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Today’s discussion kicked off with the controversy surrounding USA gymnast Jordan Chiles, who was ordered to return her bronze medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics due to a late appeal that bumped her score. Jones and Eli debated the fairness of this decision, with both firmly siding with Chiles. The conversation then shifted to the difficulty of gymnastics, with Jones ranking it as the hardest Olympic sport, while Eli humorously claimed he could excel in easier events like shooting. Finally, they discussed the surprising and disappointing performance of Australian breakdancer Reagan, who despite having a PhD in breakdancing, struggled in the Olympic event.

Sources:

https://apnews.com/article/2024-olympics-gymnastics-jordan-chiles-d246c9d544faf9dfb44185ae3661e869

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Alec Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter trial began in New Mexico, where he faces charges for fatally shooting cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of "Rust" in 2021. Baldwin claims the prop gun discharged accidentally during rehearsal. Legal proceedings have been tumultuous, including charges initially dismissed and reinstated. Baldwin's co-producer status was ruled irrelevant to his case. The trial, expected to last 10 days, features a jury selected after extensive vetting. Hanna Gutierrez-Reed, also implicated, seeks retrial after a manslaughter conviction.

Sources

12 jurors selected for Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial (ABC)

Defense gives opening statements in trial of Alec Baldwin charged in shooting death on “Rust” film set (CBS)

Deputy U.S. marshal shoots 18-year-old during carjacking attempt near Justice Sotomayor’s home. Carjacker, Kentrell Flowers, faces armed carjacking charges after being shot by the marshal. Marshal under investigation; incident reflects rising carjacking concerns in D.C. Supreme Court justices’ security heightened amid controversial rulings.

Sources

Deputy U.S. marshal shot teenager trying to carjack him outside Supreme Court justice’s house (CNN)

U.S. Marshal involved in shooting near Sotomayor’s D.C. home (The Hill)

Marshal guarding Supreme Court justice’s home shoots 18-year-old who tried to carjack him (ABC)

Britain's recent election saw a decisive win for Labour, ending 19 years of opposition. Smaller parties like the Greens and Liberal Democrats also gained seats. Despite Labour's success, Reform UK secured its first parliamentary seats. Incoming PM Keir Starmer pledged NHS recovery, border security, and cheaper electricity. Conservatives suffered their worst defeat in nearly 200 years, with major figures losing seats due to voter frustrations over Brexit and governance issues.

Sources

Britain swings to the center-left in a historic U.K. election landslide (NPR)

New UK Prime Minister vows to heal wounds of trust after Labour landslide (AP)

Keir Starmer confirmed as Britain’s new prime minister after Labour Party’s decisive win (NBC)

FDA approved Eli Lilly’s Kisunla for mild and early Alzheimer’s stages, offering a new option to slow cognitive decline by up to eight months through regular IV infusions, despite concerns over study methods. The drug targets amyloid plaque buildup, akin to last year’s approved treatment Leqembi, heralding hope among physicians for managing the incurable disease affecting over eight million Americans, with Medicare expected to cover costs for eligible patients.

FDA approves a second Alzheimer’s drug that can modestly slow disease (AP)

FDA approved Eli Lilly’s Alzheimer’s drug Kinsula (NBC)

A stampede at a religious event in northern India killed 116 people and injured 84 others due to overcrowding and heat. Attendees rushed out after a prayer meeting with local Hindu leader Bhole Baba, causing the tragedy in Mughal Garhi village, Hathras district. The event, attended by over 15,000 people despite a capacity for 5,000, prompted condolences from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and an investigation by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Stampedes are sadly common at Indian religious gatherings due to poor safety measures, with notable incidents in 2013, 2011, 2005, and 2008.

A stampede at a religious event in India has killed at least 105 people, many women and children (AP)

Stampede at religious gathering in Northern India kills at least 50 (NYT)

At least 87 people killed at stampede at religious event in India, say local police (CNN)

About 116 people killed at religious event in Hathras district (Reuters)

Stampede at religious gathering in India leaves at least 116 people dead (CBS)

Hurricane Beryl, now a Category 4 storm with 130 mph winds, is set to hit the Windward Islands tonight or early Monday, marking the earliest major hurricane in the Atlantic in 58 years. Experts attribute this early storm to warm Atlantic waters and reduced wind shear. Barbados, Saint Lucia, and other islands have issued warnings and precautions for heavy rainfall, strong winds, and storm surges, affecting regional events like the T20 World Cup. Beryl's rapid intensification underscores concerns for a turbulent hurricane season ahead.

Bulletin brief

Hurricane Beryl intensifies into an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm (CNN)

Beryl expected to bring life-threatening conditions to Caribbean (NBC)

Hurricane Beryl becomes “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm as it nears Caribbean islands (CBS)

Karen Read's murder trial for allegedly killing her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, began in Dedham, Massachusetts. Read faces charges including second-degree murder and leaving the scene of personal injury. Prosecutors claim she struck O'Keefe with her SUV and left him to die, while her defense argues she is being framed. The trial spanned nearly two months with extensive witness testimony and contrasting closing arguments. The case has drawn widespread attention and sparked protests alleging witness tampering and police cover-up.

Bulletin brief

Karen Read murder trial jury begins deliberations (CBS)

Karen Read’s jurors must now decide: Was it deadly romance or police corruption? (AP)

At Karen Read’s murder trial, prosecutors accuse her of drunken driving while defense alleges a vast police cover up (CNN)

Last Friday, a shooting outside Mad Butcher in Fordyce, Arkansas left four dead and nine injured, including two state police officers. Arkansas State Police engaged in a shootout with the 44-year-old suspect from New Edinburg, who was later taken into custody on multiple murder charges. Motives remain unclear, and details about weapons and connections to victims are pending. Governor Sarah Huckabee expressed condolences, while the incident adds to a troubling series of shootings at grocery stores nationwide.

Bulletin brief

4 killed, 9 wounded in mass shooting outside Arkansas grocery store (CBS)

Grocery store shooting that killed 4 leaves an Arkansas town in disbelief (NYT)

A fourth victim has died a day after a shooting at an Arkansas grocery store (AP)