Elon Musk was set to interview Donald Trump, but an apparent DDOS attack caused its cancellation. Ukrainian military commander announces that the nation has seized control of almost 400 square miles of Russian controlled Kursk region. US defense secretary ordered missile submarines and the USS Abraham Lincoln to move towards the Middle East as threats of increased conflict loom. LA is hit with a major earthquake yesterday, with two smaller quakes quickly following. RFK is denied by a NY judge the ability to be included on the New York presidential ballot in November.

Sources:

Elon Musk’s Trump interview delayed due to technical difficulties (Reuters)

Ukraine’s updated control of the Kursk region (AP)

US defense secretary increases marine defenses due to impending Middle East conflict (AP, USNI)

LA is hit with a major earthquake (ABC)

RFK denied inclusion on New York presidential ballot (NBC)

Ukrainian troops have begun an offensive in Russia's Kursk region, causing mass evacuations and Russian bombings. Donald Trump's campaign reported a hack by alleged Iranian agents, while Joe Biden defended his withdrawal from the race to “maintain democracy.” An Israeli airstrike on a Gaza school killed 90 Palestinians, drawing UN criticism for evacuation orders. A plane crash in Brazil last Friday killed all 62 aboard, including two cancer doctors and a lawyer who sued airlines. The investigation continues, with social media footage showing the plane spiraling before it went down. The Paris 2024 Olympics ended with Tom Cruise's stunt and Yseult's performance, marking the handoff to Los Angeles for 2028.

Zelenskyy confirms Kursk incursion (NBC)

Trump campaign hacked (NPR, Al Jazeera) 

90 killed in Israeli strike on Gaza school (Reuters)

62 die in Brazil plane crash (BBC) 

Olympics conclude (AP)

Trump has recommitted to the September 10th debate against Kamala Harris, taunting her and questioning her campaign's validity. Tim Walz's military record is under scrutiny as he runs for VP, with JD Vance questioning his National Guard service. Polls show Arizona, Georgia, and Nevada shifting towards Harris in the presidential race. A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Japan's southern coast, prompting tsunami advisories. Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government after Sheikh Hasina fled amid protests.

Sources:

Trump recommits to a September 10 debate with Harris (AP)

Walz’s military record under scrutiny (CBS)

Arizona, Georgia, Nevada shift towards Harris (The Hill)

Tsunami warnings in Japan after 7.1 magnitude earthquake (Weather, CBS)

Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammed Yunus takes over head of Bangladeshi government (Al Jazeera)

Taylor Swift was forced to cancel her Austria leg of the Eras Tour due to a terrorist threat on the stadium. A state of emergency was declared in Kursk, Russia as Ukrainian troops advance forward across the border. Illinois state governor calls for the resignation of the sheriff who oversaw the deputy who fatally shot and killed Sonya Massey in her home. The UK and Egypt has instructed their commercial airlines to avoid flying over Iranian and Lebanese airspace as tensions rise in the Middle East. The family of Paul-Henri Nargeolet is suing OceanGate for the Titanic submersible that killed the explorer last summer. 

Taylor Swift Eras tour canceled over terrorist threat (NBC)

State of emergency declared in areas of Russia as Ukrainian troops advance (ABC, BBC)

Illinois governor calls for resignation of sheriff overseeing Sonya Massey killing (AP)

UK and Egypt ask for airlines to halt flights over Iran and Lebanon (Reuters)

Family of Titanic submersible sue OceanGate (CBS)

Kamala Harris unveiled Tim Walz as her vice presidential pick to bolster Democratic support in the Midwest. The DOJ charged Asif Merchant for a failed assassination plot against U.S. officials, including Trump. Hamas named Yahya Sinwar as its new leader, with Israel pledging to eliminate him after his alleged role in the Oct. 7th attack. Boeing is redesigning the 737 Max door plug after a safety failure revealed unsecured bolts. Tropical Storm Debby is causing severe flooding and power outages along the east coast, with significant damage reported in Florida.

Harris picks Walz as VP (AP)

Pakistani man charged with foiled assassination plot (CNBC)

Yahya Sinwar announced new Hamas leader (NBC)

Boeing safety exec testifies (CNBC)

Tropical Storm Debby anticipated rainfall (The Hill)

Stocks plummeted on Monday, raising fears of a U.S. recession as Dow and S&P saw their worst performances in over two years, though economists advise caution in assuming the worst. RFK Jr. admitted in a resurfaced video to dumping a dead bear cub in Central Park a decade ago, sparking controversy among conspiracy theorists. A judge ruled that Google has been exploiting users and stifling competition, marking the company as a monopolist. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas failed to disclose luxury trips provided by billionaire Harlan Crow, continuing his pattern of not reporting gifts. Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country after a deadly government crackdown on protests, ending her 15-year reign.

Sources:

Global stock markets plummet (Reuters)

RFK Jr. admits to killing bear, leaving it in Central Park (NPR)

Google charged with illegal monopoly over internet search (AP)

Clarence Thomas fails to disclose GOP donor trip (AP)

Bangladesh PM resigns, flees the country (Reuters)

Welcome to Gimme Five with Jones and Eli on Current Two. Today, we're discussing a strange tale from independent presidential candidate RFK Jr. Ten years ago, RFK Jr. allegedly drove a dead bear cub from upstate New York to New York City's Central Park, intending to skin and eat it, but left it there after realizing he had a flight to catch. The bizarre story, shared by RFK Jr. himself, has prompted numerous questions and criticisms, especially regarding his judgment and motives. This tale has certainly sparked curiosity and bewilderment among the public.

Sources:

https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/04/politics/rfk-jr-bear-central-park/index.html

Summary: The US General responsible for American forces in the Middle East arrived in Israel this weekend to oversee preparations for looming threats of war. Kamala Harris met with an onslaught of potential VP candidate picks in a round of interviews. American runner Noah Lyles won the first gold medal for America in 20 years in his event by a fraction of a second. UK riots broke out in support of far-right ideologies following a recent stabbing. Ukraine revealed new fighter jets to use in the ongoing conflict against Russia while also meeting with nearby countries to lobby support.

U.S. General for Middle East operations arrived in Israel (Axios)

Kamala Harris meets with VP contenders (CBS)

American Noah Lyles wins first gold in event in 20 years (ESPN)

UK riots break out in response to recent stabbing (NBC)

Ukraine reveals new fighter jets and plans to fight against Russia (AP)

The US recognized Edmundo Gonzalez as Venezuela’s election winner, despite Maduro’s official victory. Three American prisoners returned from Russia after lengthy negotiations. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro canceled his Hamptons trip before Kamala Harris’s running mate announcement. GOP senators blocked a child tax credit bill over funding issues. Bookmaker Mathew Bowyer will plead guilty to illegal gambling and money laundering.

US recognizes González (AP)

US-Russia prisoner swap (CBS)

Gov. Shapiro cancels Hamptons trip (CNBC)

Sen. Repubs. block child tax credit bill (NBC)

Bookmakers pleads guilty in Shohei Ohtani gambling case (AP)

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, accused of masterminding the 9/11 attacks, has agreed to a plea deal for a lifelong sentence. The Defense Department announced that Mohammed and two accomplices will plead guilty next week. Hamas' top political leader was killed in an airstrike in Iran, with Iran blaming Israel and threatening retaliation, heightening regional tensions. Donald Trump made racially charged remarks about Vice President Kamala Harris' heritage at a gathering of Black journalists, which drew criticism and allowed Harris to highlight the potential consequences of Trump's rhetoric. StubHub faces a lawsuit for allegedly misleading customers with hidden fees, potentially adding up to 40% to ticket prices. Meanwhile, USA Olympian Katie Ledecky won her 12th career medal and eighth gold in the 1,500-meter freestyle, tying the record for most medals by an American female swimmer.

Sources:

Inmate pleads guilty to planning 9/11 (AP)

Hamas leader killed in Iran (AP)

Trump questions Harris’s race at Black journalists’ convention (Reuters)

StubHub sued for misleading customers, inflating prices (CBS)

Katie Ledecky wins 12th Olympic medal after winning 1500 meter freestyle (NBC)