Louisiana public schools and colleges will be required to display an image of the Ten Commandments starting in 2025, according to a controversial bill signed into law by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry. The law has faced criticism from civil rights groups, who argue that it violates the separation of church and state. (ABC News)
Tropical Storm Alberto has formed in the Gulf of Mexico, the first named storm of what is forecast to be an active hurricane season. The storm is expected to bring strong winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding to the regions of Texas and Mexico before making landfall in northern Mexico today. (AP)
A U.S. soldier, Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, has been sentenced to nearly four years in a Russian prison for theft and threatening murder. Black, stationed in South Korea, violated rules by traveling to Vladivostok to visit his Russian girlfriend, without informing superiors. His case adds to tensions between the U.S. and Russia. (NPR)
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers, including Rep. Michael McCaul and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, met with the Dalai Lama in India. The visit may upset China. President Biden is expected to sign a bill urging Beijing to address tensions with Tibet and protect its culture. (NBC News)
During the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, over 550 deaths have been reported, mostly due to a severe heatwave with temperatures reaching 125°F. Saudi health officials have treated over 2,700 pilgrims for heat-related illnesses. While the Saudi government did not disclose death figures, Jordan’s news agency reported 41 deaths, 14 attributed to extreme heat. (UPI)