The Bulletin
World in Brief
- Abbott faces backlash over Beryl: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has come under fire over his response to Hurricane Beryl, which left six dead in the Lone Star state, according to The Associated Press. As of Tuesday, just under 1.7 million CenterPoint customers remained without power, according to The Houston Chronicle. Find out more.
- U.N. condemns Russia for hospital strike: U.N. Security Council members confronted Russia on Tuesday over a missile strike that destroyed part of Ukraine's largest children's hospital in an emergency meeting chaired by Moscow's ambassador, according to AP.
- Major boost in arms production: As the NATO summit is underway, the alliance moved toward a significant boost in arms production on Tuesday, signing a nearly $700 million contract enabling member countries to produce more anti-aircraft Stinger missiles. Learn more.
- Russia thwarts assassination attempt: Russia has said it thwarted an assassination attempt on three of its high-ranking military officers. Find out why.
- Trump calls for Jan 6 prisoner release: Donald Trump said his supporters who were jailed in connection to the January 6 attack should be released "soon" in the wake of a recent Supreme Court ruling. Read his full statement.
- In the ongoing war in Ukraine, the United States Department of Justice has seized two domains linked to Russia's wartime disinformation campaign that was used to spread misinformation and fake news on social media.
What a Kamala Harris Presidency Could Look Like
The rundown: The odds on Vice President Kamala Harris being the Democratic presidential candidate in November have surged, and she became the favorite for this role with one leading bookmaker, sparking heightened speculation about what a Harris presidency could look like.
Why it matters: Speculation about Kamala Harris's potential White House bid arose after Joe Biden's June 27 debate with Donald Trump, where Biden's mental sharpness and age were questioned. A political scientist told Newsweek that a Harris presidency might emphasize minority and identity issues more than Biden's. At the same time, another warned it could lead to increased dissent and dysfunction due to her leadership style.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Biden Starts to Turn the Tide on Rebel Democrats
TL/DR: Kamala Harris would likely "put more emphasis on minorities" if she becomes the next president, according to one political scientist.
What happens now? Here's how things could change if Harris enters the race. Mark Shanahan from the University of Surrey told Newsweek that Harris would emphasize identity issues, focusing on minorities, education, housing, and welfare programs. However, Thomas Gift of University College London warned of concerns about Harris's organizational skills, which could significantly impact her presidency if elected.
Deeper reading What a Kamala Harris Presidency Could Look Like
Supreme Court Justice's Security Shooting Raises Eyebrows
The rundown: Reports of a Supreme Court justice's security detail shooting an armed man near her home have raised eyebrows due to the liberal jurist's views on gun rights. Find out what happened.
Why it matters: At approximately 1:17 a.m. ET on July 5, two U.S. marshals on "protective detail" in Washington, D.C., encountered a silver minivan that aimed a gun directly at one of the officers through the driver's-side window. The deputy responded by drawing his firearm and shooting the suspect four times, including once in the mouth. The suspect, Kentrell Flowers, 18, received first aid from the deputy as the minivan fled the scene. Flowers was arrested and charged with attempted carjacking and assaulting, resisting, or impeding an officer using a dangerous weapon.
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Supreme Court Ruling Gives QAnon Shaman a New Choice
TL/DR: Several conservatives highlighted Sotomayor's perspective on the Second Amendment in light of the arrest.
What happens now? A spokesperson for the U.S. Marshals Service told the Associated Press that the deputies were part of the detail assigned to protecting Supreme Court justices, and the incident occurred while the deputies were stationed near Sotomayor's home. There is no indication that the justice was being targeted.
Deeper reading Supreme Court Justice's Security Shooting Raises Eyebrows
Ex-Trump Administration Officials Involved in Project 2025: Full List
The rundown: Despite former president Donald Trump denying any links to Project 2025, dozens of contributors to the controversial policy proposals formerly served in his administration. Here is a complete list.
Why it matters: Created by right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation, Project 2025 is a 900-page document of proposed policies for a future Republican administration. It aims to remove civil service employment protections for thousands of federal employees so they can be fired and replaced with Republican loyalists. It then proposes implementing sweeping right-wing changes to the federal government. Here's a detailed look at what Project 2025 entails.
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Project 2025: How Popular Are The Policies?
TL/DR: Various critics have described Project 2025 as "a significant move to an authoritarian government" and likely to "destroy American democracy."
What happens now? Trump tried to distance himself from the proposed policies last Friday, writing on Truth Social: "I know nothing about Project 2025.” Project 2025 has repeatedly said it "does not speak for any candidate or campaign. However, questions have been raised about how close Project 2025 would be to a possible future Trump administration.
Deeper reading Ex-Trump Administration Officials Involved in Project 2025: Full List
Biden Hands Ukraine Huge Air Defenses Boost
The rundown: Several NATO countries, including the U.S., will furnish Ukraine with "dozens" of air defense systems in the next few months, Joe Biden said, as the alliance beefs up Ukraine's protection against highly destructive Russian aerial attacks. Here's why this much-needed support is critical for Ukraine's security.
Why it matters: The U.S., Germany, and Romania will deliver three additional Patriot air defense batteries to Ukraine, the U.S. president said, as a NATO summit kicked off in Washington. The president said the Netherlands and "other partners" will contribute components to get a fourth new Patriot battery operational, adding that Italy will send another of its SAMP-T air defense systems.
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Ukraine Calls for NATO Action After Putin Crossed 'Red Lines'
TL/DR: Ukraine has long lobbied for air defense systems from its Western allies, not least the U.S.-made Patriots considered the gold standard of air defense.
What happens now? Biden said that the United States and its partners intend to provide Ukraine with dozens of tactical air defense systems in the coming months. This will include German-made self-propelled Gepard anti-aircraft guns, NASAMS medium-range air defense systems, and variants of IRIS-T systems.
Deeper reading Joe Biden Hands Ukraine Huge Air Defenses Boost
Taiwan Shifts on Immigration as Birth Rate Falls
The rundown: Taiwan is set to loosen regulations on hiring caregivers, opening the door for more foreigners to meet the rising demand for elderly care in its fast-graying society. Here's why this change is significant.
Why it matters: Like its East Asian neighbors, Taiwan is becoming a super-aged society, with people over 65 already comprising about 18 percent of the population, according to the Ministry of the Interior. This has led many Taiwanese families to rely on live-in caregivers, mostly from Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, to attend to elderly people no longer capable of independent living. Meanwhile, earlier this month, the Japanese parliament announced updates that will make it easier for some foreign workers to remain in the country longer.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Population Crises Threaten Asia's Economic Juggernauts
TL/DR: The population crunch has set off alarm bells across the region, with policymakers fearing the trend will stifle economic vitality and strain public health resources.
What happens now? Starting in September, the Barthel Index evaluation of patients' functionality will no longer be required for caregivers to assist Taiwanese aged 80 and older who suffer from permanent disabilities, have long-term medical histories, or live in remote areas. Some 55,000 people are expected to benefit from the change, said Deputy Labor Minister Wang An-pang.
Deeper reading Taiwan Shifts on Immigration as Birth Rate Falls
Vacation in Vietnam? Dad Is a War Veteran. It Felt Like an Oxymoron
By Blair Underwood
Like so many of us Americans, the war is my point of reference for Vietnam. The country felt like this faraway land where many Americans fought and died.
My dad, Colonel Frank Underwood Sr., fought in the Vietnam War. He's 92 now and still looking good. He was there for a year but was injured a month in and received the Purple Heart.
In his later years, my father has become more introspective and emotional. He chokes up whenever he thinks about Vietnam: What he saw and the relationships he had with fellow soldiers, but also the Vietnamese people and the friends he made there. Want more essays like this? Subscribe to the My Turn newsletter.
