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After President Joe Biden's debate loss, there were calls within his party for him to withdraw from the presidential race. Ultimately, he chose to announce his exit from the presidential race on the 21st in the U.S. (early morning of the 22nd in Taiwan), endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. Biden stated that this decision was the "best choice" for the Democratic Party and the United States, and that he would now focus entirely on fulfilling his duties as President.

Facing overwhelming pressure from within his party, Biden announced his withdrawal in a statement on the morning of the 21st, fully supporting Vice President Kamala Harris to run for president on behalf of the Democratic Party, sending shockwaves through the U.S. political scene. Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump wasted no time seizing the opportunity, mocking Harris as a "joke" and claiming it would be easier to defeat her than Biden. He also taunted, "Biden will forget he withdrew by tomorrow morning!" and called for Biden to step down immediately.

Currently, at least 60 Democratic House members, 27 Senators, and 6 governors have expressed their support for Harris as the party's presidential candidate. Additionally, prominent figures such as Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former Secretary of State John Kerry are also backing Harris. Democratic Representative Adam Schiff, who had previously urged Biden to withdraw, praised Biden for leading the U.S. out of the COVID-19 pandemic and saving the economy, calling him one of the greatest presidents of modern times who will be remembered in history. He also expressed his full support for Harris's presidential campaign. Ken Martin, President of the Association of State Democratic Committees (ASDC), stated that after Biden's announcement, the chairs of all 50 states held a phone meeting and unanimously supported Harris's candidacy.

Not yet publicly supporting Harris are Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Democratic leadership member and Majority Whip Dick Durbin, as well as two Democratic heavyweights, former President Barack Obama and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Pelosi, who was among those urging Biden to withdraw, only stated that the nominee should be chosen through an open process. The Democratic Party plans to conduct an online vote in early August to finalize the nominee.

Following Biden's announcement, Democratic fundraising calls have not stopped. The New York Times reported that from around 1 p.m. Eastern Time on the 21st, when Biden announced his withdrawal, to 10 p.m. that night, more than $50 million (about NT$1.6 billion) had been raised. This marked the highest single-day donation amount for the Democratic Party since 2020 and the third highest single-day online donation amount in history, with expectations for further records. Before Biden's withdrawal, the average hourly donations were less than $200,000 (about NT$6.5 million), which soared to a maximum of $11.5 million (about NT$377 million) per hour, demonstrating Harris's significant fundraising power.

Kamala Harris, the first Black female Vice President, is only 1% behind Trump in the polls. If she successfully represents the Democratic Party and defeats Trump, she would become the first African American and South Asian female President in U.S. history, making the November 5th U.S. presidential election a global focal point.

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara recently visited Europe to sign an agreement with the UK and Italy for the joint development of a new fighter jet. This collaboration, known as the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), is part of the three countries' strategy to counter threats from China, Russia, and North Korea.
The GCAP aims to deploy the new fighter jet by 2035, merging Japan's F-X project with the UK's Tempest project to create a supersonic stealth fighter equipped with advanced radar systems and a virtual cockpit, capable of processing 10,000 times more data than current systems.
The project will be managed by the International Government Organization (GIGO) based in the UK, with contributions from Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the UK's BAE Systems, and Italy's Leonardo. Beyond enhancing military capabilities, this initiative aims to foster industrial and technological cooperation among the three nations and create numerous high-skill jobs. The project also underscores Japan's efforts to expand its international defense partnerships, particularly with European and Indo-Pacific countries.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, was re-elected on the 18th with the approval of the European Parliament. Known for her decisive leadership, she has guided the EU through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the conflict with Russia over Ukraine, and the energy crisis over the past five years, earning the title of "Queen of Europe" from Western media.

The European Parliament approved von der Leyen's re-election with an absolute majority of 401 votes in favor and 284 against, surpassing the 383 votes she received five years ago. Von der Leyen is not only the first female President of the European Commission but also the first German citizen to hold the position.

Before the vote, von der Leyen presented her governing agenda for the next five years, emphasizing decisions that will shape Europe's global position for the next 50 years. She committed to continuing the EU's transformation, enhancing the green energy sector and defense investments, and reaffirming the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Additionally, she mentioned that the EU will cooperate with countries in the Indo-Pacific, such as Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Australia, to develop strategies addressing challenges in cybersecurity, space, critical raw material supplies, and technological advancements.

Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy presents the joyful Tai Ji Celestial Dragon to wish South Pasadena, California, the United States, and the world safety, health, peace, and prosperity.

On July 3, the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) visited the Meteora Municipal Government and was received by representatives of the two deputy mayors.

On the 17th, the UK Parliament conducted its State Opening, with King Charles III delivering the "King's Speech" to the House of Lords. Before the members of both chambers, he read out the legislative priorities of the "Keir Starmer Government," including plans to revitalize the economy, address severe housing shortages, and tackle the cost of living crisis. Additionally, the new government aims to mend the rifts caused by Brexit between the UK and the EU. Attendees included invited dignitaries such as foreign ambassadors to the UK.

King Charles III, wearing the "Imperial State Crown," was accompanied by Queen Camilla for the King's Speech, a highlight of the State Opening. The speech content is drafted by the new Cabinet and read by the monarch in the House of Lords, mainly revealing the bills and policy directions the new government intends to push in the new parliamentary session. Subsequently, both the House of Commons and the House of Lords will debate the planned bills.

The King's Speech mentioned plans to promote the "Fiscal Responsibility Bill," ensuring that major tax and spending decisions are scrutinized by the independent "Office for Budget Responsibility" (OBR). This tries to avoid problems like those produced by Prime Minister Liz Truss's 2022 budget announcement, which was released without OBR approval, resulting in significant market turmoil and a sharp fall in the pound.

In terms of economic policies, the speech also promoted the "National Wealth Fund Bill," the "Great British Energy Bill," the "Employment Rights Bill," and railway nationalization-related bills. The National Wealth Fund (NWF) will receive £7.3 billion in government funding and will lend through the UK Infrastructure Bank, with the expectation that every £1 of government investment will attract £3 in private investment. The government intends to establish the "Great British Energy" (GBE) company, a public enterprise headquartered in Scotland, focusing on clean and renewable energy.

The "Employment Rights Bill" includes measures to ban "zero-hour" labor contracts and the practice of "fire and rehire," which unfairly reduces labor costs. Railway nationalization will integrate public infrastructure with daily operating activities currently largely managed by private operators. Upon the expiration of operators' contracts, the railways will automatically revert to public ownership.

A notable aspect of the proposed legislation is the reform of the House of Lords. The Labour Party intends to abolish the legislative and voting rights of hereditary peers. The legitimacy of hereditary peers is debatable, with over 90 hereditary peers currently in the House of Lords, nearly half of whom are held by the Conservative Party.

Finally, King Charles III reiterated the UK's full support for Ukraine's NATO membership.

Deputy Minister of Health of Greece, Dimitrios Vartzopoulos, rings the Bell of World Peace and Love, praying for world peace and prosperity.

On July 16, French President Emmanuel Macron accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal's cabinet, while the appointment of a new prime minister remains stalled due to disagreements among the majority left-wing parties. With the Olympics approaching, the cabinet will continue to handle daily affairs until the event concludes.

Following the parliamentary elections on the 7th, the New People's Front (NFP), an alliance of five left-wing parties, won 182 seats. However, due to internal disagreements, they have been unable to propose a new prime minister. Some factions led by the Socialist Party and the largest far-left party, Unbowed France, have rejected each other's candidates. Macron's party and its allies hold fewer seats than the left-wing alliance but more than the right-wing National Rally.

On the 18th, a vote for the parliamentary speaker will take place. Since Attal and 17 members of his original cabinet are newly elected members, they will be allowed to vote in the speaker election and join various committees after the cabinet's resignation. This could provide crucial votes in a divided parliament.

The French constitution stipulates that the president appoints the new prime minister but does not specify the method or timeframe for the appointment. Until the new government is appointed, a caretaker government will be in place, capable of handling emergencies but unable to implement any legislative reforms or proposals.

Former U.S. President Trump, representing the Republican Party, announced his candidacy for the White House once again. On the 15th, he announced that his running mate would be Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, who is also the author of the bestseller "Hillbilly Elegy." Although some media outlets suggest that an experienced running mate is necessary to boost votes, Trump's popularity surged significantly after facing challenges during a rally in Pennsylvania, making the experience of the running mate less crucial.

Trump posted on Truth Social that after long deliberation, Vance is the most suitable candidate for Vice President. Vance has had an outstanding career in the technology and finance sectors, and "he will work tirelessly to make America great again." Vance will also focus on American workers and farmers in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and other regions.
Forty-year-old Vance comes from a blue-collar family and had a challenging upbringing. Due to his family's poverty, he joined the military right after high school and served in the Iraq War. Afterward, he attended a local university and later earned a law degree from Yale University. His 2016 memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy," depicts the struggles of the American working class and received widespread acclaim, even being adapted into a film. Vance was first elected as a Senator in 2022, officially entering politics.

In terms of foreign policy, Vance adheres to "realism," prioritizing American interests and opposing military aid to Ukraine. On the issue of Taiwan, Vance advocates for strategic ambiguity, believing that the United States should make it difficult for China to attack Taiwan, but if China does launch an attack, the U.S. should act at the appropriate time. Vance has expressed anger over Trump's actions during last year's Capitol riot, stating that "better options" are available. This presidential race for the White House will be closely watched.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has condemned Israel's recent airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, calling on the international community to no longer remain silent in the face of this unending slaughter.

The Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip's Ministry of Health reported that Israel's attack on Al-Mawasi on the 13th resulted in at least 92 deaths and 300 injuries. This area had been designated by Israel as a "safe zone" along the Mediterranean coast. The Gaza Civil Defense indicated that Israel also struck a makeshift mosque in the Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza, killing 20 people. Additionally, a school providing refuge for the displaced was attacked, resulting in 15 deaths on the same day.

A statement from the Brazilian presidency noted that the recent bombings in the Gaza Strip have caused the deaths of hundreds of innocent people, which is unacceptable. Even more shocking is the continued collective punishment of the Palestinian people. Since last year, these relentless attacks have resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, with many people living in designated humanitarian zones, which should have been protected, also falling victim.

The Brazilian presidency's statement urged the political leaders of the democratic world to no longer remain silent in the face of Israel's endless slaughter.