Joe Biden says decision to drop out of US election ‘best way to unite our nation’
US president Joe Biden addressed the nation on Wednesday to explain his historic decision to withdraw from the presidential race, delivering a reflective and hopeful message about the need to begin a new chapter in America’s story.
“I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for America’s future all merited a second term, but nothing – nothing – can come in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition,” Mr Biden said in the televised Oval Office address.
“So I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. It’s the best way to unite our nation. You know, there is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life. There’s also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices – yes, younger voices. And that time and place is now.”
News in Ireland
- ‘I was cutting silage’: Co Westmeath farmer who found Bronze Age axe heads comes forward: A Co Westmeath farmer was “shocked” to discover that two 4,000-year-old Bronze Age axe heads which have triggered an international media storm were found on his land.
- ‘Move it to the south side’: Dubliners mortified by antics at capital’s transatlantic portal: Some Dubliners feared for the state of Irish-American relations after “deeply anti-American rhetoric” and anti-social behaviour was broadcast across the Atlantic at the Dublin portal.
- Rip-off Ireland? How do overseas tourists rate Ireland on value for money: Irish holidaymakers are quick to complain about the relative cost of staycations compared with overseas trips. But what do overseas visitors think of Ireland as a value-for-money location?
- Search for young boy reported missing at Cliffs of Moher on Tuesday: The boy became separated from his family, who are holidaying in area, while visiting cliffs
- Weather forecast: According to Met Éireann there is a lot of cloud around for a time , with a little rain and drizzle and some mist in places. It will become brighter from the west later in the morning and through the afternoon, with good spells of sunshine developing. Scattered showers will develop, some will be heavy, especially across Ulster, north Connacht and the north Midlands. Highs of 16 to 20 or 21 degrees in light to moderate breezes, occasionally fresh mainly in western coastal parts.
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The Big Read
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Business
- Finance officials concerned about oversight of auto-enrolment pension scheme: The Department of Finance has raised concerns about light-tough supervision being planned for the incoming multibillion euro auto-enrolment pension system by colleagues in the Department of Social Protection, according to new documents.
Sports
- Ireland surge to quarter-finals in Olympic Rugby Sevens after beating Japan: All the talk, all the understated confidence the Irish team brought to their preparation camp in Tours, where the Irish XVs team stayed before last years Rugby World Cup, was richly rewarded in Paris with wins in their opening two matches of the Olympic Games. With that Ireland have secured a quarter-final.
World
- Surviving Gaza: ‘We were displaced twice in less than 10 hours’: Israeli evacuation orders force Palestinians to move, often multiple times, as they seek shelter.
- Look inside the most expensive house sold in Dublin so far this year: Deemed one of the top 10 most expensive homes of the year when it sold for €4.41 million in 2014, Victoria House at number 81 Ailesbury Road is likely to make the list once again a decade on, having recently sold for about €10 million.
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