Summary‍

The Biden Administration successfully talked down the top 10 drug prices from Big Pharma for prescription drugs. The VP candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz have agreed to face off in a debate in October. Trump, supported by the Secret Service, will resume outdoor rallies with bulletproof glass protecting him following his recent assassination attempt. LA-based ballerina Ksenia Karelina was sentenced to 12 years in a Russian penal colony after she donated a substantial amount to Ukraine. Columbia University president Minouche Shafik has stepped down after campus Israel-Palestine protests took a toll on her and her personal life. 

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Today's Script

Goood Morning! Happy Friday, today is August 16th, my name is Gabe, and you’re listening to Current2 brought to you by Just Bagels! 

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In Must Know News:

• The Biden administration has successfully negotiated down the prices of 10 top-selling prescription drugs under Medicare by as much as 79% under a new plan that hopes to save $6 billion in its first year alone. President Biden and Kamala Harris celebrated the victory on the campaign trail Thursday, with the president even saying “We finally beat Big Pharma.”  
• VP candidates Tim Walz and JD Vance have each agreed to a debate on October 1st following an invitation from CBS News this Wednesday that presented four possible dates for the Minnesota Governor and Ohio Senator to participate in. Additionally, VP Kamala Harris has also forecast the possibility of a second debate with former President Donald Trump, but this appears to be dependent on Trump participating in the already agreed upon Sept. 10th debate.
• Speaking of Trump, the Secret Service is arranging for the former President to resume his outdoor campaign rallies just a month after his assassinaton attempt in Pennsylvania. The plan? Bulletproof glass around Trump’s podium, a feature that’s traditionally reserved for sitting presidents, not former. I wonder if they’ll make a pope-mobile for him next…
• L.A. based ballerina Ksenia Karelina was sentenced to 12 years in a Russian penal colony after investigators went through her phone while she was visiting family in Russia. What did they find, you ask? A donation of just over 50 dollars to a Ukrainian charity back in 2022. Her lawyer said they will be doing everything they can to appeal her sentence and work towards a prisoner swap. In the meantime, I’m purging my phone.
• Columbia University president Minouche Shafik is stepping down following the Israel-Hamas protests that took over her campus earlier this year. Shafik said the protests and widespread backlash took a toll on her family and community, and passing the torch would be the best option to move past the highly publicized, and widely controversial, events. 

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A Word from Our Sponsor: 

• The best breakfast is one from Just Bagels! Their bagels are handcrafted with no artificial ingredients so you know you’re getting the best. Use code “News” for 10% off your order today at JustBagels.com! 

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That’s all for your news this week, we here at Current2 hope you have a great weekend. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to share it with your friends! And as always, thank you for listening to Current2, the easy way to stay informed!

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Sources:

The top 10 Big Pharma drug prices talked down by the Biden Administration (Reuters)

VP candidates Walz and Vance set a date for debate (AP)

Trump to resume outdoor rallies with assassination-proof measures (CBS)

LA based ballerina sentenced to Russian penal colony for donating to the Ukraine (NBC)

Columbia University president stepping down due to Israel-Palestine protests (CNN)