What to Know
- Trump said he will do whatever is necessary to protect the U.S. from a "vile enemy" that he says has waged war on innocents far too long
- Spending on cancer treatments has spiked past the $100 billion mark globally, with almost half that in the U.S. alone, NBC News reports
- Bill Maher apologized for using of a racial slur to describe himself as a house slave during a live segment for his HBO talk show
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“This Bloodshed Must End”: Trump Vows to Do What's Necessary to Protect U.S.
President Trump said he will do whatever is necessary to protect the United States from a "vile enemy" that he says has waged war on innocents for too long, vowing: "This bloodshed must end, this bloodshed will end." Trump commented on the vehicle and knife attack that killed at least seven people in London at the conclusion of a fundraiser for Ford's Theater, scene of one of the most famous acts of bloodshed in American history: the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Trump said he had spoken with British Prime Minister Theresa May to express America's "unwavering support" and offer U.S. assistance as the British government works to protect its citizens and bring the guilty to justice. Trump had criticized London's mayor after he sought to reassure residents about a stepped-up police presence following the attack, the third in the country in past three months, arguing on Twitter for leaders to "stop being politically correct" and focus on "security for our people."
4 Nations Cut Diplomatic Ties to Qatar as Gulf Rift Deepens
Four Arab nations cut diplomatic ties to Qatar, further deepening a rift among Gulf Arab nations over that country's support for Islamist groups and its relations with Iran. Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates all announced they would withdraw their diplomatic staff from Qatar, a gas-rich nation that will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup and is home to a major U.S. military base. Saudi Arabia also said Qatari troops would be pulled from the ongoing war in Yemen. The countries also said they would eject Qatar's diplomats from their territories. Qatar's Foreign Affairs Ministry said there was "no legitimate justification" for the countries' decision, though it vowed its citizens wouldn't be affected by the "violation of its sovereignty."
14 Arrests, Dozens of Weapons Seized at Portland Protests
Local
Police arrest 14 people and seize more than a dozen weapons as thousands of demonstrators and counter protesters converged in downtown Portland, Oregon. A pro-President Trump free speech rally drew several hundred to a plaza near City Hall more than a week after two Portland men were fatally stabbed trying to stop a man from shouting anti-Muslim insults at two teenage girls on a light-rail train. That rally was met across the street by hundreds of counter-protesters organized by immigrant rights, religious and labor groups. They said they wanted to make a stand against hate and racism. Portland police said 14 people were arrested, and several dozen knives, bricks, sticks and other weapons were seized. Police closed nearby Chapman Square where a separate group of protesters — many wearing masks and black clothing and identified as anti-fascists — also demonstrated. Police used flash-bang grenades and pepper balls to disperse that crowd after saying protesters were hurling bricks and other objects at officers.
Cancer Drug Spending Passes $110 Billion
Spending on cancer treatments has spiked past the $100 billion mark globally over the past five years, with almost half that amount in the U.S. alone, NBC News reported, citing a report. The independent QuintilesIMS Institute found that worldwide spending on cancer drugs and supportive medications — such as anti-nausea drugs and blood boosters — grew from $91 billion in 2012 to $113 billion in 2016. Patients in the U.S. accounted for 46 percent of that spending. The extra money is largely going to pricey new targeted drugs that are adding years to some patients' lives and transforming the way certain cancers are treated, the report found. The report predicts annual growth of between 6 percent and 9 percent through 2021, according to NBC News.
Bill Maher Apologizes for Using Racial Slur During HBO Show
Bill Maher apologized for using of a racial slur to describe himself as a house slave during a live segment for his HBO talk show. Maher's comment during his discussion with Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, was quickly and broadly criticized after it aired on the comedian's "Real Time with Bill Maher" show. HBO said the remark was "completely inexcusable and tasteless" and the segment would not be re-aired. During Maher's discussion with Sasse, the senator joked that he would like to have Maher visit Nebraska and work in the fields. The comedian responded by using a slur in a joke that he was a house slave. The comedian immediately waved off audience groans. "It's a joke," he said on the show. Activists including the Rev. Al Sharpton quickly criticized Maher, and it remained a top-ranked topic on Twitter.
Ariana Grande Returns to Manchester Stage for Benefit Show
Ariana Grande returned to the city to pay tribute with an energetic, all-star concert featuring Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and Liam Gallagher two weeks after a suicide bombing killed 22 of her fans and injured dozens of others in Manchester, England. Grande was emotional and teary-eyed throughout the One Love Manchester concert, which the British Red Cross said it raised more than £10 million ($13 million) for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund, created for those affected by the attack at Grande's May 22 show. She closed the three-hour-plus event with a cover of "Over the Rainbow," crying onstage at the song's end as the audience cheered her on. "Manchester, I love you with all of my heart," Grande said before the performance, and just after singing "One Last Time" with Miley Cyrus, Pharrell and more of the show's performers standing behind her in solidarity.
