6.29.2024

Facts, without motives.
 

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Good morning. It's Saturday, June 29, and in this weekend edition, we're covering a flurry of Supreme Court rulings, arrests in a failed coup attempt, and much more. First time reading? Join over 3.5 million readers. Sign up here.

 

You share, we listen. As always, send us feedback at [email protected].

One Big Headline
 

Obstruction Law Ruling

The US Supreme Court yesterday ruled federal prosecutors improperly relied on an obstruction law used in charging over 300 people involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the US Capitol. 

 

At issue is the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act, passed after the Enron financial scandal. The defendant in the obstruction challenge argued the statute applies only to the tampering of evidence. The high court agreed, requiring proof that a defendant's actions impaired the availability or integrity of physical evidence used in an official proceeding. The decision could affect roughly 150 people, who have pleaded guilty or received convictions under the statute.

 

The Supreme Court also overturned a 1984 decision that directed lower courts to defer to federal regulators when laws passed by Congress are unclear, and separately made it easier for cities to enforce laws against homeless encampments.

 

A ruling is expected Monday on former President Donald Trump's appeal for blanket immunity from criminal prosecution. Monday will mark the first time since 2020 (the second since 1996) in which the court's term has been extended into July. 

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Quick Hits
 

Iranians vote in snap presidential elections. 

As of this writing, hard-liner Saeed Jalili is in the lead, followed by reformist Masoud Pezeshkian. Both candidates are still short of the votes needed to avoid a potential July 5 runoff election. A candidate must secure more than 50% of the votes to win. A total of four candidates are vying for the presidency following former President Ebrahim Raisi's fatal helicopter crash. 

 

Iowa Supreme Court rules in favor of six-week abortion ban.

The court's 4-3 ruling dismissed a challenge to a new Iowa law that bans most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy and directed a lower court to dissolve a temporary injunction as court proceedings continue. Before the latest law, Iowa had banned abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The six-week ban will take effect in three weeks. See an overview of state abortion laws here

 

Bolivia detains four more military officers tied to failed coup.

The number of people arrested in connection with Wednesday's failed attempt to overthrow the government of President Luis Arce has risen to 21. Those arrested include the Bolivian army's commanding general, Juan José Zúñiga, who allegedly led the coup attempt. Zúñiga claims he was following a scheme hatched by Arce to boost his popularity; Arce has denied the accusations. 

 

Nike shares fall 20% after weaker full-year forecast.

The drop in Nike's shares is the largest daily decline on record and erased roughly $28B in market value. The drop comes after the footwear company announced it expects sales to fall 10% in the current quarter amid softer sales in China. Analysts had forecast a 3.2% drop in quarterly sales. Nike also expects fiscal 2025 sales to drop, a reversal from its previous growth forecast.

 

Key US inflation measure rises as expected in May.

The core personal consumption expenditures price index, which measures costs consumers pay across a wide swath of items, excluding food and energy, rose 2.6% year-over-year and 0.1% month-over-month. Both figures are in line with analyst estimates, while the annual rate is the lowest reading since March 2021. The index is the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge.

 

FDA says new study shows milk pasteurization kills bird flu.

The Food and Drug Administration said a widely used treatment that heats milk for at least 15 seconds at 161 degrees Fahrenheit kills the bird flu virus in cow’s milk. The virus, known as the H5N1 avian influenza, was first detected in cows in March, though the FDA has said the risk to the public remains low. See the findings here.

Humankind
 

Los Angeles Dodgers bat boy catches fast-paced foul ball, saving MLB star Shohei Ohtani from potential injury. (More, w/video)

 

A dying pediatric nurse donates her organs to help children in need. (More

 

Plane passengers surprise 5-year-old boy with midair graduation celebration after he missed his ceremony. (More

 

... and a 105-year-old finally receives her master's from Stanford University. (More)

 

A 12-year-old boy rescues his classmate, who was struggling to swim during a field trip to the beach. (More

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Humankind(ness)
 

Today, we're sharing a story from reader Deb P. in Fort Pierce, Florida.

 

"My husband and I recently celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. We had a great visit with family in Yellowstone National Park where we had all pitched in on a van rental. When the family departed, we knew we would need a compact car to keep expenses down while our journey continued."

 

"At the rental desk, when asked what our plans were, we explained we would be spending two days sight-seeing to celebrate our milestone anniversary. Without skipping a beat, the rental agent found and upgraded us to a luxury BMW M5! No charge. Just goodness and kindness from her to us. We were thrilled and made sure her superiors knew what a great agent she was before zipping off in 'our' beautiful car."

 

What act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us here.

Etcetera
 

Bookkeeping

> South Sudan's 6 million antelopes make up world's largest land migration.

Original "Harry Potter" cover art sells for $1.9M, the series' priciest memorabilia.

 

Browse 

> Sleeping cuckoo bees top insect photo competition

> America's most expensive metro areas to raise a child

> Artist creates vintage-style space travel posters.

See the 2024 Texas State Fair's wacky concoctions

> Explore the Chicago restaurants featured in "The Bear." 

 

Listen 

> The brand endorsement deal that went terribly wrong.

 

Watch 

> The 12 traits shared by emotionally intelligent people

How doctors determine different stages of cancer.

Giant sinkhole partially swallows soccer field.

> How 1.5 million plastic bottles are turned into clothing every day.

 

Long Read 

> Why talents that bloom later in life are more consequential.  

> How a 1904 marathon became one of the weirdest-ever Olympic events.

 

Most Clicked This Week: "Wild Thang" named world's ugliest dog.

 

Historybook: Original Globe Theatre burns to the ground (1613); English poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning dies (1861); NBA star Kawhi Leonard born (1991); US Space Shuttle docks with Russian space station for first time (1995); Hollywood legend Katharine Hepburn dies (2003); Apple releases first iPhone (2007).

"Why, what is to live? Not to eat and drink and breathe—but to feel the life in you down all the fibers of being, passionately and joyfully."

- Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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