5 things you need to know Wednesday
1. Confederate flag debate begins in S.C. House
Pushback could develop Wednesday as the South Carolina House debates removing the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds. House members voted 93-18 to skip the committee process and take the bill directly to the floor. Still, some House members remain adamantly opposed to removing it. The Senate formally approved Tuesday the bill removing the flag, and Gov. Nikki Haley has said she will sign the bill. The momentum to remove it comes three weeks after a shooting rampage at a predominantly black church in Charleston left nine people dead and brought renewed attention to the controversial Southern symbol.
2. Greece submits aid request; still to send full plan
Greece submitted a request for aid from the European Union on Wednesday, and must present detailed new economic reform proposals to justify fresh lending by international creditors by Thursday, after the debt-ridden nation failed to make an offer to European leaders on Tuesday. Greece missed a $1.8 billion debt payment to its creditors on June 30, but eurozone leaders hope the two sides can still reach a deal. A Greek exit from the euro currency would be an unprecedented move with unforeseen consequences for the 19-nation bloc that uses the euro.
3. Chinese market plummets despite government efforts
Greece is not the only country whose economic woes are troubling investors Wednesday. There are growing fears of a crash in the world's second-largest economy amid a stock market plunge in China that has seen the country's main market index drop 30% since June. Despite major efforts by the government to stop the slide, and promises from the central bank that it will provide liquidity and stability, China's Shanghai Composite index was down nearly 6% Wednesday.
4. Comic-Con kicks off with new Marvel, My Little Pony figurines
The annual convention of all things comic-book, superhero, science fiction and fantasy (and more than a few that aren't), begins with Wednesday's preview night at the San Diego Convention Center. Superman and Supergirl are on the invite list, but the marquee event at this year's Comic-Con will be Friday's panel on the The Force Awakens — J.J. Abrams' much-awaited addition to the Star Wars saga. Although Marvel Comics is expected to save most of its big film splashes for Disney's D23 Expo in August, Marvel will be giving its new mini figurine, LEGO Captain America, to attendees for free during daily drawings. Fans can also look for two exclusive Hasbro's My Little Pony figurines at the event, which runs through July 12.
5. Ex-Toyota exec won't be charged in drug episode
Japanese authorities released former Toyota executive Julie Hamp on Wednesday after deciding not to press charges about three weeks following her arrest on suspicion of illegally importing prescription narcotics into the country. Hamp, an American and the highest-ranking female executive at the company until her resignation a week ago, is expected to return to the U.S.Toyota publicly defended Hamp, saying it believed she did not knowingly break any laws. Hamp could have faced up to 10 years in prison after being accused of shipping 57 pills of oxycodone to herself.
And, the essentials:
Weather: There will be thunderstorms galore across the eastern half of the U.S. Wednesday.
Stocks: U.S. stock futures sank and global stocks were mixed as a new bailout agreement deadline for Greece loomed.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at Catfish and Key & Peele.
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Contributing: Associated Press