News Wrap: Judge tosses out some charges in Trump 2020 election interference case

Geoff Bennett:

In the day's other headlines: A judge in Georgia tossed out six of 41 charges against former President Trump and his allies in a 2020 election interference case. One of the dismissed counts involved Mr. Trump urging the Georgia secretary of state to — quote — "find 11,780 votes to overturn the election."

But Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee found the charges too broad. He said — quote — "The lack of detail concerning an essential legal element is fatal." Prosecutors will have the option of seeking a new indictment related to the dismissed counts.

In the Middle East, six Palestinians have died and clashes across the occupied West Bank. A teenager was killed after he allegedly stabbed Israeli security guards. Three others were shot dead after Israeli police said they were about to throw explosives. And two men were killed during an Israeli military raid in Jenin. Video of the aftermath showed roads torn up by Israeli tanks and bulldozers.

Ukraine sent a new wave of armed drones into Russia today, striking at oil refineries. One attack set a large facility southeast of Moscow ablaze. Operations were reportedly disrupted at several other locations.

Separately, Russian President Vladimir Putin was interviewed on state TV, and he said again that Russia could use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin, Russian President (through interpreter):

Weapons exist to be used. We have our own principles. What do they mean? That we are ready to use weapons, including any weapons, including those you mentioned, if we are talking about the existence of the Russian state, about damaging our sovereignty and independence.

Geoff Bennett:

Putin spoke just days before national elections. He's expected to secure another six-year term.

Officials in Lithuania called out Moscow today after an ally of the late Alexei Navalny was bludgeoned with a hammer. Leonid Volkov was assaulted on Tuesday. It happened outside the home where he's been living in exile. In a video posted online, Volkov appeared bruised and bandaged, but vowed not to be silenced.

Leonid Volkov, Former Chief of Staff to Alexei Navalny (through intepreter): They wanted to make me into a schnitzel with a meat hammer right outside my house. The attacker hit me 15 times in my leg. My arm has been broken, but I will live. The most important thing is, we will continue working and we will not surrender.

It was another obvious, typical, classic gangster hello from Putin.

Geoff Bennett:

The attack came nearly a month after Navalny died in a Russian prison, and Lithuanian officials made clear they think the Kremlin was involved. Moscow denied it played any role.

In Haiti, plans for new leadership to rescue the violence-plagued nation appear to be in limbo tonight. Several figures tapped to join a transitional council now say they won't take part. The U.S. and Caribbean leaders had worked out the plan. Current Prime Minister Ariel Henry said he would resign once the council is in place.

Here at home, an autopsy report released today concluded that Nex Benedict, a nonbinary high school student in Oklahoma, died by suicide last month a day after a physical altercation in a school bathroom. The report listed a — quote — "combined toxicity" of drugs used to treat depression and allergies.

The incident sparked outrage from gay and transgender rights groups, who cited reports that Nex had been a victim of bullying.

On Wall Street, stocks mostly drifted on a quiet day of trading. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 37 points to close at 39043. The Nasdaq fell 87 points. The S&P 500 slipped 10.

And still to come on the "NewsHour": a family in Northern Gaza feeds hundreds of starving Palestinians during Ramadan; the FAA reports dozens of issues with the production of Boeing's 737 MAX jets; and the impact of America's deep political divisions on marriages, dating and families.