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GOP lawmaker rips Biden’s ‘weak’ foreign policy record in preview of RNC speeches: ‘Global laughingstock’

MILWAUKEE – GOP Congressman Darrell Issa previewed what he expects to see in the foreign policy speeches on Wednesday night at the GOP convention and outlined what he believes a second Trump term will mean for the world. 

When I think about Trump foreign policy, Russia didn’t gain an inch during his tenure, having taken Crimea under his predecessor, Obama,’ Issa, who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told Fox News Digital on Wednesday before Republicans took the stage in Milwaukee to talk foreign policy.

I think about the fact that China did not aggressively go after Taiwan the way they are today, or the Philippines, where they’re literally stealing fish out of the water by force. I think of the fact that the Houthis and Iran were not active and literally interrupting global trade. All of these things happened in the last three and a half years under a weak Biden administration, and they won’t, didn’t and won’t happen under a Trump administration.’

‘Make America Strong Once Again’ is the theme of the third day of the convention, where speakers will outline Trump’s foreign policy agenda and argue against Biden’s record.

‘Under Joe Biden, the weakest commander in chief in our country’s history, America has become a global laughingstock,’ the RNC said in a press release.

‘From our dumpster fire of a southern border to the botched Afghanistan withdrawal to the Hamas-Israeli war to enabling the Iranian terrorist regime, Biden has repeatedly made the wrong move on the world stage. Under President Trump’s vision, America will once again be strong and secure and put an end to the Biden-Harris administration’s weakness. President Donald J. Trump will secure our borders, curb Chinese and Iranian threats, and restore America’s rightful standing on the world stage.’

The night of foreign policy speeches comes shortly after it was reported that Iran has been plotting to assassinate Trump, which Issa also connected to Biden’s foreign policy.

‘Under President Trump, Iran was exporting less than 200,000 barrels of oil a day,’ Issa said. ‘They’re exporting more than 2 million barrels a day. For that much money, of course, they would plot to kill the incoming president.’

Issa told Fox News Digital that one of the key aspects of foreign policy that Republicans need to explain is the importance of showing ‘strength’ to other nations.

The world is a dangerous place when America is weak and doesn’t lead, and the world can be a safe and stable place when America is strong and can lead others to have strength,’ Issa said. 

‘President Trump issued a mandate to NATO to get up to their 2% and they were a little bit complacent. They’re not complacent anymore because they know he was right. They know his policies were right before and his policies will be right in the next four years.’

Biden has often leaned on his foreign policy record in recent weeks as he faces calls from within his own party to drop out of the presidential race, as recent Fox News polling shows Trump has a 10-point lead on foreign policy with voters.

Speakers set to hit the stage on Wednesday before vice presidential nominee JD Vance include: Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. David Bellavia, Rep. Michael Waltz, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former acting Director of the United States National Intelligence Ric Grenell, Gold Star family members Alicia Lopez and Herman Lopez and Cheryl Jules and Christy Shamblin, and Donald Trump Jr.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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Business

John Deere to abandon pride festival sponsorships following online right-wing pressure campaign

John Deere said Wednesday it would cease lending its name to social events like LGBTQ pride parades — the latest corporation to reassess its stance on hot-button social issues as the culture wars ignite ahead of the 2024 presidential election. 

In a statement posted on its X account, the nearly 200-year old industrial and farming equipment manufacturer said it would “no longer participate in or support external social or cultural awareness parades, festivals, or events.”

It also added that “the existence of diversity quotas and pronoun identification have never been and are not company policy.”

However, the company said it is not abandoning diversity efforts entirely, adding that it “fundamentally believes that a diverse workforce enables us to best meet our customers’ needs and because of that we will continue to track and advance the diversity of our organization.”

Deere’s announcement comes on the heels of Tractor Supply’s announcement last month that it had eliminated its diversity, equity and inclusion roles and goals entirely.

Deere had begun facing criticism from online right-wing circles led by filmmaker Robby Starbuck, who’d previously led the campaign against Tractor Supply.

In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Starbuck said the Tractor Supply effort had “proved a model” for pressuring other firms to reexamine their stances on social issues.

In the wake of Deere’s announcement, Starbuck posted on X Wednesday a series of screenshots showing the news with the message: “Wall Street is on notice. Corporate America is afraid of YOU. I’m just your instrument. Every woke company is wondering if they’re next.”

Deere did not mention Starbuck or the broader online effort in its statement announcing the change — only that it is “always listening to feedback and looking for opportunities to improve.”A John Deere representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS
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Business

Willow Bay, Bob Iger to take controlling stake in NWSL’s Angel City FC at a $250 million valuation

Willow Bay and Bob Iger will take a controlling stake in Angel City Football Club, the world’s most valuable women’s professional sports team.

On Wednesday, Angel City of the National Women’s Soccer League announced the couple had agreed to an investment of an undisclosed amount that values the team at $250 million. The club said Bay and Iger will invest an additional $50 million in the club’s future growth.

According to NWSL bylaws, controlling owners must own at least 35% of the team, which puts the pair’s purchase agreement at a minimum of $87.5 million. Bay will serve on and have full control of the Angel City FC board, the team said.

The sale comes as women’s sports and the NWSL have seen explosive growth in viewership and attendance and drawn growing investment.

Last year, Angel City FC generated the highest revenue of any women’s team in the world. It was also No. 1 in NWSL attendance and sponsorship revenue.

“We know they are the right partners to lead us into this new era — they are committed to further strengthening ACFC’s position as a preeminent organization and brand in women’s sports and to championing the team’s broader mission, including the advancement of equity for athletes and women-founded businesses,” the ACFC Board of Directors said in a statement.

Angel City FC was founded in 2020 by actress Natalie Portman, venture capitalist Kara Nortman and entrepreneur Julie Uhrman.

The ownership group also includes a long list of sports icons including Billie Jean King, Abby Wambach, Lindsey Vonn and 13 former players from the U.S. Women’s National Team. The team has prioritized female ownership and equal pay for women.

Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian had been the club’s controlling owner.

The unique ownership structure had brought tensions over finances and operations, reportedly one of the motivations for a sale.

All of the existing owners will stay on with this new team structure, the club said Wednesday.

Bay, a lifelong sports fan, who also serves as dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, said she’s committed to advancing the club’s mission of driving equity on and off the field.

“With this investment of resources and capital, we hope to accelerate the growth of the Club and the NWSL,” she said in a statement.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS
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Sports

NWSL club to be most valuable women’s sports team with new ownership deal

In a watershed moment for women’s sports, Angel City FC finalized a landmark new ownership agreement that will see the Los Angeles-based NWSL club become the highest-valued women’s professional sports team in the world, the club announced Wednesday.

Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger and his wife, Willow Bay, dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, are set to take over controlling ownership of Angel City from Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. Marking a milestone in the business of women’s sports, the sale will value the club at a record-breaking $250 million, shattering the previous NWSL record of $120 million for the sale of the San Diego Wave last March. 

“This is a historic moment in sports, as well as a historic moment for women’s sports,” Bay told USA TODAY Sports. “I think what we’re seeing right now is breathtaking, and we are only at the beginning of the ascent for women’s sports, but also for Angel City Football Club.”

“Women’s sports are having a culture-defining moment,” Bay added. “The talent of these athletes on the field, on the court, on the pitch, is defining our culture as one where excellence prevails regardless of gender.”

The sale, unanimously approved by Angel City’s Board of Directors, includes an extra investment of $50 million into the club by Iger and Bay, the latter of whom will join and assume full control over the Board. Although the transaction is still subject to closing conditions, including approval from the NWSL, it is expected to close in the next 30 to 60 days, the club said. 

“We know [Iger and Bay] are the right partners to lead us into this new era,” a collective statement from Angel City’s Board of Directors read. “They are committed to further strengthening ACFC’s position as a preeminent organization and brand in women’s sports and to championing the team’s broader mission, including the advancement of equity for athletes and women-founded businesses.”

Angel City’s self-described mission is to be “the fiercest, most inclusive community in world football.” Since its founding by actress Natalie Portman, venture capitalist Kara Nortman and video game entrepreneur Julie Uhrman in 2020, the club has been led by an ownership group comprised of primarily women, including minority owners who are trailblazers in women’s sports, such as Billie Jean King, Candace Parker and 13 former players from the United States women’s national soccer team including Julie Foudy, Mia Hamm. 

“The women founders, along with investor Alexis Ohanian, have built Angel City Football Club into a record-shattering franchise, and they have done that thanks to the talent and competitive spirit of the athletes on the pitch,” Bay said. “They’ve done it with their operational excellence. They’ve built a brand that is purpose-driven with mission, vision and values aligned with its business model.” 

The club made its NWSL debut during the 2022 season and features a star-studded roster that includes Christen Press, Sydney Leroux and sisters Alyssa and Gisele Thompson. Last year, the club led the league in attendance, revenue and season ticket membership. 

For Bay, though, these records are “just the beginning.” 

“With leadership, with support, with access to capital, we can continue to accelerate the growth of this team, which we believe is limitless, and along with it, the league and women’s sports globally,” Bay said. 

Ultimately, according to Bay, this opportunity with Angel City not only represents a financial opportunity for women’s sports, but a chance to drive social change. 

“The opportunity to bring people together, to create a sense of community and a sense of belonging, particularly at a moment where the world seems so polarized and fragmented, is remarkable,” Bay said. “Sports have the power to not just reflect culture, but to shape it.”

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Sports

Aces bench rushes on court after Kate Martin injury

The camaraderie of the Las Vegas Aces was on full display Tuesday evening after the entire team and staff were quick to rally around guard Kate Martin after the rookie sustained a distressing injury to her lower right leg.

Martin went down with 1:19 left in the first quarter of the game against the Chicago Sky. The Aces (16-8) struggled against the scoring prowess of Chennedy Carter and Angel Reese and ultimately suffered an 93-85 upset to the Sky (10-14). 

Martin was dribbling up the court when she appeared to slip, clutching her right ankle as she fell to the ground, where she remained for about one minute in visible pain and distress. 

Within seconds, Martin’s teammates, including the entire Aces bench, encircled her on the court, as several teammates used towels to shield the former Iowa Hawkeyes player from the camera.

“I’m gonna take care of my rookie no matter what,” Aces star A’ja Wilson said in a post-game news conference. “She’s one of us. She’s our sister and someone that we will always depend and count on, but at the same time, cameras be getting in your business and we don’t want that, we don’t need that. We try to protect her peace, her mental and just her emotion.

“We’re going to protect her at all costs because you never (know) what the internet or people may do,” Wilson added. 

Martin was eventually led off the court with assistance. She returned to the bench for the second half wearing sweatpants over her uniform but did not play again. 

Aces coach Becky Hammon said she hadn’t had the chance to talk to the medical staff and could not provide further information about Martin’s injury status.

“I know (she’s) freakin’ tough, so I don’t know how bad it is but she’s a tough cookie,” Hammon said after the game.

Martin’s injury comes as the WNBA enters its weeks-long Olympic break. The Aces are not scheduled to play until Aug. 17 when they will face off against the top-of-the-table New York Liberty (21-4).

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Ecuadorian makes history with Stage 17 win of Tour de France

Richard Carapaz of EF Education-EasyPost crossed the finish line alone in Superdévoluy to win Stage 17 of the 2024 Tour de France on Wednesday. 

The victory was Carapaz’s first career Tour de France stage win. The 31-year-old has now completed the coveted career Grand Tour triple with six previous stage wins at the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España. 

‘This victory means everything!’ Carapaz said. ‘I’ve been trying to get it since the start of the Tour.’

Carapaz made history as the first Ecuadorian man to win a Tour stage.

‘I’m proud to be here and represent all of America in the best possible way,’ Carapaz said.

Approaching the foot of the Alps, a four-man breakaway of Tiesj Benoot (Visma-Lease a Bike), Magnus Cort (Uno-X Mobility), Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) and Bob Jungels (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) made the first decisive move approximately 35 miles into the race. Unable to join the first group, Carapaz, alongside Wednesday’s runner-up Simon Yates of Jayco AlUla, led a second 48-rider breakout group in hot pursuit. As the race entered the Alps, Carapaz’s strength on the climbs proved too much to handle and the Ecuadorian reached the finish 37 seconds ahead of Yates. 

‘It was a very difficult day, with a lot of attacks, but in the end, a large group formed, I was able to come out at the right time and I managed to get this result which I will remember forever,” Carapaz said. ‘I really made the most of the moment.’

The leading general classification trio of Tadej Pogačar, Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard and Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel continuously tested each other on the final summit climbs, with Evenepoel prevailing and gaining 10 seconds on Pogačar and 12 on Vingegaard. The general classification leaderboard remains unchanged, though, as Pogačar retains the yellow jersey with a three-minute-and-11-second lead over second-place Vingegaard. 

Evenepoel said his attention was focused on maintaining his position in the general classification standings rather than gaining ground on the pair ahead of him. The Belgian 24-year-old has already established a clear eight-minute-and-21-second lead in the white jersey standings, awarded to the best young rider.  

‘I took back 10 seconds from Tadej and Jonas, but that wasn’t the goal,” Evenepoel said after Stage 17. “I remain focused on my place on the podium. I’m good where I am, but it allowed me to gain a little time on those behind me.’

The battle for the green jersey is also nearing its close with current wearer Biniam Girmay of Eritrea and Intermarché-Wanty gaining one point on second-place Jasper Philipsen. Girmay’s lead of 33 points should be enough to secure the Eritrean’s win with just mountainous, hilly and time-trial stages remaining before the July 21 finale in Nice. 

Girmay, who sustained injuries after crashing at high speed on the approach to yesterday’s finish line, said his knee and elbow, which needed stitches yesterday, were in pain throughout today’s stage. However, Girmay said he is motivated now more than ever to have a strong finish to the Tour.

‘You have to show the fighting spirit and if you are mentally strong nothing can stop you,” Girmay said. ‘I already said to my team yesterday, ‘Don’t worry it’s not yet finished and we’ll give it everything, just fight until Nice.’’

Tour de France Stage 17 results

TOUR DE FRANCE: Recap, results and standings after Stage 16

Tour de France general classification standings after Stage 17

Tour de France jersey standings after Stage 17

Yellow (general classification): Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates)Green (points classification): Biniam Girmay (Intermarché – Wanty)Polka dot (mountains classification): Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates); worn by Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) in second placeWhite (young rider classification): Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep)Yellow numbers (teams classification): UAE Team EmiratesGolden numbers (combativity award): Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ)

Tour de France Stage 18: How to watch, schedule, distance

Date: Thursday, July 18, 2024

Location: Gap to Barcelonnette (France)

Distance: 111.5 miles (179.5 km)

Type: Hilly stage 

Streaming: Peacock, FuboTV

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

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Politics

Vance says his mission at GOP convention speech is ‘to fire up the crowd tonight’

MILWAUKEE – GOP vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance says his mission as he delivers his acceptance speech on day three of the Republican National Convention is simple.

Vance, the 39-year-old senator from Ohio whom former President Trump named as his running mate at the beginning of the week, on Wednesday night will address the roughly 2,400 delegates and thousands of other attendees packed inside Milwaukee’s Fiserv Arena, and the millions of Americans watching the GOP convention from home.

‘We’re gonna get out there and try to fire up the crowd tonight,’ Vance said at a financial event hours before his prime time address at the convention.

The senator added that he would ‘make the case, a very easy case to make, but an important case to make, that we have got to re-elect President Donald J. Trump to the White House.’

And he joked, ‘I’m very excited about this evening, and I don’t plan to screw it up. But if I do, it’s too late. He [Trump] made the pick, right. It’s official now.’

Trump, in making his greatly anticipated and high-stakes running mate announcement as the GOP convention kicked off in swing-state Wisconsin’s largest city, will now share the ticket with one of his top supporters in the Senate, a one-time Trump critic who has transformed into a leading America First ally.

The former president and Vance teamed up on Monday and Tuesday nights in the Trump family box above the floor of the GOP convention.

Vance, a former venture capitalist and the author of the bestselling memoir ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ before running for elective office, on Wednesday night will appear on the podium to tell his story.

A source in Vance’s political orbit told Fox News to ‘expect the speech to focus heavily on his bio and incredible life story and how that ties into the America First agenda.’

Another source with knowledge of the speech told Fox News it will ‘connect his life experiences to the Trump policies. Folding in his firsthand experience of a tough upbringing that shaped his views on a lot of the biggest issues he is passionate about.’

The source said those issues include trade, immigration, ending endless wars, fentanyl and drugs, and how inflation hurts the poor the most.

That story began with Vance growing up in a working-class family in a small city in southwestern Ohio. His parents divorced when he was young, and as his mother struggled for years with drug and alcohol abuse, Vance was raised in part by his maternal grandparents.

After high school graduation, Vance enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Iraq. He later graduated from Ohio State University and then earned a law degree at Yale.

Vance, who lives in Cincinnati, moved to San Francisco after law school and worked as a principal in a venture capital firm owned by billionaire venture capitalist Peter Thiel, who later became a major financial supporter of Vance’s successful 2022 campaign for the Senate.

Before running for Senate, Vance grabbed national attention after ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ – which tells his story of growing up in a struggling steel mill city and his roots in Appalachian Kentucky – became a New York Times bestseller and was made into a Netflix film. The story spotlighted the values of many working-class Americans who became supporters of Trump’s policies.

Vance was a vocal critic of Trump when the former president first ran for the White House in the 2016 cycle. 

However, Vance eventually supported Trump, praising the former president’s tenure in the White House, and in a Fox News interview in 2021, he apologized for his earlier criticism of Trump.

Trump’s endorsement of Vance days before the 2022 GOP Senate primary boosted him to victory in a crowded, competitive and combustible race.

‘I think the American people are going to love to hear JD’s story of overcoming adversity as a young man, becoming a Marine and serving his country in uniform in Iraq, and going on to becoming a business leader, and now a successful elected leader as well,’ fellow veteran and fellow Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas told Fox News on Tuesday.

Democrats, in a taste of things to come, on Monday wasted no time in criticizing Vance.

President Biden told reporters that Vance was ‘a clone of Trump on the issues.’ 

Vice President Harris, in a campaign video released on Wednesday, charged that ‘Vance will be loyal only to Trump, not to our country.’

And the president’s campaign argued that Vance was selected because he would ‘do what [former Vice President] Mike Pence wouldn’t on January 6: bend over backwards to enable Trump and his extreme MAGA agenda, even if it means breaking the law and no matter the harm to the American people.’

Fox News’ Alexis McAdams contributed to this report

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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Stocks

Find Trades Using These POWERFUL MACD Combinations

In this exclusive StockCharts TV video, Joe shows how to use 2-3 specific MACD patterns on the monthly and weekly charts to set the stage for potential trading ideas. Joe then goes through the shifts in the Sector action and shows where the money is flowing. He covers the stock requests that came through, then highlights stocks in some of the sectors looking attractive, including EA, EBAY, and more.

This video was originally published on July 17, 2024. Click this link to watch on StockCharts TV.

Archived videos from Joe are available at this link. Send symbol requests to stocktalk@stockcharts.com; you can also submit a request in the comments section below the video on YouTube. Symbol Requests can be sent in throughout the week prior to the next show.

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Business

Mortgage refinance demand jumps to a 2-year high, as interest rates drop

Mortgage rates dropped to the lowest level since March last week, sparking swift demand in refinancing. Homebuyers, however, seemed unimpressed.

Applications to refinance a home loan jumped 15% last week, compared with the previous week, to the highest level since August 2022, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index. Demand was 37% higher than the same week one year ago when mortgage rates were exactly the same.

While the increase last week was large, it is coming off a very small base. Refinance demand is still more than 70% lower than it was in early 2020, before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($766,550 or less) decreased to 6.87% from 7.00%, with points dropping to 0.57 from 0.60 (including the origination fee) for loans with a 20% down payment.

“Mortgage rates declined last week, as recent signs of cooling inflation and the increased likelihood of Fed rate cuts later this year pulled them lower,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist, in a release.

Applications for a mortgage to purchase a home fell 3% for the week and were 14% lower than the same week one year ago. Buyers today are facing a lean and pricey market, and now, with the expectation that rates could drop even more, they may be waiting on the sidelines for a better opportunity. More supply is slowly coming onto the market and sellers are starting to reduce prices, especially for homes that have been sitting on the market for a while.

Mortgage rates have not changed much to start this week, despite a stronger-than-expected report on retail sales.

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TV at training camp? Mahomes explains why he needs one this year

An electric arm, sneaky athleticism, fiery leadership and AI-level situational processing are all certainly components of why Patrick Mahomes is a three-time Super Bowl MVP and, almost inarguably, the current face of the NFL.

But his success can also be explained by his willingness to evolve – and that now extends to how the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback approaches the drudgery of his eighth training camp.

And this year, that means embracing a different, and possibly key, piece of equipment.

‘This is my first year I’m bringing a TV,’ Mahomes said Tuesday, when he arrived early to K.C.’s camp at Missouri Western State University, which is in St. Joseph, about an hour north of Kansas City.

‘I haven’t brought a TV ever before, but NCAA (College Football 25) came out, and I’m going to have to turn it on,’ he laughed. ‘I brought a TV for NCAA and the Olympics, so that’s my first year of doing that.’

All things Chiefs: Latest Kansas City Chiefs news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Understandable why the two-time league MVP would want to pass some time with Electronic Arts’ highly anticipated CFB 25, back from a decade-long hiatus, given he’ll mostly be surrounded by rookies acclimating to coach Andy Reid’s program for the next few days (most Chiefs veterans aren’t required to report until Saturday). And though the Olympics don’t start until late next week, Mahomes is a heavy consumer of all sports, frequently commenting on social media.

But, as QB1, he’s on site early. And he’s still keeping the main thing the main thing as the Chiefs begin their pursuit of the league’s first-ever Super Bowl three-peat.

‘Once you win the Super Bowl,’ Mahomes said, ‘when you don’t win it, it sucks even more. You experience the offseason of being able to say you’re the champ, and you experience all the different things and activities you’re able to do because you’re a Super Bowl champ, and you experience the feeling of just winning the Super Bowl.

‘For us – I’ll speak for myself, I mean, when you don’t win it now, it sucks because you know what it could be like if you were to go out there and win it.’

***

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