Biden 2024 Bid, Harry Belafonte, and the Tully Monster

Biden Reelection Bid

President Joe Biden formally announced yesterday he would run for reelection in 2024, ending months of speculation over his plans. 

The decision sets up a potential rematch of the 2020 election between Biden and former President Donald Trump. Analysts say Biden's run will likely keep major Democratic challengers from entering the race, while a number of GOP candidates have declared thus far. Current polling shows Trump far ahead of the Republican primary field, including against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has not yet formally declared his candidacy.

Biden's bid also comes amid polls showing dampened public enthusiasm for a rematch between the two after a contentious 2020 race. Less than 50% of voters signaled they wanted either candidate to run—43% for Biden, 49% for Trump (see questions 7 and 8 here)—while almost 40% said they feel "exhausted" over the possibility. Biden and Trump will be 81 and 78 years old, respectively, by next year's election.

See who has officially declared for the 2024 race here.

Sudan Health Lab Seized

The World Health Organization yesterday warned of a high risk of a biological hazard in Sudan's capital of Khartoum after a national health lab was seized by one of two parties fighting for control of the city. The lab, located outside of the Sudan military's headquarters and near the center of Khartoum, holds samples of a range of diseases, including measles, polio, and cholera. It's unclear which party has captured the facility. 

At least 459 people have been killed and over 4,000 injured since fighting began 11 days ago in the North African country between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the opposing Rapid Support Forces (see overview). Thousands of Sudanese citizens have fled from the violence into neighboring nations, including roughly 20,000 to Chad. The UN refugee agency expects up to 270,000 people to flee to Chad and South Sudan—two of Sudan's seven neighbors. 

Governments continued to evacuate foreign nationals as fighting carried on despite a 72-hour cease-fire brokered by the US and Saudi Arabia. See evacuation efforts here. 

RIP 'King of Calypso'

Harry Belafonte, the Grammy-winning Caribbean-American folk singer and civil rights activist who became one of the first leading Black actors in Hollywood, died early yesterday of congestive heart failure in Manhattan. He was 96. 

Born in Harlem in 1927 to Caribbean parents, Belafonte would serve in the US Navy during World War II before gaining popularity singing in New York jazz clubs and stage-acting. His 1956 album "Calypso"—featuring Caribbean folk hits "Day-O" and "Jamaica Farewell"—became the first album to sell more than 1 million copies, launching his music career into film and TV. His 1959 TV special "Tonight with Belafonte" would earn him an Emmy—the first for a Black performer.

Beyond entertainment, Belafonte was an outspoken civil rights activist for seven decades, both in the US and abroad, including as a confidant and financial sponsor for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. See his life in photos here.

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