Washington Examiner Chief Political Correspondent Byron York joins Editor-In-Chief Hugo Gurdon to discuss whether or not President Joe Biden is able to stay and run for another term; Democratic leaders push and pull feelings of Biden’s ability to run; is Vice President Kamala Harris the solution if Biden can not serve out his term?
After a tough 1-0 loss to Colombia in the Copa América semifinal on Wednesday night at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, about a dozen soccer players from Uruguay’s national team went into the stands and brawled with some of the fans in attendance.
The skirmish lasted several minutes before the venue’s security team members broke up the melee. Players from the Uruguay team claimed that rival fans threatened family members watching the game, which prompted the players to climb into the stands. Among the participants were one of Uruguay’s star players, Darwin Núñez, and team captain Jose Maria Gimenez.
Gimenez claimed the fans were the aggressors and that the players entered the stands to protect and defend their families.
“Let me say something before they cut you off because they won’t let us speak into the microphone. They don’t want me to say anything about what’s going on, but this is a disaster,” Gimenez said after the skirmish in the stands. “Please be careful, our families are in the stands, there are little newborn babies. It was a disaster. There was no police, and we had to defend our families.”
“This is the fault of two or three people who had a few too many drinks and don’t know how to drink,” Gimenez said.
CONMEBOL, the organizers of the Copa Cup, the governing body of South American football, condemned the incident and announced it was launching an investigation into the skirmish.
“CONMEBOL strongly condemns any act of violence that affects football,” the organization said in a released statement after the game. “Our work is based on the conviction that soccer connects and unites us through its positive values.”
There was also a confrontation between players from both teams on the pitch after the game ended. It was the culmination of a tense, highly competitive match between the teams of the South American countries.
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Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay’s coach, discussed the altercation in a press conference after the game. He acknowledged the hostilities between the players but thought it ended once the game was over.
“I thought that the incident ended with some argument on the midfield, and when I saw that happening, I went to the locker room,” Bielsa said. “I thought that they were thanking the fans for their support. But then I learned that there were some problems over there unfortunately.”
In recent months, the issue of so-called squatters’ rights has been a point of contention in various states throughout the country.
After multiple high-profile cases of squatters – people who illegally entered a property and remained there for an extensive period without any rental agreement – gained notoriety, some governors in the country decided to take action. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) were among those who passed legislation protecting property owners in their states from squatters. Pennsylvania might be the next state to take action.
Pennsylvania Sen. Dan Laughlin proposed legislation in the Spring to help protect property owners in the Keystone State from squatters. Laughlin’s bill would “codify Pennsylvania case law to establish more certainty for homeowners, landlords, and law enforcement who encounter squatters.”
“Imagine coming home, only to find strangers occupying the space where you’ve created cherished memories, and then being told that removing them will require a costly and prolonged legal battle,” Laughlin said. “It’s a situation that would fill anyone with frustration and despair.”
Currently, if squatters enter a property and take it over illegally, the rightful owners face significant challenges in evicting the lawbreakers and reclaiming their property. Exorbitant legal fees and bureaucratic runarounds require property owners to follow a list of tedious rules to reclaim their property.
Under present Pennsylvania law, squatters legally become trespassers “once the landowner warns them they are not welcome and instructs them to vacate the property. Should the squatters remain in any place where they are not licensed or privileged to be, they commit the offense of defiant trespass.”
“The escalating problem of squatters unlawfully occupying properties is more than a legal challenge – it strikes at the heart of justice and fairness for property owners across our great state,” said Laughlin. “Just last month in Erie, we saw how destructive squatters can be, with two homes destroyed and two more damaged by a fire started by squatters in one of the residences. Fortunately, no one was injured by the fire, but dozens of people were displaced by it.”
“This is one example of the personal and emotional ordeal that countless families and individuals face when they find their homes and investments under siege,” Laughlin said. “Under our current legal framework, too many property owners are exposed, struggling against a system that doesn’t fully shield their rights or protect their homes.”
Laughlin’s legislation, known as Senate Bill 1236, changes the current obstacles for property owners.
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“Establishing a precise legal status for squatters empowers property owners, granting them the tools needed to safeguard their homes and investments quickly and effectively, without wading through needless red tape,” said Laughlin. “Senate Bill 1236 is about restoring a sense of security and justice for those who have invested their dreams, savings, and emotions into their properties. It’s a balanced approach that respects the rights of all parties involved, ensuring legitimate tenants are protected while closing the door to those who exploit our system to occupy homes illegally.”
The bill was previously approved by Pennsylvania’s Senate and House of Representatives. It is now headed to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk.
Yoon Suk Yeol, the president of South Korea, will attend the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, D.C. The meeting is being celebrated as “Marking 75 years of the Alliance” and will be an important discussion of geopolitical strategy amid heightened tensions worldwide.
“Seventy-five years ago, 12 countries signed the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C. to ensure their collective defense in an unpredictable world,” read a release for the summit. “This year, 32 NATO Allies will meet again in Washington, D.C. to make key decisions on how to continue to protect their one billion citizens as the world faces the most dangerous security environment since the Cold War.”
One of the topics Yoon will discuss is the looming threat North Korea poses to Europe after the communist country’s recent decision to strengthen its alliance with Russia after a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the supreme leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un.
“Military cooperation between Russia and North Korea poses a distinct threat and grave challenge to the peace and security on the Korean peninsula and in Europe,” Yoon said in a statement reported by Reuters.
Aid to Ukraine will also be one of the main topics discussed. Yoon stressed that South Korea would base its decision on providing aid to the Eastern European country on the progression of the military agreement between North Korea and Russia, Reuters reported. The NATO meeting is set for July 9 through July 11. While not a NATO member, South Korea will be joined by Australia, Japan, and New Zealand, the alliance’s Asia-Pacific partners.
Russia’s war with Ukraine has strained its relationship with South Korea. Yoon vehemently objected to the meeting between Putin and Jong Un. He also accused Russia of receiving weapons from North Korea, a claim which Russian officials have denied.
Putin has downplayed South Korea’s criticism of the relationship between his country and North Korea. In June, he dismissed South Korea’s concerns about the military alliance between Russia and North Korea.
“South Korea, the Republic of Korea has nothing to worry about because our military assistance under the treaty we signed only arises if aggression is carried out against one of the signatories. As far as I know, the Republic of Korea is not planning aggression against the DPRK [North Korea],” Putin said at the time.
Still, Putin warned South Korea of interfering in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, especially if it started sending weapons to the country.
“As for the supply of lethal weapons to the war zone in Ukraine, that would be a very big mistake,” Putin said. “I hope that this will not happen. And if it does happen, then we will also take appropriate decisions, which are unlikely to please the current leadership of South Korea.”
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Yet Yoon has not been deterred. On Sunday, he continued his criticism of North Korea and urged Russia to take a side regarding geopolitical agreements and alliances.
“North Korea is clearly a menace to the international society,” Yoon said. “I hope that Russia will sensibly decide which side – the South or the North – is more important and necessary for its own interests.”
“The future of ROK [Republic of Korea] – Russia relations depends entirely on Russia’s actions,” Yoon said.
Gas prices decreased slightly on Sunday, with the average price for a gallon of regular gas dropping to $3.506, according to AAA.
On Saturday, a gallon of regular gas cost $3.509. A week ago, it was $3.492. A month ago, it was $3.471, and a year ago, it cost $3.537 per gallon.
California had the country’s most expensive gas on Sunday, with a gallon of regular gas costing $4.788. Conversely, Mississippi had the cheapest gas prices, with a gallon of regular gas costing $2.993 on Sunday.
Incidentally, the state with the most expensive gas had a decrease compared to Saturday, when gas was $4.789 per gallon. The state with the cheapest gas prices in the country increased compared to Saturday, when gas was $2.991 in Mississippi.
Gas prices continue to vary significantly in each state. To see how expensive gas is in each state, click here.
Here are the gas prices for a gallon of regular-grade gas in and around Washington, D.C., and a few other states.
The average price for a gallon of regular gas in the nation’s capital was $3.716 on Sunday. It was an increase from Saturday’s price of $3.710. A week ago, gas was $3.654 per gallon. A month ago, a gallon of regular gas was $3.688 per gallon, almost the same price as a year ago, when it cost $3.685.
The average price for a gallon of regular-grade gas in Virginia on Sunday was $3.389. This was a slight decrease from Saturday’s average price of $3.39 per gallon. A week ago regular-grade gas was $3.332 per gallon in Virginia. A month ago it was $3.373 and las year at this time, a gallon of regular gas was $3.333.
The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Maryland on Sunday was $3.576. This was a very slight decrease from Saturday’s price of $3.577. A week ago, the price for a gallon of regular gas was $3.565 per gallon. A month ago, people in Maryland were paying $3.548 for a gallon of regular gas. Last year at this time, the average price for a gallon of regular gas was $3.542.
The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Delaware on Sunday was $3.461. On Saturday, the average price for a gallon of regular gas was $3.457. A week ago, regular gas in the First State was $3.515 per gallon. A month ago, it cost $3.436 per gallon for regular gas. A year ago, gas prices in the First State were slightly cheaper as it cost $3.439 per gallon.
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The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Pennsylvania on Sunday was $3.663. On Saturday, the average price for a gallon of regular gas was slightly cheaper at $3.664. A week ago, regular gas in the Keystone State was $3.639 per gallon. A month ago, it cost $3.693 per gallon for regular gas. A year ago, gas prices in Pennsylvania cost $3.639 per gallon.
On Sunday, it cost $3.624 for a gallon of regular gas in New York. This was the same price as it was on Saturday. A week ago, however, the average price for a gallon of gas in the Empire State was $3.589. A month ago, it was $3.634. A year ago, a gallon of regular-grade gasoline cost New Yorkers $3.681.
Washington Examiner Congressional Reporter Samantha-Jo Roth joins Magazine Executive Editor Jim Antle to discuss the current endorsements in the Arizona Senate race that seem unexpected, polls indicating few Trump and Ruben Gallego split-ticket voters, and if other Democrats are concerned from races like Gallego’s.
Washington Examiner National Politics Correspondent Mabinty Quarshie joins Magazine Executive Editor Jim Antle to discuss the Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity and why former President Donald Trump is happy about it; what is the source of tension causing division in the Republican platform? Who is going to be Trump’s running mate?
Washington Examiner Political and Investigative Reporter Sarah Bedford joins Commentary Editor Conn Carroll to discuss the Supreme Court‘s decision on presidential immunity, President Joe Biden stating democracy is at stake, and a liberal justice stating that a president has the power to take out their rival with Navy SEALs; what in the Constitution gives the president powers to challenge election results? What is happening with the mayor of Oakland?
Washington Examiner White House Reporter Naomi Lim joins Magazine Executive Editor Jim Antle to discuss the mood of the CNN debate in Atlanta; very little attempt in promoting how well the debate went, and even President Joe Biden hasn’t said anything positive about his performance; Democrats keep their loyalty to Biden, while others are finding ways to replace him.
Gas prices increased on Tuesday ahead of the July 4th holiday. The average price for a gallon of regular gas rose to $3.501, according to AAA.
It was the first increase in two days. On Monday, regular gas was $3.491 per gallon, and on Sunday, it was $3.492.
A week ago, the average price for a gallon of regular gas was $3.469. A month ago, it was $3.536 per gallon. A year ago, the average price for a gallon of regular gas was about the same, coming in at $3.535.
California had the country’s most expensive gas on Tuesday, with a gallon of regular gas costing $4.79. Conversely, Mississippi had the cheapest gas prices, with a gallon of regular gas costing $2.957 on Tuesday.
Gas prices continue to vary significantly in each state. To see how expensive gas is in each state, click here.
Here are the gas prices for a gallon of regular-grade gas in and around Washington, D.C., heading into the holiday.
The average price for a gallon of regular gas in the nation’s capital was $3.671 on Tuesday, a slight increase from yesterday’s price of $3.665. A week ago, gas was $3.661 per gallon. A month ago, a gallon of regular gas was slightly more expensive than it cost on Tuesday, coming in at $3.707 per gallon.
The average price for a gallon of regular-grade gas in Virginia on Tuesday was $3.356. This was an increase from yesterday’s average price of $3.328 per gallon. A week ago regular-grade gas was $3.319 per gallon in Virginia. A month ago, it was $3.428.
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On Tuesday, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Maryland was $3.570. This slightly increased from yesterday, when gas was $3.563 per gallon. A week ago, the price was $3.513 per gallon. Gas prices are cheaper now than they were a month ago, when it cost $3.615 per gallon.
The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Delaware on Tuesday was $3.474. This was a decrease from yesterday’s price of $3.502 per gallon. A week ago, the price was $3.446 per gallon. A month ago, it was $3.482.
