| Good afternoon, it is Monday, August 19, and we're covering Space X's risky plan to send four into space, what to expect at the Democrat convention, NFL preseason takeaways & much more!! First time reading? Sign up here. | | American Fact of the Day! | On August 19, 2009, Michael Phelps became the first swimmer to win eight gold medals in a single Olympic Games. He achieved this remarkable feat at the Beijing Summer Olympics, surpassing his own record and cementing his status as one of the greatest swimmers in history. | | Breaking Updates | | SpaceX is about to send four people on a wild, and risky mission into the radiation belts. Here's what to know | In 2021, billionaire Jared Isaacman made headlines with the Inspiration4 mission, a self-funded spaceflight aimed at raising funds for childhood cancer research. This groundbreaking mission involved a crew of four novices spending three days orbiting Earth in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. Despite the success and personal fulfillment of the mission, Isaacman initially thought he might not return to space, feeling that Inspiration4 had accomplished its goals and set a high standard. | However, Isaacman's plans have evolved, leading to the upcoming Polaris Dawn mission, a more ambitious and experimental spaceflight. Scheduled to launch no earlier than August 26, Polaris Dawn will see Isaacman and his crew—including SpaceX engineers Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis, and former Air Force pilot Scott "Kidd" Poteet—embark on a five-day mission to altitudes higher than any human has reached since the Apollo era. This mission aims to test new space technologies and will include a spacewalk without an airlock, exposing the crew to the vacuum of space for the first time in such a context. | Polaris Dawn represents a significant leap in private space exploration, pushing the boundaries of what non-government astronauts can achieve. The mission involves navigating through the Van Allen radiation belts and using newly developed EVA suits, along with a novel pre-breathing procedure to prepare for the spacewalk. Despite the inherent risks and challenges, Isaacman and his team are confident in their preparation and view the mission as a step towards advancing space technology and paving the way for future human space travel beyond Earth. | Read More Here |
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| What to watch for at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago | Democrats are gearing up for a significant week in Chicago, fueled by a surge of enthusiasm following Kamala Harris's ascension to the top of the ticket. The vice president's promotion has revitalized the party, easing concerns over President Joe Biden's previously bleak electoral prospects. Harris, alongside her new running mate Tim Walz, has helped bring the race to a near stalemate with no clear leader, a dramatic shift from the optimism many Republicans felt after their Milwaukee convention. | The Democratic National Convention promises to be a high-energy event, with key figures such as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton set to speak, and rumors suggesting potential appearances by celebrities like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. Harris, who will deliver the closing speech on Thursday, has rapidly gained traction with a forward-looking message that repackages Biden's agenda and focuses on freedom and reproductive rights. However, the convention faces challenges, including potential protests over the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the shadow of Donald Trump, who remains a central figure despite being out of the spotlight recently. | The convention also highlights the role of Tim Walz, who has quickly become a notable figure in the party. Once a relatively unknown politician, Walz's effective criticisms of Trump and his unique style have won him significant attention. As Democrats navigate this week, they will need to balance their message of unity and optimism with the realities of ongoing geopolitical tensions and the presence of Trump's lingering influence. | Read more updates here | | | American Sports & Culture |  | Aces coach Becky Hammon insists bullying allegations from Dearica Hamby's lawsuit 'just didn't happen' | Becky Hammon addressed the lawsuit that former Aces player Dearica Hamby filed against her, the franchise and the league on Sunday night. |
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|  | NFL preseason Week 2 takeaways: Broncos QB Bo Nix among the standouts | Rookie quarterbacks continue to dominate the conversation of the preseason. |
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|  | Caitlin Clark now 2 technical fouls away from automatic WNBA suspension | Caitlin Clark drew her fifth technical foul of the season, putting her two away from an automatic WNBA suspension amid the Indiana Fever's playoff push. |
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| American Business & Markets |  | Stock market today: Wall Street holds steady following its best week of the year | U.S. stocks are holding steady as Wall Street's roller coaster of a summer levels out a bit |
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|  | GM lays off over 1,000 salaried software, services employees | (Reuters) -General Motors said Monday it is laying off more than 1,000 salaried employees at its software and service units worldwide. |
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|  | AMD, Palantir, FuboTV: Top stocks making news today | AMD, Palantir, and FuboTV were among the stocks making moves on Monday. |
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| | American Politics |  | GOP-led House committees release lengthy report alleging President Biden committed impeachable offenses | The nearly 300-page report details the president's alleged involvement in his son Hunter Biden's foreign business dealings. |
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|  | Biden, a president in transition, will argue for Harris as he passes the Democratic torch | Joe Biden has prepared for major speeches throughout his presidency the same way: huddling with his closest advisers at Camp David, with few outside distractions to cloud the group's brainstorming and editing sessions. |
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|  | In JD Vance's Backyard, Conspiracy Theories About Migrants and Voting Abound | A far-right plank on immigration that is rooted in a baseless theory has found purchase among Republicans and right-leaning independents in parts of Ohio. |
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