Photo: Science Photo Library RF
1 Deal On Gun Reform Possibly Coming This Week
Senators may be able to soon reach an agreement on gun reform. Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy says he hopes his Republican colleagues will be willing to strike a deal…and he thinks it could happen this week. Why? Murphy said discussions that have been taking place have been "really positive." He added that coming to terms on legislation by week's end is not, in his view, "an unrealistic goal.” While he admits he’s “ready” for talks to fail, he’s also feeling good about where things stand. As part of that, Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia – who has been a thorn in the side of his Dem colleagues on occasion – has weighed in. Manchin says he agrees with President Biden that the age limit to buy such guns should be raised to 21. He's also in favor of having red flag laws on the books, as well as background checks (Manchin’s actually supported those since 2013).
2 Vigil For Brittney Griner Held In Houston
A rally and prayer vigil were held yesterday in Southeast Texas for a WNBA star Brittney Griner, who remains imprisoned in Russia. People gathered outside the Toyota Center in Houston to honor Griner, who’s a center for Phoenix Mercury. Griner was detained by Russian police in February over claims she had hash oil in her luggage. She was in the country to play for the Russian Premier League. Among those speaking at the event? U.S. Marine Trevor Reed – who was freed in a prisoner swap this past April after being held captive for more than two years. "I was wrongfully detained in Russia in 2019 and I was a prisoner there for 985 days," Reed noted. “It's really medieval. The food there is medieval as well.” He says the conditions Brittney is likely living in are unimaginable to most Americans. For one, Russian captors will feed prisoners rotten food. Griner’s been there for one hundred and ten days so far.
3 UK Giving Long Range Missiles To Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin promised strikes against “new targets” if the U.S. supplies long-range missiles to Ukraine. While the US isn’t giving mid-range missiles, the UK is stepping up and giving Ukraine the long-range weaponry it needs. Meantime, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says "fierce street fighting continues" in a key industrial city in the eastern Donbas region. Russia has said it is trying to "liberate" Donbas, which is partly controlled by separatists. During a briefing with reporters, Zelenskyy noted Russian troops outnumber Ukrainian soldiers and are "more powerful" there, but said his country has "every chance" to fight back. Ukraine said Russian shelling killed two civilians yesterday.