5 things to know for Aug. 12: Paris Olympics, Presidential race, Middle East tensions, Brazil plane crash, Greece wildfires
Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.
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1. Paris Olympics
After an exciting two-and-a-half weeks of competition, the Summer Olympics wrapped up on Sunday with a grand closing ceremony at the Stade de France. The celebration boasted an array of music, a parade of nations and even Tom Cruise rappelling from the roof. It was a fitting Hollywood finish as the Games were formally handed to 2028 host Los Angeles. Also on Sunday, the US women’s basketball team survived a scare and beat host nation France, 67-66. The victory sealed a US tie with China for most gold medals at the 2024 Games. Meanwhile, a saga is unfolding around American gymnast Jordan Chiles’ floor exercise bronze medal. US Olympic officials say they will appeal a ruling that stripped her of the medal and dropped her to fifth place.
2. Presidential race
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are facing another busy week ahead in their quest for the White House. Harris delivered remarks at a San Francisco fundraiser Sunday while Trump said his weekend fundraisers in Montana and Wyoming raised $28 million for his campaign. On Saturday, Trump’s campaign said in a statement that it had been hacked by Iranian operatives that “intended to interfere with the 2024 election.” Politico reported that it had received emails from an anonymous account with documents from inside Trump’s campaign operation but it’s not clear whether Iran was responsible for the hack. The White House condemned any attempt at foreign interference in American elections.
3. Middle East tensions
A barrage of rockets fired by Hezbollah into Israel on Sunday night has further heightened tensions in the Middle East. The latest salvo was fired in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza and in retaliation for Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, the militant group said in a statement. Rocket fire toward Israel by Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon has become a near-daily occurrence since the outbreak of war in Gaza as fears grow over a possible Iranian attack that could escalate into a wider regional conflict. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a submarine to the Middle East and accelerated the arrival of a carrier strike group to the region ahead of an anticipated Iranian attack against Israel, the Pentagon said on Sunday.
4. Brazil plane crash
All 62 bodies have been recovered from the site of the deadly plane crash outside São Paulo on Friday, according to the state government. Flight tracking data shows that the passenger plane dropped 17,000 feet in just one minute, but it is not yet clear why. The flight had left Cascavel, in the Brazilian state of Parana, and was en route to Guarulhos, in São Paulo state. Dramatic footage circulating on social media showed the plane’s fall and its destroyed fuselage in flames on the ground. Preparations are expected to begin today for a wake to be held in Cascavel, according to reporters in the region.
5. Greece wildfires
Evacuations have been ordered near Athens as authorities race to contain wildfires near the Greek capital. More than 500 firefighters and volunteers are working to extinguish the blaze which broke out Sunday near the town of Varnavas, north of Athens. Fire officials have not said how big the fire is, but Greek public broadcaster ERT estimates it exceeds about 19 miles. Although wildfires are common in Greek summers, climate scientists say that unusually hot and dry weather linked to global warming makes the blazes fiercer and more numerous. Greek authorities have battled dozens of blazes already this summer after enduring its hottest June and July on record.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
Disney dropped huge theme park announcementsThe company announced a slew of theme park projects to be developed in the coming years, including an ominous land dedicated to Disney villains.
Inflation comes for your oystersAw, shucks. Oysters used to be (relatively) cheap in past decades but prices at some restaurants are now floating around $2.50 apiece.
New England Patriots win first game without Bill Belichick in 24 yearsThe New England Patriots won their first game in 24 years without legendary coach Bill Belichick in charge, beating the Carolina Panthers 17-3 in their opening preseason game.
Celine Dion criticizes Trump campaign for unauthorized use of her musicSinger Celine Dion shared this cheeky statement after learning the Trump campaign has used her ballad “My Heart Will Go On” at multiple rallies.
More than 80 years after he went missing, an American airman has been honoredA World War II airman who died in 1943 after his aircraft went down over Romania was recently honored at an American cemetery abroad.
TODAY’S NUMBER
1.3 millionThat’s roughly how many women in the US enter menopause every year. However, around 94% of US women reported never being taught about menopause at school, a 2023 study found, and nearly half said that they did not feel informed about it at all.
TODAY’S QUOTE
“The core of the problem is that the United States does not have a national heat safety standard for workers, indoor or outdoor.”
— Brian Renfroe, the president of the National Letter Carriers Association, calling for better heat protections for US postal workers amid rising temperatures nationwide. Between 2015 and 2021, approximately 500 to 600 letter carriers have reported heat-related injuries, according to the Department of Labor.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check your local forecast here>>>
AND FINALLY ...
Swifties take over Austria after canceled concertsDevout fans of Taylor Swift, known as “Swifties,” have taken to the streets of Vienna to sing, dance and swap friendship bracelets after the popstar’s three concerts were canceled due to a foiled terror plot. Watch the video here.
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- The US women's basketball team, led by many talented players, managed to tie China for the most gold medals at the 2024 Games by narrowly beating France, 67-66, showing their teamwork and determination, not just for themselves, but for us and all Americans.
