1. Greek MPs pass austerity bill
On Thursday, Greek MPs approved an austerity bill required to enable a eurozone bailout deal, with new legislation that includes raising taxes and increasing the retirement age. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said while he did not believe in the “irrational” proposals, he urged MPs to accept the measures in order to prevent the collapse of banks. Several members of the ruling Syriza party either voted no or walked out before the vote. The bill was backed by the former ruling party, New Democracy, and the right-wing Independent Greeks.
The Guardian BBC News
2. NASA unveils first close-up photos of Pluto
NASA received the first close-up photos of Pluto on Wednesday from the New Horizons probe that completed an incredible nine-year, three-billion-mile journey to the remote dwarf planet. The images are both stunning and informative. Pluto's surface reveals mountains of ice as tall as 11,000 feet, and a lack of impact craters means the surface is relatively young — less than 100 million years old. NASA also released photos of two of Pluto's moons, Charon and Hydra.
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NASA
3. Obama slams critics of Iran nuclear deal
President Obama said Wednesday he expects a "robust" domestic debate over the Iran nuclear deal, but that critics' only suggestion is to use force. "I am hearing a lot of talk that this is a bad deal," he said. "What I haven't heard is what is your preferred alternative." Congress has 60 days to review the deal, which restricts Iran's nuclear capabilities in exchange for lifting economic sanctions. Obama has said he'd veto legislation preventing the deal's implementation.
The New York Times Time
4. FEC filings show Clinton, Bush ahead in money raised so far
Wednesday marked the deadline for most presidential candidates to file their financial details to the Federal Election Commission. Hillary Clinton led the group in reporting $47.5 million, a figure that doesn't include funds from Super PACS — they don't need to report until the end of the month. Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) followed with $15.2 million and $14.3 million, respectively (Cruz's figure, unlike most candidates', includes first-quarter earnings). Factoring in super PAC numbers reported to the media, Bush has $114.4 million total to Clinton's $63.1 million.
The New York Times
5. Obama on Bill Cosby controversy: 'That's rape'
In a White House press conference on the Iranian nuclear deal Wednesday, President Obama also fielded a question on whether he had considered revoking the Presidential Medal of Freedom that had been awarded to Bill Cosby, who has been accused by scores of women of rape. Obama said there was "no precedent" for such a move, but added, "If you give a woman, or a man for that matter, a drug, and then have sex with that person without consent, that's rape."
Washington Post
6. Boehner calls for investigation of 'gruesome' Planned Parenthood video
House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) called for an investigation into Planned Parenthood on Wednesday, becoming the latest Republican official to denounce the organization over a video of an executive discussing the disposal of fetal organs. He called the video, filmed surreptitiously by conservative activists, "grusesome." The House Energy and Commerce Committee later said that it would investigate the issue. Federal law prohibits the commercial sale of human fetal tissue, but The Associated Press reports women undergoing abortions can consent to non-commercial donation.
The Associated Press
7. President George H.W. Bush hospitalized after falling, breaking bone in neck
Former President George H.W. Bush, 91, fell at his home in Kennebunkport, Maine, breaking a vertebrae in his neck Wednesday. Bush was hospitalized in Portland, but the break was "not life-threatening," spokesman Jim McGrath told CNN. He also said Bush would be treated with a neck brace, and was expected to have a short stay in the hospital. In 2014, Bush was hospitalized after suffering from shortness of breath.
CNN
8. Netflix adds 3.3 million subscribers in strong second quarter
Netflix added 3.3 million subscribers in the second quarter, about double the number added during the same time last year, CEO Reed Hastings announced Wednesday. The subscription service's share prices have more than doubled in 2015, leading the company to announce a seven-to-one split to bring the price back down to $100. Hastings, who donned a BoJack Horseman sweater for the occasion, also said Netflix will launch in Japan in the coming months.
BuzzFeed News The Verge
9. Emmy nominations will be announced today
Orange is the New Black's Uzo Aduba and So You Think You Can Dance host Cat Deeley will announce the 2015 Emmy nominations at 11:30 a.m. EST Thursday. Deeley is filling in for John Stamos, who had a scheduling conflict. SNL alum and Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Andy Samberg will host the 67th Emmy Awards on September 20.
Emmys
10. Caitlyn Jenner accepts Arthur Ashe Courage Award at ESPYs
While accepting the 2015 Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs, Caitlyn Jenner spoke about the issues facing the transgender community, especially bullying and violence against teenagers. "If you want to call me names, make jokes, doubt my intentions, go ahead, because the reality is, I can take it," the Olympic gold medalist said Wednesday. "But for the thousands of kids out there coming to terms with being true to who they are, they shouldn't have to take it." Jenner, formerly known as Bruce, came out as transgender in April.
YouTube
