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Today’s Big Stories

Toyota says it can double EV range

Toyota said on Tuesday that it will roll out EVs that will double the range of those currently on the road starting in 2026.

Why it matters: Toyota is the world’s largest automaker and their announcement makes it clear that they intended to compete for EV supremacy.

Big Picture: Toyota’s former CEO Akio Toyoda stepped down in January but resisted EV adoption during his tenure, which caused the company to lag behind in the electric market. Yesterday’s announcement signaled an aggressive shift in Toyota’s EV strategy.

Details: Toyota said it will produce an EV with a more efficient lithium-ion battery that has a range of 1,000 km (621 miles).

• Most current EVs have a range of 250-350 miles, though a few can travel over 400.

Fast forward: Toyota also revealed its plans to introduce an EV powered by a solid-state battery in 2027-2028 that will have a range of 1,200 km (745 miles) and a charging time of just 10 minutes.

• By comparison, Tesla’s Supercharger network - the fastest of its kind - offers 321 km (200 miles) of charge in 15 minutes.

Bottom line: If Toyota can deliver on its bold mileage claim, they could potentially solve one of the biggest obstacles in EV adoption: range fear.

Trump pleads not guilty, again

Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty at a Miami courthouse to 37 counts relating to retaining classified documents and obstruction of justice.

Why it matters: Trump is the first current or former president in U.S. history to be charged in a federal criminal case.

Trump approached the arraignment in his usual outspoken way, by protesting against his prosecutors from his social media accounts on his way to the courthouse. However, he sat quietly during the proceedings where his attorney said, “we most certainly enter a plea of not guilty, your honor.”

Big picture: Trump is engulfed in ongoing legal battles that include tampering with the 2020 election results, inciting the Capitol Riot, paying an adult film star hush money, and sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll.

• Trump will continue his campaign to return to the White House despite facing charges that could send him to prison for the rest of his life.

• Republican voters remain loyal to Trump and believe that the most recent charges are politically motivated, according to recent polls.

Back at it: Trump traveled to his golf club in New Jersey to speak at a fundraiser Tuesday night.

Quick Bites

Business & Economy

U.S. stock markets closed higher on Monday (S&P +0.69%, Nasdaq +.83%, Dow +0.43%) ~ New inflation data showed price pressure slowed again in May, meaning the Fed will likely skip a rate hike after this week’s meeting.

Instant Brands, maker of the Instant Pot and Pyrex, filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday.

Stellantis recalled 354,000 Jeeps worldwide because rear coil springs can fall off they’re being driven. The recall covers certain 2022 and 2023 Grand Cherokee and 2021 to 2023 Grand Cherokee L SUVs

World

Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said she will step down on Friday to begin her 2024 presidential campaign, aiming to become Mexico’s first female leader.

A UK court sentenced a woman to 28 months in prison for terminating pregnancy at 8 months after lying to get an abortion pill.

India began evacuating 80,000 people from its southern coast on Tuesday as Cyclone Biparjoy approaches.

US News, Politics, & Government

NYC’s first female police commissioner, Keechant Sewell, resigned this week after 18 months on the job.

A shooter injured 9 people in downtown Denver while the city celebrated the Nuggets Finals win. Three of the victims are in critical condition and police have the suspect in custody.

Two children suffered “burn-like” injuries after playing on slides that had been doused with acid at a Massachusetts park.

Sports & Entertainment

The Vegas Golden Knights dominated the Florida panthers 9-3 to win game 5 and the Stanley Cup finals.

Everwood actor Treat Williams died after being hit while riding his motorcycle on Monday. He was 71. ~ U.S. novelist Cormac McCarthy died in his home at the age of 89.

Kylian Mbappe tells Paris Saint-Germain he intends to leave after his contract expires next summer putting soccer’s most valuable star on the market.

XXX

Science, Health, & Tech

YouTube is lowering the eligibility requirements for creators to make money.

A study found that weight loss surgery causes bone loss in teens and adolescents. (Read the full study here)

SpaceX recently hired a 14-year-old who will become the youngest graduate in Santa Clara University history.

Extras

How to claim your piece of Google’s $23 million settlement. 

Cue italian cooking music: These are the 7 best pizza ovens for 2023.

This interactive map allows users to track the median cost of giving birth by state.

One of two giant ducks floating in Hong Kong harbour has already deflated.