Unanimous Supreme Court preserves access to widely used abortion medication
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has upheld access to a medication that was used in almost two-thirds of all abortions in the U.S. last year. This marks the court’s first abortion-related decision since conservative justices overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago. The justices determined that abortion opponents did not have the legal standing to challenge the federal Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the medication, mifepristone, and the FDA’s efforts to facilitate its accessibility. The case had the potential to restrict access to mifepristone nationwide, even in states where abortion is legal. It is one of two abortion cases currently before the high court.
G7 summit opens with deal to use Russian assets for Ukraine as EU’s traditional powers recalibrate
BORGO EGNAZIA, Italy (AP) — The Group of Seven leading industrialized nations has convened in Italy for a summit. Premier Giorgia Meloni welcomed the G7 leaders and officially commenced their closed-door discussions on Thursday. In her opening remarks, Meloni compared the bloc to the olive trees of the Puglia region, with deep roots and branches reaching towards the future. Prior to the summit’s official kickoff, negotiators reached an agreement on a U.S. proposal supporting a $50 billion loan to Ukraine that would be backed by frozen Russian assets.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels launch boat-borne bomb attack against Greek-owned ship in Red Sea
ABOARD THE USS LABOON IN THE RED SEA (AP) — Houthi rebels from Yemen staged a boat-borne bomb attack against a commercial vessel in the Red Sea, escalating their campaign despite efforts by a U.S.-led coalition to safeguard the vital waterway. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center issued a warning to shippers, describing the vessel as being struck in the stern by a small white craft southwest of Hodeida, a city controlled by the Houthis. A Houthi military spokesperson later claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it involved a “drone boat,” drones, and ballistic missiles. The use of an explosive-laden boat harkens back to the USS Cole attack in 2000, a suicide mission by al-Qaida that resulted in the deaths of 17 sailors.
Trump returns to Capitol Hill and meets with Republican lawmakers, a first since Jan. 6 attack
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump is paying a visit to Capitol Hill to meet with House and Senate Republicans for the first time since the attack on January 6, 2021. GOP lawmakers are feeling reenergized and galvanized by Trump’s efforts to reclaim the White House, despite facing federal charges for his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election and a recent guilty verdict in a separate hush money trial. Trump is engaging in closed-door discussions with House Republicans in the morning, followed by private meetings with Senate Republicans at campaign headquarters near the Capitol to discuss party priorities. This marks his first visit as the party’s presumptive nominee.
US reporter Evan Gershkovich, jailed in Russia on espionage charges, to stand trial, officials say
MOSCOW (AP) — Russian authorities have announced that U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained in Russia on espionage charges for over a year, will face trial in the city of Yekaterinburg in the Ural Mountains. The Prosecutor General’s office of Russia disclosed on Thursday that Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, has been formally charged with “gathering secret information” for the CIA about a military equipment facility in the Sverdlovsk region. This marks the first time that details of the accusations against Gershkovich have been revealed. While he has been charged with espionage, no evidence supporting the allegations has been provided.
Milei’s radical overhaul passes Argentina’s Senate after protesters clash with police
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina’s Senate narrowly approved President Javier Milei’s ambitious proposals to reduce state spending and enhance his own authority. This victory represents a significant legislative triumph for the libertarian leader, despite opposition senators rejecting an income tax package and making revisions to some contentious aspects of the plan. Following a heated debate lasting an entire day, the Senate provisionally passed the two bills as thousands of protesters took to the streets, engaging in clashes with law enforcement, setting cars ablaze, and hurling Molotov cocktails. Federal security forces intervened by pushing back against the demonstrators. Milei’s drastic efforts to transform the government and economy have faced strong opposition in Congress, which is dominated by the opposition.
After rare flash flood emergency, Florida prepares for more heavy rainfall in coming days
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Southern Florida experienced an unusual flash flood emergency due to a tropical disturbance. Residents are bracing for additional heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday. The intense rains on Wednesday resulted in road closures, vehicle floatation, and delays for the Florida Panthers on their journey to Stanley Cup games in Canada against the Edmonton Oilers. The disorganized storm system moved across Florida from the Gulf of Mexico around the same time that hurricane season commenced in early June. Forecasts predict that this year’s hurricane season, which is expected to be particularly active, could be influenced by climate change, intensifying storm activity.
Shareholders are charting Tesla’s future as voting on CEO Elon Musk’s pay package comes to a head
DETROIT (AP) — Shareholders of Tesla are determining the future trajectory of the electric vehicle company as they conclude voting on whether to reinstate CEO Elon Musk’s substantial pay package that was invalidated by a Delaware judge. Tesla’s stock price surged in premarket trading on Thursday after the company announced in a regulatory filing that shareholders are overwhelmingly in favor of Musk’s $44.9 billion compensation package. The company’s SEC filing included Musk’s posts from the previous night indicating support for his pay package and a proposal to relocate Tesla’s legal headquarters from Delaware to Texas.
The Stanley Cup Final in American Sign Language is a welcome addition for Deaf community
GENOA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — The NHL made history by offering play-by-play commentary and analysis in American Sign Language during the Stanley Cup Final. With the Florida Panthers leading 2-0 as the series moves to Edmonton for the next games, fans and broadcasters are embracing the challenge of presenting hockey games in ASL given the fast-paced nature of the sport. Bob Madden, a deaf man from Michigan, watched Game 2 and remarked that while hockey is fast-paced, ASL interpretation is preferable to closed captioning. The interim CEO of the National Association of the Deaf hailed this development as a groundbreaking moment.
Tatum, Brown help Celtics hold off huge Dallas rally for 106-99 win, 3-0 lead in NBA Finals
DALLAS (AP) — Jayson Tatum delivered 31 points as the Boston Celtics fended off a furious late rally by the Dallas Mavericks to inch closer to a record 18th championship with a 106-99 victory, giving them a 3-0 lead in the NBA Finals. No team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in the NBA playoffs. Jaylen Brown also made a significant contribution with 30 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists as the Celtics extended their franchise-record winning streak to 10 playoff games. Dallas almost engineered an incredible comeback to avoid falling into a deep hole, trimming Boston’s lead to just one point after being down by 21 earlier in the game.
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