The Full Belmonte, 7/23/2023
Ron DeSantis in May 2020.Joe Raedle/Getty Images
“Ron DeSantis’s campaign-trail account of how he dealt with the pandemic as Florida’s governor omits key points, including his flawed approach to vaccinations.” [New York Times]
“As DeSantis’s campaign struggles to gain traction, advisers plan to reorient his operation.” [New York Times]
“Senator Tim Scott appears to be making early progress in the Republican primary and is positioning himself to capitalize if either Donald Trump or DeSantis falters.” [New York Times]
Israel
“Benjamin Netanyahu had an unplanned heart procedure to implant a pacemaker. Doctors said afterward that the Israeli prime minister was ‘doing very well.’” [New York Times]
“Netanyahu was expected to stay in the hospital for at least a day, casting uncertainty over his government’s deeply contentious plan to pass a law tomorrow to limit judicial power.” [New York Times]
“A miles-long column of demonstrators marched into Jerusalem to protest the proposal.” [New York Times]
International
“In Spain’s elections today, mainstream conservatives may come out on top, but they would most likely need hard-right allies to govern.” [New York Times]
“Mismanagement and U.S. sanctions devastated Venezuela’s oil industry, leaving behind leaking pipelines and polluted neighborhoods.” [New York Times]
“Belarus’s leader, Aleksandr Lukashenko, has further cracked down on dissent since crushing protests three years ago.” [New York Times]
“A man who was kicked out of a bar in Mexico because he was harassing women, witnesses said, returned later and threw a firebomb at the club, killing at least 11.” [New York Times]
Health
“The drug maker Gilead slow-walked a promising new H.I.V. treatment, allowing the company to extend patents on a blockbuster line of medications.” [New York Times]
“The pharmaceutical industry is fighting a law that President Biden signed last year authorizing Medicare to negotiate some prescription drug prices.” [New York Times]
Other Big Stories
“The actor Jamie Foxx said he could return to work after he was hospitalized in April with an undisclosed illness.” [New York Times]
“Two San Diego residents checked out almost all of a library’s Pride-themed books to keep others from reading them. Dozens of other people responded by donating books and money.” [New York Times]
“Sweden came from behind to beat South Africa, 2-1, and the Netherlands won 1-0 against Portugal in the Women’s World Cup.” [New York Times]
THE WEEK AHEAD
What to Watch For
“Besides Spain, Cambodia is also holding elections today.
Israel’s Parliament was expected to vote tomorrow on a divisive proposal to overhaul its judiciary, though Netanyahu’s hospitalization may alter that plan.
“The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates on Wednesday.
The president’s son Hunter Biden is scheduled to plead guilty on Wednesday to tax-related misdemeanors.
President Biden will host the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, at the White House on Thursday.
Iowa’s Republican Party will hold its Lincoln Dinner on Friday. Trump, DeSantis, Scott and other candidates are scheduled to speak.” [New York Times]
“Lives Lived: Richard Barancik was the last surviving member of the Allied unit known as the Monuments Men and Women, which preserved European artworks and cultural treasures that Nazi Germany had looted. He died at 98.” [New York Times]