- U.S.BBC
Daniel Lewis Lee: First US federal execution to go ahead after 17 years
The first federal execution in the United States for more than 17 years is set to go ahead in Indiana on Monday following a ruling by an appeal court. The execution of convicted murderer Daniel Lewis Lee had been blocked on Friday by a federal judge. This came after relatives of the victims sought a delay, saying they feared attending in person could expose them to coronavirus.
- WorldINSIDER
South Africa's 9 million smokers were faced with cold turkey when the government banned cigarette sales in March as a coronavirus measure. Now Big Tobacco is fighting back.
earlier in July. South Africa's government had also banned the sale of alcohol but has since eased that restriction, which according to an AP report, has led to an increase in "drunken brawls and traffic accidents, putting added strain on hospitals as they deal with the virus." Reuters FITA is also arguing that by banning the legal sale of cigarettes, the South African government is encouraging a black market trade, and putting thousands of jobs at risk.
- WorldAssociated Press
Pakistan says 4 troops, 4 militants killed in shootout in NW
Pakistan's military on Sunday said four soldiers and four militants were killed during a shootout in the rugged northwestern region of North Waziristan, which borders Afghanistan. A statement from the military's public relations wing said the exchange of fire took place after the army personnel had surrounded the militant hideout early Sunday. The statement did not identify the militants, but Pakistan's military has been battling members of the Pakistani Taliban group, known as the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) in that region for years.
- U.S.NBC News
University professors fear returning to campus as coronavirus cases surge
However, professors were initially required to return to campus to teach in person and there wasn't an option to work remotely. The university later put in place a policy where faculty could file a request to work remotely, but there wasn't a guarantee that the request would be accommodated. Boston University philosophy professors Daniel Star and Russell Powell wrote an open letter to the university urging it to allow professors to make their own decisions about returning to campus.
- WorldBusiness Insider
Japan is 'shocked' and furious at the US after a major coronavirus outbreak at 2 Marine bases in Okinawa — and says the US is not taking the virus seriously
Japanese authorities say they are "shocked" after a significant coronavirus outbreak at two US Marine bases in the country. 61 Marines have been infected with the virus in recent days, spread across two bases in Okinawa prefecture, home to about 26,000 US service personnel. "We now have strong doubts that the US military has taken adequate disease prevention measures," Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki said at a press conference.
- PoliticsUSA TODAY
Sen. Lindsey Graham said he will call Robert Mueller to testify before his committee
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Sunday he will grant a request from Democrats to call Robert Mueller to testify before his committee, after the former Russia special counsel penned an op-ed pushing back against President Donald Trump's decision to commute the sentence of a longtime ally. Mueller broke his yearlong silence Saturday, defending the prosecution of Roger Stone and the broader investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. In an op-ed published in The Washington Post, Mueller said the flamboyant political operative was "prosecuted and convicted because he committed federal crimes."
- U.S.The Telegraph
New Zealand mosque shooter dismisses lawyers to represent himself at sentencing
The gunman behind New Zealand's Christchurch mosque shootings sacked his lawyers on Monday and opted to represent himself, raising fears he would use a sentencing hearing next month to promote his white-supremacist views. Australian national Brenton Tarrant will be sentenced on August 24 on 51 murder convictions, 40 of attempted murder and one of terrorism arising from last year's massacre, the worst mass shooting in New Zealand's modern history. At a pre-sentencing hearing on Monday, High Court judge Cameron Mander allowed Tarrant's lawyers, Shane Tait and Jonathan Hudson, to withdraw from proceedings at the request of their client.
- U.S.The Independent
Coronavirus: Hotline to report people not wearing face masks set up in US county amid surge in Covid-19 cases
A county in Ohio has launched a hotline so that callers can report people who do not use face masks, amid concerns over a surge in the number of coronavirus cases across the state. Armond Budish, the executive of Cuyahoga county, announced the service on Friday and said complaints would be managed by county officers and would be forwarded to local health authorities. Mr Budish's comments came two days after the wearing of masks was made obligatory in the seven Ohio counties most badly affected by Covid-19, following an order given by the Republican state governor Mike DeWine.
- U.S.BBC
Coronavirus: Florida sets new state daily case record of 15,299
Florida has registered a state record of 15,299 new coronavirus cases in 24 hours - around a quarter of all of the United States' daily infections. The state, with just 7% of the US population, surpassed the previous daily record held by California. Florida, which began lifting coronavirus restrictions in May, has proved vulnerable due to tourism and an elderly population.
- U.S.CBS News
Police seize gun from couple who pointed weapons at protesters
St. Louis police on Friday seized a gun at the home of Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who were photographed outside their home pointing weapons at Black Lives Matter protesters in an image that went viral. St. Louis Police Sergeant Keith Barrett said the weapon was seized as part of the investigation into the viral incident from June 28. Attorney Al Watkins, who previously represented the couple, told reporters outside the courthouse Saturday that he was also turning over the hand gun Patricia McCloskey pointed at protesters, CBS St. Louis affiliate KMOV-TV reported.
WorldWPVI – PhiladelphiaFour more states, including Delaware, added to Pennsylvania travel quarantine list
State health officials in Pennsylvania have added four states, including neighboring Delaware, to the travel quarantine recommendation aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19 in the commonwealth.
- U.S.Associated Press
City mulls razing site where 1st Alaska flag flew
The fate of one of Alaska's most historic yet neglected structures could be decided Monday as city officials in Seward weigh whether to demolish a former Methodist boarding school where the Alaska territorial flag was first flown almost a century ago and where its Alaska Native designer lived. Benny Benson was among the orphans and displaced children who lived at the Jesse Lee Home, many of whom were sent there after the Spanish flu devastated Alaska Native villages. Benson, a 13-year-old Aleut boy sent to the home after his mother died of the flu, won a territory-wide contest in 1927 to design the flag, which became the state flag after statehood was granted in 1959.
- WorldReuters
U.S. warns citizens of heightened detention risks in China
The U.S. State Department warned American citizens on Saturday to "exercise increased caution" in China due to heightened risk of arbitrary law enforcement including detention and a ban from exiting the country. "U.S. citizens may be detained without access to U.S. consular services or information about their alleged crime," the State Department said in a security alert issued to its citizens in China, adding that U.S. citizens may face "prolonged interrogations and extended detention" for reasons related to state security. "Security personnel may detain and/or deport U.S. citizens for sending private electronic messages critical of the Chinese government," it added, without citing specific examples.
- U.S.Business Insider
At least 21 people injured after USS Bonhomme Richard catches fire at San Diego base — official says ship appears salvageable
Screenshot via KXTV At least 17 US Navy sailors and four civilians are being treated for injuries after a fire broke out aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) docked in Naval Base San Diego, California, on Sunday morning. The LHD-6, an amphibious assault ship, was docked in San Diego and undergoing routine maintenance. No ordnance was on board and the ship's one million gallons of fuel was not near the source of the fire, US Navy Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck said during a press conference.
- PoliticsUSA TODAY
Polls show Trump is losing to Joe Biden. They said the same thing 4 years ago against Hillary Clinton
Joe Biden can look at the polls and smile. A double-digit advantage in numerous national surveys, solid leads in a number of battlegrounds and competitive showings in states Donald Trump carried handily in 2016 suggest the presumptive Democratic nominee is the favorite to win in November. The overwhelming majority of polls four years ago indicated Trump would lose as well. So why put much faith in the 2020 polls that show the former vice president consistently on top?
- U.S.NBC News
Fire ravages 249-year-old Spanish mission in Southern California
No injuries were reported, and fire officials were trying to determine what caused the fire. Founded in 1771 by Franciscan priest Junipero Serra, from Spain, the San Gabriel Mission is considered a historical landmark for many faithful in Southern California. But Serra's legacy remains a flashpoint for many Native Americans and Latinos who condemn the colonization and brutalization of Indigenous populations in the region.
- WorldThe Telegraph
Russia's journalists under increasing pressure from the secret services in wake of Putin's shaky referendum victory
Russia's intelligence services have 'stepped up' their war on free media, carrying out a series of operations designed to intimidate journalists in the wake of Vladimir Putin's controversial referendum victory last week. In an unprecedented case for post-Soviet Russia, prominent defence reporter Ivan Safronov was seized outside his home on Tuesday morning by secret service agents and arrested on suspicion of treason. Last week's overwhelming approval of constitutional amendments allowing Vladimir Putin to stay in office at least until 2036 was hailed by the Kremlin as a “triumph.”
- WorldBBC
Hong Kong security law: Why we are taking our BNOs and leaving
Since China imposed a draconian national security law on Hong Kong, a lot of dinner party chatter in this protest-minded city has been about personal exit strategies. Michael and Serena have decided to leave Hong Kong for good and settle in the UK, a country they have never set foot in. The couple have British National (Overseas) - or BNO - passports, which were issued to Hong Kong residents that registered before the city was handed back to China on July 1997.
- U.S.AccuWeather
New tropical system brewing in the East Pacific
While Cristina continues to weaken as the the storm approaches the Central Pacific, AccuWeather meteorologists will be monitoring a new area of disturbed weather for tropical development this week. A broad area of low pressure is moving off the southern coast of Mexico over the warm waters of the East Pacific Ocean. "This disturbance will likely become the next tropical depression or storm over the next day or two as it continues to move westward into a more favorable environment," stated AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Rob Miller.
PoliticsFOX News VideosRep. Jordan hopes Durham investigation can be done before the election
Rep. Jim Jordan, ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, reacts to the timeline of U.S. Attorney John Durham's investigation into the origins of the Russia probe.
- U.S.Associated Press
As virus rages in US, New York guards against another rise
As coronavirus rages out of control in other parts of the U.S., New York is offering an example after taming the nation's deadliest outbreak this spring — while also trying to prepare in case another surge comes. New York's early experience is a ready-made blueprint for states now finding themselves swamped by the disease. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has offered advice, ventilators, masks, gowns and medicine to states dealing with spikes in cases and hospitalizations and, in some places, rising deaths.
- U.S.Reuters
Mexico surpasses Italy to post world's fourth-highest coronavirus death toll
Deaths in Mexico from the coronavirus pandemic rose above 35,000 on Sunday, with the Latin American country overtaking Italy for the world's fourth-highest death total, according to Reuters data. But leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Sunday that the pandemic was "losing intensity" in Mexico, and blamed what he called "conservative media" for causing alarm. Mexico on Sunday recorded 276 additional fatalities and 4,482 new infections to bring its coronavirus death toll to 35,006, with 299,750 confirmed cases.
- BusinessBusiness Insider
A revival of ultrafast supersonic passenger jet travel is inching closer to reality – take a look at the prototype debuting in October
Boom Supersonic Aircraft start-up Boom Supersonic is one step closer to bringing back supersonic passenger travel with its flagship Overture jet. The Overture's prototype and demonstrator, the XB-1, will be unveiled in October and plans to take to the skies in 2021. If the XB-1 has a successful test flight program, the Overture could fly within the next 10 years, bringing back supersonic travel to the public.
- PoliticsThe Daily Beast
If He Loses, Trump Must Resign Immediately and Make Biden President. No, Really.
If Trump does not resign before the election in November, there is little question he should resign the next day if he loses, especially if the election is not close, and turn the reins of power over to the president-elect. A landslide win by Biden will mean that the pandemic is not under control and probably that the economy remains in turmoil or perhaps ruins. This makes Trump's immediate removal from office all the more compelling because experts are warning that COVID-19 may build into another wave just as the regular flu season kicks into high gear starting in November.
WorldAFPBosnia Muslims mourn their dead 25 years after Srebrenica massacre
Bosnian Muslims marked the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre on Saturday, the worst atrocity on European soil since World War II, with the memorial ceremony sharply reduced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Many mourners braved the tighter restrictions put in place to stem the spread of COVID-19 to attend the commemorations which culminated in a ceremony laying to rest the remains of nine victims identified over the past year. On July 11, 1995, after capturing Srebrenica, Serb forces killed more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys in a few days.
