Trump's commencement speech, Pence in Canada, NBA Finals: 5 things you need to know Thursday
Trump to salute Air Force Academy graduates in commencement speech
President Donald Trump will deliver a commencement speech to gradates at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado on Thursday, and if his two past appearances at military schools are any indication, his remarks could touch on politics as well as policy. In last year's speech at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., Trump touted his own efforts to increase defense spending. Trump will appear at the academy about 24 hours after special counsel Robert Mueller's first public comments on the Russia investigation, which pointedly refused to clear Trump of criminal wrongdoing but said charging him with obstruction was "not an option." Trump on Wednesday night also denied being involved with a directive that reportedly called for a warship named after the late Sen. John McCain to be moved "out of sight" during his trip to Japan over Memorial Day weekend.
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March scheduled in Louisiana after abortion ban is approved
Planned Parenthood scheduled a march on the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge on Thursday to protest the state's new bill banning abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected that secured final passage in the Legislature Wednesday. But their opposition will fall on mostly deaf ears in Louisiana, where there are few elected advocates for their cause in a state where restrictive abortion laws draw bipartisan support. Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards said he will sign the bill, making Louisiana the fifth state - joining Ohio, Georgia, Kentucky and Mississippi - to enact laws banning abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, generally considered about six weeks. Judges have already blocked the laws in Mississippi and Kentucky, but court battles are expected to continue.
Pence looks for do-over in trade deal, relationship with Canada
Vice President Mike Pence will become the highest-ranking Trump administration official to visit Ottawa on a trip Thursday that comes a year after President Donald Trump created one of the most difficult periods between the top allies in decades. Trump has been to Canada, but only because Quebec hosted a G7 meeting last June. Days before the summit, Trump imposed tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from the European Union, Canada and Mexico. After Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he would not be pushed around by the U.S., Trump called him "very dishonest and weak." Some Canadians took the insults personally, prompting calls to boycott American products. Pence aims to push for passage of a rewrite of the North American Free Trade Agreement, a deal reached by the U.S., Canadian and Mexican governments in 2018 that must still be ratified by the countries.
Warriors, Raptors set to match up in the NBA Finals
The NBA Finals get underway Thursday night (9 p.m. ET, ABC), with the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors facing off against the Toronto Raptors. The Warriors are looking to cement their place in history with a third consecutive title and fourth in five years. They may have to do it without injured star Kevin Durant, who is officially out for Game 1 and questionable for the rest of the series. The Raptors are newcomers, making their first Finals appearance in franchise history. But with an entire country behind them, including 67-year-old superfan Nav Bhatia who has been to every home game in the franchise's 24-year history, Kawhi Leonard and his teammates are ready to seize the spotlight on basketball's biggest stage.
Southwest to start selling its Thanksgiving, Christmas tickets
Travelers have been asking Southwest Airlines for weeks when it plans to open up bookings for the busy holiday travel season. Today's the day. The airline announced last week it would open its bookings window through Jan. 5 starting Thursday. Southwest didn't reveal what time the schedule will open. Southwest is the nation's largest domestic carrier and is also a price leader on many routes, so fares usually get a shake-up the day its schedule opens. Most of Southwest's competitors, including American, Delta and United, have been selling holiday tickets for months.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's commencement speech, Pence in Canada, NBA Finals: 5 things you need to know Thursday
