Saturday’s news: “Dow closes more than 450 points higher as Powell says Fed will cut rates soon”; “Democrats find confidence without complacency”; “By backing Trump, RFK Jr. betrays Kennedy legacy” (and his own stated values)

by Lowell

Here are some international, national and political headlines from Virginia and other media for Saturday, August 24th.

• UN chief urges more action on climate change at Pacific leaders’ summit
• Scientists are closely monitoring these 3 catastrophic climate change scenarios
• New study suggests climate change will make hail bigger and more expensive
• Major central banks are now aligned as Powell signals impending Fed rate cuts (“It marks the beginning of the end of an era of high borrowing costs as the global economy slips from the grip of post-Covid inflation.”)
• The next challenge for the West is the growing axis of autocracies (“Faced with the emerging partnership between four autocracies – Russia, China, Iran and North Korea – the United States and its allies are weighing whether to confront them all simultaneously or seek a compromise.”)
• Moscow and Kiev attack on anniversary of Ukrainian independence
• Ukraine uses Kursk success to pressure Biden to lift gun restrictions
• Satellite images show Ukraine’s increasing attacks on Russia
• Ukrainians flee Pokrovsk, once considered far from the front, as the Russians advance
• A small Gaza corridor becomes a new point of contention between Israel and Hamas
• Scoop: Biden urged Netanyahu to withdraw Israeli troops from part of Egypt-Gaza border
• Preparations for ceasefire talks progress: Dozens killed in attacks in southern Gaza
• In a grim Palestinian refugee community, people see hope in Hamas (Hamas is actually a complete disaster).
• AMLO warns “disrespectful” US ambassador against interference in Mexico
• Explosion outside French synagogue injures police officer
• Italian authorities launch manslaughter investigation after superyacht sinking
• India should consider banning microbeads in personal care products, say researchers
• Meta blocks more accounts of Iranian hackers targeting US election
• German police search for perpetrator of stabbing at festival with three dead
• USA to offer free Covid tests for home use again from the end of September
• Fed chief Powell announces interest rate cuts: “It is time to adjust policy”
• Dow closes more than 450 points higher as Powell signals impending Fed rate cuts: Live updates
• Markets are now wondering whether the Fed could cut interest rates by half a percentage point in September
• Texas and other GOP-led states sue over program granting legal status to immigrant spouses of U.S. citizens
• Judge blocks EPA from applying civil rights laws in pollution case (of course, these are right-leaning judges).
• Prepared Remarks: Acceptance Speech by Vice President Kamala Harris (“With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to put the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive struggles of the past behind us. A chance to forge a new path forward. Not as members of a party or faction, but as Americans.”)
• In Chicago, Democrats redefined what it means to be an American and then claimed it
• Harris campaign releases new ad to build on convention momentum
• DNC Day 4: After Kamala Harris’ acceptance speech, Democrats are no longer afraid of themselves (“This week here in Chicago, the Democratic Party has finally overcome not only the scarecrow fear of Trump, but also the identity crisis it has suffered since Reagan.”)
• Energy at the Democratic Party Convention and Harris’ winning streak make Republicans nervous
• There are two versions of masculinity on the 2024 ballot (Trump’s version is an extremely TOXIC masculinity. It should be rejected by everyone, especially men!)
• Joe Biden promised to be a bridge. The Democrats have finally made it to the other side. (“A new Democratic coalition emerged in Chicago.”)
• Democrats find confidence without complacency
• Harris and Walz travel to Georgia to further build congressional momentum
• A happy marriage at the DNC: coastal liberalism and prairie progressivism (“With different approaches, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz reinforce the same message.”)
• Donald Who? (“Kamala Harris leaves Democratic convention after upending political gravity”)
• Kamala Harris now looks pretty electable (“By winning over Democrats and swing voters, Harris is turning old arguments about whether women and people of color can beat Trump on their head.”)
• DNC ratings crush Trump as 29 million TV viewers watch Harris’ acceptance speech
• Harris focuses her message on the “care economy”
• Trump will lose. (Probably.)
• Video: UVA professor Larry Sabato says RFK Jr.’s announcement today “doesn’t matter… A network poll from a few days ago had him at just 2%.” (“Anyone who thinks they can just move that 2% to Trump’s column just because they support Trump doesn’t know anything about politics.”)
• Cheryl Hines comments on her husband RFK Jr.’s decision to drop out of the race, but does not mention his support for Trump
• Robert F. Kennedy suspends his independent presidential campaign and supports Trump
• RFK Jr.’s wildest campaign moments – from brain worms to barbecue dogs (RFK Jr. is completely insane and psychopathic.)
• How RFK Jr.’s career trajectory changed towards MAGA
• Kennedy family members condemn RFK Jr.’s support for Trump
• RFK Jr. sold me Coke at Harvard, claims bestselling author
• How much of a boost will Trump get from RFK Jr.’s support? (“Polls show Kennedy supporters only slightly favor the former president.”)
• Kennedy siblings criticize RFK Jr. for his support for Trump: “A betrayal” of family values
• By supporting Trump, RFK Jr. is betraying Kennedy’s legacy
• DNC unveils billboards calling Trump, Vance and RFK Jr. ‘weird as hell’
• Trump is angry when Fox News asks about Harris’ momentum after the DNC
• Fox interrupts Trump’s tirade and then scoffs: “He’s still talking!”
• White House lawyers who advised Reagan and Bush back Harris in 2024 showdown against Trump
• Dissatisfied Republicans and former Trump officials spoke at the Democratic Party Convention. Fox News did not broadcast a second of their speeches.
• There’s a reason Adam Kinzinger defended Democrats’ patriotism
• Gus Walz’s proud sobbing moment is the most important TV moment of the year
• ‘More than bad taste’: Disability rights activists condemn ableist Gus Walz’s backlash (“Neurodiversity and disability rights activists condemned bullying of Gus Walz for his emotionality”)
• Foo Fighters did not allow Donald Trump to use “My Hero” at the rally, but will donate all royalties to Harris campaign
• Trump’s shameful denigration of the US military
• Trump seeks easing of tension with Kemp after simmering feud
• Court rules: Cornel West may not be on the presidential ballot in Pennsylvania
• Trump-backed Republican from Alaska withdraws from race for U.S. House of Representatives after finishing third in primary
• Elon Musk’s lawyers quietly summon interest groups
• Oklahoma teachers told to use Bibles, schools face resistance as students return
• The FiveThirtyEight model gives Harris-Walz an 84/100 chance of winning Virginia. But of course, we should take NOTHING for granted—and instead work to destroy Trump here.
• Early voting begins in Virginia in a month. Here are the races we’re watching
• Rivals in the 7th District question each other’s transparency (classic “both sides”/false equivalence “reporting”)
• Graham: Ken Mitchell deserves your support in his campaign in the 6th District. Why doesn’t he get it? (Because unfortunately VA06 is a very “red” district…)
• Virginia Governor Youngkin’s voter purge sparks debate: Are non-citizens influencing the electoral process or making mistakes?
• Pope & Schapiro: Historic moments when Virginia was in the spotlight at the convention
• In Virginia, traffic fatalities have soared while traffic enforcement has waned, a report says (“More speeders and ‘less proactive’ police enforcement have contributed to a nearly 20% increase in traffic fatalities in the state of Virginia.”)
• Hampton Roads lawmakers comment on commission’s investigation into uprooting of black communities
• Vice Chairman of Smyth County School Board Arrested for Child Abuse
• Man accused of killing girlfriend’s parents found dead in Virginia jail cell (“Nicholas Giampa was found unconscious in his cell at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, authorities said. Police said they do not suspect foul play.”)
• Weather forecast for the Washington DC region: Temperatures rise ahead of the next heat wave