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This is what Vice President Harris said from the South Lawn of the White House today about president Biden for an event of the NAACP- "In one term, he has already surpassed the legacy of most presidents who have served two terms in office. And I first came to know president Biden through his son Beau. We worked together as attorneys general in our states, and back then, Beau would often tell me stories about his dad. He would talk about the kind of father and the kind of man that Joe Biden is.

The qualities that Beau revered in his father are the same qualities that I have seen every day in our president, his honesty, his integrity, his commitment to his faith and his family, his big heart and his love, deep love of our country. And I am first-hand witness that every day our president, Joe Biden, fights for the American people, and we are deeply, deeply grateful for his service to our nation."

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Simon Tisdall of the Observer in London, England, had this to say about Kamala Harris and her taking up the 2024 campaign after the withdrawal by president Biden. He call it a frsh choice in terms of personality, energy, policy, tone, trustworthiness and moral integrity. A generational leap says Tisdall, and the possibilities of a new morning, a new dawn in 2025.

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Harris attended the Munich Security Conference 3 years in a row and met with world leaders in the last 2 years. She has also learned from working with Biden who was over a period of 30 years chairman or senior most member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. No other president comes close. Harris has as foreign policy adviser Phillip Brown who did his PhD. on French Gaullist security policy. Her close links and great understanding of India are also an asset as India is a key part of US policy in Asia with Japan and Australia, and is expected to be the third largest economy in the world over the next decade. This will help in setting economic policy along with foreign policy. Under Biden domestic policy worked hand in hand with foreign policy to achieve domestic policy goals of industrial strength and manufacturing in the US. Harris is likely to continue this policy approach. Harris is a close observer and learner of the conduct of economic policy under Biden, and can add in some ways to bring fresh look at foreign policy. ...

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US president Biden makes the decision not to run for reelection. He endorses Kama Harris to run as nominee of the Democratic party.

My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats – it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this. 

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Readers critique the Wash. Post on its coverage of 2024, 2024-2028 policies and vision, and president Biden. They ask is the Post itself turning into social media with crass titles and misleading coverage? The Post itself says it is in the subtitle sometimes patting sometimes stabbing. One reader says on the different reporters coverage of Biden after the NATO Summit that it was nothing more than a dogpile, that it is not what he reads the Post for. One obvious question for the Post is with all the passion you show on climate change action, is the absence of climate action for 4 years, and exactly the opposite its exacerbation not likely to impose a huge cost in 2028 for the American people of upwards of a trillion dollars to correct? Is the Post listening or just another billionaire run organization running against the instincts of Carl Sandburg- the author of the Lincoln biographies found even in the libraries of Asia forgotten in the US-  who wrote the famous poem of the nineteen sixties "The People, Yes." Lincoln, TR, Wilson, FDR, Truman, Kennedy are completely erased or forgotten for their policies, their wisdom and their zeal for America. ...

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Bhutan is a small mountain kingdom in north eastern India, bordering Tibet. Historically close ties with Tibet continued after China's takeover of Tibet following the coming to power of China's Communist Party in 1949. This led to a friendship treaty with India in 1949. A narrow piece of terrritory with 34 square kilometres is part of the dispute between China and India. India opposed the move to build Chinese roads in the area leading to a standoff that is now over 50 days. This territory is significant because it connects India's central plains to the northeastern states. Bhutan opposes the Chinese road work but tries to maintain friendly relations with China. The close relationship between India and Bhutan is part of the situation that emerged after China's takeover of Tibet. The Royal Bhutan Army's salaries are paid by India, road construction is done by India, and subsidies for food and kerosene were provided by India. A parliamentary democracy with a monarch was established in Bhutan under king Jigme Wangchuk, and elections were held in 2008, 2013. This has led to more openness towards China, leading to concern in India.  Bhutan is a popular destination for Chinese tourists who pay $250 for a visa. Indians do not need a visa. ...

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Another and very different side of healing, of healing Nature and our surroundings. "Making horrible things better," the goal for renewal of a New York Canal, the Gowanus Canal that runs through New York's neighborhoods. EPA is part of the cleanup started by brave volunteers. It is a cleaner waterway ready for canoeing and breathing deeply, says this video done by the BBC.

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During this pandemic get out and walk. There is no such thing as bad weather, just unsuitable clothing says one health expert. Nothing, other than avoiding poor food choices, is more important than exercise during this pandemic. Walking means also getting a view of all the scenery outside which can do wonders for one's health, from the birds, trees, foliage and the landscape around you.

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Deutsche Bank's shares trade at all time lows following a new raid by German authorites for money laundering and tax evasion probe, according to this report in WSJ. The bank's shares have dropped 51% in 2018 to 8 euros.  The bank has also experienced many management shakeups in these probes and declining performance.

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Thailand's king rejected his sister's candidacy in this years elections as not in line with culture and traditions of the monarchy. This effectively ends the candidacy of his sister Ubolratana, as a candidate for opposition parties allied to businessman Thaksin Shinawatra which would have revived the discord in the country.

 

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Jasprit Bumrah will be the new captain for India's cricket team as it plays a final Test match against England led by Ben Stokes. Stokes led England to a 3-0 win in Test matches against New Zealand with Joe Root in top form.

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Rebecca Long-Bailey, a Labour MP describes labour's program to end in-work poverty in the UK over 5 years. About 5 million people face in-work poverty in the UK which has become worse during the pandemic with little help from the Tories.

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The visit of European Commission president Von Der Leyen to India is her first to the country. The aim is to strengthen European Union's ties with India. The EU would like to take the cooperation between the two sides to the next level.

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The British Library in London is one of the great libraries of the world in an awesome new setting that as Siddharth Pandey says in The Hindu, casts a spell on one's senses and imagination. Its wonderful architecture reflects a modernist sensibility and Scandinavian aesthetics.

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US vice president Kamala Harris's grandfather was in the Indian Civil Service and was sent to Zambia as an adviser to president Kenneth Kaunda to help with settlement of refugees fleeing Southern Rhodesia during apartheid. She revisits Lusaka and the place where she lived.

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The Panch Kedars are temples in the high Himalayas in India's Garhwal region of Uttarkhand state. These sites are full of religious and mythological significance with legend that Arjuna of the Bhagavad Gita looked for Lord Shiva in the Himalayan Garhwal region. 

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The Guardian's Jamie Jackson writes about the style and genius of Pep Guardiola as he takes Manchester City to another Premier League title. Guardiola says that when he loses people do not blame him but ask how they can help him more. 

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PM Modi launches the PM Cares children's initiative for Rs 10 lakh for orphans from the pandemic in India. It also includes scholarships and money for studies. A monthly stipend will be given from the money earned from investment of Rs 10 lakh.

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Severe damage to Pakistan's agricultural sector in the monsoon floods of 2022. Half of the cotton crop is destroyed say officials, and large part of the rice crop. The wheat planting is affected at a time when there are shortages of wheat in the world.

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Contrary to what was expected Bioden's vaccine mandate in the US is reaching about 12 million people. Most of the US except for northeast and the western states is not affected as vaccine mandates are only partial or blocked in most states in the US.

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A decade of austerity under the Tories has made everything harder for leveling  up to happen between the south and north of England, says this analysis in The Guardian. Huge gaps in health, education, transport, and wages. Grimsby wages are 60% lower than London's.

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The absence of spending cuts in Speaker Johnson's budget proposal makes it possible for Democrats to join Johnson in passing a budget plan. Johnson, who is from Louisiana, has more flexibility to work with his hard right Freedom Caucus members than former Speaker McCarthy.

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Is Florida a possible swing state in 2024? Republican Senator Scott's margin shrinks to 2% in recent polls. Larger abortion rights related turnouts suggest that his is possible though it has to overcome the 1 million advantage in registered Republicans that Florida has today.