10 things you need to know today: May 29, 2023

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1. Russia issues arrest warrant for Lindsey Graham over comments about Ukraine
2. State Farm stops insuring California homes, citing wildfires
3. Debt ceiling deal includes approval of controversial natural gas pipeline
4. Nigeria swears in the new president
5. China plans to send astronauts to the moon before 2030
6. Turkey's President Erdogan wins re-election
7. Search and rescue efforts underway after partial building collapse in Iowa
8. Italian police investigate fluorescent green Venice canal
9. Uganda signs harsh anti-LGBTQ bill into law
10. Woman seriously injured by black bear attack in Minnesota

published 29 May 2023

1. Russia issues arrest warrant for Lindsey Graham over comments about Ukraine

Russia's Interior Ministry has put U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on a wanted list in response to his comments about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russian media reported. Zelenskyy's office released an edited video of his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In it, Graham stated that "the Russians are dying" and described the U.S. military assistance to Ukraine as "the best money we've ever spent." The Investigative Committee, Russia's top criminal investigation agency, has opened a criminal inquiry into Graham, and the Interior Ministry issued a warrant for his arrest.

State Farm has stopped accepting new applications for homeowners insurance in California due to the risk of damage done by natural catastrophes like wildfires and high construction costs. The decision won't impact current customers, but as of Saturday, no new applicants from the state will be approved. In a statement, the insurance company said the decision was made "due to historic increases in construction costs outpacing inflation,rapidly growing catastrophe exposure, and a challenging reinsurance market." State Farm also vowed to "work constructively" with the California Department of Insurance and policymakers "to help build market capacity in California."

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The debt ceiling deal's text includes the approval of the remaining permits to complete the controversial Mountain Valley pipeline. The pipelined has been championed by West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, who said finishing the pipeline project would lower energy costs for West Virginia and nationwide. "I am proud to have fought for this critical project and to have secured the bipartisan support necessary to get it across the finish line," he said in a statement. Court rulings and opposition from environmental groups have delayed the 303-mile (488-km) project. The approvals would expedite the project, but the House budget bill still needs the approval of both chambers of Congress.

Nigeria held the inauguration ceremony for its newly elected president, Bola Tinubu, in the capital, Abuja. He will be replacing the two-term president, President Muhammadu Buhari. Tinumbu steps into the role amid high inflation, increasing debt levels, and a rise in kidnap-for-random cases. He won the election in February after promising to renew hope. Two of his closest rivals are challenging his election victory, claiming the outcome was manipulated. However, his predecessor, who did not run again after eight years in office, said the results were "credible," and the vote was "fair and transparent."

China announced plans to land a team of astronauts on the moon before 2030, signaling a step forward in what is seen as an emerging space race, pitting the country against the United States and its democratic allies. The U.S. already has plans to facilitate a moon landing by the end of 2025. Deputy Director of the Chinese Manned Space Agency Lin Xiqiang confirmed China's space objectives, though no specific date was mentioned. The country is first preparing for a "short stay on the lunar surface and human-robotic joint exploration," Lin said. China's space agency also unveiled the new crew set to launch on Tuesday to its orbiting space station.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won Turkey's presidential runoff on Sunday, beating a "united opposition" and securing another five-year term. The election initially took place on May 14, but a runoff ensued after none of the candidates earned the necessary 50% vote to win the presidency. The victory means Erdogan is set to kick off a third decade as the Turkish president. "I thank each member of our nation for entrusting me with the responsibility to govern this country once again for the upcoming five years," Erdoğan told supporters, per The Associated Press. His win comes after the Turkish strongman dealt with pressure due to high inflation and his response to an earthquake that devastated the country in February.

Rescue teams have been working since Sunday night to recover any survivors after an apartment building partially collapsed in Davenport, Iowa. One person was rescued overnight and transported to the hospital, the city's fire chief said Monday morning as rescue teams with search dogs continue to look for more survivors."The building is structurally unsound, is posing a risk to responders," Chief Mike Carlsten said, adding structural engineers are on site as first responders prepare to shift from rescue efforts to recovery. Carlsten said seven other people were rescued earlier, and over a dozen were escorted out Sunday.

A portion of the water in Italy's Grand Canal in Venice has been mysteriously rendered fluorescent green. The green-tinged water encircled an embankment near the Rialto Bridge and appeared to spread throughout the day, based on social media images. Police are investigating the origin of the color, Luca Zaia, the governor of the Veneto region, said on Twitter. Italy's fire and rescue agency is working with local environmental authorities to identify the substance with samples collected from the water. City councilman Andrea Pegoraro blamed climate activists, CNN reported, who have been targeting cultural sites in Italy in recent months.

Ugannda's President, Yoweri Museveni, signed a punitive anti-LGBTQ bill on Monday, passing a law largely regarded as one of the world's most restrictive laws targeting the community. The law was introduced in Parliament in March and calls for life imprisonment for anyone who has sexual relations with the same sex. It also mandates the death penalty for anyone convicted of "aggravated homosexuality," a term that refers to acts of same-sex relations with minors or disabled people and acts carried out under threat or while the person is unconscious.

A woman in Minnesota was attacked by a black bear on Friday, leaving her seriously injured, state officials said Saturday. The state's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said the woman was staying at a cabin near Gull Lake when she let her dog out on Friday. When she checked on her dog, the bear swiped at her, "striking her in several places," before leaving the area, the DNR said. The woman was taken to a nearby hospital and has since been released. While there were no reports of bear activity prior to the attack, officers are monitoring the area for any bears that threaten public safety.

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Theara Coleman has worked as a staff writer at The Week since September 2022. She frequently writes about technology, education, literature and general news. She was previously a contributing writer and assistant editor at Honeysuckle Magazine, where she covered racial politics and cannabis industry news.