PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN will run for re-election in 2024 (White House photo).

In a move that was totally expected – if not universally welcome – President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday he is running for re-election in 2024.

“We –you and I – together we’re turning things around and doing it in a big way,” said Biden before a rally of union workers,” he said, according to the Associated Press. “It’s time to finish the job. Finish the job.”

Biden has no serious challengers for the Democratic Party nomination, but public opinion polls suggest that Biden’s age – he would be 86 at the end of a second term – hampers enthusiasm even within his own party for his candidacy.

The front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination – based on polls – is former president Donald Trump, whom Biden defeated in 2020.

Kabul massacre plotter killed by Taliban

TALIBAN REBELS conquered Afghanistan in few days as U.S troops withdrew (Shutterstock).

The leader of the cell of the Islamic State believed responsible for the 2021 suicide bombing at the Kabul Airport in Afghanistan that killed 13 American troops and 170 civilians has been killed by the ruling Taliban, according to The New York Times.

Although both groups are strongly anti-American and fundamentalist Muslim, they are rivals and there’s been fighting between them in recent weeks, government sources told The Times.

Also in the news … Harry Belafonte, popular singer of calypso music (“Day-O”) and a civil rights activist, has died at the age of 96.

Sports: Angels, Dodgers win; Clips fall

The Los Angeles Dodgers rallied from a 7-2 deficit to defeat the Pittsburgh PIrates 8-7 on Tuesday.

With the win, the Dodgers are 13-11 and in first in the NL West, a half-game ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks (13-12).

The Los Angeles Angels defeated the Oakland A’s 5-3 and squared their record at 12-12. The Halos are in third place in the AL West.

The season came to an end Tuesday for the Los Angeles Clippers lost 136-130 to the Phoenix Suns in the fifth and final game of the first round NBA Western Conference playoffs.

Derek Booker scored 47 points for the Suns.

Weather: The Spirits of ’78 and ’76

The outlook for the West Orange County area continues to be for summer-y days. Wednesday’s daytime high should be 78, with an overnight low of 56 under partly cloudy skies. Thursday will be similar at 76 (56) but the sun should break through on Friday with a high of 77 (59).