Harris VP, Hamas' New Leader, & Thinking Hurts

News without the noise.

Adam Rogers
August 07, 2024

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Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her VP running mate.

Harris introduced Walz during their first campaign event together at Temple University in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania is a key state in the upcoming election against former President Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance.
Tim Walz was elected to a Republican-leaning district in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006 and served for 12 years before becoming governor of Minnesota in 2018. Re-elected in 2022, Walz has promoted a progressive agenda that includes free school meals, climate change goals, tax cuts for the middle class, and expanded paid leave for workers.
Walz was chosen over Pennsylvania’s governor Josh Shapiro. Many democrats feared Shapiro was too center-leaning. And he faced criticism from progressive groups over his support for Israel and his handling of college protests sparked by the war in Gaza.
Trump and Vance immediately called out Walz as too liberal, with Vance specifically attacking Walz’s handling of the 2020 protests following George Floyd's death.

A Boeing safety executive spoke at a federal safety hearing, addressing design changes to prevent another door plug blowout on the 737 Max 9.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released over 3,000 documents about the incident two days before the hearing, including interviews with Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems employees. The investigation found that bolts meant to hold the door in place were not attached.
Elizabeth Lund, Boeing's head of safety for commercial airplanes, said that new design changes would prevent the door from closing unless securely attached. The blowout incident prompted Boeing to enter crisis mode and many executives were replaced. The accident also caused delays in plane deliveries, further straining Boeing's relationships with airlines and regulators.
FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker admitted the agency was too lenient in overseeing Boeing before January. Investigators found that Boeing employees often didn't follow required processes, leading to defects in every 737 fuselage delivered. Boeing plans to buy back Spirit AeroSystems, the fuselage maker, to improve quality control.
The NTSB hearing also covered factory culture and safety concerns, with whistleblowers alleging retaliation for raising quality issues. Boeing agreed to pay a fine for a criminal fraud conspiracy charge related to two fatal 737 MAX crashes.

Hamas named Yahya Sinwar as their new leader in Gaza after Israel killed his predecessor Ismail Haniyeh with a targeted missile strike in Iran.

Sinwar is a hardliner who masterminded the October 7 attacks in Israel, where 1,200 people were killed, and around 250 were taken hostage. The change shows that Hamas' military wing is now in charge, which might provoke Israel, which sees Sinwar as a top target.
Sinwar's appointment comes during a tense time, with fears of a regional war. Iran and Hezbollah have vowed revenge for Haniyeh’s death. Mediators from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar are trying to negotiate a cease-fire and hostage release in Gaza, but these efforts are shaky due to the recent violence and leadership changes.
Sinwar’s appointment is expected to intensify the conflict with Israel. Despite his hardline reputation, Sinwar plans to continue cease-fire negotiations. With most of Gaza in ruins and the death toll rising, the international community is closely watching how Sinwar’s leadership will shape the region’s future.

Cole Hocker shocked everyone in Olympic track Tuesday night by catching up to and then passing rivals Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Josh Kerr to win a gold medal in the men’s 1500m. Gabby Thomas dominated the women’s 200-meter race. And Valaria Allman became the first U.S. woman to win back-to-back Olympic discus golds. (More)

A man from Pakistan with supposed ties to Iran was arrested last month for plotting to kill former President Donald Trump and other public officials, according to a court document made public on Tuesday. Asif Merchant, the suspect, had been in Iran and then flew from Pakistan to the U.S. to find hitmen for the plan but unknowingly contacted an FBI informant. (More)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stopped the use of a pesticide called DCPA or Dacthal because it harms unborn babies. The pesticide has been linked to low birth weight, lower IQ, and problems with brain development and motor skills in babies. Michal Freedhoff from the EPA said DCPA is so dangerous that it needs to be taken off the market right away. (More)

The Venezuelan attorney general, who supports President Nicolás Maduro, is investigating opposition leaders for alleged “incitement of insurrection.’ Tension has increased since the government-controlled election authority declared Maduro the winner without sharing detailed vote counts. The opposition has released vote tally copies showing that González, not Maduro, won the election. (More)

Starting in mid-October, most Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ streaming plans will cost $1 to $2 more per month, according to Disney. This price increase, known as "streamflation," is making people think about switching to cheaper ad-supported plans. The new prices will begin on October 17, a year after Disney last raised its streaming costs. (More)

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