One Man Race 🗽

Where news meets rational thinking

Good morning, It’s Tuesday, July 16th. In today’s news, sources say Biden is going to withdraw from the presidential race this week, Liberals want a ‘protective zone’ for Canadian politicians, another Liberal cabinet shake-up is coming as Trudeau loyalist steps down, Riots escalate in troubled multi-ethnic suburb in England, and much more.

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Biden to Withdraw From Presidential Race Following Pressure from Democrat Kingpins: What’s Next?

Biden to Withdraw

Multiple sources have stated that Biden plans to announce his withdrawal from the nomination as early as this weekend, likely on Sunday, with Jon Meacham preparing the announcement remarks. Biden will not resign from the presidency and will not endorse Kamala Harris.

Pressure from the Party

Barack Obama has reportedly advised Joe Biden to reconsider his candidacy as the Democratic nominee while battling COVID. After Biden's poor debate performance, support from voters and party leaders has decreased. Obama initially defended Biden but has since remained silent, while the pressure for Biden to step down grows. Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer have also expressed doubts about Biden's ability to win against Trump.

This comes after several other Democrats have pushed Biden to step down along with other key figures like Michael Bloomberg, and George Clooney.

What Next?

Over the next 4 weeks, a mini-primary process is proposed to quickly introduce candidates to voters through a series of public events. This selection process must be completed before the convention. The Democratic National Convention, set for August 19-22 in Chicago, will be highly competitive as delegates choose a new nominee since President Biden did not endorse a successor.

Vice President Kamala Harris is considered the most likely replacement due to her position and campaign resources. She is already vetting at least three potential running mates, including Andy Beshear and possibly Josh Shapiro. Other potential Democratic nominees mentioned include Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer.

Notably, superdelegates will not be allowed to vote on the first ballot during the convention. A virtual roll call is planned for the first week of August to formalize the nominee. This story is still developing, and updates may follow.

Tiny Thought: What a wild month in American politics. I’m sure this is just a coincidence, but I find it a little odd that Biden is finally stepping down after a failed Trump assassination.

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Liberals MP Want 'Protective Zones' for Canadian Politicians

Former Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino is advocating for the creation of “protective zones” around political constituency offices to safeguard members of Parliament and their staff from increasing threats and harassment. Mendicino, a Toronto Liberal MP, proposes harsher criminal penalties for anyone who intimidates or harasses people within a 50 to 100-meter buffer zone.

Mendicino suggests these protective zones be outlined in regulations stemming from the newly passed foreign interference bill, which already includes measures to safeguard essential infrastructure. He emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced parliamentary security, noting that political violence is becoming a domestic issue in Canada.

In recent years, several MPs from various parties have experienced vandalism and threats, prompting increased security measures. Mendicino himself has faced numerous death threats and physical harassment, leading him and his staff to implement stricter appointment vetting processes. Other politicians, such as Housing Minister Sean Fraser and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, have also reported threats and increased security concerns.

While RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme has called for new laws to facilitate charging individuals who threaten elected officials, Justice Minister Arif Virani believes existing Criminal Code provisions are adequate. Mendicino insists that more resources are needed for the RCMP and local law enforcement and that social media companies must do more to curb online harassment.

Mendicino calls for politicians to collectively raise the standard of political debate, warning that failing to address these issues could lead to more political violence and deter good people from entering politics. He remains committed to advocating for measures to prevent such outcomes. More

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Trudeau Cabinet Shake-Up: O’Regan Steps Down as Liberals Seek to Improve Their Public Image

Trudeau Loyalist Steps Down

Minister of Labour and Seniors Seamus O’Regan announced he is stepping down from cabinet on Friday, leading to an imminent one-person cabinet shuffle in the Trudeau government. In a statement, O’Regan said he will not seek re-election but will continue to serve as MP for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl until the next general election, citing personal reasons for his decision.

O’Regan, a close friend of Trudeau, was first elected in 2015 and served in various cabinet roles, including veterans affairs, Indigenous affairs, natural resources, labour, and seniors. Despite overseeing significant accomplishments, he faced criticism for his role in a WestJet strike that disrupted travel plans.

O’Regan’s departure comes as the Liberals face challenges, and low poll numbers, trailing 20 points behind the Conservatives. More

New Cabinet, New Image

The Liberal cabinet is holding a virtual meeting on Friday to discuss "appointments," fueling speculation about a potential cabinet shuffle by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. This meeting occurs amid growing calls for Trudeau to resign following the party's defeat in the Toronto–St. Paul’s byelection, a loss seen as a sign of challenges in the upcoming federal election.

There are also rumours that former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney may join the Liberal ranks, possibly replacing Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.

Despite the Prime Minister’s Office denying reports of Freeland's potential demotion, pressure mounts on the Liberals to improve their public image. Prominent figures, including former B.C. premier Christy Clark and New Brunswick MP Wayne Long, have called for Trudeau to step down. An Ipsos poll showed that 68% of Canadians believe it is time for Trudeau to resign.

"This is as bad as we’ve seen it for Trudeau. It’s close to rock bottom," said Ipsos CEO Darrell Bricker. More

'Lawless' Leeds: Streets Have Been Set on Fire by Violent Thugs as Riots Continue in Troubled Multi-ethnic Suburb in England.

In Leeds' Harehills suburb, violent riots have erupted, causing severe chaos and forcing police to retreat. The unrest began when a dispute involving agency workers sparked outrage among local gangs. Protesters overturned a police car, smashed its windows, and threw objects at it, with some footage showing a child’s scooter being used to break the car’s windows.

The situation escalated as rioters set a double-decker bus on fire. Police, who initially returned to the scene, were again forced to flee as violence continued. Social media reports highlighted the severity of the situation, with comments describing Leeds as "lawless" and "burning."

Harehills, known for its diverse, multi-ethnic population, has a history of racial tensions and was previously the site of the 2001 Harehills Riot, which stemmed from the wrongful arrest of an Asian man. The area's high unemployment rates and significant immigrant population contribute to the ongoing unrest.

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Ursula von der Leyen Re-elected Amidst Opposition and Criticism

Ursula von der Leyen was re-elected to a second 5-year term as President of the European Commission with 401 votes in favour and 284 against. During the election, Polish MEP Ewa Zajączkowska-Hernik criticized her for failing to curb illegal migration. Von der Leyen received mixed reactions, with boos and cheers from the European Parliament. Zajączkowska’s right-wing group, Europe of Sovereign Nations, opposes EU policies on green issues and migration. Despite rising right-wing sentiment, von der Leyen vowed to combat extremism and uphold democratic values. More

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‘Major Damage’: Vandalism at Federal Immigration Minister’s Office in Montreal

Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller's Montreal office was vandalized overnight, with smashed windows and graffiti both outside and inside the office. The incident, which occurred in the Sud-Ouest borough, is being investigated by local police and the RCMP. Miller condemned the act as criminal and noted that no one was injured. The vandalism is believed to be connected to recent pro-Palestinian protests outside the office. Police are reviewing surveillance footage and collecting forensic evidence as part of their investigation. More

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Federal Appeals Court Blocks All Remaining Parts of SAVE Student Debt Relief Plan

A federal appeals court has issued an order that blocks all remaining parts of the federal government’s Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) student debt relief plan that wasn’t blocked by an earlier lower-court ruling. The appeals court ruling was handed down a day after President Joe Biden announced another $1.2 billion in debt forgiveness for 35,000 student borrowers. More

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Suicide Drone Factory Linked to Hezbollah Shut Down in Spain

Authorities in Spain shut down a drone factory allegedly run by members of Hezbollah on Thursday. The factory was responsible for manufacturing more than a thousand kamikaze drones that the group planned to use against Israel, according to Spanish authorities. More

Where Does Canada Rank in Work-life Balance Compared to Other Countries?

According to a new survey from global human resources company Remote, Canada ranks 5th in the Global Life-Work Index out of 60 countries. The survey highlights Canada's shorter average working weeks and its reputation as one of the safest and most 2SLGBTQI+ friendly countries. Canadians are seen as having a more balanced and inclusive work culture compared to their US neighbours. New Zealand tops the list with Ireland, Belgium and Denmark rounding out the top five.

Tiny Thought: I don’t particularly agree with this - How do you feel about Canada's work-life balance? (the comment section is open)

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Elon Musk Boasts 400,000 Canadian Customers Use Starlink Satellite Internet

Starlink, a division of SpaceX, now serves over 400,000 Canadian customers, covering remote and northern regions. The satellite internet service, which costs from $120 per month for residential use to $25,000 for commercial aviation, has been praised for providing high-speed internet in areas without fibre-optic access. Despite the benefits and praise, some Canadians express concerns about the cost and the impact of satellite emissions on the environment. More

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Ford Abandons EV Plans and Invests $2.3 Billion into Super Duty Trucks

Ford has shifted its focus from converting its Oakville plant to produce electric vehicles to investing $2.3 billion in building Super Duty trucks instead. This decision, which delays the EV plans until 2027, is expected to create around 2,000 jobs in Oakville and Windsor. The new Canadian plant will produce 100,000 Super Duty trucks annually, addressing high demand that current US plants can't meet. This move follows significant taxpayer subsidies and a growing disinterest among Canadians in electric vehicles. More

NASA Scraps Moon Rover Mission Dedicated to Searching for Water

NASA has cancelled its VIPER moon rover mission due to cost overruns and launch delays. The rover, designed to explore the moon's south pole, had already cost $450 million but will now be discontinued to save $84 million. The decision is driven by budget constraints that would affect other lunar missions. NASA plans to repurpose the rover's components for future projects. Astrobotic Technology, which was to provide the lander, will still launch its Griffin lander without the VIPER rover by the end of next year. This cancellation comes amid other NASA mission challenges and budget issues. More

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Multiple Moves During Childhood Increases the Risks of Depression Later in Life

A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that children who move frequently before age 15 are significantly more likely to develop depression later in life. Analyzing data from nearly 1.1 million people born in Denmark between 1981 and 2001, researchers found that moving once between ages 10 and 15 increases the risk of depression by 41% while moving twice or more raises the risk to about 61%. This effect is stronger than growing up in a deprived neighbourhood. The study highlights the importance of stable home environments for mental health and suggests that children in care or military families may need additional support to mitigate these risks.

British Open Round 1: World No. 273 Daniel Brown Takes the Lead

Daniel Brown made his major championship debut a memorable one. He birdied two of the last three holes for a 6-under 65, giving him a one-shot lead over Shane Lowry with just enough spectators left in the Scottish twilight to celebrate his amazing day.

It was getting too dark to take a photo of his name atop the leaderboard, however, that didn’t interest the 29-year-old from England, anyway. “I’m going to try and keep my feet on the ground a bit and take on the job again tomorrow,” Brown said.

Tiger Woods is in danger of missing his third major cut in a row after firing an 8-over 79. Bryson and Rory shot 5 and a 7-over respectively, while Justin Thomas and Shane Lowry closely trail Brown. More

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Comedy Legend Bob Newhart Dies at 94

Comedy legend, Bob Newhart, known for his deadpan humour and iconic TV roles, has passed away at 94. Newhart, whose career spanned over six decades, made history with his 1959 comedy album and starred in "The Bob Newhart Show" and "Newhart." He also won an Emmy for his role on "The Big Bang Theory" and will continue to charm us every Christmas with his performance in "Elf." More

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14-Year-Old Cavan Sullivan Becomes the Youngest-Ever to Play in Major League Soccer with Debut in Philadelphia

Fourteen-year-old Cavan Sullivan has made MLS history as the league's youngest-ever player. Sullivan debuted for the Philadelphia Union on July 17th against the New England Revolution, just after his twenty-year-old brother Quinn Sullivan scored a goal. Cavan, who joined the Union's youth academy in 2020, surpassed Freddy Adu's record for the youngest MLS debutant by two weeks. More

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Caitlin Clark Sets WNBA Single-game Assist Record as Indiana Fever Fall 101-93 to Dallas Wings

The WNBA rookie outdid herself again Wednesday, passing the WNBA single-game record for assists after earning a career-high 19 assists. With the performance, Clark also set a single-game rookie assist record, passing the 16 assists set by Tina Penicheiro in 1998. Additionally, Clark has broken the Fever's single-season franchise assist record with 202 in 26 games. More

Over a Dozen Students Hospitalized After Eating Ghost Pepper-Infused Chips - Fourteen high school students in Tokyo, Japan were recently hospitalized with stomach aches, nausea, and mouth pain after sharing a bag of potato chips infused with Bhut Jolokia peppers. The students ended up at the emergency room, treated for their mild symptoms, and released later that day.

Face of History’s ‘Cruelest Man’ Revealed for First Time in 440 Years - Scientists have put a face to a notorious name after digitally reconstructing the visage of one of history’s greatest monsters — Ivan the Terrible. The Russian despot died 440 years ago in 1584, following a reign of terror that saw the paranoid tyrant execute anyone he perceived to be disloyal. See Recreation Here

Man named Literally Anybody Else Running for President - A Texas man legally changed his name to Literally Anybody Else to apply for a particularly difficult-to-get job: President of the United States. The 35-year-old military veteran and middle school math teacher, formerly known as Dustin Ebey, said he is running for president to protest the current major-party candidates -- President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.