Digest

The US Secret Service is facing one of its biggest crises ever after security failures led to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Multiple investigations will look into the security failures, with experts pointing to human error as the central issue. The Secret Service has acknowledged breakdowns in communication and security planning, including a lack of personnel on the roof where the attempted assassination occurred. The Republican National Convention is underway in Milwaukee, with speakers including Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis. Haley, a former ambassador and Trump's toughest critic during the campaign, is expected to voice full support for Trump. DeSantis, who had high expectations during the primaries but faded quickly, will also speak. Trump himself made a formal public appearance at the convention, his first since the attempted assassination. Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers are urging the party's national committee to drop plans for a virtual roll call vote before the August 19th Democratic Convention, warning that it would damage party morale. Senator Robert Menendez was found guilty on all counts in his federal corruption trial in New York, with the US Attorney describing his actions as shocking levels of corruption. Menendez has vowed to appeal the verdict. In a separate development, NASA beamed a song by Missy Elliott to the planet Venus, marking the second time the agency has beamed music into space. The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to watch out for scams involving websites trying to pass themselves off as Amazon, which has launched its discount window for Prime members. Bank of America reported a 6.8% decline in second quarter profit from a year earlier, but its forecast for net interest income was better than expected, sending bank shares climbing.

Outlines

00:00:00

NPR Plus and Secret Service Crisis

This Chapter discusses the new NPR Plus program and the Secret Service's response to the attempted assassination of former President Trump. The Secret Service is facing a major crisis due to security failures that allowed the attempted assassination to occur. Experts believe human error played a significant role in the security breaches, with breakdowns in communication and security planning being identified. The Secret Service has acknowledged these failures and is currently under investigation.

00:01:18

Republican National Convention

This Chapter focuses on the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. The chapter highlights the participation of Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis, both former rivals of Donald Trump, who are now expected to support him. The chapter also mentions Trump's first public appearance since the attempted assassination, which took place at the convention.

00:02:15

Democratic Convention and Senator Menendez's Trial

This Chapter covers the Democratic Convention and the federal corruption trial of Senator Robert Menendez. Democratic lawmakers are urging the party's national committee to drop plans for a virtual roll call vote before the convention, fearing it could damage party morale. Meanwhile, Senator Menendez was found guilty on all counts in his corruption trial, with the US Attorney describing his actions as shocking levels of corruption. Menendez has vowed to appeal the verdict.

00:03:18

NASA Beams Music to Venus and Consumer Scams

This Chapter discusses NASA's decision to beam a song by Missy Elliott to the planet Venus, marking the second time the agency has beamed music into space. The chapter also highlights the Better Business Bureau's warning to consumers about scams involving websites pretending to be Amazon, which has launched its discount window for Prime members. The chapter concludes with a report on Bank of America's second-quarter profit decline and its forecast for net interest income.

Keywords

Q&A

• What security failures led to the attempted assassination of former President Trump?

  The Secret Service has acknowledged breakdowns in communication and security planning, including a lack of personnel on the roof where the attempted assassination occurred. Experts believe human error played a significant role in the security breaches.

• Who are some of the speakers at the Republican National Convention?

  Nikki Haley, a former ambassador and Trump's toughest critic during the campaign, is expected to voice full support for Trump. Ron DeSantis, who had high expectations during the primaries but faded quickly, will also speak.

• What is the controversy surrounding the Democratic Convention?

  Democratic lawmakers are urging the party's national committee to drop plans for a virtual roll call vote before the convention, fearing it could damage party morale.

• What was Senator Robert Menendez found guilty of?

  Senator Robert Menendez was found guilty on all counts in his federal corruption trial in New York, with the US Attorney describing his actions as shocking levels of corruption.

• What song did NASA beam to the planet Venus?

  NASA beamed the song "Get Ur Freak On" by Missy Elliott to the planet Venus.

• What is the Better Business Bureau warning consumers about?

  The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to watch out for scams involving websites pretending to be Amazon, which has launched its discount window for Prime members.

• How did Bank of America's second-quarter profit perform?

  Bank of America reported a 6.8% decline in second quarter profit from a year earlier, but its forecast for net interest income was better than expected, sending bank shares climbing.

Show Notes