LGBTQ+ librarians are facing challenges related to book bans and personal attacks
As Pride Month events take place worldwide, many individuals in the LGBTQ+ community are encountering difficulties at work, from being misgendered to experiencing physical assaults. Gender nonconforming library workers are particularly affected by the increasing calls for book bans in the U.S., with titles about gender identity, sexual orientation, and race being the main targets. The American Library Association has reported a record number of censored titles in 2023, with Maia Kobabe’s ‘Gender Queer’ being the most criticized library book for the third consecutive year.
Republicans are taking aim at a Biden executive order on voter registration ahead of the upcoming election
Republicans are challenging a three-year-old executive order by the Biden administration that seeks to facilitate voter registration by federal agencies. They argue that the order is unconstitutional and an attempt to interfere in the November election. Subpoenas have been issued to agency directors, and a group of GOP secretaries of state has asked the Supreme Court to address the issue. The White House dismisses these criticisms as baseless claims spread by those who promoted false narratives about the 2020 elections.
Biden and his supporters are working to win over GOP women in swing-state suburbs in opposition to Trump
President Joe Biden and his allies are trying to gain the support of suburban women who helped secure his victory over Donald Trump in swing states like Pennsylvania four years ago. They are targeting a small group of Republican women who may oppose a potential second term for Trump. However, interviews in Pennsylvania’s Bucks County suggest that traditional Republicans are not prepared to abandon Trump in significant numbers.
Israeli man killed in the West Bank amid deadly strikes in northern Gaza
Israel’s army has reported that an Israeli man was fatally shot in the northern West Bank town of Qalqilya, where Israeli forces were carrying out operations. In Gaza, deadly strikes have led to the recovery of 19 bodies from a building hit by an Israeli attack in Gaza City. The Associated Press is unable to verify the casualties reported by the Palestinian Civil Defense. In related news, Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden, causing no damage.
Trump to address evangelical supporters who seek stricter abortion measures
Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak to a group of influential evangelical supporters who are advocating for a national abortion ban. Trump’s opposition to signing such a ban and his reserved stance on abortion issues conflict with the views of many evangelical supporters. The Faith & Freedom Coalition, to be addressed by Trump, has praised his appointment of Supreme Court justices who have voted against abortion rights.
Rape survivor to campaign with first lady Jill Biden on abortion rights
A survivor of sexual assault who is now an advocate for reproductive rights will campaign alongside First Lady Jill Biden in Pennsylvania. This initiative coincides with the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and amid ongoing efforts to protect abortion rights in the face of restrictions implemented in various states.
Family of 6 found dead in landslide in China as severe weather continues
Rescuers in Fujian province discovered the bodies of a family of six who had sought shelter in a temple during severe weather but were killed when the building collapsed in a landslide. The tragic incident comes amidst ongoing extreme weather events in the region, with authorities issuing warnings of further severe weather. In Guangdong province, 47 people have already been reported dead due to historic flooding caused by heavy rains.
New coalition government in South Africa sparks racial tensions
South Africa’s new coalition government, uniting a Black president and a white opposition leader, has reignited racial tensions in the country. The power-sharing agreement between the African National Congress and a white-led party has faced criticism from Black South Africans who see the return of a white-led party to power as a reminder of the apartheid era oppression.
Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin’s failed mutiny a year ago challenged the Kremlin
A year ago, Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin orchestrated an armed rebellion against the Kremlin, accusing them of neglecting his forces during the conflict in Ukraine. The rebellion, which was swiftly quelled, posed a rare challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s rule. Prigozhin’s motives remain debated, and his death in a suspicious crash two months later remains shrouded in mystery.
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