waste of His Talent and Our Time
- Javier Milei accuses US Democrats of financing ‘anti-Argentina campaign’ at World Cup (Milei is an insane person.)
- US airman accused of ‘spree’ of rapes on sleeping women avoided UK courts (“Suffolk police ceded investigation into James Loubeau to the US military, leading to court martial acquittal”)
- Overland couple shot dead in Guatemala after local ICE stop led to deportations
NATIONAL NEWS (ICE, Fed, childhood vaccines, Todd Blanche, Thune vs. Trump, where the hell is Mitch McConnell, etc.)
- DHS Official Resigns, Citing ‘War on Immigrants’ (“The outgoing executive director of the Office of Homeland Security Statistics is one of very few federal officials to speak out against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.” Everyone in DHS and ICE should resign.)
- Records Reveal How Homeland Security Agents Surveilled ICE Protesters (“Spokane police documents show a DHS task force officer tracing protesters’ cars, identities, and whereabouts without alleging any wrongdoing.”)
- Canadians’ travel pullback costs U.S. tourism billions
- DOJ’s Environmental Enforcement Has Collapsed in the Second Trump Administration, Former Attorneys Say (“The Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division recently changed its name to the Energy and Natural Resources Division and added “unleashing American energy” to its mission.” Anyone who voted for Trump can seriously f*** themselves.)
- Kevin Warsh Wanted a ‘Good Family Fight’ at the Fed. He’s Getting One. (“The new chairman initiated a debate over how the central bank works, and it could test his tight-lipped approach on the economy.”)
- Americans feel pinch of continued Iran war: ‘It’s screwed everything up’ (“Whether in favor of or against the US-Israel war on Iran, people across the country are left holding the bill and wondering on its purpose”)
- Trump asks SCOTUS to permit blocks on mail-in ballots before midterms
- Trump administration urges Supreme Court to allow order targeting mail-in voting before midterms
- Trump Turns Up the Heat on RFK Jr. to Cut Back Childhood Vaccines (“President is focused on shots’ alleged tie to autism, even though White House advisers wanted to tone down attention to issue ahead of midterms”)
- Clayton on verge of confirmation as intel chief (“The Senate on Monday cleared the last major procedural hurdle to Jay Clayton’s confirmation vote as director of national intelligence.”)
- Trump, Thune clash over canceling August recess to debate SAVE America Act
- Thune’s shield against Trump
- Trump thinks people upset over protection of pedophiles are ‘communists’
- Todd Blanche’s AG prospects uncertain as 2 key GOP votes hold out
- Cornyn wants Trump IRS settlement rewritten before voting for Blanche
- Former DOJ lawyer spotlights death threats after Blanche testimony (“Liz Oyer says Missouri’s Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt have helped fuel violent threats against her as Republicans try to confirm Blanche as AG.”)
- Senate Democrats announce $40M ground game spend in 10 battlegrounds
- DNC chair faces growing scrutiny amid financial pressure and internal turmoil
- Democrats lose patience with embattled DNC chair
- Trump tells Michigan auto workers, ‘I’ve done more for you than your parents’ in latest rambling speech (“President riffs on everything except the hotly-contested Michigan Senate race in appearance at General Motors facility”)
- Key Takeaways From Anthony Fauci’s Covid-Era Journals (“Entries released by GOP Sen. Rand Paul show Fauci’s attempts to not anger Trump as their relationship fell apart”)
- Paul releases Fauci’s diary entries ahead of hearing (WTF???)
- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s message to Sen. Mitch McConnell: Disclose more about health or resign
- McConnell Extends Senate Leave, Will Miss State Picnic (This is all due to a “fall” which caused no concussion, broken bones, etc? And no heart attack or anything. WTF???)
- Witness in Reflecting Pool case conceded damage before canoeist touched water (“David ‘Davey’ Hearn was indicted this month and accused of damaging the pool. He has pleaded not guilty.” This case is a disgrace on every level; any lawyer participating in Hearn’s prosecution should be disbarred.)
- Person Opposing Data Center Arrested for Clapping at City Meeting
- Florida Senator Ashley Moody faces renewed scrutiny over her role in Hope Florida scandal
- After Trump meltdown, Cracker Barrel bends the knee and replaces CEO (Pathetic.)
- Michigan’s Arab voters prepare for a crucial primary
- Stevens and El-Sayed trade personal attacks and other takeaways from the Michigan Senate primary debate
- El-Sayed comes under fire for ‘ogre on a pike’ leaked comment
- MAGA Rep. Allegedly Assaulted Wife, Put Gun to Her Head. Republicans Don’t Care (“Max Miller is the subject a string of disturbing allegations. His party doesn’t seem to mind”)
- The Newcomer (“Wes Moore isn’t here to save the Democratic Party.”)
- Seattle Police Search for 3rd Shooter in Deadly Attack at Food Festival
VIRGINIA NEWS (Kaine supports CDC nominee, early voting, rural Virginia votes against its own self interest BIG TIME, etc.)
- With Tim Kaine’s support, CDC nominee’s path to confirmation clears (“The Virginia Democrat said he hopes Erica Schwartz will get a handle on ongoing outbreaks of measles and cyclosporiasis.”)
- Final Week of Early Voting for 8/4 VA Primaries: Dems FAR Outpacing Rs, Even Though Rs Have a US Senate Primary (and Dems Don’t) (VA GOP turnout in their US Senate primary is SHARPLY down from 2018)
- Virginia could play a big role in the 2028 Democratic primaries
- Virginia set to become an early primary state in 2028. Here’s why it matters (and also why it may not matter much). (“Democrats want a new primary schedule. If they succeed, that would reorder the Republican primary schedule, too.”)
- Male teachers dwindle in Virginia as boys’ reading scores drop; how the two are connected
- It’s time for Virginia lawmakers to expand protections for domestic violence victims
- Rural Virginia has been kind to the GOP, yet Trump’s GOP allows rural healthcare to suffer (“Policies put in place during President Donald Trump’s second term contribute substantially to the declining availability of medical care in the rural communities of the commonwealth — the same communities that are, by far, Trump’s strongest base of support, writes columnist Bob Lewis.” They’re WILDLY voting against their own self interest.)
- DEQ warns of data center impact on Eastern Virginia groundwater supply
- Veteran state environmental expert to lead Va. energy office
- VA House Democratic Caucus Leadership Endorses Sonia Vásquez Luna for HD-20 (Manassas/Prince William) Special Election on 11/3 (Then-Delegate Michelle Maldonado resigned in May to take a new job…)
- Wythe County native to lead state tobacco commission (“David Manley will serve as the executive director of Virginia’s Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, which aims to boost economic development in traditionally tobacco-dependent localities.”)
- </Richmond resident Amanda Pittman explains her yes vote on reproductive rights amendmenta> (“Without full body autonomy, we can’t be free in this country”)
- Brown water, dust and loud noises: Louisa homeowner sues Amazon over data center construction
- Chesterfield County Police say new Drone First Responders won’t be armed or use AI
- Richmond advances 1% school funding tax question to local ballots
- Arlington County considers increasing EV charging rates (“If the plan goes through, whatever price electric car owners have been paying to charge will nearly double.”)
- Loudoun supervisors mull data center moratorium (“Board uncertain whether a pause in applications would be legal”)
- Briskman Removed as Finance Chair After Criticism from Board (I missed this article the other day)
- Exclusive: Richmond leads Virginia in 2026 home sales growth
- Waynesboro, its problems, many that they are: Where do we start here?
- Chiefs assistant Eric Bieniemy’s son charged in shooting of his mother in Virginia, authorities say
- Severe storms — with damaging wind, hail and tornadoes — possible Tuesday
- DC-area forecast: Showers and storms likely today; some could be strong to severe
