1. Countdown to U.S. Presidential Debate: Key Points to Remember
Here's the lowdown on what's happening today to Kickstart Your Day.
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1. Debate kickoff
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are set for a groundbreaking encounter in just seven days, with the stage now set for CNN’s June 27 presidential debate. This event will make history as the first debate between a sitting president and a former president – and it could be a watershed moment for the 2024 race, as millions of prospective voters are expected to tune in. The deadline for debate qualification passed overnight, with Biden and Trump meeting the constitutional, ballot qualification, and polling thresholds established by the network. The two candidates have spent the last few weeks honing their message on various topics, including the economy, foreign affairs, and their opponent's fitness for office.
2. Severe weather
The first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has formed in the Gulf of Mexico, while a perilous heat wave and wildfires are affecting sections of the USA. Alberto is bringing gusty winds and storm surge to southern Texas, with a Level 3 out of 4 flood risk in effect for certain areas, including Corpus Christi. Meanwhile, an intense heat wave is baking parts of the Midwest and Northeast, where staggering temperature records are forecast for dozens of cities. Additionally, more than 1,400 structures have burned and around 8,000 people have evacuated due to the South Fork Fire near the village of Ruidoso in New Mexico.
3. Religious freedom
Louisiana public schools are now mandated to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom following Republican Governor Jeff Landry signing the requirement into law on Wednesday. House Bill 71, passed by state legislators last month, dictates that a Ten Commandments poster-size display with legible font must be in place in every classroom of schools receiving state funding, from preschool to university level. Opponents of the bill argue that a state requiring a religious text in every classroom would infringe upon the establishment clause of the US Constitution, which prohibits Congress from establishing religion. Civil liberties groups have already announced plans to challenge the law in court.
4. Power outage in Ecuador
Approximately 17 million people experienced a nationwide blackout on Wednesday in Ecuador. The outage affected hospitals, homes, and a major subway system. Authorities stated that the outage was due to maintenance and transmission issues in the country’s electrical system. As of Wednesday night, power had been restored in nearly all parts of the country, according to government officials. Ecuador has been grappling with an energy crisis for several years. In April, the country's president declared an energy emergency and outlined widespread power cuts due to a drought that is burdening its electric grid.
5. Vandalism at Stonehenge
Britain's famous prehistoric monument, Stonehenge, was defaced by environmental activists on Wednesday. A video showed two climate activists from the Just Stop Oil group spraying paint onto the monument. The activists demanded the incoming government sign up to a legally binding treaty to phase out fossil fuels by 2030, according to their social media posts. The two activists – a 21-year-old student from Oxford and a 73-year-old man from Birmingham – were arrested "on suspicion of damaging the ancient monument," police stated. This incident is part of a growing trend of high-profile protests by climate activists, many of which have targeted valuable artworks, such as the Mona Lisa and Van Gogh's "Sunflowers."
MORNING MESSAGE
Why is Milla Jovovich facing online criticism?Popular actress Milla Jovovich is one of the few celebrities that have managed to appeal to both conservative and liberal fans. Read about why she is now under fire in the cancel culture movement.
CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta discusses lifestyle changes that may aid cognitive developmentNeurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks about a study that could offer insight into preventing Alzheimer's. Watch the video here.
Auto dealerships hit by extensive computer system outageCar buyers looking forward to buying a new vehicle were in for an unexpected surprise – a cyber disaster crippled operations at thousands of US and Canadian dealerships.
WNBA rookie and Olympic hopeful Cameron Brink suffers a season-ending knee injury“I never thought it would happen to me,” Brink said after suffering a devastating ACL injury.
The troubling trend of missing tourists in GreeceSome experts think extreme heat could be the cause of people going missing in Greece. Find out how environmental factors in the area could potentially be causing fatalities.
TODAY'S NUMBER
$2.6 millionThat's how much Robert F. Kennedy Jr. raised for his presidential campaign in May – a relatively small sum compared to the recent donations received by his main competitors. The Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee raised a combined $141 million in May, with Trump's legal trial boosting donations. Information on Biden's May fundraising efforts will be released shortly; as of last month, his campaign and affiliated committees had $192 million cash on hand.
TODAY'S QUOTE
"Only pirates do this."
— Philippine authorities, alleging Chinese Coast Guard personnel carried out a "cruel attack" using "edged weapons" during a skirmish in the South China Sea this week. Experts believe this encounter, as depicted in a video published today, could intensify a long-standing squabble that potentially pulls in the US, escalating into another international conflict.
TODAY’S FORECAST
Get your local weather update here>>>
IN OTHER NEWS ...
Genetics and Snoring - What's the Connection? Find out in this enlightening video why some individuals snore while others don't.
Read also:
- Millions of American voters are expected to tune in for the presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump on June 27, as both candidates have met the required constitutional, ballot qualification, and polling thresholds established by CNN.
- The US federal government should intervene to support schools in states, such as Louisiana, that are attempting to implement policies that may infringe upon the establishment clause of the US Constitution, such as mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in every classroom.
