News Wrap: Judge sets trial date for Trump documents case

In our news wrap Tuesday, a federal judge in Florida set August 14 for former President Trump's classified documents case to go to trial, searing heat and soaring demand forced the Texas power grid operator to call for conservation and nine Egyptian men pleaded not guilty to human smuggling in Greece in one of the Mediterranean's deadliest migrant shipwrecks.

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  • Amna Nawaz:

    Now to the day's other headlines.

    A federal judge in Florida set August 14 for former President Trump's documents case to go to trial. He's pleaded not guilty to illegally keeping classified records and obstructing justice. The trial is set to be held in Fort Pierce, Florida. The date is widely expected to be pushed back.

    Searing heat and soaring demand forced the Texas power grid operator to call for conservation today for the first time this year. Days of heat index readings in the triple digits have forced people to cool off any way they can. And dogs are taking dips too, as pet owners look for cooldown spots. Meanwhile, power outages from weekend storms meant another day without air conditioning for more than 200,000 customers across the South.

    In Greece, nine Egyptian men appeared in court and one of the Mediterranean's deadliest migrant shipwrecks. They arrived at a courthouse in Kalamata and pleaded not guilty to human smuggling and other charges. The tragedy also prompted new calls for change by Europe's top elected official.

  • Ursula Von Der Leyen, President, European Commission:

    It is horrible what happened. And the more urgent is that we act. We need among us clear rules, for example, that everyone coming to the European border is treated everywhere in the same manner.

  • Amna Nawaz:

    So far, a search has recovered 81 bodies with 104 survivors, but new accounts say as many as 750 people were aboard the crowded fishing trawler that sank.

    A federal judge today struck down an Arkansas a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors. Judge Jay Moody wrote that — quote — "Rather than protecting children or safeguarding medical ethics, the prohibited medical care improves the mental health and well-being of patients." The Arkansas statute was the first of its kind, but at least 19 other states now have similar laws.

    A federal jury in New York has convicted one American and two Chinese men of trying to bully an expatriate in New Jersey into returning to China. Federal prosecutors say today's verdict is a victory against a Chinese campaign to threaten and silence critics living abroad. Beijing says the effort is actually aimed at corrupt officials who flee overseas.

    Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he expressed — quote — "deep concern" about China's military ties to Cuba during his trip to Beijing this week. He spoke today in London as new reports surfaced about Chinese activity on Cuba. At the same time, Blinken said the U.S. and China are working to ease tensions.

    Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State: China also sees the utility and importance of having greater stability. But a lot of work remains to be done. And, of course, there are very profound, very significant differences.

  • Amna Nawaz:

    Blinken is in London for a conference that's focused on rebuilding Ukraine.

    Russia, meantime, launched a fresh barrage of missiles and exploding drones into Ukraine early today. Ukrainian forces said they repelled most of the attacks around the capital of Kyiv. Other strikes reach Lviv in the western part of the country. The Ukrainians also released footage of their own attacks, purportedly hitting Russian tanks in the southeast, as part of an ongoing counteroffensive.

    India is making huge new aircraft buys ahead of the prime minister's state visit to Washington this week. Air India finalized an order today for 470 planes from Boeing and the European consortium Airbus. Earlier, budget carrier IndiGo ordered a record 500 airliners from Airbus. The U.S. also reportedly plans to sell jet engines to India.

    On Wall Street, stocks took a break after a recent run-up in values. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 245 points to close below 34054. The Nasdaq fell 22 points. The S&P 500 slipped 21.

    And it is the stuff of horror movies come to life in Northern Nevada. Tens of thousands of blood red crickets are swarming the countryside, eating everything they can, including each other. They're covering highways. And, when they're crushed, residents say they smell like burning flesh. Locals are even using vacuums to get rid of them.

    The invasion could last until mid-August at least. And our thoughts are with the people in Northern Nevada.

    Still to come on the "NewsHour": tensions rise as violence erupts again between Palestinians and Israelis in the West Bank; President Biden meets with tech leaders to discuss the future of artificial intelligence; the director of the National Institute on Aging weighs in on the fight against Alzheimer's disease; a drag performer explains what the art form means to her; plus much more.

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