News Wrap: European Union sets date for Ukraine, Moldova membership talks

William Brangham:

Health officials and emergency workers in Gaza say that Israeli airstrikes on camps near Rafah have killed at least 25 people; 50 others were injured.

It's just the latest attack on Southern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands have sought shelter from the ongoing fighting. For its part, Israel's military released video of its continued ground offensive against Hamas. Meantime, in Lebanon, recent Israeli airstrikes have left southern border towns in ruins. Near-daily exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah prompted the U.N. chief to issue a stark warning.

Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General:

One rash move, one miscalculation could trigger a catastrophe that goes far beyond the border and, frankly, beyond imagination. Let's be clear. The people of the region and the people of the world cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.

William Brangham:

Also today, Armenia became the latest country to officially recognize Palestinian statehood despite opposition from Israel. Roughly three-quarters of the 193 U.N. member nations have done so.

State media in China is reporting that at least 47 people have died amid catastrophic flooding and landslides in the south of the country. A week of downpours has walloped Guangdong Province. One area saw more than 14 inches of rain in just a single day. State television showed a riverside village completely inundated by floodwaters.

In the neighboring Guangxi province, rescuers deployed to a major city after a river there rose nearly 12 feet above its flood warning line. More extreme weather is forecast for other parts of the country.

This week's record-setting heat is set to carry into the weekend across much of the U.S.; 90 million Americans were under heat alerts today from California to the Rockies and from the Midwest through the Ohio Valley. A day earlier, temperature records were topped across New England. The sweltering heat will ratchet up in the mid-Atlantic and the Gulf Coast this weekend, where heat indices may rise into the 100s.

The European Union has officially set a date to begin membership talks for Ukraine and Moldova. Negotiations will begin on Tuesday in Luxembourg, but the full process could take years or even decades. Meantime, Russia says it's shot down more than 114 Ukrainian drones overnight. Ukraine claims to have hit three oil refineries and a drone launch site in Southern Russia.

Today, President Putin said Russia would prioritize military production, including its nuclear program.

Vladimir Putin, Russian President (through interpreter):

We plan to further develop the nuclear triad as a guarantee of strategic deterrence and to preserve the balance of power in the world.

William Brangham:

Those comments come as South Korea summoned Russia's ambassador to protest Moscow's new defense pact with North Korea. This week, Putin and Kim Jong-un agreed that their nations would defend each other if either is attacked.

In Nevada, a judge dismissed the charges today in a fake electors case against six Republicans. They were accused of submitting so-called fake elector certificates to Congress that falsely declared Donald Trump had won the state in the 2020 election. The judge said the case should have been brought in a venue that was closer to where the alleged crimes took place.

Afterward, Nevada's Democratic attorney general told reporters — quote — "The judge got it wrong and we will be appealing immediately." But defense attorneys say the case is dead since the statute of limitations for filing charges expired back in December.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first menthol-flavored electronic cigarettes for adult smokers. All e-cigarettes previously authorized by the FDA have been tobacco-flavored. The decision applies to four menthol products by the vaping brand NJOY, which was recently acquired by Marlboro maker Altria.

It lends new credibility to claims by vaping companies that their products can help blunt the toll of traditional smoking, but parents groups and anti-tobacco advocates criticize the decision.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, has approved new measures to handle misconduct. In a statement, the agency said two independent offices will hear — quote — "claims of harassment, discrimination, other interpersonal misconduct and retaliation following feedback from FDIC employees."

This comes after a scathing workplace investigation that prompted the chairman of the board, Martin Gruenberg, to announce last month that he would resign. It was a quiet close to the week on Wall Street. The Dow Jones industrial average gained just 15 points to close at 39150. The Nasdaq slipped by 32 points. The S&P 500 also ended slightly lower.

And the celebratory duckboats were back out in force in Boston today. Fans flooded the streets of Beantown to honor the Celtics for their record-setting 18th NBA championship. Celtics star Jayson Tatum hoisted the Larry O'Brien Trophy to cheers from the crowd. The traditional duckboat parade has become a familiar sight in Boston because the city's many teams have won 13 titles already this century.