Abortion Rights Controversy

The contentious issue of abortion rights received significant attention, with Arizona's Supreme Court banning abortion in the state by reviving a law from 1864. This decision holds political implications as Arizona is a crucial swing state for the upcoming presidential election in November.

• Arizona's Supreme Court banned abortion, reviving a law from 1864
• The decision has political reverberations, as Arizona is a swing state for the presidential election
• The order was put on hold for two weeks

Israel-Gaza Conflict and US Involvement

Tensions escalated between Israel and Gaza, with President Biden warning Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu that Israel must protect civilians and negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas. Israel agreed to open aid routes to Gaza, leading to an increase in humanitarian aid trucks entering the region. Biden later offered "ironclad" support to Israel if Iran attacks.

• Biden warned Netanyahu that Israel must protect civilians and negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas
• Israel said it would open the Erez crossing and allow direct aid shipments to Gaza
• The following days saw a significant increase in humanitarian aid trucks entering Gaza
• Biden offered "ironclad" support to Israel if Iran attacks

Russia-Ukraine War Escalation

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine intensified, with both sides accusing each other of drone strikes on the Zaporizhia nuclear plant, increasing the risk of a nuclear accident. The European Union warned that Russia's ambitions to expand beyond Ukraine could lead to a "high-intensity, conventional war in Europe."

• Russia and Ukraine blamed each other for drone strikes on the Zaporizhia nuclear plant
• The attacks increased the risk of a nuclear accident, prompting an emergency IAEA meeting
• The EU warned that Russia's ambitions could lead to a "high-intensity, conventional war in Europe"
• Russia increased the prison sentence of a former aide to the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny

China-Taiwan Relations and Regional Tensions

China's leader Xi Jinping met with former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou, seeking to court friendly Taiwanese politicians while freezing out independence-minded officials like the incoming president, Lai Ching-te. Meanwhile, Japan strengthened its military alliance with the US, including closer cooperation between their command structures and plans for a Japanese astronaut to walk on the Moon.

• Xi Jinping met with former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou
• China is courting friendly Taiwanese politicians while freezing out independence-minded officials
• Japan and the US are strengthening their military alliance, with closer cooperation between command structures
• Japan will join an American mission to the Moon, with a Japanese astronaut set to walk on the lunar surface

Climate Change and Environmental Concerns

Climate change activists won a landmark case in the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled that Switzerland had failed to protect its citizens' rights from the adverse effects of climate change. The court established a right to state protection from the serious impacts of climate change on lives, health, and well-being.

• Climate change activists won their first case in the European Court of Human Rights
• The court ruled that Switzerland failed to protect its citizens' rights from climate change effects
• The decision established a right to state protection from the serious impacts of climate change
• The ruling covers 46 countries under the ECHR's jurisdiction

Other Global News and Events

Additional notable events and developments included South Korea's liberal opposition parties winning parliamentary elections, Zimbabwe introducing a new gold-backed currency to combat inflation, and a deadly ferry capsizing in Mozambique as people fled a cholera outbreak.

• South Korea's liberal opposition parties won the most seats in parliamentary elections
• Zimbabwe introduced a new gold-backed currency to contain inflation
• An overcrowded ferry capsized off Mozambique, killing at least 96 people fleeing a cholera outbreak
• Mexico suspended diplomatic relations with Ecuador after police stormed the Mexican embassy in Quito