News Wrap: NTSB sanctions Boeing for releasing non-public information about 737 probe

In our news wrap Thursday, the NTSB sanctioned Boeing after an executive disclosed non-public information in a media briefing, around 20 critically ill children were cleared to leave Gaza, more than a dozen military officers in Bolivia were arrested after a failed coup attempt and European Union leaders signed security agreements with Ukraine during a two-day summit in Brussels.

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Amna Nawaz: The National Transportation Safety Board sanctioned Boeing today after an executive disclosed nonpublic information in a media briefing. That information was about the agency’s probe into an Alaska Airlines door plug blowout. The executive also speculated about its cause.

The NTSB will now revoke Boeing’s access to investigative information and require Boeing to appear at an investigative hearing in August.

In the Middle East, around 20 critically ill children were cleared to leave Gaza today, along with dozens of their companions in what Palestinian officials say was the first medical evacuation since the Rafah border was shut down last month.

Among those evacuated, “News Hour” has learned, was 3-year-old Julia Abu-Zaiter, who suffers from a rare neurological disorder and whose story we brought you last month. Dozens of parents, meanwhile, bid tearful goodbyes to their children outside Gaza’s Nasser Hospital, among them, Kamela Abu Kwaik, whose 5-year-old son, Fayez, has cancer.

Kamela Abu Kwaik, Mother of Child Evacuee (through interpreter): Tumors in his body have spread, and we don’t know what the reason is. How am I going to leave him? He’s only 5 years old. I don’t even know where he’s going to, to which hospital. We don’t know. Just get on the bus, and that’s it. It’s all unknown.

Amna Nawaz: Meanwhile, Israel carried out another round of airstrikes in Gaza City. Palestinian authorities say at least seven people were killed.

In Bolivia, more than a dozen military officers were arrested today after a failed coup attempt and could face up to 30 years in prison. Army Chief Juan Jose Zuniga was taken into custody and removed from his post just hours after he led troops in storming the presidential palace.

In La Paz, an uneasy calm today, as security forces patrolled the streets, and supporters of President Luis Arce condemned the coup attempt.

Alicia Chura, La Paz, Bolivia, Resident (through interpreter): These soldiers who have come here and who want to kill us, who want to repress us, we’re not afraid. We will not allow it. We are totally united. Yesterday has strengthened us. The entire Bolivian people are more united than ever.

Amna Nawaz: The coup attempt comes as Bolivia’s 12 million people grapple with an economic slump and amid infighting within the president’s Movement for Socialism Party.

International experts have provided new and grim details of the famine in war-torn Sudan. According to Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC, some 755,000 people will face famine in the coming months; 8.5 million people are already experiencing extreme food shortages.

The World Food Program has called Sudan’s hunger crisis the worst in the world. It comes after 14 months of relentless fighting between rival generals.

European Union leaders signed security agreements with Ukraine today during a two-day summit in Brussels. That extends the 27-nation- bloc’s military and financial aid commitment to Kyiv that began after Russia’s February 2022 invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the E.U., but stressed that time was of the essence.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President: And, of course, the urgent things. Air defense, that is one, and, of course, all the packages, thanks to all the partners, what we had, signed it or accepted, but we need them urgently on the battlefield.

Amna Nawaz: Zelenskyy also signed bilateral security agreements with Lithuania and Estonia today. That follows a decade-long pact signed with the U.S. earlier this month.

Oklahoma’s state superintendent is mandating that public schools teach the Bible in class. It’s the latest conservative push to introduce religion into public education. Last week, Louisiana became the first state to require that the Ten Commandments be displayed in public school classrooms.

In making his announcement, Ryan Walters said — quote — “The Bible is a necessary historical document to teach our kids about the history of this country” — end quote.

The Justice Department announced charges today against nearly 200 people in a nationwide crackdown on health care fraud schemes. Doctors, nurse practitioners, and others are accused of filing false claims worth more than $2.7 billion.

The alleged scams include wholesalers distributing mislabeled HIV drugs from black market sources, facilities grossly overcharging terminally ill Medicare patients, and the unlawful distribution of millions of Adderall pills that weren’t medically necessary.

In announcing the charges, Attorney General Merrick Garland said such crimes deserve punishment.

Merrick Garland, U.S. Attorney General: I want to be clear. It does not matter if you are a trafficker in a drug cartel or a corporate executive or medical professional employed by a health care company. If you profit from the unlawful distribution of controlled substances, you will be held accountable.

Amna Nawaz: As part of the crackdown, officials seized over $230 million in assets, including cash, luxury cars and gold.

And stocks inched higher on Wall Street today, as investors wait for tomorrow’s latest reading on inflation. The Dow Jones barely budged, adding just 36 points. The Nasdaq tacked on more than 50 points and the S&P 500 ended virtually unchanged.