Why women and abortion providers are suing Texas

Plus, grains prices surge after Black Sea deal ends.   Texas women denied abortions testify in court; grain prices soar after Russia exits Ukraine Black Sea export deal. Tonight's Sentences was written by Jariel Arvin. The Sentences newsletter will be off on Friday and back in your inbox on Monday, July 24. While you're not reading the news, check out the Vox crossword!   TOP NEWS Women sue Texas over restrictive abortion bans Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP via Getty Images - On Wednesday, a group of women delivered the second day of emotional testimony about pregnancy complications they experienced after being denied abortions in Texas. [[NBC News / Aria Bendix](] - The Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade triggered a total abortion ban in Texas unless the pregnant person’s life is in danger. Physicians who provide abortions face massive fines and life in prison. [[Texas Tribune / Eleanor Klibanoff and Rebecca Schneid](] - Thirteen patients and two OB-GYNs are suing Texas for a temporary block on its law until the state clarifies which medical emergencies require abortions. [[CBS News / Caroline Linton](] - Texas attorneys argued the plaintiffs didn’t have legal standing to sue, claimed medical care is providers’ responsibility, and asked the judge to dismiss the case. [[NPR / Selena Simmons-Duffin](] - Judge Jessica Mangrum, a Democrat, could issue her decision after testimony concludes. Regardless of the ruling, the case is likely headed to the Republican-controlled Texas Supreme Court. [[Austin American-Statesman / Ryan Autullo](] 📍 If you read just one story On the Money is our new monthly advice column written by Nicole Dieker, a personal finance expert. Here, we answer two questions asked by Vox readers, which have been edited and condensed. [[Vox / Nicole Dieker](]  [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( Russia threatens global food security - Wheat prices soared after Russia threatened to treat any ships heading toward Ukrainian ports as military targets. [[CNBC / Sam Meredith](] - The surge came after Russian President Vladimir Putin ended a deal that allowed the safe passage of Ukrainian Black Sea grain exports over claims it didn’t benefit Russia enough. [[BBC / Emily McGarvey](] - Since exiting the deal Monday, Moscow has launched airstrikes on southern Ukraine ports and cities, destroying enough grain to feed over 270,000 people for an entire year. [[New York Times / Matthew Mpoke Bigg](] - The UN and Turkey are urging Russia to reenter the agreement to avert a global food insecurity crisis and economic instability. [[Vox / Jen Kirby](]   MISCELLANEOUS A sea otter is gaining internet fame for stealing surfboards and evading capture from California wildlife authorities who say her unusual behavior could be dangerous. [[Guardian / Abené Clayton](] - The Florida Board of Education approved new academic guidelines for teaching Black history that require public middle school instruction about how enslaved people developed beneficial skills. [[CNN / Nicole Chavez](] - On Thursday, hundreds of protesters stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, after the Nordic country approved another public burning of the Quran. [[NPR / Ruth Sherlock](] - California foster kids can attend state colleges for free after Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a budget granting $25 million to cover tuition and living expenses. [[The Messenger / Christopher Gavin](]   CROSSWORD OF THE DAY What's an acronym aptly made up of the first four letters of "Russia"? [Solve today's new Vox crossword puzzle]([,]( and stay tuned for more puzzles coming out Monday through Saturday. Want more crosswords? [Sign up for our crossword newsletter here]( and get a dedicated crossword reminder each weekend.   VERBATIM “She was gasping for air. I just kept telling myself and my baby that I’m so sorry that this has happened to you.” [[Samantha Casiano, whose daughter Halo died four hours after birth, testified about her experience / NPR](]   LISTEN TO THIS Bidenomics A lot of Americans are still feeling iffy about the economy, but Joe Biden’s so proud of how things are going that he’s stuck his name on it. The Washington Post’s Jeff Stein explains “Bidenomics.” [Listen now ▶](   Read more from Vox [The long history of kids decapitating their Barbies and making them kiss, explained]( [For more than two decades, Neopets has been teaching us how to care for virtual pets — and each other]( [Oppenheimer’s secret city, explained]( [Ron DeSantis is really bad at running for president]( [And Just Like That finally remembers Steve doesn’t deserve this](  [Learn more about RevenueStripe...](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [YouTube]( This email was sent to {EMAIL}. Manage your [email preferences]( [unsubscribe](param=sentences). If you value Vox’s unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring [contribution](. View our [Privacy Notice]( and our [Terms of Service](. Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Floor 12, Washington, DC 20036. Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved.