News Flash: Monday’s Highlights

US NEWS

Archer-Daniels-Midland Explosion: An explosion at Archer-Daniels-Midland's Decatur facility resulted in significant damage, prompting an investigation into the cause. No casualties have been reported so far​.

Severe Heat Wave in the Midwest: A severe heat wave is sweeping through the Midwest, with temperatures reaching over 100°F in several states. Authorities have issued heat advisories and are urging residents to stay hydrated and indoors​.

New Species Discovered in Yellowstone: Scientists have discovered a new species of bacteria in Yellowstone National Park's geothermal features. This discovery could have significant implications for biotechnology and medicine​.

Record-Breaking Crowds at Comic-Con 2024: San Diego Comic-Con 2024 saw record-breaking attendance, with fans flocking to see exclusive previews and meet their favorite stars from upcoming films and TV shows​.

Advances in Alzheimer's Treatment: Researchers at a leading U.S. university announced a breakthrough in Alzheimer's treatment, showing promising results in early clinical trials of a new drug that could slow the progression of the disease​.

Major Airline Merger Approved: The merger between two major U.S. airlines received regulatory approval, creating one of the largest airlines in the world. The merger is expected to lead to more competitive pricing and expanded route options for travelers.

GLOBAL NEWS AND WORLD EVENTS

Japan Wins Men’s Gymnastics Team Gold at Paris Olympics: Japan clinched gold in the men’s gymnastics team event at the Paris Olympics, overcoming China in a nail-biting final rotation. This victory is Japan's first in the event in 12 years. The U.S. team won bronze, marking their first team medal since 2008, thanks to stellar performances from athletes like Brody Malone and Stephen Nedoroscik​.

UK Faces Economic Strain Amid Housing Crisis: The UK is experiencing a severe housing crisis with a significant drop in new housing starts. Developers caution that the situation may worsen before improving. The decline is attributed to regulatory challenges and economic uncertainties, which are expected to impact the broader economy and housing market stability​​.

Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Lebanon: In retaliation for a deadly attack in the Golan Heights, Israel conducted airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. This escalation in military activity has heightened tensions in the region, raising concerns about potential broader conflicts. The Israeli government has vowed to continue targeting threats along its northern border.

Australia's Retail Sales Data Expected to Impact AUD: Australia's retail sales data for July is expected to have a significant impact on the Australian Dollar (AUD). This data is crucial for assessing consumer spending and overall economic health. Analysts predict that strong retail sales could bolster the AUD, while weaker sales may prompt concerns about economic slowdown​.

B.C. Port Workers Return to Negotiations: Port workers in British Columbia have resumed negotiations after rejecting a mediated deal to end their labor dispute. The potential for further strikes looms, which could cause additional damage to the Canadian economy. The federal government is under pressure to intervene to prevent a prolonged disruption​​.

Mass Stabbing in the UK Claims Lives of Two Children: A tragic mass stabbing in the UK resulted in the deaths of two children. The suspect has been apprehended and is in custody. This shocking event has prompted a nationwide outcry and a thorough investigation to understand the motive and prevent future incidents of this nature​.

Plane Crash in Canada Kills Six: A small plane crash near Kananaskis Village, Alberta, has claimed the lives of six individuals. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating the incident to determine the cause. The crash has sparked concerns about aviation safety and prompted calls for a review of flight regulations​.

BUSINESS AND FINANCE

Microsoft Reports Strong Q2 Earnings: Microsoft announced robust Q2 earnings, driven by cloud computing and AI advancements. Revenue increased by 15%, beating Wall Street expectations and showcasing strong growth in its core business areas​.

Amazon Expands Drone Delivery Services: Amazon has expanded its drone delivery services to 20 new U.S. cities, aiming to streamline logistics, enhance customer satisfaction, and maintain its edge in the competitive e-commerce market​.

Tesla's New Battery Technology: Tesla unveiled a new battery technology expected to significantly extend the range of its electric vehicles. This innovation could potentially revolutionize the EV market by offering longer-lasting and more efficient batteries.

Apple Launches Financial Services Arm: Apple has officially launched its financial services arm, offering savings accounts and personal loans through its Apple Wallet app, marking a significant diversification of its business model​.

Pharma Companies React to Medicare Price Negotiations: Major pharmaceutical companies reported minimal impact from the U.S. government's initial drug price negotiations for Medicare, set to start in 2026, indicating a manageable transition to the new pricing model​.

Jio Financial Services Receives Approval for Expansion: Jio Financial Services has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India to become a core investment company, allowing it to expand its financial services offerings in the U.S., further integrating into the global market​.

Walmart's New Sustainability Initiative: Walmart announced a comprehensive sustainability initiative aimed at achieving zero carbon emissions across its supply chain by 2040. This move underscores the company's commitment to environmental responsibility​.

POLITICS

Kamala Harris’s Social Media Strategy Influences Campaign U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’s innovative social media strategy is significantly shaping her campaign, leveraging organic movements and engaging with a broad audience. This approach has enhanced her visibility and connection with voters, highlighting the growing importance of social media in modern political campaigns.

Biden Calls for Supreme Court Reforms: President Joe Biden proposed sweeping changes to the Supreme Court, including term limits for justices and an enforceable ethics code. He also suggested a constitutional amendment to ensure no immunity for crimes committed by former presidents​​.

Harris Leads in Key Swing State Polls: Vice President Kamala Harris leads former President Donald Trump in several key swing state polls, including Minnesota and Pennsylvania. However, the race remains tight, with some polls showing a narrow lead for Trump​.

Trump's Legal Battles and Campaign Finances: The Save America political action committee reported a significant reduction in legal expenses for Donald Trump, paying $827,000 in June. This marks the first major dip in his legal bills since the start of his various trials .

Biden Endorses Harris for Democratic Nomination: President Biden announced he will not seek reelection and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate for the 2024 presidential election, signaling a major shift in the Democratic campaign strategy​.

Supreme Court Ruling on Presidential Immunity: The Supreme Court ruled that presidents have immunity from criminal prosecution for actions related to core constitutional duties, a decision that has sparked significant debate and calls for legislative reform​​.

Democratic Party's Strategy for 2024 Elections: The Democratic Party is focusing on key battleground states and leveraging the endorsement of Biden for Harris to consolidate support and counteract the close poll numbers against Trump​.

SPORTS

U.S. Men's Gymnastics Team Wins Bronze at Olympics: The U.S. men's gymnastics team ended a 16-year medal drought by securing bronze at the Paris Olympics, with standout performances by Brody Malone and Stephen Nedoroscik​.

American Skateboarders Shine in Paris: Jagger Eaton and Nyjah Huston claimed silver and bronze, respectively, in the men's street skateboarding event, while Japan’s Yuto Horigome won gold​.

Katie Grimes and Ryan Murphy Medal in Swimming: American swimmer Katie Grimes took silver in the 400-meter individual medley, while Ryan Murphy won bronze in the men's 100-meter backstroke​.

U.S. Women's Water Polo Team Defeated by Spain: In a rare loss, the U.S. women’s water polo team fell 13-11 to Spain in a rematch of the Tokyo Games final​​.

NFL Training Camps Open: NFL teams, including the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions, have opened their training camps, with key players reporting and preparations for the upcoming season in full swing​​.

ENTERTAINMENT

Actress Erica Ash Passes Away: Erica Ash, known for her roles in Scary Movie and Survivor's Remorse, has died at 46 after a long battle with cancer. Her family has requested donations to cancer foundations in her memory​.

Big Brother Controversy: Big Brother contestant Angela Murray faced backlash for her behavior on the show but has retained her job despite fan outrage. Her employer supports her, emphasizing her role as a character on the reality show​.

Police Arrest Suspects in Rapper Foolio's Murder: Tampa police have arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of rapper Julio Foolio. Authorities are closing in on two more suspects involved in the case​​.

Sofia Vergara Makes Emmy History: Sofia Vergara has made history by becoming the first Latina nominated for Lead Actress in a Limited Series for her role in Netflix’s Griselda​​.

Comic-Con Highlights: At the 2024 Comic-Con, Robert Downey Jr. surprised fans by announcing his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Doom. The event also featured a special appearance by Jennifer Garner and Channing Tatum, who thrilled fans with their performances​.