US Supreme Court 'Demolishes' Voting Rights Act
The US Supreme Court has effectively gutted a major section of the Voting Rights Act through a landmark decision on Louisiana's congressional map, marking a significant upheaval in civil rights law. In a 6-3 decision along partisan lines, the court dismantled Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which was the last remaining powerful provision of the 1965 law designed to prevent racial discrimination in voting. Section 2 has long been used to ensure fair treatment of minority voters in redistricting processes. The Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana's congressional maps violated the equal protection clause. Writing for the majority, Justice Samuel Alito argued that Section 2 does not require states to draw majority-minority districts, contrary to decades of precedent.
Lawmakers React
Representatives Terri Sewell and Shomari Figures, who now risk losing their seats in Alabama's Black congressional districts, condemned the decision as sending the nation "backwards." The ruling is seen as the culmination of Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito's joint campaign to roll back civil rights legislation.
Impact on Midterm Maps
While the Supreme Court decision leaves little time to redraw maps before the midterms, analysts are examining what midterm maps could look like if both parties achieve all their current redistricting ambitions. The ruling threatens to weaken the voting power of minorities across the country.
Trump Threatens Troop Reduction in Germany
Donald Trump has threatened to reduce the number of US troops deployed in Germany, following criticism from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. In a Truth Social post, Trump said his administration is "studying and reviewing the possible reduction of troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time." Merz had previously suggested that Trump's team was being outplayed by Iran's tactics, stating that "an entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership." Trump's threat comes amid intensifying tensions with NATO allies and raises concerns in Berlin and Europe.
Elon Musk Grilled in OpenAI Trial
Elon Musk faced a combative cross-examination in his case against Sam Altman and OpenAI. Musk repeated accusations that Altman "stole a charity" and would endanger humanity with AI. OpenAI's lawyers pressed him on these allegations, leading to fraught exchanges and interventions from the judge. Musk often refused to give yes or no answers, at one point telling OpenAI's attorneys: "Your questions are not simple – they are designed to trick me, essentially." Musk's side argues that Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman violated the founding agreement by changing the non-profit to a for-profit structure. OpenAI rejects these claims as "motivated by jealousy," stating that Musk was always aware of plans for the business and left in 2018 after a failed bid to take it over.
Other News
- New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani snubbed King Charles, refusing a private meeting and calling for the return of an Indian diamond taken by the crown in 1849.
- The AI agent Cursor wiped a business's entire database and backups, with the tool confessing: "I violated every principle I was given."
- Former FBI Director James Comey briefly appeared in court after the Justice Department indicted him over an Instagram post, in a renewed effort to prosecute a political enemy of the president.
Oil Prices Surge Above $126 a Barrel
Brent oil jumped more than 13% in 24 hours to climb above $126 a barrel on Wednesday, reaching its highest level since 2022. The surge followed Trump's statement that the US blockade of Iranian ports could last months, amid stalled peace talks. Global oil supplies have dropped by nearly 20 million barrels each day due to the choking of the Strait of Hormuz.
Product Recommendation: Cast-Iron Pan on Sale
Former Bon Appétit food writer Karen Yuan recommends a cast-iron pan that is now on sale. She describes it as a "rare cast-iron pan that feels nimble" and having "fixed everything I hated about cast iron." The pan is ultra-light yet indestructible, making it a worthwhile investment.
Documentary: From Prison to Gym Business
Debra Granik's new documentary series, "Conbody v Everybody," follows Coss Marte, a former drug dealer who developed a workout in prison and later founded a gym run entirely by former felons. The series highlights the arbitrary hurdles and prejudices from investors that Marte and his business faced. Marte emphasizes: "The hardest thing that we're going to face as a society is to embrace the willingness to change, in prison reform and rehabilitation."
Climate Check: WPP's Role in Oil Industry Greenwash
UK-based advertising corporation WPP helped oil companies ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, and BP spend an estimated $1.5 billion on ads in the US since the 2015 Paris climate agreement. A congressional investigation concluded in April 2024 that these companies used "deceptive and misleading" communications strategies to obstruct policies designed to curb reliance on planet-heating fossil fuels.
Last Thing: Rendlesham Forest Mystery
In 1980, two US airmen reported a suspected extraterrestrial sighting near a military base in England. What they really saw remains a mystery. Journalist Daniel Lavelle traveled to the US to investigate, concluding: "Maybe it boils down to nothing more than a group of easily excitable Americans getting spooked by a deer, a lighthouse and some stars," but he doesn't really think so.
First Thing is delivered to thousands of inboxes every weekday. If you're not already signed up, subscribe now. For questions or comments, email newsletters@theguardian.com.
