Harris Trump Debate, Mortgage Rates, & Pitbull Stadium

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Big Stories

CDC Updates Guidance of IUD Insertion Pain Management

The CDC recently updated its guidelines for doctors on how to manage pain for patients getting an intrauterine device (IUD).

• IUDs are small, T-shaped plastic devices that are inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. Their use is on the rise U.S. and so are reports of severe pain during the IUD insertion process. The CDC guideline changes came after increasing complaints from women about the lack of pain relief offered during the procedure.

• Many women have shared experiences of intense pain during IUD insertion, with some even vomiting or fainting. A study revealed that while women rated their pain at about 65 out of 100, doctors estimated it much lower, around 35. The new guidelines instruct doctors to listen to patients and consider their past experiences and mental health when managing pain.

• The CDC's updated guidelines now recommend more options for pain relief during the procedure, such as anesthetic gels, creams, or sprays. The changes aim to ensure that women can choose pain management methods that suit their individual needs, making the IUD experience more patient-centered.

Trump Agrees to Debate Against Harris

Former President Trump announced during a press conference that he agreed to three debates against Vice President Harris on different networks.

• Initially, Trump had refused to participate in a scheduled debate with President Biden on ABC, set for September 10. However, ABC confirmed that Trump and Harris have both now agreed to debate on that date.

• Trump mentioned additional proposed debates on Fox News for September 4 and NBC for September 25, though it was unclear if Harris had agreed to those dates. Trump said the debates were necessary to "set the record straight." Harris responded on Social media platform X, saying she is looking forward to the September 10 debate but did not comment on the other proposed dates.

• Meanwhile, The Harris campaign changed running mate Tim Walz's online bio, correcting his rank in the Army National Guard. It now says he served as a "command sergeant major" but retired as a "master sergeant" because he hadn't finished the required coursework. Walz, Minnesota's governor, served 24 years before retiring in 2005 to run for Congress. Republicans, led by JD Vance, have criticized Walz for possibly inflating his military rank.

Japan Issues Megaquake Warning

For the first time, Japan has issued a warning about an increased risk of a major earthquake.

• The advisory was released after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake occurred off the southern island of Kyushu. Japan reported only minor injuries and structural damage after the quake.

• The earthquake's epicenter was near the Nankai Trough, a seismically active area along Japan's Pacific coast. Past earthquakes in this area have been deadly. Experts predict there is a 70% to 80% chance of a massive quake (magnitude 8 or 9) in the next 30 years. The last major quake in this area was in 1946.

• The current advisory, the lower of two alert levels, will last for a week. Japan is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries. In 2011, a powerful magnitude 9 earthquake triggered a catastrophic tsunami that killed 15,000 people and led to triple reactor meltdowns at a nuclear power plant.

• Olympic Update: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone broke her own world record in the 400-meter hurdles at the Paris Olympics, finishing in 50.37 seconds, while her teammate Anna Cockrell won silver in 51.87 seconds. American Tara Davis-Woodhall also won gold in the women's long jump with a jump of 7.1 meters. In the 110-meter hurdles, the U.S. took the top two spots, with Grant Holloway winning gold in 12.99 seconds and Daniel Roberts finishing second in 13.09 seconds. (More)

• President Nicolás Maduro continues to arrest protesters and opposition campaign volunteers in Venezuela. After the July 28 elections, over 1,200 people have been arrested. Protestors want the government to show its vote tallies, which claim without evidence, that he won a third term over opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia. (More)

• Two American astronauts, Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita Williams are still in space two months after they were scheduled to return home. Due to problems with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft, they might spend Christmas and the New Year in space. NASA is now figuring out how to get them back safely and considering other options if the Starliner isn’t safe for the return trip. (More)

• Over 100 homes in Juneau, Alaska, were damaged when a glacial dam burst north of the city. The flooding began when water from Suicide Basin, a lake that fills with rain and meltwater, broke through the ice dam holding it back. (More)

• Mortgage rates dropped to the lowest point in 15 months this week, leading to a surge in people refinancing their loans. However, buying a home is still challenging as rates are still much higher than a few years ago. The average rate for a 30-year mortgage is now 6.47%, according to Freddie Mac. (More)

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