June 18 top stories
Hello, it is June 18. Here are today’s top stories.
Biden to give legal status to undocumented spouses, children of U.S. citizens
The Biden administration on Tuesday will formally announce an executive action allowing certain undocumented spouses and children of U.S. citizens to apply for lawful permanent residency without leaving the country.
A senior administration official said the action will provide legal status and protections for about 500,000 American families and roughly 50,000 noncitizen children of immigrants under the age of 21 whose parent is married to a U.S. citizen.
Under current federal law, an undocumented person who enters the United States and marries a U.S. citizen must first request parole before applying for legal residency. That process might require them to leave the country, upending their careers and families and creating uncertainty about whether they would be authorized to reenter.
Tuesday’s action allows those spouses to apply for residency without needing to leave the United States – a key change that the Biden administration argues will keep families intact.
U.S. blasts aggressive China over South China Sea collision with Philippine ship
The United States on Monday condemned China over a collision with the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea. The Philippine military said one Filipino sailor was seriously wounded in the collision.
According to statements from both nations, a Chinese vessel and a Philippine supply ship collided near Second Thomas Shoal in the contested Spratly Islands early Monday. Both countries blamed each other for the incident.
China has become increasingly assertive in its claim to nearly all of the South China Sea, which has led to tension with other countries that also have claims to the waters, including the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.
The U.S. warned China that it is obligated to protect the Philippines following a collision between Chinese and Philippine vessels.
The U.S. and the Philippines have a mutual defense treaty that obligates the two countries to help defend one another in any major conflict.
Newborn baby found abandoned near Texas walking trail
A Texas couple made a startling discovery, an abandoned baby with her umbilical cord still attached, on their morning walk over the weekend.
The wife decided to take a walk with her family near Katy, about 30 miles west of Houston, on Saturday morning before it got too hot. It is something they do often. She continued on their way back home, they noticed a towel on the ground.
She said: “I noticed two little feet moving, and then my husband was right behind me with the dogs and I yelled to my husband, ‘Oh my God. A baby. A baby. And then my husband was like, ‘Call 911. Call 911. And that’s what we did.”
Surveillance video from a neighbor shows the moment the couple rushed to help after spotting the newborn. And the husband picked up the baby and he found the nearest tree for shade. The same camera that captured the moment the couple discovered the baby also caught the person who left the newborn behind.
The newborn girl was born premature and was described as being in stable condition. Police are searching for the suspect.
Like many states, Texas does have a Safe Haven law that allows parents to give up newborns with no repercussions as long as they surrender the baby to an employee at a fire station, police station or a hospital.
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Thailand to become first Southeast Asian country to recognize same-sex marriage
Thailand’s Senate passed the legislation on marriage equality law on Tuesday, paving the way for it to become the first country in Southeast Asia to recognize same-sex couples.
The law, which needs royal approval, will come into force 120 days after it is published in the royal gazette, meaning the first same-sex weddings could take place later this year.
Thai PM Srettha Thavisin said in a post on X: “Today we celebrate another significant milestone in the journey of our Equal Marriage Bill.”
Thailand, one of Asia’s most popular tourist destinations, is already known for its vibrant LGBT culture and tolerance. Thailand would be the third in Asia, after Nepal and Taiwan.
See Alex’s update on the 2024 NBA finals.
Boston Celtics win NBA championship
Last night the Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks to win the NBA championship. It is the 18th championship for the Celtics. The NBA Finals MVP award went to Jaylen Brown. One moment that got a lot of attention was when Celtics player Derrick White chipped his front tooth during a collision. That’s something you typically see in the NHL, not in the NBA.
The Celtics were one of the NBA’s best teams this season, boasting a 64-18 regular season record. The Celtics defeated the
Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Indiana Pacers before vanquishing the Mavericks.
The Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers now have the most championships in NBA history with 18 apiece.
The Celtics will be one of the favorites to win another championship next year and in the foreseeable future because their two best players, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, are 27 and 26 years old.
For Boston, it’s yet another sports championship for the city, which has seen plenty of success in its pro sports leagues.
Thanks for the update. That’s all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light!
Biden to give legal status to undocumented spouses, children of U.S. citizens
https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2024/06/17/biden-undocumented-immigrant-spouses/
U.S. blasts aggressive China over South China Sea collision with Philippine ship
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/17/world/asia/china-philippines-boats-collide.html
Newborn baby found abandoned near Texas walking trail
Thailand to become first Southeast Asian country to recognize same-sex marriage
Boston Celtics win NBA championship