Summary‍

Israel killed Hezbollah's Fuad Shukr in an airstrike on Beirut, claiming revenge for a deadly rocket attack. Presidents Biden and Lula urged Venezuela to release election data after conflicting victory claims. Vice President Harris will soon announce her running mate and campaign with them in key states. The Heritage Foundation's director resigned due to Trump campaign backlash, but the group will persist in influencing policy. Team USA clinched gold in Women’s Gymnastics at the 2024 Olympics, highlighted by Simone Biles' impressive comeback.

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Today's Script

Hello everyone! Happy hump day! Today is July 31st, my name is Gabe, and you are listening to Current2, brought to you by Just Bagels!

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In Must Know News:

• Israel’s military announced Tuesday that it killed a Hezbollah official who it claims was the commander behind the rocket strike that killed 12 children on a soccer field in Golan Heights last week. According to the IDF, they took out Fuad Shukr aka hajj mohsin, the alleged commander, via a targeted airstrike that hit at least seven areas of Beirut in south Lebanon overnight. 
• In a joint statement Tuesday, President Biden and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (bet you can’t find a cooler name than that) each called on Venezuela’s government to release detailed voting data from its chaotic presidential election after both current Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and opposition candidate Edmundo González declared victory on Monday. 
• Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to announce her VP pick as early as next Monday and then hit the campaign trail in key battleground states alongside her running mate next week. Among those who could be Harris’ VP pick include Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, Gov Andy Beshear of Kentucky, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigeg. Things are heating up!
• The director of the Heritage Foundation, the organization responsible for Project 2025, stepped down after severe backlash from the Trump campaign. The Heritage Foundation itself was created and run by many of Trump’s former allies, so that’s got to be awkward. Despite the setback, however, they plan to continue their efforts to influence US policy.
• Team USA brought home the gold in Women’s Team Gymnastics, just days after an injury scare from Simone Biles. On the self-described “redemption tour,” Biles, Chiles, Carey, Lee, and Rivera, known as the “Golden Girls”  said FAAFO and won their first medal at the 2024 Olympics with an overall score of 171.296, followed by Italy with 165.494 and Brazil taking the bronze. The cherry on top, Biles’ floor performance even provoked a standing ovation. Incredible work, ladies!

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That’s all for your current news. Thank you so much for listening to today’s episode. If you enjoyed it, be sure to share it with your friends! Have a great day everyone, and thank you for listening to Current2, the easy way to stay informed!

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Sources:

Israel kills Hezbollah commander (NBC, Al Jazeera)

US and Brazil call for Venezuelan voting data (AP)

VP Harris to pick running mate Monday (Reuters, CBS)

Project 2025 director steps down (AP)

Gold for Team USA Women’s Gymnastics (AP)