Today’s News Briefs: Russian warships near Florida; Congressional baseball protesters; rare animal chokes

Here are today’s news briefs including Russian warships off Florida, anti-Israel protesters booed at baseball game, hearing on Biden papers, and rare animal chokes on child’s drink cap.

Anti-Israel, climate protesters disrupt Congressional baseball game

A small group of anti-Israel protesters protested at the annual  Congressional Baseball Game, which raises money for local charities in the D.C. area. reports Fox News. The group unfurled a “Free Palestine” and Palestinian flag in the right field section near the foul post. The group’s message was met with boos from others in the stands. The game also saw eight climate activists arrested after taking the field of the event which features Democrats and Republicans from the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Climate change protesters chanted “End Fossil Fuels” before entering the field. Over the last several years, the event has drawn more attention after a democrat protester in 2017 opened fire on Republicans at a practice. June 14 marks the anniversary of the attack on June 14, 2017, that seriously wounded House GOP Whip Steve Scalise. The shooter, James T. Hodgkinson, was a volunteer for the Bernie Sanders campaign according to NPR. He was killed by police.

Russian warships near Florida

US officials are downplaying the arrival of four Russian naval vessels in Cuba for joint military drills. Just 90 miles off the coast of Florida, the warships include a nuclear-powered submarine and a frigate in what some say is a blatant show of force  over US support for Ukraine. “We of course take it seriously, but these exercises don’t pose a threat to the United States,” the Pentagon said. Russia’s defense ministry says the Admiral Gorshkov frigate and the Kazan submarine are both carriers of advanced weapons, including hypersonic missiles Zircon. They earlier conducted missile drills in the Atlantic. Russia claims none of the vessels carry live nuclear weapons. The BBC reports “In essence, while the visit may be considered broadly routine, the context of wider global hostilities in which it is taking place is anything but.”

Hearing on Biden Delaware papers today

A hearing will be held in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware June 14 on a petition to reopen a Judicial Watch case to force the release of Joe Biden’s Senate records kept at the University of Delaware.  The request comes after evidence discovered by Special Counsel Robert Hur contradicts sworn testimony by the University of Delaware that no consideration was paid to Biden in connection with the gift of his Senate records. “We have powerful evidence that the courts were misled about the Biden papers,” by both the university and president, Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said.

Rare animal choked to death on drink cap

A rare antelope died after choking on a plastic cap from a squeezable children’s drink pouch at Bright Zoo in Tennessee. Leif, a Sitatunga antelope, was in his enclosure when a zookeeper noticed the animal struggling. A veterinarian team was called to dislodge the plastic cap but arrived too late. Zoo Director David Bright told  CBS News the cap “had to be thrown” as there was no other explanation for it being inside the enclosure that was housing Leif, his female mate, and several other animals. The zoo has asked the public to come forward with information.

–Dwight Widaman and wire services