Biden-Harris, Perseids, UEFA Champions League quarterfinals: 5 things to know Wednesday
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris deliver remarks together
Joe Biden and his newly announced running mate Kamala Harris will deliver remarks together Wednesday in Wilmington, Delaware. The Democratic presidential nominee announced Harris’ nomination on Tuesday, making her the first Black woman and first Asian American person on a major party's presidential ticket. Harris, who early on was a Biden opponent for the nomination, brings the political prowess of winning statewide elections in the largest state while also personifying the diversity that key Democratic activists have said is crucial to building grassroots enthusiasm for the ticket. Amid nationwide protests for racial justice and reform of policing, Harris also served five years as attorney general in California and as a prosecutor in San Francisco.
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UK economy falls into deepest recession since records began
The United Kingdom’s economy fell into a recession after official figures released Wednesday showed it contracted by a record 20.4% in the second quarter as a result of lockdown measures put in place to counter the coronavirus pandemic. It's the deepest recession since records began in 1955, the figures from the Office for National Statistics show. A recession is commonly defined as two quarters of negative growth. The U.S. economy entered a recession in February as the coronavirus shut down businesses across the country, a group of economists from a private nonprofit group declared in June, ending the longest expansion on record. The economists, from a committee within the National Bureau of Economic Research, determine when recessions begin and end.
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The Perseids light up the sky
The Perseids, considered by stargazers to be the best meteor shower of the summer, is set to peak Wednesday, according to NASA. As we all stay indoors this summer, there’s no better time to prepare for the meteor shower — known for its bright, long-lasting rays of light and dazzling "fireballs," which are large bursts that last longer than meteors. To view the meteor shower, focus on the northeast part of the sky, lay down on a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the stunning sights. But keep your eyes peeled — this year the moon will remain above the horizon during prime viewing hours, making it hard to get an optimal view.
Soccer's elite club competition heads to Lisbon in new tournament style
The UEFA Champions League shifts to Portugal as the quarterfinals start Wednesday. Portugal — which has successfully controlled the coronavirus pandemic — earned the right to host the final rounds of the most popular club soccer tournament in the world. What's new? Well, for starters, single-leg ties which could make for great television. Perhaps symbolic is Wednesday's quarterfinal matchup. Paris Saint-Germain will play Atalanta, a club from the small city of Bergamo, which was one of the epicenters of the coronavirus outbreak in Italy. PSG is hoping to have World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe back in action following an injury. Atalanta-PSG kicks off at 3 p.m. ET (on CBS All Access and Univision Deportes).
'Today' host to undergo shoulder replacement surgery
Al Roker announced on the "Today" show that he will undergo total shoulder replacement surgery Wednesday for arthritis. The longtime TV host will be off for the rest of this week recovering from the surgery on his right shoulder, which Roker, 65, said doesn't bother him during the day but puts him in so much pain at night. "For the last month, I've only been sleeping about two or three hours a night, which even for me is a little bit less," he said. Roker, who like most other "Today" hosts, has been appearing remotely, will undergo physical therapy for a week to 10 days, and expects to wear a sling for three weeks.
Contributing: The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden-Harris deliver remarks together, Perseids and more things to know Wednesday
