DeepSummary
After a faltering performance by President Joe Biden in a televised debate with Donald Trump, some Democrats are questioning whether there will be an attempt to replace him as the party's candidate. Claire McCaskill, a former Democratic senator, expressed concerns about Biden's ability to handle the job at his age, and said her phone was 'blowing up' with worried party operatives and donors. While Biden supporters rallied around him, there was palpable alarm within the party just four months before the election.
The debate also covered other global issues like the war in Ukraine, with Russian editor Steve Rosenberg suggesting Putin would have enjoyed Biden's shaky display. There were protests in Kenya over a scrapped tax bill despite the president's withdrawal of the plan. And India's heatwave has led to soaring air conditioning sales, though experts worry about the climate impact of increased energy use.
The upcoming election in Iran, just weeks after the president's death, is expected to have low turnout as the approved candidates are seen as weak. And scientists in South Africa have developed a way to deter rhino poaching by making the animals' horns radioactive, to trigger radiation detectors as the horns are trafficked.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Concerns over President Biden's age and cognitive abilities after a shaky debate performance raised questions about replacing him as the Democratic nominee.
- The war in Ukraine and the US role in supporting Kyiv was a key foreign policy issue discussed in the debate.
- Protests erupted in Kenya over a proposed tax bill, leading the government to shelve the plan amid unrest.
- India's heatwave is driving up air conditioning sales, though increased energy use could worsen climate change impacts.
- Iran's election to replace its late president is expected to see low voter turnout due to restricted candidate choices.
- Scientists have developed a way to curb rhino poaching by making the animals' horns radioactive to trigger radiation detectors.
- France's far-right National Rally party is gaining ground ahead of parliamentary elections by tapping into anti-immigration sentiment.
- The tennis world is exploring more sustainable ball designs to reduce environmental impact.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Joe Biden had one thing he had to do tonight and he didn't do it. And that was reassure America that he was up to the job at his age.“ by Claire McCaskill
- “We significantly increase the chances of that horn being detected as it's moved across international borders, at airports, harbors, border crossings, things like that.“ by James Larkin
- “You cannot condone criminal activity that is not part of our constitution. That is anarchy that is actually trying to destabilize a country.“ by Isaac Moira
- “It has been a fact of iranian politics in the last three years at least. And two elections have been held in the last three years, one that led to Mister Raisi's election and a parliamentary election, that in these elections, the turnout has been incredibly low, under 40%.“ by Bauman Kalbasi
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Episode Information
Global News Podcast
BBC World Service
6/28/24
After president Joe Biden's faltering performance in the TV debate with Donald Trump there are calls to replace him. Also, Iranians are voting to elect a new president to replace Ebrahim Raisi who was killed last month in a helicopter crash, and why radioactive rhino horns help conservation efforts.