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Wag Group Co develops and supports a proprietary marketplace technology platform available as a website and mobile app that enables independent Pet Caregivers to connect with pet parents. The platform allows pet parents to make pet service requests in the platform, which can then be fulfilled by Pet Caregivers. Wag supports dog walking, pet sitting, pet boarding, drop-in visits at the pet parent's home, advice from licensed pet experts, training services, pet insurance comparison tools, and pet wellness plans.

Wag Group Co

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai (BJT) party leader Anutin Charnvirakul opposes the Thai government&#8217;s June decision to recriminalize cannabis and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/24/06/39298781/thailand-unveils-proposals-making-cannabis-illegal-again-and-reduce-meth-possession-limits">reclassify it as a narcotic</a> starting January 1, 2025. 
Charnvirakul, <a href="https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2831753/anutin-puzzled-by-cannabis-u-turn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according to</a> The Bangkok Post, expressed his concerns to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, noting that the government&#8217;s decision lacks convincing evidence to justify changing the status of marijuana. 
Advocates <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39694786/video-cannabis-advocates-in-thailand-protest-reclassification-stressing-need-for-scientific-revi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">called for a scientific review</a> and for cannabis to be regulated under a special law to address any issues of concern. Shortly thereafter, pro-cannabis activists took things even further and began <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39817884/thai-cannabis-advocates-on-hunger-strike-to-protest-recriminalization-of-marijuana-health-minist" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a hunger strike on July 10 </a>to demand that the government listen to their views.
As of July 19, the Cannabis Future Network confirmed that its 10-day hunger strike had ended, <a href="https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/cannabis-future-network-ends-10-day-hunger-strike-in-front-of-government-house-bangkok-466169" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported </a>PattayaMail. The organization also announced the formation of a people's committee with representatives from all relevant parties to study and analyze marijuana's impact on society. The report is meant to be completed in two months and presented to the public and authorities in charge of marijuana regulation.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39694786/video-cannabis-advocates-in-thailand-protest-reclassification-stressing-need-for-scientific-revi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">[VIDEO] Cannabis Advocates In Thailand Protest Reclassification, Stressing Need For Scientific Review And Effect On Economy</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Puzzling U-Turn</h2>
Speaking to the press on Thursday, Charnvirakul said he was puzzled by the government's reversal on the issue in view of the fact that the people on the committee seeking to recriminalize cannabis are the same ones who supported decriminalizing it two years ago. He asked the committee members to stick to their principles and pointed out that politicians from his party have the right to vote against the proposal.
Meanwhile, those supporting recriminalization of the plant also became more active. Last week, the Youth Network Against Cannabis (YNAC) and several other health advocacy groups gathered at the NCB's headquarters to submit a petition for the change in status. According to the report, the petition was co-signed by 200,000 people.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/06/39534154/80-of-surveyed-thai-citizens-support-cannabis-recriminalization-government-poll-shows" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">80% Of Surveyed Thai Citizens Support Cannabis Recriminalization, Government Poll Shows</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Benzinga edit with images by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/@alesiakozik/">Alesia Kozik</a> via Pexels, and Wikimedia Commons

Cannabis

Government

News

Legal

Deputy Prime Minister Of Thailand Speaks Out Against Gov's Decision To Recriminalize Cannabis, Advocates End 10-Day Hunger Strike

Influential investor Bill Ackman urges the public to approach so-called &#8216;conspiracy theories&#8217; with an open mind, rather than dismissing them outright.
What Happened: On Sunday, Ackman took to X to share his views on the treatment of &#8216;conspiracy theories.&#8217; He argued that labeling something a conspiracy theory often serves to discourage thorough investigation and sway public opinion towards a predetermined conclusion.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">People too quickly dismiss so-called ‘conspiracy theories.' As we have learned in recent years, labeling something a conspiracy theory is often an attempt to discourage a careful investigation of the facts in an effort to convince the public to accept a preordained conclusion.…
&mdash; Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillAckman/status/1814731248339984538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Ackman further stated that the term &#8216;right-wing&#8217; is frequently used to describe conspiracy theories, potentially leading left-leaning individuals to dismiss them. He cited examples of &#8216;right-wing conspiracy theories&#8217; that turned out to be true, such as the Hunter Biden laptop incident and the theory that Covid-19 escaped from a lab.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39870085/trump-boasts-very-good-phone-call-with-zelenskyy-says-russia-ukraine-will-come-together-and-negotiat?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Boasts &#8216;Very Good&#8217; Phone Call With Zelenskyy, Says Russia-Ukraine Will &#8216;Come Together And Negotiate A Deal That Ends The Violence&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Ackman&#8217;s comments come in the wake of his recent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39763405/billionaire-investor-bill-ackman-announces-trump-endorsement-i-assure-you-that-i-have-made-this-deci">public endorsement</a> of former President Donald Trump for the upcoming presidential election. Ackman assured his followers that his decision was made rationally and based on empirical data.
Earlier in the year, Ackman had criticized the Democrats for supporting President Joe Biden for a second term, arguing that this was the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38491021/bill-ackman-flags-this-as-biggest-mistake-democrats-have-made-handing-the-election-to-trump-will-be">biggest mistake</a> they had made. He suggested that this support had given Biden false hope and prevented younger, more capable candidates from emerging.
Image Via Shuttestock
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39873597/anthony-scaramucci-says-if-democrats-win-they-can-extinguish-large-elements-of-trumpism-but-youre-no?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anthony Scaramucci Says If Democrats Win, They Can &#8216;Extinguish Large Elements Of Trumpism&#8217; But &#8216;You&#8217;re Not Going To Be Able To Do It If You Don&#8217;t&#8230;&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Politics

General

Bill Ackman Says People Dismiss 'Conspiracy Theories' Too Quickly — Cites Hunter Biden Laptop As An Example That 'Turned Out To Be True'

Bitcoin and Ethereum consolidated, while Dogecoin rose as President Joe Biden announced his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/07/39874057/biden-drops-out-of-2024-race-in-bombshell-announcement-it-has-been-the-greatest-honor-of-my-life">withdrawal</a> from the 2024 presidential race. 
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded 9:15 p.m. EDT)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>+1.52%</td>
<td>$68,136.71</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+0.83%</td>
<td>$3,540.81</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>+5.50%</td>
<td>$0.1397</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
What Happened: The world's largest cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, traded flat until the news of Biden dropping out of the contest broke, injecting positive volatility in the market. King Crypto recorded a weekly close above $68,000 and is up more than 10% over the week.
Ethereum moved in the $3,500 zone, anticipating bullish impetus as it awaits the final approval of exchange-traded funds tracking its spot price. The investment products <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/39784783/ethereum-spot-etfs-likely-to-start-trading-by-july-23-provided-no-unforeseeable-last-min-i">are likely to go live this week</a>.
In the last 24 hours, 56,837 traders were liquidated, with the total liquidations at $165.54 million, More than $100 million in bullish bets were liquidated.
Bitcoin's Open Interest rose 1.08% to $37.21 billion in the last 24 hours, complementing the price increase. This is typically indicative of a bullish sentiment.
The Cryptocurrency Fear &amp; Greed Index flashed "Greed" at the time of writing, signaling significant buying sentiment in the market.
Top Gainers (24-Hours)
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
<td>Price (Recorded at 9:15 p.m. EDT)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Celestia (TIA)</td>
<td>+16.30%</td>
<td>$7.55</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Core (CORE)</td>
<td>+15.12%</td>
<td>$1.65</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Avalanche (AVAX)</td>
<td>+12.27%</td>
<td>$32.54</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The global cryptocurrency market stands at $2.48 trillion, up 1.65% in the last 24 hours.
Stock futures edged higher Sunday night. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Futures gained 0.12%, as of 9:15 p.m. EDT.&nbsp; Futures linked to the S&amp;P 500 added 0.22%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures rose 0.36%.
Traders monitored political developments in the wake of Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race. It will be interesting to see how the market opens this week in response to this significant development.
Last week, major indices like the S&amp;P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite registered their biggest weekly losses since April.
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-crypto-scanners">Best Cryptocurrency Scanners</a>
Analyst Notes: Popular cryptocurrency trader CrypNuevo anticipated significant volatility in the Bitcoin market after Joe Biden's announcement.
"Expecting a volatile price action instead; therefore, I think it&#8217;s likely to see a move down first. Then we can go up to liquidity at $68,900," the trader predicted.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> Sunday update: It was going to be a quiet week ahead, but Biden just announced that he is not running for re-election. Expecting a volatile price action instead; therefore, I think it&#39;s likely to see a move down first. Then we can go up to the liquidity at $68.9k. &#x1f9f5;&#x1f447; <a href="https://t.co/3XfaZITYWL">pic.twitter.com/3XfaZITYWL</a>
&mdash; CrypNuevo &#x1f528; (@CrypNuevo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CrypNuevo/status/1815089004422795337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Widely-followed analyst Rekt Capital stated that a weekly close above $65,000 could bolster Bitcoin's chances of reclaiming $71,500 in the following week.
With the apex cryptocurrency closing near $68,000, it&#8217;ll be intriguing to see if the predictions come true.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BTC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BTC</a> Every time Bitcoin Weekly Closed above ~$65000 (blue) in an uptrend&#8230; Bitcoin would revisit ~$71500 in the following week Could history repeat itself? We know it often does What about this time?<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Crypto?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Crypto</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://t.co/KosyX2ezIh">pic.twitter.com/KosyX2ezIh</a>
&mdash; Rekt Capital (@rektcapital) <a href="https://twitter.com/rektcapital/status/1815071037735723511?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Photo by SvetlanaParnikova on Shutterstock
Read Next:    
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/39875516/bitcoin-critic-elizabeth-warren-backs-kamala-harris-for-presidency-after-biden-withdraws-f">Bitcoin Critic Elizabeth Warren Backs Kamala Harris For Presidency After Biden Withdraws From The Race: &#8216;She&#8217;s Ready To Step Up&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>

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Bitcoin, Ethereum Hold Steady, Dogecoin Spikes As Biden Bows Out Of Presidential Race: King Crypto Might Have A Chance To Reclaim $71.5K, Forecasts Analyst

In a significant move, Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPEV#NYSE">XPEV</a>) and German auto giant Volkswagen AG (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VWAGY#OTC">VWAGY</a>) have announced a partnership to expedite the development of a new EV architecture.
What Happened: As per a Reuters report on Thursday, Xpeng and Volkswagen have set up project houses in Guangzhou and Hefei, China. These will serve as joint workspaces for engineers from both companies to fast-track the creation of a new EV architecture.
The collaboration aims to start production of the new architecture, a layout of electronic components, modules, and network within a vehicle, within two years. &#8220;From 2026, all electric vehicles of the Volkswagen brand in China will be equipped with this very powerful and efficient architecture,&#8221; stated Ralf Brandstätter, a board member of Volkswagen AG for China.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/07/39871513/trump-pours-cold-water-on-industry-tesla-falls-ahead-of-earnings-week-fords-step-back-in-ev-plan?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Pours Cold Water On Industry, Tesla Falls Ahead Of Earnings Week, Ford&#8217;s Step-back In EV Plans And More: Biggest EV Stories Of The Week</a>
The project houses are part of a deal between Xpeng and Volkswagen, where the latter intends to use the new architecture to manufacture more affordable EVs in its largest market. This comes after a partnership formed last year when Volkswagen acquired a 4.99% stake in Xpeng for roughly $700 million, with plans to jointly launch two Volkswagen-branded EV models by 2026.
Why It Matters: This collaboration comes at a time when Chinese EV stocks, including Xpeng, are facing a downturn due to the Biden administration&#8217;s potential imposition of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/07/39838601/whats-going-on-with-chinese-ev-maker-xpeng-shares-on-thursday">chip sale restrictions</a> on China, escalating geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China. As per a Benzinga report, XPEV stock has lost over 39% in the past year.
Furthermore, foreign automakers are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39787139/chinese-ev-thrive-despite-tariff-hikes-foreign-rivals-struggle">struggling to compete</a> in China&#8217;s rapidly growing EV market, despite new tariffs on Chinese EVs. According to a study by AlixPartners, foreign car companies are lagging in China&#8217;s EV market, which accounts for over 40% of new passenger cars sold in the country.
Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/07/39870013/elon-musk-reacts-as-rapper-meek-mill-flexes-his-all-black-cybertruck-ahead-of-his-new-song-?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Reacts As Rapper Meek Mill Flexes His All-Black Cybertruck Ahead Of His New Song Named After Tesla&#8217;s EV Truck</a></li>
</ul>
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Tech

VWAGY

XPEV

Xpeng And Volkswagen Partner For New Project House Focused On EV Architecture

Senator&nbsp;Elizabeth Warren&nbsp;(D-Mass.) has publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidential race, hours after President Joe Biden lent support to her candidacy
What Happened: On Tuesday, Elizabeth Warren took to X to express her support for Harris with a video captioned, &#8220;I endorse Vice President Kamala Harris.&#8221; 
&#8220;She&#8217;s ready to step up, bring our party together, go toe to toe with Donald Trump, and win the election,&#8221; the senator can be seen saying in the video. &#8220;I&#8217;m here for Kamala because Kamala has been here for the American people year after year.&#8221;&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">I endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. <a href="https://t.co/UWMsVmOk8M">pic.twitter.com/UWMsVmOk8M</a>
&mdash; Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) <a href="https://twitter.com/ewarren/status/1815179495743365343?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/39866130/whats-going-on-with-coinbase-stock?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What&#8217;s Going On With Coinbase Stock?</a>
This endorsement comes after President Joe Biden&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39874088/biden-backs-harris-for-democratic-nominee-after-bowing-out-of-2024-race-i-want-to-offer-my-full-supp">withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race</a> and subsequent support for Harris as the Democratic nominee. Biden&#8217;s endorsement was also made via social media, where he stated that choosing Harris as his vice president was his best decision as the party nominee in 2020.
Why It Matters: Warren&#8217;s endorsement of Harris is significant given the political climate. It comes amidst a contentious political environment, with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/39852340/elizabeth-warrens-opponent-gets-a-1m-donation-in-bitcoin-from-winklevoss-twins-spent-the-l">Warren&#8217;s opponent receiving a $1 million donation in Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</a> from the Winklevoss twins, co-founders of cryptocurrency exchange Gemini.
The twins have been vocal about their support for John Deaton, who is running against Warren, due to his pro-cryptocurrency stance. This is in stark contrast to Warren, whom they claim has been trying to destroy the industry.
Warren <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/05/39070738/remember-elizabeth-warrens-anti-crypto-campaign-donald-trump-promises-to-keep-elizabeth-wa">has been a vocal critic of the cryptocurrency industry</a>. She has made several previous remarks at hearings and other gatherings pushing for stronger regulation of cryptocurrency, alleging that it leads to increased illicit acts that are essentially untraceable.
Price Action: Coin themed around Kamala Harris, Kamla Horris (CRYPTO: KAMA) surged 125% in the last 24 hours, <a href="https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/kamala-horris">according </a>to CoinGecko.
Photo by Rich Koele on Shutterstock
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/39872368/mark-cuban-says-trumps-re-election-wont-impact-bitcoins-price-dogecoin-killer-shiba-inus-b?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Cuban Says Trump&#8217;s Re-Election Won&#8217;t Impact Bitcoin&#8217;s Price, &#8216;Dogecoin Killer&#8217; Shiba Inu&#8217;s Burn Rate</a></li>
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors

Bitcoin Critic Elizabeth Warren Backs Kamala Harris For Presidency After Biden Withdraws From The Race: 'She's Ready To Step Up'

The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39861744/microsoft-outage-what-states-services-companies-saw-the-blue-screen-of-death">flawed update</a> from&nbsp;CrowdStrike Holdings Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRWD#NASDAQ">CRWD</a>), which led to a global IT outage, has attracted criticism from a leading U.S. cybersecurity official.
What Happened: In a LinkedIn post on Saturday, Jen Easterly, director of the&nbsp;Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency,&nbsp;labeled the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/07/39858714/crowdstrike-shares-trim-heavy-losses-as-microsoft-announces-resolution-of-global-te">faulty software update</a> as a &#8220;serious mistake.&#8221; 
The incident &#8220;was a huge deal with serious impacts on critical infrastructure operations across the world,&#8221; she stated, adding, &#8220;While it wasn't malicious, it was a serious mistake, one for which CEO George Kurtz took full responsibility, apologized, and committed to resolving collaboratively,&#8221; 
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/07/39854612/windows-pcs-crash-worldwide-with-users-experiencing-blue-screen-of-death-issue-crowdstrike-updat?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Windows PCs Crash Worldwide With Users Experiencing Blue Screen Of Death Issue, CrowdStrike Confirms Defect: &#8216;Fix Has Been Deployed&#8217;</a>
She went on to say that disruptions from technology outages or cyber-attacks, including those by Chinese actors, are inevitable. Organizations must anticipate and plan for these events, designing resilient systems and training personnel to manage them. 
Moreover, governments and critical infrastructure entities must enhance resilience to ensure swift response and recovery, minimizing disruption to essential services, Easterly said.
The LinkedIn post was first <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-20/crowdstrike-s-crwd-mistake-was-a-huge-deal-us-cyber-official-says?srnd=phx-technology">spotted</a> by Bloomberg.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: The defective update impacted <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39873706/crowdstrike-outage-impacted-less-than-1-of-windows-devices-but-still-managed-to-wreak-havoc-report">approximately&nbsp;8.5 million devices</a> globally that&nbsp;run on the Microsoft Corporation&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) Windows system.&nbsp;
The update had a profound effect on businesses and governments worldwide, causing disruptions in critical infrastructure operations.
Following the incident, CrowdStrike experienced a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/07/39871636/crowdstrike-issues-statement-following-massive-outage-that-stemmed-from-content-update-for-windo">significant decline in its stock price</a>. The company is currently assisting affected customers due to a flaw discovered in a specific content update for Windows hosts.
Image Via Shutterstock
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read Next:&nbsp;
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

CRWD

MSFT

Crowdstrike's Faulty Microsoft Windows Update Gets Slammed By US Cybersecurity Official: 'Was A Huge Deal…'

Lawrence Summers, a prominent economist and an Obama-era Treasury Secretary, has criticized Donald Trump&#8217;s economic program and leadership, following President Joe Biden&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/07/39874057/biden-drops-out-of-2024-race-in-bombshell-announcement-it-has-been-the-greatest-honor-of-my-life">decision to withdraw</a> from the 2024 Presidential race.
What Happened: In a post on X, on Wednesday, Summers expressed his concerns about Trump&#8217;s potential return to the White House. He called out Trump&#8217;s &#8220;rampant dishonesty, demagoguery and dangerousness,&#8221; and stated that his economic program could undermine the security of millions of Americans. &#8220;Defeating him is the most important electoral priority of my lifetime,&#8221; Summers wrote.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Now after President <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoeBiden</a>&#39;s withdrawal it is time for the focus to shift to candidate Trump's rampant dishonesty, demagoguery and dangerousness. His economic program would undermine the economic security of tens of millions of Americans and our national security. Partisanship…
&mdash; Lawrence H. Summers (@LHSummers) <a href="https://twitter.com/LHSummers/status/1815138717377728743?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/07/39812718/nasdaq-s-p-500-futures-plunge-after-trumps-comments-and-asmls-weak-forecast-deepens-tech-sell-off-a?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nasdaq, S&amp;P 500 Futures Plunge After Trump&#8217;s Comments And ASML&#8217;s Weak Forecast Deepens Tech Sell-Off: AI Narrative May Be Priced In, Says Analyst</a>
The tweet came in response to President Biden&#8217;s announcement that he will not be running for re-election in 2024, which has caused a significant shift in the political landscape.
Why It Matters: Biden&#8217;s withdrawal from the 2024 race has led to speculation about the potential candidates and the future direction of the country. Following the announcement, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39875181/trump-wants-republicans-reimbursed-after-biden-quits-we-have-to-start-all-over-again">Trump criticized Biden&#8217;s decision</a> and suggested that the Republican Party should be compensated for the sudden change.
Summers&#8217; comments reflect the concerns of many who fear the potential consequences of Trump&#8217;s return to power. His post underscores the high stakes of the upcoming election and the deep divisions within the country.
Photo by Brookings Institution on Flickr
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Economics

Larry Summers: Biden Quitting Shifts Focus To Trump's 'Dishonesty, Demagoguery, And Dangerousness' — Warns Ex-President's Policies Will 'Undermine Economic Security Of Tens Of Millions'

The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39855896/how-to-fix-crowdstrike-issue-causing-blue-screen-of-death-on-your-windows-pc">global tech outage</a> continues to wreak havoc on U.S. air travel, with over 2,500 flights canceled for the third consecutive day, leading to thousands of passengers stranded.
What Happened: On Sunday, about 1,700 flights within, into, or out of the U.S. were canceled, and over 9,000&nbsp;flights were delayed, according to&nbsp;FlightAware.com. Delta Air Lines&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DAL#NYSE">DAL</a>) accounted for over 1,000 of these cancellations. 
The airline attributed the cancellations and delays to &#8220;an outside vendor technology issue&#8221; and offered travel vouchers, waivers, and SkyMiles Program miles to some affected customers, <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/21/us/tech-outage-flight-cancellations-united-delta-airlines/index.html">reported</a> CNN.
Delta CEO, Ed Bastian, assured customers that the airline is working to restore operations. &#8220;Canceling&nbsp;a flight is always a last resort, and something we&nbsp;don't take lightly,&#8221; Bastian said.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39870321/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-blasts-satya-nadella-after-microsoft-crowdstrike-issue-takes-down-millions-of-co?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla CEO Elon Musk Blasts Satya Nadella After Microsoft-CrowdStrike Issue Takes Down Millions Of Computers Globally: &#8216;This Gave A Seizure To The Automotive Supply Chain&#8217;</a>
Major airlines, including&nbsp;United Airlines&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UAL#NASDAQ">UAL</a>) and&nbsp;American Airlines&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAL#NASDAQ">AAL</a>), have reported service restoration, but further delays and disruptions are expected, the report noted.
Delta has suspended&nbsp;unaccompanied minor travel until Wednesday&nbsp;due to the outage.&nbsp;The U.S. Department of Transportation&nbsp;has deemed the flight delays and cancellations &#8220;controllable&#8221; and &#8220;attributable to the airline,&#8221; requiring airlines to&nbsp;adhere to their customer service&nbsp;commitments.
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: The tech outage, caused by&nbsp;a flawed software update for&nbsp;Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) Windows operating systems issued&nbsp;by CrowdStrike,&nbsp;affected an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39873706/crowdstrike-outage-impacted-less-than-1-of-windows-devices-but-still-managed-to-wreak-havoc-report">estimated 8.5 million&nbsp;devices worldwide</a>.
The issue disrupted services across various sectors, including&nbsp;businesses, government agencies, health and&nbsp;emergency services, banks, schools, and universities.
Despite CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRWD#NASDAQ">CRWD</a>) CEO George Kurtz&#8217;s apology and assurance of a deployed fix, experts predict a lengthy recovery process. 
This incident has resulted in a significant decline in CrowdStrike&#8217;s stock price and has been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/07/39858714/crowdstrike-shares-trim-heavy-losses-as-microsoft-announces-resolution-of-global-te">deemed a &#8220;major black eye&#8221;</a> for the cybersecurity firm.
Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock.com
Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Media

Crowdstrike Update For Microsoft Windows Continues To Cause Chaos, Thousands of US Flights Canceled For Third Straight Day

Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has expressed his views on the Democratic party&#8217;s strategy to keep former President Donald Trump out of office, suggesting a return to their core values.
What Happened: On Tuesday, Kennedy shared a tweet hinting at the Democrats&#8217; need to revisit their fundamental principles if they truly wish to prevent Trump from returning to the presidency. This comes in the wake of President Joe Biden&#8217;s decision <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39874197/who-could-possibly-succeed-biden-following-his-exit-from-the-presidential-race-here-are-7-names-to-l">not to seek re-election</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">If the Democrats REALLY want to keep President Trump out of office&#8230;. But that would only happen if they returned to their core values. <a href="https://t.co/534IcvZNxh">https://t.co/534IcvZNxh</a>
&mdash; Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1815173715618865426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kennedy shared a tweet from the journalist Paul Bond, who stated that few were conducting head-to-head polls beyond Biden vs. Trump, but that was about to change. He noted that a rare Zogby poll from 10 days ago showed Trump at 51% versus Kamala Harris at 49%, and RFK Jr. at 57% versus Trump at 43%. He mentioned that head-to-head polls featuring Trump against Gavin Newsom, Gretchen Whitmer, and others were still to come. See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39854007/trump-says-he-will-end-the-electric-vehicle-mandate-on-day-one-days-after-tesla-ceo-elon-musks-endor?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Says He Will &#8216;End The Electric Vehicle Mandate On Day One&#8217; Days After Tesla CEO Elon Musk&#8217;s Endorsement, Says UAW Chief Should Be &#8216;Fired Immediately&#8217;</a></figcaption></figure>
Why It Matters: Kennedy&#8217;s tweet comes at a time when his own campaign is facing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/07/39871966/kennedys-campaign-still-in-the-red-despite-running-mate-shanahans-2-5m-boost-will-he-exit-the-pr">financial hurdles</a>, despite a $2.5 million boost from running mate Nicole Shanahan.
Notably, Newsom publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the upcoming presidential race, praising her as "tough," "fearless," and "tenacious." Despite President Biden's endorsement, other notable figures like Nancy Pelosi and Hakeem Jeffries had not yet endorsed Harris.
Meanwhile, Trump was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/07/39874123/trump-goes-in-full-attack-mode-after-biden-drops-out-of-race-says-president-is-certainly-not-fit">quick to attack</a> Biden following his decision, stating that Biden &#8220;was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve.&#8221;
Photo via Shutterstock
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Robert Kennedy Jr. Has Advice For Democrats If They Want To Keep Trump Out Of Office After Biden Drops Out: 'Would Only Happen If…'

The odds of President Joe Biden finishing his tenure dropped dramatically on a cryptocurrency-based prediction market as the 81-year-old <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/07/39874057/biden-drops-out-of-2024-race-in-bombshell-announcement-it-has-been-the-greatest-honor-of-my-life">announced withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race</a>.
What Happened: Polymarket, touted as the world's largest prediction market, <a href="https://polymarket.com/event/will-biden-complete-his-term-as-president?tid=1721609212850">saw </a>odds of Biden completing the rest of his term dip from 75% to 68% in the last 24 hours.
The odds were stacked in Biden's favor until June 27, with over 90% chance of finishing the tenure. However, the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39655190/biden-vs-trump-debate-performance-hurts-president-but-this-factor-could-still-keep-him-in-contention">below-par performance by the incumbent</a> during the debate, caused cryptocurrency bettors to go the other way.
Meanwhile, despite Biden's endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, the odds of Republican challenger Donald Trump winning the elections remained broadly unchanged in the last 24 hours at 64%.
At the time of writing, Harris' odds of victory stood at 30%.
Launched in 2020, Polymarket is a decentralized prediction market that allows users to bet on major global events using cryptocurrencies. The platform has rapidly emerged as one of the world's top prediction markets for U.S. elections. However, it currently does not allow users based in the U.S. to place trades based on its predictions.
See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/06/39359780/dogecoin-shiba-inu-floki-are-dino-coins-says-trader-he-likes-these-3-other-meme-coins-as-b?itm_source=parsely-api"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/07/39871849/analyst-predicts-bitcoin-to-soar-by-83-but-theres-one-major-catch-were-going-to-get-that-c">Analyst Predicts Bitcoin To Soar By 83%, But There&#8217;s One Major Catch: &#8216;We&#8217;re Going To Get That Continuation As Long As &#8230;&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Biden's decision follows weeks of speculation <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/07/39829417/biden-gets-covid-19-takes-a-fiesty-dig-at-tesla-ceo-im-sick-of-elon-musk-and-his-rich-buddies-trying">about his health</a> and the capacity to campaign effectively against Trump. A poor performance at the presidential debate brought these concerns to the forefront of political conversation.
Cryptocurrency bettors have been betting against Biden for quite some time, and even before the formal announcement, the odds of him pulling out of the race soared.
Donald Trump's candidacy, to the contrary, has gained support from cryptocurrency enthusiasts due to his newfound interest in the asset class, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/06/39239552/trump-declares-himself-crypto-president-after-raising-12m-at-vc-hosted-san-francisco-fundr">even positioning himself as the "crypto president."</a>
Price Action: At the time of writing, the coin themed around Joe Biden, JEO BODEN (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">BODEN</a>) was trading at $0.008428, following a free fall of 60% in the last 24 hours, according to<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard?_gl=1&#x2A;380nj0&#x2A;_ga&#x2A;MTEyOTAyOTcxMy4xNzEzMzY0NTYy&#x2A;_ga_V7ZK73W7N0&#x2A;MTcxNDk4MzIzMi42LjEuMTcxNDk4OTE0Ni4wLjAuMA.."> data from Benzinga Pro</a>.
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$BODEN

Biden's Odds Of Finishing Term Drop Sharply On Crypto Prediction Market, Coin Themed After President Bleeds 60%

Former President Donald Trump questioned President Joe Biden&#8217;s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, suggesting the Republican Party should be compensated for the sudden change.
What Happened: On Sunday, Trump expressed his views on <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/112826696160137948">Truth Social</a>, following Biden&#8217;s unexpected decision to withdraw from the presidential race. Truth Social is majorly owned by the ex-president&#8217;s company Trump Media &amp; Technology Group Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DJT#NASDAQ">DJT</a>).
Trump accused a wide range of people of fraud, including his successor, and asked for compensation for the Republican Party.
&#8220;Now we have to start all over again. Shouldn't the Republican Party be reimbursed for fraud in that everybody around Joe, including his doctors and the Fake News Media, knew he was not capable of running for, or being, President?&#8221;
Trump&#8217;s comments came after Biden announced his decision to step down from the race, stating it was in the best interest of his party and the country. Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39874088/biden-backs-harris-for-democratic-nominee-after-bowing-out-of-2024-race-i-want-to-offer-my-full-supp">Democratic nominee</a>, expressing his full support for her.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/07/39870083/black-swan-investor-says-greatest-bubble-in-human-history-is-on-the-verge-of-bursting-calls-stoc?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Black-Swan Investor Says &#8216;Greatest Bubble In Human History&#8217; Is On The Verge Of Bursting, Calls Stocks &#8216;Mega-Tinderbox-Time Bomb&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Biden&#8217;s withdrawal from the race has stirred up the political landscape. His decision followed growing pressure from colleagues in the Democratic party and big-name fundraisers. Biden, who had been recovering from COVID-19, stated he would focus solely on fulfilling his duties as President for the remainder of his term.
Trump&#8217;s comments reflect his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/07/39874123/trump-goes-in-full-attack-mode-after-biden-drops-out-of-race-says-president-is-certainly-not-fit">ongoing criticism</a> of Biden&#8217;s presidency. He has previously denounced Biden on his platform, stating that Biden &#8220;only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement.&#8221;
Image via Shutterstock
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Trump Wants Republicans Reimbursed After Biden Quits: 'We Have To Start All Over Again'

Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, has publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the upcoming presidential race.
What Happened: Newsom voiced his support for Harris on social media, praising her as &#8220;tough&#8221;, &#8220;fearless&#8221;, and &#8220;tenacious&#8221;. He further emphasized that Harris is the ideal candidate to counter Donald Trump&#8217;s vision and steer the country toward a brighter future, <a href="https://thehill.com/elections/4785106-newsom-backs-harris-no-one-better-to-prosecute-case-against-trump/">reported</a> The Hill.
Harris, a former U.S. Senator from California, is seen as the party&#8217;s top choice to succeed President Biden, who recently announced he would not seek the party&#8217;s nomination at the forthcoming convention. While some Democrats are advocating for an open convention, many have immediately backed Harris, viewing her as the natural successor given her current role as Vice President.
Despite President Biden endorsing Harris&#8217;s bid, notable figures such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) have yet to do so. Newsom, a staunch Biden supporter, has previously stated he would not run for president if Biden were to exit the race.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39852186/marco-rubio-says-if-biden-drops-out-of-race-he-should-quit-as-president-as-well-theyve-got-to-remove?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marco Rubio Says If Biden Drops Out Of Race He Should Quit As President As Well: &#8216;They&#8217;ve Got To Remove Him&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: The endorsement comes in the wake of President Biden&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39874209/joe-biden-drops-out-what-would-happen-with-cannabis-legalization-under-kamala-harris-or-donald-t">decision to withdraw</a> from the presidential race. Biden&#8217;s decision followed increased pressure from colleagues in the Democratic party and significant fundraisers.
Following Biden&#8217;s announcement, former President Trump launched an attack on Biden. Trump criticized Biden&#8217;s fitness to serve as President and blamed him for the current state of the country.
A <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39858552/majority-of-democrats-view-kamala-harris-as-a-strong-presidential-contender-poll">recent poll</a> suggested that a majority of Democrats view Harris as a suitable presidential candidate. The poll revealed that approximately 60% of Democrats believe Harris would excel in the presidential role.
With Biden&#8217;s exit, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39874197/who-could-possibly-succeed-biden-following-his-exit-from-the-presidential-race-here-are-7-names-to-l">the search</a> for a new Democratic candidate for the next presidential election has begun, as reported by Benzinga. Biden&#8217;s decision follows a less-than-stellar debate performance and increasing concerns within the Democratic party about his capacity to serve another term.
Image via Shutterstock
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Gavin Newsom Backs Kamala Harris, Calls VP Tough, Fearless And Tenacious: 'The Ideal Candidate To Counter Donald Trump'

XPeng Inc. (the &ldquo;Company&rdquo; or &ldquo;XPENG&rdquo;) and the Volkswagen Group are pleased to announce today that, further to XPENG&rsquo;s announcement dated April 17, 2024 (the &ldquo;Announcement&rdquo;) in connection with the framework agreement on technical collaboration with respect to electrical/electronic architecture (&ldquo;E/E Architecture&rdquo;), XPENG and the Volkswagen Group have entered into a Master Agreement on E/E Collaboration (&ldquo;Master Agreement&rdquo;) which solidifies both parties&rsquo; commitment to jointly develop industry-leading E/E Architecture for all locally produced vehicles based on Volkswagen&rsquo;s China Main Platform (CMP) and Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) platform. The execution of the Master Agreement not only signifies the expeditious joint development of E/E Architecture in China by the parties but also paves the way for potential expansion of collaboration on E/E Architecture. Under the E/E Architecture technical collaboration, XPENG and the Volkswagen Group have established Project House in Guangzhou and Hefei for engineers from both parties to work closely together and accelerate the development process for E/E Architecture. Such close technical collaboration through Project House enables the first vehicle equipped with the jointly developed E/E Architecture to SOP (Start of Production) within approximately 24 months, demonstrating extensive trust and commitment throughout the strategic partnership of Volkswagen Group and XPENG.

VLKAF

XPeng Announced Master Agreement On E/E Architecture Technical Collaboration With Volkswagen Group

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/all-50-democratic-party-us-state-chairs-back-harris-sources-2024-07-21/#:~:text=WASHINGTON%2C%20July%2021%20(Reuters),sources%20familiar%20with%20the%20matter.

Reuters Reported Earlier, All 50 Democratic Party US State Chairs Back Harris As Presidential Nominee

At a rally in Michigan on Saturday, former President Donald Trump distanced himself from the contentious Project 2025, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39761579/biden-vs-trump-latest-poll-reveals-surprise-following-presidents-widely-criticized-debate-performanc">describing it as &#8220;far-right&#8221; and &#8220;extreme.&#8221;</a>
What Happened: Trump addressed a crowd of supporters at a Michigan MAGA rally, where he was joined by his running mate, Senator JD Vance.
During his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW3gsa0OXd0">speech</a>, Trump mentioned Project 2025, a supposed &#8220;governing agenda&#8221; devised by a number of right-wing groups, including some former Trump White House officials.
Democrats have claimed that the aim of these documents is to restore executive power to Trump, should he win in future elections. The project&#8217;s objectives are said to include the reclassification of tens of thousands of federal civil service workers as political appointees.
Despite this, Trump&#8217;s campaign has consistently denied any association with the initiative. At the rally, Trump reiterated this position, informing his supporters that he doesn&#8217;t &#8220;know what the hell&#8221; Project 2025 is. He characterized it as a product of the &#8220;severe right&#8221; and labeled some of its proposals as &#8220;seriously extreme,&#8221; as reported <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/trump/dont-know-what-the-hell-it-is-trump-pleads-ignorance-on-severe-right-project-2025-dont-know-anything-about-it/">by</a> Mediaite.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39872154/trump-vs-biden-latest-round-of-polls-all-seem-to-suggest-grim-news-for-this-candidate">Trump Vs. Biden: Latest Rounds Of Polls All Seem To Suggest Grim News For This Candidate</a>
&#8220;Some on the right, severe right, came up with this Project 25 and I don't even know. I mean, some of them I know who they are, but they're very very conservative. Just like you have this sort of the opposite of the radical left. Okay? You have the radical left and you have the radical right, and they come up with this,&#8221; Trump said. 
He also said, &#8220;I don't know what the hell it is. It's Project 25. He's involved in Project 25. And then they read some of the things that they are extreme, that seriously extreme. But I don't know anything about it. I don't want to know anything about it.&#8221;
Trump defended himself against accusations of extremism and threats to democracy, declaring, &#8220;I took a bullet for democracy!&#8221;
Why It Matters: The disassociation of Trump from Project 2025 is significant in the current political landscape. The project has been a point of contention among various political factions, with Democrats viewing it as a potential threat to democracy. 
Trump&#8217;s denial of any involvement with the project may be an attempt to distance himself from the more extreme elements of his support base, while also defending his record on democratic values. 
This move could potentially impact his political standing and influence within the Republican party and among his supporters.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39563576/following-debate-latest-poll-among-democrats-signals-major-trouble-for-joe-biden-although-theres-one" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Following Debate, Latest Poll Among Democrats Signals Major Trouble For Joe Biden — Although There's One Silver Lining</a></li>
</ul>
This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo: Shutterstock

Trump Disassociates Himself From 'Extreme' Project 2025 At Michigan Rally: 'I Don't Know What The Hell It Is'

Reuters Reported VP Harris Wins Her First Delegates; Tennessee Pledges 77

Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination, following President Joe Biden&#8216;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/07/39874057/biden-drops-out-of-2024-race-in-bombshell-announcement-it-has-been-the-greatest-honor-of-my-life">decision to step aside from the race.</a>
What Happened: Biden officially withdrew his candidacy for a second term on Sunday. This move was prompted by weeks of mounting pressure from fellow Democrats, in the wake of a lackluster debate performance against ex-President Donald Trump.
While Biden did not immediately endorse a successor in his withdrawal announcement, he later voiced his support for Harris. Betting market PredictIt now positions Harris as the likely nominee at the convention.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">VP Harris leading ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/PredictIt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PredictIt</a>⁩ but Clinton and Whitmer are on the board. Lots of time … <a href="https://t.co/o6DFhVbEDX">pic.twitter.com/o6DFhVbEDX</a>
&mdash; Brian Sullivan (@SullyCNBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SullyCNBC/status/1815082765294915855?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Other potential nominees include former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and former First Lady Michelle Obama. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39874197/who-could-possibly-succeed-biden-following-his-exit-from-the-presidential-race-here-are-7-names-to-l">Who Could Possibly Succeed Biden Following His Exit From The Presidential Race? Here Are 7 Names To Look Out For.</a>
However, according to PredictIt, Harris is currently leading the race.
Why It Matters: The shift in the Democratic nomination race is significant. Harris&#8217; potential nomination would mark a historic moment, as she could become the first woman to secure a major party&#8217;s presidential nomination. Furthermore, Biden&#8217;s endorsement could potentially sway undecided voters and solidify Harris&#8217;s lead.
However, the race is far from over. With other high-profile Democrats in the running, the coming months will be crucial in determining the final nominee. 
The impact of this nomination on the Democratic party&#8217;s strategy for the upcoming election remains to be seen.
Read Next
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39858552/majority-of-democrats-view-kamala-harris-as-a-strong-presidential-contender-poll" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Majority Of Democrats View Kamala Harris As Strong Presidential Contender: Poll</a></li>
</ul>
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Betting Markets Favor Kamala Harris As Top Democratic Presidential Contender

About <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/07/39769910/goldman-sachs-q2-earnings-revenue-and-eps-beat-investment-banking-fees-up-21-hikes-dividend">14% of the S&amp;P 500 companies have reported their June quarter earnings</a> and the blended earnings growth rate for the companies constituting the broader index remains healthy. The coming week will see the official start of the tech reporting season, which could potentially decide the fate of the market, which has seen a steep pullback in the recent week.
The Week That Was: The tech earnings season had a modest start last week with the earnings report from chip-equipment maker ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASML#NASDAQ">ASML</a>). The stock slumped about 16%, dragged by its weak third-quarter outlook and geopolitical concerns surrounding the China chip ban. Netflix, Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) guidance disappointed investors, but with sell-side analysts raving over the results, the stock did not get hammered.
Investors cheered earnings reports from the remaining big banks, namely Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>) and Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>). A rebound in investment banking business and strong trading revenue helped the banks shore up their topline.
Of these companies, 80% reported earnings per share above estimates compared to the five-year average of 77%, said FactSet in its latest earnings insight <a href="https://advantage.factset.com/hubfs/Website/Resources%20Section/Research%20Desk/Earnings%20Insight/EarningsInsight_071924.pdf">report.</a> The average upside is about 5.5%, which, however, is below the five-year average of 8.6%.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-tech-stocks">Best Tech Stocks Right Now</a>
Earnings Trend: The blended earnings growth rate for the S&amp;P 500 companies for the second quarter is currently estimated at 9.7%, up from 9.1% in the previous week, FactSet noted. If the estimate is hit, the actual growth rate for the quarter will mark the highest year-over-year rate reported since the fourth quarter of 2021, it added. The second quarter will also likely mark the fourth consecutive quarter of growth.
Eight of the qq S&amp;P 500 sectors are expected to report year-over-year earnings growth, with four, namely communication services, healthcare, IT, and financials, likely reporting double-digit earnings growth. On the other hand, three sectors will likely report earnings declines, led by the materials sector.
The Week Ahead: The unfolding week will see earnings reports from 138 S&amp;P 500 companies, including seven Dow 30 components, Factset report said. The earnings slate for the week includes companies from the telecom, auto, steel, chip, homebuilding, defense, airline and tech industries.
Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and Alphabet, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) are among the closely watched copmanies, given their heavy weightings in the S&amp;P 500 and the Nasdaq indices. Tesla is widely expected to report a sharp year-over-year decline in its earnings per share from 91 cents to 62 cents, while revenue may have seen a much more modest 0.80% decline to $24.73 billion. The greater impact on the bottom line comes from the price cuts that Elon Musk&#8216;s company has relied on to push volume in a challenging demand environment.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/07/39810457/as-tesla-stock-bounces-back-fund-manager-says-elon-musk-led-company-offers-good-set">Analysts and fund managers are optimistic</a> after the company reported a deliveries beat for the quarter. They also expect an inflection in the second-half of the year.
Alphabet&#8217;s earnings are important because it is the first among the AI-levered mega-cap companies to release its quarterly results, which might set the tempo for the earnings from the rest in the space. 
The stock market took a hit last week as major indices retreated from their record highs.The Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), an index that tracks the performance of the Nasdaq 100 Index, ended Friday&#8217;s session down 0.89% to $475.24, according to Benzinga Pro data. The ETF is trading off its record close of $502.96 reached on July 10. The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) fell 0.66% on Friday before closing at $548.99.
Notable among the companies reporting this week are:
Monday
Before market open:
<ul>
<li>Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VZ#NYSE">VZ</a>)</li>
</ul>
After close:
<ul>
<li>Agilysys, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AGYS#NASDAQ">AGYS</a>)</li>
<li>Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CLF#NYSE">CLF</a>)</li>
<li>Nucor Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NUE#NYSE">NUE</a>)</li>
<li>NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NXPI#NASDAQ">NXPI</a>)</li>
</ul>
Tuesday
Before market open:
<ul>
<li>&nbsp;Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KO#NYSE">KO</a>)</li>
<li>Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCX#NYSE">FCX</a>)</li>
<li>GATX Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GATX#NYSE">GATX</a>)</li>
<li>GE Aerospace (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GE#NYSE">GE</a>)</li>
<li>General Motors Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>)</li>
<li>Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KMB#NYSE">KMB</a>)</li>
<li>Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>)</li>
<li>Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PM#NYSE">PM</a>)</li>
<li>PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PHM#NYSE">PHM</a>)</li>
<li>Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DGX#NYSE">DGX</a>)</li>
<li>Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPOT#NYSE">SPOT</a>)</li>
<li>United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UPS#NYSE">UPS</a>)</li>
</ul>
After close:
<ul>
<li>Alphabet</li>
<li>Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COF#NYSE">COF</a>)</li>
<li>Chubb Limited (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CB#NYSE">CB</a>)</li>
<li>Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MAT#NASDAQ">MAT</a>)</li>
<li>Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PKG#NYSE">PKG</a>)</li>
<li>Seagate Technology Holdings plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STX#NASDAQ">STX</a>)</li>
<li>Tesla</li>
<li>Texas Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXN#NASDAQ">TXN</a>)</li>
<li>Visa Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/V#NYSE">V</a>)</li>
</ul>
Wednesday
Before market open:
<ul>
<li>AT&amp;T Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/T#NYSE">T</a>)</li>
<li>Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHKP#NASDAQ">CHKP</a>)</li>
<li>Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BSX#NYSE">BSX</a>)</li>
<li>CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CME#NASDAQ">CME</a>)</li>
<li>General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GD#NYSE">GD</a>)</li>
<li>Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ODFL#NASDAQ">ODFL</a>)</li>
<li>GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GEV#NYSE">GEV</a>)</li>
<li>Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMO#NYSE">TMO</a>)</li>
</ul>
After close:
<ul>
<li>Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMG#NYSE">CMG</a>)</li>
<li>Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EW#NYSE">EW</a>)</li>
<li>Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>)</li>
<li>International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>)</li>
<li>Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KNX#NYSE">KNX</a>)</li>
<li>Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LVS#NYSE">LVS</a>)</li>
<li>Meritage Homes Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MTH#NYSE">MTH</a>)</li>
<li>Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WHR#NYSE">WHR</a>)</li>
<li> ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOW#NYSE">NOW</a>) ORLY</li>
<li>O&#8217;Reilly Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORLY#NASDAQ">ORLY</a>)</li>
</ul>
Thursday
Before market open:
<ul>
<li>AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>)</li>
<li>American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAL#NASDAQ">AAL</a>) </li>
<li>AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZN#NASDAQ">AZN</a>)</li>
<li>Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>)</li>
<li>Dow Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DOW#NYSE">DOW</a>)</li>
<li>Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HAS#NASDAQ">HAS</a>)</li>
<li>Honeywell International Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HON#NASDAQ">HON</a>)</li>
<li>Sanofi (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNY#NASDAQ">SNY</a>)</li>
<li>Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LUV#NYSE">LUV</a>)</li>
<li>STMicroelectronics N.V. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STM#NYSE">STM</a>)</li>
<li>Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNP#NYSE">UNP</a>)</li>
<li> Xerox Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XRX#NASDAQ">XRX</a>)</li>
</ul>
After close:
<ul>
<li>SkyWest, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SKYW#NASDAQ">SKYW</a>)</li>
<li>Juniper Networks, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNPR#NYSE">JNPR</a>)</li>
<li>Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DECK#NYSE">DECK</a>)</li>
<li>Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BYD#NYSE">BYD</a>)</li>
<li>BJ&#8217;s Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BJRI#NASDAQ">BJRI</a>)</li>
<li>VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRSN#NASDAQ">VRSN</a>)</li>
</ul>
Friday
Before market open:
<ul>
<li>3M Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MMM#NYSE">MMM</a>)</li>
<li>Barnes Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/B#NYSE">B</a>)</li>
<li>Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMY#NYSE">BMY</a>)</li>
<li>Newell Brands Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NWL#NASDAQ">NWL</a>)</li>
<li>Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CL#NYSE">CL</a>)</li>
<li>Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHTR#NASDAQ">CHTR</a>)</li>
</ul>
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/07/39857569/american-express-q2-earnings-ceo-raises-annual-profit-and-marketing-spend-outlook-after-q2-profit-b">American Express Q2 Earnings: CEO Raises Annual Profit And Marketing Spend Outlook After Q2 Profit Beat</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Equities

Previews

ABBV

AGYS

ASML

BJRI

CHKP

CHTR

CMCSA

DECK

GATX

GOOG

GOOGL

JNPR

NFLX

NXPI

ODFL

ORLY

SKYW

SPOT

TSLA

VRSN

Tesla, Alphabet, GM, Ford Lead Earnings Parade This Week As Market Struggles To Sustain The Summer Rally

President Joe Biden announced his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/07/39874057/biden-drops-out-of-2024-race-in-bombshell-announcement-it-has-been-the-greatest-honor-of-my-life">decision to drop out of the presidential race</a> in a letter posted on his official <a href="https://x.com/JoeBiden/status/1815080881981190320">X account</a> Sunday after growing pressure from colleagues in the Democratic party and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/07/39852736/exclusive-biden-victory-fund-suspends-donor-calls-pause-calling-indefinitely-as-of-tonight">big-name fundraisers</a>. The president, who has been secluded while recovering from COVID-19, said he will speak to the nation in more detail later this week, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/21/politics/joe-biden-drops-out-election/index.html">reported</a> CNN.
"It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden wrote in the letter. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term."
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Now What For Cannabis Legalization?</h2>
In mid-May, President Biden directed federal agencies to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/cannabis">review the classification of marijuana</a>, aiming to reschedule it from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance under federal law. This move followed numerous public statements, including his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/03/37552483/biden-calls-for-cannabis-reform-in-state-of-the-union-a-historic-first-no-one-should-be-jailed-f">State of the Union address</a>, where he emphasized that no one should be in jail for possession of cannabis. 
With this significant step, legalization advocates might be wondering what's next.
"President Biden has taken historic steps toward ending the federal prohibition of cannabis, including starting the process to move it to Schedule III and pardoning thousands of Americans convicted of nonviolent cannabis offenses. We look forward to the current administration finalizing the rescheduling process, and we hope the next nominee will support formally ending federal cannabis prohibition,&#8221; said David Culver, senior vice president of public affairs at the U.S. Cannabis Council.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">With Biden Out, VP Kamala Harris Would Be The Answer To The Question Of What&#8217;s Next</h2>
It&#8217;s safe to say that VP Harris has done a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/03/37760731/vp-kamala-harris-urges-dea-to-reschedule-cannabis-as-quickly-as-possible-calls-prohibition-absur">total turn-around</a> on the topic of cannabis legalization as did her soon-to-be-retired boss. How could they not? After all, legalizing cannabis is among the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/11/35674739/marijuana-legalization-support-hits-record-70-as-republicans-join-the-majority-shows-gallup-poll">most popular topics</a> shared by both Democrats and Republicans alike.
Harris has undergone a notable evolution in her stance on<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/03/37633391/usda-invests-10m-in-hemp-research-tribal-lands-and-bidens-hemp-biotech-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> cannabis policy</a> since her days as a prosecutor in California enforcing marijuana criminalization to a U.S. Senator sponsoring a bill for its federal legalization. And her journey mirrors the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/03/37673856/vp-harris-will-meet-rapper-fat-joe-and-others-pardoned-by-biden-for-cannabis-convictions-to-disc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shifting attitudes</a> toward cannabis in the United States.
On numerous occasions, especially in that past year, Harris has <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/15/vice-president-to-hold-cannabis-roundtable-00146564" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">labeled</a> the current classification of cannabis —equivalent to heroin and considered more dangerous than fentanyl— as &#8220;absurd&#8221; and &#8220;patently unfair.&#8221;
In fact, and not to be trite, Harris learned not long ago on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/06/39212969/kamala-harris-gets-her-own-cannabis-strain-kamala-kush-whether-she-likes-it-or-not-watch-jimmy-k">Jimmy Kimmel show</a> that an Oregon-based company had created a strain after her, called "Kamala Kush." 
Harris used the opportunity to reiterate her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/04/38349064/biden-and-harris-join-420-celebrations-with-matching-tweets-at-4-20-pm-on-cannabis-holiday" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">newly-found stance</a>&nbsp;that marijuana users should not face jail time.
&#8220;I think we both agree that people shouldn&#8217;t have to go to jail for smoking weed. And we&#8217;ve pardoned a number of people,&#8221; said the vice president. 
In the same interview, Harris also addressed the mostly debunked &#8220;cannabis as a gateway drug&#8221; theory.
So, is cannabis legalization in good hands if VP Harris ends up sitting at the biggest table in the West Wing? Most likely&#8230;yes.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">And If Trump Ends Up In The White House?</h2>
That&#8217;s an even bigger question as Trump has remained mum on the topic. 
In April last year, he <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/04/31828477/trump-insinuates-engineered-weed-and-trans-depression-are-responsible-for-mass-shootings-violenc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told a National Rifle Association meeting</a> that the uptick in <a href="https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/reports/mass-shooting" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mass shootings</a> across the country was "not a gun problem" but rather that "genetically engineered" cannabis and the trans community could be at fault and should therefore be investigated.
But as Don Murphy, founder of the American Cannabis Collective who attended last week&#8217;s Republican National Convention <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39866755/trump-accepts-gop-nomination-as-party-begins-to-embrace-cannabis-legalization-says-republican-co">said</a>,&nbsp;&#8220;I don&#8217;t see Donald Trump sticking his finger in the eye of 80% of Americans.&#8221; 
His stance is still unclear.
Benzinga will be watching the reaction of key cannabis ETFs like the AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSOS#NYSE">MSOS</a>) closely on Monday trading. 
Photo: Shutterstock

MSOS

Joe Biden Drops Out: What Would Happen With Cannabis Legalization Under Kamala Harris Or Donald Trump?

In a surprising turn of events, President Joe Biden on Sunday decided not to run for a second term, prompting an immediate search for a new Democratic <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/07/39874057/biden-drops-out-of-2024-race-in-bombshell-announcement-it-has-been-the-greatest-honor-of-my-life">candidate for the next presidential election.</a>
What Happened: Biden&#8217;s decision follows a less-than-stellar debate performance and increasing concerns within the Democratic party about his capacity to serve another term. 
Despite his notable accomplishments like the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the Inflation Reduction Act, demands for Biden to step down have intensified.
The Democratic National Convention in Chicago this coming August will select a new nominee. Biden<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39874088/biden-backs-harris-for-democratic-nominee-after-bowing-out-of-2024-race-i-want-to-offer-my-full-supp"> has already endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris</a> as his successor. However, the long-term consequences of this development could potentially result in a tumultuous convention.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39874154/bidens-exit-from-presidential-race-sparks-massive-reactions-from-first-lady-gavin-newsom-marjorie-ta?utm_campaign=Watchlist&amp;utm_source=Benzinga&amp;utm_medium=Email">Biden&#8217;s Exit From Presidential Race Sparks Massive Reactions From First Lady, Gavin Newsom, Marjorie Taylor Greene And More — Read The Reactions Here</a>
According <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-reelection-democrats-harris-newsom-whitmer-klobuchar-booker-cooper-moore-2024-2">to</a> Business Insider, other potential successors include Gov. Gavin Newsom of California, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina and Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland. Each potential nominee brings a distinct set of experiences and policy positions, paving the way for a vigorous nomination process.
Why It Matters: The decision by Biden not to seek re-election has significant implications for the Democratic party and the upcoming presidential race. The potential successors each bring their own strengths and policy positions, but also face their own challenges.
The selection process could be a contentious one, with the potential for division within the party. The outcome of this process will shape the Democratic party&#8217;s platform and strategy for the upcoming election, and could have far-reaching implications for the country.
Read Next
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39858552/majority-of-democrats-view-kamala-harris-as-a-strong-presidential-contender-poll" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Majority Of Democrats View Kamala Harris As Strong Presidential Contender: Poll</a></li>
</ul>
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo: Shutterstock

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