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Today’s headlines
As Congress returns from recess today, Democrats will have a tough family conversation. Four senior House Democrats said in private calls yesterday that they believe President Biden should drop out of the 2024 race. Others have publicly criticized those calling for Biden to step down. Meanwhile, Biden campaigned in Pennsylvania yesterday like a man on a mission.
Democrats from across the country are weighing whether President Joe Biden should remain their party’s presidential nominee.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images/AFP
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Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images/AFP
- 🎧 NPR’s Tamara Keith tells the story first up ‘The whole point’ of Biden’s campaign Pennsylvania “seems to be showing his critics that he has the stamina to defeat Trump.” She added that many House members are taking cues from top leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, but they haven’t shown their cards yet.
- ➡️ To quell concerns about his ability to hold on to the job for another four years Biden was interviewed by ABC’s George Stephanopoulos after a poor performance in last month’s debate. Here are six takeaways from their conversation.
- ➡️ Vice President Kamala Harris is top choice to replace Biden if he drops out of the race, according to current and former Democratic leaders. Even if he remains in office, she will come under intense scrutiny.
- ➡️ Who is supporting Biden? Who wants him to step down? Follow NPR’s lead.
Boeing agrees to plead guilty to criminal fraud charges The U.S. Justice Department said in a court filing on Sunday that the incident stemmed from two fatal 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019. As part of the plea agreement, Boeing will pay a $243.6 million fine, invest more than $450 million in safety and compliance programs and serve three years of probation.
- 🎧 Families of accident victims hate deal NPR’s Joel Ross reports. They called it “a sweet deal for Boeing.” They urged a federal judge to block the deal. Many want company leaders to be subject to larger fines and take personal responsibility. Ross added that federal law enforcement is separately investigating an incident in January when a door jam blew off a Boeing plane operated by Alaska Airlines mid-flight.
France’s far-right party fails to gain majority It comes after a record number of voters took part in the country’s snap elections. The country’s turnout was 67%.
- 🎧 NPR’s Eleanor Beardsley describes it as “a huge surprise and a big upset.” For far-right parties. Voters told her they were scared when the far right took the lead after the first round of voting last week. Beardsley reported that at a rally in Paris, left-wing voters were “excited” after the results were announced. But looking ahead, she predicts “serious political chaos.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s center and far left have worked together to defeat the right, but Beardsley said they don’t have much in common.
- ➡️ NPR’s international correspondents will cover major elections Year round from all over the world. Track them here.
Beryl made landfall in Texas this morning Category 1 hurricane, The National Hurricane Center said in an update issued at 5 a.m. ET. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said yesterday that more than 100 counties have declared a state of disaster and more may be added. More than 2,500 rescue workers have been dispatched across the state.
life advice
If you order more food than someone else, how do you split the bill? Chef and author Kiki Aranita offers advice.
Malaqa Gharib/NPR
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Malaika Gharib/NPR
Dining out with friends is all fun and games until it’s time to check out. Splitting the bill is an art. new york magazine Food editor Kiki Aranita said that after the meal, “there should be a sense of equality in how the check is divided.” She offers advice on how to keep things “fair and equitable”:
- 🧾 If you are late and everyone has already placed their order For appetizers and drinks, please consider telling your server that you would like your food and drinks to be checked separately.
- 🧾 If you didn’t order a drink, speak up Everyone else did. Your friend will most likely reconfigure the bill more fairly.
- 🧾 Make your server life easier If you are a large group, you can start by saving on one or two credit cards and then pay each other off.
- 🧾 Make sure everyone is on the same page Before you order appetizers for the table.
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Bolivian female skateboarders show off their halfpipe skills in traditional clothing.
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Indigenous art and culture from across Latin America are on display at this year’s Smithsonian Folklife Festival. From an all-female Bolivian skateboard team to artists who sing, paint and knit, people from across Latin America shared their stories and expertise with excited onlookers, such as 2-year-old first-time skateboarder Poppy Moore. One of the artists the NPR team met with was Ubaldo Sanchez from Guatemala. His portrait of former President Obama was selected for the White House collection, and he successfully painted a giant kite before the festival ended.
📷 View photos from the festival Learn about Sanchez’s special connection with NPR’s Marc Silver.
3 things you need to know before you go
Jennifer Privett takes her Himalayan cat, Jean Claude, for a walk in San Francisco.
Chloe Veltman/NPR
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Chloe Veltman/NPR
- Whether cats should be allowed to roam freely outdoors is a controversial topic in the United States. Some cat owners (including me!) solve this problem by taking their furry friends for walks.
- Companies like Walmart and McDonald’s are changing the way they think about higher education Convince schools to allow employees to earn college credit for what they learn on the job.
- In 2020, Anji Zhao was only 10 years old when she participated in the piano competition for the first time. Before performing, she begins to doubt herself until her unsung hero, a competitor, gives her the “precious gift” of a kind smile.
The editor of this newsletter is Majeed Wahidi. Anandita Ballaro Made a contribution.
