The Bulletin
WORLD IN BRIEF
- Trump vs. Kamala debate: ABC News on Thursday said that former President Donald Trump, the GOP presidential nominee, and Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, have agreed to debate on September 10. Here's how to watch it.
- Ex-soldier criticizes Walz's service: A former soldier who commanded Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in the Army National Guard says the 2024 Democratic vice presidential candidate "did something wrong in service." Here's what he said.
- Olympics: Team USA men's basketball team survived a major upset against Team Serbia to make it to the gold medal game. Here's the recap. Meanwhile, the U.S. women's basketball team will face Australia at 11:30 ET in its semifinal.In other news, Sha'Carri Richardson takes the track for the last time today in Paris in the 4x100 relay final. Read about the Men's final below.
- Explosion rocks China's busiest port: A powerful blast rocked China's busiest shipping terminal on Friday when a container exploded on a pier-side cargo ship in the country's eastern Ningbo Zhoushan Port, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported. See the footage.
- UK riots: British police remained on alert on Thursday after a heavy security presence, rapid arrests, and public unity across Britain on Wednesday helped prevent a repeat of widespread rioting involving racist attacks targeting Muslims and migrants, according to Reuters.
- In the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia's government has published footage that shows Moscow's troops destroying several Ukrainian armored vehicles, including a U.S.-supplied Bradley Fighting Vehicle, in Russia's Kursk region after Kyiv launched a cross-border assault earlier this week.
Could JD Vance's Inexperience be a Problem?
The rundown: JD Vance could be one of the least experienced vice presidents in U.S. history if elected alongside former President Donald Trump in November. Find out if his lack of experience could pose a problem.
Why it matters: Trump, himself a businessman and reality-television star before he entered the White House, announced Vance as his running mate on July 15. The junior senator from Ohio has only been in public office since January 2023. Before that, he was a venture capitalist and author and served in the Marines. So far, it has not been plain sailing for Vance, who has faced criticism for his views on "childless cat ladies," suggestions that Trump is having second thoughts about him, and unsubstantiated claims that he had sex with a couch. On top of that, experts say his lack of political experience could also be an issue.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Tim Walz's Approval Rating Surges As JD Vance's Falls
TL/DR: It's possible, though, that "outlandish" statements and perceived inexperience might be an advantage for Vance, according to some experts.
What happens now? Ultimately, Vance's inexperience and accusations of being "weird" may not be cause for concern. Jason Reifler, a professor of political science at the University of Exeter, England, previously told Newsweek that "VP picks mostly don't matter."
Deeper reading Could JD Vance's Inexperience be a Problem?
Trump Suggests He's Open To Banning Abortion Pill Mifepristone
The rundown: Donald Trump appeared to suggest he would be open to restricting access to the abortion pill mifepristone during a press conference on Thursday. Read his full statement.
Why it matters: The debate over abortion access is set to be one of the hot topic issues of the 2024 election. Vice President Kamala Harris and her campaign has accused Trump of wanting to implement a full abortion ban if he wins November's race, a stance which Trump has often distanced himself from.While speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, the former president was asked about plans that could be implemented to restrict abortion access beyond a national ban if he wins the presidential election in November.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Abortion Rights Activists Cheer Kamala Harris' VP Pick Tim Walz
TL/DR: "All I want to do is give everybody a vote, and the votes are taking place right now as we speak." Trump said.
What happens now? Trump has refused to say how he would vote on a ballot measure that seeks to override Florida's six-week abortion ban. "You can do things which supplement, absolutely, and those things are pretty open and humane, but you have to be able to have a vote," Trump said.
Deeper reading Donald Trump Suggests He's Open To Banning Abortion Pill Mifepristone
Abbott Orders Texas Hospitals to Report Illegal Immigrants' Data
The rundown: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed an executive order requiring hospitals to collect data on the healthcare costs of undocumented migrants treated in the state. Find out how this new order could impact healthcare access in Texas.
Why it matters: The order will mean that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) must "assess costs to the Texas public hospital system imposed by the federal government's open-border policies." Healthcare officials who treat undocumented migrants will be forced to collect and send information on their citizenship status to the state, according to the executive order that Abbott signed on Thursday, 8 August. HHSC must provide regular reports to state authorities, according to the order.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Greg Abbott's Border Force Abused Migrants, Human Rights Groups Allege
TL/DR: "Texans should not have to shoulder the burden of financially supporting medical care for illegal immigrants," Abbott said in a statement.
What happens now? HHSC will direct healthcare providers to collect the costs associated with care for illegal migrants beginning on November 1. Meanwhile, Harris has been under increasing pressure over what Republicans view as a lack of leadership surrounding immigration policy.
Deeper reading Greg Abbott Orders Texas Hospitals to Report Illegal Immigrants' Data
How China's Internet Reacted to Harris' Walz Pick
The rundown: Vice President Kamala Harris' selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate for the 2024 presidential election on Monday has drawn a mixed response from Chinese netizens. See why they are divided over the choice.
Why it matters: Walz's going back to his time teaching in the country has become a source of speculation both in the U.S. and in China. Many are closely watching the election cycle because of its impact on ties with Washington, strained on myriad fronts, from Taiwan to trade to human rights. Some Chinese netizens believe Walz might improve the world's most consequential relationship.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Tim Walz's Comments on China Resurface After Joining Democratic Ticket
TL/DR: Walz's connections to China date back decades. From 1989 to 1990, he taught at a Chinese high school in Foshan City, in the southeastern province of Guangdong.
What happens now? Walz said the U.S. should stand firm on Chinese actions, such as its growing assertiveness in the South China Sea. Yet he has also supported finding common ground with the East Asian powers when possible.
Deeper reading How China's Internet Reacted to Kamala Harris' Tim Walz Pick
Noah Lyles Out of Men's 4x100 Relay After COVID Diagnosis
The rundown:American sprinter Noah Lyles will not compete in the men's 4-by-100-meter relay race today at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Lyles competed in the men's 200-meter final and finished third despite being diagnosed with COVID. Botswana's Letsile Tebogo took gold, and fellow American Kenny Bednarek took silver. Immediately afterward, Lyles was seen leaving the floor of Stade de France in a wheelchair.
Why it matters: Many have questioned why Lyles was allowed to compete at all. He first tested positive Tuesday morning after winning gold in the 100-meter final, according to multiple reports. Unlike the Tokyo Olympics, where a positive Covid test would have resulted in Lyles being isolated, there are no such protocols at the Paris Games. Covid is treated like other respiratory illnesses. The U.S. Track and Field Federation said that they "swiftly enacted all necessary protocols to prioritize his health, the wellbeing of our team, and the safety of fellow competitors." Lyles was not part of the U.S. relay team that won its heat Thursday. Here's what he said about the end of his Olympic journey.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Noah Lyles Wins Bronze in Men's 200M Final
TL/DR: When he spoke to NBC following the race, Lyles left the door open to either participating or dropping out of the 4-by-100 race.
What happens now? Lyles anchored the winning U.S. 4-by-100 relay team at the 2023 World Championships. The Americans will try to repeat their golden performance without him. Although the U.S. has to like its chances even without Lyles, the COVID-19 diagnosis has put a damper on what could have been a historic Olympic run for the American sprinter. The race will air at 1:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
Deeper reading Breaking: Noah Lyles Out of Men's 4x100 Relay After COVID-19 Diagnosis
The Dark Side of Transplant Tourism: Inside the Illegal Organ Black Market
This is the second in a two-part series about the international organ black market and how bad actors are using different means to buy and sell body parts.
An organ black market thrives in certain regions based on skirted laws, bad actors and an unethical approach to broader organ transplantation—and law enforcement collaboration at the international level is the only way to curb it, experts have told Newsweek.
A Newsweek investigation previously uncovered a global marketplace trafficking organs through social media channels like Telegram and the Dark Web. Some of the traffickers operate openly in the public domain, facilitated by organ harvesting conducted through coercion or exploitation.
