Good Morning! Today’s edition is 763 words, a 3-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• The White House wants birth control to be free

• 24-25 NBA season tipoff

• US states that work the hardest

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Big Story

Mexican Schools Ban Junk Food

Mexico has banned junk food in schools to fight its severe childhood obesity problem.

• Schools have six months to comply or face fines ranging from $545 to $5,450, which could double for repeat offenses. Junk food is common in Mexico and has contributed to its childhood obesity crisis — one-third of children are overweight or obese.

• A recent survey found that 98% of schools still sold junk food, and the UN estimates that Mexico’s children get 40% of their caloric intake from it.

• President Claudia Sheinbaum said schools should provide healthier alternatives like water and bean tacos, but only 4% of 255,000 schools currently have water fountains. Many are in poor or rural areas without access to acceptable bathrooms or electricity.

• The ban covers all food with high salt, sugar, or fat warning labels. However, enforcing the rules outside schools may be difficult. 77% of schools have junk food vendors outside their gates.

Big Story

Free Birth Control?

The White House proposed a new rule that would let people with private health insurance get free birth control without a prescription.

• The rule would include things like condoms, birth control pills, and the "morning after" pill. Currently, insurance only covers these items if a doctor prescribes them, but the new rule would make them available over-the-counter.

• The plan is a response to the US Supreme Court's decision to take away national abortion rights two years ago. Harris wants to show a clear difference between her policies and Trump’s, who appointed some of the justices involved in that decision.

• If the rule is finalized, it would go into effect in 2025, saving people money on items like the "morning after" pill, which can cost up to $50 without a prescription. The rule would also require insurance to cover Opill, a new over-the-counter birth control pill.

Big Story

Moldova Backs Joining EU

Moldova held two important votes over the weekend: a presidential election and a referendum on whether joining the European Union (EU) should be a national goal.

• The presidential election will go to a second round between current pro-EU President Maia Sandu and pro-Russia rival Alexandr Stoianoglo. The referendum showed a narrow majority of 50.16% supporting EU membership.

• Moldova has long been divided between aligning with Europe or Russia. Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, it has switched between pro-Russia and pro-Europe governments.

• President Sandu accused Russia of trying to influence the votes, claiming that foreign forces were attempting to "buy" votes to support her rival and undermine Moldova’s democracy.

• Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected the accusations and said the election results were suspicious, showing an unexpected increase in support for President Sandu and the EU.

Little Stories

• The NBA season tips off tonight with the New York Knicks taking on the defending champion Boston Celtics at 7:30 PM ET and the Minnesota Timberwolves facing the Los Angeles Lakers at 10:00 PM ET. (More)

• Indigenous senator Lidia Thorpe told King Charles III that Australia isn't his land during his visit to the country's parliament. She was removed after shouting that British colonizers took Indigenous land and harmed their people. Thorpe demanded the return of what was taken and called for a treaty. (More)

• New polling shows that Donald Trump has nearly caught up with Kamala Harris in key swing states that will decide the upcoming election. A survey of over 5,000 registered voters found both candidates tied in states like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, and Nevada. (More)

• South Korea has asked for North Korean troops in Russia to be pulled out immediately. South Korea's spy agency reported that North Korea sent 1,500 special forces to Russia this month to help with its war in Ukraine. (More)

• The US State Department is investigating an Israeli military unit called "Force 100" over allegations of human rights violations while guarding Gaza detainees. Some members are already on trial for allegedly sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman detention center, nicknamed "the Israeli Guantanamo." (More)

Extra Credit

💼 US states that work the hardest. 

🐕️ The top 10 most popular pet names in 2024.

🗞️ The world’s oldest paperboy retires at 82. 

🌕️ See photos of the Hunter’s Moon supermoon.