A dissenting Democrat. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia said yesterday he would not be supporting President Joe Biden’s federal voting rights legislation, deeming it too partisan. Manchin’s statement is a major spanner in the works for his party’s attempt to challenge Republican-led voter restriction bills, which critics argue predominantly disenfranchise people of color. “I will vote against the For the People Act,” Manchin said in a newspaper op-ed. Last week on the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre, Biden promised to “fight like heck” to pass the act, which the Senate is set to vote on at the end of June.

Sources: Washington Post, CNN

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2. Israel’s Netanyahu Alleges Fraud, Tries to Cling to Power

He’s taking a leaf out of his pal former U.S. President Donald Trump’s book. Like Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decried a new coalition poised to unseat him as part of “the greatest election fraud in history.” His supporters have been working to undo the precarious alliance, which also includes a Palestinian-Israeli party. Netanyahu, who faces corruption charges, has warned the plans to replace him would result in a “dangerous left-wing government.” However, under the agreement, Naftali Bennett of the far-right Yamina party would become prime minister. A parliamentary vote of confidence in the coalition could be held as early as Wednesday.

Sources: Haaretz, Al Jazeera

3. Biden Looks to Shore Up Allies on Europe Trip

“America is back,” President Biden declared when he started in the job earlier this year — and he’ll be looking to prove it as he travels to Europe later this week for the G-7 summit. His predecessor, Donald Trump, called NATO “obsolete” and had strained relations with many of the U.S.’s traditional allies. Biden has pledged to renew these partnerships at the event in Cornwall, UK, in the face of mutual threats: Russia, China, and the coronavirus pandemic. After England Biden heads to Brussels and then Geneva, for his first face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin since entering office. 

Sources: Reuters, NYT

4. Crypto Enthusiasts Gather for Bitcoin Miami Event

“I don’t think there’s anything more enabling for people around the world.” So said Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in an appearance at the Bitcoin 2021 Miami conference, where thousands of cryptocurrency connoisseurs gathered to speak the new language of NFTs, tokens and blockchain. The event was held in the Florida city because it’s become a leading crypto hub with Bitcoin ATMs available, and a mayor who announced earlier this year Miami would accept tax payments in cryptocurrency. “That we finally have a currency that can be traded at any single point on the planet is pretty incredible,” Dorsey said. 

Sources: NYT, BI 

5. Also Important …

Right-wing presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori has a narrow lead in Peru’s election, with more than 85% of the votes counted. At least 33 people were killed when two passenger trains collided in southern Pakistan. And Vice President Kamala Harris holds talks in Guatemala today on the causes of migration from Central America to the U.S.

Coronavirus Update: Police in Malaysia are using drones to detect people with high temperatures in public places amid a COVID-19 surge. Dating apps like Tinder and Bumble will offer benefits to vaccinated users in an attempt to encourage more people to get their shots. 

From the moment he was conceived — to John Coltrane — music has always been in Moby’s life. Today the producer and musician, with 20 million records sold, is one of music’s most unique voices. On The Carlos Watson Show he shares his difficult rise from a childhood on food stamps and young-adulthood living in an abandoned factory to fame and difficulty with sobriety. Why does he credit “blind enthusiasm” and knowing his limits for the success he has today? Watch today to find out.

If you’re a pet lover, odds are you already spend ample resources on making sure your companion is healthy and happy. A worthy expense, but one that adds up. Guaranteeing your pet’s well-being doesn’t have to break the bank now, thanks to Pawp. Available for a low, flat monthly rate, this digital clinic gives you 24/7 access to text, call or video chat with a vet. Pawp gives you instant access to medical attention, plus a $3,000 safety net for an emergency vet bill — no matter your pet’s age, breed or location.

If you’ve watched the hit Netflix series The Crown, you’ll know her closest family members call Queen Elizabeth II “Lilibet.” Her grandson, Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan Markle have named their baby girl, born yesterday in California, Lilibet Diana, after both the Queen and Harry’s late mother. The couple quit royal duties last year and moved to the U.S. They have been back in the headlines in recent months with their tell-all Oprah Winfrey interview, during which Markle aired allegations of racism in the royal family. Lilibet, the couple’s second child after son Archie, is eighth in line to the British throne. 

Sources: AFP, The Daily Mail

2. Nigeria Blocks Twitter After President's Tweet Removed

Nigeria “indefinitely” blocked Twitter over the weekend, after the tech giant removed a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari that it said violated its “abusive behavior” policy. Buhari’s tweet suggested he would punish “secessionists.” The West African nation, and Africa’s largest economy, is beset with problems including jihadists Boko Haram and various tribal conflicts. Last year, the financial hub Lagos came to a standstill amid massive protests against police brutality, which the government violently cracked down on. Reports said users are getting around the ban by using VPNs, but the government has vowed to prosecute those who break the block.

Sources: The Verge, BI

3. Everything Elephant: Database Logs Pachyderm Peculiarities

They say elephants never forget. Now they’ll never be forgotten either, not even the minutiae of their different noises or the specific movements of their trunks. Scientists studying the African elephant, the world’s biggest land mammal, have created an extensive database of all things pachyderm. No detail is too small, and many are fascinating, like how adolescent female elephants spend minutes at a time standing over a bush. Why? They are practicing nursing a calf, copying maternal behavior seen in others. A century ago there were some 10 million elephants in Africa, now that number has dwindled to just over 400,000.

Sources: NYT, The Elephant Ethogram

4. No ‘Reactionary’ Hairstyles or Films, North Korea Orders

North Korean leader Kim Jung Un went to school in Switzerland, where he was reportedly a huge fan of Jackie Chan films, Sony Playstation and went on holiday to Euro Disney in Paris. Now the leader of the hermit state is cracking down on foreign films and shows, slang and even jeans — anything the regime describes as reactionary. There are reports he wants to stop foreign speech and prevent K-pop-style haircuts from neighboring South Korea. Analysts say the efforts come as it is increasingly difficult to stop outside information from reaching the nation, where millions of people are thought to be going hungry.

Sources: BBC, Politico

5. Mayweather Praises Logan Paul After Miami Bout

“He’s better than I thought he was.” That was champion boxer Floyd Mayweather’s assessment of social media star Logan Paul after the Youtuber managed to get through all eight rounds in their much-hyped fight in Miami this weekend. While no winner was announced, as per the rules, Paul exceeded expectations by avoiding a knockout. “The fact that I’m in here, with one of the greatest boxers of all time, proves that the odds can be beaten,” the 26-year-old said, adding that he’s not ruling out the possibility of another turn in the ring with Mayweather, 44.

Sources: Sky Sports, AFP

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