1. REPUBLICANS DECRY HEALTH CARE RULING
After the Supreme Court ruled Thursday to uphold the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, Republicans say that they will work to repeal the law, and campaign against the court's decision. "Elections have consequences," House Speak John Boehner (R-Ohio) said at a press conference. "The American people will make that evident." House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) says the Republican-controlled House will vote in July to repeal the law. Repeal efforts are likely to die in the Democratic-controlled Senate; even so, if a bill were passed by both the Senate and the House, President Obama could veto it. [Bloomberg]
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2. ANNAN "HOPEFUL" ABOUT SYRIA TALKS
Going into an emergency weekend meeting he called on the crisis in Syria, U.N. special envoy Kofi Annan says he is "optimistic" and believes the talks will end "with an acceptable result." That's despite Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey V. Lavrov's continuing opposition to the international community imposing a political transition. In an interview with Iranian TV, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad vowed to "annihilate terrorists" and said outside interference would not be allowed, even from its allies. [New York Times]
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3. WALDO CANYON FIRE LEAVES ONE DEAD
Colorado's Waldo Canyon Fire has now claimed at least one life. Police found human remains in one burned home, and another person has been reported missing. The massive blaze has now destroyed 346 homes in or near Colorado Springs. Cooler temperatures and some rain helped firefighters' efforts Thursday; by night, officials say the fire reached 15 percent containment. President Obama will pay a visit to the devastated area Friday. [Denver Post]
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4. HOUSE FINDS HOLDER GUILTY OF CONTEMPT
The Republican-controlled House voted Thursday to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt for failing to disclose documents related to Operation Fast and Furious, the botched gun-tracking program. In response, a number of Democrats walked out of the chamber, saying Republicans were overstepping their authority to launch a "partisan witch hunt" in the run-op to the presidential election. [New York Times]
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5. E.U. LEADERS AGREE TO DEAL TO HELP BANKS
Financial markets are up after European leader came to a surprise agreement early Friday to allow bailout funds to aid struggling banks directly. Under the new deal, banks will be able to get aid without adding to their country's sovereign debt, something that has been an issue for both Spain and Italy. [New York Times]
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6. FORT BRAGG SHOOTING LEAVES ONE DEAD
One battalion commander is dead and two other soldiers were injured following a shooting Thursday at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. One of the injured is the shooter, a fellow soldier who turned his gun on himself after shooting a member of his unit. Officials say the reasons for the shooting are not yet known, but it does not appear to be terrorist-related. [MSNBC]
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7. ZIMMERMAN TO ASK FOR SECOND BOND
George Zimmerman is set to appear in court on Friday and seek a second bond. Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin. He was initially released on a $150,000 bond, but then ordered to return to jail because, a judge ruled, he and his wife had misrepresented their finances. [CNN]
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8. RIM DELAYS NEW BLACKBERRY
In a huge setback for the company, Research in Motion (RIM) announced Thursday that a new line of BlackBerry phones, aiming to revive the struggling company, will be delayed until next year. RIM also announced a $518 million loss for the first quarter, raising further doubt about the company's future. [New York Times]
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9. NADAL LOSES IN SECOND ROUND AT WIMBLEDON
In a shocking upset, second seed Rafael Nadal was defeated by No. 100-ranked Lukas Rosol in the second round at Wimbledon. Nadal has twice won Wimbledon, and this is his earliest Grand Slam exit in seven years. Rosol is the lowest-ranked player to defeat him in Grand Slam play. [Associated Press]
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10. CRITICS PRAISE MAGIC MIKE
Steven Soderbergh's male-stripper flick, Magic Mike, opens Friday, and critics are offering up their praise, despite the trashy subject matter. At The New York Times, Manohla Dargis deems it a "critical pick," writing that it's "an inquiry into capitalism and its woes" that "works — beautifully." Channing Tatum stars, and the film is loosely based on his own g-string wearing days. [New York Times]
