The U.S. has a high rate of preterm births, and abortion bans could make that worse The rates of premature birth in the U.S. are high, especially in certain states. Experts worry that states restricting abortion have fewer maternal care providers than those with abortion access. Read more on NPR

Meet the sargassum belt, a 5,000-mile-long snake of seaweed circling Florida Since 2011, a fleet of seaweed patches double the size of the contiguous U.S. has cycled from West Africa to Florida, threatening beaches from Martinique to Miami. This year, it could grow bigger. Read more on NPR

Honduras says it will will seek ties with China, spurning Taiwan China claims self-ruled, democratic Taiwan is part of its territory and refuses most contacts with countries that maintain formal ties with Taiwan. Read more on NPR

Special prosecutor steps down in case against Alec Baldwin Alec Baldwin’s legal team sought to disqualify special prosecutor and Republican state Rep. Andrea Reeb of Clovis based on constitutional provisions that safeguard the separation of powers. Read more on NPR

The Maine lobster industry sues California aquarium over a do-not-eat listing Industry groups are suing the Monterey Bay Aquarium for defamation, arguing that their prized catch shouldn’t be on a “red list” published by Seafood Watch, a conservation program it operates. Read more on NPR