Brief News
Russian Blackmail – Unblock Ukrainian ports
Russia is trying to “blackmail” the international community with an offer to unblock Ukrainian ports if sanctions against it are lessened, Ukraine’s foreign minister confirmed.
He warned that if Moscow does not lift its blockage of Ukrainian exports of crops, the entire agricultural cycle will be interrupted and could spur a multi-year food crisis. Separately, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with soldiers wounded in Ukraine during a rare visit to a military hospital, according to footage released by the Kremlin. The visit comes as he announced that state pensions and the minimum wage will rise substantially in Russia from June 1 amid rising inflation.
Meanwhile, in eastern Ukraine, fierce battles are escalating around strategically important cities, including areas in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, parts of which have been controlled by Russian-backed separatists since 2014.
Salmonella contamination – Peanut butter recall
Food companies across the US are recalling peanut butter products due to salmonella contamination concerns. J.M. Smucker has recalled certain types of Jif peanut butter that were sold nationwide, the company said. The recall affects 45 kinds of products, including both creamy and crunchy peanut butter, peanut butter to-go packs, and the natural squeeze pouch. Customers should discard any product immediately if it is included in the recall, which is being conducted in coordination with the US Food and Drug Administration.
“We recognize your trust, and our reputation are built on our fundamental commitment to high standards for ingredients and manufacturing,” Jif said in a statement, adding they will reimburse affected consumers.
Oklahoma – Lawmakers push anti-transgender bills
Oklahoma’s Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into law a bill that requires students at schools to use restrooms and locker rooms that match the sex listed on their birth certificates.
The law specifically applies to students in pre-K through 12th grade at public and public charter schools in the state. The measure, which cleared the state Legislature last week, will take effect immediately because it was passed with an emergency clause. School districts that fail to comply can have a portion of their state funding cut and could be sued by school parents.
The governor’s approval of the law comes as conservative state lawmakers around the country have pushed more than 100 anti-trans bills this year, with a particular focus on transgender students.
“Jan 6” Insurrection – House Committee investigating
Former President Donald Trump reacted with approval to chants of “hang Mike Pence” from rioters who stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, a former aide to Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told the House committee investigating the insurrection. Cassidy Hutchinson, the former aide, also testified that Trump complained about his then-vice president being hustled to safety while Trump supporters breached the Capitol, two sources familiar with the matter admitted.
At a rally preceding the Capitol riot, Trump said to the crowd: “Mike Pence, I hope you’re going to stand up for the good of our Constitution and for the good of our country.” After Pence said that he did not believe he had the authority to reject Electoral College votes, Trump tweeted that “Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution.”