Author: AP

The 29th annual Essence Festival of Culture is underway in New Orleans, with a salute to Black women highlighting culture, empowerment conversations with the nation’s thought leaders and music. (June 30) (AP Video: Stephen Smith)
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A California law approved by voters that promises to get breeding pigs out of narrow cages will technically take effect Saturday. That’s after years of delays, and warnings that the rules could lead to price spikes and pork shortages. (June 30) (AP vid…

Alan Arkin, the wry character actor who demonstrated his versatility in everything from farcical comedy to chilling drama as he received four Academy Award nominations and won an Oscar in 2007 for “Little Miss Sunshine,” has died. He was 89. (June 30)
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A wildflower meadow established at a picturesque Cambridge University college is providing a boost to local biodiversity and to the mental wellbeing of students and staff. (June 30)

French president says violence ‘unjustifiable’

Here’s the latest for Friday, June 30th: Violent protests spread in France; Supreme Court overturns affirmative action; Former VP Mike Pence goes to Ukraine; Heat wave turns deadly in Texas.

Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has made a surprise visit to Ukraine, meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Russian forces have struck Kherson in Ukraine, according to Oleksandr Prokudin, the head of the city’s military administration.

France has mobilised tens of thousands of police officers to counter widespread rioting following the deadly police shooting of a 17-year-old.

It has been 23 years since the child Elián González, the center of a judicial and diplomatic dispute between Cuba, the United States and the anti-Castro exile community in Florida, returned to Cuba. Today he is a married engineer and father of a daught…