Summary‍

Trump has recommitted to the September 10th debate against Kamala Harris, taunting her and questioning her campaign's validity. Tim Walz's military record is under scrutiny as he runs for VP, with JD Vance questioning his National Guard service. Polls show Arizona, Georgia, and Nevada shifting towards Harris in the presidential race. A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Japan's southern coast, prompting tsunami advisories. Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government after Sheikh Hasina fled amid protests.

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Today's Script

Good Morning! My name is Gabe, today is Friday, August 9th, and you’re listening to Current2, brought to you by Just Bagels!

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In Must Know News:

• Donald Trump has recommitted to the September 10th debate against Vice President Kamala Harris after previously backing out. Trump addressed reporters outside his Palm Beach property, taunting Harris and acting flippantly about the upcoming debate by reassuring his support by commending January 6th rioters and questioning the validity of Harris’ enthusiastic campaign. Let’s see if Trump is all bark or if he has some bite. 
• The election can’t stay out of the headlines for long, as Tim Walz’s military record is brought into question now that he is running as the vice presidential candidate. JD Vance, Trump’s running mate and Iraq war veteran, has vocally opposed the questionable end of Walz’s service in the National Guard as he retired in 2005 to avoid deployment in Iraq. 
• As the gap continues to narrow between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, Cook Political Report has announced that Arizona, Georgia, and Nevada have shown a major shift towards Harris in the polls. All of these states had previously been considered “lean Republican” when Biden was still in the race and falling more and more behind Trump in the polls. This shift, however, shows that continual support of Harris is growing in these key swing states. 
• A fierce earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck the southern coast of Japan Thursday, prompting a multitude of tsunami advisories for various islands and raising concerns over the possibility of further quakes from the Nankai Trough, which has been the source of disastrous earthquakes in the past. Since Thursday, seismologists have urged residents on the coast along the trough to keep cautious and be prepared in case of future earthquakes. 
• Nobel Peace Prize-winner Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government Thursday just days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced into exile and fled to India following nationwide protests on discriminatory job quotas. Yunus took the oath during a ceremony at the presidential palace in Dhaka, and vowed to sincerely uphold, support and protect the country’s constitution. 

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Thank you all for tuning in today. If you liked this episode, make sure to send it over to your friends! Happy Friday and thanks for listening to Current2, the easy way to stay informed.

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Sources:

Trump recommits to a September 10 debate with Harris (AP)

Walz’s military record under scrutiny (CBS)

Arizona, Georgia, Nevada shift towards Harris (The Hill)

Tsunami warnings in Japan after 7.1 magnitude earthquake (Weather, CBS)

Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammed Yunus takes over head of Bangladeshi government (Al Jazeera)