1. BREAKING: Trump Likely to Pull U.S. from Paris Climate Agreement
A senior White House official has confirmed rumors that President Donald Trump is likely to drop out of the Paris climate accord, ABC News reported Wednesday morning.
From ABC:
Although the official cautions no decision is final until the president announces it, the White House is now working on how to roll out and explain the reasons behind that announcement.
2. Prayers Needed: Kabul Bombing Kills More Than 80
On Tuesday evening, a suicide bomber in Kabul, Afghanistan, killed more than 80 people and injured hundreds more.
At least 80 killed and more than 300 wounded in a rush-hour suicide bomb attack in Kabul. https://t.co/XhUh9VAGd4 pic.twitter.com/vtusgOqIiF
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) May 31, 2017
The attack took place during rush hour, near the Afghan presidential palace. As of Wednesday morning, no group has taken responsibility, but local officials say the blast was aimed at government workers in the area. It’s important to note that the bombing took place during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, an event that has prompted calls for violence from radical groups like ISIS. In addition to the most recent attack in Kabul, the terrorists have claimed responsibility for attacks in Baghdad and Cairo, Egypt.
3. Kathy Griffin Provokes Outrage Over Gory Trump Photoshoot
The internet erupted Tuesday after photos from comedian Kathy Griffin’s provocative Trump photoshoot surfaced online. TMZ was first to report a photo of Griffin holding a very realistic-looking President Donald Trump “head,” covered in “blood.” The photo and accompanying video of the shoot by photographer Tyler Shields drew bipartisan backlash, prompting an apology from Griffin.
“I went too far. I made a mistake and I was wrong,” Griffin said in an apology video posted Tuesday evening on social media.
On Wednesday morning, President Trump tweeted a statement regarding the bloody stunt:
Kathy Griffin should be ashamed of herself. My children, especially my 11 year old son, Barron, are having a hard time with this. Sick!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2017
4. Officials: U.S. Sending Weapons to Syrian Kurds
Two U.S. defense officials announced Tuesday that the American military has begun providing Kurdish fighters in Syria with equipment and weapons, according to an exclusive report released by NBC News. The officials told NBC that the supplies will specifically aid Kurdish elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces, a group the U.S. military considers instrumental in the fight against radical groups like ISIS. According to one official, the U.S. began providing the equipment in the 24 hours leading up to the report’s release.
5. Rescued Chibok Girls Begin Rehab in Nigerian Capital
Nigerian officials announced Tuesday that the 82 girls released by Boko Haram militants earlier this month have entered a special rehabilitation program in Abuja, ABC News reported. The young women will join those already freed and recovering from the trauma experienced during their abduction and captivity.
The decision to send the rescued girls to the capital instead of home to their families has drawn criticism. But according to Aisha Alhassan, minister of women’s affairs and social development, the girls have offered “their full consent” to participate in the recovery program.
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