Olympics attacks: Saboteurs today attacked France’s high-speed train lines in advance of the Olympics games opening. French officials say three high-speed train lines were hit while an attack on a fourth line was disrupted. Some trains were set on fire. The French have not identified the group or groups responsible for the attacks. They did say that the attacks were coordinated and designed to interrupt travel to the Olympics games but some trains have started running again.
Biden meets Netanyahu: President Biden met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House and they discussed developments in Gaza and the ongoing negotiations on the ceasefire and hostage release. Biden told Netanyahu that the deal needs to be finalized as soon as possible, the hostages brought home, and the war in Gaza ended. Biden also raised the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and expressed the need to remove any obstacles to the flow of aid, restore basic services and protect civilian lives during military operations. Â
Judge Engoron: Judge Arthur Engoron, who presided at the trial of Donald Trump on business fraud and convicted Trump and imposed a $454 million judgment, has ruled that he will not recuse himself from the case. Trump’s attorneys accused Engoron of having an inappropriate conversation about the case with a real estate attorney. Engoron said that he did not initiate the encounter with the attorney and that the attorney accosted him. Engoron also said that nothing that occurred influenced anything about the case.
Harris’ candidacy: Both Former President Barack Obama and Former First Lady Michelle Obama have endorsed Vice President Harris for president. The endorsement was made this morning in a video in which Harris talks with the Obamas in a phone call. The Obamas promise to do everything possible to ensure that Harris wins. The Democratic National Committee plans a virtual meeting of delegates for Aug. 7 during which it is expected that Harris and her vice presidential pick will formally be named to the Democratic Party’s ticket.
Russian inflation: Russia’s Central Bank today raised the country’s interest rates to 18% as inflation continues to rise in Russia. Russia’s economy has been hurt by inflation that’s forecast to reach 7% this year. The Central Bank is seeking to push interest rates high enough to slow economic activity and push inflation down to its target of 4%. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine has contributed to inflation, with almost 9% of the nation’s gross domestic product being spent on the military and the Russian government’s budget going up 50% in the last three years.
Drug arrests: Mexican drug lord El Mayo Zambada and another drug criminal, Guzman Lopez, son of the Mexican drug kingpin El Chapo were arrested by U.S. authorities when their private plane landed at a small airport near El Paso, Texas, yesterday. El Chapo is serving a life sentence in prison. The arrests were part of a joint investigation into drug operations by Homeland Security and the FBI. Zambada and Lopez were indicted for manufacturing fentanyl and smuggling the illicit drugs into the U.S.
