U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is convening a virtual meeting of defense ministers to address the recent attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea by Houthi militants. The attacks have caused major shipping lines and oil transporters to suspend their services, and Austin is expected to provide more specifics on the American strategy during Tuesday's meeting. The international community is waiting to see how the United States will respond to the situation, which has already rocked global trade.
News Mash
Two former Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, have filed a lawsuit against former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, asking a federal judge to permanently bar him from making false claims about them. The 10-page complaint argues that Giuliani has continued to falsely accuse the mother and daughter pair of committing election fraud even after a federal jury found his statements to be false and defamatory. The suit seeks to put an end to Giuliani’s false accusations and prevent him from continuing to make them in the future.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers uncovered a shipment of illegal narcotics hidden in vats of jalapeño paste at the Otay Mesa Cargo Facility in San Diego, containing over 3,000 pounds of methamphetamine and 500 pounds of cocaine with an estimated value of $10 million. The shipment was found in a commercial tractor-trailer being driven by a 28-year-old male with a valid border crossing card, and officers seized the shipment and arrested the driver. This discovery is part of a larger effort to crack down on cartels smuggling drugs across the southern border, with more than 1.5 million pounds of narcotics seized in the past year.

Eric Montross, Beloved Member of UNC and NBA Community, Passes Away at Home Surrounded by Loved Ones
Eric Montross, former University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and NBA big man, passed away on Sunday after being diagnosed with cancer in March. He was a beloved figure in the North Carolina basketball community, having been part of the 1993 National Championship team and a radio analyst for UNC game broadcasts. The family requested donations to the Eric Montross Scholarship Fund at UNC and asked for privacy during this difficult time.
Key takeaways: BP has suspended all gas and oil shipments through the Red Sea due to a surge in attacks on ships in the region…
Eight House Democrats are calling on Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to recuse himself from a case involving former President Donald Trump's immunity from federal prosecution due to his wife's political activities and his financial situation. The Democrats argued that Thomas' financial situation and his wife's political activities raise questions about his impartiality and should lead him to recuse himself from the case. They urged the Supreme Court to take the necessary steps to ensure that the case is heard by impartial justices.
The Vatican has released a document formally approving priests to bless same-sex couples, signaling a shift in the Church's stance on same-sex couples. The document reiterates that marriage is a lifelong sacrament between a man and a woman, but also states that God loves all of his children and that the Church should not be a barrier to people seeking God's mercy. This change in policy is likely to be welcomed by many, and is seen as a reflection of Pope Francis' commitment to inclusivity and acceptance.
The Supreme Court paid tribute to the late Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to serve on the court, with a ceremony attended by all nine current justices and retired Justice Anthony Kennedy. Her casket was carried up the steps of the court and passed under the words “Equal Justice Under Law” before being placed in the court’s Great Hall, which opened to the public for mourners to pay their respects. Justice Sonia Sotomayor spoke at the private ceremony, noting O’Connor's commitment to justice and equality for all.






