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1 A Win...And A Loss For Biden Agenda As He Visits Saudis
Saudi Arabia is opening its airspace to Israeli aircraft. The dramatic change in policy is implied in a statement that's one of the first signs of a budding normalization process between the Kingdom and the Jewish State. While the statement didn't mention specifically mention Israel, President Biden is expected to provide details when he's in Jeddah today…and he’s already being credited with creating the atmosphere for such a shift. Biden is expected to announce the successful brokering of a complicated regional deal that will see Saudi Arabia take steps toward normalization with Israel. On the flip side, West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin has stymied the President’s domestic agenda. Manchin has apparently told Democratic leaders he didn't want to support a spending package that involved either climate provisions or new tax raises on corporations or wealthy people. The news likely ends any major climate legislation before the 2022 midterms.
2 New COVID Variant Causing Reinfections
Repeat COVID infections are becoming more commonplace, with some getting the virus three or even four times. Public health experts say this is due to a new variant, which is spreading quickly. Dr. Gerald Parker at Texas A&M says the worry is the cumulative effects of catching the virus multiple times. He worries that it will lead to higher cases of what is known as Long COVID, where patients struggle with symptoms long after testing negative. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky says full vaccinations and booster shots offer protections against severe infections and death. She noted too many Americans are "undervaccinated," sometimes only getting one shot in a two shot regimen.
3 Report: Trump's Thinking About Launching New Presidential Run In September
Former President Trump has decided if he’s taking another run for the White House…and that he’s just deciding when he plans to tell everyone else. “In my own mind, I’ve already made that decision,” he explains. “So nothing factors in anymore. In my own mind, I’ve already made that decision.” So what questions are left? The Washington Post says Trump has been talking with advisers about who should run his fourth presidential campaign. Some Republicans worry a Trump launch before November could distract from GOP efforts to retake the House and Senate in the midterm elections. Democrats believe an early Trump launch could help them in November.