Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted operations at San Francisco International Airport, calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. Israeli Ambassador Michael Herzog addressed Senate Republicans, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was unable to attend as planned. Humanitarian aid is being sent to Gaza, with a ship from Cyprus, a U.S. military airdrop, and a World Food Program convoy involved. The Pentagon is establishing a temporary pier in Gaza for aid delivery. The New York Civil Liberties Union and Palestine Legal are suing Columbia University over the suspension of student groups. The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 31,000 deaths and 73,000 injuries since the war began, while Israel provides its own casualty figures.

Rex Heuermann, 60, has been indicted on a fourth second-degree murder charge in connection with the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, one of the 'Gilgo Beach Four.' The indictment follows DNA evidence linking a strand of hair found on Brainard-Barnes's body to Heuermann's wife, Asa Ellerup. Heuermann, who has pleaded not guilty, is also charged with three counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of three other women, all of whom were involved in sex work. The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office has been investigating the case, which had been cold for years and became a cultural phenomenon. The DNA test results and Heuermann's communication with Brainard-Barnes before her disappearance are key pieces of evidence in the case.

An iPhone survived a 16,000-foot fall from an Alaska Airlines plane after a door plug blew off, causing an explosive depressurization accident. The phone, found by Sean Bates near Portland, Oregon, was intact and still had battery life. The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the incident, confirmed it was the second phone found. Duncan Watts, a researcher at the University of Oslo, explained that the phone's survival was likely due to air resistance and its terminal velocity. The iPhone's fall was cushioned by grass or foliage, which contributed to its preservation. Apple's user guide warns that iPhones can be damaged if dropped, but does not specify a maximum fall height. Another iPhone had previously survived a fall from 14,000 feet during a skydiving incident.

An iPhone known for its durability survived a nearly 5-kilometer fall from an Alaska Airlines plane, landing in Portland, Oregon. The phone was found by Sean Bates in airplane mode with half battery and an intact screen displaying a $70 receipt for checked luggage. Duncan Watts, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oslo, explained that the phone's survival is likely due to air resistance affecting its terminal velocity. The phone would have been damaged if it had landed on a hard surface, but it likely fell on grass or foliage, cushioning the impact. A similar incident occurred in June 2023 when a TikTok user's iPhone survived a fall while skydiving.

Monarch High School in Florida is under investigation for allowing a transgender girl to play on the girls' volleyball team, which may violate a 2021 state law. The investigation has led to the temporary removal of the school's coach and several administrators, causing disruption and prompting student protests. The student, a straight-A athlete, is now reluctant to return to school. The law, part of a conservative push led by Governor Ron DeSantis, has been criticized as discriminatory. The student's family had previously sued the state over the ban, but the lawsuit was dismissed. The Department of Education initiated the investigation after being notified of the student's participation on the team.

Severe flooding in eastern Kentucky has resulted in at least 25 deaths, with the toll expected to rise. Governor Andy Beshear emphasized the urgency of rescue efforts before more rain arrives. Many areas remain inaccessible, complicating the assessment of the full extent of the devastation. Among the victims were six children from the same family. The flooding has also caused significant damage to cultural institutions like Appalshop and the Appalachian School of Luthiery. Communities are facing the loss of homes, roads, and infrastructure, with many residents in urgent need of assistance.

Russia announced it will leave the International Space Station after 2024, with Yuri Borisov informing President Putin of the decision. The European Union reached a deal to reduce natural gas consumption by 15% to counteract Russia's manipulation of fuel supplies. WNBA star Brittney Griner appeared in a Russian court on drug charges, with her defense arguing for medical cannabis use. Britain sanctioned pro-Kremlin blogger Graham Phillips, freezing his assets. France's Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne called for energy savings within the government. Ukraine's Parliament approved Andriy Kostin as the new prosecutor general after a significant government shake-up.

The second Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, initiated by Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska, will focus on postwar reconstruction of Ukraine, emphasizing human capital. Participants will join from studios in Brussels, Warsaw, London, and Washington, with the main studio in Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelensky praised last year's summit and expressed enthusiasm for this year's event. Olena Zelenska recently addressed Congress, showing photographs of war-affected children and requesting more weapons. The summit aims to raise funds for ambulances through the charity United24. Celebrities like David Beckham, Richard Gere, Ashton Kutcher, and Mila Kunis are expected to participate.

Britain experienced its hottest day on record with temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius, leading to widespread fires, particularly in London. The Met Office confirmed multiple instances of record-breaking heat. Fires also raged in France and Spain, causing evacuations and straining emergency services. In Britain, the government advised working from home and issued travel warnings for trains. The London Fire Brigade declared a major incident due to the fires. Cooling centers are not common in London, and the heatwave exposed the lack of preparedness for such extreme temperatures. The heatwave also coincided with the political contest to succeed Prime Minister Boris Johnson, with Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordaunt, and Liz Truss as the remaining candidates.

Military experts suggest that the recent Russian attacks in Donetsk, Ukraine, are likely a precursor to a larger offensive. Despite claiming no territorial gains for the first time since the invasion, Russia continues to inflict heavy damage in the region. Ukrainian President Zelensky remains adamant about not ceding land to Russia for peace. The Institute for the Study of War indicates that Russia may be preparing for a significant offensive after a period of reconstituting operations. Meanwhile, the U.S. and other Western allies are increasing the supply of advanced weaponry to Ukraine, including long-range missiles. In the international arena, the G20 meeting in Bali highlights the global division in response to the war, with Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov meeting with representatives from nations not aligned with Western sanctions. The article also touches on the plight of American basketball star Brittney Griner, pleading guilty to drug charges in Russia, and the political implications of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's resignation for Ukraine.

Photos of W.N.B.A. star Brittney Griner in a Moscow courthouse have emerged, showing her handcuffed and appearing worried. Detained since February for carrying vape cartridges with hashish oil, her trial begins soon, with a potential 10-year sentence. The West views her detention as political, linked to U.S. support for Ukraine. Communication with her wife Cherelle has been limited to letters, with a failed attempt at a phone call due to an unstaffed U.S. Embassy line. Cherelle describes Brittney as terrified and struggling due to the language barrier and isolation.

Ukraine's victory in the Eurovision Song Contest with the hip-hop band Kalush Orchestra was overshadowed by the European Broadcasting Union's decision to not allow Ukraine to host the 2023 competition due to safety concerns amid the ongoing war. Ukrainian officials and artists expressed outrage and demanded a reversal of the decision, emphasizing the importance of showcasing Ukrainian culture on the global stage. Despite the controversy, Ukrainian cultural achievements continue, with a Ukrainian pianist winning at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and Victoria Apanasenko being selected for the Miss Universe pageant.

A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Afghanistan near the Pakistani border, resulting in over 1,000 deaths and 1,600 injuries. The quake, the deadliest in two decades, primarily affected Paktika Province. Afghanistan, already facing a humanitarian and economic crisis since the Taliban takeover, now confronts additional challenges with limited resources for disaster response. International aid, including from the United States, is being coordinated, despite the complexities of engaging with the Taliban-led government. The earthquake has exacerbated the dire situation in Afghanistan, where many rely on humanitarian aid and live in acute poverty.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the war-torn cities of Mykolaiv and Odesa, marking his first trip to the region. This follows a defiant address by Russian President Vladimir Putin, as both leaders seek to assert dominance in the ongoing conflict. Zelensky's visits are part of an effort to boost morale among troops and citizens, showcasing control over volatile areas despite heavy losses. His previous visit to Kharkiv highlighted the city's resilience and the potential for rebuilding after the war.