### Rep. Matt Gaetz Interrupts Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s CNN Interview with Heated Exchange: ‘What Night Are You Speaking?’

 

"McCarthy commented on the confrontation during an NBC News Now interview, stating, 'I think it shows exactly who Matt Gaetz is.' (Getty Images)"

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., video-bombed former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s interview on CNN during Tuesday evening’s Republican National Convention.

“What you’re seeing here is a more united Republican Party,” the former California representative told anchor Kaitlan Collins on the convention floor before Gaetz, his Republican political rival, interrupted the interview.

In a clip, McCarthy appeared to be discussing his ouster as speaker when Gaetz leaned into the frame.

“What night are you speaking? Are you speaking tonight?” Gaetz mocked.

“The person who raised the issue, he’s got an ethics complaint about paying, sleeping with a 17-year-old. That’s the way they would go, so that’s the biggest challenge we have,” McCarthy continued to Collins, referring to Gaetz while ignoring his taunts.

“If you took that stage you would get booed off of it,” Gaetz shot back.

When asked about the confrontation on NBC News Now, McCarthy responded, “I think it shows exactly who Matt Gaetz is.”

"Matt Gaetz trolls Kevin McCarthy at the Republican National Convention. (Source: CNN)"

"Well, it’s all about the ethics complaint he had four years ago regarding payments to an underage girl, which was brought to the House Ethics Committee,” McCarthy said. “He tried to leverage me to stop the investigation. That's illegal, and I'm not doing that, even if it costs me my job. He tried to exploit the fact that I kept the government open, and then made a motion to remove me."

"Everybody has different people in their party. Unfortunately, Matt happens to be one of ours. I think, at the end of the day, he probably shouldn’t be on the streets," McCarthy added.

Gaetz and McCarthy have had a notoriously tumultuous relationship, with Gaetz notably leading the effort to oust McCarthy as speaker while questioning his commitment to conservative principles.

In October, Gaetz filed a "motion to vacate," accusing McCarthy of poor leadership, cooperating with Democrats, and abandoning conservative ideals. The House voted 216-210 in favor of the motion, making it the first time in U.S. history that a sitting Speaker was removed by such a vote.

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**Shannen Doherty, Star of 'Beverly Hills, 90210' and 'Charmed,' Passes Away at 53**

 Shannen Doherty, Star of 'Beverly Hills, 90210' and 'Charmed,' Passes Away at 53.

Doherty's breakthrough came with her role in "Beverly Hills, 90210," a role that would define her career.

Shannen Doherty, who rose to fame as a child actor and became one of the biggest stars of the 1990s for her role in the high school drama “Beverly Hills, 90210,” passed away on Saturday after a prolonged battle with breast cancer.

“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease,” said her publicist, Leslie Sloane.

She Was 53

Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, and she went into remission two years later. Unfortunately, that remission was short-lived. In February 2020, court documents from a lawsuit Doherty filed against her insurance company over home damage revealed that she was "dying" of Stage 4 breast cancer, which had metastasized and become incurable.

“It’s a bitter pill to swallow in a lot of ways,” Doherty told "Good Morning America" at the time. “There are definitely days where I say, ‘Why me?’ And then I go, ‘Well, why not me? Who else besides me deserves this?’ None of us do.”

Shannen Doherty in a promotional photo for "Beverly Hills, 90210."

In June 2023, she shared an emotional post on Instagram, revealing that her cancer had spread to her brain at the beginning of the year.

"On January 5th, my scan showed metastases in my brain," Doherty captioned a video of her receiving radiation therapy.

"My fear is obvious. I am extremely claustrophobic, and there was a lot going on in my life,” said Doherty. “But that fear, the turmoil, the timing of it all—this is what cancer can look like.”

Born on April 12, 1971, in Memphis, Tennessee, Doherty grew up with a mother who owned a beauty salon and a father who worked in a bank. Her family moved to Los Angeles when she was seven, and by the age of 10, she had made her acting debut on the short-lived series “Father Murphy.”

Series producer Michael Landon noticed her talent and cast her on his hit show “Little House on the Prairie” the following year. She played Laura Ingalls Wilder’s adopted daughter for an 18-episode run.

This exposure led to a succession of roles, including a three-year stint (1986-88) on the Wilford Brimley family drama “Our House” as one of the leads and a starring role in the 1989 high school dark comedy “Heathers.”

Shannen Doherty, center, starred alongside Wilford Brimley in "Our House."

Her biggest break, however, came the following year with the arrival of "Beverly Hills, 90210," a role that would define her career. At just 19 years old, Shannen Doherty became a superstar in the early '90s, playing the straight-laced but short-tempered Brenda Walsh. The show quickly became a guilty pleasure for a generation.

However, things didn’t always go according to script for Doherty. She developed a reputation for being difficult to work with on set, reportedly feuding with cast and crew members, particularly co-star Jennie Garth. Headlines in celebrity magazines and reports on entertainment news shows made her as infamous as she was famous.

"She became a metaphorical reality-TV star before the concept even existed," said Robert Thompson, director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University. "It was as if the 'real' Shannen Doherty—emphasis on 'real'—had two parallel shows running simultaneously."

Doherty exited the series after its fourth season, while most of the other main cast members, including Garth, continued for another six seasons.

"Doherty reflected in 2008, 'The best thing that ever could have happened to me was I got off '90210' when I did. It allowed me to find some peace and discover my true self, away from the persona the press had constructed due to personal struggles. I was navigating difficult relationships under the spotlight, and I wasn't handling it well. I know that now.'"

"Following news of her death, Doherty's co-star Jason Priestley expressed sadness on social media, calling her 'a force of nature' whom he will miss."

Shannen Doherty's career saw a resurgence in the mid-decade with roles in director Kevin Smith’s R-rated comedy “Mallrats,” though it didn’t quite fulfill the promise of her earlier success. However, a pivotal moment came when she reunited with “90210” producer Aaron Spelling to star in the popular supernatural soap opera “Charmed,” alongside Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs. Playing a witch reignited her career, at least for the three seasons she stayed on before departing once more before the show’s end. She even directed three of the final episodes she appeared in.

After news of Doherty’s death, her “Charmed” co-star Milano released a statement: “It’s no secret that Shannen and I had a complicated relationship, but at its core was someone I deeply respected and admired. She was a talented actress, beloved by many, and the world is less without her. My condolences to all who loved her.”

In the early 21st century, Shannen Doherty transitioned from one short-lived television series to another. By 2006, she ventured into reality television with "Breaking Up With Shannen Doherty," a show where she assisted participants in ending toxic relationships—a topic she understood intimately, having gone through two divorces. Her first marriage to Ashley Hamilton, son of actor George Hamilton, ended in divorce just a year after their 1993 wedding. Her marriage to Rick Salomon was annulled in 2002, nine months after they wed. In April 2023, Doherty filed for divorce from her third husband, photographer Kurt Iswarienko, whom she married in 2011.

According to friends, Doherty's temperament reportedly mellowed as she grew older. She reprised her iconic role of Brenda Walsh twice: first with an extended guest appearance on the 2008 reboot of "90210," and later in a 2019 dramedy called "BH90210," where the original cast portrayed fictionalized versions of themselves attempting to revisit their beloved show.

Thompson reflected, "It's not just that she couldn't escape the gravitational pull of that role, but that she willingly returned to it time and again."

Sadly, she is the second major cast member from "Beverly Hills, 90210" to pass away prematurely; Luke Perry died in March 2019 due to complications from a stroke.

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"Dr. Ruth Westheimer, advocate for open discussion on sex in America, passes away at the age of 96"

 "Dr. Ruth Westheimer, advocate for open discussion on sex in America, passes away at the age of 96"

Dr. Ruth Westheimer engages in an "Ask Dr. Ruth" panel during the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour on February 11, 2019, in Pasadena, California. Westheimer passed away on Friday at the age of 96

NEW YORK — Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the pioneering sex therapist who rose to fame as a candid advocate for open discussions on once-taboo bedroom topics, has passed away at the age of 96.

Westheimer, who died on Friday at her home in New York City surrounded by family, was widely known for her media presence and best-selling books, where she addressed intimate matters with refreshing honesty. Throughout her career, she emphasized the importance of open dialogue, reassuring her vast audience that there was no shame in discussing deeply personal issues.

.

"I still adhere to traditional values and consider myself somewhat conventional," she explained to students at Michigan City High School in 2002. "Sexuality is a private matter, yet it's a topic that needs open discussion."

Despite her giggly, German-accented voice and diminutive 4-foot-7 stature, Westheimer defied expectations as a champion of "sexual literacy." This unlikely combination was key to her widespread appeal.

Her deep expertise and training, along with her humorous and nonjudgmental approach, propelled her local radio show, "Sexually Speaking," to national prominence in the early 1980s. Dr. Ruth Westheimer embraced a nonjudgmental stance toward the private lives of consenting adults.

"Tell him you won't be the one to start it," she advised a worried caller in June 1982. "Let him know Dr. Westheimer said you won't perish if he abstains from sex for a week."

Her radio triumphs led to new opportunities, and in 1983, she penned the first of over 40 books: "Dr. Ruth's Guide to Good Sex," blending clarity and humor to demystify sexuality. She even developed a board game, "Dr. Ruth's Game of Good Sex."

She quickly established herself as a frequent guest on late-night television talk shows, where her vibrant personality captivated a national audience. Her emergence paralleled the onset of the AIDS epidemic, a time when open discussions about sexuality became imperative.

In a 1982 interview with Johnny Carson, she advocated for a more open dialogue on sexual activity, likening it to discussions about diet and food, stressing the importance of tasteful communication without stigma.

She revolutionized public discourse by casually using terms like "penis" and "vagina" on radio and TV, accentuated by her distinctive Jewish grandmotherly voice, which The Wall Street Journal once likened to "a blend of Henry Kissinger and Minnie Mouse." People magazine honored her as one of "The Most Intriguing People of the Century," and she even found herself referenced in a Shania Twain song: "No, I don’t need proof to show me the truth/Not even Dr. Ruth is gonna tell me how I feel."

Dr. Ruth Westheimer staunchly defended abortion rights, encouraged older adults to enjoy sex after a good night’s rest, and was a vocal advocate for condom use, all while promoting the value of monogamy.

In the 1980s, she courageously defended gay men during the AIDS epidemic and became a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ community. Her motivation stemmed from personal experiences, having faced persecution herself.

Born Karola Ruth Seigel in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1928, she grew up as an only child. At the age of 10, her parents sent her to Switzerland to escape Kristallnacht, the violent Nazi pogrom of 1938 that foreshadowed the Holocaust. Tragically, she never saw her parents again, believing they perished in the gas chambers of Auschwitz.

By 16, she had relocated to Palestine, where she joined the Haganah, the underground movement for Israeli independence. Trained as a sniper, she later shared that she never fired her weapon at another person.

After a bomb exploded in her dormitory, claiming the lives of many friends, she suffered severe leg wounds. She credited her ability to walk and ski again to the skill of a "superb" surgeon.

In 1950, she married her first husband, an Israeli soldier, and they relocated to Paris while she pursued her education. Despite lacking a high school diploma, Westheimer gained admission to the Sorbonne after passing an entrance exam, where she studied psychology.

In 1955, her first marriage ended. The following year, she moved to New York with her new boyfriend, a Frenchman who later became her second husband and father to her daughter, Miriam.

In 1961, after her second divorce, she found her lifelong companion, Manfred Westheimer, also a refugee from Nazi Germany. They married and welcomed a son, Joel. Their marriage endured for 36 years until Manfred, affectionately known as "Fred," passed away from heart failure in 1997.

After earning her doctorate in education from Columbia University, she began her teaching career at Lehman College in the Bronx. It was there that she honed a unique specialty: educating professors on the intricacies of sex education, which would later form the cornerstone of her curriculum.

Reflecting on her journey, she noted in her 1987 autobiography, "I quickly realized that while I was knowledgeable about education, I lacked expertise in sexuality." Motivated to enhance her understanding, she pursued coursework under the guidance of renowned sex therapist Dr. Helen Singer Kaplan.

In that place, she found her true calling. As she humorously put it, she began offering sexual advice "like a good bowl of chicken soup."

"I grew up in an Orthodox Jewish household, where sex was never seen as a sin for us Jews," she explained to The Guardian in 2019.

By 1984, her radio show had gained national syndication. The following year marked her television debut with "The Dr. Ruth Show," earning her an Ace Award for cable television excellence.

During her rise to prominence, she authored a widely syndicated advice column and starred in educational videos under Playboy's production, advocating for open sexual communication and healthy intimacy. She further extended her influence with the creation of "Dr. Ruth’s Game of Good Sex" board game and a series of calendars.

Her ascent was particularly remarkable against the backdrop of the Reagan administration, marked by its opposition to Planned Parenthood and its alignment with conservative viewpoints.

Phyllis Schlafly, known for her staunch anti-feminist views, criticized figures like Westheimer, Gloria Steinem, Anita Hill, Madonna, and Ellen DeGeneres in a 1999 article titled "The Dangers of Sex Education," accusing them of promoting "provocative sex chatter" and fostering "rampant immorality."

Father Edwin O’Brien, then the director of communications for the Catholic archdiocese of New York and later a cardinal, condemned Schlafly's work as deeply troubling and morally compromised.

In a 1982 opinion piece published in The Wall Street Journal, O’Brien characterized the prevailing message as "pure hedonism," asserting, "The message is simply to indulge yourself; whatever feels good is good. There is no higher law of overriding morality, and there’s also no sense of responsibility."

Dr. Ruth Westheimer has appeared on numerous shows including “The Howard Stern Radio Show,” “Nightline,” “The Tonight Show,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “The Dr. Oz Show,” and “Late Night with David Letterman.” She portrayed herself in episodes of “Quantum Leap” and “Love Boat: The Next Wave.”

Among her published works are “Sex for Dummies,” as well as autobiographical books such as “All in a Lifetime” (1987) and “Musically Speaking: A Life through Song” (2003). The documentary film “Ask Dr. Ruth” was released in 2019.

During her tenure as a radio and television personality, she maintained a steadfast dedication to education, holding positions at Yale, Hunter, Princeton, and Columbia universities, alongside a rigorous schedule of college lectures. Simultaneously, she upheld a private practice throughout her lifetime.

Recognized for her contributions to human sexuality and her unwavering support for the Jewish community, Israel, and religion, Westheimer was awarded an honorary doctorate from Hebrew Union College-Institute of Religion. Her accolades include the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the Leo Baeck Medal in 2001, as well as an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Trinity College in 2004.

Ryan White, director of “Ask Dr. Ruth,” emphasized in a 2019 interview with Vice that Westheimer consistently championed causes ahead of trends, notably advocating for gay rights and promoting family planning.

"She consistently championed these values throughout her life. Friends from her orphanage recalled that even in the '30s, '40s, and '50s, she embraced and respected gay individuals she encountered. She firmly believed in treating everyone with respect."

"She is survived by her two children, Joel and Miriam, and four grandchildren."

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How the Prosecution in Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' Trial Fell Apart

**How the Prosecution in Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' Trial Fell Apart**

The actor faced a potential 18-month prison sentence if convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

By Daniel Arkin.

In a scene worthy of a Hollywood legal thriller, Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial came to a dramatic and unexpected end on Friday when a judge dismissed the case with prejudice. This conclusion marked the end of a legal saga that had loomed over the 66-year-old actor’s career and sparked debates about the future of gun safety on movie sets.

But what led to the rapid unraveling of the prosecution’s case? NBC News closely monitored every moment of the brief trial and documented the pivotal events.

### Baldwin’s Team Accuses Prosecution of Evidence Concealment

Alec Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Halyna Hutchins, a 42-year-old cinematographer who was fatally shot on the set of the Western film "Rust" in 2021 after a prop gun discharged. Baldwin, who was holding the revolver at the time, pleaded not guilty and claimed he believed the weapon was loaded with blanks, not live rounds.

The prosecution's case encountered a significant issue on Thursday, the second day of the trial. Alex Spiro, Baldwin's lead attorney, questioned Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office crime scene technician Marissa Poppell about whether a "good Samaritan" had come forward with ammunition earlier this year.

Under oath, Poppell confirmed that Troy Teske, a former police officer and friend of Thell Reed (the stepfather of "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed), provided the sheriff's office with Colt .45 rounds. Teske reportedly dropped off the rounds on the same day Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Hutchins' death and sentenced to 18 months in prison (she is appealing the conviction).

Spiro and Baldwin’s other attorneys seized upon this revelation, arguing that prosecutors had concealed evidence potentially linked to the fatal shooting. The defense requested the judge to dismiss the case, contending that they should have had the opportunity to independently assess the significance of the ammunition provided by Teske.

Prosecutors in the “Rust” case asserted that the disputed ammunition was neither hidden from the defense nor pertinent to the case.

However, after hours of deliberation on Friday, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ultimately ruled in favor of Baldwin’s legal team.

“The late discovery of this evidence during trial has impeded the effective use of evidence in such a way that it has impacted the fundamental fairness of the proceedings,” Sommer stated from the bench. “If this conduct does not rise to the level of bad faith, it certainly comes so near to bad faith to show signs of scorching.”

“There is no way for the court to right this wrong,” she added. “The sanction of dismissal is the only warranted remedy.” Judge Sommer dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled.

Baldwin sobbed and buried his face in his hands as Sommer announced her decision. He could have faced an 18-month prison sentence if convicted.

Kari Morrissey, one of the lead prosecutors, told reporters after the dismissal that she respects the court's decision but emphasized there was "absolutely no evidence that any of that ammunition is related to the incident involving" Hutchins.

"There is no reason to believe that the evidence we discussed in court today was related to the set of 'Rust,'" she said. "It never left the state of Arizona."

Even before the sudden conclusion of the "Rust" trial, there were several key moments filled with drama and tension.

Baldwin’s team scored an early legal victory.

The day before the trial began, Judge Sommer ruled that Alec Baldwin's role as a co-producer of "Rust" was not relevant to his involuntary manslaughter trial.

Sommer's decision undermined a key aspect of the prosecutors' strategy. They had intended to argue that Baldwin’s role as co-producer gave him special responsibility on set, particularly on October 21, 2021, when Hutchins was shot inside a church set at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe County.

“I’m having real difficulty with the state’s position that they want to show that as a producer he didn’t follow guidelines and therefore as an actor Mr. Baldwin did all of these things wrong that resulted in the death of Ms. Hutchins because as a producer he allowed these things to happen,” Sommer said at a pretrial hearing Monday.

“I’m denying evidence of his status as a producer,” she added.

In opening statements, dueling depictions of Baldwin

In his 44-year acting career, Baldwin has portrayed characters ranging from antagonists to protagonists. During opening statements on Wednesday, attorneys representing both sides of the "Rust" case depicted the actor to the jury in starkly contrasting roles.

Spiro conveyed to jurors that Hutchins’ death was an "unspeakable tragedy," emphasizing that Baldwin "committed no crime."

"He was an actor, performing his role," Spiro stated.

Spiro contended that Baldwin could not be convicted of involuntary manslaughter, asserting that prop guns are rarely loaded with live ammunition. He informed jurors that actors typically discharge blanks from real firearms, emphasizing that his client adhered to established practices within the film industry.

"I need not elaborate further, as you've all witnessed gunfights in movies," Spiro remarked. (Baldwin portrays the fictional outlaw Harland Rust in "Rust." Although filming concluded after the tragic incident, the movie remains unreleased.)

Special prosecutor Erlinda Ocampo Johnson alleged in her opening statement that Baldwin neglected safety protocols and mishandled the firearm that tragically took the life of Hutchins, described as "a vibrant 42-year-old rising star." She contended that Baldwin acted independently.

“The evidence will demonstrate that the defendant, Alexander Baldwin, engaged in simulated scenarios with a real firearm and disregarded fundamental firearm safety principles,” Ocampo Johnson stated. Ocampo Johnson resigned from the case unexpectedly on Friday, just before its dismissal.

Bodycam video captured chaos after shooting.

Nicholas Lefleur, the initial law enforcement responder at Bonanza Creek Ranch following the shooting, was the first witness to testify on Wednesday. He wore a body camera as a Santa Fe County sheriff’s deputy at the time. The jury viewed footage from Lefleur's camera, capturing the chaotic scene inside the film set’s church moments after the gunshot.

The video depicted first responders rushing to aid Hutchins, the atmosphere tense and urgent. A medic's voice could be heard asking Hutchins if she could open her eyes as she was stretchered out of the church and placed into an ambulance.

This poignant visual underscored the suddenness of the shooting, reverberating through both the entertainment industry and beyond.

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Captain America: Brave New World - Check Out the New Teaser Trailer from Marvel Studios.

 Captain America: Brave New World - Check Out the New Teaser Trailer from Marvel Studios.

On Friday, Marvel Studios unveiled the teaser trailer and poster for "Captain America: Brave New World," starring Anthony Mackie as Captain America. Mackie's character, formerly known as The Falcon, officially assumed the role of Captain America in the finale of "The Falcon and The Winter Soldier" on Disney+ in 2021.

In the film, Sam Wilson, now Captain America, meets with the newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford in his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut. Following their meeting, Sam becomes embroiled in an international incident and must uncover the truth behind a sinister global conspiracy before the mastermind behind it plunges the world into chaos.

**Captain America: Brave New World** features Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Xosha Roquemore, Carl Lumbly, Giancarlo Esposito, Liv Tyler, Tim Blake Nelson, and Harrison Ford. Directed by Julius Onah, the film is produced by Kevin Feige and Nate Moore, with Louis D’Esposito and Charles Newirth serving as executive producers.

Marvel Studios' **Captain America: Brave New World** premieres in U.S. theaters on February 14, 2025.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD. © 2024 MARVEL.

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Biden to Hold Rare Solo News Conference to Demonstrate Readiness for Campaign.

Biden to Hold Rare Solo News Conference to Demonstrate Readiness for Campaign

President Biden addresses the audience at a NATO 75th anniversary event at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., on July 9.

President Biden is set to face another high-profile public test of his sharpness as he takes questions from reporters on Thursday, a crucial moment as he campaigns for a second term.

This comes as Biden concludes a summit of NATO leaders in Washington, D.C., an event his campaign had hoped would highlight his leadership on the global stage. Instead, it has been overshadowed by doubts about his readiness for a grueling campaign and another four years in office — doubts voiced by elected Democrats, donors, and voters.

These questions have intensified since Biden's poor performance in the June 27 debate against former President Donald Trump. Biden struggled to answer questions during the debate, attributing his difficulties to a cold, lingering jet lag, overpreparation, and interruptions from Trump. He dismissed it as just one bad night, but many in his party remain unconvinced.

Since then, Biden and his team have been working to demonstrate his stamina and mental acuity for the campaign. They've added campaign stops in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. He completed a full television interview on ABC News, has another scheduled for Monday with NBC, and called into MSNBC's Morning Joe this week as well.

Biden told his party to stop talking about whether he should quit because he's staying in

Biden has become resolute, asserting to his party that he is committed to staying in the race and urging an end to discussions about his potential withdrawal. He has garnered strong support from some key figures within the party, yet others have voiced concerns about his chances against Trump.

Notably, actor George Clooney, who recently hosted a high-profile fundraiser for Biden in Los Angeles, penned an op-ed in The New York Times advocating for Democrats to select a different candidate.

Biden's last formal solo press conference was in November 2023

Biden rarely holds formal solo press conferences. His last one took place in November 2023 in California, following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Martha Joynt Kumar, a political science professor emeritus from Towson University, has extensively studied the interactions between the press corps and presidents. She describes solo press conferences, particularly those held at the White House, as the "crown jewel of presidential interchanges" because they often involve rigorous questioning and test a president’s grasp of policy and politics.

According to her detailed records, which date back to the Reagan administration, Biden has held fewer press conferences at this point in his presidency compared to his predecessors.

"I think it's something that has not benefited [Biden]," Kumar said, emphasizing that more press conferences would have allowed the public to better assess "the measure of the president" well before the June debate.

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Tesla Shares Surge Following Impressive Q2 Deliveries Report.

 Tesla Shares Surge Following Impressive Q2 Deliveries Report

KEY POINTS : Tesla has released its second-quarter vehicle production and deliveries report for 2024, revealing that it produced 410,831 vehicles and delivered 443,956. Deliveries, which are the closest approximation of sales provided by the electric vehicle maker, exceeded Wall Street estimates. However, the total number of deliveries was down 4.8% compared to the same period last year.

Tesla shares surged on Tuesday after the company announced second-quarter vehicle production and delivery numbers that exceeded analyst expectations.

Key figures from Q2 2024 include:

- Total deliveries: 443,956 vehicles

- Total production: 410,831 vehicles

Analysts had predicted Tesla would deliver 439,000 vehicles in the three months ending June 30, according to FactSet StreetAccount's consensus estimates. Although the total deliveries in Q2 were down 4.8% from 466,140 a year earlier, they increased by 14.8% compared to the first quarter.

As a result, Tesla's stock climbed more than 9% in midday trading on Tuesday. Prior to this report, Tesla shares had fallen 16% in 2024.

Deliveries are the closest metric to sales that Tesla discloses. The company groups deliveries into two categories—Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, and all other vehicles—without breaking down numbers for individual models or specific regions.

Tesla’s current lineup features its popular Model Y crossover utility vehicles, Model 3 sedans, the new Cybertruck pickups, the Model X SUV, and the flagship Model S sedan.

In April, Tesla reported an 8.5% drop in first-quarter deliveries, totaling 386,810 units. This marked the first annual decline since 2020. A few weeks later, the company announced a 13% year-over-year revenue decline for the quarter, attributing it primarily to a lower average selling price.

Sluggish sales were partly due to temporary factory shutdowns following an alleged arson attack at Tesla’s factory in Germany and shipping delays caused by conflicts in the Red Sea, according to the company.

New Tesla vehicles parked outside the Tilburg Factory & Delivery Center in Tilburg.

However, the decline in sales also coincides with Tesla’s aging vehicle lineup, increased competition from other EV makers, especially in China, and brand erosion, which a recent survey partly attributed to CEO Elon Musk’s “antics” and “political rants.”

To stimulate sales, Tesla has introduced various discounts and incentives this year.

In China, Tesla is currently offering a zero-interest loan as an incentive for customers to purchase a Model 3 or Model Y by July 31. According to its 2023 annual filing, Tesla generated approximately $21.75 billion in revenue from China, representing 22.5% of its total sales.

Colin Langan, an analyst at Wells Fargo, issued a report on Monday stating that the firm anticipates “declining delivery growth driven by lower demand & diminished return on price cuts.” He recommends selling Tesla shares.

Wells Fargo expects Tesla’s automotive gross margins, excluding environmental credits, to fall due to the “likelihood of more price cuts & lower volumes” as the year progresses.

Investor attention will now turn to Tesla’s second-quarter earnings report later this month and a separate marketing event in August, during which the company plans to unveil its design for a dedicated robotaxi, or “CyberCab.”

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Simone Biles to Lead U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team's Quest for Redemption in Paris.

 

Simone Biles secured her spot on the U.S. Olympic team for Paris by winning the U.S. Olympic Team Trials with a margin of over five points.

MINNEAPOLIS : 

For most gymnasts, a slip off the balance beam, a foot outside the line on the floor exercise, or too many steps after landing a vault could ruin their chance at victory.
But this is Simone Biles we're talking about.
At 27, already the most decorated gymnast in history, Biles had a somewhat shaky night at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Yet, it was still enough for her to finish ahead of her competitors by more than 5.5 points and secure a spot on the team for this summer's games in Paris.

And the crowd was unfazed by the slip-ups. After her floor routine, the final event of the night, Biles stepped off the podium to a standing ovation from the 16,000 fans packed into the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis.

Olympic gold is the next milestone for Simone Biles as she makes a remarkable return to gymnastics after a two-year hiatus. In 2021, Biles withdrew from several events in Tokyo due to experiencing the "twisties," a psychological phenomenon where a gymnast loses control in mid-air. She has emphasized that this break was crucial for her mental health.

"I never pictured going to another Olympic Games after Tokyo, just because of the circumstances. I never thought I would go back in the gym again, be twisting, feel free," Biles said Sunday after the competition.

In Paris, Biles is expected to be a top contender for gold medals in the individual all-around, vault, and floor exercise. She will be joined by Suni Lee, the Tokyo Games all-around gold medalist, who also impressed the crowd Sunday night in her hometown of St. Paul.

Two other Olympic veterans, Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey, are set to return for their second Games. Joining them is newcomer Hezly Rivera, who turned 16 in June. Additionally, two alternates, Joscelyn Roberson and Leanne Wong, will travel with the team.

The women's team had secured gold in the team all-around in 2012 and 2016. However, in Tokyo, they finished in second place after Biles withdrew from the event.

The silver medal has stayed with them, the competitors said on Sunday. All four returning Olympians spoke of "redemption" as they discussed their goals for Paris.

"I feel like we all have more to give. Our Tokyo performances weren't the best," Biles said. "We weren't under the best circumstances, either, but I feel like we have a lot of weight on our shoulders to go out there and prove we're better athletes."

Injuries had loomed over the women's trials : 

A series of injuries before and during the first day of competition cast a shadow over the women's trials. It began with Skye Blakely suffering an Achilles injury during pre-competition training on Wednesday; Blakely's strong second-place finish at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships had made her a strong contender for the Olympic team.

On Friday, another top contender, Shilese Jones, injured her knee while warming up on the vault. Shortly after, Kayla DiCello had to exit the competition in a wheelchair due to an Achilles injury sustained on the vault.

On Friday, consecutive injuries deeply unsettled the remaining competitors. Lee, scheduled to vault right after DiCello, struggled to compose herself, wiping away tears before taking her place on the podium.

"I had to see my therapist yesterday and work on refocusing my mind because it was heartbreaking to witness some of my friends being forced out of this significant competition," Lee shared on Sunday. "My thoughts are with them during this tough time."

The U.S. men's gymnastics team head to Paris hoping to win first team medal since 2008 : 

The men's team was unveiled on Saturday night, featuring five competitors. Led by Olympic veteran Brody Malone and newcomer Fred Richard, who has garnered attention as a social media star, they are heading to Paris with a clear objective: to secure the first U.S. team gymnastics medal since 2008.
"We're not just aiming for a medal; we're aiming for gold, and we're determined to achieve it," remarked Richard confidently on Saturday.
Richard, aged 20, clinched the top spot at the U.S. team trials, with Malone, aged 24, securing second place. They will be accompanied to Paris by Asher Hong, Paul Juda, and Stephen Nedoroscik, alongside alternates Shane Wiskus and Khoi Young.
In addition to aiming for a return to the team medal podium, the team has a secondary objective: to elevate the profile of men's gymnastics, a sport often overshadowed by its women's counterpart.
"If we achieve our goal of winning a team medal in Paris, it will further ignite interest in men's gymnastics," said Hong on Saturday.

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