We Live in Exciting Times.

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After a recent anomaly with the Falcon 9 rocket, SpaceX has been designated ready for launch by the FAA. The issue, caused by a liquid oxygen leak, prevented the deployment of 20 Starlink satellites. Despite previous incidents, the Falcon 9 has a successful track record with 364 launches, including missions for NASA to the ISS. The FAA found no public safety risks, allowing SpaceX to resume operations from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

President Joe Biden plans to address the nation from the Oval Office on Wednesday night. He will discuss his decision to withdraw from the presidential race and outline his plans for the final six months of his term. This includes campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris, who will hold her first rally in Milwaukee. Additionally, Biden will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is set to address a joint meeting of Congress. After recovering from COVID-19 at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Biden was treated with Paxlovid upon disembarking from Air Force One at Dover Air Force Base. His decision to withdraw came after facing doubts about his physical and mental fitness, and he has endorsed Harris as his successor. Despite facing pressure to abandon the race, Biden intends to return to campaigning. In his address, he will reflect on his presidency and the challenges that lie ahead for the American people. Meanwhile, Netanyahu's visit to the U.S. aims to secure support despite tensions between the U.S. and Israel due to the Gaza offensive. He plans to address Congress and is expected to meet with Biden and Harris.

Hunter Biden, the son of US President Joe Biden, has decided to drop his lawsuit against Fox News concerning the publication of explicit images in the streaming series 'The Trial of Hunter Biden'. The series, which included nude and sex act images, was perceived to violate New York's revenge porn law. Fox News countered the lawsuit, labeling it as 'politically motivated' and lacking in justification. Following pressure from Biden's legal team, the series was promptly removed from Fox Nation's streaming platform. Curiously, the lawsuit withdrawal coincided with President Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 White House race. Despite this development, Biden's lawyer has yet to provide any commentary on the dismissal.

Republican nominee Donald Trump held a fiery rally in Michigan, mocking Democratic President Joe Biden as a 'stupid' and 'low-IQ individual' and comparing former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to a 'dog'. Trump repeated false claims about the presidential election being rigged by Democrats and suggested they are allowing an 'invasion' over the US border. This rally marked Trump's return to the campaign trail after surviving an assassination attempt. He also touted his relationships with world leaders and called for a 'landslide that is too big to rig'. Trump denigrated Vice President Kamala Harris as 'crazy' as well. The event saw a mix of excitement, prayers, and confusion over Trump's new running mate JD Vance. Michigan Republican officials criticized Governor Gretchen Whitmer while Vance challenged Harris's record. Trump portrayed himself as a victim defending the country, with strong support from the crowd. The event featured music by Édith Piaf, Village People, and Kid Rock.

Donald Trump holds his first campaign appearance since the assassination attempt, while pressure on Joe Biden to drop out of the race increases. During the rally in Michigan, Trump promises to end the war in Ukraine if he returns to the White House. Over 30 members of the House and four Democratic Senators publicly call for Biden to withdraw. Silicon Valley investor Michael Moritz joins the calls and suspends his donations to the Democrats. Despite being diagnosed with Covid, Biden plans to resume his campaign next week. Trump's lead in the polls is narrowing as he benefits from Biden's weak position, with concerns over his age and mental fitness. Meanwhile, a ceremony in Berlin commemorates the failed assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler 80 years ago. The event sheds light on the often overlooked civilian involvement in the resistance movement. As for vacation plans, Germans are opting for classic Mediterranean destinations or seeking out alternative and adventurous options, such as space travel and polar cruises. CrowdStrike, an IT security provider, inadvertently caused worldwide chaos when a faulty software update crashed its clients' Windows computers. The incident may result in lawsuits and the search for alternative security options.

In his speech at the Republican Party convention, former US President Donald Trump pledged to end every international crisis if he returned to the White House. He blamed the current government for conflicts around the world and vowed to restore peace, stability, and harmony globally. Trump also expressed his intention to build a missile defense system similar to Israel's Iron Dome. However, he did not provide details on how he would achieve these goals. Trump's remarks have raised questions about his strategy and the potential consequences. Critics argue that his violent rhetoric and populist approach could undermine the democratic process and create divisions within the US. They emphasize the importance of saving the American institution and restoring social and intellectual peace. Furthermore, Trump's statements have sparked concerns among smaller states and allies who fear being sacrificed for a grand bargain with China and Russia. This could lead to chaos and prompt countries to seek their own deals, potentially destabilizing regions like Asia. The situation in Taiwan exemplifies the complex dynamics at play, where fears of abandonment by the US have prompted some to consider direct deals with China. Overall, Trump's promises to end international crises have elicited both support and skepticism, highlighting the need for careful diplomacy and a focus on global security.

In his speech at the Republican National Convention, Donald Trump accepted the GOP nomination and addressed divisive rhetoric, world crises, and election fraud claims. He highlighted his survival of an assassination attempt and portrayed himself as messianic. Trump discussed undocumented immigration, lower crime rates, and linked a Hamas attack to Biden's Iran policy. He criticized Biden's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal and the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump emphasized his decision to leave his business to serve and referred to Nancy Pelosi as 'crazy'. He also emphasized his caring and family-oriented side. Despite efforts to portray him as inclusive, Trump's speech quickly turned into divisive rhetoric and attacks on Democrats. The speech focused on familiar us-versus-them themes, which may not win over undecided voters. Trump's speech also included baseless claims of election fraud and attacks on Democrats. He pledged to unite the country but devolved into attacking his political enemies and promising retribution. Overall, Trump's speech highlighted his determination and his belief that he is the one 'saving democracy' for the people, not the Democrats.

Peter Navarro, former Trump trade adviser, was released from prison after being held in contempt for his involvement in pressuring Pence and delaying the certification of Biden's victory. He spoke at the Republican National Convention, delivering a fiery speech that dehumanized undocumented immigrants and portrayed his sentence as martyrdom. Navarro was closely involved with Trump's attempts to remain in power and received a minute-long ovation from the crowd of delegates. Despite his release, Navarro continued to criticize the Democratic Party and the January 6 committee, refusing to betray Trump. He also expressed grievances against the justice department for separating him from his family, vowing that the American people will hold them accountable. Navarro's role in developing Trump's protectionist policies and managing COVID-19 supply chains, as well as his outspoken criticism of China, highlights his influence as an economist. His presence at the RNC underscores the ongoing support for Trump and the impact of his controversial policies.

According to US media reports, security for former President Donald Trump has been increased due to alleged intelligence of an Iranian murder plot against him. The reports state that there is no connection between the assassination attempt on Trump last weekend and the alleged Iranian plot. The US authorities received information from a 'human source' about the Iranian plan to assassinate Trump, prompting the Secret Service to increase security measures for him. The National Security Council of the US considers the Iranian threats against the former Trump administration a top priority. However, investigations into the recent assassination attempt in Pennsylvania have not revealed any connections between the shooter and any domestic or foreign accomplices. The Iranian government strongly denies these reports, calling them baseless and malicious. Despite the increased security measures, the shooting incident near Trump highlights the challenges faced by the Secret Service in protecting high-profile individuals. The alleged assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks, acted alone according to current findings. The incident has prompted President Joe Biden to order a comprehensive investigation into security measures at public events.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has slightly raised its estimate for GDP growth in the euro area in 2024, citing the good performance of the services sector and domestic consumption driven by wage increases. However, the IMF warns of risks such as inflation and protectionism. The organization states that global disinflation is slowing, indicating obstacles along the way. It also highlights the threat of a new protectionist outbreak fueled by this year's super-electoral cycle. While the growth forecast for Spain remains unchanged at 2.4%, expectations for the eurozone and China improve, but deteriorate slightly for the US and Japan. The IMF emphasizes the need to address inflation, which is being slowed down by services inflation and higher commodity prices. It warns that trade tensions and political uncertainty could lead to higher interest rates and cross-border spillover effects. The IMF recommends cautious monetary policies and fiscal adjustments for economies facing inflation risks, while urging progress in the fiscal adjustment process for economies experiencing easing prices. The organization advises countries to revitalize medium-term growth prospects by boosting labor supply and reducing inward-looking trade policies. It also calls for reducing the use of trade-distorting measures and strengthening the multilateral trading system. Germany and the UK face challenges such as industrial weakness and service sector inflation respectively, while Mexico and Argentina experience growth forecast reductions due to inflation and lower demand.

The US Secret Service is facing intense criticism and scrutiny after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Experts are questioning how the shooter was able to go unnoticed on the factory roof from where he fired shots at Trump. It is being investigated whether there was a failure in communication between the Secret Service and the local police responsible for controlling the area adjacent to the security zone. President Joe Biden has ordered an independent investigation into the incident, and several Republicans in the House of Representatives are planning hearings. The attack marks a security failure, according to US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The Secret Service has pledged to cooperate fully with the investigation. Changes will be made to reinforce security measures for Trump's appearances at future events, including the Republican Party convention in Wisconsin. Questions are raised about the Secret Service's response time and their ability to eliminate lines of sight. There are concerns about the evacuation process and the exposure of Trump during the incident. The investigation will seek to understand what went wrong and prevent similar incidents in the future. The Secret Service relies on collaboration with local law enforcement, and the variation in training and professionalism among different agencies may have contributed to the security breach. The agency is facing pressure to explain why the building used by the gunman was outside its security perimeter. The Secret Service director, Kimberly Cheatle, has taken responsibility for the incident but refused to resign, emphasizing that the focus is on people's safety. The Secret Service's cooperation in the investigation is crucial, and President Biden's review of security measures will further shed light on the incident.