Axios

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif defeated China's Yang Liu in a unanimous decision to win the gold medal in women's welterweight boxing (under 66kg) at the Paris Olympics.

Why it matters: Khelif has found herself at the center of gender controversy that has included a barrage of online hate fueled by mis- and disinformation.

The White House on Friday accused Israel's ultranationalist finance minister Bezalel Smotrich of being willing to sacrifice the lives of the Israeli and U.S. hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Why it matters: White House spokesperson John Kirby's unprecedented criticism of the senior Israeli official suggests the administration thinks Smotrich is trying to sabotage the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal.

Japan's Ami Yuasa, who competed simply as Ami, wowed the judges to win gold in the first-ever Olympic breaking (aka breakdancing) competition in Paris on Friday.

Why it matters: The sport, along with recently added events like speed climbing, skateboarding and BMX, is part of an effort to make the Olympics younger and more urban.

China is challenging the European Union's plan to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

Why it matters: The move further escalates global tension over protectionist policies related to EVs.

Sha'Carri Richardson, the sprinter whose star began shining when she was an Louisiana State University athlete, raced her way to Olympic gold in Paris on Friday as part of the 4x100m relay team.

Why it matters: She stared down her opponents on the way to her team victory.

The U.S. women's basketball team defeated Australia 85-64 at Bercy Arena on Friday to advance to Sunday's gold medal game in Paris.

Why it matters: The U.S. women's hoops team, which features Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi, A'ja Wilson and a host of WNBA All-Stars, has dominated throughout the tournament as it seeks an eighth consecutive gold medal.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on Friday with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and informed him that he had decided to end the investigation into the Israel Defenses Force's "Netzah Yehuda" battalion for human rights violations in the occupied West Bank and not impose sanctions on the unit, according to two senior U.S. and Israeli officials.

Why it matters: It's a significant diplomatic achievement for Gallant, who in recent months has had quiet talks with Blinken and other senior U.S. officials in an effort to demonstrate the IDF has taken steps to address human rights violations by members of the battalion.

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) political action committee endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, it announced Friday.

Why it matters: Its endorsement — the organization's first of any presidential candidate in its nearly 100-year history — comes as Harris' campaign is seeking to grow support among Latino voters.

Nearly 13,400 people have been killed by law enforcement in the United States since 2013 — around 7% of the nation's homicides, according to new data released by the advocacy group Campaign Zero.

Why it matters: Not only does the data show a surge in killings by law enforcement since 2013, but Campaign Zero's new "Mapping Police Violence" shows specific neighborhoods in Chicago and St. Louis, with large Black populations, have a massively high proportion of killings.