5 vital stories to know this week [7/28]
From Kamala Harris choosing her running mate, to California removing encampments for unhoused people, here are five stories to know this week.
Netanyahu speaks before US Congress, as thousands protest outside Capitol
Thousands of people protested outside Capitol Hill on Wednesday, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered an address to Congress, where he justified his country’s war in Gaza, which has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The previous day, 400 Jewish activists, including over a dozen rabbis, were arrested or detained during a sit-in inside the Capitol to protest Netanyahu's visit and to demand an immediate U.S. weapons embargo on Israel. The protest was organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, among other groups.
Context: In May, the International Court of Justice issued arrest warrants for the Israeli PM, along with Hamas leaders, citing Israel’s brutal military campaign on Gaza, which they also deem a plausible genocide.
Kamala Harris looks to pick Vice President
Now that Kamala Harris officially has enough delegates to secure the Democratic nomination, she is looking for a Vice President to join her ticket. According to MSNBC, the Harris campaign has narrowed it down to a few potential candidates, including Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Each candidate brings likability and energy to their respective constituents, along with adding a key swing state, according to political pundits.
Our Guess: Mark Kelly of Arizona because of his strong stance on gun control and immigration. He is also a former astronaut.
‘Double standards, selective morality’: Olympics under scrutiny for conflicting stance on Russia, Israel
The 2024 Olympics officially began this weekend in Paris, France with countries all over the world competing for a chance at a medal, including those engaged in war, such as Russia, Ukraine, Palestine, and Israel.
However, Russian athletes, whose country’s military siege on Ukraine has killed 11,000 civilians over the past two years, have to play under a neutral title and flag as Russia has been banned from playing due to their country's aggression on Ukraine.
Yet, critics were quick to point out how Israel has had no restrictions despite their bombardment of Gaza killing over 40,000 people in just 10 months. In fact, the Israeli flag bearer signed bombs aimed at Gaza, which the International Court of Justice has deemed a plausible genocide.
Vance responds to 'childless cat ladies' backlash, claims Democrats are 'anti-family'
Republican Vice Presidential candidate Senator JD Vance went on the "Megyn Kelly Show" podcast Friday to defend his past remarks where he questioned Democratic leaders—including Vice President Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, for not having biological children, referring to them as "childless cat ladies."
Vance made the comments in 2021, but they have recently resurfaced after former First Lady Hillary Clinton shared a clip of the comments on X earlier this week.
"We are effectively run in this country via the Democrats, via our corporate oligarchs, by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they've made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too," Vance said in the 2021 Fox News interview.
Gavin Newsom orders state agencies to move unhoused people out of camps
California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered state agencies to adopt policies that would clear camps for unhoused people throughout California. This comes after the U.S. Supreme Court granted state and local authorities more power to clear encampments on public property.
“This executive order directs state agencies to move urgently to address dangerous encampments while supporting and assisting the individuals living in them — and provides guidance for cities and counties to do the same,” Newsom said in a news release. “The state has been hard at work to address this crisis on our streets. There are simply no more excuses. It’s time for everyone to do their part.”
Context: “California not only has the nation's largest number of homeless people, but one of its highest rates of homelessness vis-à-vis its overall population. The last official count found more than 181,000 Californians without homes, nearly a third of the nation's homeless population.” (CalMatters)