Biden Exits Race, Middle East Tensions, and Portland Llamas

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Biden Bows Out

President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid yesterday, concluding a weekslong pressure campaign after last month’s presidential debate reignited concerns about his age and electability. Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him. 

The announcement frees almost 3,900 delegates—often party leaders and activists pledged to Biden through states' primary process—to back another candidate. If Harris wins the majority of the Democratic Party's almost 4,700 total delegate votes, she can immediately inherit the more than $240M raised by the Biden-Harris campaign. If another Democrat successfully challenges Harris, there would be restrictions on accessing those donations. Harris says she plans to "earn and win" the nomination; she has not yet announced her intended vice presidential pick.

Next, the Democratic candidate for president will be decided either through reviving the pre-1968 open convention process when the Democratic National Convention begins Aug. 19, or in a virtual roll call vote planned for early August. Party leaders are likely to work to finalize the Democratic ticket before Ohio's ballot deadline in August.

See live updates on the election here.

Houthi-Israeli Escalation

Israel's military said it intercepted a surface-to-surface missile from Yemen yesterday headed toward the southern Israeli city of Eilat, the latest attack from Houthi rebels in a dayslong escalation.

The announcement comes after an Israeli airstrike in Yemen's western port of Hodeidah Saturday killed at least three people and wounded 80 more. Israel says the attack was designed to disrupt the flow of Iranian weapons to the group, and comes in response to a drone attack by Houthis in Tel Aviv Friday, killing one person and wounding at least 10 others in the group's first direct strike against Israel. Houthis (more on the group here) have carried out over 80 attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea since Israel's campaign began in Gaza. See latest updates here.

Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lands today in the US before a scheduled meeting with President Biden tomorrow. He will address a joint session of Congress Wednesday.

Bid for Tagged Towers

A trio of unfinished skyscrapers that have become fixtures in downtown Los Angeles and gained global attention for their graffiti-covered façade may get a new lease on life after an unidentified bidder offered $500M for the properties.

Oceanwide Plaza, which sits across from the city’s convention center and Crypto.com Arena, was abandoned by its Chinese developer in 2019 and became a symbol of the postpandemic challenges faced by urban centers.       

The buildings gained global attention in December when graffiti artists broke into the tallest building. The effort triggered a flood of similar—albeit illegal—designs on more than two dozen floors, creating a prominent tapestry of spray-painted artwork. The buildings gained further scrutiny after daredevils base-jumped from the top floor in February (see video), while another performed a tightrope stunt in May. 

Analysts say the property needs $800M at a minimum to complete.

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The Scientific Way To Kick Your Cravings

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Akkermansia and Aging 

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*Study performed by the American Society for Microbiology.

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