The Full Belmonte, 8/7/2023
Attorney General Merrick Garland arrives at the White House in May 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
POLITICS
The Justice Department faces its biggest test in its history with the election conspiracy case against Trump
“The DOJ is navigating unprecedented conditions in American democracy while trying to fight back against relentless attacks on its own credibility and that of the U.S. election system. The success or failure of the indictment of former President Donald Trump for conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election has the potential to affect the standing of the department for years to come. Read more
Why this matters:
Any trial is likely to take place against the backdrop of the 2024 presidential election. And there is no escaping the politics of the moment when the Justice Department of a president who is running for reelection is indicting his chief political rival.
Meanwhile, it’s going to get more challenging for President Joe Biden, too. Anything he says about the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol could complicate matters for prosecutors.
Trump has said he did nothing wrong and has accused special counsel Jack Smith of trying to thwart his chances of returning to the White House. Trump and other Republicans have railed against the investigation and the Justice Department in general, claiming a two-tiered system of justice that vilifies Trump and goes easy on Biden’s son, who was accused of tax crimes after a yearslong probe and a weapons charge.” [AP News]
Lawsuit challenges Biden administration's new $39 billion student loan forgiveness plan
Lawsuit challenges Biden's $39B plan.
“Two groups sued the Biden administration this week over its plan to forgive up to $39 billion in student loan debt for about 804,000 people. The suit by the Cato Institute and Mackinac Center argues that the federal government doesn't have the authority to forgive this debt and that the government is working on an accelerated schedule ‘to evade judicial review.’ The Education Department said last month that it was adjusting how it calculates student loan payments in a move to correct past errors, which would result in about 804,000 people having the balance of their loans erased over the next few months.” Read more at USA Today
POLITICS
An Ohio election that revolves around abortion rights is fueled by national groups and money
“A ballot question in Ohio’s election Tuesday would make it harder to change the state constitution and could determine the fate of abortion rights there. An analysis of campaign finance data surrounding the measure, known as Issue 1, shows that as both sides criticize out-of-state interests, they are largely funded by such donors. Read more
Why this matters:
If Issue 1 passes, it would raise the threshold for passing future changes to the Ohio Constitution to 60% from a simple majority. This would make it harder for a November ballot issue enshrining abortion rights to get enough votes.
The effort against Issue 1 has raised nearly 85% of its $14.8 million in contributions from outside Ohio. Several of the largest donations came from so-called dark money groups that aren’t legally obligated to disclose their donors.
The coalition supporting the measure is funded almost entirely by billionaire Illinois business owner Richard Uihlein, who contributed $4 million of the campaign’s $4.8 million, according to campaign filings.
Attacks at US medical centers show why health care is one of the nation’s most violent fields
“Word spread through an Oregon hospital last month that a visitor was causing trouble in the maternity ward, and nurses were warned the man might try to abduct his partner’s newborn. Hours later, the visitor opened fire. Such attacks have helped make health care one of the nation’s most violent fields. U.S. hospitals and medical centers are struggling to adapt to the growing threats. Read more
Why this matters:
While other industries outpace heath care for overall danger, including deaths, data shows American health care workers suffer more nonfatal injuries from workplace violence than workers in any other profession.
Around 40 states have passed laws creating or increasing penalties for violence against health care workers, according to the American Nurses Association. Hospitals have armed security officers with batons, stun guns or handguns, while some states, including Indiana, Ohio and Georgia, allow hospitals to create their own police forces.” [AP News]
“Niger’s coup leaders partially closed its airspace, warning of an attack by a “foreign power” as a deadline passed yesterday to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. The West African nation’s neighbors had threatened intervention, and while there was no sign of any military action as yet, the junta said action against them was unfolding.” [Bloomberg]
Tens of thousands of scouts to leave South Korean world jamboree as storm looms
“South Korea is preparing to evacuate tens of thousands of scouts from a coastal jamboree site as Tropical Storm Khanun looms, scouting officials said Monday. The World Organization of the Scout Movement said it received confirmation from South Korea’s government of the early departure for all participants in the southwestern county of Buan. Read more
About 40,000 scouts — mostly teenagers — from 158 countries came to the jamboree. About 4,500 were from the U.K., representing the largest national contingent, while about 1,000 were from the United States.
The world scouting body had urged South Korea to cut short the World Scout Jamboree as thousands of scouts began leaving the coastal campsite because of a punishing heat wave.
Hundreds of participants were treated for heat-related ailments since the Jamboree began on Wednesday.” [USA Today]
U.S. scout members prepare to leave the World Scout Jamboree campsite in Buan, South Korea, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023.
Na Bo-bae, AP
“The Spanish far-right party Vox pledged it wouldn’t impede efforts to unseat Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, potentially widening the options for the conservative People’s Party as it seeks a route to power.” [Bloomberg]
“Liberian President George Weah will face over a dozen opponents when the country votes in an Oct. 10 general election amid mounting angerover corruption and soaring food prices.” [Bloomberg]
“Saudi Arabia has commissioned a Dutch horticultural company to create a synthetic oasis to feed Neom, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s futuristic new city being built in the desert. Van Der Hoeven has been awarded a $120 million contract for two test facilities that will use novel technologies such as a solar and seawater-driven cooling system to significantly lower water consumption and enable food production throughout the extreme summer heat. Its advanced greenhouses are intended to help meet Neom’s goal of producing over 300,000 tons of fruit and vegetables a year.” [Bloomberg]
A sign in a window of the NEOM pop-up store at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Jan. 20. Photographer: Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg
Trucking giant Yellow Corp. declares bankruptcy after years of financial struggles
“NEW YORK (AP) — Trucking company Yellow Corp. has declared bankruptcy after years of financial struggles and growing debt, marking a significant shift for the U.S. transportation industry and shippers nationwide.
The Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which was filed Sunday, comes just three years after Yellow received $700 million in pandemic-era loans from the federal government. But the company was in financial trouble long before that — with industry analysts pointing to poor management and strategic decisions dating back decades.
Former Yellow customers and shippers will face higher prices as they take their business to competitors, including FedEx or ABF Freight, experts say — noting Yellow historically offered the cheapest price points in the industry….” Read more at AP News
Bryson DeChambeau shoots 58 to earn first LIV victory as Ryder Cup nears
Becomes only fourth player in top-level golf to shoot 58
American finished 23-under for six-shot victory
”Bryson DeChambeau’s trophy case already features some major hardware: an NCAA individual title, Havemeyer Trophy and U.S. Open trophy among the titles.
So, either the eight-time PGA Tour winner and two-time Ryder Cupper was a prisoner of the moment after he fired a 12-under 58 Sunday at LIV Greenbrier, or he really did consider the historic round an all-time highlight when he said this: ‘I made the putt on 18, and [caddie Greg Bodine] goes, ‘What did you shoot?’ I'm like, ‘58.’ He's like, ‘58, what?’ He didn't really even know. It was quite a funny exchange afterward.
‘Probably the greatest moment in my golf career.’
Prior to DeChambeau, just six players have shot 58 on a notable professional tour. Jim Furyk is the only to do so on the PGA Tour, firing 58 at the 2016 Travelers. The most recent is Alex Del Rey’s on the Challenge Tour in 2021.
DeChambeau had only broken 60 once, carding 59 in a pro-am at the Shriners Open. But after shooting 61 on Saturday and then opening Sunday’s final round with six birdies in his first seven holes on the former PGA Tour layout, The Old White course, DeChambeau wasn’t just thinking about 58 or 59.
‘There was a point in time where I did think about the 54,’ DeChambeau said, ‘but I kind of threw that to the wayside, like OK, just get under 60 first.’…” Read more at Golf Channel
This Barbie made $1 billion at the box office
“After three weekends in theaters, "Barbie" was expected to sail past $1 billion in global ticket sales Sunday, breaking a record for female directors that was previously held by Patty Jenkins, who helmed "Wonder Woman." The film, directed and co-written by Greta Gerwig, added another $53 million from North American locations this weekend, according to studio estimates. It has been at the top of the box office since the film's release July 21. In modern box-office history, just 53 movies have made more than $1 billion, not accounting for inflation, and "Barbie" is now the biggest to be directed by one woman.” Read more at USA Today
Margot Robbie stars as Stereotypical Barbie in Greta Gerwig's "Barbie."
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