After weeks of speculation following an abysmal performance at a televised debate against Donald Trump in late June, U.S. President Joe Biden announced yesterday he’s not running for a second term. The bombshell announcement came after days of increasing pressure from high-profile Democrats and party donors to bow out amid fears the 81-year-old Biden lacks the stamina to win a second term against Trump.

Today in The Conversation Canada, Thomas Klassen of York University looks back at American presidential history, noting that Biden’s decision is unprecedented because it comes so close to the next election and months after he had easily secured the Democratic Party nomination.

He writes: “Biden may have engineered a historic election in November that could feature the first female presumptive candidate for president, and the first Black and South Asian woman, duelling his arch rival. But if Trump wins in November, Biden’s momentous decision will always be second guessed.”

Also today:

All the best,

Lee-Anne Goodman

Politics Editor
U.S. President Joe Biden walks up the steps of Air Force One in Las Vegas on July 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Biden steps aside, setting in motion an unprecedented moment in American politics

Thomas Klassen, York University, Canada

Joe Biden has become one of the few sitting American presidents not to seek a second term after failing to convince Democrats he has the stamina for another term in the Oval Office. What happens now?
Foreign disinformation is a growing challenge for governments. (Shutterstock)

5 ways for governments to better tackle foreign disinformation

Nicole Jackson, Simon Fraser University

Government action on foreign disinformation has been limited by the scale, complexity and constant evolution of modern disinformation. Here’s how to do better.
A woman drinks water in front of the ancient Parthenon Temple during a hot, windy day at Acropolis hill in Athens in July 2024. Record-breaking heat waves have become the norm across much of the world as a result of human caused climate change. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

A ‘green new deal’ is Canada’s best hope of achieving a just carbon-zero transition

Richard Sandbrook, University of Toronto

A green new deal is practical, politically possible, and the best chance we have to achieve a just carbon-zero transition in Canada.
Planting more trees in urban environments is a simple, affordable and effective way to improve health. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Bringing forests to the city: 10 ways planting trees improves health in urban centres

Myles David Sergeant, McMaster University

While trees are beautiful and benefit the environment, the most practical argument for planting more is that they provide a clear public health benefit, both in the preventive and therapeutic sense.
A reluctance to reach out to old friends could be because old friends feel like strangers after time has passed. (Shutterstock)

It’s hard to reach out to old friends, but doing so may help alleviate loneliness

Lara B Aknin, Simon Fraser University; Gillian Sandstrom, University of Sussex; Kristina Castaneto, Simon Fraser University

Social relationships are a key source of happiness but most people won’t reach out to an old friend.
Taylor Swift performs during ‘The Eras Tour,’ on Aug. 7, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Public advocacy helps musicians’ fame and fortune, new study finds

Chau Minh Nguyen, HEC Montréal; Marcelo Vinhal Nepomuceno, HEC Montréal

Musicians often face suspicions when they openly support charity causes. However, if they do this regularly, advocacy could enhance their popularity and music sales.

La Conversation Canada
Image générée par la version 5 de Midjourney avec la commande suivante: «Robots en examen, plume à la main, à la manière de Camille Corot.» (Jean-Hugues Roy)

J’ai testé un outil de détection de ChatGPT : j’ai perdu mon temps

Jean-Hugues Roy, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)

Selon l’enquête de l’auteur, 41 % des textes produits en tout ou en partie par GPT-3 ont été classés comme ayant probablement été rédigés par un être humain. Il est donc vain de combattre l’IA par l’IA.

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