Summary‍

The U.S. Justice Department has charged six senior Hamas leaders with terrorism-related crimes for their involvement in the deadly October 7th attacks, highlighting the ongoing conflict. In Ukraine, two Russian missiles struck a military academy and hospital in Poltava, marking one of the deadliest strikes since the war began. Former New York Governor aide Linda Sun and her husband have been charged with acting as agents for the Chinese government. The Supreme Court rejected Oklahoma’s bid for federal family planning grants due to the state's refusal to provide neutral abortion information. Lastly, a judge denied Trump's request to move his hush money case to federal court, keeping the case on track for sentencing on September 18th.

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Today's News

Hello everyone! My name is Gabe, today is Wednesday, September 4th, and you’re listening to Current2, brought to you by Just Bagels! Use code “news” for 10% off your order at justbagels.com.

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In Must Know News:

• In a high stakes move, the U.S. Justice Department has charged six senior Hamas leaders with terrorism-related crimes connected to the deadly October 7th attacks. These leaders have been behind a long string of terror-related plots, with Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasizing their role in what he referred to as their “most violent large-scale attack to date,” marking yet another grim chapter in the ongoing conflict.
• Two Russian missiles hit a military academy and hospital in the Ukrainian city Poltava, killing over 50 people and injuring more than 200 others. The attack devastated the area and became one of the deadliest strikes since the war’s onset. With the academy’s vital role in training communication and drone operators, it also highlights the brutal and ongoing fight for control of the electronic battlefield. 
• A former aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Linda Sun, and her husband, Chris Hu, have been charged with moonlighting as agents for the Chinese government by allegedly raking in millions of dollars and treating themselves to gourmet duck dinners and a shiny new Ferrari. Sun’s alleged espionage included blocking Taiwanese officials and pushing for VIP trips to China. Both have pleaded not guilty.
• On Tuesday, the S.C. rejected Oklahoma’s bid to receive millions in federal family planning grants that the Biden administration canceled over the state’s refusal to provide neutral abortion information to patients. This ruling follows the court’s trend of sidestepping major abortion questions since its conservative supermajority overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. 
• Finally, a federal judge rejected Donald Trump’s request to move his New York hush money criminal case to federal court Tuesday, saying the former president’s lawyers failed to satisfy the burden of proof required to seize the case from state court. The ruling leaves Trump unable to delay his sentencing in the case, which will swiftly arrive in two weeks on September 18th. 

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That’s all for today, folks! If you liked this episode, be sure to share it with your friends. Happy hump day and thanks for listening to Current2, the easy way to stay informed!

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Sources:

US Justice Department charges 6 Hamas leaders with terror crimes (NBC)

One of the deadliest Russian strikes so far hits Ukraine (AP)

Former aid to NY Governor charged with acting as a Chinese agent (Reuters)

SC rejects Oklahoma bid for family planning grants (Politico)

Judge rejects Trump’s request to move hush money case to federal court (AP)