Summary‍

Nvidia became the world's most valuable company, surpassing Microsoft and Apple with a market value of $3.3 trillion. Louisiana mandated Ten Commandments displays in all public school classrooms, sparking constitutional concerns amid opposition from civil liberties groups. Texas declared a disaster as Tropical Storm Alberto approached, threatening 40 mph winds and up to 20 inches of rain, while extreme heat during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia claimed hundreds of lives, urging caution and monitoring of local weather conditions worldwide for safety. Russia and North Korea have signed a mutual defense pact. Kim Jong Un hailing it as a "notable alliance" and promising North Korea's unwavering support to Putin. The LA Unified School District Board of Education voted to ban cellphones on school grounds during operating hours, aligning with other US schools despite implementation challenges. US Staff Sergeant Gordon Black received a three-year sentence in a Russian penal colony for theft, stemming from accusations of stealing 10,000 rubles from his purported girlfriend. Recreational boaters near the Florida Keys discovered 65 pounds of cocaine marked with a bald eagle design, valued over $1 million. 

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Sources & More

Hey, everyone! My name is Gabe, and today is Thursday, June 20th, and you’re listening to Current2, brought to you by Just Bagels! 

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In Must Know News…

• Nvidia, the current AI giant, became the most valuable company in the world yesterday. The total market value of Nvidia surpassed even that of Microsoft and Apple, soaring to a whopping 3.3 trillion dollars. At this rate, they are expected to gain nearly 120 billion dollars in revenue by the end of the fiscal year. Stocks are selling for about the same price as 3 tanks of gas, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to invest.
• Louisiana became the first state to require all public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments. The GOP-driven bill requires all classrooms, kindergarten through university, to have a poster-sized display of the biblical text in quote “large, easily readable font.” Civil liberties groups have already opposed the bill, claiming it violates separation of church and state in the Constitution. Check out today’s Deep Dive for more details!
• The governor of Texas issued a disaster declaration as Tropical Storm Alberto rips towards the Gulf coast. The storm threatens Texans with 40 mph winds and up to 20 inches of rain by early Thursday morning. Similarly, the Eastern hemisphere is dealing with their own extreme weather, as hundreds of people died from severe heat during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Wherever you are, make sure to stay safe and keep an eye on your forecast.

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In Other Notable News…

• An update in yesterday’s notable news: Russia and North Korea signed a mutual defense pact, with Kim Jong Un calling it a “notable alliance” and pledging North Korea’s unconditional support as Putin now has the opportunity to develop ties in weapons and technology.
• The LA Unified School District Board of Education voted Tuesday to ban the usage of cellphones on school grounds during operating hours, joining the growing number of US schools with the same plan. Though this is not a automatic implementation, it is still #Uncool.
• US Staff Sergeant Gordon Black was sentenced to over three years in a penal colony in Russia on Wednesday. Gordon was arrested in May on charges of theft after he was accused of stealing 10,000 rubles from a woman he believed to be his girlfriend. Love makes us do crazy things. 
• Boaters off of the coast of the Florida Keys reeled in quite the discovery this week: 65 pounds of cocaine, emblazoned with bald eagles! The U.S. Border Patrol said the drugs have an estimated street value of over $1 million. I bet someone’s really mad right now.

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Don’t want your friends to miss out on severe weather warnings, law changes, or the sick new Lambo you’ll get after investing in stocks? We’ve got your back. Just send them a link to this episode, and ride in style by 2025 (maybe). Hope you have a great day, and thanks for listening to Current2, the easy way to stay informed!

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The Bulletin Brief:

Nvidia now world’s most valuable company (Reuters, AP)  

Louisiana passes Ten Commandments law (CNN, NBC) 

Tropical Storm Alberto in Texas, severe heat in S. Arabia (NBC, AP)  

Putin and Kim Jong Un sign defense pact (Reuters)

LAUSD bans cellphones on school campuses (CBS) 

US Soldier sentenced to 3.75 years in Russian penal colony (CNN) 

Boaters find over $1 million of cocaine near Florida Keys (CBS)