Thursday morning news: June 6, 2024

House recommends charges for Hunter, James Biden » House Republicans are formally accusing President Joe Biden’s son and brother of lying to Congress.

GOP lawmakers just issued criminal referrals against Hunter Biden and James Biden. Republicans say the pair made false statements during the GOP’s presidential impeachment inquiry.

House Speaker Mike Johnson:

JOHNSON:  These are clear violations of federal law, and this is an opportunity for Merrick Garland, the Attorney General, to prove, if he wants to demonstrate that there's not a two tiered system of justice, then they need to use the mechanisms, the appropriate steps that the Department of Justice should take.

The alleged false testimony was related to questions about whether Joe Biden, when he was vice president was improperly involved in his family’s business dealings.

Hunter Biden gun trial » Meanwhile, separately Hunter Biden is currently on trial in Delaware on federal gun possession charges. WORLD’s Kristen Flavin has the latest.

KRISTEN FLAVIN: Jurors heard testimony from the younger Biden’s ex-wife. Kathleen Buhle was married to Hunter for two decades. She told the jury she found a crack pipe in an ashtray on their porch in 2015 leading Biden to admit to a drug problem.

Hunter’s ex-girlfriend also testified about his drug abuse issues.

Prosecutors allege Hunter lied to a federally licensed gun dealer in 2018 when he stated on an application that he was not a drug user.

He faces three felony firearms charges.

For WORLD, I’m Kristen Flavin.

IAEA Iran censure » The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog agency, the IAEA has voted to censure Iran for not cooperating with inspections of its nuclear facilities.

Out of the 35-member nations voting there were reportedly two votes against the measure: Russia and China.

The censure comes just over a week after a report by the agency said Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels.

Ukraine reportedly strikes inside Russia/Putin threat » Vladimir Putin is threatening to retaliate in response to NATO allies allowing Ukraine to launch attacks on military targets on Russian soil.

State Dept. spokesman Matthew Miller clarified again Wednesday that the authorization is strictly limited to the defense of Ukraine’s border region of Kharkiv.

MILLER: We’ve granted the authority to target military targets just over the Russian border in that area.

Moscow’s forces have been launching cross-border attacks on the Kharkiv region, which is home to Ukraine’s second-largest city.

PUTIN: [Speaking Russian]

But Putin says, in response Russia may begin supplying to its allies weapons with the capability of striking targets on NATO soil.

PUTIN: [Speaking Russian]

He also once again raised the specter of nuclear war. He said, "for some reason, the West believes that Russia will never use [nuclear weapons]. He added, “If someone's actions threaten our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” we may use all means at our disposal. And, “This should not be taken lightly.”

Putin also said recent actions by the West could lead to “very serious problems.”

But Miller shot back:

MILLER: It is Vladimir Putin who has escalated this conflict over and over again.

The Biden administration is also reportedly tracking Russian warships and aircraft expected to arrive in the Caribbean for a military exercise in the coming weeks. The officials say the Russian military presence is notable but not concerning.

AUDIO: 3, 2, 1, ignition - and liftoff of Starliner Atlas 5!

Boeing astronauts » After a successful launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida on Wednesday, Boeing’s Starliner capsule is expected to dock at the International Space Station today with two U.S. astronauts aboard.

This was Boeing’s first successful manned launch after years of delays.

The SpaceX Dragon capsule has been carrying astronauts into space since 2020. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson:

NELSON:  Now with Dragon and Starliner, the U. S. is going to have two unique human space transportation systems. And that of course, we always like to have a backup that makes it safer for our astronauts. And that's why we started the Commercial Crew Program in the first place.

Wednesday’s launch was Boeing’s third launch attempt, coming after a pair of rocket-related delays.

Japan birth rate » The Japanese government data shows the country's birth rate fell to a new low for the eighth straight year in 2023.

The new numbers underscore Japan’s long-standing issues of a rapidly aging and shrinking population which has serious implications for the country’s economy and national security.

According to the latest statistics, the average number of children a woman gives birth to in her lifetime — was 1.2.

I’m Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: President Biden’s executive order on border security. Plus, difficult choices for a pregnant mother in Texas.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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