The Bulletin

June 27, 2024

World in Brief

  • France election: France is racing toward a snap parliamentary election with potentially massive implications for the country's leading role in the EU and NATO. The election will take place over two rounds on June 30 and July 7.
  • Putin ally threatens the US: Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned the United States and the European Union (EU) on Tuesday that "there will be hell to pay" for the latest round of sanctions against Russia. Here's what the new sanctions list includes.
  • Boeing union demands salary hike: Boeing's biggest union is demanding a salary hike and a 50-year work guarantee for its members, seeking to leverage the company's recent string of scandals. Find out more.
  • Soccer field sinks in Illinois: A huge sinkhole has swallowed part of a soccer field built over a mine in Illinois. Surveillance footage posted on social media shows the ground caving in suddenly, leaving behind a massive crater. Learn more.

Attempted coup failed in Bolivia: General Arrested on Live TV

The rundown: Military troops and tanks were deployed on Wednesday in front of the Bolivian government headquarters in La Paz, attempting to break down the door of the presidential palace in an apparent coup attempt that appears to have failed spectacularly. Find out the dramatic details here.

Why it matters: Bolivia, with a history of over 190 coup attempts, witnessed another coup recently as heavily armed soldiers and tanks surrounded the government headquarters. Eyewitnesses reported military personnel trying to forcefully enter the presidential palace, with one tank attempting to break down a metal door. General Juan José Zúñiga, who led the operation until his dismissal on Tuesday, stated his intention to "restructure democracy." Arrested later, Zúñiga claimed President Luis Arce staged a self-coup, or "auto-golpe," to consolidate power and improve his standing.

Read more in-depth coverage:
USA vs. Bolivia Betting Pick: Copa America Best Bets

TL/DR: Bolivian President Luis Arce warned of "irregular mobilizations" of the army just before the soldiers stationed in Plaza Murillo.

What happens now? Bolivian President Arce had warned of "irregular mobilizations" of the army and called on the public to "organize and mobilize... in favor of democracy." Bolivia is suffering from slow growth, rising inflation and a scarcity of dollars—a stark contrast to the "economic miracle" attributed to Morales in the previous decade.

Deeper reading Bolivia Coup Attempt: General Arrested on Live TV

ISIS Smuggling Reports Create Border Firestorm Before Trump, Biden Debate

The rundown: On the eve of the year's first presidential debate, a new media firestorm has been ignited over reports that 400 migrants crossed the U.S.-Mexico border with the aid of a human smuggling network linked to terror group ISIS. Here's what the report reveals.

Why it matters: Immigration is bound to be a core topic of discourse in tonight's debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Trump and other Republicans have condemned Biden's border policies amid a surge in encounters at the southern border since he took office, while the incumbent president has accused Trump of deliberately attempting to make the issue worse by blocking a bipartisan border security bill earlier this year.

Read more in-depth coverage:
ISIS-Linked 'Russian Nationals' Arrested in ICE Raids Across Three States

TL/DR: Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday that claims of there being "400 migrants with ISIS ties" were "incorrect."

What happens now? NBC reported that 150 of the 400 had been arrested, while the whereabouts of 50 are currently unknown. An official told the network that Immigration and Customs Enforcement hopes to arrest the missing migrants once they are found.

Deeper reading ISIS Smuggling Reports Create Border Firestorm Before Trump, Biden Debate

Bryan Kohberger Trial Update: What to Expect During Thursday's Hearing

The rundown: Quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberger will appear today in court, where a number of topics are expected to be addressed. Here's what to expect.

Why it matters: Kohberger, 29, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary in connection with the fatal stabbings of Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20. The four University of Idaho students were found dead on November 13, 2022, in an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho. Kohberger has maintained his innocence, and his legal team has sought to have the trial moved out of Latah County. Last month, two hearings for Kohberger were suddenly postponed to allow both sides additional time to prepare.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Bryan Kohberger Book Slammed By Victim's Family

TL/DR: Earlier this year, there was a dispute between Kohberger's lead attorney, Anne Taylor; Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson; and Judge John Judge over a survey of potential jurors from the defense.

What happens now? A scheduled hearing is set for today at 10:00 a.m. PT. This hearing will be open to the public and will be live streamed on the Court's YouTube channel. The judge has yet to rule on a possible change of venue for the trial, but a decision could come at today’s hearing.

Deeper reading Bryan Kohberger Trial Update: What to Expect During Thursday's Hearing

Putin's Russia Stirs Up North-South Korea Tensions

The rundown: The defense deal signed in Pyongyang last week by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un further raised tensions between North and South Korea. Here's what it means.

Why it matters: Russia and North Korea pledged mutual military assistance if either nation is attacked. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said only those "planning aggression" against either country could object to the treaty. Here are five things to know about their new treaty. This pact had drawn condemnation from the U.S., South Korea and Japan, raising concerns over peace on the Korean Peninsula. Meanwhile, satellite imagery has captured Russian ships taking on cargo at North Korean ports, with South Korea estimating 10,000 containers transferred to Russia, enough to hold nearly 5 million artillery shells.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Putin, North Korea Nuclear Weapons 'Deeply' Concerning: Ex-NATO Commander

TL/DR: The U.S., South Korea and others say North Korea has helped replenish Russian arms stocks depleted by Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

What happens now? Edward Howell, Korea Foundation fellow at Chatham House and lecturer at the University of Oxford, said that while China seeks to weaken U.S. alliances with Japan and South Korea, which each host tens of thousands of U.S. troops and are key to American power projection in the region.”

Deeper reading Putin's Russia Stirs Up North-South Korea Tensions

Drinking Water Map Shows Cities With High Contamination Levels

The rundown: A Newsweek map shows the cities with the most water systems in which PFAS levels in drinking water have measured above the proposed limit. Find out which ones have the most highly contaminated drinking water systems.

Why it matters: In spring, the Environmental Protection Agency introduced new federal limits on the "forever chemicals" which have been linked to serious health conditions such as cancer, liver and heart damage, fertility and developmental impacts on children. David Andrews from the Environmental Working Group suggests urban areas are particularly affected by PFAS contamination in drinking water. Here's how America's drinking water may change if Donald Trump wins in November.

Read more in-depth coverage: 
Drinking Water Recall Sparks $3 Billion Court Ruling

TL/DR: This month, Newsweek analysis determined there are 556 systems in New Jersey, 439 in Massachusetts, 263 in California, 202 in New Hampshire and 125 in Pennsylvania.

What happens now? Water companies have five years to reduce their PFAS levels, which will most likely be done with filter installation. Although the federal government has made billions available to carry this out, there are concerns customers may be left footing the bill in some way.

Deeper reading Drinking Water Map Shows Cities With High Contamination Levels

FEATURED CONTENT

Americans Killed Fighting in Ukraine: Three Mothers Speak Out

"We didn't want our children's stories to be lost," says Karla Webber.

Like thousands of mothers in Ukraine, Webber is mourning the death of her son on the front lines in the war against Russia's invasion. But the home where he grew up is not in war-shattered Ukraine. It is a short drive from the Pacific Ocean through the rolling green countryside of Washington State.

Andrew Webber was among the Americans who headed to Ukraine to fight against Russian President Vladimir Putin's army with a sense of mission. He is among those who will never return.

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