Top Stories
📌 Divisive Media, Japan, Grizzlies
TOP STORY
TOP STORY
Voters divided by the media they consume
Biden is the clear choice of voters who consume newspapers and national network news, while Trump does best among voters who don’t follow political news.
The poll examined traditional media (newspapers, national network news and cable news) and digital media (social media, digital websites and YouTube/Google).
Among registered voters, 54% described themselves as primarily traditional news consumers, while 40% described themselves as digital media consumers.
Biden holds an 11-point lead among traditional news consumers in a head-to-head presidential ballot test, with 52% support to Trump’s 41%.
Among digital media consumers, Trump scores 47% and Biden 44%. Trump has a significant lead among those who don’t follow political news—53% back him, and 27% back Biden.
WORLD
WORLD
Election trouncing a blow to Kishida
The main opposition, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), won big on Sunday, including a district considered a long stronghold of the ruling LDP.
Kishida could reshuffle his cabinet to boost his popularity ahead of the LDP presidential race in September and make party leadership changes when the parliamentary session ends in June.
The CDP victories reflect the public backlash over a slush funds scandal that has roiled the LDP and resulted in public opinion polls showing record-low support rates for the prime minister.
The next general election must be held before Oct. 30, 2025. In recent weeks, there has been speculation that Kishida, feeling increased pressure to do so, could call it much earlier.
ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENT
Grizzly bears to return to Washington state
The National Park Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service said they plan to build a “founder population” of 25 bears in remote forests in 5–10 years, aiming to reach 200 in 60–100 years.
Experts say the effort will make the overall ecosystem healthier as grizzlies turn over soil, spread seeds and can move and thrive in many habitats.
Opponents, however, worry that bears present a safety risk to people and will stray into lowland areas with farms and livestock. “We don’t need another apex predator,” one rancher said.
The bears are not expected soon. The process requires trapping, trucking and moving bears by helicopter from British Columbia or northwestern Montana.
POLITICS
POLITICS
Harris touts opportunities for Black voters
The plan is to mobilize a critical Democratic voting base before the election. A recent poll of seven swing states showed more Black men planned to support Republican Donald Trump.
The tour heads to Detroit next week and will focus on investing in communities, building wealth and ensuring Americans of all colors have economic opportunities.
The White House says the Biden administration's achievements include a $158 million federal grant for Atlanta that reconnects Black communities cut off by highways with the city's downtown.
OTHER NEWS
OTHER NEWS
World numbers grow over 300% since 1950
The estimate is from 2022, but in 1950, the world population was 2.5 billion. The UN estimates the growth rate is slowing–reaching nine billion people will take approximately 15 years.
A census estimate shows that about 335 million people live in the US. The US is among the world's most populous countries but far behind India and China: each has over 1.4 billion people.
The World Population Review lists the most populated cities in millions: Tokyo (37.1); Delhi (33.8); Shanghai (29.8); Dhaka (23.9); Sau Paulo (22.8); Cairo (22.6); Mexico City (22.5); Beijing (22.1); Mumbai (21.6); and Osaka (18.9).
OFFBEAT
OFFBEAT
Airline mistakes 101-year-old for baby
The problem occurs because American Airlines' systems cannot compute that their regular flyer, Patricia, was born in 1922 and not 2022.
But the centenarian wants a solution, as it is problematic. When Patricia booked transport inside the terminal after landing, airport staff prepared a baby carrier despite her booking an adult ticket.
The airport computer system has been unable to process a birth date so far in the past, so it defaulted to one 100 years later instead.
Patricia traveled solo until she was 97 but has relied on her family for help since then. “I have some trouble with my eyesight now, so I wouldn’t want to do it on my own.”