Ukraine ports in jeopardy, Griner back in court, Trump makes DC return

Russia airstrikes target Ukraine ports – Ukraine’s black sea region ports continued to be bombarded by Russian air strikes Tuesday. The air strikes may further jeopardize Ukraine’s ability to ship out goods amid fears of a global food crisis.

“In Odessa, there is a hit in private buildings of coastal villages with the following arson. Rescue crews are working at the scene,” Ukraine’s Operational Command South said in a Facebook post. “Port infrastructure was attacked in Mykolaiv region.”

Tuesday’s strikes followed a string of attacks over the weekend, which caused wheat prices to soar. They also came just days after a deal to resume Ukraine’s grain exports was signed.

Brittney Griner back in court – The Russian trial of American basketball star Brittney Griner continued with Griner back in court Tuesday. She has already admitted to carrying vape canisters containing cannabis oil when she was arrested at a Moscow airport back in February.

On Tuesday, Griner’s defense team argued she had used medical cannabis for pain relief from previous injuries. A narcology expert summoned by the defense argued that medical cannabis was widely used to treat athletes where it was legal and often had fewer side effects than other painkillers.

Griner is set to appear in court again Wednesday, where she could be called upon to testify. Her defense team said a further hearing in the case is set for Aug. 2. She is facing up to 10 years in prison.

Former President Trump back in Washington – Former President Donald Trump is set to make his return to Washington, D.C. Tuesday to give a policy speech at the America First Policy Institute’s (AFPI) two-day America First Agenda Summit. This is former President Trump’s first trip to Washington since leaving office and potentially a further sign of an expected 2024 run.

“I believe it will be a very policy-focused, forward-leaning speech, very much like a State of the Union 5.0,” said Brooke Rollins, AFPI’s president.

The “America First Agenda” that is expected to be highlighted is centered around 10 key policy areas including the economy, health care and election security. It includes many of Trump’s signature issues, like continuing to build a wall along the southern border and a plan to “dismantle the administrative state.”

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.