Organizers say abortion rights will be on the ballot in three more states
(The New York Times) — Abortion rights advocates in three states announced this week that they had collected enough signatures to put a measure that would enshrine some abortion rights in their state constitutions on the November ballot. Activists in Arkansas were the last group this year to say Friday they had collected enough signatures to ask voters the question, just days after groups in Arizona and Nebraska said they had met the deadline. In all three states, officials will need to verify the signatures and certify the ballot measure, as in Missouri and Montana, where groups recently announced they had collected enough signatures for such a measure.
Biden says people are trying to ‘throw’ him out of the election
(The New York Times) President Joe Biden told a Wisconsin audience on Friday that he won’t cave in to calls to resign and vowed to stay in the race. “It seems like some people don’t care who you voted for,” Biden said. “Well, guess what? They’re trying to throw me out of the race. I’ll tell you straight up: I’m staying in the race!” Biden began his speech with a rapid-fire delivery, looking redder than he did during a disastrous debate that raised questions about whether he was too old to stay in the race against former President Donald Trump.
After immunity ruling, Trump seeks delay in classified documents case
(New York Times) Former President Donald Trump’s lawyers on Friday asked the judge over Trump’s classified documents case to put almost all of the case on hold while they consider whether Trump enjoys immunity from prosecution under a landmark Supreme Court decision this week. The Supreme Court on Monday granted Trump broad immunity from criminal prosecution for his official duties as president. The decision came after a months-long legal battle over a federal trial in Washington in which Trump is accused of plotting to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Trump’s lawyers are now trying to apply that ruling to the classified documents case.
Judge rules against releasing Covenant School shooter documents
(NYTimes) — A judge in Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday rejected the publication of documents left behind by the gunman who killed six people at a Christian school in the city last year, warning that their contents could inspire copycat violence elsewhere. In a decision that could have far-reaching implications, the judge also sided with the novel argument of the parents of a surviving Covenant School student that they had obtained copyrights to documents and works left behind by the gunman. The ruling came after a months-long legal battle over whether authorities were compelled to release the diary and other documents.
Wisconsin Supreme Court declares ballot drop boxes open for use again
(NYTimes) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s new liberal majority announced Friday that ballot drop boxes can now be widely used in the state again, reversing a ruling it made two years ago when the court had a conservative majority. On a practical level, the decision will change how Wisconsin, a close state that could swing the Electoral College, conducts its election just four months away. On a symbolic level, the judicial reversal will galvanize Republican claims that the Supreme Court has become overtly partisan, a claim Democrats made themselves not long ago when most of the justices were conservative.
Gaza ceasefire talks resume after weeks of stalemate
(New York Times) Israeli negotiators visited the Gulf state of Qatar on Friday for the first time in weeks to resume talks on a ceasefire agreement to end the war in the Gaza Strip and release hostages held there. David Barnea, director of Israel’s Mossad foreign intelligence agency, led an Israeli delegation to Doha, the Qatari capital, where he met with Qatar’s Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, an official familiar with the visit said. Ceasefire talks had been stalled for weeks, but Hamas announced Wednesday it had exchanged views with mediators on a new way forward.
Brazilian police accuse President Bolsonaro of stealing Saudi jewels
(New York Times) Brazil’s federal police have recommended criminal charges be filed against former President Jair Bolsonaro in a scheme to embezzle jewels he received from foreign leaders during his presidency, according to two people close to the investigation, adding another major legal challenge to Bolsonaro. Federal police have accused Bolsonaro and 10 of his top aides of keeping and trying to sell expensive gifts he received from foreign governments, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential case files. Police are seeking charges of money laundering and criminal enterprise against Bolsonaro and several of his top aides, including a former aide.
Viktor Orban meets with Vladimir Putin, disappoints EU
(NYTimes) Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met with President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Friday, an unusual visit to Russia by a Western leader that quickly caused consternation within the European Union. Orbán’s visit came three days after he visited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, also during the week that Hungary assumed the EU’s rotating presidency, leading other European leaders to declare that Orbán was not representing the EU in Moscow. Orbán’s spokesman said the Hungarian leader was in Moscow “as part of a peace mission.” Orbán has made vague calls for a ceasefire and direct negotiations between Moscow and Kiev.
Murder of Kazakh journalist shocks Ukrainian exiles
(NYTimes) — A small group of mourners gathered Friday for the funeral of Aydos Sadykov, a Kazakh opposition activist and YouTuber who was assassinated in Kiev, Ukraine. The assassination shocked journalists and exiles in Ukraine and the region. A former politician and trade unionist, Sadykov, 55, had fled Kazakhstan with his family and lived in Ukraine. He was granted political asylum in Ukraine, and together with his wife ran a popular YouTube channel covering events in Kazakhstan. He was shot outside his home last month and died this week from his wounds. His widow, Natalia Sadykova, has alleged that Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is responsible.
Vatican excommunicates former ambassador to the US
(New York Times) The Vatican announced Friday that it had excommunicated Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, a former ambassador to the United States, accusing him of schism for not recognizing the authority of Pope Francis and the liberal reforms enacted after the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. Archbishop Viganò has emerged as one of the most vocal conservative critics of Pope Francis, publicly calling the pontiff a “false prophet” and a “servant of the Devil” and espousing right-wing conspiracy theories. Archbishop Viganò will be able to hold the archbishopric but will not be allowed to celebrate Mass, receive the sacraments or hold any official office within the church’s hierarchy.
