5 crucial points for May 30: Election news, Flag dispute, Gaza updates, Volcanic explosions, and Price reductions
Here's what you need to know to kickstart your day.
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1. Election Campaign
The Biden campaign is adopting a more assertive approach to reach American voters as former President Donald Trump's hush money trial edges closer to its conclusion. At a Philadelphia rally on Wednesday, President Joe Biden criticized his potential 2024 opponent and reaffirmed his commitment to appoint progressive justices to the Supreme Court if re-elected. If he wins a second term, Biden expects Supreme Court vacancies because some justices are nearing their seventies. Concurrently, speculation is growing that Trump might pick a vice-presidential candidate off the grid, despite his previous glutting of possible VP picks. Meanwhile, the Trump camp is leveling attacks against his hush money trial, which is set for a second round of jury deliberation soon.
2. Flag Controversy
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito addressed concerns about controversial flags that have been displayed on his properties in a letter to lawmakers on Wednesday. He confirmed he would not recuse himself from cases related to the 2020 presidential election or the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot. An inverted American flag adorned his Virginia home in 2021, a sign of fraud allegations by Trump supporters after the 2020 presidential election. Alito claimed his wife had raised the inverted flag. Additionally, an "Appeal to Heaven" flag, with historical roots dating back to the Revolutionary War and a symbol for Trump supporters, was spotted on display at his summer getaway.
3. Gaza Conflict
The struggle in Gaza seems set to continue through the end of the year, according to an Israeli official on Wednesday, seemingly dismissing the likelihood that the fighting will end after Israel's planned military offensive in Rafah. "We anticipate a seven-month-long confrontation to strengthen our achievements and accomplish our objective of dismantling the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad," Israel's national security adviser said. The casualty count in Gaza has topped 35,000 since the conflict broke out on October 7 when Hamas assassinated at least 1,200 people in Israel, per UN data. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken remarked Wednesday that Israel must contemplate the "incremental gains" alongside the "unintended horrifying consequences" of military action in Gaza.
4. Icelandic Volcano
A volcano in southern Iceland erupted for the fifth time since December on Wednesday, forcing locals to evacuate once more. The lava flow poses a threat to cut off Grindavík, a town of roughly 3,000 people, and risk displacement at the illustrious Blue Lagoon. Footage and photographs from the scene captured red-hot lava soaring into the air along a two-mile fissure. While Grindavík mostly evacuated before the previous eruption in December, resistant locals and responders remain. Police cautioned a local broadcaster that some locals refuse to leave.
5. Price Reduction
Several leading retailers are slashing prices to spur sales amid growing inflation-related caution from shoppers. Walgreens announced Wednesday price cuts on 1,500 items, including industry frontrunners like Target, Walmart, and Amazon that recently lowered prices on thousands of consumer products as well. Analysts have observed a decrease in consumer spending, with high costs compelling Americans to prioritize essentials. Some retailers have had to file for bankruptcy and close their doors as a fallout. If you've heard, 99 Cents Only, which sought bankruptcy in April, surrendered all of its 370 sites. Dollar Tree declared it would absorb 170 of those leases to expand affordable products for more Americans from fall onward.
MORNING BROWSE
Ingenious aircraft cabin ideas could redefine travelBrowse through some dazzling proposed, reconfigured plane cabin designs that might redefine the future of flight.
George Clooney and Brad Pitt Get Back Together for WolfsTrailerIn the upcoming movie "Wolfs," Clooney and Pitt, who were once co-stars, will reconnect on the big screen. Discover the exciting trailer here.
Simone Biles Gears Up for Olympic PreparationsThe decorated athlete advances in her mission for a third Olympic appearance at the ongoing Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships.
Scottie Scheffler Charges Withdrawn After ArrestScheffler's arrest attempts to drive around the site of a deadly crash near the PGA Championship have yielded punished and now, all accusations have been dropped.
Mystery Person Takes Responsibility for Graceland Foreclosure ScamA person claiming to be involved in a scheme to plunder Elvis Presley's estate confessed to CNN. Find out what the self-proclaimed schemer disclosed.
84,000 is the number of owners in the United States who were directed to no longer operate their older Nissan vehicles due to an airbag safety hazard.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
The American Civil Liberties Union remarks that their organization is "very worried" about a Louisiana bill that could force schools in the state to hang the Ten Commandments on their classroom walls. This bill is anticipated to reach Governor Jeff Landry's desk, although legal actions are likely to be filed if he approves it.
TODAY'S WEATHER
Review your local weather forecast here>>>
TO WRAP IT UP
A Texan motorist phoned emergency services after being astonished by a kangaroo crossing the road! View the video here.
Read also:
- Year of climate records: extreme is the new normal
- Precautionary arrests show Islamist terror threat
- UN vote urges Israel to ceasefire
- SPD rules out budget resolution before the end of the year
- During the Biden campaign's election campaign strategy discussion, they emphasized the importance of reaching out to US voters, regardless of potential opposition from former President Donald Trump.
- Despite the controversy surrounding the display of controversial flags on his properties, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito reminded American lawmakers that he will continue to participate in cases related to the 2020 presidential election and the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot.
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