Remembering D-Day, Stanley Cup Final, Virginia Beach shooting victims: 5 things to know Thursday
75th anniversary of D-Day: Trump visits Normandy
Like many presidents before him, Donald Trump stood at the edge of Omaha Beach in Normandy on Thursday to commemorate a D-Day invasion anniversary — the 75th, in this case. But with his "America First" foreign policy and his history of criticizing NATO, Trump was unlikely to echo past presidents' "all-for-one" message of allied unity, experts said. On Wednesday, Trump attended D-Day events with Queen Elizabeth II in Britain, where he recited a prayer read by President Franklin Roosevelt on June 6, 1944. D-Day was the largest invasion by air, land and sea in history, with more than 5,000 ships, 11,000 airplanes and 150,000 soldiers from the United States, Britain and Canada taking part. Here are five things to know about the day that changed world history.
Service remembers Virginia Beach shooting victims
The Virginia Beach city government will hold a remembrance service Thursday night for the 12 victims killed in the mass shooting at a city office building last week. The non-denominational service, which is open to the public, will be held at Rock Church at 7:30 p.m. ET. A longtime Virginia Beach public works employee shot and killed the 12 victims and wounded four others Friday before he was fatally wounded during a gunbattle with police. His motive so far remains a mystery, police said. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on Tuesday called a special legislative session to address gun violence.
Blues, Bruins do battle in all-important Game 5
The Stanley Cup Final now is a best-of-three series following the St. Louis Blues' win in Game 4. With the playoff series tied at two games apiece, it moves to Boston for Game 5 Thursday night (8 p.m. on NBC). The Boston Bruins could be without the services of captain Zdeno Chara, who left the Bruins' Game 4 loss after taking a puck to the face. The Blues, meanwhile, remain relatively healthy as the team chases its first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
Veterans to get expanded access to private doctors
Veterans will have expanded access to medical care outside Department of Veterans Affairs facilities beginning Thursday under a law signed by President Donald Trump last year. VA officials previously estimated the new rules could increase the number of veterans eligible for VA-sponsored private care to as many as 2.1 million — up from about 560,000. Rules established under the law say the VA will pay for veterans to see non-VA doctors if they have to wait longer than 20 days or drive more than 30 minutes for primary or mental healthcare at a VA facility. For specialty care, they can see private doctors at VA expense if they have to wait longer than 28 days or drive more than an hour to see a VA provider.
Denzel Washington gets lifetime acting honor
Spike Lee will honor Denzel Washington’s career by presenting his friend and collaborator with the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award. Lee will present the actor and director with the honor at a gala Thursday at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. The tribute will air on TNT on June 20 at 10 p.m. ET/ PT. The 64-year-old Washington joins the ranks of Mel Brooks, Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep and Alfred Hitchcock.
Contributing: Associated Press