Deaths rise in Maui fires:Â At least 36 people have been killed as wildfires continue to ravage the Hawaiian Island of Maui. About 11,000 people were flown off the Island yesterday with the evacuations continuing today. Some people took refuge in the ocean and were rescued by the Coast Guard. The Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu was being set up to house some of the displaced people. Strong winds continue to help spread the flames.
Would-be Biden assassin was Trump supporter:Â The man who was shot and killed by FBI agents in Provo, Utah, apparently fired first when the agents tried to serve an arrest warrant and take him into custody. The man was wanted for threatening to assassinate President Biden during Biden’s visit to Utah yesterday. The man, Craig Robertson, had identified himself in internet posts as a “MAGA Trumper.” Preliminary investigation showed that he had a stockpile of guns, and was planning to wear a military camouflage suit. In addition to threatening to kill Biden, he had made death threats against Vice President Harris, New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI agents who had previously investigated him.
Ecuador candidate assassinated: A candidate for president in Ecuador was assassinated at a rally yesterday. Fernando Villavicencio had been campaigning on a platform to go after organized crime, which has been running rampant in the country. Ecuadorian President Lasso responded by declaring a 60-day state of emergency in the country and vowing to go after organized crime.
Trump pledges not to sign pledge:Â Donald Trump says he will refuse to sign a Republican loyalty pledge, which is a requirement to participate in Republican Presidential Primary debates. The pledge commits each candidate to supporting whomever receives the Republican nomination. Whether the party backs down and allows Trump to take part in debates without signing the pledge, or Trump backs down and signs, remains to be seen. So far Trump refused to say whether he will participate in the first debate scheduled for Aug. 23 in Milwaukee.
Inflation at 3.2%:Â The Consumer Price Index rose 0.2% in July on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The increase is the same as it was in June. Over the last 12 months, the all-items index, which measures inflation, increased 3.2% before seasonal adjustment. The cost of energy went down by more than 12% during the 12 months ending in July.
More Thomas gifts uncovered:Â ProPublica reported this morning that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas received more gifts from wealthy businessmen than had previously been uncovered. ProPublica found that Thomas had received at least 38 destination vacations, including a previously unreported voyage on a yacht around the Bahamas, 26 private jet flights including sole use of a 737 airliner, eight helicopter flights, a dozen VIP passes to professional and college sporting events, and two stays at luxury resorts in Florida and Jamaica.
Robbie Robertson dies: Canadian-born musician Robbie Robertson passed away on Aug. 9 at the age of 80. Robertson gained prominence as the lead guitarist and singer with The Band, penning their classic songs including “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” and “Up on Cripple Creek” and later had success as a solor artist and as a film composer. His last project was the score to Martin Scorsese’s upcoming film “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
Cover photo by Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com / Wikimedia Commons
