PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN talks of his vision for electric automobiles (White House).

Half of all new cars sold in the U.S. in 2030 would be electric powered under a strategy announced Thursday by President Joe Biden.

Biden moved to restore and increase auto mileage standards relaxed by former President Donald Trump, according to The New York Times.

The increase in mileage is aimed to reducing carbon emissions that scientist believe to be a major factor in climate change and global warming. Tougher pollution rules from cars and truck are on the way.

“There’s a vision of the future that is now beginning to happen, a future of the automobile industry that is electric – battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, fuel cell electric,” said Biden. “The question is whether we’ll lead or fall behind in the future.”

Dixie fire guts town of Greenville

DIXIE FIRE in northern California has burned 322,000 acres.

The out of control Dixie wildfire destroyed much of the town of Greenville in Northern California on Thursday as it grew and moved across Plumas County.

According to the Los Angeles Times, as much as three-quarters of the town’s buildings have been destroyed. The Dixie fire is three weeks old, and its possible that the blaze – which has now reached over 322,000 acres – was ignited by equipment of the Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

Greenville is a community of about 800 people. Plumas County is located in northeastern California, northwest of Reno, Nevada.

U.S. women win soccer bronze

With two goals each by Megan Rapino and Carli Lloyd, the United States’ women soccer team defeated Australia 4-3 and won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday. The Americans have won six Olympic medals:  four gold, a silver and a bronze.

As of 6:30 p.m. our time, here are the medal leaders overall.

• All Medals: U.S. 89, China 74, Russian Olympic Committee 57, Great Britain 50, Japan 44.
• Gold Medals: China 34, U.S. 29, Japan 22, Great Britain and Russians, 16 each.