Summary‍

Outrage spread in Venezuela as President Maduro was declared the election winner over Edmundo Gonzalez, despite polls showing Gonzalez ahead and widespread protests. President Biden's proposed Supreme Court reforms, including 18-year term limits and an ethics code, face strong Republican opposition. A UK stabbing at a Taylor Swift event killed two children and injured nine, with a 17-year-old arrested and no confirmed motive. The U.S. cautions Israel about rising tensions with Hezbollah following a recent attack, despite Hezbollah’s denial. In Nebraska, a 17-year-old was charged for derailing a coal train and posting the crash online, causing $350,000 in damages.

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Today's Script

Good morning everybody and welcome back to Current2, brought to you by Just Bagels! My name is Gabe, and today is Tuesday, July 30th. Let’s get into the news!

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In Must Know News:

• Outrage ensued across Venezuela as election officials declared the sitting president Nicolas Maduro won over opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez. Many, including the US, have since claimed election fraud as the country hurriedly tallies the official count. Citing independent exit polls, Gonzalez was victorious with 70% of the vote, and widespread protest has broken out across Venezuela in favor of his rule.
• President Biden proposed sweeping changes to the US Supreme Court, including an enforced code of ethics, term limits, and restrictions on the recent ruling for presidential immunity. The proposal would limit justices to 18 year terms, something supported by ⅔ of Americans in recent polls. However, immediate backlash from Republicans in Congress means it has little chance of actually being signed into law. That’s politics for you.
• Two children were killed and 9 injured in a UK stabbing at a Taylor-Swift themed dance event. Additionally, two adults were critically injured trying to protect the children. A 17 year old male has since been arrested in connection with the attack. Officials believe there is no wider threat to the public and that this was not a terrorist attack, though a motive remains unknown.
• The U.S. is cautioning Israel about increasing hostility between the nation and the Lebanese extremist group Hezbollah as Israel decides on a response to last weekend's attack. Since the October 7th attack, cross-border hostility between Israel and Hezbollah has occurred on a near daily basis, but Hezbollah still denies involvement in this recent attack. 
• A 17 year-old in Nebraska wanted to make it big anyway possible, and his plan? He intentionally derailed a railway train carrying coal and recorded the crash and posted it online. According to a court affidavit, the BNSF Railway train encountered a misaligned switch at a crossing in the track, leading to $350,000 in total damages. He has since been charged in juvenile court. I guess that’s one way to make headlines… 

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That’s all from us today at C2! Make sure to keep on listening to hear our newest voice, Samantha with the pop culture roundup, and hear again from Marcus, this time on the Venezuelan election chaos! If you liked today’s episode, please be sure to share it with your friends, and thank you once again for tuning into Current2, the easy way to stay informed!

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Sources:

Venezuelan pres. candidates both declare victory (NBC)

Biden’s S. Court reforms (AP)

UK stabbing attack kills 2 children (NBC)

US cautions Israel (AP)

Teen accused of derailing Train (NYT)