News
Biden Blames Jet Lag for Poor Debate Performance
President Joe Biden has attributed his poor debate performance last week to jet lag, admitting to reporters that he “wasn’t very smart” for “traveling around the world a couple of times” before the debate. “I didn’t listen to my staff… and then I nearly fell asleep on stage,” Biden, 81, said. He returned from travel on June 15, nearly two weeks ahead of the June 27 debate.
Biden’s remarks come amid intra-party panic about his mental fitness ahead of November’s election. This panic has been exacerbated by Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett, the first sitting Democratic lawmaker to call for Biden to step aside following the debate. “I am hopeful that he will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw,” Rep. Doggett said.
During a debate with former President Donald Trump last Thursday, Biden appeared to struggle through some responses. At a private fundraiser in Virginia on Tuesday evening, he called his travel an explanation, not an excuse, for his performance. He also apologized and emphasized the importance of winning re-election.
Last month, Biden made two trips to Europe. On June 15, he attended a fundraiser with former President Barack Obama after an overnight trip from Italy. He returned to Washington, DC, the following day. White House officials previously said he was battling a cold on the day of the debate, but the president did not mention any illness in his recent remarks.
Biden also spent six days at Camp David preparing for the debate. The New York Times reported that his days began at 11:00 each morning, with time allotted for napping, due to exhaustion from travel. His spokesman, Andrew Bates, said Biden started “working well before” 11:00, following his exercise routine.
Biden’s age has been a persistent issue this election, with multiple polls indicating voters think he is too old to be effective. He is the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee for the White House and has vowed to stay in the race despite the debate performance.
In his statement on Tuesday, Rep. Doggett, 77, said the debate solidified his decision to urge Biden to step aside. “Instead of reassuring voters, the President failed to effectively defend his many accomplishments and expose Trump’s many lies,” he said. Doggett emphasized the need for Biden to encourage a new generation of leaders.
Biden is set to give a primetime interview to ABC News’s George Stephanopoulos on Friday, his first since the debate. While some prominent Democratic lawmakers have voiced concerns about Biden’s age and stamina, none except Rep. Doggett has called for him to step aside. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congressman Jim Clyburn have reiterated their support for Biden, emphasizing that the decision to leave the race is the president’s alone.
In a devastating incident in eastern India, at least 46 people, including 37 children and seven women, have drowned while celebrating the Hindu Jivitputrika festival. The fatalities, which occurred across 15 districts within the past 24 hours, resulted from victims ritually bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent flooding.
The three-day festival, which honors children’s wellbeing, is traditionally marked by mothers fasting and families participating in ritual baths. This year, the swollen water bodies, exacerbated by recent floods, have turned the celebratory ritual into a deadly disaster.
Local disaster management officials have expressed fears that the death toll could rise further. State authorities have promised compensation for the families and relatives of the victims.
Fatal accidents during religious festivals are not uncommon in India, where large gatherings often take place with insufficient safety measures. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such gatherings, especially during adverse weather conditions.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted airstrikes in Beirut, reportedly killing Mohammad Hussein Surur, a senior Hezbollah air unit leader. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed two deaths and 15 injuries from the attack. The strikes come amid escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides exchanging fire throughout the night and into the morning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the IDF would continue to fight “with full force” against Hezbollah, aiming to dismantle the Iran-backed militant group. This marks a significant intensification of hostilities between the two sides, which have been exchanging rockets and airstrikes for days. The Lebanese health ministry also reported that 28 people were killed today by Israeli airstrikes.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched 80 missiles targeting northern Israeli cities, including Safed. Israeli authorities have reported no casualties but noted significant property damage in Safed and Rosh Pina.
Amid the intensifying conflict, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin renewed calls for a diplomatic solution. The U.S., along with 11 other allied nations, has urged both Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a ceasefire to prevent further escalation and civilian casualties.
Ferry travel between the Isle of Man and Lancashire continues to face disruption due to strong winds over the Irish Sea. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has cancelled Thursday’s 08:45 BST sailing of the Manxman to Heysham and its scheduled 14:15 return journey. This follows the cancellation of the vessel’s return trip from the Lancashire port on Wednesday evening.
The disruptions have affected postal services, with the Isle of Man Post Office reporting delays in deliveries from the UK. While local deliveries within the island remain unaffected, items posted on Wednesday for UK delivery may not reach Royal Mail’s network in time for Friday delivery.
Additionally, the ferry cancellations have caused a delay in newspaper deliveries, with no papers available on the island on Thursday, as confirmed by the island’s wholesale distributor.
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