c2stories

Louisiana mandates displaying Ten Commandments in state-funded classrooms starting 2025, including a historical context statement. Critics challenge law citing establishment clause violations; civil liberties groups plan legal action. Supporters cite First Amendment protection, argue for historical value; law also permits display of Mayflower Compact and Northwest Ordinance. Controversial move follows leadership change; similar bills proposed in other states ahead of 2024 elections.

Bulletin brief

Louisiana classrooms now required by law to display the Ten Commandments (CNN)

New law requires all Louisiana public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments (AP)

Louisiana becomes first state to require that Ten Commandment be displayed in public classrooms (CBS)

Justin Timberlake was arrested for DUI in Long Island, released pending July court date. He's set to perform at Madison Square Garden this month. Timberlake, a former child actor and NSYNC member, achieved solo success with 10 Grammys. Arrested after driving erratically, refusing breathalyzer tests in Sag Harbor. His attorney vows to defend him amid ongoing legal proceedings. Timberlake's incident adds to a history of DUIs in the Hamptons.

Bulletin brief

Justin Timberlake arrested: What you need to know about the pop star (AP)

Justin Timberlake is charged with drunken driving in Sag Harbor (NYT)

Justin Timberlake arrested for DWI on Long Island (CBS)

Banana Manufacturer Found Guilty of Funding Paramilitary Groups in Colombia

Chiquita found liable for financing paramilitary groups (CNN)

Jury finds Chiquita Brands liable for Colombia deaths, must pay $38.3 million to families (AP)

Chiquita held liable for deaths during Colombian civil war (NYT)

Nvidia became the world’s second-most valuable company this week. The chipmaker had a net income of $14.9 billion last quarter and continues to grow from the market’s recent AI-boom. Psychedelic medicine stocks dropped after an FDA advisory panel voted no on MDMA therapy treating PTSD; it appears unlikely that the FDA will approve the treatment. A group backed by BlackRock plans to launch a stock exchange in Texas. The TXSE has raised $120 million and will operate free of NY fees and regulations. The ECB cut interest rates from 4% to 3.75%, but declined to detail its future-rate cutting path. As to when America will see rate cuts, it’s best to look at domestic macro indicators to predict the Fed’s actions. Companies like the Daily Wire are part of a bigger anti-woke trend in business that has seen success in appealing to the right, including. companies like Rumble and Fox.A recent poll found that conservative leaning companies were some of the few brands that have grown recently. However, consumers value product quality over brand politics.   

Nvidia surpasses Apple as world’s second-most valuable company (Axios, MB)

Psychedelic medicine stocks fall after FDA advises against MDMA therapy (MW, MB) 

Group looks to open new stock exchange in Texas (WSJ, MB)   

ECB cuts interest rates for first time in five years (MS, MB) 

Emerging economy for conservative anti-woke businesses (MB)

A pair of NASA test pilots launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Boeing’s Starliner capsule, bound for the International Space Station. The trip is expected to take 25 hours, with arrival at the Space Station on Thursday. The Starliner is meant to be fully autonomous, requiring manual control only for system checks. Boeing, alongside SpaceX, was hired by NASA in 2014 for astronaut transport. SpaceX launched astronauts successfully in 2020, while Boeing faced delays and technical issues with the Starliner. Boeing's flight is a crucial milestone for NASA’s reliance on the private sector for human spaceflight. After the flight, data will be reviewed to certify the Starliner, potentially alternating with SpaceX for ISS missions.

Boeing launches NASA astronauts for the first time in new Starliner | AP News

Boeing Starliner Carries NASA Astronauts to Orbit in ‘Milestone’ Flight - The New York Times 

Boeing Starliner launches for the first time carrying NASA astronauts to the ISS

President Joe Biden introduced new asylum restrictions at the U.S.-Mexico border this week, aiming to manage the migrant influx. The plan faced criticism from various quarters, including the ACLU and Republicans. Biden's move comes after the collapse of a bipartisan border deal, resorting to a presidential proclamation. The restrictions allow authorities to turn back Mexican migrants and will activate when border arrests exceed 2,500 per day for a week. Arrest rates surpassed this threshold in April, and the order applies only to those crossing between ports of entry, exempting certain groups like minors and victims of trafficking.

Bulletin Brief:

Biden rolls out asylum restrictions, months in the making, to help ‘gain control’ of the border (AP)

What does Biden’s new asylum ban at the U.S.-Mexico border do? (Reuters)

Biden signs executive order drastically tightening border (NBC)

Hezbollah rockets from southern Lebanon caused bush fires in northern Israel, leading to forest destruction and 11 hospitalizations. Evacuations were initiated in Galilee due to increased fighting. Hezbollah claimed responsibility, citing Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon as provocation. Israel retaliated with airstrikes on Hezbollah targets. Over 4,000 acres were burned, exacerbated by a heat wave. Firefighters and military contained the fires, while Israel's security cabinet planned to address the escalating conflict.

Fires in northern Israel fuel demands to tackle escalation with Hezbollah 

Blazes break out in northern Israel after cross-border attacks from Lebanon | CNN 

Brush fires sparked by rockets from Lebanon blaze in north Israel 

Fires set off by Hezbollah rockets spread through northern Israel | Reuters

Singer Sean Kingston’s bail was set yesterday following arrest for ten counts of fraud and grand theft. YouTube star Ms. Rachel goes under fire after raising money for Gaza and celebrating Pride Month. The new horror film “In a Violent Nature” has horror fans flocking to theaters. Olivia Rodrigo becomes the number one streamed female artist on Spotify for her album “Sour.” Jennifer Lopez announces the cancellation of her upcoming summer tour and has fans speculating the reason. Indie band Wallows releases experimental third studio album. 

The Bulletin Brief

Sean Kingston’s bail is set for fraud charges (People, NNN)

Ms. Rachel under fire for recent political and social actions (Guardian, Today)

Horror film “In a Violent Nature” becomes slasher hit (Rolling Stone)

Olivia Rodrigo is the most streamed female artist on Spotify (MBWW)

Jennifer Lopez cancels upcoming summer tour (NYT)

Wallows releases third studio album (Grammy)

About 300 families on Gardi Sugdub island near Panama face evacuation due to rising sea levels, making them one of 63 communities expected to relocate. Despite an eight-minute boat ride to the mainland, some residents are reluctant to leave their 200-year-old island home. Panama's housing ministry allows residents to stay until it's unsafe, while those relocating will move to concrete houses on the mainland. Climate change, causing warmer oceans and stronger storms, erodes the island, prompting the relocation effort estimated to cost over $1.2 billion.

Panama prepares to evacuate first island in face of rising sea levels 

Global Warming effect: This tiny island near USA prepares to evacuate due to rising sea levels - The Economic Times

Sea Level | Vital Signs – Climate Change  

Families forced to evacuate Panama island due to rising sea levels | World News

Former President Donald Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The charges allege he made payments to his attorney to reimburse a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels for her silence about a 2006 encounter. These payments were falsely recorded as legal expenses. The prosecution argued Trump intended to conceal a conspiracy to influence his 2016 candidacy. Trump faces sentencing on July 11, 2024, with a maximum of 4 years in prison. Despite the conviction, Trump plans to appeal and continue his presidential campaign, even under house arrest.

Bulletin Brief

Breakdown of the 34 counts (NPR)

Why was Trump charged with felonies? (CBS)

How the guilty verdict may impact the 2024 election (PBS)