U.S. and world news for June 30

Biden denounces court ruling on affirmative action: President Biden condemned the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that declared the use of race-based admissions by universities was unconstitutional. Biden stated the court “once again walked away from decades of precedent” and announced he was directing the U.S. Department of Education to determine how universities could encourage student body diversity in the wake of the court”™s ruling. When asked if the court”™s conservative majority represented a rogue faction, Biden angrily said, “This is not a normal court.”

House leaders seek officials cited by Hunter Biden whistleblowers: The Republican chairmen of three U.S. House of Representatives committees ”“ Judiciary, Ways and Means, and Oversight and Accountability ”“ announced they want to interview high-ranking officials within the FBI, IRS and U.S. Department of Justice who were accused of derailing the investigation into Hunter Biden”™s business activities. The Washington Times reported the lawmakers are seeking interviews with those named in whistleblower testimony for either interfering with the probe or creating roadblocks to prevent a more vigorous investigation into the president”™s son. The chairmen also want to speak with Secret Service employees who were reportedly tipped off to aspects of the investigation.

Japanese police to instruct Ukrainians on identifying bodies: Japan”™s National Police Agency will be hosting a delegation of police officials from Ukraine next month for a presentation on forensic techniques used to identify bodies. The Ukrainian government said there are tens of thousands of unidentified bodies across their country, and The Japan Times reported the Ukrainians will study the techniques used by Japanese officers to identify bodies after their nation”™s 2011 earthquake. This is the first offer by Japan to assist Ukraine since the Russian invasion started in February 2022.

Parkland school officer found not guilty of duty dereliction: A former sheriff’s deputy who stayed outside of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, during a 2018 shooting was found not guilty of failing to protect students. Scot Peterson was the school”™s resource officer and became the first law enforcement officer to face criminal charges based on alleged inaction during an active school shooting. Peterson was found not guilty of 11 charges including felony child neglect, culpable negligence and perjury. Nikolas Cruz killed 17 students, teachers and staff members with an AR-15 assault rifle at the school, which was among the worst mass shootings in U.S.

Four NFL players suspended for sports betting: The NFL has suspended four players for violating the league”™s gambling policy. Indianapolis Colts players Isaiah Rodgers and Rashod Berry and free agent Demetrius Taylor received indefinite suspensions for betting on NFL games last year; the three players will be able to seek reinstatement after the end of the 2023 season. Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere was suspended for six games for betting on non-NFL games at the team”™s facility. Earlier in the off-season, five other players were suspended for sports betting.

Harry and Meghan without a U.K. home: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have officially vacated Frogmore Cottage, the London home gifted to them by Queen Elizabeth II after their 2018 wedding. Buckingham Palace”™s annual Sovereign Grant report of royal properties detailed the couple are no longer in residence ”“ earlier in the year, King Charles reportedly asked them to move out in order to have his brother Prince Andrew relocate there from Royal Lodge at Windsor. Harry and Meghan stepped away from their royal duties in 2020 to pursue private sector opportunities ”“ the couple and their children maintain a home in Montecito, California.

Cover photo by Mark Jones / Flickr Creative Commons