Money, murder, mystery

Disgraced attorney Alex Murdaugh was charged with murder in the deaths of his wife and son. Bill Gates is working on giving away his wealth. And President Joe Biden wants to build ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

👋 Looking for short news? You came to the right place. I'm Laura Davis, and this is Thursday's news.

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Disgraced attorney indicted on murder charges in deaths of wife, son

Disbarred South Carolina attorney Richard "Alex" Murdaugh was indicted on two counts of murder in the double homicide of his wife and son, the state attorney general said Thursday. Murdaugh, whose family dominated the legal scene in their community for nearly a century, is already jailed and faces dozens of criminal charges in the months since his wife, Maggie, 52, and their 22-year-old son, Paul, were killed last June. But until now, he had not been charged in connection with the deaths. Here's a look at how the saga unfolded.

• Murdaugh visual timeline: What happened? When? Who's involved?

Can Biden bring Israel and Saudi Arabia closer together?

President Joe Biden's trip to Israel and Saudi Arabia this week is as much about building ties between those two nations as it is about managing America’s relationship with the countries. Israel and Saudi Arabia are increasingly aligned in their opposition to Iran, among other hot-button global issues. Although the establishment of formal diplomatic ties is not likely, the trip could lay the groundwork for what would be a historic rapprochement. What you should know.

Biden's meeting with Israeli leaders Thursday delved into divisions over how to keep Iran from becoming a nuclear power. Here's the latest.

Want to know more?

• 'Pariah' state: Why it may take more than golf to restore Saudi Arabia's reputation.

• Biden to meet with Saudi crown prince despite human rights concerns.

• Political upheaval: Israel heads for unprecedented fifth election in three years after government collapses.

What everyone's talking about

• Ivana Trump, former President Donald Trump's ex-wife, dies at 73.

• 'Dry drowning' – ever heard of it? Here's what you should know.

• Experts: Pregnant people could face greater risk of domestic violence after abortion bans.

• 'They will be regretting their inaction forever': Experts say Uvalde shooting response went horribly wrong.

• Confessions of a former Disney princess: What it's really like and what guests don't know.

• 3-hour lines, lost bags, but a favorable euro: Flying to Europe is complicated right now.

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GOP senator: Abortion travel restrictions 'unconstitutional'

Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said it would be unconstitutional to restrict people from traveling across state lines to seek abortions. "We cannot stop people from traveling anyplace they want to," he said. After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, some abortion opponents have advocated for restricting the ability to travel to other states where abortions are more accessible. Read more about Grassley's comments.

• Arrest made in rape of 10-year-old girl from Ohio that led to Indiana abortion.

• Indiana AG says he's investigating doctor who performed abortion for 10-year-old Ohio rape victim.

Griner's teammate, coach testify as sentence looms

American basketball star Brittney Griner returned to a Russian court Thursday, days after pleading guilty to drug possession charges that could result in a 10-year prison sentence. Griner's coach as well as a fellow player from the Russian basketball team she played for testified Thursday in support of her character. The next session of the trial – during which Griner is expected to testify, NBC News reported – is set for Friday. Griner, who plays basketball for a Russian team during the WNBA's offseason, was detained at a Moscow airport in February after Russian authorities said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage. Keep reading.

• Opinion: If U.S. weren't sexist, Brittney Griner wouldn't be in Russia.

• American Israeli woman jailed in Russia over cannabis speaks out in support of Griner.

Real quick

• All residents accounted for after devastating Virginia flooding leads to 'monumental search effort.'

• Kevin Spacey pleads not guilty to sex crime charges in London court.

• Threat to Yosemite's centuries-old sequoia grove 'greatly reduced,' though risk remains.

• 'Her excellence is unmatched:' Allyson Felix to bid farewell at track and field world championships. 

• Arizona moves to impose abortion ban from 1800s as AG asks court to lift injunction.

Bill Gates' big check

Bill Gates wants to get off the list of the world's richest people. The Microsoft co-founder and billionaire said this week that he will give away a large chunk of his wealth this month – $20 billion – to the philanthropic organization he founded with his ex-wife, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Gates said his goal is to allow the organization to be positioned to spend $9 billion a year by 2026. "As I look to the future, I plan to give virtually all of my wealth to the foundation," Gates said. His current net worth is about $113 billion. Read more about Gates' plans.

• Bill Gates discusses confronting climate change, says Joe Biden's energy and emissions goals are within reach.

• Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos take a hit: 8 richest tech leaders lost more than $250 billion in 2022.

A break from the news

• 💰 3 smart retirement moves you can make anytime.

• 🤷‍♀️ What are NFTs? How do you make money through these investments?

• 🛍 Prime Day is over, but there are still deals to be had at Walmart, Target and more.

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Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Send her an email at laura@usatoday.com or follow along with her adventures – and misadventures – on Twitter. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alex Murdaugh, Bill Gates, Biden in Israel, Brittney Griner. It's Thursday's news.